China ready to deepen political mutual trust with S. Africa -- Premier Li Xinhua) 09:22, November 22, 2025 Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Friday that China stands ready to work with South Africa to deepen political mutual trust, and firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns. Li made the remarks when meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the 20th Group of 20 (G20) Summit scheduled here for Saturday and Sunday. Li conveyed to Ramaphosa the cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that for decades China and South Africa have treated each other as close brothers, with a friendship that spans mountains and seas and has grown ever stronger. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, he said, China and South Africa are working together to advance an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era, aiming to benefit the peoples of both countries. China, Li said, is ready to continue working with South Africa to carry forward their traditional friendship, expand cooperation across various fields, so as to better promote the common development of the two countries, as well as unity and cooperation between China and Africa as a whole. The Chinese premier noted that the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee reviewed and adopted in October the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the CPC for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, and that South Africa has announced a 10-point economic action plan. China is ready to strengthen alignment with South Africa in development strategies, promote the early implementation of zero-tariff treatment in the country, Li said. Li called on the two countries to leverage their complementary advantages in resource and economic structure, deepen cooperation in mining and infrastructure construction, develop new highlights in the auto industry, explore potential in emerging sectors such as new energy and artificial intelligence, and expand cooperation in science and technology innovation including in satellite navigation and joint laboratory construction. He also urged China and South Africa to strengthen exchanges of experience in poverty reduction and rural revitalization, and advance cooperation in public health, culture, education and youth, among others, so as to enhance the sense of fulfillment of their peoples. China and South Africa have jointly initiated a cooperative initiative to support Africa's modernization, to encourage the international community to increase attention and investment in Africa, according to Li. Li also said China is ready to work with South Africa to strengthen coordination on platforms such as BRICS and the G20, implement the four global initiatives proposed by Xi, uphold the multilateral trading system, promote reform of the global governance system, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. For his part, Ramaphosa asked Li to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to Xi. He said the important consensus he reached with Xi on establishing an all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era has elevated the bilateral relations to a historic new height and injected strong momentum into bilateral cooperation across various fields. Ramaphosa reiterated that South Africa firmly adheres to the one-China policy, reaffirming that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. South Africa will continue to work with China to support each other on issues concerning the core interests, he added. He expressed appreciation for China's support for South Africa's economic and social development, and said South Africa stands ready to deepen cooperation with China in areas including trade, investment, mining, industry, science and technology, energy and infrastructure, public health and poverty alleviation, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples. South Africa is willing to provide a safe and sound environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the country, and stands ready to work with other African countries to make full use of China's favorable policies to deepen Africa-China cooperation, said Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa said that South Africa highly commends the four major global initiatives proposed by Xi. He noted that South Africa sincerely appreciates China's strong support for hosting the G20 Summit, saying that China plays an important role in helping the summit build consensus and deliver outcomes. South Africa stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China within the United Nations, the G20 and other multilateral frameworks to jointly uphold multilateralism, he added. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Wu Chengliang) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Photo: https://18-24.army.gov.ua/ During the night into Saturday, November 22, Ukrainian drones launched a massive attack on temporarily occupied Crimea, with explosions reported in Simferopol, Hvardiyske, Krasnoperekopsk, and Armiansk, according to local Telegram channels. According to OSINT analysis by ASTRA, an electrical substation in Krasnoperekopsk came under attack. "On the night of November 22, residents of annexed Crimea reported explosions. In particular, videos appeared on Telegram allegedly showing one of the strikes. ASTRA geolocated the footage and concluded that the video captured the moment of the attack on the electrical substation in the city of Krasnoperekopsk at 14 Severnaya Street," ASTRA said on its Telegram channel. The Krasnoperekopsk 220 kV substation is a major high-voltage transmission node (part of the FSK/Rosseti grid), through which power is transmitted and distributed across northern Crimea. Nearby is the 220/6 kV "Soda" substation serving the Crimean Soda Plant in Krasnoperekopsk. According to preliminary information, critical energy infrastructure was hit. Brendan Courtney stripped off for a bone-chilling dip in the Irish Sea and wants everyone in Louth to take the plunge as part of a major fundraising drive. The TV presenter and fashion designer braved the cold in Dublins Sandycove as he urged the public to sign up for the Irish Heart Foundations 12 Dips in December challenge, supported by Daybreak. The Keys to My Life host knows the importance of the charitys work - his father Frank died in 2017 following a stroke, while Courtney manages his own high blood pressure. My father was a very funny man with a great sense of humour and while the stroke slowed him down, it didnt take his sense of fun, and I miss that every day, he said. I swim most days, it is such a leveller, it brings you right into your body and holds you in the present, it is also great for your immune system and general mental health. You never regret a sea swim, especially when its about raising awareness to help save peoples lives. The Irish Heart Foundation is asking everyone in Louth to register and begin raising funds at https://fundraise.irishheart. ie/event/12-dips-in-december- 2025 All you have to do is dip 12 times throughout December, individually or with a group, in open water, in a pool or ice bath, and track it on your fundraising page. Funds raised will help save lives from heart disease and stroke and increase the level of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. At Daybreak, were incredibly proud to support the Irish Heart Foundations 12 Dips in December challenge, said Janine Watson, Head of Retail Sales with Musgrave Wholesale Partners, operators of the Daybreak retail franchise. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative is a fantastic way to bring our retailers and their teams together across Ireland, have some fun, and raise vital funds for heart health. Read Next: Refusal for 22 homes at Marlbog Road in north Louth appealed Were excited to see the impact we can make by rallying local communities around such an important cause. CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation, Emma Balmaine, said fundraising events are crucial to continue providing much-needed support and services to people across Ireland affected by heart disease and stroke, including CPR training. In addition, they support patient services such as counselling and our Nurse Support Line, advocacy and health promotion work. Were hugely grateful to Daybreak for their support and to all those who are getting involved, every dip makes a difference! A group representing Magdalene survivors has expressed deep concern at unethical and insensitive proposals at a former Cork Magdalene laundry. Earlier this month, An Coimisiun Pleanala upheld a decision by Cork City Council to grant planning for a 957-bed development for student accommodation at the former Good Shepherd convent in Sundays Well. Survivor group Justice For Magdalenes Research (JFMR) has claimed An Coimisiun Pleanala failed to address its concerns about the planned development by Bellmount Good Shepherd Limited, owned by developer brothers Padraig and Seamus Kelleher. Established in 1870 by the Good Shepherd Sisters, the convent served as a Magdalene laundry, orphanage, and industrial school until 1977, with thousands of women and children kept there over the years. Submission In a submission to An Coimisiun Pleanala, JFMR raised concerns at proposals to establish an exhibit space at the former Bake House to display information relating to the sites history as an orphanage and Magdalene laundry, and place of burial for Little Nellie. Some 110 nuns are buried in a graveyard on the east of the site, as is four-year-old Ellen Organ, or Little Nellie of Holy God, the so-called unofficial patron saint of Cork, who died in the orphanage in 1908. At least 188 Magdalene women died at the Good Shepherd laundry, and many are believed to be buried in a mass grave on the site. In an almost inaccessible corner on the north-western end of the former convent site, beyond the planned development, a vandalised cross bears the names of 30 Magdalene women. However, three of those women are also listed as being buried at St Josephs Cemetery. Unethical JFMR said proposals to connect spaces intended to acknowledge the abusive history of Sundays Well with the final burial place of members of the religious order who perpetrated these abuses (were) unethical, insensitive to survivors ... and further (marginalised) the Magdalene women and girls buried at the opposite end of the site. An Coimisiun Pleanala and Bellmount Developments were asked for comment. A Mitchelstown cocaine dealer who was one of the top targets for the Cork county divisional drugs unit broke his phone in two and threw it into the fire when gardai called to his home to carry out a search. Garda Cormac Axson said 34-year-old Michael Nixon of Stagg Park, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, was making his livelihood out of cocaine dealing, but he was also acting against a background of addiction. In one particular search carried out last January, more than 12,000 worth of cocaine and over 3,000 worth of cannabis, together with mixing agent for the cocaine and deal bags, were found to be concealed. In another incident when he was stopped and searched, he was caught with a bag of cocaine which he was dealing, and he was taken to the local Garda station. It wasnt until sometime afterwards that gardai found a second bag of cocaine which he had tried to conceal down the side of the back seat of the patrol car on his way to the station. Jailed At Cork Circuit Criminal Court he was jailed for a total of five years by Judge Dermot Sheehan in respect of three separate incidents when he was caught with drugs for sale or supply, against a background of previous convictions that included having drugs for his own use 13 times, three counts of drug-dealing, and three more of obstructing drugs searches. He would have been one of our top targets in the Mitchelstown area, Garda Axson testified. In the largest and most recent of his drug-dealing crimes, gardai from the Cork county divisional drugs unit arrived at his home at 11.30am on January 18 to conduct a search under warrant. Nixon was present and he reacted to the arrival of gardai by snapping his phone in two and throwing it on the fire, completely destroying it and making it impossible to recover any data from the phone. Search As the search progressed on that date, drugs were found behind a kick-board in the kitchen, consisting of 12,000 worth of cocaine and 3,000 worth of cannabis, together with digital weighing scales and mixing agent for the cocaine. Garda Axson said: This was a sophisticated operation, taking cocaine of higher purity and mixing it for more profit. Mr Nixon said during the search: Anything you find is belonging to me. No one else in this house does that sort of thing. Back on July 1, 2023, he was caught with over 2,000 worth of cocaine on his person. And the following day, a further package of the drug was found wedged down the side of the back seat of the patrol car which brought him to the Garda station on July 1, 2023. He was seen in a drugs transaction in Mitchelstown, selling or supplying to another person, after midnight on October 22, 2023. No trappings of wealth Barrister Alan ODwyer said that the accused had no trappings of wealth from drug-dealing. He said that while he had a lot of previous convictions for drugs, he was also capable of staying clear of drugs and living a productive life, something he managed between 2013 and 2020 before relapsing. Mr ODwyer said that Nixon was now attending a relapse-prevention programme in prison. Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a total sentence of six years with the last year suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The judge described the accused as: An active drug dealer who was on bail for other drugs offences when he was caught with a sophisticated drug-dealing operation in January this year. Cork City Council has granted permission for a large buffet-style restaurant in the Merchants Quay Shopping Centre. YOLO Party Limited applied for permission to open Wings World Cuisine on the first floor, consisting of the change of use and amalgamation of multiple vacant units. Units A through F10 will be changed to a single, unified, buffet-style restaurant. While the restaurant will be accessed from the normal shopping centre entrances on the ground floor, the applicant has also been granted permission for a new entrance to the unit from Patrick Street, through a door that is not currently in use by the public, for customers to use when the shopping centre closes at 6pm. The development includes internal demolition, signage (illuminated and non-illuminated), internal reconfiguration of partitions, drainage, bin storage, kitchen, toilets, facilities, plant and associated site works all at ground-, first-, and second-floor levels, with the second floor, which is not open to the public, to be used for back-of-house operations for the restaurant. The proposed restaurant will be of a buffet self-service-type style, and will be able to seat up to 286 people. A maximum seating time of one and a half hours on weekdays and two hours on weekends will be implemented. The applicant operates two similar restaurants, one in Dublin and one in Middlesbrough in the UK. Music chain HMV is also set to open in the shopping centre, creating 10 new full- and part-time jobs. It comes 12 years after the closure of HMVs Patrick Street outlet. The store is expected to open before Christmas. The Government has been urged to immediately begin planning for a permanent supervised injection facility in Cork. The issue was raised in the Dail this week by Social Democrats TD Padraig Rice, who called on Jennifer Murnane OConnor, minister of state for public health, wellbeing and the national drugs strategy, to act without delay. Last month, I asked the minister about a supervised injection facility for Cork, and was told that no new safe injection facilities would be considered until after the 18-month pilot in Dublin was completed, said Mr Rice. This pilot wont be completed until the middle of next year. He referenced a recent UCC study showing that there are 859 problem drug users in Cork City, and that an average of 35 people are dying in the city each year from drug use. Cork cannot wait for pilot schemes and reports, said Mr Rice. People are dying in our city because the proper supports are not in place. He said he had serious concerns about the ministers suggestion that a mobile unit could be deployed in Cork. There is certainly a place for mobile units, but as the second-largest city in Ireland, Cork needs a dedicated centre. Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland, recently told The Echo that a mobile unit would be quite ineffective. A centre provides a place in which aftercare is provided and people are monitored; this simply cannot be done in a van. Moreover, a prime location for a supervised centre has already been identified the proposed integrated inclusion health hub for homeless people in Cork City. Co-locating a supervised injection facility with other inclusive healthcare services should be the objective of our health services. Work on that hub must begin now so that the design and planning phases can incorporate this essential service. If the minister continues to dither on a decision for Cork, this opportunity will be lost. Mr Rice said a safe injection facility would reduce drug use on the streets and in parks and decrease drug-based litter such as discarded needles. The safe injection facility in Dublin has been a huge success and a similar facility is urgently needed in Cork, he said. Ms Murnane OConnor said: Everything is being assessed. The evaluation of what is happening with drugs around the country is being looked at. We are assessing every opportunity here, working within the department, the HSE, and, as the deputy knows, our drugs task forces, which do huge work within our communities. A Cork man has pleaded guilty to the possession of cannabis that was surrendered to gardai by another individual, the district court has heard. 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 public 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 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 Denys Shtilerman, co-owner of the Ukrainian defense company Fire Point and its chief designer, said that businessman Tymur Mindich, who appears in a corruption case in the energy sector, showed "genuine interest" in buying into the company and sought to acquire a 50% stake. "We became successful not thanks to Mindich; Mindich came to us because we had become successful. What do I mean? In March 2024, open trials were held by the Defense Forces together with the U.S. Embassy. The task was to fly under EW interference and you had to hit the target. Not only Ukrainian companies were involved, but international ones as well. The only company that passed these trials was ours," Shtilerman said on Friday at the "Big Dialogue with Fire Point" event. According to him, after that, the company was "flooded with offers" from people wanting to become co-owners or shareholders, and it also began receiving contracting proposals from the Defense Procurement Agency. One of those interested in becoming a co-owner was businessman Mindich. "The negotiations were going quite well. He expressed genuine interest, but in the end we refused him. And that's it. We remained just acquaintances. We had one shared interest: the artist Vladyslav Shereshevsky. He loved him, and I also do. Nothing more," Shtilerman said. Mindich "wanted to come in for a 50% stake," but according to Shtilerman, he did not offer enough money. "We understood that after the trials, we were worth significantly more," he said. He also commented on claims by MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak that he was possibly mentioned in NABU wiretap recordings as "Elektronik." Speaking to journalists, Shtilerman said he heard the name "Elektronik" for the first time. Shtilerman also said that Mykhailo Tsukerman, the brother of Oleksandr Tsukerman, who appears in the NABU-released "Midas" operation tapes as "Sugarman," is his "personal banker." "I explained long ago that I have known Mykhailo Davydovych Tsukerman for a very long time. At the very beginning of the war, I realized life had become dangerous I gathered all the cash I had, and all the money my mother had, and I gave it to Mykhailo Davydovych. I wrote in my will what to do with that money," he said. The Fire Point co-owner said he last visited their office in 2024. "As far as I remember, I was at their office on Sofiyska Square even in 2024. That was the last time. That's all. I mostly communicate with Mykhailo Davydovych and I have great respect for him," he added, noting that Tsukerman later came to Kyiv and they met. "He's my banker, the one to whom I entrusted my money Like anyone who has lived through several banking crises, I don't really trust bank accounts. I keep my assets either in cash or in securities," Shtilerman said. At the same time, he emphasized that this has nothing to do with the company's funds, because "Fire Point is a legal entity that has accounts only in the banks it works with." According to Shtilerman, "these are two state-owned banks." The chief designer also refuted information about NABU searches at the company. "There were no searches. We handed over all the documents they requested back in the spring of this year. It was several truckloads of documents. We provided everything, including all banking transactions and all documents they asked for," he said. Fire Point director and co-owner Yehor Skalyha said that "every oversight body that is supposed to check and control state money" had taken interest in the company, but also confirmed that there were no searches or accusations. "That's why we cooperate. We provide all the documents. We had no searches, and so far we have not had any accusations. There were specific questions about specific components. We provide answers and provide documents," he said. Shtilerman also explained his connection with Ihor Fursenko, who appears in the "Midas" case under the alias "Reshik." According to him, Fursenko was involved in evacuating his ex-wife and children from Russia. "Ihor Fursenko and his subordinate handled the evacuation of my family from Russia. My ex-wife and my two children were living in the Russian Federation and were not very eager to leave due to certain circumstances I spoke with Ihor perhaps three times in my life. That's what he was dealing with. He was employed as an administrator. We couldn't describe his actual duties in documents, because that would have endangered my life and the life of my family, who were in Russia," Shtilerman explained. When asked where the company got its initial funding to produce drones, the chief designer said: "It just so happens that I was a wealthy man long before the war, and I still am." Skalyha, Shtilerman added, "was also not a poor man," as was technical director Iryna Terekh. "Yes, this was our own money. We didn't borrow from anyone," Shtilerman added. Skalyha also noted that "everything started in a garage," and at the time he had no idea how large their operations would eventually become. "At first it was specific help for specific people. The first drone was a reconnaissance drone," he said. Google made its final arguments in a longstanding case against the US Department of Justice on whether it has to split up its ad tech practices. However, the judge presiding over the case may be looking to wrap up the case before Google has a chance to appeal, according to a report from Reuters. On Friday, both sides made their closing statements in the lawsuit where the Justice Department accused the tech giant of illegally monopolizing the ad tech market. While the US District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled in April that Google held a monopoly in the online adtech space, the judge recently asked the Justice Department how quickly an anticompetitive measure could go into effect, adding that "time is of the essence." Google's attorney, Karen Dunn, argued that forcing Google to sell its advertising tech subsidiary would be extreme and hurt customers in the process, according to the report. Google is also reportedly planning to appeal the latest decision. According to Reuters, Brinkema noted that any sort of remedy "most likely would not be as easily enforceable while an appeal is pending," meaning that Google could delay the forced sale until the appeal is concluded. At the same time, Google is facing a $3.5 billion fine for violating the European Union's antitrust laws within the adtech industry. Comedian Lewis Black has spoken publicly about having once been invited to one of the dinner parties hosted by Jeffrey Epstein, sharing the details of a really uncomfortable evening he had with the celebrity guests also present. Black's account resurfaced this week, two decades after the now-disgraced financier's crimes became publicly known. Black discussed the night during an appearance on the "We Might Be Drunk" podcast. He said, "Slayton called me up and said, you know, (Epstein) really likes comics," explaining he initially hesitated until fellow comedian Bobby Slayton enticed him with the promise of "quality wine." The comedian said dinner was at Epstein's Upper West Side residence years before the financier's arrest. Black explained, "There were young girls flitting about, but I didn't know, having not figured out anything on the Voyer bus about age. I had no idea. I didn't know how old or young they were." Other notable guests that night, according to Black, included Woody Allen, Allen's wife Soon-Yi Previn, Dick Cavett, and David Brenner. Black said he and Slayton were invited back to Epstein's home weeks later. He said, "Bobby said, 'You want to go?' I said, 'I ain't going to that house again...absolutely not. I don't care how good the wine is.'" He added, ""I said something is f----- up in there and I don't know what it is." RadarOnline, which reposted the interview, pointed out that many of Epstein's gatherings often attracted influential personalities, including former Prince Andrew of Britain. A previous guest gave a vivid description of the atmosphere. The guest said, "Epstein came with some girls who were tall and skinny and Russian-looking. There were about 20-ish. They looked like teens." According to The Sun, the same guest asserted that Andrew discussed the royal wedding and politics during dinner, noting that the prince appeared to be enjoying himself immensely. Records about Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell could become public as Congress advances the Epstein Files Transparency Act. But Attorney General Pam Bondi still has the power to redact information that might impact ongoing investigations - meaning many questions may never be answered. Jen Shah, a former cast member of "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City," is set to leave federal prison earlier than expected. According to People, Shah will be released on December 10, allowing her to spend Christmas with her family after serving about 2.5 years of a 6.5-year sentence. Her manager, Chris Giovanni, said the early release feels special during the holiday season. "Everyone's very grateful for the BOP's decision, especially because it means Jen will be able to reunite with her family for the holidays," he shared. He added that Shah sees the timing as a "gift she doesn't take for granted." Giovanni explained that Shah, 52, has been working hard on herself during her time at the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas. According to PageSix, he described her mindset as "positive" and "hopeful," noting that she has grown a lot while serving her sentence. "She's done a lot of reflecting and real growth during her time away," he said. "Her focus is on her family and building a healthier, more grounded life." BREAKING Jen Shah will be released from prison on Dec. 10, according to People #RHOSLC pic.twitter.com/i8pK8MH6DL Queens of Bravo (@queensofbravo) November 21, 2025 Jen Shah Admits Guilt in Telemarketing Shah's legal troubles began in March 2021 when she was arrested for her part in a nationwide telemarketing scheme that targeted older adults. At first, she pleaded not guilty, but in July 2022, she changed her plea to guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge. In court, she admitted, "I knew this was wrong. I knew many people were harmed and I'm so sorry." She began her prison term in February 2023, and her sentence was reduced several times afterward. Before news of her upcoming release, her projected release date was September 19, 2026. While behind bars, Shah stayed in touch with fans through diary-style posts on her website, US Magazine reported. In one update, her representative said she was "working on her personal self and focused on her journey towards positive rehabilitation." Shah also wrote that she was in "great spirits," crediting her family, supporters, and faith for helping her stay strong. The Federal Bureau of Prisons did not comment on details of Shah's release, citing privacy rules. Kanye West, the rapper and fashion designer from Chicago, was recently captured in an interview by a fan, appearing sad, alarming many fans. The short interaction, recorded by fan account yeunrlsd, featured casual questions about his fashion choices. When asked to rate his outfit, West responded with minimal enthusiasm, "It's always a ten" according to the clip. Fans online noted his subdued tone and interpreted it as a sign that the rapper may not be in a positive mental state. The conversation took a more concerning turn when West was asked about a fashion trend he regrets being part of. He gave a brief, one-word response: "Life." Viewers quickly reacted to the comment, with one writing, "anybody else just wanna hug Ye," while another suggested, "Our goat got put back on his meds [broken heart emoji]." User sirjodye added, "nah they semi-lobotomized my goat what is going on?" HotNewHipHop reported that despite West's troubled public image in recent years, he has been attempting to address past behaviors and beliefs. His previous offensive comments and antisemitic remarks led to severed business ties and strained friendships, and his recent actions seem to reflect a more introspective side. This month, West visited Rabbi Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto to seek forgiveness from the Jewish community. In the visit, he explained, "I wanted to come and take accountability... Sometimes people aren't that knowledgeable about bipolar and the cause, or what causes it, and the way you act when you have this disease." Page Six highlighted Pinto's supportive response, noting that the rabbi emphasized redemption and learning from mistakes. Pinto said, "A person is not defined by his mistakes, but by the way he chooses to correct them. This is the true strength of man: The ability to return, to learn, and to build bridges of love and peace." Onlookers point out that West's difficulties are worsened by his relationship with ex-wife Kim Kardashian and spill over to public perceptions. Some fans say they hope this means West's recent signs of looking inward are genuine self-reflection, and wonder if his elbow-out interview was just a moment. As he navigates his path in music, fashion, & personal development, fans and critics alike are interested in West's actions & mental health, hoping to find stability & wellness. Originally published on Music Times Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. The death of a 28-year-old woman medical officer on 23 October 2025 in Phaltan, Maharashtraallegedly by suicidesent shockwaves across the states political establishment and civil society. However, after a month, the calls for justice have almost abated, and even as questions against the seemingly deliberate incompetence of the state as well as overt attempts at shielding the accused yet remain. A case that saw outrage and solidarity across professional, social, and regional differenceswhich the leader of the opposition called an institutionalised murderhas now been reduced to a unique event in the public discourse, as the onus has been shifted entirely upon the deceased victim and the two accused who have been arrested. The manner in which the state administration has handled the case is riddled with procedural shortcomings and institutional laxity. Soon after the body of the doctor was discovered in a hotel room, the matter was deemed to be a suicide by the investigating authorities. This was based upon prima facie evidence, including a handwritten note on the palm of her hand which alleged that a local police sub-inspector had sexually harassed and raped her multiple times and her landlords son had been harassing her mentally. However, it was reported soon after that the doctor had filed complaints in June, including to the sub-divisional police officer of Phaltan, alleging that certain police officers had been pressurising her to falsify fitness certificates and post-mortem reports, in order to extend the custody of certain accused persons. She also alleged that an unnamed former member of Parliament (MP) had repeatedly attempted to pressurise her into falsifying these reports. This had resulted in a stand-off with the police, with the police lodging a counter-complaint with the Satara civil surgeon. These details came out days after the death of the doctor, and should have raised serious doubts if the local police could even be trusted to handle the case in a fair and unbiased manner. Even if the local police were to be given the benefit of doubt, the principles of natural justice dictate that no one can judge their own case. The family of the deceased doctor further alleged that she had approached the superintendent and deputy superintendent of police in pursuit of her complaint, but no action had been taken. They further alleged evidence tampering and raised doubts over key details in the official narrative, including the time of death. Considering all these factors, it was crucial that, in the interest of justice, the state government should have wasted no time in transferring the case to an authority that was unconnected to the state administration. What the state government instead did was form a special investigation team (SIT) led by a commandant of the state reserve police force on 1 November. This SIT was charged with taking over the investigation, more than a week after the death of the doctor. This is to not raise doubts over the competence and impartiality of the SIT, but it is important that justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done. By refusing to relinquish the authority over the investigation, the state government has weakened its own case of intending to conduct a fair and unbiased investigation, leading some to ask whether the state government even wants to conduct an investigation in the first place. These doubts are further emboldened by repeated leaks of sensitive information pertaining to the case to the media. Phone call records and personal chat detailsespecially between the accused and the deceasedhave been publicised and sensationalised. Not only does this impinge upon the dignity and privacy of the deceased, but such acts seem like a conscious attempt to underplay the role of the police and state administration in the doctors death, and instead shift the blame upon the deceased and her life choices. By seeming to resort to a public trial through the publicising of private informationespecially the selective leaking of information that has more prejudicial than probative valueto indirectly malign the deceased doctor, the investigation has still not been able to establish its own competence. Such leaks, especially in a case where rape and sexual harassment have been alleged, point towards a deliberate disregard for the principles of gender justice by a professional police force. However, there is another aspect to this case. One that has been deployedespecially by opposition leaders in the stateto explain the institutional lacunae, lethargy, and repeated instances of incompetence. In the complaint filed by the deceased doctor in June, she made mention of a former MP who spoke to her and pressurised her to falsify reports. What is more disconcerting is the clean chit given to the accused former MP by the chief minister of the statewho is also the home ministerless than a week after the death of the doctor. Beyond the question of whether the chief minister even has such sweeping powers to declare innocence even before any inquiry has been completed is the question of what message is being sent to the investigative authorities. Is it being hinted that the scope of the investigation is to be limited and that the interests of those close to the ruling party are to be protected? The investigation into the matter is still ongoing. But what is now starkly visible is a deteriorating state of law and order in Maharashtra, where justice seems to be selectively dispensed after taking into consideration the interests of those in power. Parties that were rightly vocal against the R G Kar Medical College rape and murder case in 2024 and the shortcomings of the West Bengal state government have fallen silent now. Does this not speak volumes about the selective indices applied by the now-silent political parties to the question of gender justice? Finally, for a state like Maharashtrawhose political class unceasingly harps upon the states progressive legacythe aforementioned events have demonstrated that a legacy cannot substitute for a genuine intent for dispensing justice. That the alignments of social groups with political parties and the correlation of forces among these social groups that have marked the political terrain in Bihar for the last two decades continue to remain largely intact is evident from the results of the assembly elections. Therefore, the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with its formidable social coalition, including the support base of not only the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but also the consolidated bases of smaller parties, such as Lok Janshakti Party (R), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha, should not come as a shock or surprise at all. But unlike arithmetic, politics is not played out on paper (or on computer screens), but among the masses. Thus, however formidable a coalition may look on paper, it still has to put several things into practice. It cannot take the support of its traditional support base for granted and has to win it over actively. This dynamic also keeps open the possibility of the formidable coalition being breached, unsettling the equation on paper by realigning social forces on the ground. Else, what would be the meaning and purpose of politics? The results of the assembly elections have underscored the primacy of politics as the NDA succeeded in the task of politically translating the on-paper social equations, whereas the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) did not even face up to the political challenge politically. It cannot be denied that the political contest hardly played out on a level playing field, particularly obscured by the continuation of the cash transfer scheme in violation of the model code of conduct. The Election Commissions complicity in this violation is particularly egregious. Nevertheless, under an authoritarian regime, can one really expect a level playing field? While rightly protesting against it, the political task for the opposition is to mobilise the masses to such a degree that the unevenness of the contest ceases to be a decisive factor. Going by the prevalent and persistent correlation of the social forces, how could the MGB in general and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in particular have approached the political contest? The desirable approach would have been to attempt to break some social groups or sections away from the NDA and add it to its own significant social coalition of Yadav and Muslim communities. This would have been an aggressive strategy of breaching the adversarys fortress. A less desirable, but defensively justifiable, approach would have been to consolidate ones own social coalition and hold the fortress. Not only did the RJD-led MGB fail in the aggressive strategy, but the results also indicate that its own fortress was breached to a significant extent. The breaching strategy would have entailed an attempt to win over the non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities along with the Scheduled Caste (SC) communities, or at least their significant section. At the representational level, this would necessitate the preponderant Yadav community ceding substantial political space to accommodate the interests of these communities. This would be a strategy of building hegemony by winning over the consent of non-Yadav OBC and SC communities, to dispel the perception of Yadav dominance. Fear-mongering about the Yadav dominance by harping on the return of so-called jungle raj was the principal pitch of the NDAs and particularly the BJPs campaign. While, for the upper castes, the jungle raj is a code word for the unsettling of their supremacy, the perceived possibility of the dominance of a numerically preponderant community can indeed evoke unease among numerically smaller OBC communities. To assuage this unease, the numerically preponderant community must demonstrate its capacity to accommodate and at times even take a backseat. In terms of candidate selection, MGB was not adequate for this task. At the more substantive level, dispelling the perception of Yadav dominance could have been achieved by politicising the data of the caste survey. While noting the upward mobility of the small section of the Yadav community, the data shows the similarity or proximity in the socio-economic conditions of the Yadavs and other oppressed castes. It is utterly perplexing that the whole issue of the caste survey was entirely missing from the MGB campaign. The politicisation of the caste survey data through a popular idiom would have helped forge a social coalition based on shared material interests and enabled a caste-based articulation of the economic demands over jobs, migration and distribution of resources. At the ideological level, this would have meant a qualitative leap forward for the politics of social justice. At a more instrumental level, it would have reorganised the political terrain along the transformative axis of agda (forward)picchda (backward) as against the NDAs campaign organised around an ultimately status quoist Yadavnon-Yadav axis. The question is whether the RJD and MGB desired such a framing of political contest. In their attempt to be a catch-all or A to Z party, the new RJD leadership seems to have shied away from making caste-based claims of justice and highlighting caste-based injustice. This strategy of avoiding an adversarial approach is doomed to fail, particularly when your competitor has already adopted a strong adversarial approach. Battle lines are always already drawn; the question is, who sets the terms. Politics is, after all, about contradictions, their recognition, management and resolution. Generally, this A to Z obsession also stems from the anxiety to shed the so-called jungle-raj baggage, and in the process, willy-nilly dissociating from, if not disowning, the twin pillars of the legacy of Lalu Prasad Yadav. Namely, backward caste assertion for dignity and steadfast protection of minority rights. If the first is diluted in order to chase the chimera of being a catch-all party, the latter becomes shaky due to the diffidence in the face of Hindutva dominancethe fear of being associated with minority communities, particularly Muslims, and thus losing the Hindu vote. A combination of this dilution and diffidence seems to have contributed to the erosion of the support from the Yadav and Muslim communities. The proverbial fortress stands breached. It is a moot question whether any of the steps suggested earlier could have been put into action with an alliance partner like the Congress. On the one hand, it played a disruptive role by haggling for the share of seats way higher than its capacity and derailing the coordination within the alliance in the process. The sheer lack of ground-level coordination between the MGB partners and Congresss obstinate and excessive seat demands, despite its negligible social base, stood in stark contrast with coordination within NDA, despite differences and the BJPs much stronger flexibility to concede and accommodate. On the other hand, its focus on the procedural issues regarding the irregularities in electoral rollsframed as vote chorideflated the possibility of the opposition campaign being run on substantive concerns of the masses. The procedural issues regarding electoral rolls have to be addressed by building organisational strength at the constituency level, if not booth level, to guard against any alleged malpractices. It cannot be an issue to galvanise the masses; in fact, it contributes to demobilising them. If the political campaign is premised on the assumption of the whole system being managed or captured, one cannot even posit the masses as being active agents of change within the electoral democratic set-up, thereby precluding their politicisation. One wonders if the Congress party, with its sociopolitical character as the original party of the power elite, is even interested inif not wary ofthe politicisation of the masses over substantive issues of socio-economic lived realities. It is a failure of imagination and lack of political confidence on the part of other MGB partnersparticularly RJD and CPI(ML) Liberationthat they could not mount a campaign for substantive democracy and justice along the lines suggested above and chose to be dragged behind the Congress unicorns. Notwithstanding its role in obscuring the level playing field, the popular approval of the cash transfer scheme also stands as an index of the political-ideological failure of the opposition. It has been rightly pointed out that such schemes amount to the enfeeblement of the masses by reducing them to passive individualised recipient-beneficiaries as against active citizen-agents claiming rights through collective movements. However, the converse is also true. In the absence of a collective political movement for ensuring rights and realistically promising better living conditions, why would the vast masses in the midst of precarious and despairing everyday living conditions not endorse the immediate respite, howsoever partial and inadequate? The electoral success of such schemes is thus a function of the inability of the opposition to present an alternative programme that induces hope. One of energy packages from the Netherlands on its way to Ukraine Zelenskyy Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported he had a "good conversation" with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. "We exchanged views on the diplomatic situation and on the opportunities that have now arisen. I briefed the Prime Minister on our joint work with Europe and the U.S. on the American plan to end the war. We are working constructively to ensure the plan is fully aligned," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Saturday. The President said that it matters that our agreements with the Netherlands are being implemented very promptly. "The Prime Minister noted that one of the energy packages various equipment, including transformers is already on its way to Ukraine. I am grateful for this and for the consistent and decisive support of the Dutch people. We value all the assistance," Zelenskyy wrote. Editors note: This story was updated Nov. 24 to reflect current case numbers. SALEM, Ohio Local stables and arenas in the tri-state area are tightening up their safety measures as concerns grow over an outbreak of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, or EHM. The outbreak traces back to the Womens Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event held in Waco, Texas, from Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. As of Nov. 24, the Equine Disease Communication Center has confirmed 21 connected cases. EHM is a highly contagious and potentially fatal neurological condition linked to the equine herpesvirus-1. So far, cases of EHM have been identified in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado and New Mexico. Additional cases of EHV-1 without neurological signs tied to the Waco-Texas outbreak have been detected in Washington and Arizona. At least two horses in Texas have been euthanized as a result of this infection. Some local facilities arent waiting for the virus to strike any closer. Garwood Arena in Columbiana, Ohio, announced it would be canceling several upcoming events due to the outbreak. E&H Cattle Company, in Dover, Ohio, also decided to cancel the barrel racing portion of its Nov. 21 rodeo, though the rest of the event is moving forward. Buckhorn Ranch Arena in West Sunbury, Pennsylvania, has postponed several events in its Winter Barrels series, shifting its focus to dates later in December, and closed its facility to haul-ins until further notice. Bullride Mania Rodeo Company likewise canceled its barrel racing, breakaway roping and team roping competitions planned for finals beginning Nov. 21 in Harrisburg. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture issued a statement on Nov. 20 saying it, too, is monitoring the multi-state outbreak. In its release, the department encouraged anyone who owns or manages a boarding or training barn especially those whose horses travel to local, regional or national competitions to take precautions. It behooves everyone who owns, operates or manages a boarding or training facility in which clientele horses participate in organized competitive events, whether local, regional or with national exposure, to take precautions and have a general biosecurity plan for dealing with signs of EHM, WVDA wrote. The Ohio Department of Agriculture stated that there are no confirmed cases of EHV/EHM in Ohio, but the ODA is coordinating with affected states and awaiting trace information from Texas and Oklahoma. EHV/EHM is a reportable disease in Ohio. Exposed horses should be isolated for 21 days after last-known exposure and isolation should include restricted access to other horses, avoiding shared equipment or personnel, and using appropriate protective barriers, according to the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. A case of EHV-1 was confirmed in Madison County, Ohio on Nov. 23, but it was not linked to the Waco, Texas, outbreak. A case of EHV-4, a less severe variant of equine herpesvirus, was detected in eastern Pennsylvania on Nov. 23. What to do Equine herpesvirus commonly causes respiratory disease, but some strains cause outbreaks of the neurological disease, known as EHM. Symptoms of EHV-1 can vary widely. Some horses may show mild signs like nasal discharge, a fever of 102.5 F or greater and coughing. Other symptoms include becoming lethargic or developing worsening neurological issues, which occur as a result of a lack of blood flow and resulting damage to the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms can include stumbling, incoordination, loss of tail tone, hind-limb weakness, head tilt, difficulty standing and urine dribbling. In most cases, 60% to 70% of affected horses recover with treatment and supportive care, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center, but veterinary evaluation and isolation of exposed or affected horses is crucial. Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds has signalled that the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) will reopen in the first half of 2026, amid fresh calls for urgent clarity on what the revamped scheme will look like. Reynolds told farmers at the CLA Rural Business Conference she is committed to providing stability and is exploring ways to reshape SFI so it better supports sustainable food production while boosting sector growth. She said improved budgetary controls would help funding reach more farmers and focus investment on actions with the greatest environmental impact. Defra expects to publish full scheme details including budget, timings and eligibility well ahead of the relaunch to give farm businesses time to plan. However, farmers are still waiting for key information on payment rates, available actions and how the new scheme will mesh with existing Countryside Stewardship agreements, making longer-term planning difficult. The government says the reformed scheme is intended to support sustainable farming and secure long-term growth by providing a clearer, more coherent offer to producers. NFU Deputy President David Exwood said the speech contained encouraging signals on the need for clarity and confidence, but warned that further detail cant come soon enough for businesses still unsure how the wider Environmental Land Management reforms will affect them. He said: Farming is the key to a successful rural economy and SFI must be a part of delivering sustainable farming businesses and thriving nature. Exwood added that the NFU looks forward to working with Defra to shape policies that unlock the potential of UK agriculture and ensure farmers are properly rewarded for the public goods. The update follows confirmation of a one-year extension to the Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier (CSMT) scheme, which had been due to end in 2025. Reynolds urged eligible farmers to respond to their extension offers before the 27 November deadline, with more than 2,000 yet to reply. She said information on transferring schemes would be included within the reformed SFI guidance. Meanwhile, the first Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreement is expected to go live in December, providing continuity for farms involved in more complex environmental management. Reynolds also outlined a series of major policy papers due in the coming months, confirming that the Batters Review and Environmental Improvement Plan will be published before Christmas, followed by the Land Use Framework and Farming Roadmap early next year. She said these documents form a coherent strategy to secure a stronger future for rural communities. In Udaipurs City Palace, a glittering night of music, dance and unmatched opulence marked the sangeet ceremony of NRI industrialist Raju Ramalinga Mantenas daughter, Netra Mantena. With global personalities, Bollywood stars and high-profile guests descending on the City of Lakes, the celebrations have turned into one of 2025s most spectacular wedding events. Hosted by Karan Johar and Sophie Choudry, the sangeet at Manak Chowk delivered pure star power. Ranveer Singh stole the spotlight with an electrifying performance, even pulling Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend onto the dance floorone of the most circulated inside videos from the night. The crowd erupted as Ranveer mixed his trademark energy with playful interaction, instantly turning the heritage courtyard into a live concert. Kriti Sanon set the stage ablaze with her hit Param Sundari, while Jacqueline Fernandez brought her signature glamour with Lal Chhadi. Varun Dhawan and Shahid Kapoor added to the evenings frenzy, drawing loud cheers as they performed for the elite gathering. Footage from the event shows guests waving phones in the air, capturing back-to-back star entries against the palaces illuminated backdrop. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) Jahnvi Kapoor too, lit up the stage at the wedding enthralling the crowd with her performance on the track, Bijuria from her recent film Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wizcraft Weddings & Social Events (@wizcraft.weddings) The celebrations are part of the four-day wedding of Netra Mantena and NRI tech entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju, with events spread across Udaipurs most iconic venuesManek Chowk, Zenana Mahal, The Leela Palace and Jagmandir. The Leela Palace itself has been transformed into a red-themed oasis with massive floral installations, grand chandeliers and plush seating, adding to the grandeur visible in several videos circulating online. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) Adding to the star-studded buzz is the arrival of US Presidents son Donald Trump Jr., Jennifer Lopezs expected performance, and appearances from Bollywood A-listers including Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and more. Earlier, Dutch DJ Tiesto also performed for guests, while Rajasthani folk artistes set the cultural tone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) The wedding ceremony will take place at Jagmandir on the morning of November 23, followed by an evening reception. Guests are expected to depart on chartered flights on November 24closing what is already being hailed as one of the most glamorous destination weddings of the year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wizcraft Weddings & Social Events (@wizcraft.weddings) Also Read: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singhs exchange over Ranveers Madame Tussauds statues wins hearts Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2025) - FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX) (OTCQB: FDXTF) (FSE: E8D0) (the "Company" or "FendX"), an innovative surface protection company developing technology-based solutions to reduce the spread of harmful pathogens, is pleased to announce it intends to settle outstanding debts totalling approximately $25,560 owed by the Company to two arms-length consultants for services performed and payable in common shares of the Company, and which will be settled through the issuance of an aggregate of 34,540 common shares ("Shares") at a deemed price of $0.74 per Share. The Company entered into consulting agreements with each consultant as originally announced June 11, 2025 and July 9, 2025 which set out the debt settlement pricing terms, and pursuant to amending agreements with each consultant, the debt settlement price per share was amended to the greater of: 1) the Company's market price on the date that is at least 5 business days prior to the closing; or 2) the Company's 5 day VWAP calculated for the five trading day period that is at least 5 business days prior to the closing; or such higher price as may be agreed to between the parties. The Shares proposed to be issued pursuant to the debt settlements will be subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. The closing of the debt settlements will be subject to certain customary conditions precedent, including the Company's receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). None of the securities to be issued in connection with the debt settlements, will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About FendX Technologies Inc. FendX is a surface protection company developing innovative solutions to help reduce the spread of harmful pathogens in everyday environments. Leveraging proprietary technologies, The Company is advancing a portfolio of protective surface coatings, including REPELWRAP film, a liquid-based nano- coating technology and a specialized Foley catheter coating. The Company is focussed on building a robust intellectual property portfolio in the surface protection space and is committed to identifying and advancing new technologies and materials that enhance hygiene and safety across healthcare, consumer and commercial settings. Learn more at: https://fendxtech.com. ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY "Carolyn Myers" Carolyn Myers Chief Executive Officer and Director For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; statements regarding the debt settlements, and closing of the debt settlements; statements regarding expanding the Company's product and IP portfolio; and products under development and any pathogen reduction benefits related thereto. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including: risks that the Company will not complete financings or raise sufficient funds to complete all of its planned activities; risks that the debt settlements will not receive all required regulatory approvals, including CSE approval, or will not close; risks that the Company's products may not perform as, or have the benefits, expected; risks related to research and development activities; risks that the Company's products may not be accepted and adopted by the public; the risk that the Company will not obtain necessary approvals and/or clearances as anticipated or at all; the effects of government regulation on the Company's business; risks associated with the Company's ability to obtain and protect rights to its intellectual property; risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's ability to raise additional capital; and other factors beyond the Company's control. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of such factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Readers should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factor disclosure outlined in the Company's filings with the British Columbia Securities Commission on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. 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/275593 SOURCE: FendX Technologies Inc. Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2025) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (FSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a leading biotechnology company pioneering next-generation antibody-drug conjugate ("ADC"), announces that the holders of the Corporation's 8% convertible debentures issued on November 16, 2024 (the "Debentures") have converted all of the principal amount and the accrued interests thereof into an aggregate number of 2,607,600 common shares of the Company (each, a "Share") upon maturity of Debentures on November 16, 2025. In accordance with the terms of the Debentures, the principal amount of $1,476,000 was converted into 2,460,000 Shares at the conversion price of $0.60 per Share and an aggregate amount of $118,080 of accrued interests was converted into 147,600 Shares at $0.80 per Share totalling 2,607,600 Shares for an aggregate amount of $1,594,080. About Defence: Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company developing and engineering the next generation of ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM technology, which enables precision delivery of ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against cancer. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275602 SOURCE: Defence Therapeutics Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 21, 2025) - Trinity One Metals Ltd. (TSXV: TOM) ("Trinity One" or the "Company") announces that it has appointed Robert Payment, currently serving as CFO and Corporate Secretary as Director of the Company. The Company further announces the resignation of David Wheeler as director effective immediately. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Wheeler for his contributions during his tenure and wishes him the best in her future endeavours. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275606 SOURCE: Trinity One Metals Ltd. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a decorated Indian Air Force fighter pilot from Himachal Pradesh, died when a Tejas LCA crashed during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Air Show on Friday. The tragedy stunned spectators, triggered a Court of Inquiry, and left his family and home village in deep grief Smoke billows following a crash of the Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 21, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from an eyewitness video. Image/Reuters Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal lost his life when his Tejas Light Combat Aircraft crashed during a flight demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday. The accident occurred during an aerobatic sequence on the concluding day of the exhibition, abruptly ending what was meant to be a showcase of Indias indigenous fighter jet. Eyewitness videos broadcast on television networks showed the fighter entering what appeared to be a steep dive before striking the ground and erupting into a fireball. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The crash took place around 3:40 pm IST, at a time when thousands were still present at the airfield. The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the death of Wing Commander Syal shortly afterward. In its official announcement, the IAF stated, An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai airshow. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. Preliminary assessments have suggested difficulties in recovering from a high-G turn, although the formal Court of Inquiry ordered by the IAF will establish the exact sequence of events. The aircraft involved was a single-engine, lightweight fighter currently deployed with IAF squadrons and designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Following the accident, HAL expressed its condolences, describing the loss of the pilot as that of a courageous IAF pilot. This incident marks only the second crash of a Tejas aircraft since the fighter entered operational service with the Indian Air Force in 2016. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD IAF Wing Commander Namansh Syal Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syals journey began in Patialkadh also referred to locally as Patiyalkar or Patialkar located in Nagrota Bagwan tehsil of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. Growing up in a family with strong military ties, he received his schooling at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, in Hamirpur district. The school has long been known for grooming young students for careers in the armed forces, and Syals early years there laid the foundation for what would become a distinguished path in the Indian Air Force. From Sainik School, he progressed to the National Defence Academy (NDA), training with the Hunter Squadron. He later earned his wings at the Air Force Academy, completing the rigorous phases required to qualify as a fighter pilot. According to available service records, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 24, 2009. Years later, he was posted to the Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu, serving with one of the IAF units operating the Tejas aircraft. It was from Sulur that he was deputed to participate in the Dubai Air Show, a significant assignment that placed Indian aviation capabilities on a global stage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His village sarpanch, Sanjay Kumar, noted that Syal was shaped by strict discipline from an early age, rising steadily through his training institutions and eventually becoming a respected combat aviator. In his mid-thirties, he had already achieved the rank of Wing Commander and was known among peers for his professionalism and calm demeanour. Another relative recalled that the pilot was anticipating a promotion. His brother-in-law, Ramesh Kumar, said, He was my brother-in-law He was supposed to get a promotion. At just 34, he had already reached the rank of Squadron Leader. He was a very humble person. The entire village is devastated. Syals family anchored in military tradition Syal came from a household deeply connected to the defence forces. His father, Jagan Nath (also referred to as Jagannath) Syal, previously served in the Indian Armys medical corps and later worked in the education department of Himachal Pradesh, retiring as a principal. His mother, Bina Devi, lived with him in Kangra district until their visit to Hyderabad, where they had travelled to meet their son and daughter-in-law around the time of the incident. His wife, Afsaan, is an Indian Air Force officer as well. According to sources, the couples daughter is said to be six or seven years old. Family members described the household as one rooted in service, discipline, and mutual support. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Joginder Nath Syal, the pilots uncle, told AN__I, We received information about the crash around 5 pm, when his father called me and told me to watch the news. People of the village have gathered here, and all are very sad. Another relative, Ramesh Kumar, shared additional details about the familys location during the tragedy. Namanshs parents are currently at the Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. His wife, who also serves in the IAF, is in Kolkata for a course. His father Jagannath Syal served in the Indian Armys medical corps and later worked in the education department, before retiring as a principal. The pilot leaves behind his wife, young daughter, parents, and an elder sister. How the news shook Syals home district As the news of the crash surfaced, residents of Patialkadh and neighbouring villages gathered outside the Syal family home. Many remained in the area well into the cold night, lighting a bonfire for warmth as they attempted to process the loss of someone they regarded with immense pride. The house had reportedly been locked for several days as the family had travelled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials from Kangra district also received information from the bereaved relatives. Deputy commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said the administration learned of the incident through the family, and efforts were initiated to coordinate assistance as required. The village and surrounding communities described Syal as a disciplined, soft-spoken boy who had dreamt of joining the armed forces since childhood. His rise through the Sainik School system, NDA, and the Air Force Academy was viewed with admiration by many who had watched him grow up. Villagers gathered in large numbers to offer prayers and support, with several openly grieving the loss of someone they regarded as a source of inspiration. Messages of condolence began pouring in from across the state. On X, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu shared an image of the pilot and wrote that the nation had lost a brave, dutiful, and courageous pilot, extending his sympathies to the family. Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur described the event as extremely heartbreaking and painful, noting that the state had lost a promising officer. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The sense of shock was also evident at the pilots ancestral village and at various institutions associated with his early years. Teachers, neighbours, and friends recalled him as dedicated and humble, someone who remained connected to his roots despite his demanding career. For the Indian Air Force, the loss of a trained fighter pilot is a significant blow. Syal was part of the generation of aviators trained to operate modern aircraft such as the Tejas, and his involvement in an international event represented the trust placed in his skills. Investigators will now will examine flight data, video footage, communication logs, and the aircrafts technical history to establish what led to the fatal descent. With inputs from agencies Russian forces shelled the village of Kizomys, Kherson region, Ukraine, on Saturday morning, hitting a residential building and killing a woman, regional military administration head Oleksandr Prokudin reported. "At around 10:00, Russian forces shelled Kizomys with artillery. A woman born in 1949 suffered fatal injuries when a shell struck a residential home," he wrote on Telegram. November 22 marks the anniversary of the assassination of former United States President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a fateful event that took place in the streets of downtown Dallas, Texas. Its also on this day, the first female United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned, marking her tearful departure from 10 Downing Street Former US President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally with his wife are pictured riding in the presidential motorcade before Kennedy's assassination. File image/Reuters Sixty-two years ago, on November 22, 1963, former US President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated. He rode in an open limousine through the streets of Dallas. His wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, accompanied him. Together, they smiled and waved to the massive cheering crowd. However, a minute later, everything changed. As shots echoed around Dealey Plaza, they also altered the course of history. In this edition of Firstposts ongoing series of History Today, we remember the 35th US President, and the youngest person ever elected to the office. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The assassination of John F Kennedy Kennedy, who faced several foreign crises- especially in Cuba and Berlin, but secured achievement, was considered a very different type of leader that the US and the world had not seen before. Kennedy was the youngest man elected president and the youngest to die. While taking an open ride, alongside his wife Jacqueline Kennedy, in a motorcade through downtown Dallas and passing by the crowds of 150,000 people, the President was struck by two rifle bullets at 12:30 pm- one at the base of his neck, while another directly in his head. The deadly shots came from a sixth-floor window of the Texas School Book Depository building. He was rushed to the Parkland Memorial Hospital, but was pronounced dead around 30 minutes after the shooting. Kennedy was just 46 years old. People fainted after receiving the news. Tears streamed down their face as they stood by the emergency room. There was only one word to describe the picture- grief. Accused of murdering President Kennedy and a Dallas policeman, who questioned him on the street near his rooming house 45 minutes after Kennedy was shot, Lee Harvey Oswald was eventually arrested. Dallas Police Department archive image shows accused Kennedy assassin Oswald holding a rifle (Image: Reuters) On November 23, he was formally arraigned for the murders of President Kennedy and Officer JD Tippit. Sea of policemen and press with live television cameras rolling, gathered to witness the departure of Oswald. Oswald made several statements to the media after his arrest. On being asked, Did he kill the president?, Oswald responded, I didnt shoot anybody. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Accused of Kennedys assassination, Oswald was fatally shot two days later by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner in the Dallas County Jail. Though Ruby was also immediately detained, he claimed that Kennedys murder was the key cause of his action. Many declared him a hero; however, he was charged with first-degree murder. Vice President Lyndon Johnson took the presidential oath as the 36th president of the United States. He was sworn in at the office aboard Air Force One as it sat on the runway at Dallas Love Field airport. Jacqueline Kennedy was among the 30 people who witnessed the swearing-in. Lost in grief, she was still wearing the clothes stained with her husbands blood. Mourners attending the burial of former U.S. President Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery (Image: Reuters) To this day, numerous conspiracy theories surround that tragic day. However, it was clear that the assassination of the youngest, charming president changed the course of history. The end of Margaret Thatchers era On this day, after eleven years as a Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher felt that she had no choice but to resign. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is on display at the Grantham Library during Thatcher Fest (Image: Reuters) Were leaving Downing Street for the last time after 11.5 wonderful years, and were happy to leave the UK in a very much better state than when we came here, said Thatcher as she stood outside Downing Street, facing the full glare of the worlds media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The United Kingdoms first female prime minister fought countless battles against the British establishment, the trade unions, the opposition Labour Party, and most fiercely, her own Cabinet. After being elected to a third term in 1987, her government lowered income tax rates, a decision that was met with fierce street protests. Former Defence Minister Michael Heseltine challenged her for leadership of the party on November 14, 1990. The UKs Iron Lady won the first ballot, however, by too small a margin for outright victory. The same night, her Cabinet members visited her one by one, urging her to resign. Thatcher announced her resignation on November 22, 1990, and officially left the office on November 28, six days later, after helping to ensure that John Major, not Heseltine, would replace her. With inputs from agencies Japans first woman prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, now faces a symbolic test: whether to enter the male-only sumo ring to present the Prime Ministers Cup. The long-standing ban on women entering the dohyo has drawn criticism, especially as Takaichis leadership puts the changing social norms in Japan under the lens Leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi reacts as she receives applause after being elected as prime minister, at the Lower House of Parliament in Tokyo, Japan, October 21, 2025. File Image/Reuters Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japans first female prime minister in October. She must now decide whether shell break another barrier: the taboo barring women from the sumo ring. The winner of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament that ends Sunday will be presented with the Prime Ministers Cup. Some of her male predecessors, including former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, have entered the ring to hand over the cup. Grand Champion Asashoryu, left, is presented his champion trophy from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi following his victory at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, southern Japan, on November 27, 2005. File Image/AP via Kyodo News Takaichi, a staunch conservative who supports Japans traditional gender and paternalistic values, may not break the taboo. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In any case, she wont face a decision on whether to enter the sumo ring this time because she returns a day later from the Group of 20 summit in South Africa. More from Explainers Japan's inflation rate rises as Takaichi prepares to announce major stimulus package Her next chance to make a decision will come at the New Years tournament in Tokyo. But a debate on the taboo against women likely will continue, in no small part, because a woman now leads Japan. There also is criticism that the ban in sumo and other religious places is out of touch with the changing place of women in Japanese society. Women are still banned in some sacred places and festivals The sumo ring is only part of the controversy. In Japan, female worshippers have for centuries been banned from certain holy mountains, religious training sessions, temples, shrines and festivals. Other places in the world have similar taboos, but the one in Japan stems from the belief in female impurity associated with menstruation and childbirth, as well as certain misogynic Buddhist views, says Naoko Kobayashi, an Aichi Gakuin University professor and expert on religion and gender. The female ban at holy mountains, including Mount Fuji, and religious establishments has been largely eliminated over the years. But it lingers at certain shrines and festivals. Many of these bans are from the 19th century Meiji era or later, Kobayashi said, and the taboo has been hard to break because women were also kept from political and religious decision-making over the years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sumo has a 1,500-year history, but the female ban is not ancient tradition Sumos origins are linked to rituals for Japans indigenous religion of Shinto, which is largely rooted in animism and the belief that thousands of kami, or spirits, inhabit nature. The first sumo matches date back 1,500 years as a ritual dedicated to the kami, with prayers for bountiful harvests, dancing and other performances at shrines. Sumo wrestler Yoshinofuji, centre, reacts after being beaten by Yokozuna Hoshoryu during their bout at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, southern Japan on November 17, 2025. File Image/AP via Kyodo News The dohyo where sumo takes place is an elevated ring made of special clay, with its edge marked by a circle of rice-straw separating the inner sanctuary and the outside world of impurity. Its off-limits to women in professional sumo. Some experts say sumo follows the Shinto belief in female impurity. The Japan Sumo Association has denied the female ban is based on the Shinto belief of impurity. This interpretation is a misunderstanding, said the association chief, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, in 2018. He said sumo rituals are tied to folk beliefs like being thankful for a good harvest and are not about rigid religious principles. We have consistently denied sexist intentions, Hakkaku said. The rule that makes the dohyo a serious battleground for men is only natural for wrestlers, making the dohyo a male-only world and (leading to) passing down the practice of not having women go up there. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Citing a seventh century document called Ancient Chronicles of Japan," historians say female court members were the first to perform sumo at the request of an emperor. There are documentary records of female sumo wrestlers in 16th century documents. Sumo gained prestige when matches were attended in 1884 by the Emperor Meiji and later earned the status of a national sport with the completion of the original Ryogoku Arena in 1909. Barring women from the ring has been criticised for decades In 1978, a female labour ministry bureaucrat, Mayumi Moriyama, protested after the sumo association prevented a girl who had won a local childrens sumo qualifying match from advancing to the finals at a real sumo ring. In 1990, Moriyama, as government spokesperson, expressed her desire to enter the ring for the presentation of the Prime Ministers Cup but was rejected by the sumo association. In 2018, the mayor of Maizuru in northern Kyoto collapsed during a speech in a sumo ring. Two female medical experts rushed in and started performing first aid as several male sumo officials watched. Two more women tried to join the first-aid effort before announcements demanded the women leave the ring. Sumo officials threw salt afterwards, a gesture of purification. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Days later, the association refused to allow Tomoko Nakagawa, then-mayor of Takarazuka city, to enter the dohyo to give a speech for an exhibition tournament. Nakagawa, forced to speak from the side of the ring, said she was mortified to be rejected just because she is female. The sumo association chief apologised over the failure to take appropriate action in a life-threatening situation and for making Nakagawa uncomfortable, and formed a panel of outside experts to examine the female ban. Seven years later, a decision is still pending. Excluding women under the premise of male-centered traditions and customs can be no longer justified under the values of the times, Kobayashi, the professor, said. Takaichi backs Japans traditional views on gender Takaichi is not considered a feminist. She has supported paternalistic family values and keeping the succession of Japans monarchy open only to men. She also opposes changing a 19th-century law that would allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames. Takaichi is trying to win back support from right-wing voters who have been drawn to emerging populist groups in recent elections. An attempt to present the trophy in the ring would be seen as defying sumos traditions and could harm her image with those voters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia, left, receives the Prime Ministers Cup from Chief Cabinet Secretary and soon-to-be Premier Shinzo Abe at Tokyos Ryogoku Sumo Arena on September 24, 2006. File Image/AP via Kyodo News She has not commented on how shell handle the trophy presentation, but her top government spokesperson has indicated Takaichi is not considering stepping into the ring. Prime Minister Takaichi intends to respect the tradition of sumo culture, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters. (Except the headline, this story has not been edited by Firstpost staff) Marjorie Taylor Greenes resignation from the United States Congress marks a stunning collapse of one of Magas most visible alliances. Once among Donald Trumps fiercest defenders, she leaves office amid a bitter public feud that saw the US president label her a traitor and ranting lunatic US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) gestures, on the first day of the 119th Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 3, 2025. File Image/Reuters Marjorie Taylor Greene has abruptly decided to resign from the United States Congress. Once celebrated by US President Donald Trump as one of his most forceful defenders, the Georgia Republican has now become the target of his most aggressive public rebukes. The same president she championed for years is now the man who branded her a traitor, a disgrace, and a ranting lunatic. Her departure will be effective January 5, 2026. How Greene entered US politics Greenes public life did not begin in Washington but in the online fringes of conservative activism. In 2017, she entered the political conversation through American Truth Seekers, a website that frequently promoted conspiracy-laden narratives. She then became involved with the Family America Project, a conservative grassroots network. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These roles helped her build early credibility among anti-establishment conservatives and strengthened her reputation as a political agitator deeply mistrustful of the federal government. As she began exploring electoral possibilities, Greene weighed several congressional districts before selecting Georgias 14th district for her first race. The district leaned heavily Republican, making the primary the pivotal contest. Greene framed her candidacy as an unapologetically pro-Trump alternative to more traditional Republicans. She criticised liberalism, denounced antifa, and leaned into provocative imagery, including a campaign ad where she held an assault rifle. Her rhetoric quickly attracted national attention both from conservative activists who admired her confrontational style and from critics who saw her as embracing violent, conspiratorial politics. Although Trump did not initially endorse her, he threw his support behind her during the GOP run-off. With that boost, she easily secured the nomination and later won the general election. When Greene entered US Congress Upon arriving in Washington in January 2021, Greene wasted no time signalilng her stance on the outcome of the 2020 election. She wore a mask reading Trump won, a message reinforcing her view that Bidens victory was illegitimate a view Trump himself continued to push. Her early months in Congress were marked by widespread scrutiny of online posts she had made before holding office. These posts contained extreme views that Democrats and many Republicans found deeply troubling. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some of these past remarks included suggestions that Democratic leaders deserved punishment or violence, scepticism about the reality of mass shootings in Parkland and Sandy Hook, and unsubstantiated statements speculating on government involvement in calamities such as the 9/11 attacks. She also gained notoriety for promoting QAnon-related content and accusing powerful elites of involvement in sinister global conspiracies. At one point, she echoed claims about wildfires being caused by a space laser allegedly tied to a wealthy Jewish banking family. These controversies culminated in the House voting to remove her from committee assignments in 2021. During the debate, Greene defended herself by characterising her earlier beliefs as mistakes from her past. She wore a mask labelled Free Speech and told her colleagues that her previous support for QAnon had been words of the past. Still, she did not directly retract many of her earlier comments, and Democrats remained unconvinced. Despite the criticism, Greenes notoriety energised her support among specific Republican voters who felt alienated from mainstream institutions. She quickly became a recognisable face of the partys most hardline faction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Greene: A loyal soldier for Trump until she wasnt Throughout her early tenure, Greenes identity as a lawmaker was tightly bound to Trumps cause. She regularly attacked Democrats, criticised moderate Republicans, and echoed Trumps language and worldview. She also defended the January 6 rioters, at one point claiming that if she had organised the event, participants would have been armed and would have won. After the White House condemned these comments, she said they were intended as a joke. Greene described herself in her public bio as a Christian, a businesswoman, and a mother, but she also emphasized being 100% pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Trump. Among the Maga base, she was seen as someone who combined fierce conservatism with an embrace of anti-establishment grievances that resonated across Trump-aligned communities. For Trump, Greene was an early congressional ally in pushing America First policies. She became known as one of the most combative defenders of his administration and a reliable voice in media appearances. But by 2025, that alliance was visibly fraying. Greene vs Trump on the Epstein files The trigger for the meltdown between Greene and Trump was the escalating fight over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Greene supported a bipartisan move in the House to make the documents public, arguing that Americans deserved transparency about the networks of power surrounding Epstein, a convicted sex offender with ties to global elites. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, November 18, 2025, outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US. File Image/AP Trump strongly opposed the push, and when Greene aligned herself with the effort, the clash turned deeply personal. He attacked her repeatedly on Truth Social, alleging she had grown disloyal and too critical of his foreign policy decisions. He claimed she had shifted leftward and insisted she was motivated by anger that he did not support her ambition to run for Senate or Governor in Georgia. One of his posts declared, All I see Wacky Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN! He also accused her of associating with media outlets unfriendly to Maga. She has gone Far Left, even doing The View, he wrote. According to Trump, Greene had become someone who catered to the other side, an accusation that resonated with some of his supporters and angered many who had once admired her. The conflict reached a boiling point when he said he could no longer tolerate her behaviour. I cant take a ranting Lunatics call every day I understand that wonderful, Conservative people are thinking about primarying Marjorie if the right person runs, they will have my Complete and Unyielding Support. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Greene, in turn, posted private text exchanges, arguing that she had acted out of concern for victims of trafficking and abuse. She insisted Trumps opposition to the Epstein files contradicted the movements commitment to protecting vulnerable Americans. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, whom I fought for, she wrote. She also questioned Trumps priorities, remarking, But really most Americans wish he would fight this hard to help the forgotten men and women of America Thats what I voted for. As the public exchanged escalated, their long-standing alliance crumbled. Greene vs Trump on US foreign policy Greene was also sharply critical of Trumps decisions abroad, including actions in West Asia. She condemned Israels war in Gaza, describing it as a genocide, a position that set her apart not only from Trump but even from many Democrats who supported Israels right to self-defence. She also objected to US assistance to Kyiv and questioned Trumps decision to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She also raised concerns about the administration backing Argentina under President Javier Milei with financial support amounting to $20 billion. Another policy gap emerged over immigration. Greene promoted legislation intended to eliminate the H1B visa programme, an idea Trump did not back. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What led Greene to resign When Greene announced her resignation on Friday, she released a detailed video outlining her motivations. She said she would not allow a hurtful and hateful primary supported by Trump to divide her district, nor would she continue to operate in a Congress she believed had lost relevance. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better, she said. She warned that voters were increasingly disconnected from elected officials who, in her view, were not addressing rising living costs, household debt, high rents, or the role large financial firms played in pushing ordinary Americans out of the housing market. My message to Georgias 14th district and America. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/tSoHCeAjn1 Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) November 22, 2025 In her resignation letter, she expressed frustration with the way institutional power in Washington operates. She claimed that the political industrial complex had made it impossible for someone like her to rein in government excesses or stop what she saw as the countrys gradual decline. Her letter stated, Im going back to the people I love, to live life to the fullest as I always have, and look forward to a new path ahead. Rumours circulated that disagreements over a possible Senate bid contributed to her falling out with Trump, but Greene did not confirm this. She maintained, however, that her policy commitments remained conservative and that the Maga movements leadership no longer represented ordinary Americans. She also pointed to the likelihood that Republicans could lose control of the House in the upcoming midterms. Should that happen, she said, she would be forced into a defensive posture during impeachment proceedings against Trump a situation she found absurd and completely unserious. Her statement included one of her strongest warnings, If I am cast aside by Maga Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that cant even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well. How Trump & Co. reacted Trump offered a blunt response when asked about her resignation. In an interview with ABC News, he said it was great news for the country. Its great. Republicans now, however, face a complicated landscape. Greenes resignation reduces their House majority to 218-213, with Democrats eager to exploit any intraparty divisions ahead of key elections. The feud has also raised questions over whether Maga can maintain a united base when high-profile figures clash publicly. Greene, who won her district with 64 per cent of the vote in 2024, leaves office with a strong regional base but an uncertain political future. She has not announced her next steps, but residents in her district expressed hope that she and Trump might eventually repair their relationship. With inputs from agencies Responding to NAACs notice, the university confirmed that the information about its accreditation has now been removed from the website, adding that it regrets the website design error The Al-Falah University's founder has been sent to 13-day ED custody in a money laundering case. PTI Al-Falah University, which has been under the scanner over the Delhi blast case, has said that an outdated accreditation displayed on its website was an oversight after the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) sent a show-cause notice to the institution. Responding to NAACs notice, the university confirmed that the information about its accreditation has now been removed from the website, adding that it regrets the website design error. The university is associated with the Red Fort blast case as the suicide bomber Dr Umar Nabi and another accused, Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, worked at Al-Falah. Probe into the educational institutions day-to-day dealings has revealed a number of incriminating activities that were being conducted by the university authorities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ED probes Al-Falah The Enforcement Directorate is running a separate probe into the university after it alleged financial irregularities at the Al-Falah group, the organisation that operates the university, a hospital and a medical college in Faridabad. Sources from the ED have told the Times of India that significant sums of money, running into crores of rupees, were allegedly diverted to companies linked to the family of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of the group. According to the ED, contracts for construction and catering services were awarded to firms owned by Siddiquis relatives. Siddiqui was arrested earlier this week under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after searches were carried out at 25 locations connected to the group. During the raids, investigators reportedly recovered over Rs 48 lakh in cash, along with several digital devices and documents that suggest the existence of shell companies and potential fund diversion schemes. The probe is ongoing as the ED continues to examine the financial transactions linked to these alleged irregularities. Minority body issues notice The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) has issued a show-cause notice to the Al-Falah University, asking why its minority status should not be withdrawn in light of linkages to the Delhi blast case, sources told ANI. NCMEI sources said that on Friday, they issued the notice, and the matter has been scheduled for a hearing on December 4. Notice has been issued to the university registrar as well as the Principal Secretary to the Education Department in Haryana to submit the report. Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India provides for linguistic and religious minorities a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The NCMEI is a quasi-judicial body and has been endowed with adjudicatory, advisory, and recommendatory powers for this purpose. The Central Government has notified six religious minority communities, including Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Jain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Firstpost gained exclusive access to the grounds of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Presidents Bodyguard stables to document how Indias oldest mounted regiment is preserving its equestrian legacy. Through rare insights and remarks from Commandant Colonel Amit Berwal, we look at the contingents iconic horses and push to revive polo Colonel Amit Berwal, Commandant of the President's Bodyguard pets PBG horse, Gopal, at the PBG stables in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla On a warm late-autumn afternoon, the sun slanted through the open stable corridors just beyond Gate no. 24 of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is the Presidents Bodyguard (PBG) lines, the heart of Indias oldest mounted unit, where an ancient tradition is lived, breathed, and meticulously maintained every single day. Firstpost gained rare access to these exclusive stables within the presidential estate to understand the emotional and institutional meaning of the animals that form the mounted regiment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Within this remarkable setting, where the most significant ceremonies of the worlds largest democracy are conceived and prepared, stand the horses majestic, disciplined, and utterly central to the regiments identity. The story of the PBG, therefore, is not merely a military narrative; it is an intimate tale of equine excellence, unbroken martial tradition, and a deep, almost spiritual bond between human and animal. Soldiers of the Presidents Bodyguard await President Droupadi Murmus arrival during the Diamond Jubilee Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner presentation ceremony at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on September 30, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The insight into this unique world comes directly from Colonel Amit Berwal, Commandant of the Presidents Bodyguard, who has been posted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan since February 2023, speaking to Firstposts Anmol Singla about the units philosophy and future. 250 years of mounted dignity The Presidents Bodyguard is unlike any other military unit in India. It is the first uniformed presence visible to any incoming head of state, tasked with presenting an image of Indias poise, discipline, and historical grandeur. This responsibility is carried on the backs of its ceremonial mounts. The PBG is the oldest and senior-most unit of the Indian Army, maintaining the prestigious distinction as the Right of the Line. It was originally raised in 1773 when Raja Chet [Chait] Singh of Varanasi (formerly known as Benaras) provided 50 horses and 50 men to the then-Governor-General Warren Hastings. In 1950, after India became a Republic, the unit formally became the Presidents Bodyguard, which coincidentally are now celebrating 75 years being designated as. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The PBGs ceremonial role, while modern in its political context, is deeply steeped in this historical martial heritage. The regiment stands ready to execute any critical diplomatic function during state visits at a moments notice, such as the arrival ceremony of a visiting head of state. We present the national salute, theres a contingent of horses there and we have two and a half minutes to thereafter escort the incoming head of state in front of our Honourable President and the PM, Berwal revealed to Firstpost. President Droupadi Murmu can be seen inspecting the troops of the Presidents Bodyguard during the Diamond Jubilee Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner presentation ceremony at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on September 30, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The horses are the defining visual element of this moment. They must communicate Indias dignity, discipline, and power. So our salute, our drill, the disposition of our horses and the whole package must be such that the incoming person must get a sort of an introduction of what Indians are, what is India all about and you have to sort of make sure that the person is in awe of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What makes a horse worthy of the Presidents Bodyguard? Not just any horse can carry the weight of the nations ceremonial duties. The PBG mounts are an elite class of their own, bred and trained for specific attributes that place majesty and composure above all else. They are dramatically different from their more agile counterparts, the polo ponies. These ceremonial giants, often Hanoverian and warmblood horses, are large, disciplined, and trained to remain unflinchingly calm amidst the flashing lights, deafening sounds, and massive crowds of national events. Berwal stressed the required physical profile needed for this imposing ceremonial display. So our horses must be like that. They must be tall, handsome, big, he noted. Horses of the Presidents Bodyguard, (L to R) Ayesha, Musky, Action, Teesta and Goldy pose for photos at the PBG stables in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The physical difference between a ceremonial mount and a sporting horse is stark, measured in hundreds of kilogrammes. The mounts are specially configured for precision and bearing, sacrificing the quick movements required for sport. They are at least 250 kgs heavier than a normal polo horse which you see, the Commandant revealed. Polo cant be played on big tall horses because these horses have a different configuration. Ceremonial horses must move in slow, precise cohesion, commanding attention without betraying a single flicker of nervousness. Agility and acceleration, the core attributes of a battlefield or polo horse, are not their primary requirements. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The horse who became a national symbol Every stable has its star, and in the PBG, that star is Virat. A Hanoverian warmblood, Virat is 25 years old an ancient age by Indian standards and holds the distinction of being the most decorated horse in the regiment, a true legend. Colonel Amit Berwal, Commandant of the Presidents Bodyguard poses for a photo for Firstpost with PBGs oldest horse, Virat, at the PBG stables in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The horse has stood before presidents, prime ministers, state dignitaries, and thousands of spectators along Rajpath for more than a decade. Virat has done 13 Republic Day parades, Berwal shared, noting the immense pressure this involves, which includes about 45 to 50 days of gruelling practise on tarmac. His exceptional service was formally recognised. He has been awarded a commendation card by the COAS [Chief of the Army Staff] in 2022, Berwal said. The ultimate honour, however, came during one of the most visible moments on the national calendar. Hes been patted personally on parade during the 26th January celebrations by the then Honourable President and the PM. Retired at the age of 22, Virat now lives out his years in dignified, cherished comfort within the PBG stables, enjoying a very special status that is a testament to the regiments reverence for service. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But why is horsemanship still essential? In an age of drone warfare and mechanised battalions, the emphasis on horsemanship within the Indian Army, and particularly the PBG, might seem anachronistic. Berwal argues the exact opposite: equitation is not a relic; it is a vital component of leadership training. It is a training that allows soldiers to overcome fears and develop confidence by being in sync with a non-verbal animal. Any worthwhile army or institution in the world has got equitation as part of its leadership programme, he asserted, citing even the training of civil servants at the IAS academy in Mussoorie. A new equestrian centre currently under construction can be seen, in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The reason is simple and profound: interacting with a horse builds character essential for command. It lets you overcome your fears. It helps you become confident. It helps you understand an animal who cannot speak, be in sync with it, have empathy, sympathy. Horsemanship demands discipline, composure under stress, swift decision-making, and emotional restraint traits that define a successful leader. The Commandant draws a direct line between equestrian skill and moral fibre, suggesting that riders possess an inherent gentleness and restraint. You will seldom come across good riders who are not gentlemen or who are not perfect ladies. They will seldom be irrational. They will always have a lot of sympathy, empathy, good people and horses have a good role and an effective role to sort of shape their personalities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Where does polo in the PBG come in? If ceremony is the PBGs external display, then polo is its internal laboratory a continuation of martial lineage disguised as a sport. Polo has been inseparable from the Indian cavalry tradition for centuries, having originated as a traditional sport in Manipur and Ladakh before being formalised by the army. Berwal, a top polo player himself, explained that the army adopted polo because it provides an excellent opportunity to train a rider and a horse to the situations they might face on a battlefield, demanding agility, balance, timing, coordination, and situational awareness. A covered space for horse riding can be seen in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla Even after cavalry charges vanished, the sports utility for training readiness persisted. It simulates the chaos of war demanding rapid acceleration, sudden turns, balance, timing, and split-second intuition between rider and mount. Today, the PBG is actively working to restore its standing in the sport. We are now trying to revive polo in the PBG after a short gap, the Commandant stated. Till date, coinciding with the Indian polo season, the Presidents Bodyguard (PBG) Parade Ground witnesses the Presidents Polo Cup every year, attended by none other than the President of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD An honorary caparison is awarded to PBG horse, Viraj, by President Droupadi Murmu at the Presidents Polo Cup held at the Presidents Bodyguard Parade Ground in New Delhi, December 14, 2024. Virajs honour is a first of its kind, being one of the only horses skilled at polo as well as racing and other equestrian skills. Firstpost/Anmol Singla This revival is significant, signalling a renewed commitment to a tradition that saw the Indian Polo Association itself operate from within Rashtrapati Bhavan until 2004. How are polo ponies different from PBGs ceremonial mounts? The polo horses needed for this revival are a different breed entirely. They must be configured for speed and agility, not bulk. The Commandant noted that competitive polo horses require a short turning radius, explosive speed, and the ability to stop instantly. For polo you need a very agile, flexible horse with a very short turning radius, a horse which can almost instantly stop, turn back on its hind quarters again with an exploding speed, and accelerate rapidly, Berwal explained. To achieve this level of competitive speed, the PBG is strategically adapting its breeding and procurement policies. Traditionally, the army relied on its own bred horses, but the need for competitive quality is leading to a new approach involving faster lines. A few horses of the Presidents Bodyguard can be seen awaiting their afternoon meal at the PBG stables in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla We are now being permitted to look at thoroughbreds to play for polo. I am sure in times to come we should be able to produce speed and quality of game which is now available in the city street, he told Firstpost. This strategic ambition is supported by the highest levels of the institution, ensuring alignment between ceremonial duties and sporting goals. There is a lot of support from the army and we have all the required support from Rashtrapati Bhavan for all initiatives which are in good faith for the welfare of horses and for the welfare of troops. How are horses tended to at the PBG stables? Beneath the gleam of ceremonial brass and the blur of the polo field lies the quiet foundation of the entire institution: the relationship between the rider and the horse. This relationship, according to the Commandant, is one of total, dependent trust, exceeding professional routine. Tending to a horse is like tending to your child, Berwal admitted. The horse is completely dependent on the human athlete. He elaborated on the horses inherent vulnerability, pointing out that anatomically, they lack the offensive capability of carnivores. A part of the horse stables of the Presidents Bodyguard scheduled for renovation can be seen, in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on October 25, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The horses dont have claws They dont have nails The horses dont have canines like the carnivores. They can bite you but they cant bite you to kill you and eat you. Their evolutionary instincts favour flight, not fight, making the rider the ultimate protector and guide. Its survival, especially in stressful or chaotic situations, hinges entirely on the human riders judgement, composure, and care. So, if the rider and the horse are in unison, they can do wonders. That is the kind of care which you must give to the horse and that is the kind of care which the horse expects. The consequence of a lapse in this bond is immediate and profound, leading to loss of performance and trust. If theres a disconnect, then theres loss of performance. Theres loss of faith. This high-stakes dependency in which a horse will only stop when it physically cannot move any further makes the PBGs daily routine a continuous practice of responsibility. What happens to the horses after service? A common public misconception is that old military horses are disposed of or euthanised. Berwal categorically dismissed this notion, stating the institutions commitment to dignity in retirement. No, it doesnt happen, he said plainly. A horse dies as peacefully and naturally as possible just like a human being. As we see, our elders pass away, a horse passes away like that unless hes ill. Once they retire from service, army horses are sent back to their original depots. They lead a retired life. They are not subjected to work. They get their rations and food and theyre free to graze, ensuring their final years are lived in quiet peace and comfort. And in the end, the ultimate sign of respect is afforded. Horses are buried, he stated simply, maintaining a standard of honour anchored in profound respect for an animal that has given its life to the service of the nation. A road sign for vehicles reads DEAD SLOW. HORSES HAVE RIGHT OF WAY. in this photo taken at the Army Equestrian Center (AEC) in Delhi Cantt, New Delhi on March 29, 2025. Firstpost/Anmol Singla The horses are not simply ornamental; they are functional assets essential for maintaining the constitutional dignity and diplomatic spectacle required of the worlds largest democracy. The units continued excellence in drill, equitation, and leadership training confirms the functional relevance of the mounted regiment in the 21st century. At Firstpost, we extensively covered Indian polo through the 2024-25 season, first focusing on the origins of the sport, and then diving deep into the as well as the challenges the sport faces in the subcontinent. Now we have begun with a new series of features focusing on the 2025-26 Indian polo season. Operation Sindoor was a trusted orchestra where every musician played a simultaneous or synergistic role and that is how in 22 minutes, the Indian armed forces could destroy nine terrorist targets, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said on Saturday. Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday called Operation Sindoor as a trusted orchestra in which every unit played a simultaneous or synergistic role, enabling the Indian armed forces to destroy nine terrorist targets within 22 minutes. Speaking at a convocation ceremony at a Delhi-based management institute, he said the operation demonstrated the militarys foresight in anticipating how the situation would evolve. It was a response shaped not in the moment, but through years of imagining how intelligence, precision and technology could converge into action, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting and dismantling multiple terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan also launched offensives against India, and all subsequent counter-offensives by India were also carried out under Operation Sindoor. The military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, lasting nearly 88 hours, halted after they reached an understanding on the evening of May 10. Op Sindoor was a trusted orchestra where every musician played a simultaneous or a synergistic role. That is how in 22 minutes, we could destroy nine terrorist targets and, we could in 80 hours make sure that the battle comes to an end. But what is more important, there was no time for decision making, had we not visualised, and had we not trusted the entire team, the Army chief said. In his address at the ceremony hosted by New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM) here, Gen Dwivedi told the gathering of graduating students to lead with wisdom, humility and power. So as you step forward today, remember the world will never stand still, markets will shift, technology will evolve, and your own ambitions will also change. Yet within that motion lies your greatest strength, the courage to learn, the agility to adapt, and the vision to lead with a purpose. Change is not what happens to us, its what we choose to become through it, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The generals address was themed on Navigating Change: The Real Constant and he touched upon the aspects of evolving global dynamics, technology as a disruptive force and reflections for the road ahead. As the 21st century unfolded, long peace yielded to a contested landscape of competition, contestation and conflicts. As across the world today over 55 conflicts today rage on, drawing in more than 100 nations, directly or indirectly, therefore blurring the boundary between peace and conflict, he said. And, as battlefields blurred, so did the markets, the Army chief said. The rise of nationalism, protectionism and sanctions led to the emergence of geoeconomics, a framework articulated by Edward Luttwak, who described it as a logic of war expressed through the grammar of commerce, he emphasised. The Army chief said that today, the six chapters of grammar book are different from the traditional Wren and Martins English grammar book. It contains cooperation, collaboration, co-existence, competition, contestation and the conflict itself. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, these are the 6Cs, which we have to know together. Because, in our strategic dealings also, we deal with the 6Cs, and you also in the future will be dealing with these, he added. The Army chief underlined the importance of technology in military evolution. Technology has transformed warfare, ranging from muddy trenches to intelligent network, rifles to drones, boots to bots, and also revolutions businesses, shampoo sachets to Gemini, he added. He also emphasised the need for adaptation and what he described in the context of change as a velocity of relevance. Recognising opportunity is one thing, responding to it is another. And that response begins with the courage to embrace change before it compels you to change. When I was commissioned into the Army, computers were nowhere in the horizon in our Army. And here I stand today, leading an Army that applies data sciences and AI in modern war fighting, Gen Dwivedi said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said the transformation journey in the Army includes restructuring the force for greater agility, deepening jointness with the Navy, Air Force and other domains, accelerating modernisation through cutting-edge technologies, reforming human resource system and continuously refining our system processes and functions to enhance efficiency and responsiveness. General Dwivedi said that today he is leading a community of approximately 1.3 crore soldiers, veterans and families and that happens to be one per cent of the Indian population. As I often tell my friends in the corporate world, that while they handle a few hundred resumes, we handle a few million lives, who are ready to walk into a hail of bullets on your one clarion call. He also spoke of seeking an opportunity in times of turbulence. Let me begin with one that has served the Indian Army well, the ability to find opportunity in uncertainty. In 1971, when turmoil in us, while East Pakistan turned a tide of refugees, creating regional instability, India turned crisis into liberation, reshaping the subcontinents destiny, the officer said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On leadership, he said, Whether on the battlefield or in the board rooms, speed and success come not from control but from trust. Your ability to identify the sweet spot between the centralised, controlled, and delegation while owning up the accountability or ownership for all actions or results, whether good or bad. This is what makes you a great leader. With inputs from agencies For all the pessimism surrounding Quad, the truth is that Chinas rise is very real, and its manifestation in the form of an expansionist spree across the Indo-Pacific is a challenge The lesson to learn for Quad watchers this year is that this grouping has a history of rising from the ashes. Representational Image: US Embassy and Consulates in India Chinas discomfort grew to a considerably high level last week when, despite the turbulence in the Quad, India, the United States, Japan and Australia joined forces to participate in the annual Malabar exercise off the coast of Guam in the Northern Pacific. It was quite a sight to behold when navies from these countries sent one of their best ships and aircraft, including India, which unveiled its indigenously built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri at the drills. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On one hand, the news cycle these days is dominated by reports of continuous tensions between Quad partners, mainly India and the US, over trade and energy, and on the other hand, these countries were teaming up in the high seas, exploring how they can better pool their resources and capacities at the time of need. A similar spectacle was on offer in early November when India and the United States were joined by Australia and Japan as observers for Cope India 2025, which started out as a bilateral air exercise in the early 2000s between India and the United States but has now become a formal engagement for all the Quad countries. No wonder such moments of military cooperation come as a great assurance for Quad cheerleaders across the globe who still see promise in the groupings collective ability to take on China and its assertive tendencies in the Indo-Pacific. So what does it mean for the long-term survival of the grouping? Is the Quad really not as dead as predicted by many, or is such an exercise more like an annual obligation shared by the Quad countries more so because of its institutionalised basis? Well, no one can deny the basic fact here that the idea of the Quad has indeed taken a lot of damage in the recent months. For all the optimism surrounding the naval drills at Guam, one pinching truth is that the Quad summit scheduled for 2025 did not take place this year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although there were two major foreign ministers meetings that took place in January and July in Washington but with zero interaction between top leaders of the respective Quad countries, the messaging and the optics did not fall in the groupings favour at all in 2025. What instead took place was a very public unfolding of trade-related friction between the two biggest Quad powers, India and the United States. In fact, the early momentum following US President Donald Trumps inauguration and PM Modis February visit soon withered away as Trump started name-calling India as Tariff King and Tariff Abuser over the latters protectionist measures in place to secure its vulnerable economy. The downward trajectory from that point was actually very swift, as Trumps claim in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor that he played the peacemaker between India and Pakistan did not go down well at all in New Delhi. Despite Trumps childish attempts to make the same claim umpteen times now, India maintained a dignified silence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What is more worrisome is that US-India tensions extended beyond just trade this year, with several members of Trumps cabinet also indicting India for purchasing Russian oil, with them even calling the country a war profiteer, not to mention how much Americas own economy has benefited by selling weapons to Ukraine in the name of military aid. 2025 will definitely go down as the year with the sharpest fall in India-US relations in the 21st century so far. Here Trumps transactionalist foreign policy must take the maximum blame because only he warmed up to Pakistan, especially its military leadership, in a year when India faced brutal terror attacks sponsored by the Pakistani state. The return of Pakistan in Washingtons strategic calculus, combined with Trumps ill-conceived idea of equating a perpetrator of terror with its victim and his claim that he got India and Pakistan to make peace after Operation Sindoor, are developments that cant be brushed aside by an already apprehensive New Delhi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It took a quarter of a century for India to bury the ghosts of Cold War-era treatment, and here the Trump administration brought all those nightmares back in the span of just a year. So obviously when many experts in the strategic circles say that India and US ties will never be the same again or that Quad has become the prime victim of their tensions, one can easily sense there is some logic to this side of the debate. However, countries have a life cycle of centuries where years are sometimes just nothing but blips. For all the pessimism surrounding Quad, the truth is that Chinas rise is very real, and its manifestation in the form of an expansionist spree across the Indo-Pacific is also a challenge. Thus, even if one US president, Trump, professes a liking for the idea of G2, where the US and China co-manage the international system, the possibility of other powers accepting this is bleak. The fact is that India has an unsettled boundary dispute in the Himalayas with China, Japan has stakes in the East China Sea, and Australia has its entire backyard of Pacific Islands to protect from any further Chinese interference. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Thus, the US may be willing to hang up its boots and accept China as an equal, but for other Quad countries, the ramifications of Chinas rise are huge and threaten their very survival. This is the reason why, the USs apathy for the Quad aside, other countries within the grouping have continued to shore up their cooperation this year. India and Australia had their inaugural defence ministers dialogue this year, and India and Japan reasserted their commitment to Quad during PM Modis Japan visit in August. In fact, Japans new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in her very first phone call with PM Modi, explicitly vowed to work under the quadrilateral arrangement to realise a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. Hence, regardless of the waning American commitment to the Quad, the grouping has now assumed a life of its own. Many of its initiatives, especially the defence cooperation, have got institutionalised now. Here the Malabar exercises and the Cope India exercise are a case in point, as despite all the respective countries maintaining that the Quad is not a military alliance, they still come together every year to play out responses to possible scenarios of Chinese aggression. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In that sense, Quad may not be the talk of town anymore, but the lack of harsh spotlight has also taken performance pressure off its back. Now the member countries can plan and execute more impactful initiatives that can effectively balance an assertive China and ensure a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific. The lesson to learn for Quad watchers this year is that this grouping has a history of rising from the ashes. What started out as a promising collaboration between India, the US, Japan and Australia in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami soon turned dead when each of the powers adopted a softer approach to China. But it was Chinas aggressive tactics in the South China Sea, its repeated incursions on the Himalayan border with India and its economic coercion of Australia that changed their tack. The United States, on the other hand, has always been a subdued advocate of the Quad, with pressure from its allies having played a much bigger role than maybe its own organic interest. But now the Quad as well as the participating countries besides the US have found their own strength of conviction in cooperating with each other. An example of this we saw in the Malabar 2025 exercise as well as in the growing cooperation between the rest of the counties, proving that the Quad will live on, no matter in which shape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. She tweets @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) The Saudi Crown Princes first visit to Washington in seven years aimed to align US-Saudi leadership and financial commitments behind a shared vision for Gazas future; however, issues still persist Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds US President Donald Trump's hand during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. November 19, 2025, Reuters The recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to the United States from November 18 to 19, 2025, was highly significant, as it marked his rehabilitation on the world stage and led to major agreements on defence, artificial intelligence (AI) and investment, effectively resetting the US-Saudi relationship after years of strain. The visit was MBSs first to Washington in seven years, following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the incident that had made him a pariah in some diplomatic circles. The grand welcome by President Donald Trump, including military fanfare and a state dinner, formally signalled his return to the center of American foreign policy and underscored Saudi Arabias strategic importance to the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Crown Prince announced that Saudi investment in the US would increase to an ambitious $1 trillion, a significant jump from previous pledges. These investments are focused on creating US jobs and strengthening supply chains in key sectors, particularly high-tech areas. A major focus was on technology transfer and cooperation. Saudi Arabia secured access to advanced US artificial intelligence chips and technology, a critical component of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy and become a regional AI hub. The two nations finalised a series of defence agreements, including the long-awaited US approval for the sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. This represents a major shift in US policy and aims to anchor the Kingdoms long-term security partnership with Washington, despite not being a formal Nato-style mutual defence treaty. The leaders discussed regional issues, including efforts to end the war in Sudan. Trump pledged a new US push to end the war in Sudan, following a direct request from the Saudi Crown Prince. The Sudanese government has since expressed its readiness to cooperate with the US-Saudi initiative. The visit also provided an opportunity for Trump to discuss the potential for Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords, although MBS reiterated that significant progress toward a two-state solution for Palestinians was a necessary condition. He stressed that a clear and credible path to a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel, a core US objective for post-conflict regional stability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US looks to Saudi Arabia and other Arab partners to play a leading role in the political, economic, and humanitarian stabilisation of Gaza following the current ceasefire. Mohammed bin Salman emphasised that no Arab or Muslim countries would contribute troops to any proposed international force in Gaza, arguing that their soldiers would not fight Hamas. The visit aimed to align American and Saudi leadership and financial commitments behind a shared vision for Gazas future but highlighted the persistent tensions and differing priorities regarding the Palestinian issue and regional stability. Discussions also covered the potential revival of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (Imec) trade route, which had been paused due to the West Asia conflict. Saudi Arabia is a critical transit and investment hub for the corridor, which involves a vast rail network across the Arabian Peninsula. MBSs active participation in the talks re-emphasises Riyadhs indispensability to the projects viability. Imec aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global logistics and connectivity hub. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US sees Imec as a strategic, transparent, and rules-based alternative to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). MBSs engagement with the US reinforces this shared objective and provides a non-Chinese-dominated trade route. The talks helped move the Imec from a mere transport corridor to a comprehensive framework including clean energy cooperation (eg, hydrogen pipelines), digital connectivity (undersea data cables), and integrated electricity grids, reinforcing supply chain security and aligning Eurasian policies. Saudi participation in Imec could provide a pathway for reconstruction and aid for Gaza. The US stressed the need for Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel, a crucial step for the northern leg of the Imec, which requires collaboration with Israels Haifa port. As mentioned above, the Saudi Crown Prince reiterated that a clear pathway to a Palestinian state is a condition for normalisation, linking the political future of the region directly to the corridors progress. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans visit to the US in November 2025 has important implications for India. Apart from the discussions about the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (Imec), the visit has intensified the US-Saudi strategic partnership, including discussions on advanced American defence equipment like F-35 fighter jets and enhanced security cooperation. Given Saudi Arabias strong, existing defence links with Pakistan, this trilateral relationship could create a more complex regional security environment for India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US-Saudi alignment is partly driven by shared concerns about Iran. India has historically maintained a delicate balancing act, with strong economic and energy ties to both Saudi Arabia and Iran. Increased US pressure on Riyadh to counter Iran could complicate New Delhis foreign policy approach to the region. In essence, the visit solidified a pragmatic partnership where the US prioritised strategic and economic gains over human rights concerns, while Saudi Arabia secured crucial technology, military hardware, and a bolstered international standing to advance its national transformation goals. The warm reception and high-value deals secured by MBS signal a strong US commitment to its relationship with Riyadh, positioning Saudi Arabia as an indispensable partner in West Asia. This elevates Saudi Arabias diplomatic standing and influence in shaping the regions future. The prospects for closer US-Saudi relations are strong but contingent on navigating key political challenges, primarily the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US administration is using the prospect of a transformative Saudi deal to encourage progress in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Israel now faces increased diplomatic pressure to make tangible moves toward a two-state solution to unlock the full potential of a regional peace architecture involving Saudi Arabia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) Ohio police say a man killed two children and another adult before taking his own life as his wife attempted to move out. An Ohio man allegedly ambushed his wife as she attempted to move out, killing her two children and the father of her eldest before turning the gun on himself, according to the Tiffin Police Department. 42-year-old Ryan Eagon launched the attack on Wednesday night after discovering his spouse was leaving their Seneca County home amid ongoing domestic troubles, officers said. Police Chief David Pauly said in a statement that the community was unaccustomed to an event of such horrific and heartbreaking nature and urged residents to keep the victims families in their thoughts as they face unimaginable loss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The wife, who was physically unharmed, had been collecting her belongings with 29-year-old Dustin Willey, the father of her seven-year-old son. The children had been waiting by the car, and the pair reportedly believed Eagon was out of town. While packing, they heard the older child cry out and went to check, only to find Eagon standing in the driveway. Victims succumb to injuries Police said Eagon chased Willey and fired at him repeatedly before shooting both children. He then discharged further rounds at Willey before taking his own life with a single self inflicted gunshot. The mother, described by police as in shock, overwhelmed and visibly traumatised, contacted authorities and carried her lifeless children back into the home. The seven-month-old infant and Eagon were pronounced dead at the scene. The seven year old and Willey were transported to local hospitals, where they later died from their injuries. Willeys former employer, Kelly Gallagher, told WTVG he was a devoted father who would do anything for his son and was known for his kindness and willingness to help others. She said losing him felt like losing a family member. Police said autopsies are pending with the Seneca County Coroners Office. India told the UN that the Indian Navy has become a key stabilising force in the Western Arabian Sea, where piracy and attacks on commercial vessels have sharply increased. Indias Permanent Representative said the Navy has expanded its presence, saved hundreds of lives as threats to major shipping lanes continue to grow. Speaking at a United Nations Security Council session on maritime safety, Indias Permanent Representative Parvathaneni Harish underscored the Indian Navys pivotal role in safeguarding global sea routes amid a surge in piracy and attacks across the Western Arabian Sea. Harish told the Council that India has dramatically stepped up its maritime security presence in recent years. Over the last two years, in response to shipping attacks and rising incidents of piracy in the Western Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy has deployed over 35 ships in the region, carried out more than 1000 boarding operations and has responded to over 35 incidents, he said at the meeting co-hosted by Greece, the Philippines, Denmark, Japan, Panama and Romania. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Credible & Swift' Indian Navy Actions Have Saved 500 Lives - Irrespective Of Nationality' - Envoy Tells UN @IndiaUNNewYork pic.twitter.com/5WR0MfeN5F RT_India (@RT_India_news) November 22, 2025 He stressed that the Navys rapid and high-risk operations have protected lives across nationalities. The credible and swift actions of the Indian Navy have saved more than 520 lives, irrespective of nationality, he noted. Harish added that since November 2023, the Indian Navy has safely escorted over 367 merchant vessels, carrying over 14.7 million metric tonnes of cargo, valued at over 6.3 billion dollars. The discussions came amid escalating instability in major sea lanesfrom Houthi missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea to a resurgence of piracy near the Somalia coastputting global commerce and the safety of thousands of seafarers under strain. Harish highlighted the role of the Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in enabling real-time intelligence sharing and improving coordinated maritime responses. He also showcased Indias Sagar Mein Samman initiative under the Maritime India Vision 2030, citing gender-sensitive reforms, improved safety standards and the deployment of an all-women ship crew as markers of Indias evolving maritime policy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India stands ready to work with the international community to strengthen seafarer protection, promote gender equality and improve the lives of those who serve aboard ships, he said, linking these efforts to Indias broader MAHASAGAR visionMutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Poland need to be involved in peace efforts in Ukraine Photo: MFA of Ukraine Ukrainian and Polish Foreign Ministers Andriy Sybiha and Radosaw Sikorski discussed U.S. peace proposals. Sybiha emphasized the need to involve Poland in any peace efforts. "I had an important and thorough discussion about the American peace proposals with Radek Sikorski. I shared our assessment and the sequence of further steps," Sybiha wrote on social media X. According to him, during the conversation, the minister emphasized that "European nations, and especially Poland as Ukraine's reliable ally and neighbor, need to be engaged and play an important role in peace efforts." "I appreciate Radek's advice, views, and suggestions, as well as Poland's support for Ukraine," Sybiha said. In the wake of Russia's increased hybrid attacks against Europe, including the latest acts of sabotage against Poland, the parties also discussed our further work to strengthen shared security both bilaterally and in the format of the Lublin Triangle together with Lithuania. Brazil plunged into fresh political turmoil on Saturday after former President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody in Brasilia, just two months after his conviction for attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat. Brazils former President Jair Bolsonaro was taken into custody on Saturday and moved to police headquarters in Brasilia, two months after the Supreme Court convicted him of attempting a coup following his 2022 election defeat. Bolsonaro was sentenced in September to 27 years and three months in prison for the botched coup attempt. However, his spokesman, Fabio Wajngarten, said Saturdays detention was not related to enforcing that sentence but was instead a precautionary measure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bolsonaro, who had been under house arrest since August, was transferred to detention over the weekend, his lawyer confirmed. He has been imprisoned, but I dont know why, his lawyer Celso Vilardi told AFP. The 70-year-olds legal team has argued he should be permitted to serve his sentence at home, claiming that holding him in a regular facility would pose risks to his health. Preventive arrest warrant executed Federal police said in a brief statement that officers had carried out a preventive arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court. Brazilian media reported that Bolsonaro was taken to a federal police base roughly seven miles from the presidential palace he occupied from 2019 to 2022, before losing the election and attempting to trigger a military coup. Authorities have yet to clarify why the court ordered the former presidents preventive detention, with local reports suggesting it was intended to maintain public order. Vilardi reiterated to AFP, He has been imprisoned, but I dont know why. Despite his September sentence for orchestrating a plot to block Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office, Bolsonaro has not yet begun serving his term as legal challenges and appeals proceed. Saturdays detention is reportedly not directly linked to that conviction. Supporters mobilise as tensions rise Supporters of the former president had planned a nighttime vigil outside the luxury condominium where he had been under house arrest since August. The protest was called by his senator son, Flavio Bolsonaro, who urged followers in a social media video: Are you going to fight for your country or are you going to watch everything on your mobile phone while sitting at home on your sofa? Come and fight with us. Speculation over Bolsonaros arrest had intensified in recent days, with allies voicing outrage at the possibility that he might be sent to Papuda, a maximum-security prison in Brasilia. Lula allies hail the move Backers of President Lula welcomed the former presidents detention. The message to Brazil, and to the world, is that crime doesnt pay, said Workers Party MP Reimont Otoni, noting that Bolsonaros coup plot allegedly included a plan to assassinate Lula. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In September, Bolsonaro was diagnosed with skin cancer. The announcement came as the beleaguered far-right leader was discharged from a hospital in the capital Brasilia, where he was rushed under prison guard after suffering violent bouts of hiccups, vomiting and low blood pressure Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stands at his home while under house arrest, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as he awaits trial over an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election, in Brasilia, Brazil, August 14, 2025. File Image/Reuters Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaros lawyers have sought house arrest for his 27-year prison sentence from the countrys Supreme Court, citing health concerns. A document seen by Reuters says that Bolsonaros lawyers argued that recurrent intestinal issues suffered by the 70-year-old leader would make imprisonment life-threatening. The former president was stabbed in the stomach while campaigning in the state of Minas Gerais in 2018. It is certain that keeping the petitioner in a prison environment would pose a concrete and immediate risk to his physical integrity and even his life, the document said. It asked for house arrest on humanitarian grounds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In September, Bolsonaro was diagnosed with skin cancer. The announcement came as the beleaguered far-right leader was discharged from a hospital in the capital Brasilia, where he was rushed under prison guard after suffering violent bouts of hiccups, vomiting and low blood pressure. The far-right firebrand was convicted earlier this year of plotting to overthrow leftist rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who beat him in the 2022 presidential elections. Bolsonaro has already been under house arrest for violating precautionary measures in a separate case, in which he allegedly courted United States interference to halt the criminal proceedings against him. His lawyers noted that earlier this year, the top court let 76-year-old former President Fernando Collor de Mello serve house arrest due to his age and health issues, including Parkinsons disease, after he was sentenced to almost nine years in prison on corruption and money laundering charges. Recent medical tests on Bolsonaro show that a serious or sudden illness is not a question of if, but of when, his legal team said. One of Bolsonaros sons, Carlos, said on Friday that the former president was facing severe hiccups and vomiting constantly. Ive never seen him like this, he wrote on the social media platform X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Authorities in western Canada are searching for a grizzly bear that critically injured several people after charging a group of schoolchildren and teachers in a rare mass attack in Bella Coola. Authorities have urged people to stay out of the area to aid the search. (Representational Image/Reuters) Authorities in western Canada continued on Friday to search for a grizzly bear that emerged from the forest in a remote part of the Bella Coola area and attacked a group of 20 children and their teachers, an incident described by Inspector Kevin Van Damme as unlike anything he has encountered, noting that in my 34 years of experience, I have not seen a (bear) attack like this with such a large group of people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Four people remained in hospital a day after Thursdays attack, including two in critical condition, provincial officials said. The bear had charged at children aged nine and ten who were taking part in outdoor activities from the Acwsalcta school in the Nuxalk First Nation, with teachers using bear spray in an effort to drive it back. Search underway According to the Provincial Health Services Authority, two people were in serious condition alongside the two critically injured. Officials have not disclosed the ages of those in hospital at the request of families. Another seven people were treated at the scene but did not require hospital admission. Provincial environment minister Tamara Davidson confirmed that conservation officers were in the area attempting to locate the bear, while authorities urged the public to avoid the region to support search efforts. The Acwsalcta school announced its closure on Friday in a Facebook post, praising staff for showing courage during an incredibly challenging moment. Rising encounters Veronica Schooner told the Canadian Press that her son was among the group but escaped injury. He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else, she said. Van Damme added that conservation officers had set traps and were interviewing witnesses in an effort to track the animal. He noted that bearhuman interactions can rise as winter approaches because bears work to build fat reserves for hibernation, and Bella Coola has seen increased reports of grizzlies interacting with people. Although the region has a sizeable grizzly population, Van Damme cautioned against assuming that bears were becoming more aggressive overall. One individual bear could increase conflicts, he said. Its not necessarily generic across the population. He confirmed that an injured bear had been reported in the area but said it was not yet known whether it was the same animal involved in the attack. But we dont know that is the offending bear in this case, he said. China has taken its dispute with Japan to the United Nations, sharply criticising Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis recent comments on Taiwan as the spat between the two neighbours deepens and tensions hit a new low. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of the Japan-China summit on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju. AFP File China on Friday escalated its feud with Japan to the United Nations, condemning Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis recent remarks on Taiwan as ties between the two Asian neighbours hit their lowest point. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Chinas permanent representative Fu Cong warned that if Japan dares to attempt an armed intervention in the cross-Strait situation, it would be an act of aggression. Fu accused Japan of violating international law after Takaichi suggested earlier this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beijing, which claims Taiwan and has not ruled out force to take it, has demanded a retraction something Takaichi has not offered. What began as a diplomatic dispute has rapidly widened into an economic confrontation, with both sides accusing each other of damaging trade ties. The row has intensified broader security anxieties over Taiwan, a long-standing flashpoint between the two countries. In his letter, Fu said Takaichis comments amounted to a grave violation of international law and warned that China would resolutely exercise its right of self-defence under the UN Charter if Japan interfered in cross-Strait affairs. It is the strongest language Beijing has used since the clash erupted two weeks ago. Beijing sees Taiwan as its territory and insists reunification is inevitable. Taiwan rejects that claim, stressing that only its people can determine their future. Japanese authorities did not immediately respond to Fus accusations, which come amid what many analysts view as the most serious bilateral crisis in years. Takaichi, who took office last month, broke with the long-standing strategic ambiguity observed by Japan and the US. On November 7, she told Parliament that a hypothetical Chinese assault on Taiwan located just over 100 km from Japan could constitute a situation threatening Japans survival, a legal classification that allows the deployment of Japans military. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Her remarks triggered a tit-for-tat backlash: Beijing accused Japan of undermining trade cooperation, while concerts by Japanese performers in China were suddenly cancelled. Fu urged Tokyo to stop making provocations, retract its erroneous remarks, and avoid challenging Chinas core interests. With the 80th anniversary of Japans World War II defeat approaching, Beijing has increasingly invoked wartime history and its role in shaping the UN order as it criticises Tokyo. China frequently cites the Cairo and Potsdam Declarations which envisioned territories seized by Japan returning to China as the legal basis for its claim over Taiwan. However, many governments treat these declarations as political statements rather than binding treaties. The declarations were also signed by the Republic of China government, which relocated to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war. Taiwan held Chinas UN seat until 1971, when it was transferred to the Peoples Republic of China. European and other Western leaders on Saturday said the US peace plan for ending the Ukraine war could be used as a starting point for talks, but stressed that it needs more work, reflecting growing concern over Washingtons push for Kyiv to accept the proposal by Thursday. US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with European leaders at the White House for negotiations to end the Russian war in Ukraine. Reuters European and other Western leaders said on Saturday that a US peace plan could serve as a basis for negotiations to end Russias war in Ukraine, but stressed it requires additional work part of a wider attempt to secure better terms for Kyiv before a Thursday deadline. Meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, European and allied leaders rushed to form a coordinated response to US President Donald Trumps demand that Ukraine accept his 28-point peace proposal with Russia by Thursday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The draft plan, which aligns with several long-standing Russian demands, has drawn cautious criticism across European capitals. While leaders acknowledged Trumps push to halt the conflict, they also noted that several provisions remain unacceptable for Kyiv. The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace, said the leaders of the European Union, Germany, France, Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Italy, Japan and Norway. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work, they added in a joint statement. Lion-like spirit as Europe rallies behind Kyiv The show of unity followed President Volodymyr Zelenskiys stark warning that Ukraine faced a choice between surrendering its dignity and freedom or losing Washingtons backing. His remarks prompted European leaders to step up efforts to secure more favourable terms. A German government source said the leaders met in a room named Lion and adopted the animals spirit while discussing how to strengthen Ukraines position. Amid rising concern, Kyiv confirmed that it would hold talks with senior US officials in Switzerland on ending Russias full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year. Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace, and representatives of the Ukrainian state will defend the legitimate interests of the Ukrainian people and the foundations of European security, the Ukrainian presidency said. Zelenskiy added: This is about much more than the specific points of this or that document. We must ensure that nowhere in Europe or the world does the principle prevail that crimes against people and humanity, against states and nations, can be rewarded and forgiven. Trump sets a tight deadline for Kyiv National security advisers from France, Britain and Germany will meet EU, US and Ukrainian officials in Geneva on Sunday to discuss the plan, according to officials at the G20 Summit. Trump increased pressure on Kyiv on Friday, saying Zelenskiy must approve the proposal by Thursday. The plan would require Ukraine to cede territory, restrict its military and abandon its NATO ambitions. Hell have to like it, and if he doesnt like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting, I guess, Trump said. At some point hes going to have to accept something he hasnt accepted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Recalling a tense February meeting, he added: You remember right in the Oval Office, not so long ago, I said, You dont have the cards. Western leaders voiced strong reservations, saying they were concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack. They stressed that any provisions involving the EU or NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members respectively. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the plan as a possible foundation for talks, though Moscow is expected to oppose proposals requiring troop withdrawals from occupied territory. Addressing the nation, Zelenskiy said Ukraine faced a defining week. Now, Ukraine can face a very difficult choice either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner, he said. I will fight 24/7 to ensure that at least two points in the plan are not overlooked the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians. European leaders insist borders cannot be changed by force Later on Saturday, leaders from the G7 and several European nations reiterated that the US proposal could be a starting point but insisted that no peace settlement can legitimise territorial changes imposed by Russia. They said the draft includes important elements essential for a just and lasting peace, but warned that certain clauses especially those weakening Ukraines defensive capacity remain deeply problematic. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force, they said. Signatories included the leaders of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway, along with senior EU officials. They also emphasised that any commitments tied to NATO or the EU require approval from their respective member states. The diplomatic push comes amid leaked details of the US proposal viewed by critics as leaning towards Moscows interests intensifying pressure on Kyiv. Zelenskiy has warned that Ukraine is entering one of the most difficult moments in our history. Trump has reportedly given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the plan, while Putin has called it a potential basis for negotiations. Cop 30 in Brazil ended with a voluntary fossil fuel phase-out plan, facing resistance and criticism for omitting fossil fuels from the final deal. Daniela Duran (on screen), head of the International Affairs Office at Colombia's Environment Ministry, speaks during the plenary session at the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Para state, Brazil, on November 22, 2025. Image- AFP The world moved only marginally closer to phasing out fossil fuels on Saturday, falling far short of what is needed to avert the escalating impacts of climate breakdown. After two weeks of negotiations in Brazil, countries settled on a voluntary agreement to start talks on a roadmap for an eventual fossil fuel phase-out, a modest step secured despite strong resistance from major oil-producing nations. The discussions nearly collapsed but were pulled back in an all-night session into Saturday morning, following a tense standoff between a coalition of more than 80 developed and developing nations and a bloc led by Saudi Arabia, its allies and Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UN chief praises COP30 efforts but says higher ambition still needed The head of the United Nations commended Saturdays modest deal at global climate talks but acknowledged that many may feel disappointed with the results, including Indigenous and young people. I cannot pretend that COP30 has delivered everything that is needed, read a statement from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said the gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide." I will continue pushing for higher ambition and greater solidarity, he said. Brazils COP30 presidency pushed through a compromise climate deal on Saturday that would boost finance for poor nations coping with global warming but that omitted any mention of the fossil fuels driving it. In securing the accord, Brazil had attempted to demonstrate global unity in addressing climate change impacts even after the worlds biggest historic emitter, the United States, declined to send an official delegation. But the agreement, which landed in overtime after two weeks of contentious negotiations in the Amazon city of Belem, exposed deep rifts over how future climate action should be pursued. After gavelling the deal through, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago acknowledged the talks had been tough. We know some of you had greater ambitions for some of the issues at hand, he said. Several countries objected to the summit ending without stronger plans for reining in greenhouse gases or addressing fossil fuels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some of the criticism came from Brazils neighbours in Latin America, with multiple objections made by Colombia, Panama and Uruguay before Correa do Lago suspended the plenary for further consultations. Noting that fossil fuels were by far the biggest contributor of planet-warming emissions, Colombias negotiator said her country could not go along with a deal that ignored science. A consensus imposed under climate denialism is a failed agreement, the Colombian negotiator said. The three countries said they objected not to COP30s overall political deal, but to one of the other more technical negotiating texts that countries had been due to approve at the summits end, alongside the headline deal. The three had joined the European Union demanding the deal include language on a transition away from fossil fuels - while a coalition of countries including top oil exporter Saudi Arabia said any fossil fuel mention was off-limits. After tense overnight negotiations, the EU agreed on Saturday morning not to block a final deal, but said it did not agree with the conclusion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We should support (the deal) because at least it is going in the right direction, the European Unions climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, told reporters before the deal was sealed. Panamas climate negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey said before the final plenary that his country was not happy with the summit result. A climate decision that cannot even say fossil fuels is not neutrality, it is complicity. And what is happening here transcends incompetence, Monterrey said. With inputs from agencies G20 leaders approved South Africas summit declaration with full consensus on Saturday, even as US President Donald Trump boycotted the meeting, prompting criticism from Washington over the process. France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz attend a plenary session on the opening day of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/Pool G20 nations approved South Africas summit declaration with full consensus, even as US President Donald Trump boycotted the event. Speaking on Saturday (Nov 22), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa host of this weekends gathering of G20 leaders stressed that achieving unanimous agreement on the final statement was crucial, despite the United States decision not to participate. Sources familiar with the discussions said G20 envoys drafted the leaders declaration on Friday without any US input a move that a senior White House official criticised as shameful. The draft reportedly retained references to climate change, an issue on which the Trump administration has long clashed with other member states, including by questioning the scientific consensus on human-driven global warming. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his opening remarks at the Johannesburg summit, Ramaphosa said there had been overwhelming consensus and agreement that adopting the declaration should be among the first tasks of the meeting. He thanked all delegations for working in good faith with South Africa to produce a worthy G20 outcome document, adding that nothing should be allowed to diminish the value, the stature and the impact of the first African G20 presidency. We should not allow anything to diminish the value, the stature and the impact of the first African G20 presidency, he added. What the G20 summit declaration says The G20 summit declaration states: We emphasise the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to address existing and emerging risks to the global economy. The document further adds, We will work for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory and Ukraine. Why US President Donald Trump rejected South Africas G20 agenda US President Donald Trump and his administration chose to boycott the G20 summit, claiming that South Africa was treating white citizens unfairly and cruelly. President Trump also objected to the host nations agenda, which focused on promoting unity and supporting developing countries in tackling climate disasters, transitioning to clean energy, and managing unsustainable debt burdens. As the tension in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region escalates, experts are suggesting that the American allies should also develop nuclear capabilities as a deterrent. But is this the right way to go? As the tension in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region escalates, experts have been suggesting that the American allies should also develop nuclear capabilities as a deterrent. Airbus board chair Rene Obermann said that European nations should develop a joint tactical nuclear deterrent to counter Russian aggression. While speaking at the Berlin Security Conference on Wednesday, Obermann broke away from what has been Europes biggest defence taboos. In his address, Obermann said that Europes current posture leaves a dangerous gap below the strategic threshold, pointing to what he described as 500-plus tactical nuclear warheads deployed by Russia along NATOs eastern flank and in Belarus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What do you think would be our answer to a limited Russian tactical strike with limited effects? he asked the audience of defence officials, military officers and industry executives. I dont have the answer but Im sure you do. It is pertinent to note that Tactical nuclear weapons have smaller explosive yields, typically ranging from 1 to 50 kilotons, and are supposed to be used in battlefield situations. Meanwhile, larger strategic weapons have yields above 100 kt and are designed to flatten cities. Some insist that American allies should develop nuclear capabilities Obermann argued that Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and other willing European member states should agree on a common and staged nuclear deterrence program, explicitly including the tactical level, an idea traditionally avoided in public debate by European leaders. While France and the UK maintain independent nuclear arsenals, there is no shared European doctrine on how to deter or respond to a limited nuclear strike. Germany is a participant in Natos nuclear-sharing mission but does not possess its own weapons. Meanwhile, in Asia, a Foreign Affairs article by Moritz S. Graefrath and Mark A. Raymond argued that Japanese proliferation will go a long way toward achieving the United States main goal in East Asia, namely, the containment of China. They argued that if Japans defensive benefit of being an archipelago country separated from its adversaries by the sea is combined with independent nuclear capabilities, it would effectively boost the countrys security in the face of threats. The other side of the story: How NATOs exercises are concerning In an interview with _Firstpost_ in November, Melissa Parke, the executive director of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize winner International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), pointed out how the world is on the verge of a nuclear catastrophe if things dont change for good. The same organisations head of media, Alistair Burnett, said that while Natos Steadfast Noon and Russian exercises are annual in nature and they make it clear that they are not aimed at anybody in particular, they are still concerning. They are a potent reminder of the fact that both of these powers can annihilate each other and the rest of us using the weapons that theyre practising using. I mean, the Nato exercise is also questionable. And it is challenged under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Burnett told Firstpost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD All of the countries taking part are state parties to the NPT, which bans the transfer of nuclear weapons from five original nuclear-weapon states under the treaty, and any other country. Now, the United States deploys its own, theyre upgraded in the past couple of years, nuclear bombs to five Nato countries, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. And there is very, very strong evidence, almost certain, that the United States has now returned its nuclear weapons to the United Kingdom," he added. Burnett pointed out that these developments are some of the reasons Russia used to justify deploying nuclear weapons to Belarus. Parke said that Ican and other similar bodies have been pleading with the world to reconsider its aggressive rhetoric and engage in dialogue and diplomacy. When New Start [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] is gone in February, there will be no controls, no limits on the numbers or types of nuclear weapons. Its its a dangerous time, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The other thing I wanted to say is about this rhetoric about nuclear weapons testing, it has left a catastrophic legacy across the planet, and its caused devastating intergenerational health impacts of cancers, birth defects, trauma, displacement, poisoned land, air and water for generations. Its not just historical events; this is more than 80 years of ongoing widespread catastrophic harm to humans and the environment, Parke said. So any talk about repeating those crimes is indefensible. There is a clear pathway for the international community to take, which is based on international law and multilateralism, and that is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons [TPNW]. We really need nuclear-armed states and states that support the use of nuclear weapons to get on board with this treaty, instead of going in the other direction and amping up the rhetoric," she furthered. Hence, while some are calling for nuclear proliferation amid a turbulent world, many are warning about the repercussions of such a move. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian Air Force has paid tribute to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who died in a Tejas fighter jet crash during a display at the Dubai Air Show on Friday. The IAF remembered him as a dedicated and skilled pilot with unwavering commitment and an unyielding sense of duty. Smoke billows following a crash of the Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 21, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from an eyewitness video. Image/Reuters The Indian Air Force has paid tribute to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, remembering him as a dedicated fighter pilot who served with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill and an unyielding sense of duty, after he was killed in a Tejas fighter jet crash at the Dubai Air Show on Friday. In its statement, the IAF said, A dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional, he served the nation with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill and an unyielding sense of duty. His dignified persona earned him immense respect through a life devoted to service, and was visible in the send-off attended by UAE officials, colleagues, friends, and the officials of the Indian Embassy. The IAF stands in solidarity with his family in this hour of profound grief and honours his legacy of courage, devotion and honour. May his service be remembered with gratitude. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Crash during aerial display The Tejas went down around 3.40 pm IST during a low-altitude manoeuvre over Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. Video clips showed the aircraft suddenly losing height and plunging into the ground before erupting in flames, sending a plume of black smoke over the runway. Spectators, including families with children, watched in horror from behind the fenced viewing area. The IAF confirmed that Syal, in his mid-30s and a native of Himachal Pradesh, suffered fatal injuries. A court of inquiry has been ordered to establish what caused the crash. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, which manufactures the LCA, expressed deep sorrow at the loss of the courageous IAF pilot. National leaders pay tribute Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described Syal as a brave and courageous IAF pilot and offered condolences to his family. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan said the armed forces stand firmly with the bereaved. Political leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed their grief and acknowledged his service. Eyewitnesses highlight heroism Some eyewitnesses said the pilot appeared to try to steer the aircraft away from the crowd. Indian expat Shajudheen Jabbar told Gulf News, From the way the flight turned before it went down, I strongly feel the pilot tried to save the spectators. Its so unfortunate that he couldnt escape. Local resident Winston Lobo said he felt the impact from his home. I heard a loud bang. I honestly thought piles of pipes had tumbled down. The jet went down very close to our area, he said. Syals village, Patiyalkar in Kangra district, has been plunged into grief. He is survived by his parents, his wife who also serves in the Air Force and their six-year-old daughter. Heart-rending scenes were reported from the family home as relatives and neighbours gathered to mourn. His mortal remains reached Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore and will be flown to Gaggal Airport in Kangra for cremation. His alma mater, Sainik School Sujanpur Tira, held a special prayer meeting, with teachers and alumni recalling him as an exceptional student, athlete and captain of Chenab House. Second Tejas crash in under two years The Tejas, a home-grown light combat aircraft that has been operational since 2016, is a key part of the IAFs fleet. Fridays accident is the second Tejas crash in less than two years; in March 2024, another jet went down near Jaisalmer, though the pilot ejected safely. A new trilateral technology and innovation partnership between India, Australia and Canada was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday after a meeting with his Australian and Canadian counterparts on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a new trilateral technology and innovation partnership between India, Australia and Canada, following his meeting with the Australian and Canadian prime ministers on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit. We are delighted to announce an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership today, Modi said in a social media post after meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadas Mark Carney. The initiative will deepen collaboration between democratic partners across three continents and three oceans in emerging technologies, support diversification of supply chains, clean energy and mass adoption of AI, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A new trilateral technology and innovation partnership! Had an excellent meeting with Mr. Anthony Albanese, PM of Australia and Mr. Mark Carney, PM of Canada on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We are delighted to announce an Australia-Canada-India Technology and pic.twitter.com/Qa5lSvlIb2 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025 According to a joint statement by the governments of India, Australia and Canada, the three sides agreed to strengthen their ambition in cooperation on critical and emerging technologies to complement existing bilateral initiatives. The initiative will draw on the natural strengths of the three countries and have an emphasis on green energy innovation and building resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals. It will deepen their respective ambition and strategic collaboration towards net zero and drive further diversification of supply chains towards a secure, sustainable, and resilient future. The Partnership will also examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence to improve the lives of our citizens. the MEA said in a statement. Officials from the three countries would convene in the first quarter of 2026 to take the initiative forward. Separately, Modi on Saturday met his British counterpart Keir Starmer and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. It was wonderful meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Johannesburg. This year has brought new energy to the IndiaUK partnership and we will keep driving it forward across many domains, Modi said in a post on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The prime minister said he had a very productive conversation with UN chief Guterres. Addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders Meeting, Modi called for a profound rethink of the global development parameters and proposed setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team. With inputs from agencies The process of codifying the FP-7 tactical ballistic missile at Ukraine's Ministry of Defense is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, Fire Point co-owner and chief designer Denys Shtilerman said. "We plan to complete the codification process of the FP7 tactical ballistic missile at Ukraine's Ministry of Defense by the end of 2025," he said in an interview with Natalia Moseichuk. "FP7 is a finished missile. It already flies. We're now finalizing our exams and hope to be adopted into service before the New Year But under our regulations it's not classified as a missile, but as a ballistic drone. The second such ballistic drone the FP9, with an 800-kilometer range and an 850-kilogram warhead. We hope to have adopted by June of next year," Shtilerman said. He emphasized that the missile would have a relatively simple design, and thanks to pre-established production processes and a funded order, missiles will "roll out like hotcakes." According to the developer, a critical issue remains the precise inertial navigation system, for which the company currently has to purchase laser gyroscopes. As a result, Fire Point is now building its own gyroscope manufacturing facility. Given the security risks and sensitivity of such production, the new plant is being built abroad in an unnamed partner country. "But unfortunately, this type of facility, just like solid-fuel engine casting, simply cannot be located in Ukraine. Because if there's a strike, all the testing stands would have to be recalibrated. That would take time and halt production," Shtilerman explained. Israel carried out airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza on Saturday, killing at least 24 people and wounding 54, including children, in a test of the fragile ceasefire in place since October 10. The strikes come amid growing international efforts to stabilise the territory. Palestinians recover a body from the rubble of a house destroyed in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City on October 29, 2025. (AFP) Israel launched airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza on Saturday, testing the fragile ceasefire that has been in place since October 10. Health officials in Gaza reported at least 24 people killed and 54 wounded, including children. The strikes coincided with growing international efforts to stabilise Gaza. On Monday, the UN Security Council approved a US-backed blueprint to secure and govern the territory, including authorising an international force, a transitional authority overseen by President Donald Trump, and a possible path toward an independent Palestinian state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel has previously carried out similar strikes following reported attacks on its forces. Earlier this week, at least 33 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed over a 12-hour period, according to health officials. One of Saturdays strikes hit a vehicle in Gaza Citys Rimal neighbourhood, killing 11 and wounding over 20, said Rami Mhanna, managing director of Shifa Hospital. Director Mohamed Abu Selmiya added that most of the wounded were children. Video footage showed children inspecting the blackened vehicle, its top blown off. Other strikes included a house near Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza, killing at least three and wounding 11, and a house in Nuseirat camp, killing sevenincluding a childand wounding 16. In Deir al-Balah, a strike killed three, including a woman, according to Al-Aqsa Hospital. Suddenly, I heard a powerful explosion. I looked outside and saw smoke covering the entire area. I couldnt see a thing. I covered my ears and started shouting to the others in the tent to run, said Khalil Abu Hatab in Deir al-Balah. When I looked again, I realised the upper floor of my neighbours house was gone. Its a fragile ceasefire. This is not a life we can live. Theres no safe place. Israels military said the strikes targeted Hamas after an armed terrorist crossed into an Israeli-held area and fired at troops in southern Gaza. No soldiers were injured. The military said the person used a road designated for humanitarian aid, calling it an extreme violation of the ceasefire. In separate incidents, the military reported killing five terrorists in Rafah and two others in the north after they crossed into Israeli-held areas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. Most hostages or their remains have since been returned under ceasefire agreements or other deals. Gazas Health Ministry reports that 69,733 Palestinians have been killed and 170,863 injured in Israels retaliatory operations. Casualties continue to rise during the ceasefire due to new strikes and the recovery of earlier victims. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but notes that women and children constitute the majority of those killed. Its detailed records are generally considered reliable by independent experts. US officials and lawmakers are raising alarms over a recent Miami meeting where Trump envoys secretly met sanctioned Russian official Kirill Dmitriev to discuss a Ukraine peace plan, a move that has triggered confusion and concern in Washington. FILE PHOTO: Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, Kirill Dmitriev, talks to U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia April 11, 2025. Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY./File Photo US officials and lawmakers are increasingly alarmed by a meeting last month in which representatives of the Trump administration met Kirill Dmitriev a sanctioned Russian envoy to draft a plan to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported citing multiple sources familiar with the matter. The meeting, held in Miami at the end of October, included special envoy Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Dmitriev, who heads the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), one of Russias largest sovereign wealth funds. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dmitriev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has played a central role in discussions with the US over the war and has met Witkoff several times this year. One senior US official told Reuters that the Trump administration granted Dmitriev a special waiver to enter the country despite existing sanctions. He and the RDIF were blacklisted in 2022, effectively barring Americans from engaging with them. A 28-point peace plan sparks unease The Miami talks produced a 28-point peace plan, two people familiar with the discussions said. The proposal, revealed earlier this week by Axios, took officials across the administration by surprise and created confusion in Washington and in European capitals. It has also drawn criticism from Ukraine and its allies for appearing heavily aligned with Russian interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed he would not betray Ukraines interests. The document calls for significant concessions from Kyiv and appears at odds with the tougher line the Trump administration has recently taken towards Moscow, including sanctions targeting Russias energy sector. It remains unclear whether Dmitriev arrived with specific demands and whether these were incorporated into the plan. Two people familiar with the matter said Ukraines defence minister, Rustem Umerov, was also in Miami early this week to discuss the proposal with Witkoff. One source said Witkoff briefed Umerov on the plan during the visit and that the US relayed the proposal to Ukraine via Turkey on Wednesday before presenting it directly in Kyiv on Thursday. Umerov has described his role as technical and denied discussing the substance of the plan with US officials. Dmitriev and the Ukrainian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said any peace plan must offer security guarantees and deterrence for Ukraine, Europe and Russia, and include economic incentives for both sides. She said the proposal aims to reflect realities on the ground and seek a win-win scenario. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said on Friday he expected Zelenskiy to sign the plan by Thanksgiving. Reuters has reported that the US warned Ukraine its military aid could be reduced if it refuses. Officials left out of the loop Many senior officials at the State Department and the National Security Council were not briefed on the plan, according to two people familiar with the situation. Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, who has been working closely with Kyiv and is due to step down in January, was also excluded from the Witkoff-Dmitriev talks. One senior US official said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been read in on the proposal, though it was unclear when. State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott maintained Rubio was closely involved throughout the process, speaking with both sides repeatedly. But several US officials disputed that account. There was no coordination, no one at State had seen this, not Rubio, another official said, adding that the proposal includes elements previously rejected by the secretary. The developments have raised concerns within the administration and on Capitol Hill that Witkoff and Kushner bypassed the interagency process and produced a plan that tilts heavily towards Russian interests. The document reflects long-standing Russian demands including that Ukraine cede eastern territory it still controls, recognise Crimea as Russian, and pledge not to join NATO. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This so-called peace plan has real problems, and I am highly sceptical it will achieve peace, said Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Republican chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the worlds most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin. Experts have also voiced concern. Dara Massicot of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that Putin had described the plan as a basis for an agreement, suggesting Moscow may seek further concessions. One week seems ambitious for resolution, she said. Questions over Dmitrievs role Some in the intelligence community are also uneasy about the administrations engagement with Dmitriev, a US official said. Despite sanctions, he has used his RDIF position in the past to build ties with Western governments and companies. The CIA declined to comment. During the first Trump administration, Dmitriev cultivated contacts with Trumps team to reset relations between Washington and Moscow. According to the Mueller investigation, he met Erik Prince in 2017 to discuss bilateral ties and separately drafted a reconciliation plan that he shared with a Kushner associate. Mueller ultimately did not establish that the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia in the 2016 election. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dmitriev also worked directly with Kushner during the pandemic, coordinating the RDIF-supplied ventilators sent to the US a move that raised concerns within the Treasury Department over potential sanctions violations. In recent years, he has continued to appear on US television and at global forums such as Davos, promoting stronger US-Russia trade links a message he repeated in Miami. Miami encounter with Rep. Anna Luna Dmitrievs visit also included a meeting with Representative Anna Luna, during which the two discussed increasing trade ties between the US and Russia. Lunas office did not respond to requests for comment. Footage from Russias RIA news agency showed Luna receiving a box of chocolates featuring President Putins portrait. Images appear to show Luna and Dmitriev meeting at the Faena Hotel in Miami, owned by Access Industries, the company run by Russian billionaire Len Blavatnik. Blavatnik made his fortune in partnership with Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian oligarch under sanctions. Witkoffs company, the Witkoff Group, also has business ties with Blavatnik, including in Miami. A lost weather balloon was identified as the object that shattered a United Airlines jets windshield over Utah, injuring the captain and forcing an emergency landing. A stray high-altitude weather balloon was identified in a new report as the mystery object that smashed into a United Airlines jet last month, shattering the windshield and sending glass across the cockpit as the aircraft flew at 36,000 feet over Utah. The National Transportation Safety Board said on Friday that the injured captain, who suffered multiple lacerations from flying glass, was forced to divert to Salt Lake City after the balloon struck the Boeing 737 at around 6:43 a.m. on October 16. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the preliminary findings, a WindBorne Systems global sounding balloon had launched from Spokane, Washington, the previous day, drifting south into Nevada before looping back towards Utah. The California-based aerospace company said it had lost contact with the gas-filled, envelope-shaped balloon, which was in the vicinity when one of the jets multi-layered windshields was nearly blown out during the Denver-to-Los Angeles flight. Safety design questioned after cockpit showered in glass WindBorne states that its balloons are engineered to minimise harm should they collide with an aircraft or strike the ground, noting that they contain no large metal or high-stiffness structural components. However, the report also highlighted that aircraft windshields are built to withstand a four-pound bird strike without cracking. The impact resulted in both pilots being showered with pieces of glass, the NTSB report said. The captain sustained multiple superficial lacerations to his right arm, while the first officer was uninjured. The remaining 111 passengers on board were not hurt. Images shared online after the incident showed the captains bruised and bleeding arm and shards of glass scattered across the cockpit. The collision occurred moments after the captain saw an unidentified object on the horizon; before he could alert the first officer, it struck the aircraft with a loud bang, according to investigators. Cabin pressure held steady, and the crew diverted safely to Salt Lake City International Airport. Company pledges new safeguards as inquiry continues WindBorne released a statement on Friday in response to the report, announcing four new safety measures aimed at preventing future incidents. These include reducing the amount of time balloons remain in commercial airspace, enhancing air traffic alerts, developing collision-avoidance algorithms, and lowering balloon mass to further limit damage in the event of an impact. We are deeply relieved that Flight UA 1093 landed safely and with minimal damage, the company said. Our flight systems are designed both to prevent mid-air impacts and, in the rare event one occurs, to ensure safety through redundant structural and operational safeguards . the UA1093 incident has reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement, and we have acted immediately to further strengthen safeguards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The NTSB investigation remains ongoing. In this month alone, the United Nations has documented 29 cases of attacks by settlers in the West Bank. The attacks caused 11 injuries and damage to 10 homes, two mosques and nearly two dozen vehicles, as well as damage to crops, livestock, and roughly 1,000 trees and saplings Palestinians stand near a burning car reportedly set alight by Israeli settlers attempting to disrupt them harvesting olives near the occupied West Bank village of Turmos Ayya near Ramallah on October 19, 2025. (Photo: Hazem Bader/AFP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top security officials during a Cabinet meeting to discuss the rise of violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The meeting followed incidents of settlers hurling rocks at Palestinian cars passing by the village of Huwara. Huwara Mayor Jihad Ouda said settlers also set a huge fire at a nearby scrapyard. Flames lit up the evening sky and sent massive columns of smoke into the air, images and video on social media showed. The military said it had reports that Israelis set the fire and that police were investigating. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this month alone, the United Nations has documented 29 cases of attacks by settlers in the West Bank. The attacks caused 11 injuries and damage to 10 homes, two mosques and nearly two dozen vehicles, as well as damage to crops, livestock, and roughly 1,000 trees and saplings. What was discussed in the meeting? At the meeting, Netanyahu and officials from the military, the countrys Shin Bet domestic security service and the police discussed the recent spike in violence and proposals on curbing it, according to an Israeli official who spoke to the Associated Press. The official said proposals floated at the meeting included getting violent settlers to attend educational programs. The West Bank and East Jerusalem are home to 700,000 Jews with 160 settlements. Israel took over the area during the 1967 Middle East War. About 3.3 million Palestinians live alongside the Israeli settlers. Netanyahu has called the perpetrators a handful of extremists and urged law enforcement to pursue them for the attempt to take the law into their own hands. Violence by settlers surge U.N. humanitarian office figures show 2,920 Israeli settler attacks took place between January and October this year. 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. The security cabinet meeting came shortly after Israeli settlers celebrated the creation of a new, unauthorised settlement near Bethlehem. With inputs from agencies Anxious parents have been coming to the school to pick up their children while CANs Niger State chapter chairman, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna has told guardians of the abducted kids that the school is working with the government and security agencies to bring their children back Over 200 students from a private Catholic school in Nigeria were reportedly kidnapped by armed bandits, as violence against Christians spread in the West African nation. While some students were able to escape and return to safety, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said 215 students and 12 teachers were abducted in the raid. Anxious parents have been coming to the school to pick up their children while CANs Niger State chapter chairman, Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna has told guardians of the abducted kids that the school is working with the government and security agencies to bring their children back. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Schools shut down The incident is only the latest in a string of violence perpetrated by armed goons who have been waging a war against the Christian community in the country. Earlier this week, gunmen attacked a church in Nigerias Kwara state, killing at least two people. Also, 25 female students were kidnapped from a government boarding school and its vice principal was shot and killed during this attack that happened this week. The Niger state government closed many schools. President Bola Tiubu cancelled international engagements, including attending the G20 summit in Johannesburg, to handle the crisis, which came after gunmen on Monday stormed a secondary school in Kebbi state in northwestern Nigeria, abducting 25 girls. For years, heavily armed criminal gangs have been intensifying attacks in rural areas of northwest and central Nigeria, where there is little state presence, killing thousands and conducting kidnappings for ransom. The gangs have camps in a vast forest straddling several states, including Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger, from where they launch attacks. Hegseth calls for restraint Meanwhile, the news of attacks against Christians has made its way to the Pentagon in the US, with Pete Hegseth urging Africas most populous nation to take steps to curb violence against Christians. Hegseth called on Nigeria to take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians, as he met with Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu. The Thursday meeting between Hegseth and Ribadu at the Pentagon came after US President Donald Trump said Christianity was facing an existential threat in the west African nation, warning that if Nigeria does not stem the killings, the United States will attack and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar once again raised the issue of the Indus Water Treaty, insisting that its abeyance poses a real threat to regional stability. Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar once again raised the issue of the Indus Water Treaty, insisting that its abeyance poses a real threat to regional stability. Dars remarks on the matter came while he was delivering his address at the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Roundtable. During his speech, Dar called for the immediate reversal of the abeyance, adding that water should remain a source of cooperation, not weaponised for politics. He went on to laud international partners, including the EU High Representative, in efforts to calm the recent escalation, Geo News reported. Apart from the treaty, he also brought out the Kashmir issue on an international platform, something India has maintained should be discussed bilaterally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is pertinent to note that the Indus Water Treaty was put on hold after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack in southern Kashmir, which led to the death of 26 Indians. While investigating the case, Indian authorities found that some of the terrorists who orchestrated the attack were Pakistani nationals. While the terrorists still remain at large, India announced that the treaty will remain in abeyance because blood and water cannot flow together. Pakistans agricultural sector takes a hit The 2025 Ecological Threat Report, released by the Sydney-based non-profit Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), revealed last month that Pakistan, whose 80 per cent of agriculture depends on water from the Indus basin, is facing acute risks of water shortages since India has the ability to change the flow of the Indus River. Under the 1960 agreement, India had consented to share the waters of the western rivers, the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, with Pakistan, while retaining control over the eastern rivers, including the Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej. While New Delhi cannot completely stop or divert the flow of water, the report noted that even minor adjustments in dam operation can hit Pakistani farmers significantly. The report went on to warn that Pakistans storage capacity is limited to roughly 30 days of river flow, making it vulnerable to seasonal shortages. In May, India conducted reservoir flushing at the Salal and Baglihar dams on the Chenab River. As a result, a flood-like situation erupted along the Chenab in Pakistan. Despite the financial difficulties, Red Cross has reaffirmed its commitment to working in conflict zones, but noted that the financial reality is forcing us to make difficult decisions" The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will cut nearly one-fifth of its annual budget in 2026, reducing its spending to $2.2 billion and shedding 2,900 jobs as global donor funding continues to dwindle. The organisation has warned that the wider humanitarian sector is facing a financial crisis of unprecedented proportions due to cuts in aid funding. While the United States remains the ICRCs largest donor, its contribution has decreased this year, along with similar reductions from other major donors like the United Kingdom and Germany. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, We face a dangerous convergence of escalating armed conflicts, significant cuts to aid funding and a systemic tolerance for grave breaches of international humanitarian law. Despite the financial difficulties, Spoljaric reaffirmed the organisations commitment to working in conflict zones, but noted that the financial reality is forcing us to make difficult decisions to ensure we can continue to deliver critical humanitarian assistance to those who need it most. Major restructuring In response to the funding shortfalls, the ICRC will implement significant restructuring, including merging departments, streamlining management, and focusing resources on high-priority frontline operations. This overhaul will result in a 15 per cent reduction in the organisations 18,500-strong workforce, with approximately 200 positions being cut in Geneva, where the ICRC was founded in 1863. Around a third of the staff reductions will come through voluntary departures or leaving positions unfilled. Despite the budget cuts, the ICRC has emphasised its continued presence in critical areas of conflict. Spoljaric stated, The ICRC remains committed to working on the front lines of conflict, and assured that the organisation will maintain operations in Sudan, Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The ICRC continues to provide vital humanitarian aid, including visits to prisoners of war, and acts as a neutral intermediary in international conflicts, remaining a key player in global humanitarian efforts despite financial and operational challenges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs and members of the Indian diaspora in South Africa during his visit to the country for the G20 Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs and members of the Indian diaspora in South Africa during his visit to the country for the G20 Summit. During the meeting, PM Modi called upon the entrepreneurs to deepen their engagement with India, in a bid to attract more investors. Modi is in Johannesburg to attend the G20 Leaders Summit, which has been boycotted by US President Donald Trump. In a post on Saturday, PM Modi said that he had fruitful interaction with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs. He mentioned that they talked about the work they are doing in the FinTech, social media, agriculture, education and healthcare sectors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Called upon them to deepen their engagement with India and work closely with our people, he said in the post. On Friday, the Prime Minister also met with the members of the Indian community based in South Africa who are actively working with different community organisations. Had a fruitful interaction with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. They talked about the work they are doing in sectors such as FinTech, social media platforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, medical devices and more. Called upon them to deepen their pic.twitter.com/gRqwIxxxfC Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2025 They shared their experiences on various issues and were very appreciative of Indias strides across different fields. Urged them to keep up the momentum with which they are enhancing people-to-people linkages, he wrote in the same post. Also asked them to boost the popularity of Indian culture among the people of South Africa, including practices such as Yoga, Ayurveda, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi holds talks with Naspers CEO One of the key highlights was PM Modis meeting with Naspers chairman and CEO Koos Bekker and CEO Fabricio Bloisi. The prime minister discussed plans to expand investments in Indias digital ecosystem with the South African multinational internet and technology company. Naspers success in India reflects ease of doing business and the strength of the Startup ecosystem in India, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a social media post. Deepening investment linkages featured prominently in the discussions. It is commendable how Naspers is actively working with our talented youth across diverse sectors, PM Modi said in a different post. On his first day in Johannesburg, PM Modi also held talks with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, and the two leaders took stock of progress in cooperation in diverse areas, including defence and security, critical minerals, trade, investment and people-to-people ties. With inputs from PTI. US President Donald Trump on Friday urged Ukraine to accept his administrations plan aimed at ending the war with Russia by ceding territory, saying his counterpart in Kyiv will have to like it. The Trump-Putin phone call could have a direct impact on the Zelenskyy meeting with Trump today. It is likely that the US president won't agree to supply Kyiv with Tomahawk missiles when the Ukrainian president meets Trump at the White House today (October 17). File image/Reuters US President Donald Trump on Friday urged Ukraine to accept his administrations plan aimed at ending the war with Russia by ceding territory, saying his counterpart in Kyiv will have to like it. Hell have to like it, and if he doesnt like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting, Trump told reporters who asked about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys less-than-enthusiastic response to his plan. At some point hes going to have to accept something, Trump added during the Oval Office meeting with New York Citys future mayor Zohran Mamdani. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Friday, Zelensky pushed back on the American plan, saying he would not betray his country over the 28-point document, seen in Kyiv as very favorable to the Kremlin. The 79-year-old Republican has grown frustrated at not succeeding in ending the war triggered in February 2022 by Russias invasion of Ukraine, and is now seeking an acceleration. Earlier Friday, Trump set a deadline of November 27 the American Thanksgiving holiday for Ukraine to accept his administrations plan aimed at ending its war with Russia. Ive had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines. But Thursday is, we think, an appropriate time, Trump said in an interview with Fox News Radio. Under the plan, Ukraine would give up a swathe of eastern territory to Russia and slash the size of its army, according to a draft obtained by AFP. Kyiv would also pledge never to join NATO, and would not get the Western peacekeepers they have called for, although European warplanes would be stationed in Poland. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump said that if fighting continued, the Ukrainians would still end up losing the territories they would have to cede to Russia under his peace plan. Say what you want, they were very brave, he said about Ukrainian forces fighting the Russians. Russian President Vladimir Putin is not looking for more war, the Republican leader responded when asked about the possibility of Russia attacking other countries in Europe after it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Trump also stated that Putin was taking punishment for the conflict going on for nearly four years now when, the US president added, it was supposed to be a one-day war. Trump has announced the immediate termination of Temporary Protected Status for Somalis in Minnesota, claiming Somali gangs are terrorizing the state and alleging billions of dollars are missing" Trump said on Friday that he was immediately terminating the temporary deportation protections for Somalis living in Minnesota. (AP) US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he was immediately ending Temporary Protected Status for Somalis living in Minnesota. Declaring the move on Truth Social, he said, Somali gangs are terrorizing the people of that great State, and BILLIONS of Dollars are missing, adding that he was hereby terminating, effective immediately, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota. The decision follows years in which Trump has singled out Somali immigrants during campaign cycles in the state, where Somali migration has grown since the 1990s. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Long-standing Somali presence in Minnesota Somali migrants who arrived in the state over the past decades have established thriving cultural and commercial districts, sent their children to Minnesotas colleges and universities, and elected representatives from within their communities to city councils, mayorships, the state legislature and the US Congress. Alongside these developments, the community has also faced resistance in the predominantly white and Christian state of 5.7 million people, ranging from violent threats and vandalism to broader racial and religious tensions. Somali immigrants have been the focus of efforts to halt refugee resettlement and have expressed concern about potential targeting by local police. The communitys most prominent elected official, US Representative Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has frequently been subjected to anti-Muslim threats and rumours, including from Trump. State response and recent policies Despite these challenges, many Minnesotans have been welcoming, according to about a dozen Somali community members, leaders and allies who spoke with USA TODAY. Generous state policies supporting refugee resettlement have bolstered Minnesotas status as a key destination for East Africans fleeing instability. Governor Tim Walz, who ran for vice president with Kamala Harris against Trump and Vice President JD Vance, expanded state measures assisting Somali immigrants. After Trump signed a 2019 executive order granting state and local authorities more power to block refugee arrivals, Walz approved continued resettlements. He also authorised programmes offering driving licences, free college tuition and health insurance to undocumented immigrants. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha discussed the frontline situation, the new dynamic of the peace process, and the need for European unity with his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlic Radman. "I had a call with my Croatian colleague @GrlicRadman to reaffirm the strength of our bilateral partnership and cooperation within the Ukraine-Southeast Europe format," Sybiha wrote on social media X. According to him, they spoke about the current frontline situation, the new dynamic in the peace process, and the need for European unity and strength in supporting Ukraine at this decisive time. "I am grateful for Croatias strong humanitarian, military, and political support," Sybiha said. Ukraine will hold consultations with the US in Switzerland on ending war with Russia, Kyiv said Saturday, as it seeks to fix the draft that heeds to some of Moscows hardlines demands. This combination of pictures created on February 25, 2025 shows US President Donald Trump (L) on February 24, 2025, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) on February 23, 2025.- AFP Ukraine and the United States will soon hold talks in Switzerland on Washingtons proposed plan to end the war with Russia, Kyiv said on Saturday, as it seeks changes to a draft that incorporates several of Moscows demands. We are starting consultations between high-ranking officials of Ukraine and the United States on the possible parameters of a future peace agreement, Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, wrote on Telegram. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The planned discussions come as Ukraine and its European partners scramble to form a coordinated response to the 28-point peace proposal the U.S. unveiled this week. US President Donald Trump has given Kyiv less than a week to approve the plan, which would require Ukraine to cede territory, reduce the size of its military and commit to never joining NATO. European allies, who were not involved in drafting the proposal, said it needs additional work as they met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa to prepare a counter-offer aimed at strengthening Ukraines negotiating position. In the coming days, consultations will take place with partners regarding the steps needed to end the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said after issuing a decree naming Ukraines negotiating team, to be led by his top aide, Andriy Yermak. Our representatives know how to defend Ukraines national interests and what is necessary to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion, Zelensky added. He has been holding a series of phone calls with European leaders and has pledged to work continuously to ensure any final deal secures Ukraines future. Umerov, who will also join the talks, earlier signalled Switzerland as the venue. He described the upcoming discussions as the next phase of an ongoing dialogue focused on aligning Kyiv and Washingtons positions. A former defence minister, Umerov previously took part in several negotiation rounds with Russia in Turkey, which resulted only in prisoner exchanges and the return of bodies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zelenskys decree also said the talks would include representatives of the Russian Federation. Moscow has not yet confirmed whether it will participate. More work needed The unilateral US plan to end the war in Ukraine is a basis which will require additional work, Western leaders gathered in South Africa for a G20 summit said Saturday. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack, the leaders of key European countries as well as Canada and Japan said in a joint statement. Frances Emmanuel Macron earlier sent a sombre message to the gathering, saying the G20 may be coming to the end of a cycle, adding that the grouping was struggling to resolve major crises around the world, referring to the unilateral US plan for resolving the Ukraine war. Britain, Germany and France emerged as key Ukraine backers, providing it with crucial military and financial support, especially after the US sponsorship waned after Trumps return to office. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Difficult choice Ukraine faces one of the most challenging moments in its history, Zelenskyy said Friday in an address to the nation, adding that he would propose alternatives to Trumps proposal. The pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner, Zelenskyy said in his address, referring to a possible break with Washington. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the blueprint could lay the foundation for a final peace settlement, but threatened more land seizures if Ukraine walked away from negotiations. Better equipped and larger in numbers, the Russian army is slowly but steadily gaining ground across the lengthy front line. Ukrainians were meanwhile facing one of the toughest winters since the war began, after Moscow carried out a brutal bombing campaign against energy infrastructure. This comes as a sweeping corruption probe that unveiled graft in the energy sector was unravelling in Kyiv, sparking public outcry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Several Democratic lawmakers have been seeking police action since Friday, after US President Donald Trump said that they should be arrested and potentially punished by death for encouraging the American military to disobey orders from the White House. Several Democratic lawmakers have been seeking police action since Friday, after US President Donald Trump said that they should be arrested and potentially punished by death for encouraging the American military to disobey orders from the White House. Soon after Trump made the threat online, at least two lawmakers, Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colorado) and Chris Deluzio (D-Pennsylvania) have requested the US Capitol police to investigate the intimidating, threatening, and concerning posts made by Trump, Axios reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Friday, Deluzio spokeswoman Zoe Bluffstone confirmed that his office has also reported to the Capitol Police using the same language as in the letter from Crows office. Meanwhile, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania) said on the same day that her office had filed a complaint about Trumps threat. However, her office did not confirm if she had also explicitly requested an investigation. Trump made the post on Thursday in response to a video released on Tuesday of six Congress members cautioning that threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. The lawmakers with military experience urged the American military and intelligence communities to disobey any illegal orders they receive. However, in the video, the lawmakers were not seen describing the orders they deemed illegal. Some representatives have said that they are hearing from service members questioning the legality of strikes that have targeted people the Trump administration alleges are trafficking narcotics by sea. How the message from the Democrats rattled Trump It is pertinent to note that the US military adheres to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which states that service members must obey lawful orders, whether they agree with them or not. However, they are obligated to follow manifestly unlawful orders, but such situations are rare and legally fraught. The concerns of the Democratic lawmakers in the video appeared to have rattled the American leader, who is known for seeking retribution against his perceived political enemies. 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 in response to the video. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We wont have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET. Trump went on to state that the behaviour of the Democratic lawmakers was punishable by DEATH! and reshared a post proclaiming: HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !! After Trumps statement, Houlahan, a former Air Force officer, explained her side during an appearance on Friday on the The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent podcast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Theres a threat line you can email. You have to identify who it is, if you know what they said, if you have it, Houlahan said, explaining the process. I dont know how else to describe that other than a threat to my safety. When asked about the concerns of the Democratic lawmakers, the White House pointed to Trumps interview with Kilmeade. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Trump was not suggesting violence against the makers of the video. These members knew what they were doing, Leavitt added, calling the message they were sending very dangerous and perhaps punishable by law. Im not a lawyer. Ill leave that to the Department of Justice and the Department of War to decide, she said, using the Trump administrations term for the rebranded Department of Defence. She went on to maintain that every single order that is given to this United States military by this commander in chief and through this command chain of command, through the Secretary of War, is lawful. Meanwhile, the Pentagon did not comment on Trumps latest order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The House Oversight Committee is shelving plans to depose a convicted sex offender, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins co-conspirator and confidant, after she conveyed to the lawmakers that she would plead the Fifth. Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein in an undated photo. US Department of Justice The House Oversight Committee is shelving plans to depose a convicted sex offender, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins co-conspirator and confidant, after she conveyed to the lawmakers that she would plead the Fifth. Initially, the Committee had intended to travel to Texas, where Maxwell was being held in a federal prison camp, to conduct her interview. However, Committee Chairman told Politico that she is rethinking those plans because of Maxwells decision not to answer any of the committees questions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Her lawyers have replied that shes not going to answer any questions, Comer told Politico. Shes only going to plead the Fifth. I mean, I could spend a bunch of taxpayer dollars to send staff and members down there, and if shes going to plead the Fifth, I dont know that thats a good investment. The committee does not plan to grant Maxwell immunity In the Politico interview, Comer made it clear that the committee will not entertain Maxwells request after she said she would only answer questions if she were granted immunity. Not only this, but Maxwell had also asked to be provided with the questions in advance. Her team maintained that she would not answer questions until the appeals in her case were resolved. In a separate interview with NBC News, Comer said that his panel is still working to depose former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, accusing them of giving Republicans the runaround. Cormer noted that he just wants to learn what they know about Epstein and his crimes. Im not accusing them of any wrongdoing. But Trump has answered a gazillion questions about it, and weve never heard from Clinton," he said. It is pertinent to note that Maxwell was already interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over two days in July. The Justice Department released a full transcript of that interview the following month. In July, the Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Maxwell seeking her testimony. Both the subpoena and Blanches interview came at a time when the Trump administration has been facing unusual scrutiny from its base over its handling of files in the Epstein case. Earlier this week, the US Congress voted unanimously to compel the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. On Wednesday, Trump signed the bill, called the Epstein Files Transparency Act, into law after previously opposing it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Republican congresswoman from Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene, announced on Friday that she will resign from her office in January amid a public feud with US President Donald Trump. Republican congresswoman from Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene, announced on Friday that she will resign from her office in January amid a public feud with US President Donald Trump. Greene, who was one of the staunchest allies of Trump, released a video statement announcing that she would leave the American Congress on January 5, 2026. I look forward to a new path ahead, she said in a social media post. The announcement from the Maga politician came just days after she and Trump had sparred over the release of Justice Department files related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In her video statement, Greene ticked off a list of achievements and criticised the president, who threatened to back her Republican candidate to unseat her in next years elections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD My message to Georgias 14th district and America. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/tSoHCeAjn1 Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) November 22, 2025 I have too much self-respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, she said. What lies ahead While she announced her departure from the House of Representatives, reports in the US media suggested that Greene has shown an interest in running for state office - either as Georgia governor or for a Senate seat. In the past, Trump has publicly commented about those ambitions. During his public feud, the American leader wrote that he had previously told her that she shouldnt run for either of those offices due to poor public polling. Before their public fallout, Greene had been a longtime ally of Trump, championing the America First agenda. Their relationship soured after Greene became one of a handful of Republicans to back a petition for the release of all files held by the US government related to Epstein. Initially, Trump was against the legislation but changed his course, asking Republicans to support it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Greene also questioned whether Trump was still putting America First, given his focus on foreign policy. She kept on calling out his administrations refusal to release the Epstein documents, which did not require an act of Congress. The president could have ordered their release at any time. Trump responded to the criticisms in a series of social media posts, calling Greene a traitor and wacky. He said she should be unseated and vowed to back a challenger for her place in Congress. Contrary to popular assumption, US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had a cordial meeting at the White House on Friday afternoon as the two formed an unlikely alliance President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. AP Contrary to popular assumption, US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had a cordial meeting at the White House on Friday afternoon as the two formed an unlikely alliance. While speaking to reporters after the meeting, both Trump and Mamdani agreed to work together to address housing, food prices, and cost-of-living concerns that have defined both their political appeals to working-class voters. We agreed a lot more than I would have thought, Trump said in the Oval Office, sometimes jumping in to shield Mamdani from aggressive questioning from the press. The face-off was much anticipated, with many predicting that it would be contentious. Part of the reason for the presumption was that both had engaged in months of intense rhetoric against each other. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump on whether hed feel comfortable living in NYC under a Mamdani administration: Yeah, I would. I really would. pic.twitter.com/eFxzpyaZFY Democrats (@TheDemocrats) November 21, 2025 While Trump often branded Mamdani a communist lunatic, the NYC mayor-elect described Trump as fascist, a claim he has been asked about after the Friday meeting. Amid fears of the clash, the meeting between Trump and Mamdani produced camaraderie, warm words and concrete pledges of cooperation between the Republican president and the self-described democratic socialist who secured a commanding electoral victory earlier at the beginning of November with over 50 per cent of the vote. I feel very confident that he can do a very good job, Trump said after the meeting, offering praise for his ideological opposite. The better he does, the happier I am. I will say theres no difference in party. Theres no difference in anything, and were going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York. An unexpectedly warm meeting The president went on to congratulate Mamdani for his NYC mayoral election win, calling it an incredible race against smart people and the two politicians shook hands. The American president also noted that he had already seen signs that the young politician might surprise both conservative and liberal observers alike. Meanwhile, Mamdani said that the meeting represented vindication of his strategy to focus the discussion on economic issues rather than ideological divides. He described the talks as productive and focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City. We spoke about rent, we spoke about groceries, we spoke about utilities, we spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out, Mamdani told reporters after emerging from the Oval Office. We had some interesting conversations, and some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have," Trump added, pointing to their agreement on lowering crime and building housing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On numerous occasions, Trump was seen coming to Mamdanis defence. Rebutting the jihadist attack, Trump said that he would feel comfortable living in New York under Mamdani. Trump also stepped in to help Mamdani when one reporter asked in an incredulous tone if the mayor-elect was affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist? Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trumps willingness to meet was evidence of his openness to dialogue across political divides. President Trump is willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone and to try to do whats right on behalf of the American people, whether they live in blue states or red states, or blue cities, Leavitt said. It will now be interesting to see if the alliance will continue after Mamdani assumes the role of NYC Mayor. The US and Chinese militaries met in Hawaii for three days of frank and constructive discussions aimed at improving maritime and air security amid ongoing tensions The United States and Chinese militaries held frank and constructive maritime security discussions this week, the Chinese navy announced on Saturday, as both sides move to restore military-to-military communications after several months of trade-related friction. According to the Peoples Liberation Army Navys official social media account, the working-level meetings took place from November 18 to 20 in Hawaii. The navy said the delegations exchanged views mainly on the current maritime and air security situation between China and the United States. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The talks unfolded against a backdrop of intensifying tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan, and at a moment when Washington restated its commitment to its ally in Tokyo. The United States on Friday reaffirmed its strong support for Japan, calling its commitment to the bilateral alliance unshakable after China reacted sharply to comments by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. China has escalated its rhetoric, strongly protesting Takaichis November 7 remarks that a Chinese military strike on Taiwan could create a survival-threatening situation for Japan, enabling it to exercise its right to collective self-defence. Her statement in parliament indicated that Japanese defence forces might respond in the event of a Taiwan contingency. South China sea dispute Further pressure in the region has come from the South China Sea. The United States deployed two warships on August 13, 2025, to a disputed shoal where two Chinese navy and coastguard vessels had collided two days earlier while attempting to drive away a smaller Philippine ship, an incident recorded on video and raising alarm among several Western and Asian nations. In October, the Philippines accused China of deliberately ramming a Philippine government vessel near Thitu Island in the Spratly Islands. The Philippine coastguard reported that at 01:15 GMT, a Chinese coastguard ship fired its water cannon at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, a fisheries bureau vessel anchored near the island. Washington condemned Chinas October 12 ramming and water cannoning of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel near Thitu Island, stating: We stand with our Philippine allies as they confront Chinas dangerous actions which undermine regional stability. Chinas sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea and its increasingly coercive actions to advance them at the expense of its neighbours continue to undermine regional stability and fly in the face of its prior commitments to resolve disputes peacefully. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These developments followed earlier meetings in April, marking the first working-level talks between US and Chinese military officials since President Donald Trump began his second term. The US Indo-Pacific Command said the April discussions in Shanghai centred on decreasing the incidences of unsafe and unprofessional behaviour by Chinas naval and air forces. Chinas defence ministry stated that it had raised concerns that US ships and aircraft were carrying out reconnaissance, surveys and high-intensity drills in sea and air spaces around China, which it argued risked causing misunderstandings, miscalculations and jeopardising Chinas sovereignty and military security. The United States has reiterated its firm backing for Japan as tensions rise over Chinas objections to Tokyos comments on Taiwan. Taiwan lifted all restrictions on Japanese food imports on Friday in another show of support for Tokyo. (Reuters) The United States on Friday reaffirmed its strong support for Japan, describing its commitment to the bilateral alliance as unshakeable after China sharply criticised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis comments on Taiwan. Beijing has increased its rhetoric against Tokyo, vigorously protesting Takaichis 7 November remarks that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan could pose a survival-threatening situation for Japan, potentially allowing it to exercise its right to collective self-defence. Her statement in parliament indicated how Japanese defence forces might act in the event of a Taiwan contingency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Ambassador to Japan George Glass, following discussions with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, denounced Chinas response as provocative. According to Kyodo, he said Chinas actions were very unhelpful and undermine regional stability, highlighting Beijings ban on aquatic imports from Japan as a classic case of Chinese economic coercion. Glass added that Washington remained steadfast in its commitment to Japans defence, including the Senkaku Islands. The uninhabited islets in the East China Sea are administered by Japan but claimed by China, which refers to them as Diaoyu and has increased patrols around them. We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to alter or affect the status quo, he said. Beijing demands retraction as tensions extend to trade and defence China has insisted that Takaichi retract her statement to restore stable relations, but she refused to do so on Friday. Considered a China hawk, she maintained that Japan had been consistent on Taiwan while noting her desire for improved ties with Beijing. Before leaving for the G20 summit in South Africa, she said, I myself have repeatedly stated this position in my responses. The governments stance remains consistent, the South China Morning Post reported. Beijing has introduced several countermeasures, including reinstating its recently lifted suspension of seafood imports from Japan and issuing a travel alert. As China remains the largest source of tourists to Japan, with about 7.4 million trips this year, the advisory has resulted in widespread cancellations by Chinese travellers. China also regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory and is determined to integrate it with the mainland. On Friday, China strongly objected to Japans export of Patriot air-defence interceptor missiles to the United States, marking the first such shipment of advanced weapons since Japan relaxed its arms export rules. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said post-WWII treaties obligated Japan, as a defeated country, to be completely disarmed and prohibited from maintaining industries capable of enabling rearmament. She noted that Japan had eased restrictions, increased its defence budget for 13 consecutive years, and adopted new security laws allowing the exercise of the right to collective self-defence. These developments, she said, showed Japan was moving away from an exclusively defence-oriented stance and re-arming itself at pace. Mao warned that any attempt by Japan to return to militarism, abandon its commitment to peaceful development, or disrupt the post-war international order would not be accepted. The Chinese people will not allow it, and the international community will not allow it. Such attempts will only end in failure, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi met Italys Meloni and other world leaders as the G20 Summit opened in Johannesburg on Saturday, holding brief but warm exchanges on the sidelines before the inaugural session began. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday. Modi, who was received at the venue by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, was seen engaging in brief conversations with leaders as the summit began. Modi and Meloni shared a warm exchange ahead of the opening session at the Nasrec Expo Centre. In visuals shared by ANI, the two leaders were seen shaking hands and smiling as they greeted each other. Their previous interaction took place on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada in June. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD BIG BREAKING PM Modi meets Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at G20 Leaders Summit. pic.twitter.com/Plvov2ZAIA News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) November 22, 2025 Earlier, Modi contributed the foreword to the Indian edition of Melonis autobiography, where he wrote: It is not just an autobiography; it is her Mann Ki Baat. I am delighted that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is penning her autobiography, I Am Giorgia. Over the last 11 years, I have had the privilege of engaging with many world leaders, each with a different life journey. At times, their journeys transcend personal stories and speak to something larger. They remind us of ideals that have endured across cultures and centuries. Prime Minister Meloni has several such instances in her accomplished life, making this book very special," he had said. On the sidelines, Modi also greeted other global leaders, including embracing Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and holding what he described as a very productive conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. What PM Modi said at the G20 summit During the opening session, Modi urged world leaders to revisit global development indicators and pressed for new collaborative efforts under the G20. He proposed launching an initiative to counter the drugterror nexus and called for the creation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team. He also suggested establishing a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository to preserve systems and practices that support the environment, respect culture, and maintain social harmony. Kyrgyzstan launches first issue of gold-backed stablecoin USDKG Kyrgyzstan has launched the first issue of its national stablecoin USDKG, a digital token backed by physical gold and pegged to the US dollar, according to the press service of the president of the republic. On Thursday, an official ceremony was held at the presidential administration in Bishkek, attended by Head of State Sadyr Zhaparov. During the event, participants symbolically pressed the launch button, after which 50 million USDKG tokens were released into circulation on the Tron network, each of which corresponds to one US dollar and is fully backed by gold reserves. According to the report, USDKG is designed as a transparent, secure, and stable digital currency that combines the reliability of gold with the efficiency of blockchain technology. The launch of the stablecoin should strengthen Kyrgyzstan's position in the global financial ecosystem and lay the foundation for the development of Web3 infrastructure and decentralized services through which government agencies and businesses will be able to interact on the basis of blockchain solutions. The presidential administration notes that the new instrument is designed to increase the country's investment attractiveness by creating conditions for capital inflows and technological partnerships. The authorities expect that the availability of a stablecoin backed by real assets will strengthen confidence in financial innovations and demonstrate the possibility of combining digital tools with material support in the interests of sustainable economic development. The issuer of USDKG is JSC Virtual Asset Issuer with 100% state participation. The ceremony was attended by Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Finance Almaz Baketaev and the company's CEO Biibolot Mamytov, as well as representatives of the Gold Dollar project, who are involved in the technical and international aspects of the stablecoin's implementation. In official materials, the project is positioned as the world's first state-owned stablecoin backed by physical gold and pegged to the US dollar. Photo: https://www.digi24.ro Romania scrambled fighter jets overnight on November 22 due to Russian airstrikes near Ukraine's Odesa region close to the Romanian border, and air alerts were issued for towns along the Danube, Digi24 reported. "Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft were launched in the early hours of November 22 from the 86th Air Base to monitor the air situation along the border with Ukraine amid Russian attacks near Romania's frontier," the country's Ministry of National Defense said Saturday morning, according to Digi24. At 01:33, an air alert was issued for towns in the northern part of Tulcea County after Russian attack drones were identified near the Ukrainian city of Izmail. The ministry said no airspace violations were recorded. The jets returned to the Borcea base at 03:42. "We are in constant contact with our allies, exchanging operational information in real time and acting decisively to ensure the security of Romania and NATO's eastern flank," the statement added. The Russian strike damaged the Orlivka border crossing between Ukraine and Romania, halting operations until repairs are completed. Earlier this week, during a mass Russian attack on Ukraine, one of the drones flew over Romania and Moldova. Poland also scrambled aircraft and temporarily closed the Rzeszow and Lublin airports as a precaution. On November 17, several Romanian villages along the Danube ordered evacuations due to a fire on an LNG tanker off the Ukrainian coast following Russian strikes. Photo: https://t.me/Koord_shtab Ukraine has succeeded in returning 31 citizens from Belarus, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported. "Women and men who had been detained in Belarus and sentenced to various prison terms from 2 to 11 years are returning to Ukraine. The youngest Ukrainian released today is 18 years old, the oldest is 58," the Coordination Headquarters said Saturday on its Telegram channel. Among the freed civilians are individuals suffering from serious illnesses, including cancer. "We express our gratitude to the United States of America and to President Donald Trump for their effective efforts in securing the return of Ukrainian civilians and military personnel from Belarus and the Russian Federation," the Headquarters added. The released Ukrainians will receive all necessary medical assistance and rehabilitation. Earlier, on November 22, Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens and two Catholic priests. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe The wealthiest men and women in Spain are three times more likely to marry each other than if couples were formed randomly Social class permeates all aspects of life, and love is no exception. In Spain, for instance, couples dont form randomly; rather, theyre typically determined by socioeconomic factors. This means that people tend to partner with those most similar to themselves in terms of income and wealth. And, at the top of the social ladder, this tendency intensifies. Those who earn and have the most assets find each other with a frequency three times greater than would occur in a society where relationships were completely random. This finding goes beyond mere intuition or dinner-table conversation: its pure statistics. Silvia de Poli, a researcher affiliated with the Complutense University of Madrid, analyzed microdata from the Spanish Ministry of Finance and Spains National Institute of Statistics (INE), in order to answer a question as simple as it is powerful: what would happen to inequality if relationships were formed randomly, such as if peoples names were drawn from a lottery? The answer is clear. If this were the case, the economic gap would narrow, both in terms of income and wealth. De Polis simulation was conducted using three scenarios involving heterosexual couples. The model required systematically comparing samples, and, due to limited data availability, it couldnt be applied to same-sex couples. The first scenario is purely random, with people pairing up without regard to their salaries or inheritances. The second is one of perfect homogamy, where the richest marry the richest and the poorest marry the poorest. The third is complete heterogamy, in which someone from the top pairs with someone from the bottom, and so on. Spain is closer to the second scenario a form of selective marriage is at play. De Poli has created a chart illustrating this phenomenon. To do so, she ranked all individuals according to their economic status and divided them into 10 equally-sized groups, in order to observe how they interact with one another. The first group, or decile, represents the poorest 10%, and the last represents the richest 10%. When the value approaches balance (represented by 1), it means that pairings occur as if by chance; when it falls below 1, people from different groups rarely cross paths; and when it exceeds 1, individuals tend to marry within their own socioeconomic group. In Spain, these values are extremely high in the wealthiest segment of the distribution. This is according to the study conducted by De Poli and other authors, which was published by the European Commission. Men and women in the top 10% of earners are 3.1 times more likely to marry each other than if everything were left to chance. The lower and middle-income brackets tend to remain within the equilibrium, reflecting a reality that looks very close to chance. Meanwhile, a very wealthy man is five times less likely (0.2) to marry a woman with lower-middle income than he would be in a purely random scenario. This trend is more clearly observed when it comes to wealth, which is a more stable indicator. While income is more volatile and only captures a snapshot of a persons financial situation which can also change with retirement or reduced working hours wealth tends to remain steady over time. And here, men and women from each group are clustered almost harmoniously across the entire scale: the wealthiest get together with the wealthiest and the poorest with the poorest. There are other ways to approach this phenomenon. Nuria Badenes, a researcher at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, has analyzed the INEs Living Conditions Survey and corroborates this kind of economic endogamy. On average, the members of a couple belong to the same income group in 16% of cases, but in the top decile the rate doubles to 33%. Choosing a partner is a decision that cannot be judged as being either fair or unfair. Yet the fact that people with higher incomes choose to partner up with each other contributes to perpetuating income inequality, she points out. From graduate school to the altar So, where does this tendency come from? Diederik Boertien, a sociologist at the Center for Demographic Studies in Barcelona, explains that selective marriage stems from both individual preferences and social structures. People tend to seek partners with resources or characteristics associated with status, such as education, lifestyle and, of course, income. Thus, he notes, a competition arises, where the most attractive people that is, those with the most resources end up together, while others pair up with each other or remain single. The very organization of society with its rhythms and internal boundaries fosters bonds within the same social class. The people we interact with in daily life tend to be from a similar socioeconomic stratum. Family members, friends, classmates and colleagues, neighbors they all tend to have relatively similar economic resources, Boertien continues. And these, he adds, create entry barriers into groups where double-barrelled names are common. Its much harder to meet a wealthy person than a poor one, he says, because wealth allows for the creation of exclusive spaces where only the privileged have access and can meet each other. According to an adviser who works at a private banking firm, this is a trend thats clearly noticeable among high-net-worth clients. Its common for members of a couple to have very similar levels of income, assets and investments. They usually share not only a financial strategy, but also a similar economic background. This makes it easier for them to structure their assets jointly, says the adviser. Homogamy marriage between people from similar sociological or educational backgrounds helps perpetuate economic inequalities in Spain. According to De Polis data, couples in the wealthiest 10% of the population have, on average, almost double the income and wealth of those in the next income bracket. And they hold 12 times the income and 42 times the net worth of those in the lowest decile. De Poli reminds us that, in the formation of a couple, there are unobservable factors, such as personality, values and cultural affinities. But of the measurable factors, one of the best for exploring the origins of socioeconomic segregation is education. This is because, as Badenes points out, income tends to increase with the level of education. Data from the INE reflects that couples in the highest income brackets in Spain are, by far, are by far the ones with the least educational differences between partners. To reach this conclusion, Badenes observed the educational gap within each union, ranging from a very large divide such as a university graduate being in a relationship with someone who didnt finish high school to couples whose members have virtually identical educational backgrounds. She found that the higher the economic level, the more similar the couples educational paths are. At the lower end of the social spectrum, people with very different educational backgrounds mix, but at the top, partners almost always share a similar, generally higher, levels of educational attainment. The romance elevator From this point, De Poli delves deeper into the effects of marrying within your social class and tries to determine what would happen to wealth distribution under a hypothetical framework of random marriages. In such a scenario, couples in the lowest 80% of income earners especially those at the bottom of the scale would be better positioned than in the current reality. Meanwhile, those in the remaining 20% would lose economic power. The difference is mainly explained by income, but wealth especially when its held through primary residences also plays an important role in this hypothetical redistribution. When wealthier individuals concentrate resources and marry among themselves, they combine fortunes and advantages that not only multiply their purchasing power, but also ensure that their children are born with above-average wealth. At the top, these couples form veritable economic powerhouses, while those with fewer resources face greater obstacles when it comes to accessing equivalent opportunities. The recent study suggests that taxation and other public policies partially mitigate the effect of homogamy on inequality. However, they are unable to halt the gradual accumulation of wealth resulting from selective marriages. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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. Bintou,60, stopped bleaching her skin in 2023, as soon as the first spots appeared. This photo was taken in 2024. According to the WHO, voluntary depigmentation persists in the country, with a prevalence rate of 50%. Experts warn how the practice has become more common over the last 10 years Maimouna is from Leona, a village in the Louga region of Senegal, in the north of the country. In her twenties, she began regularly bleaching her skin, shortly before marrying the first man she shared her life with. I bleached my skin for my wedding, but it was to please myself, she explains. However, she then admits that it was really because her husband liked it. In fact, he was the one who gave her the money to buy the products. Approaching 50 and despite having a grayish complexion, visible marks on her body and occasional skin reactions Maimouna has no intention of abandoning her beauty ritual. She continues to ignore health warnings: When I have skin problems, I take a break. I let [my skin] rest and then I start again. She didnt even stop the practice of xeesal the word used in the Wolof language to describe facial bleaching during her pregnancies. I wanted to look beautiful for the day of the birth and the christening. According to the village midwife, voluntary depigmentation during pregnancy is quite common. This is despite the potential obstetric complications for both mother and newborn, such as developmental delays, low birth weight, lower plasma cortisol levels, or a smaller placenta. Xeesal isnt a good thing. And the Muslim religion (Islam) doesnt like it, either. God wants us to be as we were born. So, every day, when I pray at night, I ask for forgiveness, Maimouna says, her eyes filled with sorrow. In Louga, a village in Northern Senegal, Maimouna and Matelle take a short break, before returning to the community radio station. Maimouna likes to bleach her skin, but Matelle says she would never do it; she only did it briefly for her wedding photos, which is common among women in Senegal. Picture taken in November of 2024. Marie Ruwet Dakar, the capital and largest city of Senegal, is a four-hour drive away from the village. This is where the Dermatology Department at the Institute of Social Hygiene is based. Behind a discreet door lies the headquarters of AIIDA: the International Association for Information on Artificial Depigmentation. Since 2002, AIIDA has provided refuge for those undergoing this procedure. Most of the patients are women. Skin-bleaching is widespread in Senegalese society, despite the health risks associated with this practice. According to a 2023 analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of voluntary skin depigmentation was 50% in the country. And, according to social worker and dermatologist Astou Diouf the president of AIIDA this practice has reached alarming proportions in Senegal over the last 10 years. Look around you, Nyamae Aminata Toure gestures. Shes the coordinator of AIIDAs social work team. Youll see nothing but damaged skin, she sighs, pointing to a crowded waiting room. Here, more than half of the women who make an appointment with the dermatologist have at least one complication due to [voluntary] depigmentation. Sometimes, [they have] two, three, or even more. Dermatologist Fatimata Ly is a researcher and the founder of AIIDA. Shes a leading figure in the fight against depigmentation in Senegal. She emphasizes the impact and widespread toxicity of this practice on the entire body. No organ is spared the consequences of voluntary depigmentation, she affirms. The heavy burden of xeesal Artificial depigmentation typically begins as just another beauty ritual: a woman applies soap, oil, cream, or a whole range of products on her skin, hoping to lighten her complexion and feel more beautiful. These cosmetics promise a lighter or even whiter complexion in just seven days. Their use often intensifies before important celebrations, such as weddings, baptisms, or religious festivals. However, what worries specialists most is the constant application of these products over the course of several years, because the most serious effects can begin to appear 15 years after starting regular use. These effects include diabetes, acne and stretch marks. There are even documented cases of cancer associated with the use of these products. Twice a week, before praying and going to bed, Maimouna applies her products. She mixes creams and oils, sometimes diluting them with a little water to adjust the texture and desired intensity. Shes convinced that the more expensive products are less harmful and can even repair the skin. Hence, she invests in products that cost 20,000 CFA francs (about $30). This is a lot of money in Senegal, where the minimum wage is just over $100 a month. However, for this mother, her bleaching routine remains a priority investment. Her current partner also believes that the xeesal makes her more attractive. Here in Louga, its something many men like, she maintains. The main motivation of the girls and women who do this is to look more beautiful. But, in reality, theyll end up not being able to look at themselves in the mirror, laments Nyamae Aminata Toure. There are appalling cases. Over the years, the skin becomes so damaged the stretch marks and burns so extreme that one woman confessed she no longer dared to show herself naked to her husband. Much of the time, theyre horrified by their own reflection. I used to be beautiful. I was married and I was very pretty, says Bintou, a resident of the Dalifort suburb, southeast of Dakar. The first spots appeared in 2013, which is when she reduced her use of these products but it didnt help. Today, in her sixties, her skin is irreversibly scarred: her face is covered with dark sores that form a kind of mask around her eyes. The uneven tone of her hands shows years of exposure to bleaching products. We have to tell young people: dont do xeesal, its bad. I didnt pay much attention to [the warnings] but now, you just have to look at my skin. If young women saw it, words wouldnt be necessary. Most of these products contain excessively high doses of corticosteroids. These potent substances derived from cortisone have many side effects, such as skin bruising, mood swings, weight gain and stomach irritation. They also often contain chemicals such as hydroquinone which has been banned in EU nations as an ingredient in over-the-counter cosmetics since the year 2000 or even heavy metals, like mercury. Available in various formats and concentrations, these cosmetics produced mainly in West Africa and Asia are sold everywhere: in small shops, pharmacies, supermarkets, online, on social media platforms like Snapchat, or even by street vendors who deliver them directly to homes. Theres nothing written on the bottle, Dr. Astou Diouf explains. It just shows an attractive, depigmented woman. [Consumers] buy it for the image, because they think, I want to be like her, she adds. So they wait a week, it works and theyre hooked. They talk about it with their friends, they [share] the bottles. Sales skyrocket. Nyamae Aminata Toure insists that the women who undergo xeesal are aware of its potential harmful effects. Theres no need to bring in a dermatologist to warn them. Every woman who does xeesal has a mother, an aunt, [or] a sister who has suffered. But its like a drug. They cant break the habit, even while knowing the risks. Stopping artificial depigmentation is complex. If the process is interrupted, the skins natural pigment returns. This relapse often causes distress. As a result, many women continue to lighten their skin, sometimes secretly, even hiding it from their doctors. This behavior is partly explained by social pressure. Sometimes, those closest to the women who use these products are a negative influence on them as they try to stop the practice. As soon as their skin darkens a little, their husband might say, Whats wrong with you? How come [you look] like this? And then the neighbor says, Are you sick? Dont you have money for treatment? the social worker explains. And thats when they relapse. With a devastated look, Dr. Astou Diouf adds: Most people only stop when they have no other options, if the lesions are severe. In the worst cases, [these products] lead to cancer. If you dont use xeesal, you dont have friends and boys dont like you For many years now, with the aim of addressing the lack of medical assistance and coverage and in an attempt to gain widespread recognition of the seriousness of this phenomenon AIIDA has been appealing to policymakers to take action. One of the associations major victories was the 2017 approval of Article 112 of the Press Code, which prohibits the advertisement of skin-lightening products on television channels and radio stations in Senegal. In Senegal, advertising skin-lightening creams is banned on television and radio. However, media and street advertising still subtly promote fair skin as an ideal. In this image, taken in November 2024, a billboard displays an advertisement for a skin-lightening cream. Marie Ruwet A welcome, albeit bittersweet, victory: despite the National Council for Audiovisual Regulations (CNRA) oversight of advertisements, most television presenters still sport light complexions. The normative beauty ideals that underpin skin-lightening remain deeply ingrained in popular culture, and these are much harder to regulate. These standards are reinforced by popular music videos and TV series, which are constantly played in homes, restaurants and beauty salons. This content features actresses who show clear signs of skin-bleaching. Furthermore, dark-skinned people are rarely seen in advertisements. These products represent a considerable source of revenue. If our laws arent strong enough, its for economic reasons, Dr. Ly laments. She denounces this lack of political will. In Mauritania, they have a law that prohibits the import of depigmentation products and blocks their entry at customs. Furthermore, theyve launched a national plan to combat voluntary skin lightening, she adds. However, the researcher is hopeful that changes will occur with the new political landscape. Well see if things change with the current government, she notes, referring to the administration of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was sworn in 18 months ago. Meanwhile, AIIDAs work continues on other fronts. They organize awareness campaigns in schools to help young women rediscover pride in their skin color. This is a monumental task, given the scale and normalization of skin-lightening. In the village of Leona, for example, teenage girls begin these practices as young as 10. I started using my mothers [cosmetic] products because I thought she looked prettier, 17-year-old Seynabou explains shyly. Shes Maimounas youngest daughter. She and her friends already live in an environment where skin-lightening has become a social norm. They all acknowledge that its fashionable. Practically every girl at their school does it. If you dont do xeesal, you dont have any friends. Youre left alone; boys dont like you, another young woman whispers. To be seen, to be looked at to find a husband and be the first wife you have to be djongoma (attractive), another girl says, amidst the groups laughter. The girls know that the products arent good quality, especially when they use creams that cost less than 1,000 CFA francs (about $1.75), but they admit that they continue applying them every day. Well stop when were djongoma enough, the friends conclude. All of them have already found lesions on their bodies. When you see a really beautiful girl, you think: Why cant I look like her? Shell surely find a husband right away, says Marie, 20, Maimounas eldest daughter. Despite this, she has decided not to follow in her mothers footsteps: she doesnt want to be anyones first wife, nor does she want to use skin-lightening agents. Im Black and Im proud of my ebony skin, she declares. You can be beautiful and still be natural. There are plenty of men who dont like xeesal. Marie says she doesnt feel pressured by either her mother or her younger sister. Its more like Im the one who tells them things. I insist that [bleaching] is wrong and that theyre ruining their skin. But they tell me to mind my own business. She shrugs and concludes: Ultimately, everyone is free to decide whether or not to do xeesal. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition. Uintah County Library Regional History Center Tents set up for workers while hundreds of sheep mill in corrals at the Bonanza Sheep Shearing Plant in Bonanza, Utah in 1914. The shearing plant at Cisco was much larger. Sun Sunday 52 /30 Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s. Sun Sunday 51 /30 Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 30s. UK urged to stop slandering China with 'espionage threat' claim Global Times By Liu Xin Published: Nov 21, 2025 06:46 PM The Chinese Embassy in the UK and Northern Ireland has issued two statements over the past few days, refuting the so-called "Chinese espionage threat" hyped by certain UK politicians and media outlets, condemning what it described as "malicious slander" and urging relevant UK parties to stop manipulating and misleading the public. Some British newspapers claimed that some individuals in the UK have encountered fake online accounts allegedly linked to Chinese security services, which sent unsolicited messages to them. Asked to comment on this on Thursday local time, a spokesperson for the embassy said that the claims that the Chinese government uses fake accounts to recruit people or exert influence in the UK are pure fabrication. "We strongly condemn such malicious slander," the spokesperson said in a statement on the embassy's website, adding that China is among the main victims of online fraud and cyber-attacks and that China has identified many accounts used for online fraud and malicious attacks originating from outside China, including the UK "We firmly oppose certain individuals in the UK who habitually make irresponsible allegations against China and spread disinformation with ulterior motives. We urge the relevant UK parties to stop slandering and smearing China, and stop manipulating and misleading the public," the spokesperson said. This is the second time in a week the embassy has firmly responded to the UK's hype about so-called "Chinese Espionage Threat." On Tuesday, when responding to a question about reports that the UK intelligence services had issued a so-called "espionage alert," claiming that Chinese intelligence personnel disguised as "headhunters" had approached UK parliamentarians and figures from various sectors to "collect information," and that the Commons Speaker has also written to MPs about this, the Embassy spokesperson said that these claims by the UK side are pure fabrication and malicious slander. "We strongly condemn such despicable moves by the UK side and have lodged stern representations with them," the spokesperson said. "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." The firm responses came after Britain's MI5 security service this week issued a new warning to lawmakers about what it claims to be "attempts by Chinese agents to gather information and influence political activity," according to Reuters. The hype surrounding the so-called "Chinese espionage threat" also reflects the fierce political struggle within the UK, and recent smear campaigns by UK intelligence services have made them spoilers in the UK government's internal debate on China policy, Li Guanjie, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies under Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times. Li noted that certain politicians and groups in the UK who remain skeptical or critical of China should reassess China-UK cooperation based on facts rather than long-held prejudice - the benefits of collaboration far outweigh the so-called risks. Meanwhile, notably, UK media have been hyping a possible visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China. On Thursday UK time, Sky News reported that Starmer was preparing for a likely visit to China early next year, citing unnamed sources. There has been no public information from either the Chinese or British government about Starmer's reported trip to China as of press time. However, the Sky News report has drawn attention among various UK media outlets. For example, in a report on Thursday, Reuters cited Sky News as saying that Starmer will visit China at the end of January, "which would mark the first visit to the country by a British leader in seven years." This is not the first time for UK media to claim a potential visit by the UK prime minister to China. In a report in October about UK Foreign Office chief Oliver Robbins' visit to China, the Guardian claimed that Starmer "is expected" to visit China early in the new year. Also notably, Peter Kyle, the UK business secretary, visited China in September and Jonathan Powell, the UK national security adviser, also visited China in July. Li said that maintaining stable relations with China, rather than short-term political agendas, serves the UK's own national interests, and ensuring a rational and pragmatic China policy is the sensible choice for the UK government. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In 2022 the Russian journalist, who covered the war in Ukraine, fled to Germany after receiving death threats. There, she was poisoned and nearly died. Now she teaches at a US university and has published the book I Love Russia When Elena Kostyuchenko (Yaroslavl, Russia, 38 years old) arrived in Berlin after covering the beginning of the war in Ukraine and learning that she could never return to Russia because a price had been put on her head, she thought she was safe. However, a few months later, she was poisoned in Germany with an unknown substance that continues to wreak havoc on her body even today. At least I can now work more than three hours a day, she says, sitting in a Paris cafe, the location of the interview, hours before boarding a flight to North Carolina, where she will teach two courses at Duke University: one on journalism and another on literature in dark times. Before that, in Russia, she worked for 17 years at Novaya Gazeta, the newspaper that has the terrible distinction of having the highest number of journalists murdered for doing their job and defending freedom of expression. It was precisely Anna Politkovskaya a reporter for the same publication who was murdered in 2006 who inspired Kostyuchenkos journalistic career. Now, far from her newsroom (closed by the Russian government in 2022, after the start of the war against Ukraine, and reopened in Riga, Latvia), the journalist has compiled in the book I Love Russia: Reporting from a Lost Country (Penguin Press, 2025) the articles she wrote in the newspaper anticipating what everyone sensed until it became an irreversible reality: the fascist drift of Vladimir Putin and, consequently, of Russia. Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko, pictured in Paris. Ed Alcock Question. You left Russia only to end up in the United States at a time of extreme tension. What do Trump and Putin have in common? Are you frightened by what youre seeing? Answer. I understand that whats happening is very bad, but Im not afraid. I mean, if I wasnt afraid of Putin, I wont be afraid of Trump. The U.S. right now is like Moscow was in 2012. The same reactions, from lets go out with funny signs and show how numerous and entertaining we are to scare the regimes to those who take their families and leave for Canada or learn to speak in euphemisms. Q. Its not an idyllic situation. A. No, no, no. In the United States, everything is developing quite rapidly now. But at the same time, the country and Americans are in a better situation now than we were in 2012. Because the institutions, in some ways, are working. I mean the electoral system. I mean the independent press. I mean the courts, Congress. In other words, its not like the wasteland our country was in 2012. Q. Is 2012 the year in which authoritarianism began in Russia? A. No, I think it started earlier. But 2012 was when there were massive protests in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities. Thats why I say it was 2012. My background is very modest, and Im not a political analyst, but it seems to me that there were several turning points throughout Russian history. One of them was Beslan, the terrorist attack on the school, after which the order was given to storm the building, and many hostages died. And it seems to me it was then Putin realized that, in principle, he could do whatever he wanted with the people and nothing would happen to him for it. Shortly afterward, he canceled the gubernatorial elections. He stopped playing at democracy. Q. It was a slow process. A. And persistent. The thing is, few of us understood where that process could lead. I, for example, didnt expect at all what 2022 brought. Q. The war against Ukraine? A. Yeah. Q. But the war had already been going on since 2014. A. Yes, but it was a hybrid war. Local self-defense forces, among others, participated. But in 2015, I personally witnessed Russian soldiers on the ground. That conflict was very complex, and so when, thanks to the Minsk agreement, the intensity of the fighting was drastically reduced, I thought Putin would leave things as they were. Because he had already achieved his objective: to create a source of instability in Ukraine that would prevent them from joining the European Union. Not even in my worst nightmares did I imagine Russian pilots bombing Ukrainian cities. The hand of Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenko. Ed Alcock Q. Do you remember what you did on February 24, 2022? A. I remember it minute by minute. I woke up in the night because I had very vivid dreams, so vivid they were painfully beautiful. I went to the kitchen to get a drink of water, and when I came back to bed, my girlfriend, now my wife, was sitting with her phone in her hand and a strange expression on her face. I asked her what was wrong. And she replied, Theyre bombing Kyiv. I said, What? Who? Us? She answered, Were bombing Kyiv. Q. I understand that you couldnt go back to sleep. A. I forced myself to sleep a couple more hours because I knew that when dawn broke there would be a meeting in the newsroom and they would choose who to send to Ukraine, and I was the newspapers most experienced conflict reporter. Everyone wanted to go, but luckily, they chose me. Q. Do you consider yourself lucky? A. Absolutely. It was very important for my professional identity. If youre a journalist and your country bombs another country and kills people, you have to be there, alongside those people. Q. You visited several Ukrainian cities, but you didnt achieve your goal of reaching Mariupol. A. I deeply regret not having made it to Mariupol. When I was at the checkpoint to enter the city, I learned that my newspaper had been shut down. And I had already been in Ukraine for five weeks when, according to our regulations, we were only allowed two. I had to leave, and when I did, Muratov [editor of Novaya Gazeta] asked me not to return to Russia because they wanted to kill me. Q. So you were left without a newspaper and with no possibility of returning to Russia, and you decided to write this book. A. I made up my mind back in 2015, the first time I was in Ukraine. If Russian soldiers were being killed in that war, where were their families? I didnt understand it. In the wars in Afghanistan and Chechnya, families, mothers, actively spoke out against it. And here, there was only silence. Q. Did you manage to understand it? A. I started looking for the families, but they all refused to talk to me. Until one woman agreed. Her little brother, the person she loved most in this life, had joined the army during peacetime. He saw it as a way to climb the social ladder. Suddenly, he was sent to Ukraine and killed on the front lines. They returned a closed coffin to her. She started asking questions, searching for the truth. Until she, too, fell silent. I found her and asked, Why this silence? Are you afraid? Do you know what she said in reply? Q. No. A. She told me, In my life I have had two great loves: my brother and my country. My brother is dead, and I would do anything to bring him back to life. But I cant. But if I say that my country killed my brother, I will also lose my second love. And then I will be left empty. And I want to love my country. The Russian journalist and writer poses in Paris before the interview. Ed Alcock Q. To love Russia. A. Yes. What she told me is probably the most terrifying thing Ive ever heard. I kept thinking: how strange, the love for my country, which I also feel, gives me the strength to work, to keep going, and to speak out, but that same love has silenced her. Q. Do you also love Russia? A. I love my country. Its the country I love most. But I never thought it would all end like this. Ive spent 17 years writing about the rise of authoritarianism in Russia, the development of fascist ideas, and at the same time, I maintained a completely foolish optimism. Q. Ive always found it curious how Ukraine and Russia, two countries with the same past, which experienced the same collapse with the fall of the USSR, developed in completely opposite directions for 30 years. A. Russia had one thing that Ukraine did not have, and Ukraine had two things that Russia did not have. Q. What are they? A. Ukraine did not have a president who came from the KGB, who saw the world as an endless succession of threats, who knew human nature, human weaknesses and fears very well, and who, so to speak, took advantage of all this knowledge, mechanisms and instruments, and created new mechanisms and instruments. Q. And what things did Ukraine have that Russia didnt? A. First, Ukraine had a very strong regionalism; there were regional oligarchs who supported regional political forces. It wasnt a highly centralized system. And second, Ukraine had two very successful revolutions. The history of civil society in Ukraine is a history of victories. Q. People know that if they go out into the street, things change. A. Yes. The history of Ukrainian life shows that if we all work together, we win. The history of Russian civil society is a history of defeats. I dont recall a single Russian protest that ended in a victory for civil society. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is arrested after a demonstration in Moscow in 2017. Evgeny Feldman (AP) Q. Historically, demonstrations in Russia have ended in repression. You yourself have participated in many of them. A. Yes. Putin, as someone obsessed with his own security, has been constantly expanding the security apparatus. We now have four million members of the security forces in Russia, which is a huge number, and they are armed to the teeth. Many of their weapons and equipment for dispersing demonstrations or suppressing crowds havent even been used yet. Incidentally, they bought those weapons and equipment in Europe. Q. How? A. Before the 2022 war, Europe preferred to ignore all of this. If Putin had been stopped in Chechnya, when he was laying waste to the land, bombing it, when the Russian army was committing the same crimes against humanity as it is today in Ukraine the same crimes denounced by journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who tragically paid with her life for them Q. Who could have stopped him then? A. I dont know, but back then he was still a friend of the West. But this feigned impotence of European politicians I highly doubt there is nothing they can do. In the sense of selling weapons and uniforms to our security forces, they certainly could. And now, what? We have a gigantic repressive apparatus that didnt just appear in February 2022. But you cant say we lived in a free country before. John Donne wrote that no one is an island. In the modern world, everything is so interconnected that when something happens in a remote corner of the world, everyone pays the consequences. When Putin, an old man who, in my opinion, is terrified of his own death, is desperate and wants to go down in history, and decides to attack Ukraine, children in Africa begin to die of famine. Q. There is also the idea that every nation gets the rulers it deserves. A. I dont want to absolve my fellow citizens or myself of responsibility. Did I know everything was going to hell? Yes. I worked at a newspaper. I wrote about it three times a week. Why didnt I focus on the main issue? Why didnt I fight for a change of power in Russia? Q. Are you alone? A. Well, I probably wouldnt do it on my own, but there are 146 million of us. I, like many of my colleagues, believed before the war in what is probably capitalisms main lie: that journalists shouldnt interfere with reality, that we simply describe it. That were like snowy birds flying through the sky and shouldnt touch this filth with our wings because then wed lose our damn objectivity. Q. And now? A. Now, of course, both I and many of my colleagues have come to understand that professional duty doesnt negate civic duty. You might be an accomplished journalist, a superb baker, a superb doctor, but if authoritarianism and fascism are on the rise in your country, well, you have to fight against it. Weve paid a very high price for understanding this. But, to answer your question honestly: I liked my life, I liked how I was living. I understood that if I started to become actively involved in politics, at the very least, my life would change drastically. And, at worst, Id be dead. Q. They put a price on your head when you were in Ukraine. You went to Europe and were poisoned. Have you recovered? A. Almost. The investigation is still ongoing, but theyre not informing me of anything. Q. You wrote that you felt ashamed when you were poisoned. A. When you experience a traumatic situation, when you suffer abuse, or when someone tries to kill you, your brain, hoping to regain control, tells you: if you had done this or not done that, this wouldnt have happened to you. When I reported it, I felt terrible shame. Its very unpleasant to think that someone wants to kill you. Its not that its scary, but its unpleasant, like being covered in something sticky that you want to peel off. Q. What is your life like now? A. Every morning I wake up and the first thing I do is look at what my country has done overnight. I remember all those years when I chose my own comfort, my own professional identity, over the lives and safety of others. How am I living? This book has helped me. Yana, my wife, has helped me; without her, I wouldnt be alive today. I understood that writing is a way to survive. Ukrainian soldiers fire a mortar at Russian positions in Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region, on March 16, 2025. Oleg Petrasiuk (AP/LaPresse) Q. You now teach courses at the university, meet with activists, unite people A. I want people to see that you cant do anything alone when youre dead. If youre dead, thats the end of the story. As long as youre alive, theres hope, you have options. When I went to the U.S., to a different continent, with a different language, and saw that they behave like we did in 2012 I thought, its not about pro-Russian or pro-American, its about scared people, and scared people behave that way. And now, the more I travel, the more I see that theres much more that unites us than divides us. And that, on the one hand, allows and helps authoritarian regimes around the world to learn from each other, support each other, adopt each others tactics, rewrite the laws. And, on the other hand, it allows us, citizens of different countries, to share experiences, strategies, tactics, survival tools, to not see each other as strangers. And actually, I think theres a lot of hope in that. Although current politicians do everything to polarize society as much as possible, both within [their own] countries and globally, so to speak. Why? So that people simply dont talk to each other out of fear. Q. You cant return to Russia, but your mother and sister still live there. Are you worried about them? A. Im very worried about my family. My mother is 78 and doesnt want to leave. She says, If youve missed your chance in Russia, it doesnt mean I have to miss my chance to live in Russia, among my people, in the country I love. I understand her. If only I could Q. Go back? A. The deepest and most unbearable thing for the human psyche is ambiguity. I envy the people who have left Russia, and I also envy the people who have stayed because both have made a choice. I went to work in another country and I cannot go back. Q. What would you do if you could? A. Right now Id give my left arm to be there, to take notes on everything thats happening. But I understand that Putin and his team have gone mad and that, afterward, everything will have to be fixed, and that means I have to live for a long time, that I have to work a lot. And that cheers me up a little. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition US envoy's meeting with notorious Israeli spy sparks furor Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 12:02 PM US Ambassador to the Israeli-occupied territories Mike Huckabee secretly met with Jonathan Pollard, the former US Navy intelligence officer convicted of spying for Israel, at the American embassy in al-Quds, a move that has angered prominent Trump supporters and others. The rendezvous took place in July and was confirmed by Pollard himself and three US officials, according to a Thursday report by The New York Times. The meeting has drawn attention because Pollard spent 30 years in a US prison following a high-profile conviction. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987. While working for US naval intelligence, Pollard had stolen suitcases full of top secret documents and passed them on to Israeli officials. Israel admitted in the 1990s that Pollard was its agent and granted him citizenship. He was paroled in November 2015, and moved to the Israeli-occupied lands in late December 2020. The Times, quoting two unnamed US officials, reported that the meeting was reportedly not on Huckabee's official schedule and happened without the knowledge of US intelligence agencies. It remains unclear whether Huckabee sought the Trump administration's approval before meeting with Pollard. According to sources who spoke to The Times, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was "alarmed" by news of the meeting, as it violated the longstanding tradition among US officials of avoiding communication with convicted spies. The White House has also said it was unaware of the meeting between Huckabee and Pollard. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that the Trump administration had no advance knowledge of the meeting. "The president stands by our ambassador, Mike Huckabee, and all that he is doing for the United States and Israel", she asserted. Meanwhile, a number of distinguished advocates of Trump demanded answers on Thursday about the secret meeting in al-Quds. "This is shocking behavior from a United States ambassador. Is Huckabee going to explain it?" former Fox News host Tucker Carlson wrote in a post published on the social media platform X. "Immediately Recall Ambassador Huckabee, He is Out of Control," reacted former White House chief strategist and Breitbart executive chairman Steve Bannon. "There is no universe where it's appropriate for Mike Huckabee, who is supposed to be OUR AMBASSADOR and serve our country's interest, is meeting with Jonathan Pollard, who to this day encourages spying on the US," political commentator Mike Cernovich protested. He also called for an investigation into the meeting. Several Democrats, including Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and former Obama White House staffer Tommy Vietor, also condemned the meeting. In a televised interview with Israeli i24 News television channel on Thursday, Pollard said the meeting with Huckabee had taken place at his request. "I had originally requested the interview for a very personal reason," he said. "I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for all the efforts that he [Huckabee] had expended on my behalf when I was in prison," he added. Pollard said that he believed someone within the CIA stationed at the US embassy in al-Quds leaked information about the meeting to the media in an "effort to discredit" the ambassador and "have him removed" from his post. Pollard's espionage affair with Israel long strained relations between Tel Aviv and Washington as two close allies. It is still seen as one of the most damaging breaches of classified information in US history. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel indicts another soldier for sharing sensitive data with 'Iranian handler': Report Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 8:52 AM The Israeli regime has reportedly indicted in less than a week another one of its soldiers on charges of perpetrating spying activities for Iran, including transferring sensitive information on a military site to an "Iranian handler." Israeli news site Ynet reported on Thursday that 22-year-old Rafael Reuveni had been indicted for communicating with an Iranian intelligence operative via the Telegram application. "Prosecutors indicted a 22-year-old soldier from Be'er Sheva on charges of contacting an Iranian handler and carrying out tasks in exchange for payment, while serving in the military," the news site wrote. Underlining that the case is being investigated by Israel's Shin Bet spy agency and a police crime unit, the report added that Reuveni carried out several tasks, including filming a local park and bus stop near his residence, documenting activity in a shopping mall, and gathering information on it. "Reuveni shared information about his military base, including personnel estimates and emergency procedures, and pledged to update the handler if the base entered wartime readiness. He was also asked to provide names of others who might be recruited to Iranian intelligence," Ynet cited the indictment as saying. The soldier, who allegedly received from the Iranian agent a total of about $2,700 in a digital wallet, was arrested last month in a Shin Bet and police operation. The news of Reuveni's indictment comes days after Israeli media reported that prosecutors brought charges against another Israeli man, 27-year-old Shimon Azarzar, for passing along information on military and air force bases. Azarzar was also accused of providing Tehran with information on missile impact sites during the 12-day war in June. His contact with Iranian intelligence began in October 2024 and was cut off in October 2025. Azarzar, who received payment from his Iranian handlers for espionage, had obtained information from her wife as she worked at Ramat David Air Base during her reserve duty. The Tel Aviv regime has, over the past two years, arrested dozens of Israelis and charged them with espionage for Iran, with Israeli police describing the phenomenon of Israelis spying for the Islamic Republic as having reached an "unprecedented" level. During the war, heavy Israeli military censorship prevented the release of information on many of the sensitive army and intelligence sites struck by Iran. Israel suspended the broadcasts of several international media organizations, threatening to detain anyone filming the sites of missile impacts. Israel's Shin Bet and police warned in a joint statement last month that maintaining contact with foreign elements or carrying out missions on their behalf constitutes a "serious criminal offense" and endangers the security of the illegal entity. On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians. More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). On June 24, Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations against both the Israeli regime and the US, managed to impose a halt to the illegal assault. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts For Nov. 21, 2025 AIR FORCE Vectrus Systems LLC., Colardo Springs, Colorado, was awarded a $252,050,925 cost-plus fixed-fee indefinite contract action for base support services in support of the Iraq F-16 program. This contract provides for base operating support, base life support, and security services. Work will be performed at Martyr BG Ali Flaih Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be complete by September 24, 2026. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $123,994,954 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is the contracting activity. (FA8630-25-C-B017 P00004) DRS Sustainment Systems Inc., Bridgeton, Missouri, was awarded a $12,693,852 fixed-price-incentive delivery order on an indefinite delivery requirements contract for contractor logistics support of the Tunner aircraft cargo loader. This contract provides for material management infrastructure, material management parts, and program engineering support for the tunner ACL. Work will be performed in West Plains, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by November 21, 2026. Fiscal Year 2026 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $12,693,852 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. (FA8534-26-F-0002/FA8534-25-D-0001) General Electric Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded a maximum $ 9,740,500 firm-fixed price contract for procurement of initial spares and consumables. This contract provides initial provisioning of F110-GE-129 engine component spares and consumables. Work will be performed at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed November 27, 2026. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Bulgarian Air Force. This contract was a sole source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $9,740,500 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity. (FA8122-26-F-0002) (This contract was awarded November 18, 2025) NAVY Huntington Ingalls Incorporated, Newport News, Virginia, was awarded a $60,000,000 cost-reimbursable, a $58,556,527 cost-plus-incentive-fee, a $20,924,993 fixed-price-incentive (firm target), and a $3,436,456 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously-awarded contracts (N00024-15-C-2114) and (N00024-09-C-2116) to improve capability at ship delivery, to definitize unpriced change orders in support of Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). Work will be performed in Newport News, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by June 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 19, 2025) Vectrus Systems LLC, Colorado Springs, Colorado, is awarded a $33,634,728 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity modification to previously awarded contract (N62470-20-D-0010). This award brings the total cumulative value to $186,859,582. This modification provides for the exercise of option five for base operations support services. Work will be performed at Isa Air Base, Kingdom of Bahrain, and is expected to be completed by November 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds will be obligated on individual task orders, subject to the availability of funds. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Europe, Africa, Central, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $31,550,329 cost plus award fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-21-C-2451) for the fitting out availabilities and post shakedown availabilities for amphibious transport ships USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28); USS Richard McCool Jr. (LPD 29); and Harrisburg (LPD 30). Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2026. Fiscal year 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,098,383 (75%); and fiscal year 2025 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $715,358 (25%) will be obligated at time of award and funds in the amount of $2,098,383 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. Raytheon Company, Largo, Florida, is being awarded a $22,062,022 firm-fixed price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-25-C-5239) to exercise options for design, development, integration, testing, and maintenance of system capabilities for the design agent and engineering support efforts to the critical major weapon system, cooperative engagement capabilities (CEC). Work will be performed in Saint Petersburg, Florida (81%), Largo, Florida (16%), and Maynard, Massachusetts (3%) and is expected to be completed by November 2026. Fiscal year 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,364,477 (33%), fiscal year 2025 Foreign Military Sales (Australia) funds in the amount of $6,276,754 (29%), fiscal year 2025 foreign military sales (Japan) funds in the amount of $4,540,824 (21%), fiscal year 2025 foreign military sales (Canada) funds in the amount of $1,979,967 (9%), fiscal year 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,650,000 (7%), and fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation (USMC) funds in the amount of $250,000 (1%), will be obligated at time of award, of which $7,614,477 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. McNally Industries, LLC, Grantsburg, Wisconsin, was awarded a $10,847,917 firm-fixed-price order under previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) (N00024-23-G-5320) for the procurement of four MK 6 Ammunition Hoists. Work will be performed in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by March 2029. Fiscal year 2025 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) $5,423,959 (50%) and fiscal year 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) $5,423,958 (50%) funding was obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00024-26-F-5317). (Awarded Oct. 20, 2025) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY PRAK Industries LLC,* Camuy, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $44,283,084 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for various combat uniform coats and trousers. This was a competitive acquisition with six responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Nov. 20, 2030. Using customers are Navy and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-0012). Coastal Pacific Food Distributors, Fife, Washington, has been awarded a maximum $41,063,053 firm-fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food and beverage items. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 350-day bridge contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Nov. 14, 2026. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-26-D-3003). UPDATE: Dustoff Technologies LLC,* Bethesda, Maryland, (SPE2D1-26-D-0003, $48,600,000) has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for medical equipment and accessories for the Defense Logistics Agency Electronic Catalog, issued against solicitation SPE2DH-21-R-0002 and awarded Feb. 10, 2022. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ARMY Northbank Civil and Marine,* Vancouver, Washington, was awarded a $19,853,000 firm-fixed-price contract for intake gate hydraulic system upgrades at the Ice Harbor Dam. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Burbank, Washington, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2029. Fiscal 2025 Bonneville Power Administration funds in the amount of $3,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, is the contracting activity (W912EF-26-C-A002). U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND CORRECTION: The firm-fixed-price delivery order announced on Nov. 20, 2025, to The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, was announced with the wrong amount. The correct amount is $271,733,232. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4340534/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budrys in Brussels: When our deterrence is too weak, dictators take action against us Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-11-20 On 20 November, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kestutis Budrys, participated in the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels. When speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, the Minister stressed that the Belarusian regime was using hybrid attacks against EU member states not for the first time, so a strong and united response was necessary. "When deterrence does not work, when we are not strong in our response, then we see that dictators take another criminal activity, instrumentalize it, and use it against us. So this time, this is the smuggling operations, smuggler balloons that interfere with our civilian aviation, disrupt our flights, and cause us millions in damage. On a national scale, Lithuania did its job. It is important that the EU also takes action and sends a strong message that it will not tolerate hybrid attacks against member states and is ready to use all tools to protect the safety of its citizens. We respond with the measures that we have. Sanctions - that's one of the measures. And we are proposing to add the criteria for hybrid attacks to the sanctions against Belarus," said the head of Lithuania's diplomacy. Foreign Ministers also discussed support for Ukraine. According to Budrys, all European countries need to understand that the issue of support for Ukraine is vital for Europe itself. The Minister stressed the need to find solutions and commit to the provision of further financial support for the country defending itself against the Russian aggression. "Frozen Russian assets are to be used for the benefit of Ukraine. We support the European Commission's proposal, and we say that we have to move now, because if we are not doing it today, if we are not having the political consensus on it, if we are not providing the solution for the December European Council, it means that we are in trouble at the beginning of the next year. That's why frozen assets have to be used in the loan operation for Ukraine. Otherwise, I want to see the money on the table, not speeches of political solidarity," said Budrys. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on the Fourth Meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson November 20, 2025 The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission on the occasion of the fourth Joint Security Coordination Mechanism meeting held this week in Washington, D.C. Begin Text. On November 19-20, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, along with the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator) and the African Union Commission convened the fourth meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) in Washington, D.C. to advance the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025. The DRC and Rwanda committed to advancing the Operations Order (OPORD) to implement the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the Harmonized Plan for the Neutralization of the FDLR and Disengagement of Forces/Lifting of Defensive Measures by Rwanda. JSCM observers acknowledged the efforts of the Parties to facilitate the continued demobilization, repatriation, and reintegration of FDLR members. Participants reviewed progress on Phase One of the OPORD, including updates on intelligence sharing, information operations conducted by the DRC to raise awareness in accessible communities, and encourage FDLR members to lay down their arms. The Parties engaged in open discussions to consider ongoing challenges and identify gaps and opportunities to work towards ensuring the success of Phase One. JSCM members also began discussion of Phase Two of the OPORD, including actions to neutralize the FDLR and lift Rwanda's defensive measures. Participants also discussed the broader peace process, commending the recent signing of The Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement Between the Government of the DRC and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/March 23rd Movement DRC and Qatar's leadership in facilitating the agreement. JSCM members recognized the benefit of maintaining close linkages between the Doha and Washington processes. The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation to the United States, Qatar, and the African Union for their continued support and facilitation of the peace process. The JSCM members thanked Togo for its plans to host the High-Level Meeting on the Coherence and Consolidation of the Peace Process in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region on January 17, 2026 to further foster trust and advance the peace process. The Parties also thanked President Trump for the indispensable role he played throughout the process. All participants remain committed to advancing durable peace and stability in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region. End Text. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Senior Pentagon official visits APS-2 Powidz, underscoring its critical role supporting NATO By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Officer November 21, 2025 POWIDZ, Poland -- Another senior Pentagon official visited the Powidz Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite recently, underscoring its critical role in strengthening NATO readiness along the alliance's eastern flank. Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman met with leaders from the Powidz APS-2 worksite Nov. 19, including Army Field Support Battalion-Poland Commander Lt. Col. Michelle McDevitt, as well as 405th Army Field Support Brigade Commander Col. Ernest Lane II, based in Germany. Also present during the key leader engagement at Powidz was U.S. European Command Director of Plans, Policy and Strategy (J5) Air Force Maj. Gen. Russell Driggers and U.S. Army Europe and Africa Deputy Commanding General Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie. The team of distinguished visitors toured the Army's newest APS-2 worksite to better understand the commitment the Polish government has made to the NATO alliance, including plans to potentially expand the site, according to an informational briefing sent by AFSBn-Poland to the 405th AFSB headquarters. "It's always a pleasure to host senior military leaders at our worksite. We have an incredible team of Soldiers, Army civilians, and contractors as well as our amazing host nation partners here at Powidz from the Polish military's 33rd APS Battalion," McDevitt said. "Each key leader engagement is an opportunity to share how our team is leading the way, able to provide resources to Soldiers on the ground in support of U.S. European Command and NATO on Europe's eastern flank," said McDevitt. "We have a shared burden at our site with our Polish counterparts, and hosting Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs Daniel Zimmerman was a great way to showcase our capabilities and highlight our amazing team." While conducting the site visit, Zimmerman recognized members of the Polish military's 33rd APS Battalion, who work with AFSBn-Poland at the Powidz site to ensure the thousands of APS-2 tactical vehicles and major end items stored and maintained there remain fit to fight and ready for issue. Also during the visit Driggers took the opportunity to recognize members of AFSBn-Poland and the Powidz team, as well. Polish and U.S. personnel at the worksite were presented with coins of excellence for their continued work advancing the mission and strengthening deterrence on Europe's eastern flank, attesting to AFSBn-Poland's motto 'This is the Way' as a remarkable example for others to follow, the informational briefing stated. AFSBn-Poland is charged with providing and coordinating receipt, transfer, storage and maintenance of APS-2 tactical vehicles and equipment sets at Powidz to enable commanders to conduct unified action and a full range of military operations in support of U.S European Command. The Powidz APS-2 worksite houses an entire armored brigade combat team's worth of APS-2 tactical vehicles and equipment sets, managed and maintained at ready-to-issue standards by AFSBn-Poland and the 33rd APS Battalion. The Powidz APS-2 worksite demonstrates the U.S., Poland and NATO's commitment to maintaining rapid deployment capabilities, playing a crucial role in deterrence through enduring agreements and strategic investments. The 405th AFSB's prepositioned stocks program and it's six APS-2 worksites in Europe alleviate many of the deployment requirements typically associated with sending major combat units to Europe from the U.S. It is estimated that the APS-2 worksites in Europe can help reduce deployment timelines for an armored brigade combat team from 60 days to as little as a week or two. The 405th AFSB is the premier logistics integrator and synchronizer for U.S. European Command, enabling readiness solutions to 'Support the Warrior' by operationalizing U.S. Army Materiel Command capabilities and delivering readiness within the U.S. Army Europe and Africa areas of responsibility at the point of need. The 405th AFSB is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa - providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging AMC's materiel enterprise to support joint forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Swiss Government Press release Published on 21 November 2025 Bern, 21.11.2025 -- Fifteen recruits completed training as First-Person View drone pilots, in order to be subsequently deployed with the troops in a field experiment. In this context, they used their skills to support the development of operational procedures for attack drones. The training in Thun and the following field experiment in Bure further developed the skills of the Swiss Armed Forces in the area of drones und took place within the context of the Taskforce Drones with the participation of the Swiss Armed Forces, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse as well as with external partners. Fifteen recruits from the Tank School 21 and Infantry School 12 were able to take part in a five-week training as FPV drone pilots in Thun in August and September 2025. First-person view means that the pilots see the pictures of the drone in real time through video glasses. The selection was based on technical abilities and soft skills such as stress resistance and team spirit. The goal was to carry out methodically optimised training for recruits without experience in FPV drone flight. These included tracking and intercepting drones, developing tactics, transmitting data in flight as well as sharpening team and communication skills. During the training as well as the subsequent field experiment, unaltered commercial racing drones were used. The second training of this type showed that the recruits were able to build marked capabilities in dealing with non-stabilised drones in just a few weeks, even without prior knowledge of flying drones. The training was carried out under the responsibility of armasuisse Science and Technology within the context of the Taskforce Drones. Integration of FPV drone teams in combat formations for deployment as weapons After the initial formation, the recruits to be trained as FPV drone pilots took part in a four-week field experiment. These drone teams were integrated in combat formations in the Tank School 21 and the Infantry School 12. The focus was on training the interaction between drone pilots and troops in reconnaissance and attack operations, as well as adapting the development of new operational procedures for attack drones. The use of attack drones has directly changed the behaviour of the troops and opened up new opportunities and possibilities for the platoon leaders and commanders in fulfilling their tasks. This field experiment was performed by the Drone and Robotics Defence Competence Centre. Further trials will follow in 2026. The Taskforce Drones The use of drones in crisis situations and conflicts has become standard. As a reaction to growing threats, the DDPS founded the Taskforce Drones in June 2024. The clients are the Chief of the Armed Forces Thomas Sussli and the National Armaments Director Urs Loher. Thomas Rothacher, Deputy National Armaments Director and Head of the competence sector armasuisse Science and Technology is responsible for management. The Taskforce Drones deals with small and minidrones and its goal is to accelerate skill building in the Swiss Armed Forces in the area of drones, to produce drone solutions as far as possible in Switzerland and to thus minimise dependencies on other countries. November 21, 2025 Release Office of Strategic Capital Agrees to Joint $700M Conditional Loan Commitment with Vulcan Elements and ReElement Technologies The Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) announces a joint $700 million conditional loan commitment with Vulcan Elements ("Vulcan") and ReElement Technologies ("ReElement") to increase domestic Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) magnet production and significantly bolster U.S. critical minerals supply chains. The OSC commitment includes two separate loans, one to Vulcan for $620 million and one to ReElement for $80 million. These loans will directly support the production of advanced rare earth element separation, metallization, and magnet manufacturing capabilities in the United States. With the increased manufacturing and processing capabilities enabled by OSC's loans, Vulcan and ReElement anticipate collectively producing up to 10,000 metric tons of NdFeB magnet material in the next several years, thereby significantly reducing the U.S. NdFeB magnet supply chain gap. "These OSC conditional commitments build on the swift and decisive actions taken by the Trump Administration to secure a domestic supply chain for the magnets used in chip manufacturing, drones, electric vehicles, fighter jets, industrial motors, nuclear submarines, and satellites," said the Honorable Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "Following the Department of War's agreement earlier this year with MP Materials, these conditional loan commitments with Vulcan and ReElement present a forward-leaning approach to further strengthen America's magnet production." The funding for OSC's conditional loans comes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in July 2025. The Act provides up to $100 billion in total OSC lending authority specifically for critical minerals production and related industries and projects. The Department of War will also receive warrants from Vulcan and ReElement as part of the joint commitment. Additionally, the Department of Commerce's Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Program Office signed a preliminary non-binding letter of intent to provide $50 million in proposed federal incentives under the CHIPS and Science Act for the purchase of equipment in parallel with OSC's financing. The CHIPS incentives will provide further investment stability to strengthen domestic critical minerals production. The Department of Commerce will also receive $50 million of equity in Vulcan Elements. The conditional loan commitments between OSC and the respective companies specify additional steps both companies must take to proceed toward financial close on the loan, to include fulfilling financial, legal, technical, and other due diligence requirements. No OSC funds are disbursed until all parties have completed or met the conditions for disbursement as specified in the loan commitment. The time between conditional commitment and financial close varies by project to ensure full due diligence and ultimately protect the American taxpayer. "These commitments demonstrate that OSC's federal financing tools can successfully scale private capital investment in sectors vital to our economic and national security," said Mr. Ryan Lindner, Chief Investment Officer, OSC. "I am immensely grateful to Under Secretary Michael, Deputy Secretary Feinberg, and Secretary Hegseth for their support in executing these commitments, which are part of the Trump Administration's whole-of-government effort to secure domestic critical minerals production, revitalize the U.S. industrial base, and ultimately achieve peace through strength." https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4339788/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Remarks by President Antonio Costa at the press conference ahead of the G20 summit in Johannesburg European Council / Council of the European Union European Council Statements and remarks 21 November 2025 12:05 I am very glad to be in Johannesburg with Ursula von der Leyen, to represent the European Union. Africa is a strategic partner in our multipolar world. And for the very first time, we are having a G20 summit on African soil. We are living in challenging times. Wars in Africa and Europe. Humanitarian tragedies in the Middle East. Trade tensions, supply chains being disrupted and economic coercion on the rise. And against the backdrop of global challenges, like climate change, inequality and poverty. The EU is here to bring a simple message to our partners: The EU is here. We are a predictable, reliable, and trustworthy partner. We are here to work with our G20 partners. We are here to work together, because nobody cannot tackle global challenges alone. South Africa made this year a success, it has used this opportunity to advance its priorities "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainable Development" - priorities that we share in the EU. We are taking positive steps to make the international financing architecture more inclusive, efficient and representative. To ease the debt burden that prevents developing countries from investing in their own future. To improve debt sustainability of vulnerable countries. Climate change is blind to wealth but hurts developing countries more. The EU is here to lead the way in cutting emissions. And so is our willingness to help vulnerable countries react and adapt to this challenge. The EU is committed to supporting Africa's journey to unlock its full potential. And we are looking forward to engaging with all African Union countries at our summit with them early next week. Finally, on critical minerals. Diversifying supply chains and reducing dependencies is a priority for the EU. Concentrated production increases geopolitical and economic risks. We must build strategic autonomy. This requires us to engage with different parts of the world and weave new partnerships while strengthening existing ones. This is what the G20 enables us to do. On development, on trade, on climate, on critical minerals or AI. The EU will take its responsibilities, as a big economic power in a multipolar world. But we cannot do it alone. We need all G20 members to take bold, collective action. This is what this summit is about. As the world becomes more multipolar, we need more multilateral cooperation - not less.To paraphrase Desmond Tutu, I would say "our commitment to multilateralism is bound up in yours." Multilateralism is not old-fashioned. Multilateralism is not outdated. Multilateralism is our best - maybe our only - defence against disruption, violence and chaos. And South Africa put multilateralism to work. I would like to commend President Ramaphosa and the South African team. You have done an exceptional work towards reaching an agreed Leaders' outcome from this summit. We are looking forward to the discussions ahead. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: press remarks by High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas European External Action Service (EEAS) 21.11.2025 Brussels, Belgium EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Good afternoon, Today, the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum brought together 64 countries. From the east coast of Africa to the Pacific islands. This speaks volumes about our relationship and our shared appetite to work together. Europe and the Indo-Pacific are at a pivotal moment. We are committed to free trade and open sea lanes. But both regions face challenges, from export controls to climate change and wars. A major focus today was maritime security and the protection of our undersea infrastructure. These systems are essential for global communication and energy supplies. They carry 95% of trans-regional digital data flows. After this press conference, we will host a separate event focused on maritime security. We are launching a new initiative to find ways to better protect critical maritime infrastructure. We want to encourage the development of creative ideas to protect our infrastructure and increase our resilience against potential threats. The EU's broader partnership with the Indo-Pacific has three main pillars. First, security and defence. We have two key partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, with South Korea and Japan. But we also work closely with many others. Just this month, EU and Indian warships together ended a pirate attack off Somalia. Second, economic ties. Since the EU signed free trade agreements with several Indo-Pacific nations, bilateral trade has grown by over 40%. The EU has recently concluded a free-trade deal with Indonesia and is now working to finalize one with India. We are also currently negotiating with other countries that joined us today. Free trade benefits citizens and businesses in both regions. And third, sustainability. The EU promotes growth through investments. These include Global Gateway projects that support farmers, improve digital innovation, and boost connectivity. The EU is also a key partner in addressing climate change. At COP30, we discussed how we can help the region improve resilience to climate impacts. Yesterday, for the first time, our Asean partners joined us for the Foreign Affairs Council. Looking forward, we are working to upgrade our ties with the ASEAN members to a comprehensive strategic partnership by 2027. Finally, Ukraine. Russia's war against Ukraine is an existential threat to Europe. We all want this war to end, but how it ends matters. Rewarding Russia's aggression will not make Ukraine, Europe, or the Indo-Pacific safer. Russia has no legal right whatsoever to any concessions from the country it invaded. Ultimately, the terms of any agreement are for Ukraine to decide. The EU has a simple 2-point plan: support Ukraine and pressure Russia. The EU is providing record levels of military support to Ukraine to help it defend itself, and we will continue to do so. I will end by stressing that today's geopolitical challenges call for closer partnerships. In security, growth, connectivity, and climate action, Europe and the Indo-Pacific are stronger together. Thank you. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-280551 Q&A. Q. I have two questions. Could you clarify what you discussed in terms of Ukraine? Maybe you raised the question the role of the region in the peace process in Ukraine, and maybe in the context of shadow fleet. And the second question, you always said that the aggressor should not be rewarded for aggression. From your opinion, this new plan of the United States, how does it address this position? Thank you. Today is supposed to be the day when the US sanctions against Russia will kick in. I hope we do not see today a decision that these sanctions are postponed, because, then, this is exactly what Russia wants. Also, what Russia wants, is that we postpone the discussions regarding reparations loan, that the frozen assets will not be used in the benefit of Ukraine. What is our response? We should be very firm that we are not walking into these two traps. With our Indo-Pacific partners, of course, we discussed also the security situation in Europe and also Russia's war against Ukraine, and how it is a threat to the Indo-Pacific security as well - as it is a threat to the international rules-based order. This is what everybody committed to around the table, saying that the UN Charter is the charter that should be upheld and all the principles within it. Of course, as we extensively discussed the shadow fleet and what we can do yesterday, we addressed this issue specifically with those countries that have the fleet. But more broadly, the focus and discussion was about maritime security as such: freedom of navigation, but also how environmental risks that the shadow fleet vessels are bringing about to those countries is a danger for them all and for us all. We discussed how to cooperate on these issues. Q. I have a follow-up on that question. I would like to ask about the Indo-Pacific partners of the European Union, what exactly can they do to help you support Ukraine and to help Ukraine not to agree to this peace plan, which seems to be unacceptable, neither for Ukraine nor for the European Union. Of course, we did not go into so much details, because we were discussing our bilateral relationship with the Indo-Pacific partners with the focus specifically on maritime security, but everybody touched upon international law and how it should be upheld, and also that Russia's war against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter. And it gave us the possibilities to explain how we see things and what is at stake, really. Of course, Europe wants peace. Ukraine wants peace. But for any peace to be sustainable, it has to have certain elements. If you just give in to the aggression, then you invite for more aggression. And this is dangerous, not only for us in Europe, but also our Indo-Pacific partners, because all those countries around , that might have an appetite for the neighbours' territories, will learn that this is okay, it pays off. And this is a very dangerous moment for all. Q. Has China has been also on the agenda today? Have the rising tensions between China and Japan been addressed as well during this meeting? And since you are mostly very outspoken on China, could you maybe provide us with your personal assessment of the situation? Is this a concern for the EU that two major countries of the region are undergoing this dispute? The increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific are, of course, of concern to us. Today, we were focusing on the relationship, how we can bring those tensions down, and how we can cooperate on various issues. Of course, different worries about different conflicts were raised and tensions in the region, and how we can better address these issues, really being there with our partners and listening to what they have to say about these tensions. What we see right now is that Japan's representative was also explaining what is at stake and how they see this picture evolving. But for us, it was important to focus on our future relationship. It was not really discussing all these issues very much in detail. Q. Do you think, in a way, President Trump's policies towards the EU, but also towards other countries in the Indo-Pacific, have brought you two together. And what's the vision here, broadly speaking? And secondly, what role do you think India plays in these Indo-Pacific - EU ties? Do you see India as a counter to China? Do you think [ the ] EU can lure India away from the Russian sphere of influence via enhanced strategic ties and more trade through the FDA, which is being discussed? In the light of recent geopolitical shifts, of course, we see and feel very much that all the countries around the world, not only in the Indo-Pacific, but also other countries, are really looking into diversifying their relationships. That is what we are also doing today: building free trade relationships with countries in the Indo-Pacific, but also in the Latin American, African countries, to find new possibilities. Not to put all the eggs in one basket, but really to see how these relationships can contribute to the diversification of trade and diversification of defense and security relationships, and partnerships as well. So, today really mapping the areas where we can cooperate regarding India, we have the negotiations of our trade agreements going on right now to again diversify the trade portfolios, give both the Indian as well as the European side and companies and businesses more opportunities to expand their markets. Q. India and the European Union are negotiating a defense framework agreement as well as a separate agreement on security of information. So do you think these two agreements will help both sides expand cooperation in the Indo-Pacific? And second brief question, both sides are closing their negotiations for the proposed FTA. There are a number of complex issues that tare yet to be resolved. So, are the EU and India going to sign a limited trade deal, or you are kind of still going for the ambitious FTA, thank you. I mean security of information and connectivity was also one of the topics that we discussed and have, of course, discussed also with our Indian counterparts, because we see part of a broader security arrangement. Today, many countries raised the issue of sharing intelligence when it comes to our mutual risks. So definitely, we explore the ways we can cooperate. Coming to your other questions regarding the FTA with India. India is a very tough partner, so the negotiations are very hard. But I think if the negotiations are very intensive and comprehensive, but also very tough, then the result is also good for both parties. A good agreement is when nobody's happy, that means that everybody has compromised, but the work is ongoing, and I cannot give you a date. What I can tell you is that there is a genuine interest on the European side in concluding such agreements. Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-281226 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Natalia Khodemchuk, the widow of the first victim of the 1986 nuclear disaster, died from the impact of a Shahed strike on her apartment building in Kyiv Valery Khodemchuk literally vanished on April 26, 1986, when reactor 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded. Valery was in the reactors water circulation pump room. His body was never found, but he was recorded as the first fatality of the worst nuclear disaster in history. Nearly four decades later, his widow, Natalia Khodemchuk, died last Saturday at the age of 73 in a Kyiv hospital: the night before, a Russian drone strike had hit her apartment while she slept. The resulting fire has left a black stain on the seventh floor of the building, around what used to be Khodemchuks apartment. Its a 20-storey block, a massive structure on the outskirts of Kyiv. Some of the families displaced from Pripyat, a town near Chernobyl, were relocated there. Pripyat is now a ghost town, frozen in time, famous as a pilgrimage site for disaster tourism. Interior of the House of Culture in Pripyat, the abandoned city closest to the nuclear power plant, in May 2022. Luis De Vega Hernandez Khodemchuk was displaced from Pripyat to Kyiv, a little over 60 miles south of the nuclear power plant, with almost nothing but the clothes on her back, with the few belongings the Soviet army allowed her to pack before leaving her home forever. She made the journey alongside other families of plant employees, like Marina Voloshinas father-in-law. Natalia was an icon, we all knew her, but my father-in-law was also remembered as a hero; he saved colleagues at the plant, Voloshina explains, pausing at the bar she runs in the neighborhood. This man, who passed away in 2024, was one of the first liquidators, plant employees who, in the aftermath of the disaster, prevented further explosions. One of the best-known liquidators, Oleksiy Ananenko, also lived in Khodemchuks building. Both Ananenko and Valery Khodemchuk are figures who appear in the acclaimed TV series Chernobyl, broadcast by HBO in 2019. Natalia and Valery Khodemchuk in the forests of Pripyat. Agencia Estatal de Ucrania para la Zona de Exclusion The bombed building is part of a neighborhood in Kyiv that was built in just over a year to house the evacuees of Chernobyl. The block is one of the locations featured in the celebrated 1987 documentary The Bell of Chernobyl. This film by director Rollan Sergienko sent shockwaves through the Soviet Union. Both the nuclear disaster and the end of the invasion of Afghanistan were crises that accelerated the disintegration of the USSR. Voloshina lives on the sixth floor of the building, and her face still reflects the anguish of what happened on November 14. That morning, Russia launched more than 400 Shahed drone bombs at the Ukrainian capital. Fourteen impacts were recorded on civilian buildings. One of these Shahed drones was the one that killed Khodemchuk, the seventh victim of that bombing. Firefighters at the apartment of Natalia Khodemchuk. Servicio Estatal de Emergencias de Ucrania Voloshina believes the drones target was an electrical substation near the neighborhood. Russia is carrying out a campaign to destroy Ukraines energy system, causing power outages of up to 14 hours a day in the countrys major cities. For her, the worst memory of that early morning was seeing one of her neighbors, a friend of hers, emerging from her apartment with half her body burned. She saved her two children by forcing open the door amid the flames, Voloshina says, fighting back tears. She was alone because just the day before, her husband had been drafted into the army. Voloshinas neighbor was one of 36 people wounded in the Russian bombing. Natalia Khodemchuk was known in Ukraine for her activism in remembering the victims of the nuclear disaster, the State Agency for the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone noted in a statement. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also dedicated a message to her on social media: Almost four decades later, Natalia died in a new tragedy caused by the Kremlin. Ukrainians who survived Chernobyl, who helped rebuild the country after the disaster, are once again suffering the danger and terror of an aggressor state. Khodemchuk shared a similar profile to other women interviewed by Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich in her acclaimed Voices from Chernobyl. This book also includes testimonies from children whose lives were completely changed by the catastrophe: I was little, eight years old, one of them said, I was afraid to run barefoot through the grass. My mother would scare me by saying I was going to die. I was afraid to bathe, to dive into the water Afraid of everything. Picking hazelnuts in the forest. Picking up a beetle with my bare hands, because beetles walk on the ground, and the soil was contaminated. The ants, the butterflies, the blowflies, everything was contaminated. Natalia Khodemchuk during a visit to Pripyat in 2024. Agencia Estatal Ucrania de la Zona de Exclusion That boy could have been Oleksandr Shinkaruk. When the Chernobyl reactor exploded, he was also eight years old and living in Pripyat. Today, he lives on the same floor in the same building where Natalia Khodemchuk died. He survived, he recounts, his hands still trembling from the trauma, 24 hours after the incident, because his apartment faces the opposite side of the drones impact. Shinkaruk and a friend are unloading repair materials theyre transporting in a van. On November 14, he says with a nervous smile, he turned 48. Did he also tremble with nerves when the atomic catastrophe happened? I cant compare it, says Shinkaruk, that night we saw a flash of light in the sky, but nothing more. And the next day we went to school. They gave us iodine tablets and we even had two hours of class. But then they told us we had to go home. Whats happening now has affected me much more, he admits, especially the buzz of the Shaheds; you hear it getting closer, you feel powerless, you dont know who it will hit. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, Brussels, 20-21 November 2025 "Building together a resilient, prosperous and secure future" Chair's Statement European External Action Service (EEAS) 21.11.2025 Brussels, Belgium EEAS Press Team Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, chaired the fourth EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels, on 20-21 November 2025. The Forum brought together around 70 delegations from the EU institutions and EU Member States, as well as from countries and regional organisations from the Indo-Pacific region, spanning from the East coast of Africa to the Pacific Islands countries. The EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum has become a unique platform for the EU and its Member States to engage collectively with Indo-Pacific partners. It reflects a shared interest in fostering concrete cooperation on a region-to-region basis, enhancing mutual security, prosperity and resilience, and laying the foundations for an ever more ambitious partnership. Amid geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty, Europe and the Indo-Pacific find their futures increasingly intertwined. Recent challenges, from growing pressure on the multilateral system aggravated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine to the weaponisation of trade and technology and the accelerating climate crisis, are bringing the two regions closer together. In this context, they continue to rely on the rules-based international order, and the multilateral institutions which ensure compliance as well as accountability with agreed rules and norms. EU and the Indo-Pacific partners are also facing increasingly complex security challenges, and the security of the Indo-Pacific and of Europe are more interlinked than ever. This calls for more cooperation and for common solutions in addressing global challenges. During the Forum, participants focused on how to enhance cooperation and deepen solidarity in three parallel roundtables: Security priorities in the face of current geopolitical developments. Shared prosperity, economic security, and digital connectivity. Common endeavours for a clean and sustainable future. The Forum offered a good opportunity for the EU to highlight the concrete progress made in strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries and organisations since the previous Ministerial meeting in February 2024. This includes the Security and Defence Partnerships agreed with Japan and the Republic of Korea; the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement; the signature of the EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with South Africa; the EU financial and technical support to the ASEAN Power Grid development; the first-ever EU-Pacific Business Forum that unlocked nearly 300 million in new investments and budget support; as well as numerous other cooperation agreements and initiatives led by EU Member States. The EU will continue to invest in the Indo-Pacific on all fronts, building partnerships to match the realities of the 21st century. This sustained engagement promotes an international system based on multilateralism and on the rule of law. By implementing the existing Security and Defence Partnerships and by continuing to expand such cooperation at bilateral and regional level we are determined to contribute further to the security and stability of the region. The roll-out of major Global Gateway investment projects showcases the concrete engagement of the EU and its Member States in support of sustainable, quality infrastructure. Through Free Trade Agreements, our preferential market access schemes, and Strategic Partnership Agreements the EU will continue to be a stable source of growth to countries along the entire value-chain. A high-level event on the Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure took place in the margins of the Forum. The EU and the Indo-Pacific partners face similar challenges to the security of their critical infrastructure, including submarine cables, which calls for closer cooperation in this area. Participants explored how to make best use of all available tools and how to achieve concrete solutions in accordance with international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Given the shared interest in this topic, the EU will seek to establish a new structured initiative to enhance cooperation on the Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure among partners in Europe, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opening remarks by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas at the 4th Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum European External Action Service (EEAS) 21.11.2025 Brussels, Belgium Excellencies, Ministers, Distinguished delegates, It is my honour to kick off our deliberations today. A point on housekeeping before we dive into the substance. Today we have 64 countries here, from Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The EU, with our Member States, cooperates well with each you on various topics we will discuss later. Now, for today's speech I faced a dilemma: whether I name all of you and all the substantive projects we do with all of you to list each one of you by name, indicating how we cooperate. This would have taken all day and there wouldn't have been any room for other speeches, because of the richness of our relations. Or I just mention just a few examples, which would mean that some are left out. So I opted not to mention any country specifically by name. But in doing so, I want to stress how deeply we value our cooperation with each and every one of you, even if I do not mention any country by name. Excellencies, Ministers, When the EU launched the Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2021, we wanted to strengthen our strategic presence and partnerships in the region. Together with our 27 Member States, who amplify the European offer, our aim was to promote the international rules-based order, sustainable development and regional security. I suspect that in 2021, many of the Indo-Pacific were not fully aware of what the EU was about or what we are doing in various countries in the region. Many also may have been puzzled of why the EU expressed a strategic interest in the region at all. Now fast forward to 2025. I believe we can all agree that both Europe and our partners in the Indo-Pacific are at a critical juncture. Both Europe and the Indo-Pacific are also facing the challenges of modern mercantilism and strategic competition. Moreover, the resilience of our countries in both regions is being tested by climate change, terrorism, global and regional crises. So whether we are closer to the Atlantic Ocean or the Andaman Sea, we are all in the same boat. Clearly, these outside pressures are a challenge for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific countries. But what also unites us is our commitment to the international rules-based order. By that I mean international law and the multilateral institutions, norms and procedures we ourselves have set up to ensure compliance as well as accountability. I never tire of saying that international law is at the foundation of all we aspire to. And the ultimate power of the law is simple: it is always a chance for progress. So let's turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, partnership and innovation. One such opportunity is to raise our game in protecting undersea infrastructure. While UNCLOS remains the foundation of the international law of the sea framework, we should make sure that our legal toolbox is up-to-date and adequate to address new threats. That is why this afternoon I am launching a new initiative looking into ways we can protect critical maritime infrastructure better. Because we need to do this better. When we do not secure the undersea cables that carry vast amounts of our data, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable. I want to encourage exchanges of information and the development of creative ideas to protect our infrastructure and increase our resilience against potential threats. There are important legal discussions to have so that legal expertise will feed into the political discussions. These should look into improvements to the existing applicable international law, in line with the international law of the sea and UNCLOS. I believe this can benefit us all - so let's join forces. This is exactly the kind of partnership that Europe is offering to the Indo-Pacific, along three lines. First, we all want to enhance security and stability. That's why we are concluding Security and Defence Partnerships and holding dialogues and consultations on how we can do so together and within the rules. And conducting joint naval exercises. And also working on maritime domain awareness and information sharing. And a host of other initiatives. Second, we all want economic growth that is sustainable and secure. That is what our worldwide investment program Global Gateway is all about. EU investment is helping farmers to bring their goods to domestic and global markets. It is also why we are working on critical raw materials with some of you and would like to do so with many more. After we concluded free trade agreements with some in the region, bilateral trade jumped by more than 40%. We hope that the agreements we are currently negotiating with some of you will deliver that too! We all want to boost connectivity by bridging digital tech, human capital and physical proximity. Which is what our digital partnerships and dialogues are all about. And this is why we are turbo-charging our cooperation under Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe. Third, we all want sustainable development and sustainable environment. This week we had important discussions at COP30. Climate change affects us all, as our partners in the Indo-Pacific know all too well, we might say. Climate change challenges us to work together. When we speak of partnership, it is not just words: whenever a country of the region is hit by earthquakes or violent typhoons or other disasters, the European Union is there with emergency relief and humanitarian assistance. Excellencies, Ministers, The geopolitical imperative of today's world is actually a call for action to all of us. It is in our interest to be closer partners. Because whether it comes to security, sustainable growth, connectivity, climate action or the defence of international law, we are stronger when we are together. We are four years into Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, with no real signs that Moscow wants peace. If Russia really wanted peace, it would have accepted the unconditional ceasefire that has been on the table since March this year. Only two days ago, another 26 Ukrainian civilians were killed in Russian attacks. We are supportive of any plan that brings about a just and lasting peace. As for the peace plan we understand President Zelenskyy has been presented with, we have always said that for any peace plan to work, it has to be with Ukraine and with the Europeans on board. This theatre of war is not confined to Europe: it is connected to the Indo-Pacific as well by virtue of the troops, arms and ammunition from North Korea flowing to Russia. And because China says it's neutral, but its dual-use exports are fuelling Russia's war. On top of that, China and Russia are working together to overhaul the global economic and security order. That is certainly of interest to all of us here. This partnership can only work if we collaborate on all levels: our citizens, our companies, our development banks, our countries and regions. We need each other more than ever before. So what are we waiting for? Let's start to work. Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador in charge of Gaza Rebuilding Assistance Mr. OKUBO's Attendance at Senior Officials' Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan November 21, 2025 On November 20, the Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador in charge of Gaza Rebuilding Assistance Mr. OKUBO Takeshi attended the Senior Officials' Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group, which was held in Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium. The overview is as follows: Ambassador OKUBO held a discussion on the efforts toward the Palestinian Authority (PA) reforms, including fiscal stabilization, and their progress as well as the current situation regarding the rebuilding, governance, security, and stability of the Gaza Strip. Ambassador OKUBO also exchanged views with representatives from participating countries and organizations, and concurred on working together towards the future rebuilding of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ERI's attendance at the First Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan November 21, 2025 On November 21 (November 20 local time), Ms. ERI Arfiya, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the First Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels, the Kingdom of Belgium, and paid a courtesy call on H.E. Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of Palestine, who co-chaired the above-mentioned meeting. The details are as follows: 1. Attendance at the First Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group In her statement, Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI explained Japan's efforts to support Palestine's economic independence toward achieving a two-state solution. She also stated that Japan welcomes the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 on the situation in Gaza and that Japan would contribute to international efforts for humanitarian assistance, early recovery and reconstruction, and interim governance in Gaza, in coordination with relevant countries and organizations. Full Text of Statement (English (PDF) ) 2. Courtesy Call on Palestinian Prime Minister Mustafa Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI stated that Japan's position supporting a two-state solution remains consistent and that Japan will play a realistic and proactive role toward its realization. She also expressed respect for Prime Minister Mustafa's leadership to promote the reforms of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and conveyed Japan's commitment to actively support Palestine's state-building efforts. Furthermore, she explained Japan's position and efforts regarding the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. In response, Prime Minister Mustafa expressed his gratitude for Parliamentary Vice-Minister ERI's participation in the Palestine Donor Group meeting. He elaborated on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as efforts to promote the PA reforms. He expressed appreciation for Japan's longstanding support for Palestine's development, and expectation for the role that Japan will play in the reconstruction of Gaza at this critical juncture. (Reference) Outline of the First Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group Date: November 20, 2025 In April 2025, the European Commission established the "Palestine Donor Group" during the first High-Level Political Dialogue with the Palestinian Authority. This meeting marks the group's first ministerial-level gathering. Participants included ministers from EU member states, the Palestinian Authority, regional countries, major donor countries, and international organizations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President participated in conference call with NB8 leaders President of the Republic of Lithuania November 21, 2025 President Gitanas Nauseda on Friday took part in a conference call with the leaders of the Nordic and Baltic (NB8) countries, during which the reported U.S.-Russia "peace agreement" concerning the war in Ukraine was discussed. During the urgently convened call of NB8 heads of state and government, the President stressed that no plan for Ukraine can be developed without Ukraine's participation. He emphasized that any peace initiative must comply with the principles of international law, strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position, include a ceasefire as the necessary first step and ensure Europe's role in shaping the future security architecture. "There can be no compromises on Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Every state has the right to choose its own security guarantees. And those responsible for aggression and war crimes must be held accountable," the President said. During the call, the leaders agreed to hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the near future to demonstrate strong support and solidarity with Ukraine. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President met with the Vice-President of the European Commission President of the Republic of Lithuania November 21, 2025 On Friday, President Gitanas Nauseda met with Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for tech sovereignty, security, and democracy, as well as forstrengthening external borders. The meeting focused mainly on issues related to defending against hybrid threats, strengthening the EU's external borders, and ensuring societal resilience and cybersecurity. The President emphasized that Lithuania is constantly confronted with hybrid attacks and other hostile activities from Russia and Belarus, including instrumentalized illegal migration, smuggling balloons, repeated airspace incursions, and the jamming of positioning system signals. He underlined that Lithuania is taking all possible measures to ensure the protection of civil aviation, critical infrastructure, and the EU's external borders. The President thanked the Executive Vice-President for the planned additional funding to strengthen the EU's external borders through the deployment of drones and counter-drone systems, as well as for the Commission's active efforts in preparing the European Preparedness Union Strategy and the Democracy Shield initiative. Lithuania also advocates closer EU-NATO cooperation in the field of cybersecurity and the sharing of valuable experience with foreign partners, in particular Ukraine. The President noted that the resilience of EU societies, the fight against disinformation and attempts to rewrite history, and the strengthening of European historical memory will be among Lithuania's priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027. He invited the Executive Vice-President to support the idea of establishing a memorial to the victims of totalitarian regimes in Brussels. The parties also discussed issues related to the development of artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring European technological sovereignty, and combating online fraud. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Lithuanian President opened foreign policy security conference President of the Republic of Lithuania November 21, 2025 On Friday, President Gitanas Nauseda opened the eleventh annual Stasys Lozoraitis Vilnius Forum, dedicated to reviewing major foreign and security policy developments and organized by the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center (GSSC). Addressing the participants of the conference, the President emphasized that today's security challenges are global, and that the response of democratic states to the threat posed by authoritarian powers to Euro-Atlantic security and stability must be united and resolute. "What we defend in Europe, and particularly in Ukraine, is not just territory. It is the very essence of our freedom - the freedom to think, to act, to decide, and to shape our policies independently, free from interference by hostile actors," the President said, stressing that this freedom is the bedrock of resilience for democratic societies both in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific region. President Nauseda underscored the need to strengthen defense across the whole of Europe. He further noted that next year Lithuania will allocate 5.38 percent of its GDP to defense, clearly demonstrating that preparedness is more important than rhetoric. He urged other NATO countries to maintain a clear and transparent 5-percent commitment, avoiding "creative accounting" that could undermine trust in the Alliance. In his speech, the President highlighted five key areas related to security and defense that require urgent decisions: strengthening defense and deterrence, supporting Ukraine, reinforcing the transatlantic bond, rapidly adapting to new technologies, and responding to the growing military capabilities in Eurasia, particularly the increasing cooperation between Russia and China. "The threat we are facing today is not distant - it affects every freedom-loving European nation. And our response must be swift, united and decisive," the President emphasized. Significant attention was given to the partnership between Lithuania and Germany - from the construction of the Rheinmetal ammunition plant in Baisogala to the deployment of the 45th German Brigade "Lithuania." The President stressed that these decisions are strategic steps that strengthen deterrence and regional security. Speaking about support for Ukraine, the President noted that Lithuania's military assistance will reach one billion euros this year. Lithuania has already contributed to NATO's PURL and Patriot air defense initiatives, and support for Ukraine remains one of Lithuania's top national security and NATO priorities. The President also underscored the strong transatlantic bond and the importance of the United States for European security. Cooperation between Lithuania and the U.S. continues to expand - from the permanent presence of U.S. troops in Lithuania to defense industry projects and energy security initiatives. The Klaipeda LNG terminal has already become a key element of energy security, also helping Ukraine. He also stressed the importance of learning the lessons of the war in Ukraine and adapting swiftly to new methods of warfare. "Russia is adapting and learning much faster than we expected. The Kremlin is seriously analyzing the experience of its war in Ukraine and integrating the lessons learned into its military training programs. It has drawn conclusions from its early failures and is rapidly adjusting its strategy, sharing these lessons with other authoritarian regimes that support it. We cannot afford to delay - we must react more swiftly," the President said. After the speech, the President participated in a brief Q&A session. Speaking about relations with the United States, he emphasized the importance of the permanent presence of U.S. troops in Lithuania, the expansion of defense industry projects, and the U.S. role in strengthening energy security. In response to a question about NB8, the President stressed that regional formats complement NATO and the EU by enhancing rapid coordination and decision-making, but do not replace them. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Keynote address by Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, at the 11th International Vilnius Foreign and Security Policy Conference President of the Republic of Lithuania November 21, 2025 Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a pleasure to welcome you to this conference. Every year, it offers an exceptional opportunity to reflect on the significant developments shaping our foreign and security policy. The time has come when the many challenges we are facing take a truly global character. War, coercion, and disinformation are reshaping the world as we know it. What we defend in Europe, and specifically in Ukraine, is not just territory. It is the very essence of our freedom the freedom to think, to act, to decide, and to shape our policies independently, free from interference by hostile actors. This freedom, I strongly believe, speaks powerfully across different continents, cultures, and countries. It forms the bedrock of resilience for the democratic societies here in Europe, in the Indo-Pacific, and elsewhere. That is why the rise of authoritarian regimes, and their growing collaboration deserves our special attention. Armed with a complex spectrum of hybrid threats, authoritarianism seeks to destabilize, divide, and undermine democratic values not only in the Euro-Atlantic community, but also globally. The destabilizing role played by Russia and its proxies and accomplices is especially troubling. The Kremlin regime viciously attacks Ukraine, allocating 40 percent of its national budget to the war economy. Together with China, Iran, North Korea, and Belarus, it is also trying hard to reshape the global order. This makes investment in hard security and resilience a strategic priority everywhere, but especially in Europe. The time has come to build effective deterrence, strengthen the European Union, reinforce the transatlantic link, and support Ukraine as much as possible. Ladies and Gentlemen, This year, we took historic decisions to make NATO stronger, fairer, and more lethal. The Hague NATO Summit confirmed what frontline nations have long known: credible deterrence requires credible investment. The 5 percent pledge, with at least 3.5 percent going to hard defence and 1.5 percent - to resilience, is a bold step forward! Lithuania is moving faster than most. Next year, we will dedicate 5.38[1] percent of our GDP to hard defence alone. For us, deterrence starts with readiness, not rhetoric. And we find it crucially important that the NATO Summit in Ankara next year does not blur the line between resilience and defence. We must clearly define the 5 percent, leaving no room for "creative accounting" that could undermine trust in NATO's commitment. Every euro spent should directly enhance tangible capabilities from ammunition and air defence to cyber defence and civil preparedness. Today, there are at least five "musts", five crucial focus areas related to Lithuania's, and also Europe's, security and defence that we need to address without delay. First, we must continue to enhance our deterrence and defence against all threats and challenges, in all domains, and in multiple strategic directions. In our neighbourhood, authoritarian regimes are constantly inventing new grey-zone tactics. From the incursions of Russian drones and Belarusian balloons into our airspace, to the disruption of undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea by the shadow fleet, and, most recently, the destruction of the Polish railway track - these are not random acts of harassment, but coordinated and escalating efforts. The threat we are facing today is not distant; it affects every freedom-loving European nation. And our response must be swift and decisive. Initiatives such as Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry have already enhanced our regional vigilance, and new national laws empower the military to respond immediately to airspace incursions and hybrid threats. There is also much more for us to accomplish - and we will! We need to increase our defence production capacities. We must build on the progress already achieved, from high-end air defence, modern precision-guided weapons, and ammunition to low-cost and low-altitude drone detection and interception capabilities. Therefore, I welcome the fact that, two weeks ago, the German company Rheinmetall took significant steps forward in its cooperation with Lithuania. Work on a new plant for the production of 155mm artillery ammunition has already started in the Lithuanian municipality of Baisogala. A memorandum of understanding for the propellant [pro-pe-lant] production facility was also signed. For Lithuania, a new artillery ammunition production facility is not merely an industrial project. It is a strategic step aimed at strengthening our deterrence and defence. The Baisogala project will help us to meet our own needs, as well as those of our allies. And it will also foster closer cooperation between Lithuania and Germany - two exemplary strategic partners. Merely six months ago, we witnessed the inauguration of Germany's 45th Armoured Brigade "Lithuania" in Vilnius. By the end of 2027, approximately 5,000 German troops will be permanently stationed in Lithuania. This underscores the powerful message conveyed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during his historic visit to Vilnius that "Lithuania's security is also Germany's security". Today, I truly feel that we have this unique opportunity to raise our bilateral relations with Germany to an even higher level. The second focus area today is Ukraine. We must support Ukraine, who is buying us time at an unbearable cost, resolutely and without hesitation. At The Hague Summit, we reaffirmed NATO's unwavering support for Ukraine with the goal of enabling it to defend itself against Russia, secure a strong position in any future peace negotiations, and deter further Russian aggression. Since then, NATO has launched the PURL initiative - the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List - a vital initiative supplying essential lethal and non-lethal military equipment, exclusively provided by the United States and funded by the Allies. I must note that Lithuania's total military support to Ukraine is estimated to hit 1 billion euros this year. We have already committed 30 million euros to PURL and the same amount to the Patriot air defence initiative, and we will not stop here. Third, we must focus on strengthening transatlantic cohesion and creatively exploring its potential. The United States remains the cornerstone of European defence and a guarantor of stability, with unmatched military capabilities and strategic reach. Europe must rise to the challenge and act as a fully capable partner. The transatlantic link cannot be viewed as a luxury. It is a vital necessity for both sides, crucial to our collective security and future stability. Transatlantic unity is also necessary for ensuring sustainable peace in Ukraine, where the security backing of the United States will be indispensable. Our resolve, determination, and unity must help to fully implement the principle of peace through strength. The U.S. sanctions imposed on major Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft are a true game changer. And the adoption of the European Union's 19th sanctions package once again showcases our transatlantic coordination and unity. Nonetheless, one of our shortcomings is the long-overdue commitment to use immobilized Russian assets for the defence of Ukraine. My great hope is that this task will be fulfilled at the upcoming EU summit in December. Fourth, we must adapt swiftly to the new era of warfare and technology. Time is of the essence. Drones, Artificial Intelligence, and autonomous systems have already transformed the battlefield. We must stay at the forefront of innovation. The development of emerging and disruptive dual-use technologies must be fast-tracked for us to stay ahead in the race. And it is also necessary to back it up with sufficient investment. We must invest as much in learning and adaptation as we do in weapons systems. And why is this important? Because even as we speak, Russia is seriously reviewing combat experience and integrating the lessons learned into training programs. Russia has learned from its failures and adapted its strategy and approach to war in Ukraine and beyond. It is adapting even faster than we expected. And now it falls upon us, too, to understand this war better, and to develop countermeasures to the newest capabilities and tactics of our adversaries. We must be the side that learns and develops the fastest and, ultimately, wins. And this brings me to the fifth point. We must take the emerging Eurasian military-industrial bloc far more seriously. And we must address this threat through close cooperation with our European, North American, and Indo-Pacific partners. Security in Europe and Asia is deeply interconnected. And it is also essential for maintaining a stable international order, which is now being threatened by a growing cooperation of autocratic, revisionist states. Putin's daily bombardment of Ukraine would not have been possible without access to Chinese technologies and North Korean personnel. Russia and China, in particular, are synchronising their actions, sharing weapons and know-how, and amplifying each other's narratives. They even dare to blame NATO for the war in Ukraine! This dangerous cooperation contributes to narrowing the distance between Europe and Asia. Conflicts on one continent have spillover effects on the other. And we should not pretend otherwise! There is much more NATO can accomplish working with partners, in particular Indo-Pacific countries - Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. Frankly, we must prepare ourselves to address the potential multi-theatre war collectively. We must learn from each other, combine our efforts, and reap the benefits of close cooperation! Ladies and Gentlemen, Recognizing that the rules-based international order is under serious threat, we must also avoid the false belief that others will assume primary responsibility for Europe's security. The European Union has its own role to play in strengthening deterrence and defence. This is not about replicating NATO's efforts, but about reinforcing and complementing them. It is precisely by strengthening the European dimension within the Alliance that the European Union could successfully contribute to the implementation of NATO's core tasks. NATO and the European Union need to enhance their capacity to function as a single, integrated system. Both organizations must clearly define their roles in upholding peace through strength. It is what real European security architecture should deliver! Looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead of us, I want to underline the importance of the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 presented by the European Commission. I see the urgent need to start implementing the flagship projects as the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Drone Defence Initiative, and the European Space Shield. It is also crucially important to overcome the painful obstacles of fragmentation in the European defence industry that have long held us back. We still function as 27 separate systems. Over time, we will produce all the ammunition we need, and we can reinforce each other with all the military equipment we have. But if our systems are incompatible or if our forces are not trained to use them properly, then all our efforts risk falling short. The implementation of the Roadmap will require not only sustained national defence spending agreed at the NATO Summit in The Hague, but also sufficient EU funding. And Ukraine, being the first line of defence, should be key part of our defence readiness. Ladies and Gentlemen, Next year, Lithuania will complete its preparations to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027. Our Presidency priorities will focus on strengthening security and defence within both the European Union and the broader Euro-Atlantic area. This includes providing essential support for Ukraine and ensuring adequate defence funding. We will work to enhance European competitiveness and economic resilience while aiming for an ambitious next Multiannual Financial Framework. We will also work to ensure internal security, with a focus on effective migration management and securing our external borders. Furthermore, Lithuania will emphasize advancing EU enlargement and safeguarding the rules-based international order. We will maintain a strong and vocal European commitment to Ukraine's EU accession, supporting Ukraine's goal of joining by 2030. We will strive to ensure that enlargement remains merit-based and bilateral issues do not block this vital process. Finally, assuming the Presidency, we will highlight the importance of historical memory, calling for the preparation of educational programs, strengthening collaboration among historians and experts to preserve European memory and fighting against attempts to rewrite history. The Memorial to the Victims of Totalitarianism in Brussels will be the right step in this direction. The realisation of such a project is important for the common European memory, for the unification of Western and East-Central Europe, and for a common approach to the history of fascism and communism. My sincere wish is for all democratic nations worldwide to find the internal strength to maintain our shared values, and to use that strength for effective security and defence cooperation on a global stage. And now, I thank you sincerely, and I wish you all productive discussions! Gitanas Nauseda, President of the Republic of Lithuania NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO expands its engagement on critical undersea infrastructure in the Mediterranean NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 21 November 2025 NATO's Critical Undersea Infrastructure (CUI)-Network met on 20-21 November 2025 in Rome, Italy, to further integrate perspectives across civilian and military actors for enhancing the security of critical undersea infrastructure. Experts from NATO HQ and Allied countries were joined by industry stakeholders, European Union representatives and, for the first time, NATO partner nations. With a rise in hybrid threats across Europe, the discussions focused on best practices for securing critical undersea infrastructure in the Mediterranean region and beyond. Deploying sensing and surveillance technologies, including drones, to enhance security around this expanding and increasingly vital infrastructure was a key theme of the meeting. Participants also visited the Italian Navy Critical Undersea Infrastructure Surveillance Center to see how civilian and military stakeholders work together to monitor and respond rapidly to suspicious activities near critical undersea infrastructure. "A 360-degree approach to security is vital for the Alliance. The Mediterranean region could not be more critical," said Ambassador Jean-Charles Ellermann-Kingombe, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Cyber and Digital Transformation and Special Coordinator for Hybrid Threats. Noting that threats and challenges are interconnected, he added, "We are here to deepen our exchanges, and to widen the scope of our cooperation across civilian, military, public and private sectors." NATO'S CUI-Network was established in February 2024, with the aim of leveraging NATO as a platform to improve information sharing and coordination. Following disruptions to undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea in December 2024, NATO launched "Baltic Sentry", a multi-domain activity aimed to bolster NATO's military presence and improve Allies' ability to respond to destabilising acts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Back-to-back staff talks reinforce strength of traditional partnerships New Zealand Defence Force Ngati Tumatauenga, the New Zealand Army recently hosted representatives from two key Five Power Defence Agreement partners - Singapore and the United Kingdom - in a series of high-level staff talks. 21 November, 2025 Discussing the future fight, international engagements and commitments, and increasing lethality. Those were some of the key focus areas for bilateral talks held between members of the New Zealand Army and their British counterparts in Wellington last week. Deputy Chief of the New Zealand Army, Brigadier Hamish Gibbons, says these talks are vital to ensure effective and efficient collaboration and cooperation at both the tactical and strategic levels, but also to continue to build on the deep and enduring relationship between both countries. "We have fought alongside British soldiers in almost every major conflict, and that is a relationship that has only strengthened over time. They are a critical partner in the world today, and it is great that we maintain such a good and effective partnership," said Brigadier Gibbons. Both armies are currently undergoing a significant and exciting period of modernisation as the nature of modern warfare continuous to evolve. Being able to share lessons learned and provide guidance and updates on directions of travel was "hugely beneficial to both sides" Brigadier Gibbons added. Just a week earlier, Brigadier Gibbons and a NZ Army delegation had also hosted Brigadier General Wong Shi Ming, Chief of Staff for the Singaporean Army, and his delegation. Singapore is a key partner for the New Zealand Army in the Indo-Pacific, as illustrated by the joint membership of the Five Powers Defence Agreement (FPDA) alongside Australia, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. As well as discussing and sharing insights into the current environment, priorities and challenges, it was an opportunity to provide key updates on significant projects and the direction of both armies. "It's incredibly valuable that we have these opportunities for frank and honest conversations with such a close partner in the Indo-Pacific, because the current strategic environment places enormous value on longstanding, well-established relationships built on trust and understanding," said Brigadier Gibbons. Both armies agreed to continue looking for opportunities to strengthen the bilateral relationship through further professional exchanges and information sharing, as well as options for joint exercises and training in the future. These latest staff talks coincided with Exercise Suman Warrior held at Linton Military Camp - a major FPDA command post exercise aimed at sharpening collective tactics and training. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address From the top of the hill at the Cascades complex in Yerevan, on a crisp autumn morning, the gaze is hypnotized by the majestic beauty of Mount Ararat, rising to the south of the Armenian capital, in Turkish territory. The echo of millennia-old myths reinforces its magnetism. But the view also encompasses key elements of the current power dynamics in the Caucasus: Russia with its imperial ambitions, the United States with President Trumps thirst for deals, the European Union with its hopes and doubts about enlargement, Turkey with its aspirations as a regional power, and China with its connectivity interests. One can also perceive the signs of the turbulent path of Armenians seeking democracy and looking toward Europe, in a world changing at a dizzying pace amid immense uncertainty. View of Yerevan with Mount Ararat in the background, at the end of October. At the foot of the extraordinary mountain, in the valley running along its eastern flank, lies one of the worlds most complex border crossings: within a tiny area, the territories of Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia meet. Azerbaijan and Armenia have been embroiled for decades in a bitter conflict that now seems to be moving toward resolution. It is a nerve center where Christianity and Islam converge, and where there is significant geoeconomic interest in connecting Europe with Central Asia (with all its energy resources) or China (with its extraordinary commercial potential) without passing through Russia or Iran, two states that, for different reasons, inspire little trust. Geopolitical tension in the Caucasus region Territorial conflicts and key infrastructure in the area LUIS SEVILLANO. That tangled web of border tensions speaks volumes. Despite the tentative thaw, Armenias borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan remain closed. The first frontier is patrolled by Armenian forces as well as troops from Russia, a former imperial power in decline that maintains forces in the Caucasus country and resists letting it go. On the border with Azerbaijan, however, a civilian EU mission conducts patrols. But it was the United States that helped mediate the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan after Azerbaijans successful seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh, an enclave within Azerbaijani territory previously controlled by Armenians. It was able to achieve this through hard power, with an agreement brokered by President Donald Trump at the White House in August. The pact represents an extraordinary boost to Washingtons influence in the region, with the potential to cement its role as peacemaker through the development of a lucrative economic corridor transport, pipelines, cabling stretching further east. To flatter the U.S. president, it has been dubbed TRIPP: the Trump International Peace and Prosperity Path. Armenia as a key link between Europe and Central Asia Railways Railways to be restored North-South Highway Proposed East-West Roads Closed borders Armenian government. LUIS SEVILLANO. Along the geographic axis between the Cascades hill in Yerevan and Mount Ararat lies an airbase where Russian military forces still retain the right to deploy troops. As a symbol of their persistent yet waning presence, local reports recount that one August night, near the base, an old MiG-29 perhaps being transported for retirement slid off its trailer and crashed into a utility pole. Local residents filmed and shared videos on social media of the astonishing and grotesque sight of a MiG sliding into the streets of Yerevan. Moscow has lost its former power here, having to redeploy forces to Ukraine but it has not disappeared. The view from the hill offers further clues: the construction cranes dotting Yerevans skyline. They are a sign of a rapidly growing economy (around 5% GDP growth this year, and 6% in 2024) and of other factors, likely including the rising real estate demand driven by two waves of migration: one, Russians fleeing Russia after Vladimir Putin launched the large-scale invasion of Ukraine; the other, citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh fleeing en masse when, in 2023, Azerbaijan skillfully took advantage of a favorable international context to reclaim the Armenian enclave within its territory. Russia, traditionally Armenias protector, was distracted by Ukraine and displeased with the Armenian government which emerged from the 2018 revolution as it seeks to move away from Moscows sphere of influence. These are just a few glimpses of the complex trajectory of Armenia and the Caucasus. Below are some key insights gathered during a study trip funded by the Polish NGO Impact which focuses on Central and Eastern Europe during which conversations were held with about 15 sources. These included the Armenian foreign minister, the head of the National Security Council, the president of the National Assembly, the special envoy for relations with Turkey, other Armenian politicians, the EU ambassador, the leader of the European patrol mission, and representatives of civil society. The conversations were conducted under confidentiality to allow for a more candid exchange in a highly sensitive context. This trip follows a previous one to Georgia last year. Russia The Armenian government is pursuing a policy of deepening relations with the EU and the United States while cautiously distancing itself from Moscow. The awareness of Russias lingering leverage is matched by the perception that most Armenians want to move away from the Kremlin. In 2013, 83% of Armenians considered Russia their countrys main ally, according to the Caucasus Barometer; by 2024, that figure had fallen to 14%. Russias assets are numerous. Although significantly reduced due to the demands of the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin still maintains a military presence in Armenia; it holds a key avenue of influence through the pro-Russian regime in Georgia, a crucial trade transit country for Armenia, given the ongoing closure of borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey (and it has already begun issuing warnings in this regard); it has valuable allies within Armenia, such as the local Church, opposition parties, and oligarchs; it controls energy instruments, for example operating Armenias only nuclear plant, as well as commercial ones, with trade still vital for the country; it also has leverage over the large Armenian diaspora in Russia; and, of course, it possesses a hybrid warfare arsenal, ranging from sabotage to electoral interference. Thus, Armenia is taking steps to distance itself such as freezing its participation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (dominated by Russia), ending Russian border-control operations at Yerevan airport, and diversifying arms imports but doing so with great caution. There is a widespread sense in Armenia that everything depends on how the conflict in Ukraine unfolds, which one source described as Russias main attempt to create a USSR 2.0, to rebuild a Russian empire. The perception is that, for now, Russia is overstretched and cannot focus on other areas, but if it achieves its objectives, it would return to impose its dominance. Playtime would be over, and the USSR 2.0 goal would be pushed forward. Every country in the region that has sought a democratic, independent path with closer ties to the West has faced war: Georgia, Ukraine, and Armenia, in the form of Russias tacit consent to Azerbaijans offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenias situation, however, is different because it does not border Russia and does not aspire to join NATO. The image of the MiG embedded in the streets of Yerevan is a symbol of Russias diminished presence in the country. Armenians joke about the scarcity of Russian forces, saying that the guards at the airbase perimeter are pilots on their days off. Yet the bear still has claws, and its astonishing ability to consolidate a brutal pro-Russian authoritarian regime in Georgia a country with strong European ambitions is a lesson few underestimate. United States Washington has made a significant leap in its regional influence, relying on two key pillars of its current foreign policy: President Trumps peacemaking drive perhaps motivated by the dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize and his interest in opening the way for business, whether from his own circle or more broadly from American companies. The U.S. intervention to establish a path toward peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan is repeatedly described as decisive by the sources consulted. There was undoubtedly a prior, independent diplomatic effort, and Trumps own understanding of the matter is questionable he has repeatedly confused Armenia with Albania but the push from the White House has been crucial. The process, like many others, is far from complete. Nevertheless, some results are already tangible. U.S. oil company Exxon recently signed two energy agreements with Azerbaijani authorities, one of them in August in Washington, coinciding with President Ilham Aliyevs visit for the White House peace agreement. Furthermore, U.S. companies are expected to play a key role in developing TRIPP, a transport, energy, and cabling corridor passing through Armenia that will connect Azerbaijan with its enclave within Armenian territory, Nakhchivan. This corridor will be a key component of a new connectivity network in the region. European Union Many in the Caucasus long for EU integration. According to a recent EU survey, up to 74% of Georgians would vote in favor of joining, yet the country is moving in the opposite direction. Under Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgia is slipping toward authoritarianism with severe repression of the opposition and into Russias orbit. In Armenia, pro-European sentiment is also strong, and in this case the government in power is allowing steps toward closer ties. These efforts, however, face enormous obstacles. First, there is fatigue, internal doubts, and institutional dilemmas regarding further enlargement. Next, there is Armenias difficult path to meet the required standards. And also relevant is the fact that its neighboring country is moving in the opposite direction. The most viable mechanism for rapprochement is visa liberalization. Both sides are working on it. A positive signal on this before the elections scheduled for next year would be a huge boost for the current government. But it is doubtful that the technical work could be completed by then. Another consideration is whether they might use it to send a political signal regardless. A significant factor, of course, is Europes interest in Azerbaijani gas, which accounted for 4.3% of total imports in 2024. While a limited share, it is of great importance, particularly for certain countries. Geopolitically, the EU possesses undeniable soft power and plays important roles in Armenia, through funding, support against hybrid warfare campaigns, and the aforementioned border monitoring mission with Azerbaijan. Yet, it is a toothless projection. There is no European MiG here, not even enough power to crash into urban infrastructure, nor the leverage to force two countries to sit down and sign an agreement. Despite many efforts, the strategic corridor will be developed more by the United States than the EU. Former European Council president Charles Michel worked on the matter for years, and, as one source put it, Azerbaijan simply said thank you and nothing more. Then Trump arrived, and they sat down to sign. Similarly, despite the many efforts and strong pro-European sentiment among citizens, Putin has managed to secure Georgia on his side through skillful hybrid tactics. Turkey Ankara is experiencing a tangible increase in its regional influence, gradually consolidating its position as a middle power, with a near-nonaligned character despite formally being part of NATO. Several recent events have worked in Turkeys favor, such as the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and the resulting weakening of Russia and Iran the pacification of the Kurdish PKK conflict, and, without a doubt, Azerbaijans victory in Nagorno-Karabakh, as it shares very strong ties with the country. Precisely that bond, along with several Azerbaijani instruments of influence, has so far prevented Turkey from reopening its border with Armenia, a key goal for Yerevan as it would break its near isolation, eliminate any formal rationale for the continued presence of Russian forces, and create a much stronger connection with Europe. Yet Ankara is hesitating. Although smaller than Turkey, Azerbaijan wields several levers of pressure. These include emotional ones, linked to cultural, linguistic, and religious ties; economic factors, from energy exports to Azerbaijani capital investments; and political dynamics, from the relationships between leaders to the significant role of the Azerbaijani community in Turkey. It is worth noting that Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the 2023 presidential election in the second round by a narrow margin. Crucially, the candidate who came third in the first round, with 5% of the vote, was of Azerbaijani origin and encouraged his supporters to vote for Erdogan in the runoff. China Beijing does not play as prominent a role in Armenia as other powers, but it is not passively observing developments in the Caucasus. Its involvement is evident in the project to develop a deep-water port in the Georgian town of Anaklia and in the signing of a significant strategic cooperation memorandum with Azerbaijan, which some interlocutors describe as the most independent actor in the region. Azerbaijan is undoubtedly a rising power, as recently illustrated by Putins strikingly formal apology very unusual for him to President Aliyev over the downing of an Azerbaijani commercial plane. Putin launched into a long apology with notable body language, while Aliyev remained impassive. This was followed recently by Bakus angry reaction to damage caused to the Azerbaijani embassy in Kyiv by a Russian missile. China, for its part, is operating quietly behind the scenes. As one Armenian source noted, Beijing approaches politics differently: when it acts, at first it is barely noticeable, and only later do you begin to see its influence. Above all these maneuvers by major and middle powers rises the magnificent Mount Ararat. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Lease and livery developments for RNZAF Boeing 757 replacements New Zealand Defence Force A six-year lease-to-buy deal to acquire replacement strategic transport aircraft for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has been signed, and the livery for the new aircraft has been unveiled. 21 November, 2025 Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies, recently signed the arrangement to purchase two new Airbus A321XLR aircraft from US-based Air Lease Corporation. The aircraft will replace the two Boeing 757s which are used primarily to transport military personnel and equipment quickly over long distances, including for various deployments, disaster relief operations throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, and as well as diplomatic and trade missions. The new aircraft can travel further, are more fuel efficient and will be able to accommodate around 120 passengers and 9,100 kilograms of cargo. The livery for the new aircraft has been designed to match the RNZAF's current livery. A range of options were considered before settling on the grey with a prominent kiwi roundel, sending a clear signal that they are military aircraft and are also instantly recognisable as being from New Zealand, no matter the environment. Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, says that the new aircraft will play a key role in ensuring the Air Force fleet can deliver on Government tasks around the world, and they will also maintain the highest levels of interoperability and dependability. "The extra-long-range capability of the Airbus A321XLR will also improve our ability to conduct key missions to Antarctica with greater safety and surety." The Airbus A321XLR fleet will be based at RNZAF Base Auckland and operated by No. 40 Squadron. As they are a commercial off-the-shelf purchase, they will be fitted out and ready to operate soon after arrival in 2028. Overall the project has capital costs of $620 million and four-year operating costs of $80.86 million. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon: Israel systematic attacks and killings threaten peace efforts, UN expert warns Press releases Special Procedures 21 November 2025 GENEVA - The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, today condemned Israel's renewed strikes in Lebanon, including the deadly attack on Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp and repeated attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers. "This is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing pattern of lethal strikes in populated areas by Israel, and of total disregard for the ceasefire and for Lebanese peace efforts," Tidball-Binz said. "These repeated attacks on civilians and civilian objects are war crimes and a violation of the UN Charter." According to reports, an Israeli drone strike on 18 November 2025 hit Ein el-Hilweh, a Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, killing at least 14 people, among them twelve children, and injuring at least six others, making it the deadliest single strike since the November 2024 ceasefire. Israel claimed it had targeted a Hamas "training compound," without further clarification. The expert noted that the Ein el-Hilweh attack follows near-daily Israeli air and drone strikes across Lebanon since the ceasefire entered into force on 27 November 2024. According to the UN Human Rights Office, approximately 127 Lebanese civilians have been killed and several injured in these operations, which have struck homes, vehicles and other civilian objects in southern villages and along main roads. "These incidents form part of a broader pattern of unlawful killings and violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel," the Special Rapporteur said. Tidball-Binz expressed alarm at renewed attacks and near-attacks on UN peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). On 16 November 2025, an Israeli Merkava tank fired on a UNIFIL patrol inside Lebanese territory, with shells landing only a few metres from the peacekeepers endangering their lives. This followed an incident on 26 October 2025 in which an Israeli drone flew close to a UNIFIL patrol operating near Kfar Kila and dropped a grenade, moments before an Israeli tank fired towards them. "Intentionally directing attacks against UN personnel is a war crime under international humanitarian law," the expert said. "These incidents amount to international crimes and are serious violations of Security Council resolution 1701 and of Lebanon's sovereignty," the Special Rapporteur said. "They occur amid Israel's illegal military occupation of five locations and two so-called 'buffer zones' in southern Lebanon, preventing civilians from returning to their homes, and its unilateral continuation of military attacks against Lebanon." "These attacks severely undermine the Lebanese Government's efforts to implement the ceasefire, restore peace and ensure justice and security for its population," he said. Tidball-Binz urged Israel to immediately stop all attacks in Lebanon and fully comply with Security Council resolution 1701, the terms of the ceasefire and its obligations under international law. He called for prompt, independent and effective investigations into all alleged unlawful killings resulting from Israeli strikes in Lebanon, in particular after the ceasefire in force since November 2024, in line with the Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016). "Those responsible, including those who planned, ordered or authorised unlawful strikes, must be held to account," he said. "Victims and their families must receive truth, justice and full reparation." "Renewed attacks and killings in Lebanon are devastating for victims and their families and threaten fragile peace efforts in the region," the expert said. The Special Rapporteur urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to fully implement the November 2024 ceasefire, immediately stop further attacks and killings on Lebanese territory, and support independent, effective investigations and efforts to bring those responsible to justice. *The expert: Morris Tidball-Binz, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions This statement was endorsed by: Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; and George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Spokesperson Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs On media queries regarding recent wave of arbitrary arrests and detention of Kashmiri people from IIOJ&K after bomb blast incident in New Delhi and on human rights situation in IIOJ&K, the Spokesperson made the following statement: Pakistan remains gravely concerned about the persistent and serious human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The prevailing policies, marked by widespread detentions, arbitrary arrests, and extensive restrictions on fundamental freedoms, continue to amount to collective punishment of the occupied Kashmiri population. Reports of profiling Kashmiri youth on the basis of their identity and faith further heighten these concerns. India continues its efforts to alter the demographic character of the occupied territory and to erode the religious, cultural, and social heritage of the Kashmiri people. These measures appear to form part of a deliberate strategy to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri population. Thousands of Kashmiri youth remain missing, while many genuine political representatives of the Kashmiri people remain in detention. Such coercive actions cannot undermine the Kashmiri people's enduring commitment to realizing their internationally recognized right to self-determination. Pakistan calls upon the international community including the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to take full cognizance of the grave human rights situation in IIOJK. We urge these bodies to encourage India to take immediate remedial measures, ensure accountability for documented violations, and allow credible international human rights organizations to conduct independent and impartial assessments. A just, peaceful, and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people remain essential for durable peace and stability in South Asia. Islamabad 21 November 2025 347/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Prime Minister Radosaw Sikorski attends Foreign Affairs Council Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland 21.11.2025 The chief of Polish diplomacy took part in a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels. EU foreign ministers discussed among others acts of sabotage targeting Poland's railway infrastructure, Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East, the Sahel, and Sudan. During the FAC meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski emphasised that the sabotage of Poland's railway infrastructure constitutes an act of state terrorism aimed at undermining the security of Poland and its citizens. EU foreign ministers agreed with this assessment. Poland's top diplomat also announced the withdrawal of consent for the operation of the Russian Consulate General in Gdansk. The discussion on Russia's aggression against Ukraine focused primarily on combating the so-called "clunker fleet," which supports the export of Russian raw materials. EU ministers agreed that the most effective way to limit Russia's war budget is to reduce its revenues from energy carriers and to pursue measures targeting its energy sector. Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski, together with a group of foreign ministers from other European countries, reaffirmed support for a peace plan that will take into account Ukraine's interests and respect its territorial sovereignty. He emphasised that Europe's involvement in these arrangements is justified, as they will concern our continent's security. He also called for a prompt decision on the reparations loan for Ukraine to ensure funding of its defence and budget needs in the years to come. Moreover, the EU ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East. They welcomed the UN Security Council's resolution in support of the peace plan for the Gaza Strip proposed by the US president and underlined the importance of provisions on Palestinian self-determination. The diplomats also spoke about the ways to increase the EU's engagement in the peace process and further support for the Palestinian Authority. On the sidelines of the Council session, the first Palestine Donor Group meeting was held at the ministerial level. The participants of the Foreign Affairs Council noted the deteriorating security and human rights situation in the Sahel. One of the key challenges is countering Russian disinformation, which is damaging the European Union's image in the region. The member states' effective and coherent strategic communication is necessary. During the Council meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski referred to the situation in Sudan. He condemned crimes against the civilian population in El Fasher and backed including their perpetrators into the EU sanctions regime. He also supported the statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Bank on verge of 3rd intifada amid rising Israeli violence: PFLP Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 3:47 PM The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has warned that the occupied West Bank is on the verge of a third intifada (uprising), as rising Israeli violence has fueled Palestinians' anger. In a statement on Friday, the PFLP stressed that the outbreak of a comprehensive third Intifada is closer than ever. Referring to the killing of Amr al-Marbo, 18, and Sami Mashayikh, 16, during an Israeli raid on the town of Kafr Aqab, north of the occupied al-Quds, in the early hours of Friday, the statement said these repeated attacks constitute "the flame that will burn away the remaining illusions of calm," adding that the accumulated Palestinian anger "will erupt like lava" in the face of the occupying Israeli regime The organization said that the escalating settler violence, acts of vandalism and targeting of Palestinian civilians across the occupied West Bank reveal "an ingrained fascist and racist doctrine and a sick psychological structure of settler gangs that practice violence as a daily act." The PFLP stressed that "the Palestinians will not stand idly by" in the face of "criminal sadism", adding that the escalating crimes will fuel a broad resistance movement that could turn the West Bank into a battleground for a war of attrition against Israeli forces and settlers. The statement warned that "this fascist entity" poses a threat to the region and humanity as a whole. Urging the international community to boycott Israel and isolate its leaders, the organization said "the stability of the region will only be achieved by uprooting the [Israeli] occupation." The Israeli regime has escalated its West Bank violence since October 7, 2023, when it launched a genocidal war on Gaza. Since then, Israeli forces and settlers have killed hundreds of Palestinians in the occupied territory. More than 700,000 settlers live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. The international community views the settlements as illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions due to their construction on occupied territories. The UN Security Council has condemned Israel's settlement activities in several resolutions. Last year, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's decades-long occupation of historical Palestine illegal. The ICJ demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds. It was mere words. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lebanon at 'critical phase' as PM says Israel blocking withdrawal talks Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 11:23 AM Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam says Israel is refusing to enter talks to end its occupation of Lebanese territory, despite last November's ceasefire agreement and the regime's public rhetoric. Salam said Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has offered to start talks with Israel to discuss its withdrawal from the five border outposts. "I repeat the same offer of negotiating with Israel," Salam said in an interview with Bloomberg on Thursday, noting that Israel declined to respond to the Lebanese offer. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27, 2024. Under the deal, Tel Aviv was required to withdraw fully from the Lebanese territorybut has kept forces stationed at five sites, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the terms of the agreement. "That's a puzzle for me. They ask for negotiations, and when we show readiness, they don't agree to the rendez-vous," the premier said. "That's something I'll be bringing up with the Americans," he added. His remarks came as the premier's government approved a US proposal to disarm the Hezbollah resistance movement that has for decades defended the country from external aggression, especially from the Israeli enemy. Hezbollah has condemned the government's decision to disarm it as a "grave sin," warning that such a move would weaken the country against Israeli aggression. The popular resistance group declared it would ignore the decision entirely, treating it "as if it did not exist." Referring to the Israeli occupation of the five sites and the regime's ongoing deadly attacks, Lebanese armed forces commander General Rodolphe Haykal said on Friday, "Today, our nation is witnessing a critical phase, one of the most difficult in its history." He added that the Israeli violations "prevent the army's full deployment, and cause widespread destruction to property and infrastructure." Haykal was scheduled to visit Washington this week, but the visit was canceled over his recent statement condemning Israel for its incessant aggression on the Arab country's south. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported Thursday that Israeli forces committed more than 7,500 airspace breaches and nearly 2,500 ground violations north of the Blue Line, the UNdesignated boundary separating Lebanon and the occupied territories. UNIFIL said over 360 weapons abandoned by Israeli troops were handed to the Lebanese army, adding that all violations have been formally conveyed to the UN Security Council. Lebanese authorities have warned that the regime's violations of the ceasefire threaten national stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel shifts frontline deeper into Gaza, strikes hit families trapped inside Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 7:54 AM Local authorities say the Israeli military has expanded the so-called "yellow line" truce demarcation in Gaza City and repositioned its forces deeper into the territory in violation of a ceasefire agreement that came into force on October 10, besieging dozens of Palestinian families. Gaza's Government Media Office announced in a statement on Thursday that Israeli forces widened the boundary by shifting the markers, and advanced roughly 300 meters (984 feet) into the neighborhoods of Ash-Shaaf, An-Nazzaz and Baghdad Street. The move pushed further into civilian areas, trapping families who were unable to flee as tanks rolled forward, it added. "The fate of many of these families remains unknown amidst the shelling that targeted the area," the office said, adding that the expansion of the yellow line shows a "blatant disregard" for the ceasefire deal. On Friday, sources said the Israeli military carried out continued air and artillery strikes inside the so-called "yellow line" east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. According to the reports, Israeli warplanes and tanks targeted areas within the zone. One Palestinian was reported killed and several others wounded in the strikes, the sources said. The fresh aggression came only a day after 25 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis on Wednesday. The media office reported that Israel has consistently violated the truce deal since its implementation last month, with near-daily attacks by air, artillery and direct shootings. The office said over 400 violations have been documented. These breaches have resulted in the deaths of more than 300 Palestinians and left hundreds injured. The Government Media Office in Gaza urged the guarantors of the ceasefire the US, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey to take swift action to halt the ongoing violations and facilitate the delivery of food, shelter materials, medical aid, and infrastructure equipment. The so-called "yellow line," set out in the agreement between Israel and Hamas resistance movement, refers to a non-physical partition where the Israeli military repositioned itself when the truce deal took effect. It has allowed Israel, which routinely fires at Palestinians who approach the line, to retain control over more than half of the Gaza Strip. International bodies, including the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, B'Tselem, and other rights groups, have concluded that the Israeli war on Gaza amounts to genocide. In the attacks in Gaza since October 2023, Israel has killed at least 69,546 people and injured 170,833 others, leveling large swaths of the territory and displacing almost all of the population. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Chief of Defence Staff participated in the European Union Military Committee Meeting Romania - Ministry of National Defence Press release No. 219 21.11.2025 On Thursday, November 20th, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Vlad Gheorghita, participated in the European Union Military Committee Meeting, held in Brussels, in the chiefs of defence format. The meeting agenda focused on the analysis of the implementation progress of the European Union's Preparedness Strategy, the status of the White Paper for European Defence - Readiness 2030, as well as the developments regarding the European Union's support for Ukraine. At the same time, the officials discussed issues related to the capability development and military training at European level, as well as the coordination between EU and NATO mechanisms. General Vlad Gheorghita also had meetings with his counterparts, on topics of common interest and emphasized the need to enhance European defence cooperation and maintain a sustained pace of efforts to adapt to the evolving security environment. General Vlad Gheorghita also reaffirmed Romania's commitment to contributing to the processes of strengthening European defence and to the joint efforts to support Ukraine. The Press Office NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 21 November 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General/G20 Summit Today, the Secretary-General, as you know, arrived in South Africa, to participate at the G20 Summit, which kicks off tomorrow. He had a press conference earlier today, which you may have seen on UN WebTV. He said that his message to G20 leaders over the next two days is simple: Now is the time for leadership and vision. We are living through tumultuous times, he said, with conflicts, climate chaos, economic uncertainty, mounting debt, inequality and a collapse in global aid are all inflicting massive suffering around the world pointing out that the world's largest economies, the G20, can hold enormous influence to ease that suffering, ensure that economic growth is widely shared and set our world on a better, more peaceful course for the future. Mr. [Antonio] Guterres said that over the next two days, he will call on G20 members to use their leverage to lead the action we need economic action, climate action and action for peace. His remarks have been shared with you. We sent out the Q&A from the transcript a few moments ago. Tomorrow, he will address three sessions. One on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, leaving no one behind; another one on building a resilient world and the G20's potential contribution; and the last one will be "A fair and just future for all: Critical minerals; decent work; and artificial intelligence". ** Democratic Republic of the Congo I want to bring you an update on what we had mentioned about the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the horrific things that took place earlier this week. And as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, I can tell you that the information we have received is truly horrific. This is about the deadly violence that took place between 13 and 19 November in several localities of the Lubero Territory, in North Kivu. According to information gathered on the ground by our human rights colleagues from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the attacks were carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces armed group the ADF. They took place in the Bapere and Baswagha [chefferies] and resulted in the killing of 89 civilians, including at least 20 women and an as-of-yet undetermined number of children. In Byambwe, which is about 60 kilometres west of Lubero, at least 17 civilians among them women who were receiving care in the maternity ward were killed inside the health care centre that was operated by the Catholic Church. During the attack, four wards housing patients were set on fire. Other places, including Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili, were also impacted by serious abuses, including abductions, the looting of medical supplies, the burning of homes and the destruction of property belonging to communities already facing severe humanitarian vulnerabilities. We, of course, extend our condolences to the families and communities, and we express our solidarity with all those affected. As you know, violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Mission remains fully committed and will continue to support the Congolese authorities in their efforts to protect civilians, prevent human rights violations and combat impunity. MONUSCO is working in close coordination with Government authorities, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, regional partners engaged in joint operations, as well as local organizations. MONUSCO urges the Congolese authorities to promptly initiate independent and credible investigations to identify the individual perpetrators and accomplices of these horrific massacres and bring them to justice. We also reiterate our call on armed groups to lay down their weapons unconditionally. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the ongoing humanitarian scale-up which is, as you know, made possible by the ceasefire is still being held back by restrictions affecting visas and import approvals, too few crossing points operating, and limited facilitation of humanitarian movements inside Gaza, among other challenges. Between 12 and 18 November, we and our partners tried to coordinate more than 50 humanitarian movements with the Israeli authorities. Most were to collect cargo from the three crossings that were open. Over a third were either denied or initially approved but then impeded on the ground. During that same seven-day period, we and our partners collected more than 10,600 metric tons of aid from the crossings. That's what the preliminary data that is showing on the UN2720 Mechanism dashboard says. But even with the Zikim crossing now open, the amount of aid coming in is still not higher than in previous weeks. That's because we're only allowed to offload and collect cargo at Zikim and Kissufim crossings on an alternating schedule. Meanwhile, supplies from Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem continue to be directed through the Philadelphi Road corridor and along the Al Rasheed coastal road which is congested and limits the size of the convoys we can put together. Salah ad Din Road remains closed to humanitarian movements. Despite these challenges, our teams in Gaza are still doing everything they possibly can to support all the Gazans in need. Yesterday, the UN and our partners concluded the first round of the catch-up immunization campaign, that campaign began on 9 November. The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) say that over 13,700 children were vaccinated. The campaign also included screenings for malnutrition in children. Out of the more than 6,800 children screened, over 500 were found to be acutely malnourished, and they were referred to the nearest nutrition facility for follow up. Preparations are already under way for rounds two and three of the vaccination campaign, to make sure that boys and girls receive all of the doses they need for full protection. Turning to the West Bank, our humanitarian colleagues warns that the level of violence there remains deeply concerning with property damage, displacement, loss of livelihoods and a strong sense of insecurity for Palestinian civilians. This week, the number of Palestinian children killed in 2025 reached 50. That includes two girls the youngest just two years old. And overall, more than 200 Palestinians have now been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year there. In just one week between 11 and 17 November OCHA documented 29 attacks by settlers that led to 11 injuries and damaged 10 homes, 2 mosques, nearly two dozen vehicles and a wide range of agricultural assets, including livestock, seasonal crops, and roughly 1,000 trees and saplings. To address people's needs, we and our partners are providing multi-purpose cash to families displaced or otherwise affected. So far this year, over 10,000 households have received this support. And just last week, with winter around the corner, Ramiz Alakbarov, our Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, allocated $100,000 from the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund so that displaced families in the northern West Bank can buy warm clothing through e-vouchers. We to call for the protection of civilians which includes enforcing the law against anyone who carries out attacks and for lethal force to be used by security forces only in strict accordance with internationally recognized law-enforcement standards. War-like tactics must not be tolerated as the new normal. ** Lebanon/Israel Moving north to the situation along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, we continue to note with concern incidents in the past few days impacting the safety of our peacekeepers there. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reports that yesterday, Israel Defense Forces personnel pointed a laser at peacekeepers. Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, small arms fire was discharged from positions where [Israel Defense Force] personnel had been observed, targeting peacekeepers on patrol near Kfar Shuba in Sector East. We reiterate that the parties must ensure the safety and security of our peacekeeping personnel, and all peacekeepers everywhere, at all times. We urge the parties to use the established liaison and coordination mechanisms of UNIFIL to avoid misunderstandings and potential incidents. This week, UNIFIL also located several unguarded weapons caches in their area of operations, which they referred to the Lebanese Armed Forces for disposal. ** Ukraine Turning to Ukraine, we are told that a warehouse of the World Food Programme (WFP) was damaged during a drone attack in the city of Dnipro on Wednesday this week. Thankfully, no one was injured, but at least 10,000 boxes of food intended for civilians near the front lines were destroyed. Our partners report that drone strikes affecting humanitarian organizations have nearly tripled between January and October this year, compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, attacks continue across the country. Strikes hit Zaporizhzhia and Odesa between yesterday and today. Authorities report five dead, and more than a dozen injured, among them two children. Hostilities in Kherson, Donetsk, Dnipro and Kharkiv also caused several civilian casualties, as well as damage to energy infrastructure. In the city of Ternopil, rescue operations continue after the deadly strike on 19 November. The latest report from the authorities indicates that 30 civilians died in those attacks, including 6 children. Humanitarian organizations are mobilized and providing emergency support to those who need it. And finally, OCHA reports that today a UN humanitarian convoy delivered a charging station, solar lamps, dry food packets and hygiene supplies to a front-line community in the Kherson region, where critical services are heavily impacted by the hostilities. And just for the record, you will have seen that yesterday, Kayoko Gotoh, the Officer-in-Charge for Europe, Central Asia and Americas Divisions of the Department of Political [and Peacebuilding] Affairs, briefed the Security Council on Ukraine, saying that Ukrainian civilians have continued to bear the brunt of the Russian Federation's escalating aerial campaign. Also briefing was Edem Wosornu, the Director of OCHA's Crisis Response Division. She briefed the Council and told them that some 3.7 million people are displaced in Ukraine and nearly 6 million are refugees. Those remarks were shared with you. ** Republic of Moldova Staying in the region, Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Peacebuilding and Political Affairs, began a visit to the Republic of Moldova. She kicked off her visit to that country today. In the capital, Chisinau, she met with Prime Minister Alexei Munteanu to discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing the country, as well as how the United Nations can further support the Republic of Moldova. After meeting with women and young peacebuilders, Ms. DiCarlo said she was inspired by their dedication and underscored the critical role of women in political decision-making, reaffirming our commitment to support their work. She also held a separate meeting with Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi, during which they exchanged views on shared priorities, including regional peace and security developments and the continued cooperation between the United Nations and the Republic of Moldova. ** Nigeria And just to flag, from Nigeria and the heartbreaking situation there: We have witnessed yet another abduction of pupils in Niger State, in that country, just days after the abduction of schoolchildren in Kebbi. We join our colleagues at UNICEF and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator's office, Mohamed Malick Fall, in expressing our deep sympathy to the families and communities affected. Every effort must now focus on ensuring the children's safe and immediate return. We underscore that these repeated attacks highlight the urgent need to fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines concrete steps to safeguard the civilian nature of schools and universities to ensure safe access of students to education during conflict. Schools must be a safe place to learn. ** Mali Staying in West Africa, Leonardo Santos Simao, our Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), has just concluded a two-day visit to Bamako, in Mali. During his meetings with the transitional authorities, he reaffirmed the UN's commitment to support Mali and the countries of the region in their efforts to strengthen peace, security and stability. He also expressed our solidarity with the populations directly impacted by violence, displacement and insecurity. The Special Representative stressed the need for a collective and coordinated response to transnational threats. In this regard, he called for enhanced dialogue between the States of the Sahel and their partners to consolidate efforts for lasting stabilization. Recalling the need to address the root causes of instability, Mr. Simao also urged the international community to step up its support to address the needs of vulnerable populations and to promote a sustainable development strategy. ** South Sudan Moving across the continent to South Sudan, I can tell you that we are deeply concerned by the rising violence in Upper Nile State. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been reporting escalating intercommunal violence, cattle raids, and reported aerial bombardment in Ulang and Baliet Counties. Local authorities say these incidents have caused multiple casualties, impacting women and children, and displaced around 12,000 people. In response, the Mission deployed a patrol to Baliet this week, where peacekeepers engaged with local officials and provided emergency medical assistance. UNMISS continues to support authorities and communities in efforts to restore calm and has also intensified its protective presence in the state capital, Malakal. We continue to call on all parties to do whatever they can to avoid further escalations. ** Jamaica Moving across the ocean to Jamaica: Turning to the Caribbean, our humanitarian colleagues say that three weeks after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, we and our partners continue to support the Government-led response efforts in that country, with more than 90 organizations now engaged. Response operations have been stepped up as access improves. Emergency Medical Teams and mobile clinics have now been deployed, allowing critical services to resume despite damaged infrastructure. Public health teams are also scaling up water-quality testing and environmental health inspections. The Joint United Nations Programme against HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is working with the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). On the food front, more than 45,000 food kits have been distributed so far to support more than 140,000 people. WFP is also working with the Government to prepare a transition to cash-based assistance. Meanwhile, more than 100 emergency shelters remain open. Flooding is persisting, which is delaying the reopening of schools and further damaging agricultural roads and infrastructure. The floods are also increasing risks to public health due to the risk of water-borne diseases. ** World Television Day No money but I do have a quiz for you: who killed the radio star? [Answer: Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles.] Exactly. Thank God we have one of our two camerapeople paying attention. Today we are celebrating World Television Day. TV keeps evolving and remains a powerful way to connect. And here at the UN, we thank our colleagues at UN WebTV, UN Video, AV Library and Unified for keeping audiences engaged and you journalists informed. And we salute our two camerapeople today. Edie Lederer? ** Questions and Answers Question : Thank you, Steph. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on the peace plan by [United States] President [Donald J.] Trump to end the war in Ukraine? Spokesman : I mean, I kind of mentioned that yesterday, but I would refer you to what the Secretary-General said less than an hour ago in Johannesburg, in that regard. Correspondent : Had not gotten to see that... Spokesman : That's okay. That's all right. That's okay. Question : No. Then I have one other question. Does the Secretary-General have any comment on pro-Israeli armed groups in Gaza that are now fighting Hamas? Spokesman : Look. I think the last thing the civilians in Gaza need are more clashes, is more fighting. What we need is to consolidate the ceasefire, which means that everybody who has access to weapons should cease firing, so we can deliver humanitarian aid, and we can start the very long and slow process of rebuilding lives. Ibtisam Azem? Correspondent : Thank you. I don't know if you saw an article that was published by the French newspaper, Le Monde, which included about the ICC [International Criminal Court] judge, the French ICC judge, Nicolas Guillou. I hope, I'm not mispronouncing... Spokesman : That's okay. They won't charge. Question : Yeah. So, in that article, so the [United States] Government put him on sanctions. He was one of the judges who issued arrest warrant against [Benjamin] Netanyahu and [Yoav] Gallant. And in that article, he goes... they describe the daily hellish situations that he has to go through, including not being able to maintain Google account, Amazon, Apple, not being able to use any credit cards, especially the [United States] credit cards. Basically, his whole life is upside down, and there seem to be no real protection for him even as a French citizen. And do you have any comments on that? He's not the only one, but there's also... Spokesman : Sadly, he's not the only person linked to the International Criminal Court who's been placed under unilateral sanctions. As you know, the ICC is separate from the Secretariat. That being said, we believe that the International Criminal Court is a very important element of the international justice system. It was set up by Member States. We don't believe that its members should be targeted by unilateral sanctions, which as I think as the article says and as we know, have a deep impact on people and their families. Question : Which message do you believe this actually sends for people who work on human rights, for people who doing actually their job? Spokesman : I mean, let's be honest, it sends a pretty chilling message. Question : I have another question. The Israeli Government-backed bill to prohibit provision of electricity or water to facilities owned by or operated on behalf of UNRWA passed the first reading in the Knesset yesterday. Any comment on that? Spokesman : Look, we're not going to comment on bills that are in the process of various parliaments. We do believe in the inviolability of UN premises, and that includes those premises being able to have access to water. Dezhi? Question : A couple of questions. First, on West Bank. The Israeli civil administration seems to announce an intention to get a large part of Sebastia, an archaeological site in the West Bank. Do you consider that a legal move? Spokesman : I think we've seen the press reports of intention. I think we have been very clear in our opposition to the seizing of land in this matter. Question : Okay. Another issue, we know there's a tension between US and Venezuela. And currently, I think both presidents, President [Nicolas] Maduro, as well as President Trump, it seems they are willing to talk to each other. Does the UN encourage such talks, even if probably the purpose of the talk is to oust President Maduro? Spokesman : Look. We don't know what the purpose of the talks are. But, obviously, dialogue between two countries where there is a heightened tension which is the case is to be welcomed. We obviously continue to follow, I think, with grave concern, the developments in the Southern Caribbean, the increasingly confrontational rhetoric, and the heightened risk of regional unease. We call on all stakeholders to create opportunities for dialogue and engage in efforts to find a peaceful way forward. Madam? Question : Do you have any news about your colleagues, UN colleagues detained by Houthis? Spokesman : No. No positive news to report. Question : Okay. Related to Congo, I have another question. You said that the situation is escalating. Does the United Nations have any recommendation to the Security Council to take action? Spokesman : Sorry, to which situation? I didn't... Correspondent : The Congo. Spokesman : In the Congo? I mean, it's not... I think what I outlined was a horrific, horrific situation, that is all too often happening away from the eyes of journalists, away from the eyes of the international community. That's why we want to bring it to the forefront. We want people to pay attention. It is important that the regional powers cooperate. It is important that the armed groups lay down their arms and that those who are responsible for these crimes that are beyond words be brought to justice. Okay. Any questions online? All right. Yes, Linda? Correspondent : Yes, I have a question. Spokesman : Oh, yes, Stefano, please. Question : Thank you. Just a second. Okay. Stephane, thank you. On the 2021 killings of the Italian ambassador, [Luca] Attanasio, in Congo, new material given to Italian prosecutors suggest the ambush happened near a mining site reportedly run by a Russian company and possibly linked to the attack. Since the convoy was under WFP control, will the UN review its findings in light of this new lead? And will it fully cooperate with Italian authorities, if asked? Spokesman : I had not seen that report. I can tell you that we have and we will continue to cooperate within the Italian authorities' established framework. Linda Fasulo? Question : Thank you, Steph. It's in regard to the SG and the Sudan. He said that he's calling on the G20 members to use their influence and voices to end the conflicts that are causing so much death and destruction around the world. And of course, he says we need peace in Sudan. I was wondering, if there has been any contact perhaps between the Americans and the UN... Spokesman : I mean, I know Tom Fletcher has been in regular contact with Mr. [Massad] Boulos, one of Mr. Trump's envoys. And I also understand Mr. [Ramtane] Lamamra is in touch with all the relevant parties. Ibtisam, let's just keep going until Monday. Question : What's happened to the post of Middle East envoy? Spokesman : You mean the Special Coordinator? Yes, it is still under recruitment. Question : For how long? Spokesman : How long has it been under recruitment? I think you know that. It will stop being under recruitment when we announce a person for that post. And in my exuberant marking of World Television Day, I forgot the people who make all of this happen, which is our colleagues at UNTV, I and want to thank them, and wish them a happy World Television Day. And on that note, I wish you a happy weekend. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN decries 'truly horrific' massacres in DR Congo 21 November 2025 - Seventeen civilians, including women in labour and patients receiving care, were slaughtered inside a Catholic Church-run health centre in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last week. The UN described it as one of the most appalling attacks in a new wave of violence by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed extremist rebel group. Four wards housing patients were set ablaze during the assault in Byambwe, a remote community about 60 kilometres west of Lubero in the restive North Kivu province, which has been plagued by fighting between a plethora of armed groups and national security forces for years. Coordinated killings The Byambwe killings were part of a series of coordinated attacks carried out between 13 and 19 November in several localities of Lubero Territory. According to information gathered on the ground by UN human rights staff from the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, 89 civilians were killed in total, including at least 20 women and an undetermined number of children. Other areas hit by the violence include Mabiango, Tunarudi, Sambalysa, Thucha and Butsili, where abuses ranged from abductions and the looting of medical supplies to the burning of homes and the destruction of property. UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told Friday's briefing in New York that "as we dig deeper, and as we have sent people there, the information we have received is truly horrific." The UN extended its condolences to the affected families and communities, stressing that attacks on civilians, particularly medical facilities, may amount to war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Solidarity with victims "We express our solidarity with all those affected," Mr. Dujarric said. "Violence committed against civilians, including the targeting of medical facilities, may constitute war crimes." MONUSCO said it remains fully committed to supporting Congolese authorities in protecting civilians, preventing further human rights violations and combating impunity. The stabilization mission urged national authorities to promptly open independent and credible investigations to identify those responsible for the massacres and bring them to justice. It also renewed its call for armed groups operating in the region to lay down their weapons unconditionally. Mr. Dujarric said that "all too often", massacres of the kind reported in Lubero "happen away from the eyes of journalists, away from the eyes of the international community." He called on regional powers to cooperate and for armed groups to disarm, "so that those who are responsible for these crimes that are beyond words [can] be brought to justice." Who are the ADF? The Allied Democratic Forces are an armed group of Ugandan origin that has operated in eastern DRC for decades. Known for brutal attacks on civilians, the ADF has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is considered one of the deadliest non-State armed organisations in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The highly anticipated meeting was cordial despite months of personal attacks: I expect to be helping him, not hurting him, said the president about the mayor-elect of New York City They both come from the same neighborhood, Queens, but they inhabit planets separated by light-years. Or maybe not so much. In one of the most successful videos of the campaign that took him to the New York City mayors office, Zohran Kwame Mamdani went to certain areas of the city where Donald Trump improved his numbers in the 2024 election to ask people why they had voted for the Republican candidate in the presidential election. The reasons they gave himwhich can be summarized in one, the intolerable cost of livingare not far removed from those that will lead Mamdani to become, starting in January, the first Muslim and socialist mayor of the most populous city in the United States. The two worldsthat of the real estate mogul and that of the politician who won by proposing a rent freeze for 2.5 million people living in rent-controlled apartmentscollided this Friday in Washington, on the occasion of Mamdanis first visit to the White House. I expect to be helping him, not hurting him a big help, Trump said after a meeting that seemed to have gone well, judging by how they treated each other in front of the press. I feel very confident that he can do a good job. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people actually. It was a meeting requested by the mayor-elect after months of attacks from Trump, who insists on calling him a communist (he is not), and after the cry of resistance launched by Mamdani on the night of his election victory, during a speech in which he appealed directly to the President of the United States. Donald Trump, I know youre watching. I have only four words for you: Turn up the volume! Mamdani exclaimed. New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant, continued the young politician, who was born in Kampala, Uganda. To get to any one of us, youll have to get through all of us, he warned Trump, in what could be interpreted as a reference to the raids against undocumented immigrants that have spread throughout the country. The day before, Trump had posted a message on social media expressing his support for former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who had to reinvent himself as an independent after his resounding and unexpected defeat in the June primaries. The president hinted at the time that he would pressure the mayor-elect by withdrawing federal funding from the city or by sending in the National Guard, as he has done before with left-leaning cities like Los Angeles and New York. Less drama Despite these tense precedents, Mamdanis team sought to downplay the situation ahead of Fridays meeting. As is customary for an incoming city administration, the mayor-elect plans to meet with the president in Washington to discuss public safety, economic stability, and the affordable housing agenda that more than one million New Yorkers approved just two weeks ago, Mamdani spokeswoman Dora Pekec said in a statement Thursday. Knowing Trumps weakness for other peoples charisma, something Mamdani has proven he possesses in abundance, they anticipated a face-off that wouldnt be as tense as months of back-and-forth statements had suggested. In the hours leading up to the debate, Trump predicted in a radio interview that they would get along and that they both want the same thing: a strong New York. Clearly, Trump feels threatened by Mamdani, explained Gustavo Gordillo, co-chair of the New York faction of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), under whose banner the candidate launched his mayoral bid, in a telephone interview on Friday. He knows of Mamdanis talent and abilities and understands that he has a very broad base; with more than 1 million votes, he achieved the highest percentage in a mayoral election in over 50 years. Trump is a New Yorker, so he knows the city and is well aware that what he has achieved is not easy. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition It's time for leadership and vision, Guterres tells G20 in South Africa 21 November 2025 - A South African flag-coloured King Protea flower - symbolising hope and regeneration - is the chosen logo for this year's G20 Leaders' Summit, taking place on African soil for the first time. "Now is the time for leadership and vision," the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told journalists in Johannesburg on Friday, a day ahead of the official opening. The G20 bloc is made up of the world's largest economies, although the United States has announced it will not officially participate. This year's summit highlights the need for climate adaption and sustainable financing, under the theme "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability." The UN chief is attending the summit to push for economic and climate action, as well as an end to spiralling conflicts around the world. 'Woefully under-represented' Developing countries, in particular in Africa, are suffering from a shrinking fiscal space, crushing debt burdens and a global financial architecture that is failing them, Mr. Guterres said. He lamented that after decades of colonial rule, the continent remains "woefully under-represented" in global institutions. "The G20 can help repair this historic injustice and drive reforms that give developing countries - and Africa in particular - a real voice in shaping global policies, and make global economic governance more inclusive, representative, equitable and effective in the years ahead," he said. Economic action Mr. Guterres called on the G20 to live up to commitments made in June at the Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, where countries promised to unlock more finance to drive sustainable growth. That would entail tripling the lending power of multilateral development banks, reducing borrowing costs and enabling developing countries to mobilise domestic resources. Climate action Countries have failed to keep temperatures to the 1.5 degrees Celcius temperature rise limit, Mr. Guterres cautioned. "Avoiding more climate chaos means bridging the adaptation gap - urgently" and that requires a scale up of financing, namely, the doubling of adaptation financing to at least $40 billion this year. He added that while 90 per cent of new power capacity is coming from renewables, while global investment in clean energy reached $2 trillion last year, only a negligeable proportion went to Africa. "Africa should be at the heart of this clean energy revolution," he pressed. Action for peace Listing some of the most devastating conflicts around the world including in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and Gaza, Mr. Guterres called for G20 members to use their influence to end the fighting. "Everywhere - from Haiti to Yemen to Myanmar and beyond - we must choose peace anchored in international law," he concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Jamaica UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Gaza: UN, partners deliver vital aid, despite ongoing impediments The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that the ongoing humanitarian scale-up in Gaza* - made possible by the ceasefire - is still being held back by restrictions affecting visas and import approvals, too few crossing points operating, and limited facilitation of humanitarian movements inside the Strip, among other impediments. Between 12 and 18 November, the UN and its partners tried to coordinate just over 50 humanitarian movements with the Israeli authorities. Most were to collect cargo from the three crossings that were open. Others were for search-and-rescue work, road repairs, assessments and clearances, or to deploy staff. OCHA says that most of these movements were facilitated - but over a third were either denied or initially approved but then impeded on the ground. During that same seven-day period, the UN and its partners collected more than 10,600 metric tons of aid from the crossings, according to preliminary data on the online dashboard operated by the UN 2720 Mechanism. However, even with Zikim now open, this is still not higher than in previous weeks. That is because the UN and its partners are only allowed to offload and collect cargo at Zikim and Kissufim on an alternating schedule. Meanwhile, supplies from Kerem Shalom continue to be directed through the Philadelphi Corridor and along the Al Rasheed coastal road - which is congested and limits the size of convoys. Salah ad Din Road remains closed to humanitarian movements. Despite these challenges, humanitarian teams in Gaza are still doing everything they can to support people in need. Yesterday, the UN and its partners concluded the first round of the catch-up immunization campaign, which began on 9 November. The World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNRWA - who led this effort with partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance - say that over 13,700 children were vaccinated. The campaign also included malnutrition screening. Out of more than 6,800 children screened, over 500 were found to be acutely malnourished and referred to the nearest nutrition facility. Preparations are already underway for rounds two and three of the vaccination campaign, to make sure that boys and girls receive all the doses they need for full protection. Meanwhile, on Monday and Tuesday, teams distributed 121,000 towels, more than 2,800 dignity and hygiene kits, nearly 4,800 handwashing stations, 1,000 buckets, 225 jerry cans and 13 water tanks - benefiting some 400,000 people. This is on top of more than 10,000 tents, 130,000 tarpaulins, 150,000 bedding kits and 1,000 kitchen sets distributed over six days - between 13 and 18 November. West Bank: settler violence, Israeli operations continue at alarming levels OCHA warns that the level of violence in the West Bank remains deeply concerning - causing casualties, property damage, displacement, loss of livelihoods, and a strong sense of insecurity. This week, the number of Palestinian children killed in 2025 reached 50. That includes two girls - the youngest just two years old. Overall, more than 200 Palestinians have now been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year. In just one week - between 11 and 17 November - OCHA documented 29 attacks by settlers that led to 11 injuries and damaged 10 homes, two mosques, nearly two dozen vehicles and a wide range of agricultural assets - including livestock, seasonal crops, and roughly 1,000 trees and saplings. In the northern West Bank, large-scale operations by Israeli forces continue, leaving tens of thousands in prolonged displacement, causing additional school closures, and further tightening movement restrictions. In the town of Ya'bad, where Israeli forces have been operating for two weeks now, 55 people whose homes were taken over have been newly displaced. To address people's needs in that area, the UN and its partners are providing multi-purpose cash to families displaced or otherwise affected. So far this year, over 10,000 households have received this support. Just last week, with winter around the corner, Humanitarian Coordinator Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov allocated US$100,000 from the occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund so that displaced families in the northern West Bank can buy warm clothing through e-vouchers. OCHA continues to call for the protection of civilians - which includes enforcing the law against anyone who carries out attacks - and for lethal force to be used only in strict accordance with internationally agreed law enforcement standards. War-like tactics must not be tolerated as the new normal in the West Bank. *Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support. Ukraine Drone strikes pose growing risk to aid operations OCHA says that the UN and its partners continue to deliver critical aid across Ukraine amid increasing risks. On 19 November, a warehouse of the World Food Programme (WFP) was damaged during a drone attack on the city of Dnipro. No one was injured, but at least 10,000 boxes of food - intended for civilians near the front line - were destroyed. Partners report that drone strikes affecting humanitarian organizations have nearly tripled between January and October this year, compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, attacks continue across the country. Strikes hit Zaporizhzhia and Odesa between yesterday and today. Authorities report five dead and more than a dozen injured, among them two children. Hostilities in the regions of Kherson, Donetsk, Dnipro and Kharkiv also caused several civilian casualties, as well as damage to energy infrastructure. In the city of Ternopil, rescue operations continue after the deadly strike on 19 November. The latest reports from authorities indicate that 30 civilians died, including six children. Humanitarian organizations are mobilized and providing emergency support, including medical and psychological aid, as well as emergency shelter. Meanwhile, OCHA reports that today, a UN humanitarian convoy delivered a charging station, solar lamps, dry food products and hygiene supplies to a front-line community in the Kherson region, where critical services are heavily impacted by hostilities. Jamaica Humanitarians step up response as access improves OCHA says that three weeks after Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, the UN and its partners continue to support Government-led response efforts, with more than 90 organizations now engaged. Response operations have been stepped up as access improves. Emergency medical teams and mobile clinics have been deployed, allowing critical services to resume despite damaged infrastructure. Public health teams are also scaling up water-quality testing and environmental health inspections. UNAIDS is working with the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization so that HIV treatment and psychosocial services continue. More than 45,000 food kits have been distributed so far, supporting over 140,000 people. WFP is also working with the Government to prepare a transition to cash-based assistance. Meanwhile, more than 100 emergency shelters remain open. Flooding persists, which is delaying the reopening of schools and further damaging agricultural roads and infrastructure. The floods are also increasing risks to public health due to growing concerns over contaminated water. Posted on 21 November 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. - Italian Partnership Supports USAF's Future of Undergraduate Pilot Training Program Published Nov. 21, 2025 By Bryanna Richards Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs DECIMOMANNU AIR BASE, Italy -- U.S. Air Force student pilots conduct T-346A Master Jet Trainer simulation training during the undergraduate flying training program Small Group Tryout at the International Flight Training School, Decimomannu Air Base, Italy. U.S. Air Force student pilots conduct T-346A Master Jet Trainer simulation training during the undergraduate flying training program Small Group Tryout at the International Flight Training School, Decimomannu Air Base, Italy. The inaugural program is designed to test modernized syllabi and streamlined training timelines with the goal of reducing pilot certification to less than one year. (Courtesy photo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The U.S. Air Force and the Italian air force have partnered to execute an undergraduate flying training program Small Group Tryout at the International Flight Training School, Decimomannu Air Base, Italy. Ten U.S. students who first attended civilian flight school-led Initial Pilot Training are now enrolled at the International Flight Training School to complete a 133-day Basic Jet Training course in the T-346A Master Jet Trainer. Upon graduation, they will earn their U.S. Air Force pilot wings. "This initiative is expected to provide valuable data for optimizing pilot training methods as we prepare to ramp up the T-7A," said Col. Corey Hogue, Capability Requirements Division chief, Air Education and Training Command. "Not only will we gather data on the effectiveness of our proposed syllabus, but we can also validate the feasibility of sending trainees directly from IPT to train in a modern training aircraft, like the T-7A Redhawk." "Sending these 10 students to Italy is the closest way we have to test the syllabus we have designed," said Brig. Gen. Matthew Leard, director of Plans, Programs, Requirements and International Affairs. "After receiving some data and seeing how well the students are performing, I'm pretty excited." After completion of the Basic Jet Training course, some students will be selected to complete advanced training at Decimomannu Air Base as fighter pilot candidates. These students will undergo an additional 135-day T-346 course before progressing to U.S. fighter formal training units. The remaining students will train stateside in mobility, special operations, or command and control platforms. This marks the first instance of students progressing directly from civilian-instruction IPT to fast-jet training using a single military trainer. The exchange provides an opportunity to assess the future of the service's undergraduate pilot training program, which aims to produce 1,500 new pilots annually by streamlining the pipeline for combat aircraft from the current 528 days to approximately 364. The effort will also help define potential roles for the T-7A in future pilot training pipelines, including assessing performance metrics for optimization, comparing training outcomes across platforms, and evaluating advanced simulation capabilities for integration into real-world training scenarios. This initiative, combined with coordination with Formal Training Units, is designed to increase the throughput of pilots advancing to their operational platforms while enhancing the overall quality and readiness of Airmen entering the force. The program will conclude in June 2026, providing AETC with valuable lessons to refine the pilot training pipeline and fully leverage the capabilities of the T-7A. The first T-7A aircraft is set to arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph in early December. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Astute financial management leads to $82.9 billion Fiscal Year 2025 execution Published Nov. 21, 2025 By Marisa Alia-Novobilski Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- The Air Force Materiel Command closed out fiscal year 2025 executing $82.9 billion across its entire portfolio, demonstrating sound resource planning and astute financial management in support of Department of the Air Force and warfighter needs. From Operation and Maintenance to Central Asset Management, Investment, Working Capital Funds and more, AFMC teams closed out the fiscal year 99% or more obligated across all areas. "There's much for our command to be proud of at every echelon," said Brig. Gen. Jason Corrothers, director, AFMC Financial Management, and Comptroller. "We overcame a number of challenges in 2025, including navigating a first-ever full year Continuing Resolution and a dynamic resource landscape. Many hands make for light work, and I'm thankful for all the hands that made FY25 a success in the face of so many challenges. It'll be those same hands that will be needed in FY26 as we continue to power the world's greatest Air Force." The following summarizes key metrics from FY25, including a recap of the AFMC Contracting and Small Business portfolios. Operation and Maintenance The AFMC O&M team executed 99.9% of its $3.3 billion portfolio in FY25, overcoming the challenges of the year-long Continuing Resolution and impacts of the civilian deferred resignation and retirement programs. At the start of September, the team identified $119 million in Unfunded Requirements. Engagement with AFMC centers and installations to realign funding, along with a $61 million input from Secretary of the Air Force funding, provided for the execution of $81.1 million in the final month of the fiscal year to support 75 requirements. Key funding highlights: Enterprise Select Class II Equipment ($27 million) Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems - C-sUAS ($12 million) Base Communication Requirements ($11 million) Logistics Information Technology - LOG-IT ($8.7 million) Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System - DEAMS ($8 million) The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center concluded the fiscal year with 99.8% of its $9.4 billion portfolio obligated. Their portfolio consists of $8.7 billion for the U.S. Air Force and $700 million for the U.S. Space Force. View the details of their fiscal year. Centralized Asset Management The AFMC CAM team executed nearly 100% of its $21.1 billion portfolio, closing out the fiscal year with only $1.90 remaining in the Flying Hour Program. The team resourced $1.2 billion in program disconnects throughout the year, including a final-hour execution of $6.9 million in funds for E-4 Combat Logistics Support spares. The CAM portfolio includes Weapons System Sustainment and the Flying Hour Program. Weapons System Sustainment highlights: Critical parts support for the T-6, E-4 and F-22 platforms ($319.6 million). Intercontinental Ballistic Missile integration ($36 million) E-3 Programmed Depot Maintenance ($24.9 million) Advanced manufacturing and repair ($20.5 million) VC-25A aircraft ($19.3 million) Flying Hour Program highlights: Transitioned $6.3 billion FHP portfolio into DEAMS Reimbursable Funds Managed ($455 million) Over 755,000 Air Force flight hours supported Investment Portfolio The Investment team, including the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation and Procurement portfolios, ended the fiscal year over 99% obligated across all accounts. The RDT&E $25.3 billion portfolio supported advanced nuclear modernization efforts such as the B-21, Sentinel and Long-Range Standoff programs and invested in future capabilities including Next-Generation Air Dominance and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The Procurement portfolio of $24.6 billion focused on sustainment of key platforms and advanced munitions in alignment with strategic priorities. These included the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile, Joint Direct Attach Munition and Small Diameter Bomb I and II. Working Capital Fund In support of enterprise business operations, the WCF team successfully executed a $23.8 billion budget in the Consolidated Sustainment Activity Group and Supply Management Activity Group - Retail, General Support Division. Notably, the WCF chartered a path in FY25 to ensure greater fidelity in WSS programming for the organic depot maintenance workload. Partnering with the AFMC Logistics, Civil Engineering, Force Protection and Nuclear Integration directorate, the WCF team accelerated verification of WSS requirements by the Air Logistics Complexes to support better funding decisions and avoid pre-programming losses through underrepresented labor hours and costs. In addition, funding trade space was identified and returned to the WSS enterprise, representing 496,188 man-hours, valued at $161.7 million. Contracting Portfolio The AFMC Contracting team obligated $69.4 billion in Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts, executing 57,600 FAR-based contract actions. This represents 74.6% of total Air Force spending and 53% of all Air Force actions. Additionally, the contracting team obligated $1.93 billion in assistance instrument actions, with 3,126 executed. In addition to external actions, the AFMC contracting team led several enterprise initiatives with far reaching impacts across the Department of the Air Force. The creation of a GPC Freeze Team aligned efforts of 10 AFMC installations with Executive Order 14222, providing guidance to more than 5,000 cardholders across the command. This team ensured compliance and operational capability, resolving 140 trailing transactions and eliminating 1,316 redundant GPC accounts, ultimately streamlining procurement operations. The launch of the inaugural DAF Contracting Procurement Integrity Act Violation Report identified workforce trends and training needs across DAF Contracting organizations. This new tool enables rapid remediation to help reinforce awareness and understanding of PIA requirements for the acquisition workforce. Finally, AFMC's CON-IT initiative expanded significantly in FY25, rendering it the most prevalent contract writing system across the command portfolio, with more than half of all obligations and actions occurring within it. CON-IT supported $45 billion in obligations across 35,370 actions, which is a significant increase over FY24. Small Business Portfolio The AFMC Small Business team had another record year in FY25, with $10.7 billion in awards, which is an increase of 4.23% over FY24. Records were also set in the Small Disadvantaged Business ($4.07 billion), Women Owned Small Business ($1.48 billion), and HUBZone ($624 million) categories. The value of new Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer awards increased by 157% over FY24, with $2.85 billion in new Phase III contracts. These awards play a key role in the transition of new technologies and capabilities to the warfighter. Additionally, AFMC's Air Force Life Cycle Management Center ($4.9 billion), Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center ($238 million), Air Force Sustainment Center ($1.5 billion) and Air Force Test Center ($1.3 billion) all set records in small business spend for FY25, with AFTC exceeding the billion-dollar mark in small business obligations for the first time. Fiscal Year 26 Way Forward The FY26 Execution Plan is already in motion, with headquarters teams working with the field to position the command for success this fiscal year. The focus remains on strategic resource planning across the portfolio to ensure AFMC's critical missions in support of the warfighter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Coast Guard Cutter Tampa returns home after 67-day counterdrug patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean United States Coast Guard Press Release | Nov. 21, 2025 PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Tampa (WMEC 902) returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Friday, following a 67-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the counterdrug mission "Operation Pacific Viper." Tampa's crew deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force - South and conducted counterdrug missions in the Coast Guard's Eastern Pacific area of responsibility. While at sea, Tampa's crew successfully contributed to protecting Americans by countering transnational criminal organizations and preventing dangerous and illegal narcotics from reaching the United States. The crew worked alongside Coast Guard Cutter Stone (WMSL 758) and their embarked Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron. On Oct. 8, approximately 270 nautical miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Tampa intercepted a 40-foot low-profile vessel suspected of carrying Illicit narcotics. Tampa's crew intercepted three suspected smugglers, transferring them to Stone. After recovering about 620 kilograms of the cocaine, the boarding team disembarked because the vessel became unseaworthy after it started taking on water. Tampa's crew conducted a controlled sinking to prevent the vessel from becoming a hazard to navigation. Tampa made port calls in San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands, hosting members of the Ecuadorian coast guard for tours, and in Panama City, Panama. On Nov. 2, the crew anchored near Isla de Cocos, Costa Rica, exchanging professional experiences with Costa Rican park rangers. This exchange strengthened international relations with Costa Rica and demonstrated the Coast Guard's commitment to building partnerships throughout the region. "I am extremely proud of our crew's dedication and professionalism during this challenging deployment," said Cmdr. Joshua DiPietro, commanding officer of Tampa. "The Tampa crew displayed exceptional seamanship, tactical expertise and cultural sensitivity while operating across two oceans. Their efforts directly contributed to disrupting criminal networks, keeping dangerous narcotics from reaching American communities and strengthening vital partnerships with our regional partners." Tampa is a 270-foot Famous-class medium endurance cutter commissioned in 1984. The cutter's primary missions include counterdrug and migrant interdiction operations, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue operations in support of Coast Guard missions throughout the Western Hemisphere. Tampa operates under U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, based in Portsmouth, Virginia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Asheville Returns Home to Naval Base Guam US Navy 21 November 2025 From Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 NAVAL BASE GUAM (Nov. 18, 2025) -- Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) returned to Naval Base Guam, reaffirming the submarine force's forward presence and readiness across the Indo-Pacific, Nov. 18, 2025. "Asheville returns home to Guam, ready to once again serve as a vital part of our forward-deployed undersea arsenal," said Capt. Neil Steinhagen, commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen. "Naval Base Guam is a strategic outpost and the foundation of our undersea strength in the Western Pacific, and Asheville's return directly enhances that combat-ready posture. True to their motto, 'From the Mountains, to the Seas,' Asheville's crew is now back at the tip of the spear, sharpening our readiness and advancing our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." Forward deployed to Guam in 2017, Asheville has completed multiple Western Pacific deployments and strengthened undersea partnerships across the region, including a 2023 port visit to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. With its return, the submarine and crew resume their role in supporting missions vital to national security and reinforcing deterrence across the Indo-Pacific. "The crew is excited to be home in Guam!" said Cmdr. Mike DeBoer, commanding officer, USS Asheville. "These Sailors have worked incredibly hard to get back home and return Asheville to the fleet. We couldn't be more excited to rejoin the operational submarine force. Asheville returns to Guam more lethal than when we left, and we can't wait to contribute to pressing America's undersea advantage." Asheville's homecoming also featured the Navy's traditional "first kiss" and "first hug" ceremonies, with Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Troy Kress receiving the first kiss and Chief Fire Control Technician Kenneth Huntley receiving the first hug. Commissioned Sept. 28, 1991, USS Asheville is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name, honoring the city of Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is one of five fast-attack submarines forward-deployed to Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam. Renowned for their unparalleled speed, endurance, stealth, and mobility, fast-attack submarines are the backbone of the Navy's submarine force. Regarded as apex predators of the sea, Guam's fast-attack submarines serve at the tip of the spear, helping to reaffirm the submarine force's forward-deployed presence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 21 November 2025 - Day 1367 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 234 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively give an offence to the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory. Russian zagarbniki made 25 aviation strikes, dropping 82 controlled bombs. In addition, 1811 kamikaze drones were recruited for impressions and carried out 2,829 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, there have been 20 combat clashes with Russian zagarbnikami, three of which are still ongoing. The Russian enemy carried out 79 shelling of the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, one of which was from jet systems of salpovogo fire. Today, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 12 times in the South Slobozhansky direction in the areas of Sinelnikovoye, Vovchansk and in the directions of Kolodyazny, Dvorichansky and Kutkivka. In the direction of Kupyans komu, Russian forces today carried out six offensive actions towards Petropavlivka, Boguslavka and Pishany. One battle is still going on. In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 16 Russian assault actions in the areas of settlements of Kopanka, Grekivka, Karpivka, Shandrigolove, Novoselivka, Novomikhailivka, Torske and in the direction of settlements of Korovy Yar, New Mir, Shiykivka, Drobisheve, Stavki. Five more fights are currently ongoing. In the Slovak direction, the Russian enemy attacked 15 times near Serebryanka, Dronivka, Viimki and in the directions of Siversk, Svyato-Pokrovsky, Pazeno and Zvanivka. In the Kramators komu direction, the Russian opponent once attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of the time yar. 28 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. The Russian enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of settlements of Oleksandro-Shultine, Pleshiyivka, Scherbinivka, Kleban-Bik, Rusin Yar, Poltavka and in the directions of Ivanopil, Berestko, Predtechinyogo, Stepanivka and Sofiyivka. The two clashes are still ongoing. In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of this day, the Russian enemy attacked 62 times in the areas of settlements Shahove, Rodinske, Chervony Liman, Novoekonomicne, Kotline, Udaachne, Molodetske, Novomikolaivka, Lisivka, Dachne, Filia and in the directions of settlements Nove Shahove, Rivne, Mirnograd, Grishine and Novopavlivka. One combat encounter is underway. Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 132 Russian invaders were defecated, 100 of which - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed two combat armored cars, two motorcycles, four vehicles units, one ground robotic complex, 18 unmanned aircraft and one personnel shelter, hitting an automobile equipment unit and nine personnel shelters. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 27 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Ivanivka, Zeleny Gai, Andriyivka-Klevtsove, Yalta, Sichneve, Vorone, Stepovo, Verbove, Privilne, Voskresenka, Krasnogirsk and in the direction of Oleksiyivka. Three more attacks are underway. In the direction of Gulyaipil, the Russian aggressor nine times tried to go ahead on the position of Ukrainian troops in the area of Rivnopil and in the direction of Zatishya. The three clashes are still ongoing. The Russian enemy launched an air strike on Gulyaipol. In the Orihivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled eight attacks in the areas of Scherbakiv, Stepovoye and in the direction of Mala Tokmacka, Novodanilivka, Novoandriivka and Primorsky. In the Pridnipro direction, the Russian enemy made one unsuccessful attempt to approach the positions of Ukrainian units in the direction of Antonivsky Bridge. The Russian opponent caused an air strike on pridniprovsk. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in response to terrorist attacks launched by Ukraine against civilian facilities in Russia from 15 to 21 November, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out one massive and six group strikes, as a result of which enterprises of the defence industry of Ukraine and facilities of the fuel and power industry that supported the AFU, the transport infrastructure used in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly, storage, and preparation areas for the launch of attack unmanned aerial vehicles as well as temporary deployment areas of the AFU, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries were hit. During the week, units of the Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of one heavy mechanised brigade, three mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one infantry brigade, one air assault brigade, one assault regiment, one battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and one territorial defence brigade in Sumy region. In Kharkov direction, as a result of active actions, the Group's units liberated Dvurechanskoye and Tsegelnoye (Kharkov region). In addition, Russian troops hit formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two territorial defence brigades, one National Guard regiment, and border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. In the area of responsibility of the Sever Group of Forces, the enemy losses were more than 1,155 troops, one tank, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 85 motor vehicles, and eight field artillery guns. Seven electronic warfare stations and 31 ammunition and materiel depots were neutralised. As a result of active actions, units of the Zapad Group of Forces completed the liberation Kupyansk (Kharkov region) and continue to eliminate AFU formations encircled on the left bank of the Oskol River. In addition, Novoselovka, Stavki, Maslyakovka, Yampol (Donetsk People's Republic), and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region) were liberated. Russian troops launched attacks on five mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two territorial defence brigades, and one National Guard brigade. Over the past week, in the area of responsibility of the Zapad Group of Forces, the enemy losses were more than 1,570 troops, four tanks, 32 armoured fighting vehicles, 133 motor vehicles, and 13 field artillery guns. In addition, 29 ammunition depots and 58 electronic warfare stations were neutralised. As a result of decisive actions, units of the Yug Group of Forces liberated Platonovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian troops inflicted fie damage on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade. During the week, in this direction, the enemy losses were more than 1,195 troops, one tank, 21 armoured fighting vehicles, 115 motor vehicles, and 14 field artillery guns. In addition, 12 electronic warfare stations as well as 26 ammunition, fuel, and materiel depots were neutralised. The Tsentr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops delivered strikes at formations of six mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, two infantry brigades, three air assault brigades, two jaeger brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two marine brigades, two territorial defence brigades, and three National Guard brigades. In Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic), assault detachments of the 2nd Army continue to eliminate encircled formations of the AFU in Tsentralny and Gornyak districts as well as in the western industrial area. Russian troops continue to mop up Rovnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, Russian servicemen repelled six attacks on armoured vehicles of the units of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade, the 95th Air Assault Brigade, and the 210st Assault Regiment of the AFU in the area of Grishino (Donetsk People's Republic). Ukrainian troops tried to deblock an encircled enemy group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Up to 50 militants, one tank, and two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers were neutralised. In Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), assault detachments of the 51st Army continue active offensive actions in the eastern, western, and southern areas of the city. In addition, Russian troops thwarted five attempts of formations of the 35th Marine Brigade to escape from the encirclement in a northern direction with the support of armoured vehicles. Up to 25 troops and four armoured fighting vehicles were neutralised. From 15 to 21 November, near Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), more than 1,700 troops, two tanks, 30 armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and 10 field artillery guns were neutralised. Over the past week, in the area of responsibility of the Tsentr Group of Forces, the enemy losses were more than 3,165 troops, four tanks, 39 armoured fighting vehicles, 45 motor vehicles, 10 field artillery guns, and two electronic warfare stations. Over the past week, units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences and completed the liberation of Gai, Nechayevka, and Radostnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region) as well as Yablokovo, Ravnopolye, and Veseloye (Zaporozhye region). In addition, Russian troops hit manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, two assault brigades, four assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades. During the week, in this direction, the AFU losses were up to 1,790 troops, two tanks, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 64 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns. What is more, four electronic warfare stations and three ammunition depots were neutralised. As a result of active and decisive actions, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces liberated Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region). Russian troops launched attacks on formations of one mechanised brigade, one mountain assault brigade, one coastal defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade. The AFU losses were up to 550 troops, two tanks, 12 armoured fighting vehicles, 81 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns. In addition, 46 electronic warfare stations and 28 ammunition and materiel depots have been neutralised. Over the past week, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces destroyed two HIMARS MLRS launchers and two U.S.-made MLRS launchers. Air defence systems shot down four U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, four Storm Shadow cruise air-to-surface missiles, 15 guided aerial bombs, four U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, two Neptune long-range guided missiles as well as 1,089 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. The Black Sea Fleet destroyed two AFU uncrewed surface vehicles in the north-eastern part of the Black Sea. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost 668 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 97,638 unmanned aerial vehicles, 637 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,156 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,618 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,452 field artillery guns and mortars, and 47,253 special military vehicles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 9 Squadron flies again By Flying Officer Shanea Zeegers 20 November 2025 9 Squadron has officially reformed, marking its proud return to Air Force service with a ceremony at Torrens Parade Ground, South Australia. The event honoured the squadron's Vietnam War veterans and celebrated the arrival of a restored Bell UH-1 Iroquois 'Huey' helicopter, a symbol of the unit's enduring legacy and the connection between past and present generations of aviators. The reformation also marked 100 years since the squadron's birth in 1925, when it began as 101 Fleet Co-operation Flight at Bowen, Queensland. From seaplanes to helicopters, and now the cutting-edge MQ-4C Triton, 9 Squadron's evolution reflects the adaptability, innovation and spirit of the Royal Australian Air Force. Commanding Officer 9 Squadron Wing Commander Lawry Benier said the day was a moment to reflect on the courage and mateship that defined the squadron's Vietnam service and to recognise those who shaped its history. "The proud legacy of 9 Squadron lives once again," Wing Commander Benier said. "To the Vietnam veterans of 9 Squadron, welcome back. This squadron is yours, and today we honour your legacy. "From the moment 9 Squadron deployed to Vung Tau in 1966, its members set the standard for how an Air Force unit should operate in war. You showed what it means to serve with courage, mateship and quiet determination." By the end of its Vietnam deployment, 9 Squadron had flown more than 237,000 missions - a testament to the skill, endurance and sacrifice of its members who served under constant threat in some of the most challenging conditions of modern warfare. "As we reflect on that service, we remember those members of 9 Squadron who paid the ultimate sacrifice," Wing Commander Benier said. "Their names and their courage are etched into our history and into the hearts of all who follow in their footsteps." Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz said the squadron's reformation signified both renewal and remembrance, bridging a century of service between the aviators of the past and those serving today. "The legacy of 9 Squadron has never faded and continues to inspire every aviator who serves under its banner today," he said. "With the arrival of the MQ-4C Triton, the squadron now delivers an unprecedented long-range, persistent and networked intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability." The ceremony was also an opportunity to honour those who served before, with the presentation of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation formally recognising the squadron's bravery. "To the veterans of 9 Squadron, we honour you and we thank you. Your actions will never be forgotten," Air Vice-Marshal Braz said. "9 Squadron flies again, and with it, the spirit of those who came before soars once more." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Squadron sees without being seen By Flight Lieutenant Grace Casey-Maughan 21 November 2025 9 Squadron has seen significant changes since its formation in 1939, and now operates the Air Force's newest remotely piloted aircraft system - the MQ-4C Triton. Formed in January 1939 at RAAF Base Richmond, 9 Squadron originally operated amphibious aircraft from Royal Australian Navy heavy and light cruisers during World War 2. In 1944, the squadron disbanded, closing this initial chapter of its history. In June 1962, the squadron was reformed at RAAF Base Williamtown, later moving to RAAF Base Fairbairn and RAAF Base Amberley. This time the purpose was to provide search and rescue, then airlift for the Australian Army. The squadron served in Vietnam, notably the Battle of Long Tan, and with the transfer of rotary wing aircraft to the Army, the squadron again disbanded in February 1989. In June 2023, 9 Squadron was reformed at RAAF Base Edinburgh (with a detachment at RAAF Base Tindal) to operate the brand new capability of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton. The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude remotely piloted aircraft system, which performs long-range, persistent and networked intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Introduction of the aircraft is a significant milestone for Air Force, and another very proud chapter in 9 Squadron history. Commanding Officer 9 Squadron Wing Commander Lawry Benier highlighted the significant history of the squadron. "9 Squadron has a long and proud history," Wing Commander Benier said. "It's flown Walruses and Seagulls in World War 2 with the Navy, then Vietnam flying the mighty Huey (Bell UH-1 Iroquois)." Introduction of the MQ-4C Triton took significant work from across Defence and Defence industry. "The Triton is quite different to most other capabilities in the Australian Defence Force," Wing Commander Benier said. "One of the key reasons is there are many pieces of the capability puzzle, both that fly and pieces that remain on the ground - these are all networked using our strategic communications infrastructure." Key milestones of its introduction included controlling the aircraft from Tindal and Edinburgh. Controlling the aircraft from RAAF Base Tindal, its first flight, was a significant event as it demonstrated for the first time Air Force's maturity to fly a large, highly integrated, uncrewed system. "While it was a broad team effort across many parts of Defence to lay the foundations for this, getting the MQ-4C airborne is a choreographed team activity between 9 Squadron aircrew and our maintenance partner Northrop Grumman Australia," Wing Commander Benier said. "As CO [commanding officer], it was immensely satisfying to see our plans being applied, and rewarding to achieve what many had worked towards." Controlling Triton from the Mission Control Station at RAAF Base Edinburgh demonstrated that Defence's integration efforts not only allowed control of the aircraft, but also its mission systems. "This was really rewarding to observe 9 Squadron mission crews to apply their skills in working across operating sites, and applying the MQ-4C against its mission roles," Wing Commander Benier said. "Shortly after this event, 9 Squadron participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, demonstrating some of what the MQ-4C can do to the integrated force." Being a large and complicated uncrewed aerial system (UAS), the MQ-4C Triton is a first of type for Defence's airworthiness system. While Defence has been thinking about the challenge of characterising risk and establishing safe UAS operations for many years, Triton's operating permit and subsequent flying operations demonstrate not only confidence in the system, but also the ability to operate it. The work that underpins this offers a repeatable template for other large UAS in future. Having achieved these milestones, the MQ-4C Triton capability is able to provide long-range, persistent and networked surveillance for Australia's denial strategy. "It goes a long way, it sees a long way, it stays there a long time, and it tells everyone what it sees," Wing Commander Benier said. "It's this collection of attributes that provides Defence with a reassuring eye in our region, and plenty of capacity to survey our maritime approaches and connections to the world." The introduction and sustainment of the new capability has been a truly integrated team effort, with Defence, Northrop Grumman and the US Navy the key stakeholders. "Air Force is partnered with Northrop Grumman Australia for the delivery and sustainment of the Triton," Wing Commander Benier said. "This partnership has been fantastic and we will continue to work together over the years ahead." Asked what came next for 9 Squadron, Wing Commander Benier highlighted the ongoing capability realisation, including a lot of learning. "The next things for 9 Squadron will be taking the Triton even further afield, putting it through all of its mission roles and enabling Defence to learn about its use," he said. "We've got a great deal of learning to do, and in the not too distant future we will take it on operations." The Australian Government has approved the acquisition of four MQ-4C Tritons, with the first three having already arrived, and the fourth anticipated in early 2028. "It's great that the albatross (9 Squadron badge) is once again airborne, flying the MQ-C4 Triton," Wing Commander Benier said. "The aviators of 9 Squadron will continue to see and not be seen." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsahkna to Tsikhanouskaya: Foreign Ministry will continue to support the democratic forces of Belarus Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 21.11.2025 | 19:44 On 21 November, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, who is visiting Estonia. Tsikhanouskaya also met with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Martin Roger and Undersecretary for Global Affairs Minna Liina Lind. The meetings focused on Estonia's continued support for the Belarusian opposition and on strengthening sanctions against the illegitimately elected leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and his regime. Tsahkna assured Tsikhanouskaya that Estonia is working consistently to ensure that additional sanctions are applied against the Belarusian regime, while at the same time increasing support for the country's democratic forces. "Our priority is to empower the democratic forces so that one day they can return to Belarus and initiate democratic processes there," Tsahkna said. According to Estonia's assessment, the Belarusian regime is supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine through various hybrid activities. "Estonia takes hybrid threats very seriously. The launching of balloons into Lithuanian airspace is yet another example of the Belarusian regime's behaviour, which we have seen before. We express our full solidarity with Lithuania, Poland and Latvia, who are most affected by Belarusian hybrid activities," Undersecretary Roger said. The meeting also covered the release of political prisoners in Belarus, including Estonian citizen and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's husband, Siarhei Tsikhanouski. "Estonia supports the release of all Belarusian political prisoners and emphasises that this must not be achieved by easing sanctions," Undersecretary Lind stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MODIFYING THE SCOPE OF TARIFFS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF BRAZIL Presidential Actions Executive Orders November 20, 2025 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby order: Section 1. Background. In Executive Order 14323 of July 30, 2025 (Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Brazil), I found that the scope and gravity of recent policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Brazil constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States that has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States. I declared a national emergency with respect to that threat and, to deal with that threat, I determined that it was necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty rate of 40 percent on certain articles of Brazil. Additionally, in Annex I to Executive Order 14323, I listed certain articles that, in my judgment, should not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed pursuant to that order. On October 6, 2025, I participated in a call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during which we agreed to begin negotiations to address the concerns identified in Executive Order 14323. These negotiations are ongoing. I also have received additional information and recommendations from various officials who, pursuant to my direction, have been monitoring the circumstances involving the emergency declared in Executive Order 14323. For example, in their opinion, certain agricultural imports from Brazil should no longer be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed under Executive Order 14323 because, among other relevant considerations, there has been initial progress in negotiations with the Government of Brazil. After considering the information and recommendations these officials have provided to me and the status of negotiations with the Government of Brazil, among other things, I have determined that it is necessary and appropriate to modify the scope of products subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed under Executive Order 14323. Specifically, I have determined that certain agricultural products shall not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed under Executive Order 14323. Accordingly, an updated version of Annex I to Executive Order 14323 is attached to this order, which shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 13, 2025. In my judgment, these modifications are necessary and appropriate to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14323. Sec. 2. Tariff Modifications. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States shall be modified as provided in Annex II to this order. The modifications shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on November 13, 2025. To the extent that implementation of this order requires a refund of duties collected, refunds shall be processed pursuant to applicable law and the standard procedures of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for such refunds. Sec. 3. Implementation. (a) The Secretary of State shall continue to monitor the circumstances involving the emergency declared in Executive Order 14323 and shall regularly consult on such circumstances with any senior official he deems appropriate. The Secretary of State shall inform me of any circumstance that, in his opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President. (b) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, the Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, and the Chair of the United States International Trade Commission, is directed to take all necessary actions to implement and effectuate this order, consistent with applicable law, and is hereby authorized to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of State may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate the authority set forth in this order within the Department of State. Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to carry out this order. Sec. 4. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of State. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, November 20, 2025. Click here to view Annex I and Annex II NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister McGuinty announces the first project under BOREALIS National Defence News release November 21, 2025 - Dartmouth, Nova Scotia - Department of National Defence/Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, alongside the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced the establishment of Canada's first Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH) at COVE in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The Government of Canada recognizes the need for independent and resilient defence capabilities to protect its sovereignty. As part of Canada's NATO commitments, it is actively engaging the Canadian innovation ecosystem and enhancing collaboration with like-minded partners. As part of this effort, the Government of Canada will invest $29.4M, to establish the Maritime DISH, a new hub focused on resilience and collaboration. This pilot initiative marks the beginning of a national network of secure, purpose-built spaces, where Canadian researchers and scientists and their trusted partners can co-develop, test, and validate emerging technologies requiring classified handling. These hubs will focus on critical areas of defence research and development essential to a resilient Canadian innovation industry. These areas include quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, autonomous systems, Arctic research, space, andin Atlantic Canadathe Maritime DISH will focus on ocean technology. The Maritime DISH will unite various defence and security partners, including industry, academia, naval and joint operators, and federal departments and agencies, to collaboratively develop, test, and transition new maritime technologies. Key areas of focus will include: undersea domain awareness; uncrewed and autonomous systems; advanced sensing and surveillance technologies; and AI-enabled maritime analytics. Canada is navigating a rapidly changing global environment where shifting power dynamics and advances in technology are affecting the foundations of Canadian security and prosperity. Now, more than ever, the Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada's sovereignty, security, and prosperity, and to driving economic growth, including through the enhancement of dual-use technologies and Canada's military capabilities through research and development. Quotes "Today's investment connects the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces with the next generation of Canadian innovators. We need to set up our industry for success - and we cannot do that if our armed forces and businesses are unable share critical information. As Canada rebuilds, rearms and reinvests in our armed forces, we will build a strong industry to support our workers and communities across the country" The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence "We need stronger homegrown tools to keep Canada safe, so our government is setting up a secure place in Dartmouth where experts can work on new ocean and defence technology. This new hub, called the Maritime DISH, will help protect our coastline and the Arctic. It also means more good jobs in our region and more chances for local companies to work directly with our Armed Forces." The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency "Atlantic Canada is a culture of innovation, and COVE, with its strategic location along the shores of Dartmouth, is helping drive Canada's ocean technology sector. The new Maritime DISH builds on this incredible work and will strengthen collaboration between innovators, researchers, and defence partners, reinforcing COVE's role as a national asset in advancing maritime security and technology. As I always say, companies and stakeholders in DartmouthCole Harbour are doing big things, and I'm thrilled that we will host this first-of-its-kind hub, creating new opportunities and supporting Canada's security for years to come." The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for DartmouthCole Harbour Quick facts Last month, the Department of National Defence's science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), signed collaboration agreements with COVE and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to launch this pilot. COVE is Canada's leading technology partner advancing high-impact solutions in the maritime domain - from seabed to space. Its mission is to move technology from prototype to deployment through real-world testing and validation, to support ventures' growth into sustainable businesses, and to ensure the right talent is in place to succeed. The Halifax Regional Municipality provides an excellent backdrop to support the Maritime DISH moving forward. With a thriving innovation ecosystem - sustaining more than 300 entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups - it is also home to several major universities and research centres, Canada's Atlantic naval fleet, and the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic North American regional office. The Department of National Defence continues to work closely with Canadian industry partners to build a strong and resilient defence industrial base that supports Canada's defence and economic needs for decades to come. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The First China-Kyrgyzstan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue Held Successfully in Bishkek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: November 20, 2025 09:22 On November 19, 2025 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the first strategic dialogue with Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Zheenbek Kulubaev in Bishkek. The two sides conducted comprehensive and in-depth communication on implementing the common understandings reached by the two heads of state and further synergizing development strategies, reached broad consensus, and jointly announced the launch of the Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue mechanism between the two countries. Wang Yi said that under the personal care and effort of President Xi Jinping and President Sadyr Japarov, China and Kyrgyzstan have witnessed continuously consolidated political mutual trust and in-depth development in all-round cooperation. The establishment of the strategic dialogue mechanism is a concrete step to implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state, which is conducive to further enhancing strategic mutual trust between the two sides, strengthening strategic coordination, and promoting strategic cooperation. China consistently advocates equality among all countries regardless of size, pursues a policy of good-neighborliness and friendship, and always prioritizes its relations with Kyrgyzstan in its neighborhood diplomacy. The remarkable development and changes in Bishkek over just a few years demonstrate that Kyrgyzstan has found a development path suited to its national conditions. China supports Kyrgyzstan in accelerating efforts to achieve national rejuvenation, and China remains the most trustworthy and reliable partner of Kyrgyzstan. The two sides should follow the guidance of the common understandings between the two heads of state, enhance high-level exchanges, pursue common development and shared prosperity, and bring more benefits to the peoples of both countries. Wang Yi said that the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) deliberated over and adopted the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, providing strategic guidance and top-level design for China's economic and social development in the next five years. China will continue to forge ahead with resolve to realize the Second Centenary Goal of building the country into a great modern socialist country as scheduled. This process will also bring more development opportunities and open up broader space for cooperation for Kyrgyzstan and other countries around the world. Wang Yi said that jointly building a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future featuring good-neighborliness, friendship, and shared prosperity serves the fundamental interests of both countries and meets the aspirations of the people and the trend of the times. China and Kyrgyzstan have already become a true community of development with a shared future. Bilateral trade has hit record highs for two consecutive years; construction has begun on the Kyrgyz section of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway; the Biedieli Port has commenced phased operations; and a new air route was launched recently. All-round cooperation between the two countries continues to enhance. The two sides should further tap into cooperation potential; strengthen the construction and promote the modernization of port infrastructure; and set up a committee on port management cooperation at an early date to facilitate cross-border transport. The two countries should also accelerate negotiations on agreements on trade in services and investment, and actively implement the cooperation agreement on green mineral investment. The two sides should give full play to the role of platforms such as the China Culture Center, Confucius Institutes, and Luban Workshops, and strengthen cooperation in such fields as tourism, poverty reduction, healthcare and education as well as at the sub-national level to consolidate the foundation of public support. The two sides should also reinforce cooperation in countering interference and infiltration, enhance intelligence sharing on counter-terrorism, and combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. Wang Yi said that during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forth the Global Governance Initiative, which received Kyrgyzstan's prompt support and positive responses from the international community. China is ready to work with Kyrgyzstan to jointly implement the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, deepen communication and collaboration in international affairs, strengthen such platforms as the SCO and the China-Central Asia mechanism, and enhance coordination and cooperation within the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. China fully supports Kyrgyzstan's work in its role as the SCO rotating presidency and looks forward to Kyrgyzstan's early accession to the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed). Zheenbek Kulubaev said that China is Kyrgyzstan's good neighbor, good friend, and good partner. President Sadyr Japarov paid a historic visit to China and held three meetings with President Xi Jinping this year, demonstrating the high level of mutual trust between the two sides. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Kyrgyzstan-China relations have been actively advancing on the basis of equality, respect, mutual benefit and friendship, making important contributions to the stability and development of both countries and the wider region. Kyrgyzstan appreciates China's strong support for its economic and social development and is willing to work with China to build a Kyrgyzstan-China community with a shared future following the direction set by the two heads of state. Kyrgyzstan abides by the one-China principle and will continue to firmly support China on all issues concerning China's core interests, including those related to Xinjiang, Xizang, and Hong Kong. Zheenbek Kulubaev said that Kyrgyzstan is willing to work with China to advance Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in various fields such as trade and investment, agriculture and mining, and connectivity, accelerate the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and continuously explore areas of converging interests between both sides. Kyrgyzstan welcomes and is willing to provide a favorable business environment for Chinese enterprises to develop in the country. Facing the complex changes in the international and regional situations, Kyrgyzstan is willing to closely cooperate with China, actively implement the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, strengthen coordination and cooperation at the United Nations, work for greater progress in the China-Central Asia mechanism, and safeguard the common interests of the region as well as international fairness and justice. Building on China's successful hosting of the SCO Tianjin Summit, Kyrgyzstan is committed to fulfilling its role as the rotating presidency of the SCO and hopes to receive strong support from China. Kyrgyzstan will also actively consider joining the IOMed. After the dialogue, the two sides issued the Joint Statement on the First Strategic Dialogue of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the Kyrgyz Republic and signed the Cooperation Program between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and Kyrgyzstan for 2026-2027. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM responds to claims of resurgence of 'wolf warrior diplomacy,' calls for more attention to Japan's true intentions Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 21, 2025 04:41 PM Asked to comment on claims of Chinese diplomats posting on social media regarding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan, including one sharing a series of cartoons, which some analysts claimed to be a resurgence of "wolf warrior diplomacy" and expressed concerns, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that Takaichi's blatantly erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan, which hinted at the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Straits, undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations and have aroused strong indignation and condemnation among the Chinese people. China firmly opposes this, said the spokesperson. "I think the international community should pay more attention to what Japan is really trying to achieve and whether Japan can still adhere to the path of peaceful development," Mao said, according to the Beijing Daily. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese PLA Navy task group arrives in Vietnam for friendly visit Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 21, 2025 10:12 PM Escorted by a Vietnamese naval vessel, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy Task Group 989, which is conducting a far-sea comprehensive training mission, arrived at Cam Ranh Port in Vietnam on Friday for a four-day friendly visit, according to the PLA Navy. The task group includes amphibious dock landing ship Changbaishan, naval training vessel Zheng He and comprehensive training vessel Xiangqianjin-1. They arrived at designated waters and formed a joint fleet with the Vietnamese vessel, docking at the port at around 10 am, the PLA Navy said in a post on its official WeChat account. More than 100 people, including staff from the Chinese embassy and consulates in Vietnam, representatives of local overseas Chinese, and officers and soldiers from Vietnamese Navy Region 4, welcomed the task group at the port. Cadets from Naval University of Engineering and the Naval Aeronautical University lined up on deck and greeted the crowd, according to the post. The Vietnamese side held a welcome ceremony at the port, where staff presented flower garlands to the commander of the Chinese task group, and commanders from both sides exchanged greetings. This is the third time that vessel Zheng He has visited Vietnam, and the first time for Changbaishan and Xiangqianjin-1 to visit the country, the PLA Navy said. During the visit, officers and sailors of the Chinese task group will pay courtesy calls, conduct visits, hold seminars, and participate in friendly ball games at Vietnamese Navy Region 4, the Vietnamese Naval Academy, and other institutions. The Changbaishan and the Zheng He will host ship open days, and a deck reception will be held on Monday aboard the Changbaishan, according to the post. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 39th China-Vietnam Joint Patrol in Beibu Gulf Concludes Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorLi Weichao Time2025-11-21 17:24:45 By Zhang Bin BEIJING, Nov. 21 -- The 39th joint patrol conducted by the Chinese and Vietnamese navies in the waters of the Beibu Gulf concluded on November 20, 2025. The joint patrol lasted for two days, covering a total distance of over 330 nautical miles. Both the Chinese and Vietnamese navies dispatched two light frigates to participate. The Chinese naval fleet consisted of the guided-missile frigate Guangyuan (Hull 649) and the Type 056A corvette Aba (Hull 630). Naval vessels from both sides rendezvoused in waters of the Beibu Gulf on November 19. The fleet then began patrolling along the maritime boundary line between China and Vietnam in the Beibu Gulf. During the joint patrol, the fleet monitored the maritime and air security situation in the Beibu Gulf. On November 20, the naval vessels from both sides conducted a joint search and rescue exercise simulating a scenario in which one fishing vessel from each country was in distress in the Beibu Gulf. The exercise effectively improved the participating troops' organizational command and emergency response capabilities in complex environments. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on November 21, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: November 21, 2025 18:03 CCTV: Yesterday, Premier Li Qiang during his visit to Zambia attended the ground-breaking ceremony of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) revitalization project. Following the event, the three sides released a joint statement on building the TAZARA Railway prosperity belt. Can you share more details? Mao Ning: Yesterday, Premier Li Qiang, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and Tanzanian Vice President Emmanuel John Nchimbi attended the ground-breaking ceremony of TAZARA revitalization project. Under the personal guidance and effort of heads of state of the three countries, the TAZARA Railway, a milestone project of China-Africa friendship, will gain new vitality and dynamism in the new era. To catalyze sustainable development of the project after its revitalization, the governments of China, Tanzania and Zambia agreed to jointly build the TAZARA Railway prosperity belt, advance the comprehensive development of regions along the railway in a systematic manner, and unleash the potential of regional development in Tanzania and Zambia. Under the vision of China and Africa jointly advancing modernization that is just and equitable, open and win-win and eco-friendly, puts the people first, features diversity and inclusiveness, and is underpinned by peace and security, the three countries agreed to forge the railway into a path to freedom, development, friendship, happiness, green development and harmony. The three sides will stay committed to the principles of mutual respect, equal-footed consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, advance the building of the TAZARA Railway prosperity belt, inject new impetus to socioeconomic development of Tanzania, Zambia and surrounding countries, and deliver more benefits to the local people. AFP: Two Chinese nationals and two Americans have been arrested for allegedly illegally exporting cutting-edge Nvidia chips with AI applications to China. Justice officials said the four had conspired to illegally export these advanced chips to China through Malaysia and Thailand. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this? Mao Ning: I'm not familiar with that. Reuters: There have been a number of social media posts by Chinese diplomats about the Japanese Prime Minister's remarks on Taiwan. For example, a post made by the embassy in Manila was accompanied by a series of cartoons. Some analysts say this constitutes China relaunching its "wolf warrior diplomacy." What does the Foreign Ministry make of this assessment? Mao Ning: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made blatant and erroneous remarks on Taiwan. Those remarks implied the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, eroded the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and triggered outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people. China will resolutely respond should anyone trample on the red line when it comes to the Taiwan question. The international community should draw its attention to what Japan is up to and whether Japan is still committed to the path of peaceful development. AFP: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said today that she wants constructive and stable ties with China and that the country's stance on Taiwan remains unchanged. Does the Foreign Ministry have any additional comment on this? (Similar question from Kyodo News) Mao Ning: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made blatant and erroneous remarks on Taiwan. Those remarks implied the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, triggered outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people, and eroded the political foundation of China-Japan relations. China has made clear its firm opposition. If Japan truly hopes to develop the strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and make the relationship a constructive and stable one fit for the new era, Japan needs to uphold the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries and its political commitments, retract the erroneous remarks at once, and take practical steps to honor its commitments to China. Phoenix TV: It was reported that the Japanese government recently has completed its export of Patriot air-defence interceptor missiles to the United States. This is Japan's first export of deadly weapons since Japan relaxed controls on arms exports. Sources say that Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has begun discussions on revising the three security documents, including revising the three non-nuclear principles and increasing defense spending. What is your comment? Mao Ning: Following the WWII victory, international treaties and instruments such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender clearly stated Japan's obligations as a defeated country, requiring Japan to be "completely disarmed" and not to maintain such industries as "would enable her to re-arm for war." However, in recent years, Japan has kept easing the restrictions and seeking military buildup. It has increased defense budget for 13 consecutive years, and adopted the new security laws to remove the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense. It has also replaced the Three Principles on Arms Exports with the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology to ease restrictions on arms exports and even has started exporting deadly weapons. While claiming it hopes to build a world without nuclear weapons, Japan is actually strengthening cooperation on extended deterrence, and even seeking to revise its three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons to open the door for enabling nuclear sharing arrangements. All these moves show that Japan is breaking free from the exclusively defense-oriented principle and "re-arming" itself at pace. People cannot help but ask, what exactly is Japan seeking to achieve? If Japan seeks to go back to the path of militarism, violate its commitment to peaceful development and disrupt postwar international order, the Chinese people will not allow it, and the international community will not allow it. Such attempt will only end in failure. Ukrinform News Agency: The Ukrainian Defense Forces reported that earlier this week in the Donetsk region they destroyed a Chinese-made multiple launch rocket system used by Russian military. At the same time, it is known that China does not provide military support to Russia. So, Russia's use of Chinese-made weapons may also be another attempt to discredit China as a supporter of Russia. How can the Foreign Ministry comment on the presence of Chinese-made weapons in the Russian army and will Chinese side investigate this matter? Mao Ning: I'm not aware of what you mentioned. Let me stress that China never provides lethal weapons to any party to the conflict and strictly controls dual-use articles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, US discuss typical encounters of naval and air forces at annual conference of Military Maritime Consultative Agreement Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 22, 2025 02:38 PM China firmly opposes any actions that undermine its sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight, and resolutely opposes any infringements, provocations, and close-in reconnaissance activities targeting China, the Chinese side said during the second working group meeting and annual conference of the 2025 China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday. The meeting was held in Hawaii from Tuesday to Thursday, CCTV News reported. Guided by the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, both sides engaged in candid and constructive exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect, the report said. The two sides primarily exchanged views on the current maritime and aerial security situation, discussed typical encounters between their naval and air forces, and reviewed the annual implementation of the Rules of Behavior for the Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters, CCTV News reported. They also discussed measures to enhance maritime military safety and exchanged views on the agenda for the 2026 MMCA working group meeting. Both sides agreed that the MMCA meetings help ensure more professional and safer interactions between the frontline naval and air forces of China and the US, and contribute to avoiding misunderstandings, preventing miscalculations, and managing risks and crises. During the meeting, China emphasized that it would continue to steadfastly safeguard its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with laws and regulations, while upholding regional peace, stability, and prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enforcement and recent strengthening of U.S. sanctions deepen hardships for Cuban population: Special Rapporteur Press releases Special Procedures 21 November 2025 HAVANA -- The United States must lift the unilateral sanctions imposed on Cuba that are causing significant effects across all aspects of life on the island, the Special Rapporteur on negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on human rights Alena Douhan said today. "For over 60 years, the United States has maintained an extensive regime of economic, trade and financial restrictions against Cuba, the longest-running unilateral sanctions policy in U.S. foreign relations," Douhan said in a statement at the end of an official visit to the country. "As a result, generations of Cubans have lived under unilateral coercive measures, which has shaped the country's economic and social landscape." Douhan said she heard reports that restrictions have progressively tightened since 2018, with further measures imposed on the already existing ones and a significant intensification in 2021 following Cuba's re-designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. These and many other restrictions, compounded by de-risking and over-compliance by third parties, limit both Government and citizens' ability for the long-term planning and are suffocating the social fabric of Cuban society. Despite the broad support consistently expressed for the UN General Assembly resolution "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba", and its unequivocal request to end the blockade, the measures not only continue to remain in force, but their impacts are being intensified by the United States, the expert said. "Shortages of essential machinery, spare parts, electricity, water, fuel, food and medicine, alongside the growing emigration of skilled workers - including medical staff, engineers and teachers - have severe consequences for the enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to life, food, health and development," she said. Social and economic initiatives are frequently disrupted by sudden cancellations, administrative hurdles and uncertainty. Procurement processes become lengthy and unpredictable, with last-minute cancellations that raise costs, delay assistance and impede project implementation. Douhan also noted that the unpredictability of United States unilateral coercive measures and the high fines imposed on those who circumvent them, create hesitancy among foreign companies. Even in the event of licenses and exemptions, investors remain wary of committing to long-term projects given the possibility of policy shifts in the United States. To assess the full scope of the situation, Douhan met with a broad range of stakeholders, including government officials, diplomats, international agencies, non-governmental organisations, church representatives, members of the academia, medical personnel, and private sector representatives. She also received a record number of submissions that will feed the report. "I urge all States to adhere to international law principles and norms and ensure that humanitarian concerns are fully respected, grounded in principles of mutual respect, solidarity, cooperation and multilateralism," the Special Rapporteur said. A report on the visit including her findings and recommendations will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026. Ms. Alena Douhan (Belarus) is the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Proud Labour Gifts of Creators of Spirit of Kangwon Province to Glorious Party Congress Inauguration Ceremony of Hoeyang Army-People Power Station Held with Splendour Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, November 21 (KCNA) -- Kangwon Province greeted the significant and auspicious event of inauguration which signals the completion of the hydropower stations it pledged before the Party when the whole country is full of the spirit of the vigorous advance of all the people to celebrate the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea as the one of great victory and glory. The Hoeyang Army-People Power Station, which has been completed following the army-people power stations in Ichon, Munchon, Sepho, Phyonggang and Kosong, is the last project of the six hydropower stations on which Kangwon Province has concentrated all its efforts after setting it as an important task to build them without fail for the regional economic development and the improvement of the people's material and cultural life, true to the important task of the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un to go on to push ahead with the construction of small- and medium-sized hydropower stations. The completion of another power base which the province had envisaged during the five-year plan for national economic development makes it possible for Kangwon Province to further strengthen its solid foundation for proudly writing a new history of prosperity along with the era of regional development and its development potential for creating a more affluent life by its own efforts. The inauguration ceremony of the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station was held with splendour on November 20. The venue of the ceremony was filled with great pride and self-confidence of the people in Kangwon Province who have built valuable assets of prosperity with their own efforts and confidence in their own strength. 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, attended the inauguration ceremony. When he arrived at the venue of the inauguration ceremony, stormy cheers of "Hurrah!" shook the earth and sky. All the participants enthusiastically cheered, looking up to Kim Jong Un , who personally visited the power station in the mountainous area to bestow great love and honour on them. Present there were members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the WPK and other leading officials of the Party and government, chief secretaries of the provincial committees of the WPK, chairpersons of the provincial people's committees, officials and workers in Kangwon Province and Hoeyang County, military and civilian builders and employees of the power station. The DPRK national anthem was played. Ju Mun Jin, chairman of the Kangwon Provincial People's Committee, delivered an inaugural speech. The speaker said that the people in Kangwon Province, who are imbued with the revolutionary idea of self-respect and self-sustenance of the WPK as absolute truth, greeted the moment of honour of making a report of loyalty and victory to the Party Central Committee on the building of another proud creation. The building of the six power stations simultaneously by the efforts of the province was a stiff and gigantic nature-remaking project baffling the existing idea and common sense and there were not a few obstacles in the construction, but thanks to the trust and leadership of the Party Central Committee, Party members and other working people in the province could wage a heroic struggle for the consecutive grand construction full of confidence and courage, he noted. He referred to the fact that Kim Jong Un solved all the problems and meticulously led the construction of the power stations saying that it is necessary to help Kangwon Province set an example in realizing the intention of the Party which calls for living on the strength of self-reliance. He stressed that the power stations built in different parts of the province including the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station are a precious fruition of the revolutionary ideas of Kim Jong Un and a proud monument to the new era erected thanks to his absolute trust in the people in Kangwon Province and energetic leadership. The speaker expressed the firm determination to make Kangwon Province take the lead in the worthwhile struggle for carrying out the tasks at the new stage of socialist construction to be set forth by the Ninth Congress of the WPK true to the ideas and leadership of the Party Central Committee. Kim Jong Un made a meaningful speech. In the period when the whole country is filled with enthusiasm to substantially wind up the year 2025 that must be recorded in history without fail as a year of victory, it is very auspicious that the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station is to be inaugurated, he said. He noted that those power stations, which have sprung up in different parts of the province that truthfully tells the history of the struggle of the army and the people to defend the country together, are fortresses of faith in socialism built by the concerted efforts of the soldiers and civilians to make firmer and more beautiful this precious land defended at the cost of blood. For the future, for the coming generations-this is the inscription to be carved in the power stations in Kangwon Province by the times and history, he said, extending warm thanks, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, to the people in Kangwon Province and the service personnel of the Korean People's Army for presenting to the Ninth Congress of our Party a valuable asset, which will bring benefits to the coming generations as well, by building solid power production bases, self-reliant and self-supporting, through a resolute and uninterrupted struggle. Hailing the indomitable spirit of the people in Kangwon Province of creating a history of transformation by braving challenges and the disposition and mettle of doing without fail what is determined to do as the great spirit of Kangwon Province, he extended once again warm greetings of encouragement to the conquerors of nature, artists of miracles in our era and wished Kangwon Province a new appearance, which will be transformed and prosper as the days go by, and its people a happier life. When Kim Jong Un finished his speech, all the participants broke into enthusiastic cheers as a token of their gratitude to the great father of the people who highly values the life and the struggle of the people in Kangwon Province as the culmination of the times. Kim Jong Un cut the inauguration tape. The fireworks were set off and a large number of balloons sent up into the sky of November, wonderfully adorning the venue of the inaugural ceremony that will shine forever as an immortal picture recorded on the glorious road of advance for self-reliance. Kim Jong Un shook hands with every officials and meritorious persons, who performed remarkable labour feats in the construction of the power station, highly commending them for their efforts and devotion. Then he went round the room dedicated to the history of the power station, control room, generator room, etc. to learn about their conditions. Saying that Kangwon Province completed the construction of six hydropower stations including the Hoeyang Army-People Power Station during the term of the Eighth Party Central Committee, true to the pledge it made to the Party, he noted that it is a manifestation of the indomitable will of its people to unyieldingly go along the road of self-reliance, following the Party only, with unwavering faith in the justness of the line and policies of our Party. He stressed that the people in Kangwon Province are, indeed, the embodiments of the pioneering spirit, models of our times who prove with their steadfast patriotic loyalty and persistent efforts the vitality of the Party's policy which demonstrates the truth that self-reliance is the only way to survive and anything is possible when one holds fast to the spirit of self-reliance ad self-development as the driving force. And he underscored the need for the whole country to learn after the fighting spirit of the people in Kangwon Province who unhesitatingly follow the road however arduous it may be and never fail to carry out whatever they undertake. When we painstakingly take huge tasks without fear of the ordeals and difficulties and translate them into proud reality of the present times, it would represent the process of the development of the state and guarantee the happy future of our people and the generations to come, he said. He called for redoubled efforts to carry out the historic mission of the national rejuvenation given by the times and the revolution for the eternal prosperity of our great country and wellbeing of the people. Enjoying the panoramic view of the magnificent dam of the power station, he noted that great is the might of the great unity between the army and the people and the monumental edifices which was recorded as another brilliant page in the history of the struggle of the people in Kangwon Province will hand down forever the patriotic feats of our generation who are ushering in the era of comprehensive national prosperity and writing a new history of regional transformation. Acquainting himself with the construction of six hydropower stations Kangwon Province built by its own efforts and future plan for creating new capacity of generating electricity, he gave precious instructions to be implemented in building hydropower stations and strengthening the independent economic foundations of the province. He expressed expectation and belief that the people in Kangwon Province would further exert their miraculous might, with which they opened up the clear prospect of solving the electricity problem most essential for developing the economy of their region and improving their material and cultural life, to continue taking the lead in the historic struggle for the victorious advance of the socialist construction of our style. All the officials and working people in Kangwon Province, who were honoured with great love and trust bestowed upon them by the Party Central Committee, firmly pledged to erect many more entities for prosperity, which will contribute to the independent economic development and the improvement of the people's living, in the spirit of uninterrupted innovations and successive leaps without a moment's stagnation and thus glorify their honour as the forerunners of self-reliance. The splendid inauguration ceremony attended by leading officials of the Party and government clearly proved the justness and vitality of the ideas and policies of our Party which calls for vigorously opening up a broad avenue for the comprehensive socialist development on the strength of self-reliance, and served as a meaningful occasion of further inspiring self-confidence that the eternal prosperity is in store for the people when they rely on their own strength and carve out their future by their own efforts. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IAEA chief: Tehran is not seeking to build a nuclear weapon IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 21, 2025 London, IRNA -- Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has once again stressed the fact that Iran is not after building a nuclear weapon. Speaking in an interview with Uruguayan newspaper El Observador, Grossi confirmed the serious damage inflicted on Iran's nuclear facilities following the illegal military attacks by the US and the Israeli regime, adding that Iran is developing very advanced technologies. 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 Non-Proliferation Treaty, 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. 9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araghchi: US, Israeli kill Cairo Agreement IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 21, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has highlighted the destructive measures taken by the US and the Israeli regime to strike diplomacy and said the two regimes have also killed the Cairo Agreement . "Like the diplomacy which was assaulted by Israel and the US in June, the Cairo Agreement has been killed by the US and the E3," Araghchi wrote on his X account on Friday. Araghchi outlined the sordid sequence of events that have brought about such results as follow: When we were on the eve of a sixth round of nuclear talks with the US, Iran was suddenly attacked by Israel and then the US. When Iran subsequently signed a deal with the IAEA in Cairo to resume inspectionswith Egypt's mediation and despite the bombing of our nuclear facilitiesthe E3 pursued UN sanctions against our people under US pressure. When Iran started giving IAEA inspectors access to our nuclear facilitiesbeginning with sites that were not bombed in Junethe US and the E3 ganged up to censure Iran at the IAEA BoG. "Clear for all to see: Iran is not the party that seeks to manufacture another crisis. Nor is our good will appreciated," he noted. "Given that the E3 and the US seek escalation, they know full well that the official termination of the Cairo Agreement is the direct outcome of their provocations," he stressed. Earlier on Thursday, in response to the issuance of an anti-Iran resolution by the Board of Governors of the IAEA, Araghchi had announced that the Cairo memorandum of understanding is officially considered terminated. On Thursday, a resolution proposed by the European Troika, namely France, Britain, and Germany, with US support, against Iran's peaceful nuclear program was adopted at the meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors. 9376**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran seeks a fair, balanced deal: Araghchi IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 21, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says that the Islamic Republic is in favor of a fair and balanced deal. During an interview with The Economist on November 19 in Tehran, Araghchi said, "We don't have a single good experience with negotiating with the United States." "We are ready for negotiation, but not for dictation," he added. "Zero enrichment is impossible," he said, "but zero [nuclear] weapons is possible." The recent reimposition of United Nations sanctions made it harder to find ways to cooperate with the Western powers, Araghchi said. Asked about Iran's readiness for possible Israeli attacks, Araghchi said the Islamic Republic was "even more prepared than [in] the previous war". Iran's "missiles are in a better position", both in terms of quantity and quality, he noted. "The best way to prevent a war", said Araghchi, "is to be prepared for that. And we are fully prepared." 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran will react to anti-Iran resolution of IAEA BoG: Foreign Ministry spokesperson IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 21, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has announced that Iran will take responsive measures to a recent anti-Iran resolution passed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors (BoG). In a statement on Friday, Baqaei described the recent anti-Iran resolution as a clear misuse of an international institution to advance the nuclear-related objectives of the United States and three European countries. He described the move as completely irresponsible and unjustifiable, adding that it disregards the working criteria and procedures of the IAEA and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He added that the resolution damages the independence and credibility of the IAEA, reducing it to a political lever for pressuring certain member states. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that the resolution made no mention of the root causes of the current situation. Baqaei noted that neither the resolution nor the statements read by the three European countries and the United States acknowledged the critical fact that the Israeli regime and the US attacked Iran's nuclear facilities in mid-June, an illegal act which was the direct reason for the cessation of some of Iran's cooperative measures with the Agency. He said that the resolution has itself created a division within the Board of Governors, with nearly half of the countries voting against it or abstaining. He highlighted that two permanent members of the UNSC, China and Russia, which had previously opposed attempts to reinstate canceled Security Council resolutions, voted against this resolution. Baqaei noted that the resolution is legally weak because it is based on a plan that the three European countries had previously pursued at the UNSC, a plan considered null and void by Iran and a significant part of the international community, including the two permanent Security Council members. In response to this confrontational action, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared that Iran has officially notified the IAEA via a formal letter that the understanding known as the Cairo memorandum of understanding, which was achieved through Iran's goodwill and relatively lengthy negotiations with the Agency, is now considered canceled. He further said that other responsive actions are also being considered. Addressing the claims made by the United States and the three European countries, Baqaei termed them as completely deceitful and hypocritical. He added that the opposing parties have repeatedly violated their commitments and have shown no sincerity in their claims of using diplomacy to resolve the issue. Thr Foreign Ministry spokesperson argued that the issuance of the resolution signifies an opposition to a diplomatic solution and a reliance on pressure and sanctions, making their claims impossible to take seriously due to their complete contradiction with their actual behavior. 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry: IAEA BoG resolution on Iran's peaceful nuclear program is Illegal IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Nov 21, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has condemned the resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors (BoG) regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program as illegal and unjustifiable, noting that it was adopted after the US, Germany, France, and Britain pressured member states of the agency. The IAEA BoG on Thursday, November 20, 2025, passed a resolution proposed by the three European countries (France, Britain, and Germany) backed by the United States, against Iran's nuclear program with 19 votes in favor, 12 abstentions, and 3 votes against. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in the early hours of Friday concerning the IAEA BoG' resolution on Iran's peaceful nuclear program. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic considers the resolution adopted by the IAEA BoG, which was passed through the exertion of pressure by the US, Germany, France, and Britain on the member states of this entity, as illegal and unjustifiable, the statement read. The move by the three European countries and the US in designing and imposing this resolution on the IAEA BoG is another clear sign of their irresponsible approach and their insistence on instrumentally using the Agency to exert pressure on the Islamic Republic, it added. This resolution, which was adopted by exploiting the numerical superiority of the Western bloc and its supporters in the BoG and without the support of nearly half of the Board's member statesincluding the opposition of two permanent members of the UN Security Councilviolates the fundamental bases of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which guarantees respect for the inalienable right of member states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. It also reiterates the illegal demands contained in the obsolete United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions calling for the suspension of enrichment, it said. Legally, the Board of Governors lacks any competence to revive the terminated resolutions of the UNSC. The attempt by the three European countries and the US to imply the existence of such competence in the Board is a clear sign of their bad faith and irresponsible behavior towards the Agency's procedures and regulations, said the statement. The insistence of the three European countries and the US on repeating this illegal action, which they previously pursued by misusing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ( JCPOA) through the UNSC, will lead to legal chaos and further division within international institutions, and will discredit the foundations of the non-proliferation regime and its related multilateral institutions, it added. The content of the adopted Agency resolution reflects the bullying of the US and the hypocritical behavior of the three European countries. While even according to the IAEA Director General's report GOV/2025/65, the current situation regarding the halt of the Agency's verification activities in some Iranian nuclear centers is a direct result of military attacks by the U.S. and the Zionist regime, the drafters of the resolution have consciously avoided the slightest reference to this fact, it noted. Fundamentally, the United States, as the party that has been responsible for creating crises over Iran's nuclear issue over the past 10 yearsincluding its unilateral and illegal withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 and its commission of the crime of military aggression against Iran and attacks on Iran's safeguarded nuclear facilitiesis the main culprit for the current situation, the statement said. Germany, France, and Britain, due to their continuous violations of JCPOA commitments, particularly since May 2018, their subsequent complicity with the US and the Zionist regime in the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025, and for initiating the so-called snapback mechanism, must themselves be accountable for the very detrimental consequences of their actions. In such circumstances, the action of these four actors in making demands from Iran in the Board of Governors is nothing but a malicious distortion of the facts, it added. By ignoring Iran's responsible and good-faith performance, the three European countries and the US have disrupted the positive path created between Iran and the Agency, forcing Iran to announce the termination of the September 9 Understanding, said the statement. According to the statement, Iran, in its interactions with the Agency, had signed an agreement with the Agency on September 9 and, based on that, had resumed the process of cooperation with the Agency by facilitating inspections of some nuclear facilities. The Islamic Republic, while reiterating its principled stance of rejecting nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), draws the attention of the IAEA BoG and the Director General himself to the greatest existing threat to global peace and security, namely the genocidal Zionist regime, the statement said, adding that it reminds them that this regime is the sole possessor of WMDs and the only obstacle to the realization of a WMD-free Middle East. The insistence of the US and the three European countries on ignoring this grave danger and instead making pretexts about Iran's peaceful nuclear program has turned these four countries into accomplices of the genocidal Israeli regime in the occupied Palestine, Lebanon, and other countries of the region, it noted. It is a self-evident logical and legal principle that, the statement said, membership in any treaty, including the NPT, and the acceptance of its obligations, necessitate the enjoyment of the rights and benefits envisaged within it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while appreciating the countries that did not support this resolution by casting negative votes or abstentions, and expressing regret over the irresponsible and bullying behavior of the sponsors of the resolution, emphasizes that it will spare no effort in safeguarding the rights and interests of the Iranian nation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, it further noted. 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: Diplomacy has already 'kicked the bucket' thanks to West's anti-Iranian measures Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 8:44 PM Russia has sharply condemned the latest anti-Iran resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors, saying Western countries have deliberately "killed diplomacy" with the Islamic Republic by pushing the resolution through. Speaking on Saturday, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, said the resolution that was adopted a day earlier saw the West, featuring the US and its European allies of the UK, France, and Germany, ignore months of Iranian cooperation. According to the envoy, the Western states' drive also sidestepped the extraordinary security conditions that has been created by the US-Israeli military attacks against Iran's nuclear facilities in June. The resolution has faulted the level of the Islamic Republic's cooperation with the agency. Tehran suspended the cooperation in the aftermath of the illegal and unprovoked war by the Israeli regime and the US between June 13 and 25 that had used an earlier such IAEA resolution as an excuse. The country then conditioned renewed cooperation on the agency's condemning the aggression and ensuring the security of the Iranian nuclear installations, while underlining that the conditions created by the war had rendered it impossible for the cooperation to continue as before. The two sides reached an agreement in Cairo on September 9 aimed at resumption of the cooperation. Also on Wednesday, the agency commended the level of the cooperation, confirming that inspectors had resumed work at facilities unaffected by the military attacks. Also on Saturday, however, Tehran decided to terminate the Cairo agreement as, what Ulyanov called, "a direct consequence of the hostile resolution." Ulyanov stressed that the West had driven the process into a "complete impasse," despite repeatedly claiming this was "not the end of diplomacy." "Thanks to their efforts," he said, "diplomacy has already kicked the bucket. Resolutions like this are never adopted when genuine diplomacy is at work. What we are seeing is very far from real politics." He added that Moscow would first assess the situation before proposing any initiative, noting that Russia, Iran, China, and many others had warned the E3 and the United States not to sabotage the technical process with pressure tactics. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cairo Agreement termination direct outcome of E3-US provocations: Iran FM Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 1:50 PM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the United States and European troika Britain, France and Germany have "killed" the Cairo agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through their provocative acts. In a post on his X account on Friday, Araghchi said the US and E3 have assaulted diplomacy every step of the way and brought about the collapse of the Cairo Agreement. "Given that the E3 and the US seek escalation, they know full well that the official termination of the Cairo Agreement is the direct outcome of their provocations," he added. Araghchi pointed to a sequence of events that he said "brought us here". He noted that Israel and then the US suddenly attacked Iran in mid-June when Tehran and Washington were on the eve of a sixth round of indirect nuclear talks. Although Iran signed a deal with the IAEA in Cairo to resume inspections with Egypt's mediation in the aftermath of the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, the E3 pursued UN sanctions against Tehran under US pressure, Araghchi reminded. The top Iranian diplomat said when Iran began giving IAEA inspectors access to its unharmed nuclear facilities, the US and the E3 "ganged up to censure Tehran" at the IAEA Board of Governors. "Clear for all to see: Iran is not the party that seeks to manufacture another crisis. Nor is our good will appreciated," Araghchi pointed out. His post came after the UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors on Thursday narrowly approved an anti-Iran resolution, urging Tehran to "without delay" report on its enriched uranium stockpile and facilities damaged in the June aggression by Israel and the US, while omitting any mention of Iran's longstanding cooperation with the agency. The resolution drafted by the E3 and the US passed with 19 votes in favor, three against and 12 abstentions. Russia, China and Niger were the countries that opposed it. On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, a day after the IAEA claimed that Tehran had failed to comply with its commitments to international nuclear safeguards, paving the way for the 12-day war, which assassinated many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians. More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). On September 9, the Iranian foreign minister and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reached an agreement on practical modalities to resume cooperation after a meeting in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. It came after the Iranian Parliament unanimously passed legislation requiring the administration to suspend all cooperation with the IAEA following the Israeli-US aggression against three nuclear sites. On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the IAEA's resolution as a "blatant misuse of the international body" to advance the US-E3 objectives and said Iran is considering more countermeasures against the illegal resolution. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, China upbraid anti-Iran IAEA resolution, urge West to drop threats Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 10:57 AM Russia and China have, in the strongest terms, rebuked a recent anti-Iran resolution passed by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling for the settlement of the Islamic Republic's nuclear issue through dialogue and cooperation. Drafted by France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States and approved 19-3 with 12 abstentions on Thursday, the resolution sought to pressure Tehran by demanding it "without delay" account for its enriched uranium stocks and facilities damaged in the June attacks by the United States and Israel. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova announced at a press conference in Moscow that Russia continues to firmly emphasize finding political and diplomatic solutions to the issue of Iran's nuclear program. Asked about a recent telephone conversation between the Russian and Iranian foreign ministers, during which the issue of Iran's nuclear program and related talks were discussed, Zakharova was cited by TASS as saying that Moscow is consistently committed to actively seeking political and diplomatic solutions to the Iranian nuclear issue. The spokeswoman added that Moscow has repeatedly warned about the dangers of "military actions" that threaten the stability and security of West Asia, underlining that any military attack on nuclear facilities, especially those under the monitoring of the IAEA, is "unacceptable." Zakharova also said the US aggression against Iran's nuclear sites undermined the principles the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) a treaty to which Iran has always been fully committed and which the IAEA has confirmed. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman went on to say that despite the efforts on the part of some foreign actors to create chaos and trouble in Iranian society, Tehran still prefers the path of dialogue over war and believes that national interests can be secured based on equal dialogue and by taking into account mutual concerns. She stressed that in order to resume the talks, Iran needs "serious guarantees" that its nuclear facilities will not be targeted by missile or air attacks again. Zakharova further underlined that the West must put aside threats of sanctions and military threats and return to diplomacy with Iran. IAEA urged to create 'favorable conditions for cooperation' Li Song, China's permanent representative to the IAEA, told the Board of Governors on Thursday that pushing through a counterproductive resolution against Iran will "only make things worse," stressing that the US, Israel, and key European states are fueling the ongoing crisis surrounding Tehran's nuclear file. "Countries that have recklessly resorted to the use of force and obsessively pursued confrontation and pressure are responsible for the current situation of the Iranian nuclear issue," Li said. The Chinese envoy stressed that Israel and the United States attacked Iranian nuclear facilities safeguarded by the IAEA in June, which led to a "fundamental change in the situation of the Iranian nuclear issue." "Such an act should be strongly condemned by the international community and the IAEA," he said. On the Cairo agreement reached between Iran and the IAEA in September, Li emphasized that the pact was "a positive development" and "an important opportunity" to fully revive safeguards cooperation. He said the activation of the snapback mechanism by the UK, France, and Germany had "seriously undermined the good momentum of cooperation" between Tehran and the Agency. Li added that the Iranian nuclear issue "can only be properly resolved" by respecting Iran's legitimate NPT rights and ensuring the peaceful nature of its program through political, diplomatic, and safeguards mechanisms. The envoy called on the BoG to "create favorable conditions for cooperation and dialogue" and to avoid "provoking confrontation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns of further countermeasures against illegal IAEA resolution Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 10:21 AM The Foreign Ministry spokesman says Iran is considering more countermeasures against an illegal resolution adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding the country's peaceful nuclear program. Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks on Friday, one day after the IAEA's 35-member Board of Governors passed the anti-Iran resolution put forward by France, the UK, Germany, and the United States. In response, Tehran announced the termination of the deal it signed in Egypt's Cairo in September to resume cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog. The Ties had been suspended after the deadly US-Israeli aggression against Iran in June. Baghaei said, "In an official letter to the Agency, we declared that the socalled Cairo agreement which had been reached with Iran's goodwill and after relatively long negotiations with the agency is now canceled. Other measures are also under consideration." He also condemned the IAEA's resolution as a "blatant misuse of the international body" to advance the objectives of the US and the three European countries about Iran's nuclear issue. The IAEA's "wholly irresponsible and unjustified" measure disregards the agency's own standards and reduces the body to a mere political instrument for exerting pressure on certain member states, the spokesman added. "The resolution makes no reference whatsoever to the underlying reasons or causes of the present circumstances. Neither in the resolution nor in the statements of the three European countries and the US is there the slightest reference to the fact that Israel and the United States attacked Iran's nuclear facilities in June , ... [which led to] the cessation of the agency's inspections and Iran's cooperation." The resolution passed with 19 votes in favor, three against and 12 abstentions, urged Tehran to "without delay" report on its enriched uranium stockpile and facilities damaged in the June aggression, while failing to mention Iran's longstanding cooperation with the IAEA. Baghaei said the resolution itself created a division within the Board of Governors, with about half of the member states either abstaining or casting negative votes. He further denounced the document as "legally weak," saying it is based on previous anti-Iran efforts at the UN which, Tehran and a significant portion of the international community consider null and void. He was referring to the recent move by the three European countries and the US to restore all UN Security Council sanctions against Iran via the so-called snapback mechanism. Meanwhile, the spokesman dismissed the West's claim of a diplomatic approach to resolve Iran's nuclear issue as "utterly deceitful and hypocritical." "Issuing the resolution itself shows the rejection of a diplomatic solution and reliance on pressure and sanctions," he emphasized. Earlier on Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the IAEA's "illegal and unjustified" resolution, whose content "reflects US bullying and the duplicitous behavior of the three European states." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Crown Prince's US Trip Fuels Iran Mediation Speculation By Kian Sharifi November 21, 2025 What You Need To Know Saudi Mediation Role Back In The Spotlight: Nine months after reports first emerged that Saudi Arabia is interested in facilitating talks between the United States and Iran, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's trip to Washington has again put Riyadh's potential for mediation in the spotlight. Family Says Iran Detains 70-Year-Old US Citizen: Iranian-American dual citizen Afarin Mohajer has been detained in Tehran in what her son, US-based political activist Reza Zarrabi, describers as a "kidnapping." Speaking to RFE/RL's Radio Farda, Zarrabi said his 70-year-old mother was arrested on a slew of charges, including "propaganda against the establishment" and "forming an opposition group." He insisted that Mohajer was detained because of his activism and added that she "has had no political activities." Tehran Voids Cairo Agreement After IAEA Resolution: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi this week said a technical agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which was signed in Cairo in September, was terminated after the IAEA Board of Governors passed a resolution pressing Iran to clarify the status of its enriched uranium stockpile. Iran says its roughly 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium is buried in facilities that were struck by the United States in June. The Big Issue The Riyadh Route Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's November 18 visit to the White House -- his first in seven years -- has sparked widespread speculation about Saudi Arabia offering to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran on nuclear negotiations. Hosting bin Salman, US President Donald Trump said he is "open" to a deal with Iran, which he said wanted an agreement "very badly." Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, meanwhile, talked up his country's "close" relations with the United States and said Riyadh "will do our best" to make an agreement with Iran happen. A day before the trip, Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian sent a letter to bin Salman that led many to believe he was relaying a message to Trump. Iran's government has formally dismissed the speculation, insisting that the letter focuses on "bilateral" relations. But the timing is curious. Why It Matters: Saudi Arabia has strong incentives to pursue this mediation role, particularly now that Iran's proxy network has been weakened. The kingdom is concerned that a cornered Iran might accelerate nuclear weapons development, and Riyadh sees a new nuclear agreement as preventing that scenario. Additionally, Saudi foreign policy has pivoted toward prioritizing economic objectives, and further regional instability would hinder these goals. By positioning itself as a mediator, Saudi Arabia can subtly distance itself from Trump's maximum pressure strategy against Tehran while maintaining its strategic alliance with Washington. Crucially, Riyadh and Washington signed an initial agreement that serves as a precursor to a deal on the transfer of American civil nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. By securing its own nuclear cooperation pathway with the United States, Riyadh can afford to support measured negotiations that give Iran limited enrichment under tight inspection regimes --so long as the kingdom receives equivalent rights. What's Being Said: Oman and Qatar have traditionally served as mediators between Iran and the United States, but some, including former Iranian diplomat Hamid Abutalebi, believe it is time to let the Saudis facilitate talks. In a message to Pezeshkian, Abutalebi said the government is "facing a historic responsibility" and must seize "this strategic opportunity" to ease economic pressures, bring stability to the Middle East, and "pave the way for a return to sustainable equilibrium with America and Saudi Arabia." Middle East analyst Bahman Akbari argued that Saudi Arabia's strengthened ties with Washington through the preliminary nuclear agreement and defense partnership with the United States don't prevent -- and may actually enable -- its role as a credible intermediary between Tehran and Washington. "Saudi Arabia's potential as a mediator...creates the possibility of reaching a significant agreement," he told the Reformist newspaper Etemad. Meanwhile, Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations and senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told CNN this week that Tehran is open to talks with Washington, but that Iran would not negotiate over its missile program. "They have to make the first move," Kharrazi said. "It is only the nuclear issue we will discuss with the United States." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/farda-briefing-iran-us-talks- saudi-mediation/33597343.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM slams Japan's reported first export of lethal weapons, attempt to change three non-nuclear principles Global Times By Global Times Published: Nov 21, 2025 04:06 PM When asked to comment on reports that the Japanese government had recently completed the re-export of Patriot missiles to the US the first export of lethal weapons since Japan relaxed its arms-export restrictions and that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party was discussing revisions to three security policy documents, including changes to the three non-nuclear principles and increased defense spending, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that after the victory of World War II, international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Instrument of Surrender clearly defined Japan's obligations as a defeated nation, including complete disarmament and a prohibition on maintaining industries that could enable rearmament, according to thepaper.cn. However, in recent years, Japan has continued to loosen these constraints on itself expanding its military capabilities, increasing its defense budget for 13 consecutive years, passing new security legislation to lift the ban on collective self-defense, and revising the "Three Principles on Arms Exports" into the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology," thereby continually relaxing its weapons-export restrictions and even beginning to export lethal weapons, said Mao. Mao noted that although Japan claims to seek a world free of nuclear weapons, it has significantly strengthened its cooperation on extended deterrence and is even considering revising its three non-nuclear principles no manufacturing, possession, or introduction of nuclear weapons paving the way for possible nuclear-sharing arrangements. These developments show that Japan is moving beyond "exclusive defense" and accelerating its rearmament, the spokesperson said. "People cannot help but ask: what is Japan really trying to do? If Japan seeks to return to the old path of militarism, abandon its commitment to peaceful development, and undermine the post-war international order, the Chinese people will not tolerate it, the international community will not allow it, and it can only end in failure," Mao said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of the Weekly Media Briefing by the Spokesperson on Friday, 21 November 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assalam-o-Alaikum, Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Let me begin with a roundup of this week's activities. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is currently on an official visit to Brussels from 19-21 November 2025 EU High Representative/Vice President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas had invited the DPM/FM to co-chair the 7th session of Pakistan-EU Strategic Dialogue. The Strategic Dialogue is the highest level of institutionalized interaction between the two sides which reviews cooperation between Pakistan and the EU in all sectors under the Pakistan-EU Strategic Engagement Plan 2019. During the visit the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also participated in the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. On the sidelines of these events, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister has been holding a number of bilateral meetings and engagements with the senior EU officials, including the President of the EU Council, Antonio Costa; EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner; EU Commissioner for International partnerships Jozef Sikela and key Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). DPM/FM also visited the NATO headquarters and held a meeting with the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. During the meeting both sides exchanged views on areas of mutual interest including peace and security, terrorism and regional and global developments. The DPM held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Hungary after which both the countries signed the renewal of an MoU on Cooperation within the Framework of the Stipendium Hungaricum Program 2026-2028. This program will offer 400 scholarships to citizens of Pakistan for pursuing higher students in Hungary. The DPM also held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and Foreign and European Affairs Minister of Slovenia Tanja Fajon. During the meeting with the FM of Slovenia, both sides also signed an MoU for establishing a framework of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Slovenia. The DPM/FM also held meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus, Netherlands and Germany. During the meetings with his Dutch and German counterparts the entire spectrum of bilateral relations came under discussion. Both sides also exchanged views on latest global and regional developments. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister's visit to Brussels marks a significant milestone in Pakistan-EU relations. Pakistan remains committed to developing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership with the European Union. Prior to his visit to Brussels, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister undertook a visit to Moscow at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Russia, H.E. Mr. Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin, where he led the Pakistan delegation at the 24th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government (SCO-CHG) held from 17-18 November 2025. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister delivered Pakistan's national statements in two sessions of the CHG where he reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the "Shanghai Spirit". He outlined Pakistan's priorities which comprise enhanced cooperation in connectivity, energy, transport linkages, logistics and infrastructure development. He emphasized the need for greater economic integration through trade, investment and digital advancement. He encouraged SCO to take steps towards promoting the use of national currencies for mutual settlements, and called for the establishment of an SCO Development Bank, an SCO Development Fund and an Investment Fund. He also recommended leveraging the potential of the SCO Interbank Consortium to finance development projects in SCO countries. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of building human capital and empowering youth by strengthening academic linkages and transforming the SCO University Network into a consortium for applied knowledge. On regional politics, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister underscored the need to initiate a comprehensive dialogue to address the full spectrum of regional issues. He stressed that stability in Afghanistan remains imperative for peace and stability across the region. The Moscow SCO-CHG considered and approved around a dozen decisions, documents and statements. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, all SCO leaders adopted a Joint Communique outlining the strategic direction of SCO's future work in economic cooperation. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister represented Pakistan in a joint call by the Heads of Government of SCO Member States on President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation He also engaged with the Chinese Premier Li Qiang and the Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, on the sidelines of the SCO CHG. He held formal meetings with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexei Overchuk; the Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Lavrov where bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues featured in extensive discussions. His other bilateral meetings in Moscow include; the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov; the Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Kokhir Rasulzoda; and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic. The CHG is the second-highest forum of the SCO, focusing primarily on cooperation among Member States in the socio-economic, trade and financial sectors. Last year, the SCO-CHG was chaired by Pakistan and hosted in Islamabad in October 2024. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also held two telephone conversations this week. On 15th November 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister spoke with the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty. The two leaders also discussed regional developments, including in the Middle East and peace efforts for Gaza. Emphasizing the importance of continued high-level engagement, the Egyptian Foreign Minister expressed his desire to visit Pakistan at an early date. He also conveyed his condolences over the loss of precious lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan. On the same day, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister also spoke with the Foreign Minister of Oman, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi. The two sides agreed to reschedule the 8th Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting at the earliest mutually convenient date and discussed forthcoming high-level bilateral engagements. The DPM/FM conveyed his warm felicitations ahead of the brotherly Sultanate's National Day and lauded the enduring Pakistan-Oman fraternal ties. The 13th Round of Pakistan-Iran Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Islamabad on 17 November 2025. Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Mr. Majid Takht-Ravanchi led the respective delegations. Ahead of the BPC, Deputy Minister Takht-Ravanchi paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister. The two leaders discussed preparations for the BPC, key regional and multilateral developments along with ways to further strengthen Pak-Iran bilateral relations. During the BPC, consultations were focused on the close, brotherly relations between Pakistan and Iran. The two also reviewed the status of implementation of decisions of the previous BPC and agreed to enhance and diversify bilateral trade and expand cooperation in energy, transport connectivity, education and people-to-people exchanges. There was also an exchange of views on important regional and global developments. Both sides underscored the significance of regular convening of various institutional mechanisms, including Joint Economic Commission (JEC) and Joint Trade Committee (JTC), to forge closer cooperation on these issues. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperation at multilateral fora, including the UN, OIC and ECO and strengthen dialogue on global and regional issues of common concern. It was agreed to hold the next round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Tehran on mutually convenient dates. The 6th round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Finland was held on 18th November 2025 in Islamabad. The Pakistan side was led by Additional Secretary Europe Muhammad Khalid Jamali and the Finnish side was led by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy Outi Holopainen. The two sides discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, investment, education, science and technology and climate change and held a detailed exchange of views on global and regional issues of mutual interest. Appreciating the positive momentum in bilateral ties and reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to further strengthen cooperation with Finland, Additional Secretary (Europe) thanked the Finnish side for its support Pakistan's GSP Plus status and invited Finnish companies to participate in the upcoming Pakistan-EU Business Forum scheduled in April 2026. It was further agreed to hold the next round of consultations in Finland. The 3rd round of Pakistan-Thailand Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was also held in Islamabad on 18th November. The Pakistan side was led by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia & Pacific) Mr. Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, while H.E Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, led the Thailand side. The two sides reviewed Pakistan-Thailand bilateral ties and reaffirmed the commitment to further enhance cooperation, inter alia, in the areas of trade and investment, development, education and people to people exchanges and upgrade the enduring partnership. Both sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Thailand and also agreed to convene the next round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Bangkok on mutually agreed dates. Pakistan strongly condemns these continuing violations by the Israeli occupying forces and extremist settlers against the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank, including repeated storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and provocations against worshippers. Such actions constitute a blatant violation of the international law and the relevant UN resolutions. It is imperative that the sanctity of the holy sites must be ensured in accordance with the international law and the historical status quo. Pakistan calls upon the international community to take urgent and effective measures to ensure protection of the holy sites, prevent further settler violence and incursions, and uphold relevant UN resolutions. We reiterate its principled position in support of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the Two-State solution, leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable and contiguous State of Palestine, based on pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Pakistan remains gravely concerned about the persistent and serious human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The prevailing policies, marked by widespread detentions, arbitrary arrests, and extensive restrictions on fundamental freedoms, continue to amount to collective punishment of the occupied Kashmiri population. Reports of profiling Kashmiri youth on the basis of their identity and faith further heighten these concerns. India continues its efforts to alter the demographic character in the occupied territory and to erode the religious, cultural, and social heritage of the Kashmiri people. These measures appear to form part of a deliberate strategy to suppress the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri population. Thousands of Kashmiri youth remain missing, while many genuine political representatives of the Kashmiri people remain in arbitrary detention. Such coercive actions cannot undermine the Kashmiri people's enduring commitment to realizing their internationally recognized right to self-determination. Pakistan calls upon the international community including the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to take full cognizance of the grave human rights situation in IIOJK. We urge these bodies to encourage India to take immediate remedial measures, ensure accountability for documented violations, and allow credible international human rights organizations to conduct independent and impartial assessments. A just, peaceful, and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, remains essential for durable peace and stability in South Asia. Finally, we received several media queries this week soliciting our comment on the sentence awarded in the trial of Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh: This is an internal matter of Bangladesh. The people of Bangladesh are fully capable of addressing their issues in accordance with their own democratic and constitutional processes. I thank you all. *** (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Recently, US President Donald Trump has restated his role in stopping eight international wars. On Pakistan and India, he also stated that India was aiming to wage another war against Pakistan which he prevented. How does Pakistan view this statement by President Trump? Secondly, continued violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by Israel are being witnessed, are these violations indicative of a failure of President Trump's Peace Plan on Gaza? Thirdly, it is being said that those Pakistanis that hold dual nationalities, their dual nationalities are being eliminated, I would like your comment on this. Spokesperson: Pakistan appreciates the role played by the US in easing tensions between Pakistan and India. We also acknowledge USA's positive role in the Middle East, in Israel and Palestine, particularly with reference to the cessation of violence perpetrated by Israel and Israel's plan about the West Bank and on the peace process in Gaza. These are challenges to peace process in Palestine. On the issue of dual nationalities, I would refer you to the Ministry of Interior. I am not aware of any decision taken in this regard. (Tahir Khan, NNI): The border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan are closed. You stated previously that the reopening of the borders and the resumption of trade with Afghanistan will be contingent upon assessment of the on-ground situation. While that remains to be seen, what would become of the three projects that Pakistan shares with Afghanistan and other regional countries, i.e.: TAPI, CASA1000, and UAP? My other question is on the five-day visit of the Afghan Minister for Trade to India. Should we view this visit with concern, especially when it takes place almost immediately after Afghan Foreign Minister Muttaqi's visit to India last month? Spokesperson: On the broader issue of trade, our policy remains the same that I outlined last week. We have closed the border crossings and suspended all trade with Afghanistan due to the support being extended to Fitna Al Khwarij and Fitna Al Hindustan terrorist elements by the Afghan Taliban Regime. The onus of delay in the reopening of the border crossings rests with the Afghan Taliban Regime. Similarly, the projects that you mentioned - TAPI, CASA1000 and of course, the very projects initiated in the follow up of sincere efforts by our Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister during his two visits to Afghanistan - success of all these projects is also incumbent upon the Afghan Taliban Regime to halt its support and abetment to terrorist outfits operating from the Afghan soil. This is an important denominator of our trade and economic engagement with Afghanistan that the support for FAK, FAH and their affiliated terrorist organizations by the Afghan Taliban regime, should stop. The Afghan Taliban Regime should also stop Afghan nationals from carrying out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. On the visit of the Afghan Trade Minister to India - these are developments between the two sovereign countries. Pakistan remains committed to trade connectivity and the improvement of trade ties in the region. Our relations with Afghanistan are based on its own merit and consideration and not on third-party involvement. (Sardar Shaukat Mehmood, Islamabad Today): My question is regarding problems Pakistani nationals and students face while applying for visa in the UK and the US where it has been seen that if any student/individual is found to have commented on Israeli atrocities in Gaza on social media, their visas have been rejected after digital profiling conducted by embassies. What is Pakistan's policy on this issue? Is the Foreign Office taking any steps with regard to education diplomacy? Is there any reciprocal visa policy being formulated by Pakistan with regard to this development? Spokesperson: We remain cognizant of the problems faced by our students regarding their visas, particularly for their travel to Western Europe and North America. I can recall that when semesters start in these universities in the period between July and September, we usually take up these matters with relevant embassies in Islamabad around that time. As per the input we receive from these embassies, the delay usually occurs on account of administrative constraints. Sometimes, they say, they receive a lot of applications where the processing of each application takes time. We follow this matter so that students, who secured legitimate admissions at universities abroad, do not miss out on their academic year. With regard to digital profiling by embassies, again, we take up such matters based on specific cases. If a Pakistani student has been charged for violating certain domestic laws, that is a separate issue. On Pakistan's visa regime, it remains largely liberal. Most of the time, we offer easy visa access. I do not think that there are any undue or excessive visa restrictions for Pakistan. Hence, there is nothing that would warrant us to undertake any reciprocal measures. (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): The President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, himself announced that the Turkish Foreign Minister, Defense Minister and Intelligence Chief will be visiting Pakistan for mediation between Pakistan and Afghanistan that has not materialized as of yet. What is cause for this delay? Is it non-cooperation? If so, is it from Pakistan or the Afghan Taliban regime? My other question is on the President of the United States' statement where he stated that he prevented India from attacking Pakistan for the second time. When did the US prevent India from this attack on Pakistan? (Ghazala Noreen, Suno News): In continuation of Mr. Piracha's question, Iran and Russia have also offered to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, what is Pakistan's stance on this offer? (Qurat ul Ain, Independent Urdu): There have been multiple media reports of Russia, Iran and Turkiye playing a mediatory role in backdoor talks aiming for a Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue. Could you please confirm the veracity of these reports? I have another unrelated question, how does the Foreign Office assess the recent US congressional report on the Pakistan-India conflict? Does Pakistan view any of the observations in the report for carrying probable implications for our bilateral relations or for regional stability as a whole? Spokesperson: Firstly, on the statement of President Erdogan and the mediatory role played by the brotherly state of Turkiye, as I stated last week, Pakistan welcomes the statement of the Turkish President. We have, on record, thanked the President and the people of Turkiye for their positive role. We continue to remain engaged with them. This visit has, not taken place. It is being scheduled. The travel schedules of Ministers take time to firm up. With regard to non-cooperation as a cause of delay in arrival of Turkish delegation; the delay should not be attributed to any non-cooperation from Pakistan. Whether there is any non-cooperation from the Afghan Taliban regime, I am not aware of it. Regarding President Trump's statement, I am not aware of the exact statement you have referred to as well as the context of the statement. So, I will not offer any comment. The larger question on the role of Russia and Iran, well, many states have offered mediation, and we appreciate the support of our friendly and brotherly countries. It is too early to comment on any specifics or other offers of mediation. We will react upon it once we receive it. In fact, last week, Mr. Piracha asked a question about Iran's role, and my reply was that, in principle, we appreciate the offer, but this was in principle so, once we receive any specifics, we would react to it. On the US Congressional report, the Prime Minister made a comprehensive statement on it yesterday. Therefore, I do not think that in terms of our reaction to this report, I have to add anything further. But this is a research report. Obviously, the drafters of the report may have taken references from open sources. The final conclusion of the report i.e. Pakistan's overwhelming success in the conflict is reflective of the opinion of the authors of the report. This is quite a telling conclusion of the report, which everyone has taken due note of. (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News): It has been widely reported by the local and international media that President Trump said, in so many words, that Indian Prime Minister Modi assured him that he will not enter into another war with Pakistan. To what extent do you see this assurance from the Indian Prime Minister and the statement made by the US President as credible? My other query is regarding Bangladesh. You stated that it is an internal matter of Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh, at the same time, has requested for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India. I would like your comment on this demand made by Dhaka since it has now become an international subject for discussion. Spokesperson: With regard to President Trump's statement and the fact that he referred to his conversation with the Indian Prime Minister where the latter assured him that he will not go to war we take the words of the US President, which is credible. However, the assurance by the Indian Prime Minister that India will not go to war with Pakistan - we obviously take such assurance with a pinch of salt as it is not backed up by any cooling down of belligerent statements emanating from India. The Indian leadership, both political as well as military, continue to monger war and issue hostile statements. Therefore, we have no option but to remain vigilant. About Bangladesh, this is a matter internal to the democratic and constitutional process of Bangladesh, as also I referred to previously in my Opening Statement. I would not offer any further comment on this matter. (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News): You have already addressed the report by the US Congress, however, there are still some aspects of the Pakistan-India conflict on which I would like your comments. It has been reported that China, during the May conflict, shared its intelligence with Pakistan and provided live input as well. Moreover, when we read that report, it seems to give the impression that China was the real winner out of the conflict between Pakistan and India as there has been a surge in the sale of Chinese weapons. How do you view these observations? Thirdly, Pakistan is a member of the SCO and there is another SCO summit being convened where Afghanistan has not been invited despite it being a major transit corridor between South Asia and Central Asia. As member of the SCO, what is your stance on this? Spokesperson: On the US congressional report, as I have already stated, it is a research report, the drafting of which would have involved reference to open-source reference material, be it Indian sources or otherwise. So, I would not comment on any specifics because then it would lead to my commentary on the references that report has used. Whatever references the authors of the report have used, they are entitled to it. On the SCO meeting, I think it relates to the membership of Afghanistan in the SCO as well as the recognition of diplomatic status that the SCO countries have for Afghanistan not all recognized Afghans Interim Government. I understand that, the SCO works on consensus. So, lack of consensus may have led to Afghanistan's absence from the forum that you are referring to. (Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): Has Pakistan established any contact with the Afghan Taliban Regime regarding the terrorist attacks in Islamabad and Wana? Is the TTP being abetted just by India or is the Afghan Taliban regime complicit as well? My other question is on the statement by the US President on Bagram Airbase. Does Pakistan support it? If the US takes control of the Bagram Airbase, would there be peace in the region, especially in Pakistan? Moreover, what steps are being taken by Pakistan for the return and rescue of Pakistani students who are stranded in Afghanistan due to the recent closure of borders? In addition, India is attributing the Delhi attack with Pakistan. What is your stance on this? (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News): There are reports that the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, Mullah Haibatullah, became the subject of an assassination plot last week. Do you have any information on this? Spokesperson: In the context of Pakistan-Afghanistan, we have open embassies. Our ambassador is in Kabul. The Afghan embassy here is also open. So, the channels of communication have not broken down. The statement by the US President on Bagram, well, this is a matter essentially between Afghanistan and the US. Bagram is in Afghanistan. We recognize Afghanistan's sovereignty over Bagram. I have nothing more to do or say on this matter. On the Supreme Leader's assassination attempt, I have no information on that. We did not receive any information on if there is a large number of Pakistani students and businessmen stranded in Afghanistan. Air routes are open. If there are any cases of those who cannot travel by air and are stranded then our embassy must be cognizant of that. If you have any special information, you can tell me after the briefing. We can then get in touch with our embassy in Kabul and see how we can help. (Anwer Abbas, 24 News): Sir, President Trump recently stated that India was going to attack Pakistan but he stopped the attack. Don't you think President Donald Trump stopped India from getting humiliated at the hands of Pakistan armed forces again and indirectly supported India? Secondly, China and Russia opposed Gaza Peace Plan in UN but Pakistan, while supporting the efforts of American President voted in favor of the plan. Is diplomatic distance between Pakistan and China & Russia increasing? Thirdly, When Mr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran will reach? Spokesperson: I will not comment on President Trump's statement as I am not certain which one are you referring to. We have acknowledged the role of the US in peace and security in South Asia, particularly with reference to May 9th conflict. On Gaza, Pakistan voted in favor of the resolution at the UN Security Council, whereas Russia and China abstained. Russia and China made statements on why they have abstained on this resolution. Pakistan also made a statement on why we voted in favor of it. You may compare Pakistan and China's statements and note that there is some similarity. China chose to abstain on it; we chose to vote in favor of the resolution. With degree on convergences between Pakistan and China's position. We voted differently, I think is a matter of detail. The fact is that there were convergences between Pakistan and China's position on Palestine, and indeed with the Russian position, particularly with respect to the previous UN resolutions, the UN Charter, right to self-determination, right to statehood and atrocities and violence against Palestinian people. I have no information on the visit of Mr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. I will inform you if we have any dates of the visit. (Khalid Mehmood, Express News): Israel is constantly violating ceasefire, international laws and agreements in Gaza. Pakistan along with other Muslim countries signed an agreement in Sharm al Sheikh relating to peace keeping force. Does that agreement still exist? Secondly, did we discuss the matter of peace keeping force with King of Jordan? Spokesperson: If you look closely at the resolution, it mentions that an International Stabilization Force to be deployed in Gaza. So, the Security Council has pronounced on it. Now in the follow up of the resolution, an International Stabilization Force will be created there. During the visit of His Majesty, the King of Jordan, last week, Palestine was discussed. Pakistan and Jordan coordinate closely on the issue of Palestine. Even on this UN resolution, Pakistan supported all proposals made by Jordan as part of the Arab group. We closely coordinate at the UN, at the OIC and other relevant forums. (Aijaz Ahmed, GNN): Last week, an Afghan leader, who is famous by the name of Fa'dai Trainer gave a statement which was reflected in international media as well, that he has prepared 4,000 suicide bombers and will teach Pakistan a lesson. In this context, where are Pakistan and Afghanistan standing? Will Pakistan give them a response for their actions of supporting terrorism in Pakistan? Secondly, Afghanistan has suspended trade with Pakistan. Who will suffer more economic damage: Pakistan or Afghanistan and what are Pakistan's alternative routes to Central Asia? Spokesperson: On your first question, this statement only goes on to show what Pakistan has been saying that there are elements in Afghanistan who have issued such horrific statements. Training 4,000 terrorists to do suicide bombing in Pakistan is an admission of the fact that what is happening in Pakistan with respect to the bomb blasts in Islamabad, in Wana. Three, four days back, three to four terrorists were neutralized in Kurram. You must have seen the press release of the ISPR. So, this goes on to reinforce Pakistan's position that Afghan soil is being used to launch terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, either through Fitnah Al Khawaraj, Fitnah al Hind and their accomplices. So, this individual is one of the accomplices, if not the full participant. Regarding trade route, we are cognizant of the loss to Pakistani traders who are suffering. But this is an existential threat even for these traders. If you recall, on 10th and 15th November, the trade posts were actually attacked from Afghanistan. So, either we get ourselves killed, or we undertake a very risky trade. What is the choice? I think this is a difficult choice that we have made. But we are sticking on our position because doing trade has become risky. So, with respect to trade, the position remains the same as I outlined last week. (Abdullah Momand, Dawn News): Although you closed the window for further comments and questions on Bangladesh. So, my question is again, regarding trade. Pakistan exports to Afghanistan were around $1.4 billion while Afghan is around $900 million. With the passage of time due to Indian diplomacy, dependency on Pakistani goods reduced from 95% to 65%. Pakistan always demanded from India that trade and security should be segregated, but not that choice with Afghanistan. You do think that is the failure of our foreign policy that India is creating space in Afghanistan as Afghanistan is using Bandar Abbas and Chabahar, as well as through airline, they are doing trade. So, you do not think that this is a failure on our side as well, that we are not able to segregate trade with security as we demand it. We always demand from India that trade and security should be segregated. What is your take on this? (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya News): In continuation of what Abdullah said. On daily basis, we are losing 3 to 4 million dollars in this trade and Afghanistan is losing 1 to 1.5 million dollars. You stated your stance but the Foreign Ministry has not stated its next course of action. You comment on this, please. Spokesperson: Abdullah, responding to your question on segregation of trade and security, I think you should view it in a holistic four year continuum, and not in this episode of November. So, what has happened in the four years continuum since the Afghan regime took over in 2021. We tried to remain engaged with them. We incurred loss of life. TTP became active. TTP and Fitnah al Khawaraj and Fitnah Al Hind, they started attacking Pakistan. So, from 2022, 23, 24 and mid of 25, we segregated trade and security. But then there is a threshold of patience. I think that threshold of patience has been crossed. Now we cannot let our people be killed indiscriminately. We cannot let the trade as if to trade is a license to kill Pakistanis from Afghan soil. This is a serious matter. I think before pronouncing a judgment on our segregation of trade and security, you should look at all the efforts that Pakistan made in the last three to four years. Now, there is a threshold that was crossed. Regarding the figures of trade in US $ that you mentioned, well these are the assessments. But again, what options do we have? Do you think killing of Pakistani civilians, security forces, ordinary traders, is it worth an X amount of US dollars of trade? Can you put a price tag on a human life, a Pakistani life? Consider the people whose father, children, mother have been killed in these terrorist attacks. Can we convince them that look, let this killing continue because we are having an X amount of dollars of trade with Afghanistan. I leave it to your judgment. (Islam ud din Sajid, Anadolu News Agency): Recently, the Iranian Foreign Minister said that Tehran will host regional meeting of Foreign Ministers in Tehran to ease tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. So, has Iran contacted Pakistan for any meeting and will Pakistan participate? And secondly, yesterday, the US State Department issued some military equipment for India including anti-tank missiles. So, what is Pakistan's reaction on it. Spokesperson: As I stated, any role of mediation, in principle, is welcome. But we have not received any invitation for a particular conference in Iran as yet. And we can only comment if we receive an invitation and decide on our participation. In principle, I have said that we welcome these mediatory roles by our friendly countries. US - India, military cooperation frankly, it is between the two countries. We remain cognizant of the impact of any arms transfer, any weapons system transfer to India as well as its impact on regional security and stability. (Afzal Reza, IRNA): My question is regarding the Iranian nuclear issue and the recent visit by the Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr Majeed ul Islam to Islamabad. Despite Iran's continued readiness for fair and pressure free negotiation with the US, the IAEA Board of Governors has issued a new resolution against Iran. Today, your counterpart, Mr. Baghei, the Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said that the previous agreement, Mr. Ambassador, the Cairo agreement, has been canceled and Iran will respond to the new anti-Iranian resolution in the IAEA. I understand that Pakistan has always been against negative and unconstructive action against Iran related to the nuclear issues, specifically the snapback, the so-called option by the E3. How do you see, Mr. Ambassador all this development, what is Pakistan's position? And my next question, was the Pakistan Afghanistan tension, also discussed during the Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi's visit to Islamabad, thank you. Spokesperson: On the Iranian nuclear issue, our position is principled and remains steady. We recognize right of nuclear enrichment to the permissible limits, as per their Iran's rights and obligations under international law. We always call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issues, with respect to this subject. Pakistan opposed military strikes on Iranian nuclear installations. We also supported the continuation of the JCPOA arrangement that Iran had undertaken with other countries, and to that extent, we were supportive of efforts to extend the mandate of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. If you recall, in September at the UN Security Council, Pakistan voted in favor of the Russian draft resolution, which actually called for extension of resolution 2231that would have avoided this snapback process as you referred. We also supported the draft resolution presented by the President of the Security Council for the month of September, the Republic of Korea, which again, was basically to extend the mandate of the Security Council resolution 2231. So, our position remains firm. As regards Iran's interaction with the IAEA and with the US and E3, we call for dialogue, diplomacy, non-confrontational approaches. We remain firmly opposed to the imposition of sanctions and use of force on this matter. During the Bilateral Political Consultations with Iran this week in Islamabad, yes Afghanistan was discussed. We are appreciative of Iran's role in the region. We believe it is positive. As I said in my earlier questions, we have welcomed, in principle, Iran's any role in helping peace and security in the region. We view Iran's role in Pakistan Afghan relation with the positivity in both substance and in process. (Mohammad Elakkad, Sputnik News): Regarding the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister/Prime Minister/Senator Ishaq Dar to Russia and his meetings with the Russian leadership, could you please clarify if the request of Pakistan to join BRICS was discussed in these meetings, and what is the latest update in this regard? And additionally, do you believe that the presence of India in this group could be an obstacle to Pakistan's membership? Spokesperson: I am not aware if BRICS was raised. This was an SCO meeting, and then we had bilateral meetings on the sidelines. I am not aware if the matter was raised on Pakistan's membership or on any point that India may have made on this issue. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Pakistan is one of most affected countries from climate change. Our climate minister predicted another intense cloud burst. Sir, what were the outcomes of international conferences on climate change and what positive outcome did the affected countries received from such conferences? (Muhammad Saleh Zaafir, The News): I have a very simple and innocent question that, do you have any deadline in your mind, that when will you permit the pomegranates and tomatoes along with the suicide attacker from Afghanistan? Spokesperson: Suicide attackers can never be allowed. Trade of tomatoes and pomegranates depend on security threats from Afghanistan. On climate change, we totally share your concern about the slow process on climate diplomacy. Particularly with respect to the plight of the climate vulnerable countries and communities. This process is slow, but Pakistan remains engaged with it. We remain engaged in our national capacity, trying to push it as quick as possible with other allied groups, for example, G-77 in China. If you recall, three years, four years ago, we were able to create a climate fund for the reparations of climate damages, for the fund to be spent in climate vulnerable countries. The pace of the follow up process it is not as quick as we would want. But we remain committed to follow it and push it to basically enhance its outcomes particularly for the vulnerable communities and states. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On 20-21 November 2025, thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - November 21, 2025 No PR-372/2025-ISPR On 20-21 November 2025, thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij were killed in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. On reported presence of Khwarij, a joint intelligence based operation was conducted by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies in general area Paharkhel, Lakki Marwat District. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and after an intense fire exchange, ten khwarij were sent to hell. Another intelligence based operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan District. In ensuing fire exchange, three Khwarij were effectively neutralised by the security forces. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed Indian sponsored Khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Security Forces, Law Enforcement agencies and target killing of innocent civilians. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council The President held, via videoconference, a briefing session with permanent members of the Security Council in the Kremlin. November 21, 2025 20:30 The Kremlin, Moscow Taking part in the meeting were Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino, Secretary of the Security Council Sergei Shoigu, Aide to the President Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Director of the Federal Security Service Alexander Bortnikov, Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin, and Special Presidential Representative for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport Sergei Ivanov. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good evening, colleagues, We have two important issues today - the priorities of Russia's CSTO presidency in 2026, and the strategy of the Russian Federation to combat the practices of neocolonialism. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is invited to speak on the first and second issues, so we can begin. Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko: Mr President, if I may. Vladimir Putin: Yes, please, Ms Matviyenko. Valentina Matviyenko: There is a lot of discussion in the world about President Trump's 28-point peace plan for the Ukrainian crisis. May I ask you, before we consider the main issues on the agenda, to express your opinion, your attitude to this plan, and how it relates to your recent talks with President Trump in Alaska? Vladimir Putin: Yes, of course, there is no secret here. We have had almost no public discussion of it, only in the most general terms, but it is not a secret. President Trump's peace plan to resolve the situation in Ukraine was discussed before the meeting in Alaska, and during this preliminary discussion, the American side asked us to make certain compromises, to show, as they said, flexibility. The main point of the meeting in Alaska, the main purpose of the meeting in Alaska, was that during the talks in Anchorage, we confirmed that despite certain complicated issues and difficulties, we nevertheless agree with those proposals and are ready to show the flexibility they asked for. We have informed all our friends and partners of the Global South in detail on all these issues, including the People's Republic of China, India, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, South Africa, Brazil, and many other countries, and the CSTO countries, of course. All our friends and partners, and I want to emphasise this, every single one of them supported these possible agreements. However, we can see that there is a certain pause from the American side following the talks in Alaska, and we understand that this is connected with Ukraine's de facto rejection of the peace plan proposed by President Trump. I believe this is precisely why a new version has emerged, essentially an updated plan consisting of 28 points. We have received this text through the existing communication channels with the US administration. I believe it could also serve as a foundation for a final peace settlement. However, it is not being discussed in detail with us. And I can guess why. The reason, in my opinion, is the same: the US administration has so far been unable to secure consent from the Ukrainian side, as Ukraine is opposed to it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies continue to entertain the illusion that they can inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield. I believe this position is not so much the result of insufficient competence - I will not go into that now - but rather stems from an absence of objective information about the actual situation on the ground. And it appears that neither Ukraine nor Europe realises what this could ultimately lead to. A very recent example is the situation in Kupyansk. As we recall, on November 4 - just two weeks ago - Kiev publicly stated that no more than sixty Russian service members were deployed in the city, and that Ukrainian forces would allegedly completely unblock it within the next few days. However, I would like to inform you that even at that time - on November 4 - the city of Kupyansk was almost entirely under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. Our guys were, as they say, finishing off, clearing out individual blocks and streets. The fate of the city had already been determined. What does this indicate? Either Kiev's leadership lacks objective reporting about the developments on the front, or, even if they receive such information, they are unable to assess it objectively. If Kiev refuses to discuss President Trump's proposals and declines to engage in dialogue, then both they and their European instigators must understand that what happened in Kupyansk will inevitably occur in other key areas of the front. Perhaps not as quickly as we would prefer, but inevitably. And overall, this development suits us, as it leads to achieving the goals of the special military operation by force, through armed confrontation. However, as I have repeatedly stated, we remain ready for peace negotiations and for resolving issues through peaceful means. However, this, of course, requires substantive and meaningful discussion of all aspects of the proposed plan. We are prepared for this. Let us now get down to the topics proposed for discussion at today's Security Council meeting. Please, Mr Lavrov. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Head of the Federal Taxation Service Daniil Yegorov Vladimir Putin had a working meeting with Head of the Federal Taxation Service Daniil Yegorov. The discussion focused, in particular, on measures for creating a more comfortable business environment. November 21, 2025 13:40 The Kremlin, Moscow President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Yegorov, good afternoon. Head of the Federal Taxation Service Daniil Yegorov: Good afternoon. Vladimir Putin: Mr Yegorov, the main question is this: how is the work progressing? How is tax collection? Daniil Yegorov: Mr President, Over the first ten months, we can see that the budget system remains stable. The key source of this stability is non-oil and gas revenues. Looking at the ten-month results, we are up by 3.5 trillion rubles - an 8 percent increase - bringing the total to 49 trillion rubles. As for the federal budget, growth is somewhat lower at five percent, since historically the federal budget has always had a large share of... Vladimir Putin: Oil and gas. Daniil Yegorov: Exactly. It has traditionally included a large share of oil and gas revenues. What is noteworthy is this: non-oil and gas revenues in the federal budget have increased by three trillion rubles, while oil and gas revenues have dropped by two trillion. This means that, even with overall budget growth, oil and gas revenues now account for only 30 percent of the federal budget revenue. Given that the budget is still expanding, this is a clear indication of its stability. As for our year-end outlook, we expect the federal budget to end the year with eight percent growth, reaching roughly 27 trillion rubles, which is fully in line with the forecasts built into the budget. That covers the budget situation. With regard to our work, first, this year we have gone through all the changes and, I believe, did so quite successfully. The ones that took place last year, in particular, the amnesty that you announced in your Address to the Federal Assembly. This year, we can sum up preliminary results; about 25,000 companies have, in effect, qualified for the amnesty and have taken advantage of it. That is over 11,000 groups of taxpayers. What has this led to? On the one hand, they saved roughly 20 billion rubles in taxes. On the other hand, this year we expect over 23 billion rubles in tax revenue, which also appears significant. Moreover, we are following the same strategy that we chose at the outset: we are doing our utmost to provide the most comfortable environment for doing business with minimal barriers. What are we focusing on, in particular, in our oversight work? This year, we crossed a Rubicon. With regard to the risks we show to taxpayers, the risks we identify in their activity and let them know about them, more than 55 percent of taxpayers made corrections on their own this year, without any enforcement measures on our part. So, we are now past the half, and I believe we have reached stability in our work that has fundamentally changed the rules in terms of tax behaviour and tax payment practices. Vladimir Putin: Essentially, this is what we - you - were striving to achieve, correct? Daniil Yegorov: Exactly so. Vladimir Putin: You were transforming the system of engaging with taxpayers. This was your goal. Daniil Yegorov: I think this is a more civilised form of communication, where the costs are lower both for businesses and for us, provided that we hear what each of us has to say and respond accordingly. Speaking of hearing each other, we had been asked why, on the one hand, we reduced on-site audits, but, on the other hand, started requesting a large number of additional materials, documents, and clarifications from taxpayers. We worked hard on it and have now achieved a reduction of almost 40 percent in such requests. That is, we no longer ask to provide more than 2.5 million documents. Our in-house data is enough for us to make our projections and build our own analytical assessments with regard to taxpayer operations. Importantly, this year we completed automation of debt collection. It is now automated, and as a result we have achieved a 24-percent increase in collections, a significant figure with a sharp decline in human involvement. At the same time, we have made substantial investment in debt management and created tools that allow taxpayers to obtain tax return extensions provided that we see adequate amounts of collateral and that the overall financial condition of the enterprise suggests it can continue operating. This has led to the following: on the one hand, we have granted instalment plans and payment deferrals totalling over one trillion rubles; on the other hand, this step helped retain over two million jobs. And these companies subsequently paid more than two trillion rubles in taxes. This helps us maintain a balance by ensuring, on the one hand, rigorous collection measures, while, on the other hand, we offer legal extensions. Vladimir Putin: Importantly, you cut the audit time and the number of required documents. Daniil Yegorov: Yes, and this is the most important part of it, which allowed us to improve the overall effectiveness of the system. Perhaps, last, but not the least, we engage in deep international cooperation. This year, we saw that in 2021, Western countries accounted for 80 percent of our transactions and 70 percent of our trade; after exchanging documents with our partners, the situation has reversed. Now, 80 percent of our trade and payments are with partner countries, and only 20 percent with Western countries, meaning the economy has changed. Naturally, we are reacting to this. We have agreements in place with several countries. New agreements have been signed with the UAE and Malaysia; agreements are underway with Oman and Qatar to ensure, on the one hand, the protection of investment, and on the other, the exchange of information to avoid double taxation, while also avoiding situations where no taxes are levied altogether. We now have a clear leader, the United Arab Emirates. Our companies have over one trillion in assets in the UAE. We also have CFCs, controlled foreign companies, owned by our corporate or individual residents. Since 2021, their number has increased by 16 percent, meaning that individuals and corporations continue to open businesses outside Russia. Cyprus, which has for many years been a classic safe haven, has dropped by 30 percent, while other partner countries, especially in the EAEU, have grown many times over. In this regard, we see great opportunities in our work and are working on our mission to provide comfortable environment and ensure proper taxation on both sides. Vladimir Putin: Good. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On the Russian-Chinese consultations on the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the military domain 21 November 2025 10:24 1950-21-11-2025 The Russian-Chinese consultations on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the military domain took place on November 20 in Moscow. The Russian delegation was headed by Konstantin Vorontsov, Deputy Director of the Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and the Chinese delegation - by Li Chijiang, Deputy Director-General, Department of Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. The comprehensive exchange of views on the respective topic was conducted. Particular attention was attached to the interaction both in a bilateral format, and at the specialized multilateral fora, primarily within the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems established under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. The meeting confirmed the high level of mutual understanding on the above-mentioned issue. Common interest in further dialogue and cooperation in this sphere was noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin's meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Moscow, Rahman Sahib oglu Mustafayev 21 November 2025 14:00 1951-21-11-2025 On November 21, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Moscow, Rahman Sahib oglu Mustafayev. During their conversation, it was noted that competent Russian agencies had carefully examined the appeal of the Azerbaijani side, received on November 14, regarding damage to buildings, property and territory of the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Kiev. The Russian side sincerely regrets the incident. At the same time, an assessment of available information showed that buildings of the Azerbaijani diplomatic mission in Kiev were in all probability damaged by the improper operation of air defence systems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, presumably by falling fragments of Patriot surface-to-air missiles. The Azerbaijani side was informed once again that the Russian Armed Forces were hitting legitimate military targets, including facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry located in Kiev, while conducting the special military operation. When planning attacks, the Russian side meticulously monitors the results of military strikes in order to avoid civilian casualties and takes into account the locations of foreign states' diplomatic missions. In this context, it was emphasised that statements about the allegedly deliberate missile strikes against facilities of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Ukraine were false. It was also highlighted that the Kiev regime continued to deploy military installations, including air defence systems, in residential areas, in violation of international humanitarian law, thus threatening the civilian population. The Russian side assumes that the Ukrainian military-political leadership should be held responsible for any consequences of these criminal actions. During their subsequent discussion, the officials reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further developing bilateral ties in accordance with the Declaration on Allied Interaction between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Azerbaijan, signed in Moscow on February 22, 2022. They discussed the timeframe of top-level contacts and acknowledged the successful development of bilateral economic cooperation and the importance of resuming cultural and humanitarian ties in full volume. The Russian side emphasised the need for releasing 11 Russian citizens, arrested in Baku on June 30 - July 1, 2025, as a significant step for normalising bilateral relations. The officials dwelt separately on regional issues, including the Russian side's possible assistance to the normalisation of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations on the basis of the package of top-level trilateral agreements, reached in 2020-2022. They also reviewed issues of maintaining the rhythmic work of the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan expresses regret after CPTPP does not address its accession ROC Central News Agency 11/21/2025 09:48 PM Taipei, Nov. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Friday voiced dissatisfaction with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), whose latest meeting, concluded earlier the same day, appeared not to address the country's application. In a statement, MOFA said the CPTPP commission had "once again failed to fairly process Taiwan's application," attributing the inaction to the bloc's "succumbing to political pressure," without elaborating. Taiwan submitted its CPTPP application under the name "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu" on Sept. 22, 2021 -- less than a week after China filed its bid. Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has publicly opposed Taiwan's membership, raising concerns among Taiwanese officials that a successful Chinese bid could sink Taiwan's hopes of joining the CPTPP. MOFA's comments came after the CPTPP commission concluded its meeting in Melbourne, Australia, earlier Friday, where member states agreed to start Uruguay's accession process. In a joint statement, the CPTPP members said they "have identified four aspirants who are in line with the Auckland Principles, namely Uruguay, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and Indonesia." "We have decided to commence an accession process with Uruguay, and will commence with the others in 2026, if appropriate," said the statement, which made no mention of Taiwan or China. In its statement, MOFA said it would continue efforts to show CPTPP members that Taiwan meets the high standards required by the bloc, which currently has 12 members and represents approximately 15 percent of the global economy, and to secure their support for its membership. The ministry also highlighted Taiwan's commitment to align its trade practices and regulations with international standards and noted that the island has signed trade or investment agreements with multiple CPTPP members, including Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. senators introduce bill to prevent changes to 'Six Assurances' ROC Central News Agency 11/21/2025 01:28 PM Washington, Nov. 20 (CNA) Two U.S. senators on Thursday introduced a bipartisan bill to codify the "Six Assurances" as a cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Taiwan and prevent any unilateral changes to America's longstanding position without congressional review. The "Six Assurances to Taiwan Act," proposed by Republican John Curtis and Democrat Jeff Merkley, would give the assurances the full force of law, ensuring Congress must review any attempt to alter them. The bill, submitted for review by a Senate committee, is identical to a companion bill introduced by Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and several other lawmakers that was approved by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee. It reaffirms that maintaining the Six Assurances is in the national, economic, and security interest of the United States and contributes to peace in the Indo-Pacific. Under the measure, any U.S. administration must notify Congress and provide a full justification if it takes action to alter arms sales, revise longstanding policy, or pressure Taiwan into negotiations. It also stipulates that no such action may proceed until Congress has had up to 60 days to review and potentially block it through a joint resolution of disapproval. "Our bipartisan bill codifies a cornerstone of U.S. policy toward Taiwan -- ensuring no administration can back away from this commitment behind closed doors," Merkley said in a statement issued by his office. It "sends the strong message that members of Congress from both sides of the aisle will not stand for any efforts that undermine this essential partnership," Merkley said. First issued under President Ronald Reagan, the Six Assurances stipulate that the United States has not agreed to set a deadline for ending arms sales to Taiwan, consult with China on such sales, or revise the Taiwan Relations Act, which underpins U.S. policy toward Taiwan. They also state that Washington will not mediate between Taipei and Beijing and has not changed its position on Taiwan's sovereignty. "Republicans and Democrats agree that the United States must reinforce our long-standing support for Taiwan," Merkley said. Curtis, meanwhile, said the Six Assurances have been a cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan policy since President Reagan first outlined them in 1982. "My bill simply codifies these longstanding commitments, so they carry the full weight of law. As Beijing escalates its pressure campaign, this is about clarity, deterrence, and showing Taiwan that America's support is principled, bipartisan, and enduring," Curtis said. (By Chung Yu-chen and Ko Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. State Department reaffirms Japan alliance, Taiwan Strait stability ROC Central News Agency 11/21/2025 11:14 AM Washington, Nov. 20 (CNA) The United States Department of State has reaffirmed Washington's commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and to maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait following several economic reprisals by Beijing against Tokyo for its support of Taiwan. Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday that the U.S. remains unwavering in its support for Japan's defense, calling the alliance "the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific." "We firmly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, including through force or coercion, in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, or South China Sea," Pigott said. His remarks were the first proactive reaction by the State Department to China's angry condemnation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comment on Nov. 7 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could constitute "a situation threatening Japan's survival," potentially triggering a military response. Since then, China has imposed a series of measures aimed at hurting Japan's economy, including advisories against travel and study in the country and the suspension of resuming imports of Japanese seafood. Over the past week, CNA had twice asked the State Department for comment, but in both cases it did not mention the U.S.-Japan alliance or Japan's defense. Instead, it reiterated that the U.S. opposes unilateral attempts to change the status quo, supports cross-strait dialogue, and that differences are resolved peacefully in a manner acceptable to people on both sides and free from coercion. Meanwhile, Takaichi is thought to be the first Japanese leader in decades to publicly suggest that a Taiwan Strait crisis could lead to Japan's military involvement. Earlier on Thursday, President Lai Ching-te () responded to China's reported suspension of Japanese seafood imports by sharing photos on social media of himself enjoying miso soup and sushi made with seafood from Kagoshima and Hokkaido. (By Chung Yu-chen and Ko Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/11/22 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Nov. 21 (Fri.) to 6 a.m. Nov. 22 (Sat.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 18 sorties of PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN ships and 1offical ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 12 out of 18 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. 1141122_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1141122_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Secretary calls for stronger partnerships to boost British border security during trip to Germany Press release UK and Germany re-double efforts to tackle illegal migration and crack down on people smuggling gangs in Europe From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP Published 20 November 2025 UK and Germany re-double efforts to tackle illegal migration and crack down on people smuggling gangs in Europe Foreign Secretary to say greater collaboration with partners needed to keep the UK's borders safe UK set to announce new action to bear down on Russian cyber criminals People smugglers across Europe will face renewed efforts to dismantle and destroy their business models this week, as the Foreign Secretary visits Germany to drum up support from partners to protect borders and tackle organised immigration crime. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will be in Berlin to drive forward her mission to forge international partnerships that tackle illegal migration and bolster border security together. Meeting her German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, the Foreign Secretary will underline the need to use all means necessary to take on criminal gangs, from intercepting small boats en route to the Channel, to ensuring international legal frameworks can deal with today's migration challenges. She will also mark progress on the new German law to criminalise smuggler gangs storing small boats which was agreed as part of the Kensington Treaty in July and is due to complete its passage into law through the German Parliament by the Christmas break. The new law that the Foreign Secretary has championed means that German police and the UK's National Crime Agency can take action on the warehouses and industrial supply chains run by organised immigration crime gangs who operate in the Channel. The visit comes as the government has announced sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration and remove incentives that draw illegal migrants to come to Britain. Only by having a system that is strongly controlled and managed can Britain maintain the public's confidence in providing sanctuary for those genuinely fleeing danger. The Foreign Secretary's visit comes amidst ongoing operations led by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) and partner agencies across Europe to target the criminal smuggling gangs, with nearly 200 arrests in the past year. The UK and Germany work closely together to tackle organised immigration crime as part of our Joint Action Plan on Illegal Migration - earlier this month, an individual suspected of being a high-ranking member of a Syrian people smuggling gang was arrested by the NCA in Manchester. The individual is wanted by the German authorities on seventeen separate charges. Last December, NCA officers also supported a major operation in Germany targeting an Iraqi people smuggling network, resulting in 13 arrests, and the seizure of 21 boats and 24 engines, alongside life jackets, pumps and cash. Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: Together with Germany we are taking new action to stop illegal small boat crossings, to strengthen border security and to go after the criminal smuggler gangs who have been storing boats and equipment in German warehouses. As a result of the landmark Treaty we signed earlier in the year, Germany is now set to change its law by Christmas so our police can jointly go after the smugglers and traffickers and their vile trade in human lives Criminal smuggler gangs operate across borders, so governments and law enforcement need to cooperate across borders to bring them down. Our partnerships with other countries alongside our reforms to the broken asylum system are crucial to restoring order and control and strengthening our border security. Both countries will also discuss the urgent need to continue defending Europe from malicious Russian hybrid activity, with the Foreign Secretary expected to announce fresh action to crack down on underground cyber networks. As key Coalition of the Willing and G7 partners, the UK and Germany are working in lockstep to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The UK and Germany have been key players in support for Ukraine and both increased the pressure on Russia by bearing down on revenues and cutting off critical military supplies. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Wadephul will hold the annual UK-Germany Strategic Dialogue, building on the success of the Kensington Treaty signed in July, and looking ahead to German President Steinmeier's State Visit to the UK in December. Since taking office the government has been fixing the foundations of the asylum system, returning nearly 50,000 people with no right to be here - saving taxpayer millions in asylum costs. The UK continues to play a leading international role in tackling organised immigration crime, including through ground-breaking returns deals with Vietnam, Iraq and France, and strengthened cooperation with countries across the Western Balkans. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM meeting with President Ramaphosa of South Africa: 21 November 2025 Press release The Prime Minister met South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Johannesburg today. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 21 November 2025 The Prime Minister met South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, in Johannesburg today. The Prime Minister began by thanking President Ramaphosa for the warm welcome to South Africa, and congratulating him on Africa's first G20. He said the summit represented a really important moment and thanked the President for his leadership. Turning to the bilateral relationship, the Prime Minister welcomed the strong partnership between the UK and South Africa to boost growth in both countries and increase trade between them. That included work on trains and parts built in Derby and being used in South Africa, he added. This was a tangible example of the strength of the relationship between the two countries, the Prime Minister said. Turning to Ukraine, the Prime Minister reiterated the importance of securing a just and lasting peace. On Sudan, the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of securing a humanitarian truce, and the leaders agreed on the importance of international unity to push for a lasting ceasefire. The leaders looked forward to speaking again at the summit tomorrow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Civilians Under Siege amid Strikes, Winter Bite, Security Council Told Meetings Coverage Security Council 10050th Meeting (PM) SC/16229 20 November 2025 Nearly four years into the war in Ukraine, attacks continue to escalate and casualties keep rising with figures from January to October 2025 already surpassing the total for all of last year a senior UN official told the Security Council today, calling for intensified diplomatic efforts towards a just and lasting peace. "No region of Ukraine is safe," said Kayoko Gotoh, Officer-in-Charge, Europe, Central Asia and Americas Division, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, noting that, in Kyiv alone, civilian casualties in the first ten months of 2025 were nearly 3.8 times higher than in 2024. Large-scale strikes on energy infrastructure have triggered prolonged power outages across most regions, leaving millions without heat, water or transport as temperatures fall. Hospitals, homes, railways, schools, cultural sites, diplomatic facilities and even kindergartens have been hit. Most casualties, she continued, are still concentrated near the frontline including in Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Sumy and Donetsk but Moscow's increased use of long-range weapons has placed many more civilians at risk. Yesterday's attack on Ternopil reportedly killed at least 26 people, including three children, and injured dozens more. Many remain missing under the rubble. "This was one of the war's deadliest strikes on civilians," she said. Western regions Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk were also struck. In Kharkiv, at least 46 people, including two children, were reportedly injured in a drone attack. These incidents follow the massive 14 November strike on Kyiv, which killed at least six people, injured many more and damaged the Embassy of Azerbaijan the second recent incident affecting diplomatic premises. She also noted the war's increasing effect on civilians inside the Russian Federation. According to Russian authorities, Ukrainian drone strikes have killed 392 people in 2025 including 22 children in the Russian Federation and in areas of Ukraine occupied by it. Edem Wosornu, Director of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' Crisis Response Division, reported that "relentless" missile and drone strikes "day and night" are killing and injuring civilians, destroying homes and damaging critical civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. She also described growing power outages amid freezing temperatures, older people trapped without reliable access to water or medical care, civilians cut off from humanitarian assistance and an October missile strike on a children's hospital in Kherson. "This pattern of attacks risks eroding an international legal framework that has taken more than a century to build," she underscored. "At the same time, displacement and humanitarian needs are growing," she continued, noting that around 122,000 people have been newly displaced in 2025 alone the vast majority being women, children and older people. And, while humanitarian organizations continue to deliver aid wherever access allows reaching more than 4.2 million people between January and September 2025 humanitarian workers face immense challenges. In October, a UN-led convoy in Kherson was attacked while trying to reach a community in need. Noting that footage of the strike "shows humanitarian vehicles being treated as targets", she underscored: "They are categorically not." Also constraining humanitarian operations is a funding shortfall, she said, which "has a human cost" 72,000 displaced people lack adequate shelter, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence lack specialized care and a growing mental-health crisis leaves millions without psychosocial support. Nevertheless, she spotlighted the "remarkable" determination of Ukrainian communities to survive and rebuild. She observed, however: "Resilience is not protection it cannot substitute for safety, dignity or compliance with international law." Attacks against Civilians, Weaponization of Civilian Infrastructure In the ensuing discussion, many delegates condemned Moscow's attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure, with Panama's representative stressing that civilian protection is an "inescapable" obligation. "Hospitals, power grids and homes must never be targeted," emphasized the representative of Somalia. "As another winter is around the corner, people in the conflict zone face the double whammy of warfare and bitter cold", creating a deeply concerning humanitarian situation, observed China's delegate. Greece's delegate added that for the fourth consecutive year the energy needs of Ukrainian civilians are weaponized, with the most vulnerable groups, women, children and the elderly, bearing the brunt of the aggression. "The recent increase in attacks on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure is deeply cynical," concurred Denmark's delegate, noting that "deliberately denying the civilian population the means to keep warm, cook, light their homes and access clean drinking water represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law". Underscoring that international humanitarian law explicitly protects humanitarian workers during armed conflict, Guyana's delegate strongly condemned the attacks against an inter-agency humanitarian convoy carrying aid in the Kherson region in October. The representative of the United Kingdom, noting that today is World Children's Day, spotlighted the Ukrainian children who have become "victims of Russia's illegal invasion and imperialist warmongering". They have been killed, injured or deprived of education the Russian Federation struck a kindergarten in Kharkiv in October and he stressed that these attacks, part of a larger pattern against civilian infrastructure, are "signs of desperation". "We're not at war with Ukrainian civilians," countered the representative of the Russian Federation, stating that Moscow's forces "act with maximum responsibility, striking only military targets and their supporting transport and energy infrastructure". Now, amid heavy losses, Kyiv is conducting aggressive mobilization to replenish its forces "people are just basically being grabbed off the streets", he said, citing the early November incident where Angelina Jolie's bodyguard was "detained before her very eyes" while she visited Ukraine. He stressed: "We see no genuine desire [from Kyiv] to sit down and discuss key aspects of resolving the Ukrainian crisis." Condemnation of Moscow's Aggression and Its Spillover Across Europe Ukraine's delegate, meanwhile, stated: "While Ukraine stands ready to engage in meaningful negotiation to end this war, including at the leaders' level, our red lines are clear and unwavering: there will never be any recognition formal or otherwise of Ukraine's territory occupied by the Russian Federation as 'Russian'." She asserted: "Our land is not for sale." Ukraine will also not accept any limits on its right to self-defence or on the size and capability of its armed forces. Nor will it tolerate any infringement of its sovereignty, she emphasized. Numerous countries in the region echoed that sentiment. "Russia is the only obstacle to peace in Ukraine", and its aggression is now "spilling across Europe", warned the representative of Lithuania, also speaking for Estonia and Latvia. Romania's representative said that, on the night of 10-11 November, a Russian Federation unmanned aerial vehicle "yet again" violated his country's airspace. It was followed by another violation on 19 November, related to a Russian Federation attack on the Ukrainian port of Izmail. Poland's representative recalled the 15-16 November sabotage against Polish railway infrastructure, which included "blowing up" a section of track crucial for the delivery of humanitarian aid including from the UN to Ukraine. "Fortunately, a tragedy was averted, but another line was crossed," he stressed, citing this as evidence of Moscow spreading its aggression to other countries in the region. "Here is the shocking truth about this war", said the representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer: According to credible reports, over a million Russian soldiers have been killed or injured trying to conquer Ukraine. He urged Moscow to stop its systematic attacks, which include violations of European airspace, and "genuinely sit down for talks". France's representative underscored that "allowing aggression to achieve its aims would open the door, on every continent, to aggressive policies of revising borders in violation of the territorial integrity and sovereign equality of States". For its part, Paris is working towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, he said, adding: "That is a peace that does not mean Ukraine's capitulation." "Appeasement, or a lack of action, would only embolden the aggressor and risk sowing instability elsewhere," underscored the representative of Sweden, also speaking for Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, and urged Moscow to cease its aggression and comply with international law. She added: "We must remember that this is a Russian war of choice." Calls for Diplomatic Solution Underscoring that Moscow and Kyiv "must negotiate" and that both must "accept a ceasefire", the representative of the United States noted that his country has called on others particularly in Europe to stop buying Russian Federation energy resources. Further, the United States imposed sanctions on that country's two largest oil companies on 22 October. He stated: "We can impose further economic costs if Russia continues to ignore calls for a ceasefire; we will also continue to make weapons available for Ukraine's defence." Many echoed his call for a diplomatic solution. Among them was Pakistan's delegate, who voiced regret that the diplomatic momentum generated at the start of the year by the adoption of resolution 2774 (2025) has yet to bear fruit. Intensified diplomatic efforts towards a definitive end to hostilities between the parties are paramount, concurred Algeria's representative. The speaker for the Republic of Korea also encouraged all parties to return to the negotiating table "so the killing and destruction stop, children can emerge from the bomb shelters, and soldiers return home". "We need an unconditional ceasefire now to stop the bloodshed and lay the foundation of trust for sincere negotiation," said Germany's representative, underscoring the need to preserve the inviolability of the UN Charter. "With at least 14,500 civilians in Ukraine killed since February 2022, it is way past time for the conflicting parties to engage in diplomatic dialogue," stressed the representative of Sierra Leone, Council President for November, as he spoke in his national capacity. "We need a decisive next step to end the bloodshed and stop the destruction. We need a ceasefire now," concluded Slovenia's delegate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania protests over Russia's continued killing of Ukrainian civilians Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-11-21 On 21 November, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania handed a note of protest to a representative of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Lithuania as the Russian armed forces continued to terrorise the Ukrainian population. On 19 November alone, Russian missiles hit residential buildings in Ternopil, killing at least 28 civilians, including 3 children, and injuring nearly 100. Massive attacks by Russian forces in this and many other regions have affected even more Ukrainian civilians, their homes and critical infrastructure. Residential buildings and energy facilities, which were damaged or destroyed by the Russian military, once again testify to the fact that the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine is the main target of criminal attacks by Russia. Lithuania also affirmed that it would continue to demand an immediate end to the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, the withdrawal of occupying forces from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, and full compensation for the damage suffered by Ukraine due to the Russian aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas met with Minister of Defence of Ukraine Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2025-11-21 International cooperation | Security and defense policy Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas is conducting a visit in Ukraine were he has already met with Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal and other senior officials. The Ministers discussed the current security situation in Ukraine, support and cooperation, the most urgent Ukraine's needs and a possible peace deal. Minister R. Kaunas assured the Ukrainian counterpart that Lithuania will continue to be a steadfast supporter and assistance provider to Ukraine. Lithuania is committed to share at least 0.25% of GDP in support to Ukraine annually. Also, Lithuania will take part in urgent military assistance programmes next year where it will provide critically needed weapons with its second contribution through PURL, and assistance through the Patriot and the Czech ammunition initiatives. "We recognize the critical importance of continuing standing by Ukraine, so Lithuania will contribute to Ukraine's military defence with approx. EUR 220 million. Also, Lithuania is an active partner of the Nordic-Baltic Task Force LEGIO initiative. Our first team of instructors will kick off the training for Ukrainian Brigades in January. We will continue to urge other countries to support Ukraine to the best of our ability further as well," said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas. Another topic the Ministers addressed at the meeting was defence industry and enhancement of its capacity. A major portion of acquisitions conducted through the Capability Coalition for Demining (that Lithuania is a co-founder of), as well as others, to be transferred to Ukraine, are bought from Ukraine's suppliers besides the Lithuanian ones. The mechanism is designed to support the Ukrainian defence industry. Lithuania has already supported production of the AN-196 Liuty system with EUR 20 million on the basis of the mutual assistance mechanism to the Ukrainian defence industry. The support will be conducted regularly. Joint production projects, i.e. Ukrainian military products being manufactured in Lithuania, is one of the ways to step up military aid to Ukraine. The Ministers discussed the cooperation between the Ukrainian and the Lithuanian defence industry, possible projects and opportunities. Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas underscored Ukraine's experience and lessons learned of vital importance to our regional security. "The air defence challenges Lithuania is facing can be solved with the help of Ukraine's experience in integrated air defence and counter-drone warfare. We are also facing extra challenges, including the interference of the smuggling balloons. We are intensely weighing possible solutions and we are open to Ukraine's ideas on how to neutralize them," said Minister of National Defence R. Kaunas. During his visit to Ukraine, Minister R.Kaunas also met with the Ukrainian Air Force leadership and toured a defence industry complex. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky rejects US plan on ending conflict with Russia Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 11:30 PM Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly pushed back against a US plan, which President Donald Trump says is aimed at ending Ukraine's drawn-out conflict with Russia. In an address on Friday, Zelensky admitted Ukraine was facing "one of the most difficult moments in its history," saying Washington was applying unprecedented pressure on Kiev to accept Trump's 28-point proposal. The plan reportedly recognizes Crimea's and the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luganks's 2014 votes to join the Russian Federation, freezes Ukrainian forces along the current frontline, limits Kiev's army, and rules out the country's NATO membership permanently. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelensky had to "negotiate now" or risk losing even more territory, underscoring that Ukraine's room for maneuver was shrinking by day. President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Moscow had received the US draft plan and described it as a potential basis for a lasting settlement. "I believe it could lay the foundation for a final peace settlement," he said, adding that if Kiev rejected the proposal, recent Russian victories, including the capture of the city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine, "will inevitably be repeated in other key areas." Zelensky equated accepting the US proposal with "the loss of dignity," while acknowledging that Kiev's insubordination in the face of Washington faced it with the "risk of losing a key partner." Trump has set a deadline of November 27 for Kiev to accept the plan, hinting that the timeline might be extended only if negotiations proceeded smoothly. Zelensky claimed he would "propose alternatives." He also contacted US Vice President JD Vance and senior War Department officials for what he described as an hour-long phone call, a move widely seen as an attempt to win time. The US's decision to bypass Europe in pushing the plan through has, meanwhile, infuriated EU leaders, who were left scrambling after learning of the plan only after its circulation between Washington and Kiev. Germany, France, and the UK held emergency talks with Zelensky as European capitals attempted to reassert relevance in a process now overwhelmingly shaped by Russia and the United States. While some leaders repeated familiar slogans of "unwavering support," others suggested the American plan could force uncomfortable, but unavoidable conversations inside the EU. Germany stressed that the current frontline, not the US proposal, should be the basis of any settlement, a position that contrasts sharply with Trump's terms. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said intense intra-European discussions were necessary and announced meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US pressing Ukraine to accept Trump's plan to end war with Russia Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 6:14 PM The United States has threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine in a bid to press it into accepting President Donald Trump's proposed plan aimed to end nearly four years of war with Russia, two sources familiar with the issue say. One of the sources told Reuters on Friday that Washington wanted Kiev to sign the framework by next Thursday. Kiev confirmed receiving a new draft plan from the US on Thursday without giving details on its contents. The Ukrainian leadership expressed readiness to discuss it, saying "in the American side's assessment" the draft "could help reinvigorate diplomacy." Moscow, however, said it received no drafts and declined to comment on "conflicting" reports about the plan, until it sees something concrete. "I think that commenting on leaks that are contradictory and contain conflicting elements is pointless. When we have some official information, when we receive it via a relevant channel, naturally, we will always be open to work," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters. "For several days now, Western media outlets have been releasing various leaks and drafts - whatever this could be called - with different details, in different sequences, under various labels," she said, referring to the US plan. "We have official channels of communication with Washington. The Foreign Ministry has received no information, plans or drafts." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff were in contact with both Moscow and Kiev regarding the plan floated by Washington. Zakharova reiterated Russia's readiness to engage in negotiations with Ukraine. "We are open to discussing issues of the settlement of the situation in Ukraine which have been and are part of our dialogue at various levels," she said, adding, "We have received nothing resembling what was published in the Western media." According to media reports, the 28-point plan includes the recognition of Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, Donbass and other territories Ukraine will have to cede, downsizing Ukraine's army and stripping it of long-range weapons, and giving up on its NATO aspirations. The three points are among the key points of the plan that Ukraine's mission at the UN has already rejected. Deputy Permanent Representative Khristina Gayovyshyn, however, stressed that the Kiev government is ready to discuss the provisions of the draft. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said there was "nothing new" in Russia-US negotiations on the war. He told reporters on Friday that the Russian government has received no information about Kiev agreeing to negotiate on the US-sponsored plan. Ukraine's European backers have rejected the reported clauses of the settlement plan, insisting that any agreement must reflect the positions of both Brussels and Kiev. The European Union is now reportedly working on a "counteroffer" that is more favorable to Kiev. 'Russian forces take full control of Kupyansk' The latest developments come as the chief of Russia's general staff, Valery Gerasimov, announced that Russian forces have taken control of the city of Kupyansk, a key logistical hub near the Oskol River, in northeastern Ukraine. "Formations of the West grouping have liberated the city of Kupyansk," Gerasimov said on Thursday during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military command post. For his part, Putin hailed the performance of Russian troops, stating that about 15 battalions of Ukraine's Armed Forces were surrounded in and around Kupyansk. Kiev has denied the report saying, "Kupyansk is under the control of Ukraine's defense forces." Ukraine's General Staff also denied any major setbacks in Volchansk and Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk). Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, following Kiev's failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements and Moscow's recognition of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. Putin said one of the goals of the military operation was to "de-Nazify" Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine to cede land, shrink army in new US peace plan: Report Iran Press TV Friday, 21 November 2025 7:38 AM The US has drafted a new peace proposal for Russia and Ukraine, under which Kiev will reportedly have to cede land and limit the size of its military, in addition to being barred from joining NATO. According to a draft obtained cited by news agencies, Ukraine's military, currently at roughly 880,000 troops, would be reduced to 600,000. Moreover, the proposal would enable Moscow to hold all of the eastern Donbas region and return to what was formerly known as the Group of Eight (G8), a forum of major industrialized nations. Russia was suspended from the G8 in 2014 after its annexation of Crimea, a strategically important peninsula on the northern coast of the Black Sea. Following the suspension, the G8 reverted to the G7. Russia would also be allowed to keep half of the power generated by Europe's largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhia. The US began drawing up the plan soon after its special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday held a meeting with Rustem Umerov, a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian envoy reportedly agreed to the majority of the plan after making several modifications. US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll was also in Kiev on Thursday and discussed the latest draft with Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader then offered a statement on social media about the US proposal, saying, "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." Nevertheless, Ukraine's deputy UN Ambassador Khrystyna Hayovyshyn told the UN Security Council, "There will never be any recognition, formal or otherwise, of Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation as Russian." "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. The draft also calls for a "Peace Council" to be overseen by US President Donald Trump. It also provides for sanctions in the event that either Russia or Ukraine violates the truce. Under the proposal, Russia would commit to making no future attacks. In addition, $100 billion in frozen Russian assets would be dedicated to Ukraine. The plan could not only drive a wedge between the US and its European allies, but also deepen divisions within the United States on the issue. As reports about the draft emerged, European diplomats appeared caught by surprise, insisting they must be consulted. "For any plan to work, it needs Ukrainians and Europeans on board," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. US Republican Representative and retired military officer Don Bacon described the plan as "unacceptable." "It is a 1938 Munich," he said, referring to the diplomatic agreement aimed at securing peace with Nazi Germany. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly struggled to gain traction in mediating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Though he entered office vowing to resolve the conflict through diplomacy, his approach failed to produce meaningful progress. After failing to secure his role as a peacemaker between Russia and Ukraine in June, Trump suggested it might be better to allow the fighting to continue "for a while" before intervening. Later in August, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska but once again failed to achieve his goal, admitting that he was "not happy" with the outcome and that he had "made no progress at all." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Faces 'Very Difficult Choice' Over US Peace Plan, Zelenskyy Tells Nation By Steve Gutterman November 21, 2025 Summary President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine faces "one of the most difficult moments" in its history as it considers a US-drafted a peace plan requiring territorial concessions and limits on NATO involvement. Zelenskyy said he won't betray Ukrainian interests in U.S.-led peace process. Ukraine has not rejected the plan, but it insists on sovereignty and nonrecognition of Russian-occupied territories. Russia also may demand revisions to the plan, which includes restrictions on Ukraine's military size. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine faces "one of the most difficult moments" in its history as the United States presses Kyiv to agree to a controversial plan to end the war launched by Russia, warning the country risks "losing a key partner" but will not "betray" its own interests. In a videotaped address to the nation on November 21, Zelenskyy said his government "will work calmly with America and all partners" and vowed to hold a "constructive search for solutions" with Washington, which handed him the 28-point draft plan a day earlier. "I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will offer alternatives, but we will definitely not give the enemy a reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace," Zelenskyy said, suggesting Kyiv would seek substantial changes to the US proposal, which entails major concessions by Kyiv, after it emerged abruptly this week. "Now Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice. Either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner [the US]," he said, dressed in black and urging unity in a somber-toned address that comes at a tough time, with a corruption scandal shaking his administration. "Either a difficult 28 points or an extremely hard winter -- the hardest -- and further risks. Life without freedom, without dignity, without justice," he said. Speaking the same day to Fox News, US President Donald Trump said he believed Thanksgiving, which is November 27, is an "appropriate" deadline for the Ukrainian leadership to make a decision on the plan. Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, said Moscow was ready to negotiate the plan, viewing it as a potential "foundation" for a peaceful settlement. He warned, however, that Russia remained satisfied with the current dynamics of its war on Ukraine. What's In The Plan? The draft proposal obtained by RFE/RL and other news outlets indicates that if it were approved in its current wording, Ukraine would be required to cede more than 20 percent of its territory, at least de facto, and make other major concessions including limiting the size of its military and a constitutional prohibition on joining NATO. It would also slap restrictions on NATO, obliging the alliance not to expand further or to station troops in Ukraine, and would end Russia's isolation from the West, paving the way for the removal of sanctions and extending Moscow an invitation to rejoin the club known as the G-7 since it was excluded in 2014 over its seizure of Crimea. Neither the United States nor Ukraine has confirmed the wording of the 28-point draft proposal, and Russia has made few comments on the matter. The reported draft and officials' remarks about the proposal have raised many questions. As the latest push in Trump's effort to end the biggest and deadliest war in Europe since 1945 takes shape, here are some of the key questions -- and potential answers. How Flexible Is Washington On The Plan? Initial reports suggested the plan had been worked out by the United States and Russia without input from Ukraine, generating concerns it is being foisted on Ukraine as something close to a fait accompli. Prior to Trump's interview with Fox News, the Financial Times cited unnamed Ukrainian officials as saying the Trump administration had told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and others on his team that the White House was working on an "aggressive" timeline in order to end the war before the new year. Reuters' sources said Kyiv was under greater pressure from Washington than during any previous peace discussions, with the United States threatening to curtail intelligence sharing and weapons supplies. "It's a good plan for both" Russia and Ukraine, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on November 20, adding, "We believe that it should be acceptable to both sides. And we're working very hard to get it done." At the same time, Leavitt said White House special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been working on the proposal for about a month and had been talking to both Russia and Ukraine "to understand what these countries would commit to in order to see a lasting and durable peace." Rubio seemed to suggest the draft deal was not set in stone, writing on X that "we are and will continue to develop a list of potential ideasfor ending this war based on input from both sides of this conflict." Has Ukraine Already Rejected It? The short answer is no. After a meeting with top Pentagon officers and the chief of the US Army in Kyiv on November 20, Zelenskyy said he had received the US draft and intends to discuss it with Trump -- a conversation media reports say could take place next week. He spoke to Vice President JD Vance on November 21. "We are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace," Zelenskyy said in a post on X on November 21. In the address later in the day, he also steered clear of rejecting the plan. At a UN Security Council on November 20, Ukraine's deputy UN envoy, Khrystyna Hayovyshyn, said Kyiv's "core principles are non-negotiable," according to a summary in a post on X: "No recognition of temporarily occupied territories as 'Russian," "Full respect for Ukraine's sovereignty & self-defense," and "Freedom to choose alliances." The reported draft appears to cross all three of those red lines, with its numerical limit on army size, its barring of NATO membership, and its call for recognition of Crimea and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions as "de facto Russian." The "de facto" stipulation may be an attempt to open a loophole by enabling Ukraine to avoid formal recognition, but Hayovyshyn suggested that wouldn't fly. "There will never be any recognition, formal or otherwise, of Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation as Russian," she told the UN Security Council. Regardless of how that part is parsed, Ukraine seems highly unlikely to accept wording calling for the withdrawal of its forces from the part of the Donetsk region they still hold and are defending in fierce fighting every day, let alone the international recognition of that land as Russian. While Zelenskyy has voiced readiness for Ukraine to conduct elections once the war is over and martial law is lifted, Kyiv -- which has bristled at Russian President Vladimir Putin's inaccurate claims that Zelenskyy is no longer the legitimate president -- might balk at the stipulation that it hold elections in 100 days after the agreement is signed. A clause calling for the "full amnesty" of all parties in the war would also be hard for many Ukrainians to swallow, given widespread evidence of atrocities by Russian forces -- which Moscow in general has denied -- and frequent attacks that have killed and maimed Ukrainian civilians, among other conduct by the Russian government and military. Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court on suspicion of war crimes over the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. What About Security Guarantees? One of Ukraine's key demands for agreeing to any peace deal has been robust security guarantees. The reported draft plan states Ukraine will receive reliable security guarantees and a new Russian invasion of Ukraine would lead to a "decisive coordinated military response," the reinstatement of sanctions, and the revocation of recognition of "the new territory." But it is skimpy on details, and the bar on NATO troops being stationed in Ukraine appears to rule out a potential plan by the largely European "Coalition of the Willing" to send forces to back up Ukrainian troops. "There are a lot of vague and undisclosed points that needclarification, because a lot actually depends on those clarifications," Ukrainian political analyst Petro Oleshchuk told Current Time. "What I've seen, even if we assume it's accurate, is more like a draft written on a napkin during negotiations rather than a document that could actually be signed by someone." Zelenskyy has indicated that in addition to Ukraine, Europe must not be sidelined in the peace process. After a call with the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany on November 21, he said on X the countries "are coordinating closely to make sure that the principled stances are taken into account." What Does Russia Think? Reports of the US draft proposal, particularly when they first emerged, sparked concerns that it echoed longstanding Russian demands such as the prohibition of NATO membership for Ukraine and the recognition of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk as Russian and that it amounted to capitulation by Kyiv. Nonetheless, Russia may find fault with specific aspects of the plan, such as a cap on Ukraine's army size that, at 600,000, is far higher than what Moscow has demanded in the past, as well as with its wording, which analyst Tatyana Stanovaya said "reveals a dismissive and inaccurate understanding of how Moscow formulates its positions." In a post on X, she said that "although the concessions to Russia appear substantial, the plan would also require Moscow to abandon some of its earlier conditions -- for example, the more radical reduction of Ukraine's armed forces or parts of the political reform package," a reference to Russia's call for political change in Ukraine. "I am not suggesting that Putin would reject the plan outright, but he would almost certainly insist on scrupulous work on the formulations and on putting every commitment down on paper in detailed form," said Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. In his address on November 21, Putin did not confirm that Russia was directly involved in the process of drafting the plan. However, multiple Western media outlets have cited sources as saying the documents was largely the product of talks between Witkoff and a special envoy for Putin, Kirill Dmitriev. Earlier, Kremlin spokesman said that Moscow would "prefer to treat bilateral [Russian-US] and the Ukraine settlement as two different tracks," a remark that reflected what analysts say is the Kremlin's clear desire to improve its US ties without making concessions on Ukraine. "But there has not really been much headway on the irritants," Peskov said, adding the United States was to blame, in Moscow's eyes, "because the American side has a different point of view. They still believe that everything should depend on how we move forward in the Ukraine settlement process." Many analysts say Putin will not agree to any peace deal he believes would undermine Russian efforts to subjugate Ukraine by force, diplomacy, or a combination of the two. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Current Time Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-us-peace- plan-trump-putin-zelenskyy/33598281.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ranking Member Shaheen Responds to Ukraine Negotiations and Delivers Opening Remarks at 2025 Halifax International Security Forum Senate Foreign Relations Committee November 21, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered opening remarks at the 2025 Halifax International Security Forum. The Ranking Member also rebuked the Trump Administration's proposed 'peace deal' between Russia and Ukraine that serves the interests of Putin and the Kremlin. You can watch her opening remarks here. On the proposed 'peace deal' between Russia and Ukraine, Ranking Member Shaheen laid out that this deal is far from a compromise, but that it more like a wish list for Putin's ambitions: "That's not a compromise, that 28-point peace plan. That's a plan that Russia wrote to benefit Russia. I think most of us would agree that when you do a peace negotiation, everybody has to give something up. But Russia is not giving anything up. We saw what they did we in Georgia in 2008, what they did in Crimea in 2014, we saw them go into Ukraine, and they're going to continue if we don't say, 'enough,' and put some pressure on them." "The only thing Vladimir Putin understands is pressure. What President Trump has failed to do is to put pressure on Putin and the Russian regime to force them to come to the table. Other than the sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, we have done very little to pressure Russia." "We need to give Ukraine their long-range weapons, more air defenses, we need to give them more planes, and we need to work with Europe to ensure they can face this Russian threat." "We have a bill in the United States Senate that has over 85 cosponsors, Republican and Democrat - you never get over 85 cosponsors on a bill in the Senate. It would put significant secondary sanctions on those countries that are still doing business with Russia. We need to pass that bill and President Trump has refused month after month to endorse the bill until recently, and we still haven't taken it up." "The idea that we're going to say to NATO that you can't enlarge any time in the future, when we know there are other countries in Europe that still want to join NATO. Why are we going to handcuff NATO just because Vladimir Putin wants to make sure that Russia is able to continue to pursue its ambitious territorial agenda. I think that is just nuts." "I certainly do not support this kind of a peace plan and my bet is that a lot of my bipartisan senators who are here members of Congress who have been strongly supportive of Ukraine aren't going to support it either." In Ranking Member Shaheen's opening remarks, she underscored the importance of forums like Halifax for likeminded democracies to work together. "Halifax is recognized as a place where democratic nations come together to test assumptions and to confront hard issues openly. The mission of this forum is to strengthen strategic cooperation among the world's democracies," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "We're here to exchange ideas about our support for Ukraine and increase burden sharing, about pushing our allies to increase their defense and security spending, about the future of Afghanistan, about women, peace and security." Ranking Member Shaheen also addressed the strained relationship between the United States and Canada. "Sadly, our relations, the U.S. and Canada have been strained," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "We've seen a wedge created between the United States and Canada, where we share deep cultural, political, economic and social bonds. Finally, Ranking Member Shaheen brought the international security issues that conferences like Halifax address back home to how they impact the American people, including in her home state of New Hampshire. "For a small state like mine in New Hampshire, the alliances aren't abstract," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "They protect our shipyard and aerospace workers, our manufacturers, our guard units who deploy alongside our allies. We have made better decisions because we've had these kinds of conversations here in Halifax." The Ranking Member's remarks, as delivered, are below. Good afternoon, everyone. Let me begin by thanking Peter and everyone at the forum and all of you for the lovely lighthouse. We have lighthouses in New Hampshire too! We also have the shortest coastline of any state in the US. So, I especially appreciate that. It's really wonderful to be here with all of you again. I'm not going to go through the list of all of the honorable officials who are here, but I recognize the contributions that all of you have made. At a moment when alliances are being questioned, it's important for American leaders to show up to this forum and to forums like this around the world. I'm proud to be leading a large bipartisan delegation of senators again. I won't introduce them again since Peter was kind enough to do that, but I will say that we are all here because we believe in the democratic values that Peter and Mr. McGinty, talked about. And also, because we believe in the importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship. As you heard, I've been coming to this forum every year since 2009 when it began. I missed a couple of years, COVID. But it's been such an honor to be here every year. Halifax is recognized as a place where democratic nations come together to test assumptions and to confront hard issues openly. The mission of this forum is to strengthen strategic cooperation among the world's democracies. We're here to exchange ideas about our support for Ukraine and increase burden sharing, about pushing our allies to increase their defense and security spending, about the future of Afghanistan, about women, peace and security. We don't always have to agree, but these discussions are fundamental to our decision making. My good friend Thom Tillis talks about this as he talks about his family. That he can disagree with members of his family, but don't let anybody try and come between them. And I think as democracies, we should take that approach. These discussions are fundamental to our decision-making by stepping outside of information bubbles and hearing dissenting views. That's how democracies make better decisions. It's how we contrast ourselves with authoritarian regimes, and how we avoid the sort of miscalculations that put our people in harm's way. Now, I agree with, I think, probably everybody in this room: this has been a tough year for democracies, for democratic leaders. Democracies have inherent value. We know that. But they also have to deliver for their peoplegood jobs, affordability and economic security at home, peace and stability abroad. And we have to articulate why engaging with the world directly supports our goals. That's especially true as we face strategic competition from autocratic regimes like China and Russia. Our strongest answer to that competition is one advantage authoritarian systems just can't match, and that's our alliances. Many of you know, as you heard, I represent New Hampshire. It's a small state, but we share a very important border with Canada. Sadly, our relations, the U.S. and Canada have been strained. We've seen a wedge created between the United States and Canada, where we share deep cultural, political, economic and social bonds. In New Hampshire, about a third of our residents came from Canada. But I know from my meetings with foreign leaders and diplomats that our allies are nervous. People wonder, 'how can the US be relied on? How solid are our alliances?' I appreciate those concerns as being valid because when support for Ukraine wavers, when tariffs hit some of our closest partners, when diplomacy and predictability take a backseat to short term deals, it's hard for any of us to pretend that we aren't concerned. But we should remember one really important point: alliances are about more than any one leader. Alliances are relationships that have stood the test of time. We saw that in the video with Gander, with the cooperation on World War II and Korea. Alliances, as I said, have stood the test of time. And most of the people here at this conference have spent years traveling to meetings, building relationships, making friendships. These connections are the foundations of our alliances, and they matter in tangible ways. And for a small state like mine in New Hampshire, the alliances aren't abstract. They protect our shipyard and aerospace workers, our manufacturers, our guard units who deploy alongside our allies. We have made better decisions because we've had these kinds of conversations here in Halifax. And since this is my last year leading our bipartisan delegation, I want to just reaffirm how proud I am to have been here for so many years, to have worked with so many of you. And while U.S. politics is right now more volatile than many of us would like. Our alliances have outlasted our politics in the past, and they will again in the future. Thank you all very much. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin: Trump's New Peace Plan May Become Foundation of Ukrainian Conflict's Resolution Sputnik News 20251121 US President Donald Trump's new peace plan could form the basis for a final settlement in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. Earlier this week, the Financial Times published a 28-point US peace plan for Ukraine that includes a reduction in US military aid, official recognition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, granting the Russian language state status in Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's armed forces, and banning foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil. "I believe that it [Trump's plan] can be the basis for a final peaceful settlement," Putin said during a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council today. He also mentioned that Russia has the text of US President Donald Trump's plan for Ukrainian settlement. "We received it through the existing channels of interaction with the US administration," Putin said. Russia agreed to show flexibility in its approach to the Ukrainian settlement during the Anchorage meeting, Putin added. "The main point of the meeting in Alaska, the main purpose of the meeting in Alaska, was that during the negotiations in Anchorage we confirmed that despite certain difficult issues and difficulties on our part, we nevertheless agree with these proposals and are ready to show the flexibility offered to us," Putin said at a meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council. The United States, during discussions on the settlement in Ukraine, asked Russia to make certain compromises, Putin added. "President Trump's peace plan to resolve the situation in Ukraine was discussed before the Alaska meeting. And during this preliminary discussion, the American side asked us to make certain compromises, to show, as they said, flexibility," he elaborated. He added that after his talks with Trump in Alaska, the United States took a pause caused by Ukraine refusing the deal. The US plan for the settlement in Ukraine has not been discussed publicly, only in general terms, he noted. "We have hardly discussed it publicly [the US plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine], only in the most general terms," Putin said at a videoconference meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council. He did note, however, that the United States has so far failed to secure the consent of the Ukrainian side on a peace settlement plan. "The reason, I believe, is the same the US administration has so far failed to secure the consent of the Ukrainian side. Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and dream of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield," Putin said. Neither Ukraine nor Europe understands what a lack of understanding of the situation on the front line can lead to, he noted. "This position is due to the lack of objective information about the situation, the real state of affairs on the battlefield. And, apparently, neither Ukraine nor Europe understands what this may eventually lead to," Putin said, adding that Kiev has no objective information about the real situation on the battlefield, which is why it refuses a peaceful settlement. If Kiev does not want to discuss Trump's proposals, then they and Europeans should understand that events like in the city of Kupyansk will be repeated, Putin said. Meanwhile, all of Russia's friends and partners, including China, India, North Korea, South Africa, Brazil, and the countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), support the potential agreements between Russia and the United States on a Ukrainian settlement, which were discussed at the Anchorage summit, Putin added. "We have thoroughly briefed all of our friends and partners in the Global South on all these issues, including China, India, North Korea, South Africa, Brazil, and many other countries, as well as the CSTO countries, of course. All of our friends and partners I want to emphasize this, every single one of them all supported these potential agreements," he said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Army's Effective Performance Should Convince Ukraine It's Better to Negotiate Now - Kremlin Sputnik News 20251121 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The effective work of the Russian armed forces should convince Zelensky that it is better to negotiate now than later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "The effective work of the Russian armed forces should convince Zelensky and his regime that it is better to negotiate and do it now, better to do it now than later," Peskov told reporters. The actions of the Russian armed forces are an attempt to coerce Zelensky into a peaceful solution, the spokesman also said, adding that any further action is pointless and dangerous for Ukraine. "The space for him [Zelensky] to make decisions is shrinking as he loses territory during the offensive actions of the Russian armed forces," Peskov added. The US has certain ideas regarding a Ukrainian settlement, but nothing specific is currently being discussed. Russia is open to peace talks for their success, not for the sake of the process. The contacts between Russia and the United States are ongoing, and the parties never stopped them. A meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is necessary. Russia and the United States have not made much progress in eliminating irritants in bilateral relations. Moscow is open to dialogue on a settlement in Ukraine based on the discussions that took place in Anchorage. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Takes Control of Settlements in Donetsk People's Republic, Dnepropetrovsk and Kharkov Regions Sputnik News 20251121 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian forces have taken control of the Petropavlovka settlement in Kharkov region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "The settlement of Petropavlovka, Kharkov region, has been liberated," the statement said. Russia's Zapad battlegroup has taken control of Kupyansk in the Kharkov region and continues to destroy encircled Ukrainian troops on the left bank of the Oskil River, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on Friday. "As a result of active operations, units of the Zapad battlegroup have completed the liberation of the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkov region and continue to destroy Ukrainian armed forces formations encircled on the left bank of the Oskil River," the ministry said in a statement. Russian forces also took control of Novoselovka, Stavky, Yampol and Maslyakovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the ministry said, adding that the Russian forces have completed the liberation of the settlement of Radostnoye within the past week. Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated over 3,165 Ukrainian military personnel over the past week, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "In total, over the past week, Ukrainian armed forces in the area of responsibility of the Tsentr group of forces lost over 3,165 servicepeople, four tanks, 39 armored fighting vehicles, 45 cars, 10 field artillery pieces, and two electronic warfare stations," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Vostok battlegroup has eliminated up to 1,790 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry also said, adding that Kiev has lost over 1,570 military personnel in battles with Russia's Zapad (West) group of troops. Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated over 1,195 Ukrainian soldiers in past week, while Russia's Sever battlegroup has eliminated over 1,155 Ukrainian servicepeople, the ministry added. The Russian armed forces also repelled six Ukrainian attacks from Grishino area in the DPR aimed at unblocking the encircled Ukrainian group, killing up to 50 Ukrainian soldiers, the ministry said, Russian troops thwarted five attempts by Ukrainian forces to break out of the encirclement in Dimitrov. This past night, Russian air defenses shot down 33 Ukrainian drones, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. "This past night, from 11:00 PM on November 20 of this year to 7:00 AM Moscow time on November 21 of this year, air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 33 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said. It said seven drones were shot down over the Smolensk Region, seven over the Rostov Region, six over the Belgorod Region, five over the Black Sea, four over Crimea, two each over the Voronezh Region and two over the Krasnodar Territory. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Terrorist Attack on Railway in Krasnodar Thwarted Sputnik News 20251121 KRASNODAR (Sputnik) - A terrorist attack on the railway tracks in in the Russian city of Krasnodar planned by a Ukrainian citizen on instructions from Kiev has been prevented, the office of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Krasnodar Territory said on Friday. A Ukrainian citizen living in the Krasnodar Territory was "recruited by a Ukrainian security service officer through a banned social network, who tasked him with committing a terrorist act by blowing up railway tracks," the FSB said in a statement. The Ukrainian attempted to carry out the bombing using an improvised explosive device, with the aim of disrupting the transport of military equipment and weapons to the special military operation zone, the FSB said, adding that the illegal activities were identified and stopped by regional FSB officers. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Expects Zelensky to Sign Peace Plan by November 27 - Reports Sputnik News 20251121 The United States expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign Trump's plan for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict by November 27, the Financial Times newspaper reported, citing Ukrainian officials. US officials expect Zelensky to sign the agreement "before Thanksgiving" to present the peace deal in Moscow later this month and complete the settlement process by early December, the report said on Thursday. However, the report noted that it is highly unlikely that the agreement will be signed by that deadline, as officials in Zelensky's office say Kiev categorically disagrees with some points of the plan. Kiev is also reportedly developing counterproposals for the American side. On Wednesday, Axios reported that Washington has been holding secret consultations with Moscow to develop a new peace plan for settling the conflict. Later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia and the United States discussed a peaceful settlement in Ukraine during negotiations in Alaska and that there have been no developments on the topic since then. The Financial Times reported that the 28-point US peace plan includes reductions in US military aid, official recognition of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, granting Russian state language status in Ukraine, reducing Ukraine's armed forces, and banning foreign troops and long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil. Axios reported that the plan assumes that the United States and other countries recognize Crimea and Donbas as legitimate Russian territories. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine: 21 November 2025 Press release The Prime Minister spoke to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this afternoon. From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP Published 21 November 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this afternoon. Discussing diplomatic developments in recent days, the leaders reiterated their unwavering commitment for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. They underlined their support for President Trump's drive for peace and agreed that any solution must fully involve Ukraine, preserve its sovereignty, and ensure its future security. The leaders agreed to coordinate with partners and allies in the coming days, including at the G20, as discussions on how best to achieve a lasting peace continued. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kestutis Budrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 23:05 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "During our call with Kestutis Budrys we coordinated positions on the United States' peace proposals and further efforts to put an end to Russia's brutal war against Ukraine. We discussed steps to increase pressure on the aggressor, ensure accountability for Russian crimes, and strengthen our shared security against the backdrop of Russia's hybrid war against Europe. We agreed to intensify relevant cooperation both bilaterally and in the Lublin Triangle format. I am grateful to Kestutis and Lithuania for being our committed ally and friend". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radosaw Sikorski Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 22:41 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had an important and thorough discussion about the American peace proposals with Radosaw Sikorski. I shared our assessment and the sequence of further steps. I emphasized that European nations, and especially Poland as Ukraine's reliable ally and neighbor, need to be engaged and play an important role in peace efforts. I appreciate Radek's advice, views, and suggestions, as well as Poland's support for Ukraine. In the wake of Russia's increased hybrid attacks against Europe, including the latest acts of sabotage against Poland, we also discussed our further work to strengthen shared security both bilaterally and in the format of the Lublin Triangle together with Lithuania". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark Lars Lkke Rasmussen Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 22:31 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "During my call with Lars Lkke Rasmussen, I thanked Denmark for leading the way in supporting Ukraine in all areas, most notably in the defense sector. I informed my Danish colleague about the American peace proposals, the frontline situation, and our efforts to root out corruption following recent investigations. The Ukrainian government is committed to ensuring accountability for those implicated in the relevant cases. We are grateful to Denmark and the Nordic-Baltic Eight for their consistent support of our defense and resilience in the face of Russian aggression and terror". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Chinese trainer teaches African experts how to operate laboratory machines in a laboratory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Standing shoulder to shoulder in a gleaming laboratory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, African and Chinese health experts pored over advanced equipment as they took part in a training session on laboratory detection and genome sequencing. The three-week program, delivered mainly by Chinese health experts at the Chinese-built Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, is part of broader China-Africa cooperation to advance public health capacity across the continent. For the participants, the hands-on training has been highly interactive and immediately relevant to their daily work responding to disease outbreaks. Kone Klima Marcel, a microbiologist at the National Institute of Public Health of Mali, said the training has given him a "great opportunity" to learn Chinese DNA sequencing technology capable of determining an organism's full genomic sequence. "I discovered that they (the Chinese) have great technologies like the DNA nanoballs sequencing and also the cyclone sequencing machine, and those are some of the technologies that will really help us in Africa enhance DNA sequencing," Marcel said. Although the laboratory machines were new to him, Marcel said the automated Chinese sequencing technology would allow African laboratories to detect pathogens far more quickly and reduce many manual steps, enabling near real-time analysis within minutes. Precious Simushi, a biomedical scientist at the Zambia National Public Health Institute, said the training offered crucial insights into biosafety and Chinese surveillance systems. She was particularly drawn to a session on phages, which can be used to treat bacterial infections that no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. "In an era where there is an increase in antimicrobial resistance, phage therapy has come in very handy. We have been taught how to use other means than the usual antibiotics to handle these antimicrobial resistances through phage therapy," Simushi said. She added that automated extraction technology introduced by Chinese experts would allow African health experts to isolate bacteriophages in less than 20 minutes, allowing a much faster response during outbreaks. "Having this technology in hand will mean that we'll be able to actually detect and respond quickly and be able to contain any outbreak that comes our way," said Simushi. Highlighting the rising number of drug-resistant diseases in Africa, Idrissa Laybohr Kamara, a doctor from Sierra Leone, said the new phage therapy introduced by Chinese experts would significantly help treat those diseases, including tuberculosis, which are becoming increasingly widespread in Africa. "In fact, this is the first time I've heard of phage therapy, which is a new technology and a treatment. It is very important that it can solve the problem of antibiotic resistance in Africa," Kamara said, who finished his master's and PhD studies in China. "We have brought several advanced technologies, including DNA sequencing and antibiotic treatment that will help African health professionals deal with drug-resistant disease," said Liu Wenfeng, a Chinese trainer and researcher at BGI Group. The workshop, which concludes on Sunday, has drawn 30 participants from 16 African countries, focusing on core laboratory skills, accurate pathogen detection, drug-resistance monitoring and analysis, and standardized laboratory quality management. A Chinese trainer communicates with African experts in a laboratory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Precious Simushi, a biomedical scientist at the Zambia National Public Health Institute, speaks to Xinhua in a laboratory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Kone Klima Marcel, a microbiologist at the National Institute of Public Health of Mali, speaks to Xinhua in a laboratory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua) Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Maria Malmer Stenergard Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 22:11 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I informed my Swedish colleague Maria Malmer Stenergard about the dynamic of our peace efforts, the state of the battlefield, and our commitment to combatting corruption. In all areas, we are passing through a very difficult period, but we persist to put an end to the war, protect Ukraine's national interests, and strengthen guaranteed security for our people and Europe as a whole. We also discussed collective efforts to enable the full use of Russia's immobilized assets for Ukraine's defense and recovery. We need a strong decision in the near future. European support during this period is critically important, and I greatly value Sweden's unfaltering commitment to supporting our country and people". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia Gordan Grlic Radman Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 21:53 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a call with my Croatian colleague Gordan Grlic Radman to reaffirm the strength of our bilateral partnership and cooperation within the Ukraine-Southeast Europe format. We spoke about the current frontline situation, the new dynamic in the peace process, and the need for European unity and strength in supporting Ukraine at this decisive time. I am grateful for Croatia's strong humanitarian, military, and political support." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 21:38 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "During our call, I thanked Espen Barth Eide for Norway's remarkable leadership in supporting Ukraine. I updated him on President Zelenskyy's latest contacts with the American side and our partners in Europe. We appreciate the United States' efforts to end the bloodshed and stand prepared to work as fast and committed as possible to achieve a just peace. We strongly believe that Europe should play an important role in peace efforts. I value Espen's confirmation that Ukraine can count on continued, reliable, and strong support from our Norwegian friends and other European allies. We appreciate it." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 21:05 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I had a meaningful conversation with Elina Valtonen to thank Finland for its strong bilateral support and principled leadership in the OSCE. I updated my colleague on the status of our peace efforts, the battlefield situation, and Ukraine's efforts to root out corruption. I shared the details of our work with the American side on putting an end to the war, protecting Ukraine's national interests, and the importance of European engagement. This is the time when we need Europe's full strength and unity to support Ukraine, and I thank Ellina for reaffirming that we can rely on Finland and other European partners in this regard." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha held phone talks with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 20:14 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "I spoke with Kaja Kallas to inform her about the outcomes of President Zelenskyy's recent talks with American and European partners, peace efforts, the battlefield situation, and the fight against corruption. Ukraine is committed to advancing peace efforts and appreciates the United States' determination to put an end to Russia's war. I reiterated Ukraine's firm belief that European partners must be involved in peace efforts. We coordinated the next steps in our constructive cooperation with the United States, the European Union, and European allies to bring a just peace closer. I reaffirmed Ukraine's unchanged commitment to the fight against corruption and updated the HRVP on principled steps taken by President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government in response to the latest corruption investigations. I emphasized that these latest developments should not undermine international support for Ukraine's defense and resilience in the face of Russian aggression. Even as we clean up, we require sufficient strength and unity among our allies to defend against Russian attacks, atrocities, and terror. The security of Europe as a whole is at stake. I am deeply grateful to Kaja, the European Union, and European allies for their unwavering support for Ukraine and our people. It is particularly appreciated at this difficult and decisive time." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the MFA of Ukraine on the Imposition of Cyber Sanctions against Russian Providers Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 15:31 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the decision of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, and Australia to impose sanctions on Russian hosting providers that knowingly enable abuse ("bulletproof hosting") and thereby facilitate cybercrime - Media Land LLC and ML.Cloud LLC - as well as four individuals affiliated with them. Ukraine also welcomes the decision to impose sanctions on another Russian hosting provider, AEZA Group, which supports the activities of the Russian company the Social Design Agency. This entity disseminates pro-Kremlin propaganda and conducts information and psychological operations and disinformation campaigns directed against Ukraine and Western democratic states. Ukraine has already applied national restrictive measures against this company by Presidential Decree No. 613/2025 of 23 August 2025. The Ukrainian side regards these decisions as an important contribution to the joint fight against cybercrime and the Russian Federation's malicious activity in the digital domain, and as a step toward curbing the operations of Russian structures involved in hybrid aggression. Amid the growing intensity of the Russian Federation's cyber and hybrid aggression campaigns and the increased Russian pressure on Europe through a wide array of hybrid warfare instruments, including acts of direct aggression, we view such measures as a significant practical contribution to strengthening international security and protecting democratic governance. Ukraine remains firmly committed, together with EU and NATO member states and other foreign partners, to intensifying efforts to counter Russian threats in the fifth domain and to building a safe, resilient, and secure cyberspace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the MFA Regarding the Consideration by the IAEA Board of Governors of the Issue of Nuclear Safety in Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 21 November 2025 13:56 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the joint statement delivered at the 20 November meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors, entitled "On the consequences of an unstable energy infrastructure critical for the safety and security of nuclear power plants in Ukraine". The statement was supported by 56 IAEA Member States from different regions of the world, including the United States, once again confirming the universality of the international community's position regarding the nuclear safety and security risks resulting from Russia's attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. We are grateful to all states that supported the statement for their solidarity. The joint statement rightly underscores that reliable off-site power supply is a key prerequisite for ensuring the nuclear safety of nuclear power plants. Deliberate Russian missile and drone strikes on high-voltage electrical substations, which the IAEA has identified as critical for guaranteeing off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs, are unacceptable. Russian strikes on these substations not only destabilize Ukraine's energy system, but also intentionally eliminate redundancy levels that underpin the principle of "defence-in-depth" in nuclear safety. The aggressor state seeks to deprive Ukrainian nuclear power plants of multiple sequential safety layers, narrowing the operators' margin for safe response in emergency situations. This constitutes a deliberate creation by Russian terrorists of nuclear incident risks with transboundary consequences. Responding to the joint statement of 56 IAEA Member States at the conclusion of the Board of Governors meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha emphasized that a principled international position helps deter further escalation, protect the global nuclear safety regime and increase the political cost of Russia's reckless attempts to weaponize energy and nuclear risks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine highly values the resolute support of international partners at the IAEA and looks forward to further strengthening the broad coalition of states that consistently demand an end to Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure. Ukraine calls on its allies to continue increasing international pressure on the aggressor state to compel it to cease nuclear blackmail, comply with its international legal obligations, and return the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to the control of its lawful owner, Ukraine. This is the only way to restore safety, prevent a nuclear catastrophe and uphold the fundamental principles of global nuclear safety and security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maritime drones, radars and anti-personnel mines: Denys Shmyhal and Minister of National Defence of Lithuania discuss ways to enhance defence-industry cooperation Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 21 November, 2025, 4:13 PM EET Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Denys Shmyhal, met in Kyiv with Lithuania's Minister of National Defence, Robertas Kaunas. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Lithuania for their unwavering support for Ukraine since the onset of russia's full-scale invasion. "We value Lithuania's allocation of 0.25% of its GDP towards strengthening our defence capabilities, its active engagement in Coalitions and programmes especially PURL and SAFE and its provision of funding for the procurement of Patriot air-defence systems," Denys Shmyhal stated. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine also expressed gratitude to Lithuania for preparing a new military assistance package that will include critically important armaments. Furthermore, Denys Shmyhal and Robertas Kaunas discussed strengthening defence industry cooperation. The parties identified promising areas of cooperation, including the joint production of maritime drones, radars and anti-personnel mines. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine also briefed his Lithuanian counterpart on the critical needs to strengthen the Ukrainian military, including FPV systems, interceptor drones, and deep-strike capabilities. "I thank Lithuania for its consistent support for our position on achieving a just peace," emphasised Denys Shmyhal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We Need Unity More Than Ever, So That There Can Be a Dignified Peace in Our Home - Address by the President President of Ukraine 21 November 2025 - 16:50 Ukrainians! There comes a moment in the life of every nation when everyone needs to talk things through. Honestly. Calmly. Without speculation, rumors, gossip, without anything extra. Just as things are. Just as I've always tried to speak to you. Right now is one of the hardest moments in our history. Right now, Ukraine is under some of the heaviest pressure yet. Right now, Ukraine may find itself facing a very tough choice. Either the loss of our dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely hard winter - the hardest yet - and the dangers that follow. A life without freedom, without dignity, without justice. And that we trust someone who has already attacked us twice. They will expect an answer from us. Though the truth is, I already gave that answer. On May 20, 2019, when taking an oath of loyalty to Ukraine, I notably said: "I, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, elected by the will of the people as President of Ukraine, pledge with all my actions to defend the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, to uphold the rights and freedoms of its citizens, to abide by the Constitution and the laws of Ukraine, to fulfil my duties in the interests of all my compatriots, and to strengthen Ukraine's standing in the world." For me, this is not a protocol formality to check off - it is an oath. And every day, I remain true to every word of it. And I will never betray it. Ukraine's national interest must be respected. We're not making loud statements. We will work calmly with the United States and with all our partners. There will be a constructive search for solutions with our main partner. I will lay out the arguments. I will persuade. I will offer alternatives. But one thing is certain: we will not give the enemy reasons to claim that Ukraine doesn't want peace, that it is sabotaging the process, and that it is Ukraine that is not ready for diplomacy. That will not happen. Ukraine will work fast. Today, on Saturday and Sunday, all next week, and for as long as it takes - 24/7 - I will fight to ensure that, among all the points of the plan, at least two are not overlooked: these are the dignity and freedom of Ukrainians. Because everything else rests on this - our sovereignty, our independence, our land, our people. And Ukraine's future. We will - and must - do everything so that, as a result, the war ends, but Ukraine does not end, Europe does not end, nor does global peace. I've just spoken with Europeans. We count on our European friends who fully understand that Russia is not somewhere far away - it's right next to the EU's borders, that Ukraine today is the only shield separating comfortable European life from Putin's plans. We remember: Europe stood with us. We believe: Europe will stand with us. Ukraine must not live through a deja vu of February 24, when we felt alone, when no one could stop Russia except our heroic people, who stood like a wall against Putin's army. And of course it was nice to hear the world say: Ukrainians are incredible; God, how they, Ukrainians, fight; how Ukrainians stand; what titans they are. And it's true. Absolutely. But Europe and the whole world must also understand another truth: Ukrainians are, first of all, human beings. And for almost four years of full-scale invasion, we have been holding back one of the largest armies on Earth. And we are holding a frontline stretching thousands of kilometers. And our people endure nightly shelling, missile attacks, ballistic missile strikes, and "shahed" strikes. And every day, our people lose their loved ones. And our people desperately want this war to end. Yes, we are made of steel. But any metal, even the strongest, can give way. Remember this. Stay with Ukraine. Stay with our people - and that means stay with dignity and freedom. Dear Ukrainians! Remember that first day of the war. Most of us made our choice. The choice for Ukraine. Recall our feelings back then. What was it like? Dark, loud, heavy, painful. For many - terrifying. But the enemy did not see our backs running away. They saw our eyes - full of resolve to fight for what is ours. That is dignity. That is freedom. And this is truly the most terrifying thing for Russia: seeing the Ukrainians' unity. Back then, our unity was focused on defending our home from the enemy. And now, we also need unity more than ever, so that there can be a dignified peace in our home. I am addressing all Ukrainians now. Our people, citizens, politicians - everyone. We need to pull ourselves together. Regain our senses. Quit the squabbling. Stop the political games. The state must function. The parliament of a country at war must work in unity. The government of a country at war must work effectively. And all of us together must not forget - and must not confuse - who exactly is the enemy of Ukraine today. I remember how, on the first day of the war, various "messengers" brought me different plans, points; there were ultimatums for ending the war. They said: either this way, or no way. Either you sign it, or you will simply be eliminated and an "acting President of Ukraine" will sign it instead of you. We all know how that ended. Many of those "messengers" later became part of our exchange fund and were sent, together with their proposals and points, back home to their "native harbor." I did not betray Ukraine then. I truly felt your support behind me - of every single one of you. Of every Ukrainian, every soldier, every volunteer, every medic, diplomat, journalist, our entire nation. We did not betray Ukraine then. We will not betray it now. And I know for certain that in this truly one of the most difficult moments in our history, I am not alone. I know that Ukrainians believe in their state, that we are united. And in every future format of meetings, discussions, negotiations with partners, it will be far easier for me to secure a dignified peace for us and to persuade them, knowing with absolute certainty: the people of Ukraine stand behind me. Millions of our people, people of dignity, people fighting for freedom, and those who have earned peace. All our fallen heroes, who gave their lives for Ukraine, who are now in heaven, and deserve to see from above that their children and grandchildren will live in a dignified peace. And that peace will come. Dignified, effective, long-lasting. Dear Ukrainians! The coming week will be very difficult, full of events. You are a mature, wise, conscious nation that has proven this many times. And you understand there will be enormous pressure this time - political pressure, informational, all kinds. Designed to weaken us. To drive a wedge between us. The enemy never sleeps - and will do everything to make us fail. Will we let them do this? We have no right to. And we won't. Because those who seek to destroy us don't know us well. They don't understand who we truly are, what we're about, what we stand for, what kind of people we are. There is a reason we mark the Day of Dignity and Freedom as a national holiday. It shows who we are. It shows our values. We will work in the diplomatic arena for our peace. We must act in unity within the country for the sake of our peace. For our dignity. For our freedom. And I believe - and I know - that I am not alone. With me is our nation, our society, our warriors, our partners, our allies, all our people. Dignified. Free. United. Happy Day of Dignity and Freedom. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Discussed Peace Plan for Ukraine and All of Europe with the Leaders of France, the United Kingdom, and Germany President of Ukraine 21 November 2025 - 14:53 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a joint phone call with President of France Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz. The Head of State thanked them for their principled support for Ukraine and for all our people. The parties discussed the plan for peace for Ukraine and all of Europe. The leaders value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war, and are working on the document prepared by the American side. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace. The leaders are coordinating closely to make sure that the principled stances are taken into account. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Friedrich Merz coordinated the next steps and agreed that the teams will work together at the corresponding levels. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address KATHMANDU, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- As many as 837,094 new voters have been registered in Nepal with the Election Commission since the announcement of the March 5 election, an official said on Saturday. The total number of voters has exceeded 19 million for the House of Representatives polls scheduled in four months. "However, there can be some changes in the final tally after verification," Suman Ghimire, information officer at the commission, told Xinhua, noting that most of the new voters are youths. As many as 17.99 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots in November 2022. The number rose to nearly 18.17 million before the new election was announced on Sept. 12, 2025. The President of Ukraine Had a Call with the U.S. Vice President President of Ukraine 21 November 2025 - 19:10 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll. During the conversation, they discussed many details of the proposal from the American side for ending the war. Ukraine is working to make the path forward dignified and truly effective for achieving a lasting peace. The Head of State expressed gratitude for their attention and willingness to work together with Ukraine and its partners. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and JD Vance agreed that Ukraine, the United States, and Europe will work at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable. Ukraine has always respected and continues to respect U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to put an end to the bloodshed and views every realistic proposal positively. The parties also agreed to maintain constant contact, with their teams ready to work 24/7. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Discussed the Work on the Peace Plan with the NATO Secretary General President of Ukraine 21 November 2025 - 19:21 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Mark Rutte expressed his condolences over Russia's horrific strike on Ternopil. The attack killed 31 people, including six children. Search-and-rescue operations at the site of the tragedy are still ongoing. The Head of State emphasized that Ukrainians, more than anyone else in the world, want his war to end, the killings to stop, and a dignified peace to be achieved. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Rutte discussed the available diplomatic options and the plan proposed by the American side. The parties are ready to work swiftly and constructively to ensure the plan succeeds; they are also coordinating the next joint steps. The President thanked the NATO Secretary General for his support. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Had a Call with Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen President of Ukraine 21 November 2025 - 19:48 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The Head of State briefed them on the proposals from the U.S. side for ending the war and on contacts with partners in Europe and the United States. The leaders of Ukraine, the European Council, and the European Commission value the commitment of the United States and President Donald Trump to bringing the war to an end and are working in concert to ensure this becomes a joint and fully aligned plan. Many meetings and phone calls are scheduled in the coming days. The teams from Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe will work together. The President thanked Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen for their support and for their readiness to work in a coordinated and constructive way. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Held a Meeting with the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania President of Ukraine 21 November 2025 - 20:11 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania, Robertas Kaunas, who came to Ukraine for the first time since his recent appointment. "Thank you for coming. We truly appreciate it - your support. Above all, we are grateful to the Lithuanian people. You have been with us from the very beginning. And my best regards to your President, my great friend Gitanas Nauseda," said the Head of State. Robertas Kaunas emphasized that Lithuania will support Ukraine for as long as necessary. The President commended this consistent position of Lithuania and a clearly defined level of support. The President briefed the Minister on the current diplomatic situation and existing opportunities for ending the war. During the meeting, they discussed Ukraine's defense needs and the prospects for joint defense production. Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Lithuania for joining the PURL initiative and contributing to the procurement of American weapons. "This program is very important for us to maintain our capability to protect our civilian infrastructure during missile and drone attacks. And we are grateful for these funds for air defense, especially PAC-3 missiles," he noted. The discussion also covered ways to cooperate within the SAFE instrument, aimed at strengthening Europe's defense capabilities in general and Ukraine's in particular. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amex Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AMX) (FSE: MX0) (OTCQX: AMXEF) ("Amex" or the "Company") announces a grant of 3,250,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") and 2,026,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain directors, officers, employees, and consultants to the Company. Each Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company (a "Share") at a price of $2.85 per Share, for a period of five years from the date of grant. The RSUs shall vest in three equal tranches, with one-third vesting on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of grant. Upon vesting, each RSU shall entitle the holder to receive one Share. All grants of Options and RSUs are subject to the Company's omnibus equity incentive plan (the "Equity Incentive Plan"), which was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on June 30, 2025 (the "Meeting"). A copy of the Equity Incentive Plan is included in the Company's management information circular in respect of the Meeting dated May 12, 2025 available via the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All of the Options and RSUs (and any Shares issuable upon exercise or settlement thereof) will be subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of grant pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). About Amex Amex Exploration Inc. has made significant high-grade gold discoveries, along with copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) zones, at its 100%-owned Perron Gold Project, located approximately 110 kilometres north of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The Project comprises 117 contiguous claims (45.18 km) and hosts both bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold mineralization styles. When combined with the adjacent Perron West Project, which includes 48 claims (17.37 km) in Quebec and 35 claims (134.55 km) in Ontario, the consolidated land package spans a district-scale 197.52 km. This extensive property lies within highly prospective geology favourable for both high-grade gold and VMS mineralization. The Project benefits from excellent infrastructure: it is accessible by a year-round road, located just 20 minutes from an airport, and approximately 8 km from the Town of Normetal. It is also in close proximity to several process plants owned by major gold producers. 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. Vancouver, November 21, 2025 - Azincourt Energy Corp. (TSXV: AAZ) ("Azincourt" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed its non-brokered private placement of 40,000,000 flow through units (the "FT Units") offered at a price of C$0.025 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of C$1,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share (a "FT Share") and one common share purchase Warrant. Each Warrant is exercisable at a price of C$0.05 into one common share until November 21, 2028. The gross proceeds of the Offering will be applied to the drilling, exploration and development of the Company's Harrier Project located within the Central Mineral Belt of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Proceeds of the Offering will not be used for payments to non-arms length parties of the Company nor for any payment relating to persons conducting investor relations activities. In connection with the closing of the second tranche, the Company paid finders' fees totaling C$70,000 and issued 2,800,000 Finders Warrants exercisable at a price of C$0.05 into one common share for three years from the date of issue. The securities issued under the Offering are subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada expiring four months and one day from November 21, 2025 and are subject to certain closing conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The FT Shares will qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act")). An amount equal to the gross proceeds from the issuance of the FT Shares will be used to incur eligible resource exploration expenses which will qualify as (i) "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Tax Act), and (ii) as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" (as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Tax Act) (collectively, the "Qualifying Expenditures"). Qualifying Expenditures in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issue of the FT Shares will be incurred (or deemed to be incurred) by the Company on or before December 31, 2026 and will be renounced by the Company to the initial purchasers of the FT Shares with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the 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. About Azincourt Energy Corp. Azincourt is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its East Preston uranium project located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, and at its Snegamook and Harrier uranium projects, both located in the Central Mining Belt of Labrador. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. "Alex Klenman" Alex Klenman, President & CEO Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the use of proceeds and completion of the Private Placement. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. 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. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, dated January 14, 2025, and also include the risks that the Offering does not complete as contemplated, or at all; that the Company does not complete any further offerings; that the Company does not carry out exploration activities in respect of its mineral project as planned (or at all); and that the Company may not be able to carry out its business plans as expected. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the future price of minerals; anticipated costs and the Company's ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Company's securities; future sales of the Company's securities; the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Company's mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. 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 TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. 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/275601 Vancouver, November 21, 2025 - Trinity One Metals Ltd. (TSXV: TOM) ("Trinity One" or the "Company") announces that it has appointed Robert Payment, currently serving as CFO and Corporate Secretary as Director of the Company. The Company further announces the resignation of David Wheeler as director effective immediately. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Wheeler for his contributions during his tenure and wishes him the best in her future endeavours. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/275606 KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- While World War II ended eighty years ago, the scars of that conflict remain, and the continued actions of certain officials in the Japanese government who refuse to condemn the atrocities carried out by its troops during those years are reopening old wounds. The recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to the Japanese Cemetery in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related meetings in late October exemplifies this point. After the visit, Takaichi wrote in Japanese on the social media platform X that she was able to commemorate "ancestors who lost their lives in Malaysia," and felt "deeply moved" by the experience. In the post, she made no mention of the acts of aggression and atrocities committed by the Japanese military during World War II in the country, prompting strong condemnation in Malaysia. Among the critics, professor of history at Universiti Malaya and noted historian Danny Wong Tze Ken wrote that Takaichi's ultraconservative, revisionist view on the atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Asia is totally unacceptable, and is a reversal of the positions taken by earlier Japanese leaders. Others on Malaysian social media also condemned Takaichi's actions, describing them as "disrespectful, foolish and dangerous," with some even sharing brief stories of how people in Malaysia suffered through the Japanese occupation, especially from starvation and violence. For her part, Julia Roknifard, an international relations expert at Taylor's University in Malaysia, stated that historical revisionism and attempts to deny historical truth are extremely dangerous. She said it is deeply regrettable that Japan's political leadership is attempting to repackage and distort the history of World War II. When we talk about good management, we're really talking about two things: Doing the right things and doing them in the right way. The vast majority of management advice is about the second part, doing things in the right way. But what about the first? How does a government know the right things to do? And what can you do if a government loses its way?It isn't a hypothetical question. I've seen governments that were lost. Many cities staggered through the 1960s and 1970s, attempting one half-hearted solution after another as their middle classes fled, downtowns declined and businesses moved to the suburbs. It took decades to find a set of strategies for turning things around.And today, it seems to me, it is states that are most at risk, due not so much to overwhelming problems as to politics and ideology. We've seen it recently in places like Kansas, North Carolina and Wisconsin, where narrowly elected legislative majorities rammed through laws punishing labor unions or gay citizens, inadvisably outsourcing public services or cutting taxes to the point that education funding was in jeopardy. I've detailed elsewhere why some states have lost their way. But a more interesting question is, what can we do now? How do you put a government back on track once its elected officials have jumped the track?My answer: Take a page from what local governments learned about turning to the citizens. Starting in the 1980s, some cities started convening residents in open-ended discussions about what they needed and wanted, using a process known as "visioning."It was based on two principles: First, you ask citizens things they know from their own experiences, such as the kind of city or neighborhood they want to live in. Second, you let them talk about these things first in small groups, and then report out their ideas. The process tends to refine the ideas and ground them in reality.Out of this process came demands for many of the things that make cities work today: walkable neighborhoods, lively downtowns, new investments in parks and trails, greater collaboration between schools and local government, transit improvements and bike lanes. In recent years, these conversations have turned up a new concern: that urban success is depriving cities of the human diversity that fuels them.Could such conversations be held across an entire state? And if so, who should hold them? State legislatures would hardly be the ones to ask citizens how to fix the problems they've played such a large role in creating.The answer to the first question is yes, there's no reason we can't scale visioning to the size of a state. As for the second question, I would like to nominate a surprising convener: state political parties.My reason is simple: Bad politics are at the heart of what ails state governments today. And the way to fix bad politics is with good politics. If one party -- probably the minority party -- listens to citizens in a systematic way, reports honestly what they say, and builds its legislative agenda around those desires, it will change politics for the better and possibly make a majority out of the minority party. Warning: Running a dishonest visioning process, one in which you stack the meetings with partisans or report only the ideas you like, is worse than running no process at all. My advice: Trust the process.But trust it to do what? What is it that citizens are likely to say in these meetings? Well, no one can know for sure until the meetings are held, but based on my experience at the local level, they'll mostly ask for things that can make their lives and communities better. Sensible things like better public schools, greater access to vocational and higher education, more transportation options, help with economic development, and amenities that might help their cities or towns hold on to their young people. For the most part, they won't demand things that punish other citizens, satisfy extremist groups or reward special interests.In this way, citizens can help focus states once more on their serious work in human development, economic development and infrastructure. This won't thrill the ideologues. But it'll delight the citizens. Artificial tyre rule to destroy Qatar GP says boss Ayao Komatsu has sharply criticised Pirelli's decision to impose mandatory tyre-stint limits at next weekend's Qatar GP - a move that guarantees at least two pitstops and eliminates all strategic variation. Qatar GP 2024 Aston Martin Racing Pirelli's 25-lap cap on each tyre set, announced early this week, was introduced after renewed concerns over structural wear at Losail. But the Haas team boss believes the solution goes too far. I don't agree with those artificial limits, Komatsu said in Las Vegas. "Pirelli is just scared after last year's problems. With the one-stopper, they thought 'They're not going to do that, are they? Oh no - they are'. Now they've imposed a limit that makes a one-stopper impossible. According to Komatsu, the issue isn't one-stop races - it's the loss of strategic divergence. I don't think we should do this in a sport, he continued. We often talk about avoiding boring one-stoppers, but artificial rules, as we saw before in Monaco and Qatar, destroy the race. He pointed to recent grands prix as examples of how variability naturally produces drama. Look at Brazil and Mexico - you immediately see how exciting a race becomes when tyre wear makes the difference between one or two stops, or even two or three, he said. When multiple strategies are viable, that's when a race becomes interesting. That's what Pirelli should strive for. Komatsu fears next weekend will mirror the heavily restricted 2023 Qatar GP, when an 18-lap maximum forced every driver into identical three-stop strategies. That race in Qatar was just bad, he said. Everyone gets exactly the same pitstop window. As soon as you introduce something artificial, everyone draws the same conclusion. He also referenced this year's Monaco GP, another event where prescriptive conditions eliminated any meaningful variation. I don't think this will work, he said bluntly. You saw it in Monaco this year as well. The criticism lands at a sensitive moment, with the FIA admitting it is still considering broader mandatory two-stop rules from 2026 - but has yet to gain agreement from teams. (GMM) Bearman slams Vegas track as Verstappen dodges headlines Oliver Bearman has broken with the usual diplomatic tone of Formula 1 drivers by openly criticising the Las Vegas street circuit - calling it the least enjoyable track he has ever driven. Oliver Bearman, Las Vegas GP 2025 Haas This is the least fun street circuit I've ever driven, the 20-year-old told reporters. Normally they're really fun and fantastic. Here, there's just very little grip, which isn't a good combination with the tight track, Bearman, a Ferrari-backed driver currently on debut at Haas, added. Plus, the high speeds make it even more dangerous. It's cool to race on the Strip, but outside of that, it's not much to write home about. He also can't enjoy Vegas off-track - at 20, he's barred from entering the casinos. The comments come as organisers face fresh embarrassment after another manhole debacle disrupted running, echoing the similar fiasco of the past. Max Verstappen, notorious for tearing into artificial street races, refused to pile on this time - clearly aware of the headlines he normally creates. No, I feel good, he smiled. "The food is great. Had a good dinner. The hotel is great. I've learned not to always speak too much - because first of all, it's better for myself, and there are fewer headlines. Safer for everyone. But the Dutchman was more candid when speaking to his home media. When asked about the latest debate over F1's increasingly rigid rule book, particularly regarding driver guidelines, Verstappen mimed tearing the regulations to pieces. It's better if I don't say anything, he warned. If I talk too much publicly, I could even get a penalty. I don't always like the rules, but I just follow them as they're written. The more rules you create, the harder you make your own job, said Verstappen. Stewards are in a difficult position - they're bound by the rule book. You see something with your own eyes, form an opinion, and then you look at the rules and it might be completely different. You will definitely not see me as a steward in F1! As for next week's drivers' meeting with the FIA in Qatar, where Carlos Sainz and George Russell plan to raise concerns about recent penalties, Verstappen intends to stay quiet. I think Carlos and George have prepared everything for it, he said. So I'll just sit back and relax. (GMM) Engine grey area disappears under 2026 rules says FIA The FIA says the confusion raised by McLaren over Max Verstappen's fresh engine in Brazil will no longer exist once the new 2026 power-unit cost cap comes into force. Press Conference, Las Vegas GP 2025 Red Bull After Red Bull fitted a brand-new power unit to Verstappen's car at Interlagos - widely seen as a straight performance choice - McLaren quietly queried whether such a move should count inside or outside the financial regulations. Because under today's rules, there is no power-unit cost cap. That means a works team can absorb the cost of another engine, while a customer team must pay for each one. That disparity triggered McLaren's concern. In Las Vegas, the FIA's Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis admitted the current framework is flawed. We think it's a weakness in the current regulations, Tombazis said. We don't want to be in arguments with teams about whether an engine change is reliability-related or strategic. In that grey zone, we simply don't have the expertise to judge it. Because of that, the FIA has effectively accepted such engine changes without policing their financial impact - which is why Red Bull's Interlagos move was allowed basically unquestioned. But Tombazis says that loophole closes next year. With the PU cost cap arriving in 2026, this issue is resolved. Manufacturers will never find it convenient to make a strategic change, because each time it will cost them roughly the price of an engine. That becomes a natural deterrent. So this stops being a topic of discussion. In Vegas, Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan dismissed suggestions the Interlagos switch was improper. What we did is fine, he said. Others have already done it under the current engine regulations. On whether the change should count toward the cost cap, he added: I'm not a financial expert. But I believe there won't be a penalty for us. That's just my understanding. McLaren's technical director Neil Houldey stressed their frustration lies in the structural inequity. We don't have a partner willing to give us engines for free, he said. "Factory teams can take advantage of that. We're in a different position. Factory teams have always had an advantage on the engine side. I don't think that will change. But financially, next year will be easier. (GMM) Leclerc plays down Elkann storm amid Aston rumours Charles Leclerc has moved to calm speculation about his Ferrari future after team president John Elkann's recent "talk less" remarks sparked a media firestorm - and fuelled fresh rumours linking the Monegasque to Aston Martin for 2027. Charles Leclerc, Las Vegas GP 2025 Ferrari Speaking in Las Vegas, Leclerc dismissed the controversy and said Elkann's comments had been misunderstood. People's interpretations are beyond my control, and I'm not even interested in wasting time on them, he said. John called me, as he does after every Grand Prix. We talked about everything, including what he wanted to say. He wanted to be constructive and encourage the team to perform better. Leclerc insisted the remarks were not specifically aimed at him. The criticism wasn't about the accidents in Brazil. It was more general, he said. John says what he thinks. He's always been open with me, through thick and thin. We both love Ferrari. His goal is to get the best out of each of us. I'm on the same page as him. John only meant well. He wanted to shake everyone up. His intention was definitely positive. The 2025 season has seen Leclerc emerge as Ferrari's clearly stronger performer, while speculation continues to swirl that Aston Martin - preparing a Newey-designed, Honda-powered car - has contacted his manager Nicolas Todt about the future. Asked whether Elkann's tone had bothered him, Leclerc again downplayed the situation. The best thing I can do is concentrate on the track and give it my all. I've always done that and will continue to do so. Lewis Hamilton, whose arrival at Ferrari and underperformance only intensified scrutiny inside Maranello, sounded more defensive when asked about Elkann's message. I know what John is planning. That's why I didn't pay attention to the comment, Hamilton said. We talk several times a week. It's about bringing the team together. But he bristled when the suggestion arose that he should talk less . I can't focus on my job any more than I already do, he said. I think about my work when I fall asleep and when I wake up - sometimes it even haunts my dreams. Since joining Ferrari, I've spent more time at the factory than at any of my previous teams. Hamilton added: I have a good relationship with John. We talk regularly. (GMM) Verstappen jokes about future F1 race number Max Verstappen says he will consider switching his race number for 2026 now that the FIA has formally allowed mid-career changes - but admits his preferred option may not be available. Max Verstappen, Las Vegas GP 2025 Red Bull Speaking to Dutch media in Las Vegas, Verstappen said: "I do indeed need approval, so it's a good question which number I'll be driving next year. My favourite number is 3, but we still have to wait and see if that's possible. We'll look at it calmly over the winter. Under the amended regulations, a number can only be reassigned if it has been unused for two full seasons. Daniel Ricciardo last competed with number 3 in Singapore 2024, meaning it would technically still be blocked for 2026. The rule exists because a driver without a full-time seat may return - as Valtteri Bottas (77) and Sergio Perez (11) will with Cadillac. Verstappen admitted he had floated other ideas. Actually, I wanted 69, he smiled. But my dad didn't think that was a good idea. I thought it was great - the number looks the same from every angle. From a marketing point of view, perfect! He said he also likes 27 - the 2 and the 7 look nice together - but that number is taken by Nico Hulkenberg. For now, 3 remains his preferred choice, but other numbers are cool too . Verstappen's current number 33 was chosen because he used it as a child in karting. Elsewhere, the Dutchman shared his ideas for improving Formula 1 on the Securing the Win podcast. Definitely a lot fewer races. Only the good tracks - not too many street circuits, he said. Two-day race weekends, no sprints. One practice, one qualifying and a race. That's enough. I've already driven an F1 car a lot. (GMM) Lando Norris, Las Vegas GP 2025 McLaren Lando Norris mastered a treacherously wet Las Vegas Strip Circuit to secure pole position for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, ending qualifying with a 1m47.934s lap on intermediates that edged Max Verstappen by 0.323s. The McLaren driver pieced together his final attempt with two purple sectors and survived a sharp slide through the Turn 14-15-16 sequence to bank a time that proved unreachable as conditions worsened again. Verstappen, who had briefly held provisional pole with a 1m48.257s, lacked grip in the final sector on his last push. The Red Bull driver nonetheless ended 0.039s clear of Carlos Sainz, whose 1m48.296s secured third for Williams, though he must visit the stewards for allegedly rejoining unsafely in Q1. George Russell followed with a 1m48.803s, unable to replicate last years pole in similar conditions for Mercedes. Oscar Piastri will start fifth after a muted session, having followed Charles Leclerc into the Turn 12 runoff and abandoning what had been a promising final lap. His 1m48.961s still led an all-Oceanic third row, joined by Liam Lawson, who delivered one of the strongest qualifying performances of his Racing Bulls tenure with a 1m49.062s effort for sixth. Fernando Alonsos measured 1m49.466s placed the Aston Martin seventh, and he narrowly held off Isack Hadjar, whose 1m49.554s kept him within striking distance of Lawson after showing bursts of front-running pace earlier in the session. Leclercs own Turn 12 moment prevented him from improving, leaving the Ferrari driver ninth on 1m49.872s. Pierre Gasly completed the top 10 with a 1m51.540s, having been the last driver to cross the line in Q2 to eliminate Nico Hulkenberg. Hulkenberg will share the sixth row with Lance Stroll, whose switch to intermediates mid-Q2 failed to yield the expected grip as the tracks slow drying rate caught several teams out. Both Haas drivers fell in Q2, including Oliver Bearman, who had earlier brushed the Turn 14 wall amid heavy aquaplaning. Franco Colapinto also slid wide at Turn 15 and could do no better than 15th. Q1 produced the days biggest drama. Alex Albon, having just logged a purple opening sector, clipped the Turn 16 wall and dropped out. Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Gabriel Bortoleto could not find late improvements, while Yuki Tsunoda was also eliminated. Lewis Hamilton ended the session 20th after collecting a bollard at Turn 14, compromising what had been a strong first run. President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo speaks during the handover ceremony for China-donated airport security inspection equipment in the capital Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) BISSAU, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo on Friday expressed gratitude for China's valuable assistance as he attended a handover ceremony for China-donated airport security inspection equipment in the capital, Bissau. Prime Minister Braima Camara, Minister of Transport Marciano Silva Barbeiro and other senior Bissau-Guinean officials, as well as representatives from both countries, attended the event. Embalo and Chinese Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Yang Renhuo jointly inaugurated the equipment, after which Yang and Barbeiro signed the handover certificate. In his remarks, Embalo said the donation will not only significantly enhance the modernization of services at Guinea-Bissau's airport but also stands as a testament to the profound friendship between the two countries. He added that the equipment will play an important role in strengthening the country's aviation security. According to the Chinese Embassy in Guinea-Bissau, the multifunctional security inspection system integrates safety screening, intelligent imaging, artificial intelligence and big data analysis. Compared with traditional equipment, it offers higher efficiency and more accurate automatic detection of hazardous and prohibited items. Once operational, the equipment is expected to help Osvaldo Vieira International Airport improve its level of digital and intelligent management, the embassy added. President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embalo (L, front) and Chinese Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Yang Renhuo (R, front) jointly inspect China-donated airport security inspection equipment in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows China-donated airport security inspection equipment in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. (Xinhua/Si Yuan) These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. ABUJA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 215 students and 12 teachers were abducted early Friday when suspected terrorists attacked a school in Nigeria's central state of Niger, said the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The CAN is an umbrella organization containing numerous denominations in the most populous African country. Daniel Atori, a spokesman for the CAN in Niger state, said in a statement late Friday that the students and teachers were being held hostage by suspected terrorists who were attacking St. Mary's School, a private institution in the Agwara local government area. Atori said the figure was put together after he met the parents of the abducted children to assure them that "we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely." The students, aged 12 to 17, were abducted from their dormitory when the gunmen invaded the school premises on Friday. Abubakar Usman, secretary to the Niger state government, had confirmed the incident without giving an exact number of victims, noting that the incident had occurred despite earlier intelligence reports indicating heightened security threats in parts of the state. He further said that the government, based on the alerts, had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected zone. However, St. Mary's School had reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from authorities, "thereby exposing pupils and staff to danger." Local security agencies had launched a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils. Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger state police, told Xinhua by telephone that tactical units of the paramilitary agency, along with military components and other security agencies, had been deployed to the scene, combing nearby forests in an effort to rescue the abducted students. The attack in Niger is the second such incident this week in the West African country, following the kidnapping of at least 25 schoolgirls from a government-run secondary school in the northern state of Kebbi on Monday. Attorney Thomas Fisher accused the Office of the Attorney General of being racially biased against defendants from the Federated States of Micronesia including his client who was convicted of molesting a 9-year-old girl. Fisher was before Superior Court of Guam Judge Alberto Tolentino on Thursday to argue a motion to dismiss Eneriko Reselaps conviction over racial bias. Fisher has previously announced plans to run for attorney general. Reselap was charged in 2024 and accused of molesting a 9-year-old girl. A 12-member jury in June found him guilty of second-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony. Fisher on Thursday argued the prosecution reflects systemic discrimination against defendants from the FSM. I cant crawl into the prosecutors head to find her say, I really hate this guy because he was from Micronesia, but I cant see the fruit of her work, and that is the hammer and tong against the FSM, Fisher said. Prosecuting attorney Christine Tenorio firmly denied the allegation of racial bias. Its not a secret that Im the one that charges every single person who gets arrested. If we have probable cause, no matter the race of the defendant or the victim, I charge it based on whether there is probable cause, she said. The hearing, originally set for Reselaps sentencing, turned into more than a half-hour debate between attorneys. Fisher presented circumstantial evidence suggesting that defendants not from the FSM received more lenient treatment. He cited the case of Edward Sicat, who pleaded guilty on Sept. 8 to sexually assaulting three children and was released without serving jail time on Guam, instead agreeing to deportation to the Philippines. These individuals who receive this preference, not being from the Federated States of Micronesia, are allowed to go, Fisher said. He further argued that the prosecution office now disregards constitutional protections. Of course, as the court is aware, we used to be blind to a persons race. We used to be blind to a persons color. Those days have passed, he said. We are now, on the island of Guam, we no longer feel any particular affection or adherence to either the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution or the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Fisher contrasted Reselaps prosecution with other cases, arguing that defendants in separate child sexual conduct cases received more lenient treatment despite what he described as more serious behavior. He asked the court to dismiss the case. Im asking the court to dismiss this case and let it be known that here we believe in the 14th Amendment. We think the 14th Amendment refers to persons not citizens. We think the Fifth Amendment applies to persons not citizens. This is a circumstantial case, Fisher said. I truly admit that, but the circumstances are strong. If you find a turtle on a fence post, somebody put it there. When Tolentino questioned the legal authority for a post-verdict dismissal, Fisher responded that the court has inherent equitable powers, meaning a judge can throw out a case even after a verdict if the judge believes something unfair occurred. Fisher claimed the alleged misconduct began with the institution of the prosecution and extended through plea negotiations and policy enforcement. There was a time when all courts looked at people regardless of skin color, regardless of sex, regardless of orientation, regardless of religious belief, regardless of national origin. Thats not happening here in this court. And when I say court, I mean the Superior Court, he said. Through other judges, have allowed them to trample the Constitution and allow certain people to go based on national origin. What they have done Tenorio said plea negotiations were based on the facts of the case and victim safety. I am not going to tell a victim, Well, I dont think this is just for you. They are given the options of whether they want their perpetrator to be deported or to spend jail time and avoid the trauma of a trial in Mr. Sicats case, she said. Additionally, plea offers were standard and applied regardless of race. I routinely ask for life sentences for CHamoru people, Filipinos. I dont even really know the race when Im asking for it. Im asking based on what they have done, Tenorio said. So, I dont think its fair for him to say that in this particular case, I am the hammer and tong for FSM citizens. The prosecutor clarified that Reselaps previous plea options ranged from zero to two years, and that earlier negotiations had not resulted in any sentence within that range. So those are the facts and I dont really need to argue that, because its already in front of the court, Tenorio said. Tolentino took the matter under advisement and set a tentative sentencing date on Jan. 8, 2026. Haiti - FLASH : Possible deployment of Rwandan security forces in Haiti On the sidelines of the 46th Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Kigali, Rwanda, Haitian Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste held a bilateral meeting with his Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda. This particularly constructive meeting focused on efforts to restore security in Haiti, essential for a return to institutional stability and the creation of an environment conducive to holding free, credible, and inclusive elections. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to continue technical and political consultations to examine the modalities of a possible deployment of Rwandan security forces in support of the Haitian authorities, within a bilateral or multilateral framework, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793 (2025) establishing the Gang Supression Force (GSF) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html Furthermore, the question of opening a Haitian diplomatic mission in Kigali was discussed. The two sides also discussed the possibility of sending a Rwandan fact-finding mission to Port-au-Prince as soon as possible, tasked with gathering the information and data necessary to strengthen security cooperation between Haiti and Rwanda in the fight against criminal gangs and terrorists. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45891-haiti-flash-the-security-council-has-voted-for-the-new-gang-repression-force.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : 2 Americans accused of conspiracy against Gonave Island In a statement released by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Texas on November 20, 2025, two North Texas men, Gavin Rivers Weisenburg, 21, of Allen, and Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, of Argyle, were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas in connection with a conspiracy to invade Gonave Island (population 87,000), U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced. According to information presented in court, between August 2024 and July 2025, Weisenburg and Thomas allegedly conspired to recruit and lead a commando unit on Gonave Island, part of Haiti, to carry out their rape fantasies. Weisenburg and Thomas planned to purchase a sailboat, firearms, and ammunition, and then recruit homeless people from the Washington, D.C., area to form a mercenary force. During their planned invasion of Gonave Island, Weisenburg and Thomas intended to murder all the men on the island in order to enslave the women and children for sexual purposes. Weisenburg and Thomas took numerous concrete steps to carry out their invasion plan, including developing operational and logistical plans, learning Haitian Creole, recruiting accomplices, and enrolling in training courses to acquire the necessary skills. Thomas even enlisted in the U.S. Air Force to gain military skills useful for the invasion. Weisenburg traveled to Thailand last February to take a sailing course. In addition, Weisenburg and Thomas are also charged with producing child pornography, a related charge included in the indictment. If convicted of federal conspiracy to commit murder abroad, Weisenburg and Thomas face life imprisonment. If convicted of producing child pornography, they both face a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison. This case is the subject of a joint investigation by the FBI, the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the Celina Police Department. The prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorney Ryan Locker. The District Attorney's Office clarifies in its statement that an indictment by a grand jury does not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... National Port Authority on Maximum Alert On Friday, November 21, 2025, the National Port Authority (APN) was placed on maximum alert following an attack on the Port of Port-au-Prince facilities, after a breach was made in a section of the perimeter wall at La Saline. Port security, supported by soldiers from the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), defended the integrity of the facilities and repelled the attack. Note that this attack was preceded, since Monday, by gunfire near the facilities and repeated attacks against armored vehicles transporting employees. Varreux Terminal Reopens On Friday, November 21, the Varreux oil terminal, inaccessible since Monday, November 17, due to the blocking of access roads by armed men from the criminal coalition "Viv ansanm" (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46253-haiti-flash-varreux-oil-terminal-blocked-no-shortage-but.html), reopened. Employees were able to return to work, and deliveries were scheduled to resume on Friday or shortly thereafter. The price of a gallon of gasoline had reached 1,500 gourdes on the black market in the past 24 hours. 14 Years in Prison for Rapper "Pras": Rapper Prakazrel Michel (52), also known as "Pras," born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents, an iconic figure in American hip-hop and a founding member of the legendary Fugees, has been sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison. This comes at the end of a sprawling case involving illegal campaign contributions, clandestine lobbying, and witness tampering. Terrorists Thwarted in Leveque On Thursday, November 20, 2025, an incursion by armed terrorists in Leveque, a commune in Cabaret, was repelled by the Haitian National Police (PNH) and members of the People's Brigade. Several assailants were killed, some victims of the "Bwa Kale" movement. Reinforcements from the Village de Dieu Unity group, linked to terrorist gangs, were also routed and neutralized. In retaliation, the attackers set fire to a gas station in Bercy. The rapid deployment of police reinforcements allowed for a return to full control of the situation. Japan Humanitarian Aid : $1 Million for Haiti The Japanese government has granted emergency aid of one million US dollars to Haiti in response to the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean region. Through this emergency aid, Japan will implement humanitarian assistance in the food sector via the World Food Programme (WFP). New President Elected at the ANMH Richard Widmaier, Director of Radio and Television Metropole, is the newly elected President of the National Association of Haitian Media (ANMH). He succeeds Robert Denis, who recently passed away. Widmaier promises to address ethical issues and work to strengthen dignity and serenity within the Haitian press. HL/ 0HaitiLibre State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Maldivian Minister of State for Tourism and Environment Abdulla Niyaz speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Wenzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Mingxiang) HANGZHOU, China, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Ongoing cooperation along the Maritime Silk Road is fostering closer ties between China and the Maldives with steady progress being made across multiple sectors, Maldivian Minister of State for Tourism and Environment Abdulla Niyaz has told Xinhua. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2025 Maritime Silk Road Urban Cooperation & Development Conference and the International Travel Agents Conference, held in the coastal city of Wenzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province from Tuesday to Thursday. Niyaz said the Maritime Silk Road offers a vital platform for deepening bilateral cooperation in tourism, marine conservation and the development of the blue economy. "Through joint projects, China and the Maldives are generating shared economic and ecological gains," he said, noting that Chinese expertise in infrastructure, renewable energy and digital solutions is being integrated with local knowledge to advance sustainable island development. Reflecting on decades of cooperation, Niyaz cited key milestones such as the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which connected the two islands of Hulhule, home to Velana International Airport, and the capital city of Male. "This bridge has improved local transport and logistics, and stands as a testament to what our two countries can achieve together when vision meets partnership," Niyaz said. Other achievements include the expansion of direct flights and the annual arrival of around 300,000 Chinese tourists, as well as the benefits brought by the China-Maldives comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. These efforts have broadened cooperation beyond infrastructure to areas such as culture, tourism and the digital economy, he said. Looking ahead, Niyaz noted that the Maritime Silk Road can connect Chinese ports like Wenzhou with the Maldives through multi-destination cruise routes and blue economy networks. Niyaz also highlighted the strategic importance of China-Maldives cooperation along the Maritime Silk Road amid rising global uncertainty. Describing the partnership as "a steady anchor in uncertain times, showing how cooperation can bring stability and shared growth," he said that their collaboration strengthens regional connectivity and advances sustainable development. "By working together along the Maritime Silk Road, China and the Maldives can turn challenges into opportunities and continue building shared prosperity for our peoples and the region," the minister said. We're a family of eight living in Georgia where Andrew's a professor at GSU and Nancy is a PhD student at UGA. You can read more about us here Preliminary data from Swedish authorities indicated there were 45 people on board, though some media outlets reported as many as 65. All passengers were adults. No children were reported to be among those travelling. The crash occurred at approximately 8:44 local time on the E45 road between Vilhelmina and Storuman. The vehicle, a chartered bus, ended up on its side in a roadside ditch. A bus operated by Finnish travel company Saaga Travel skidded off the road in northern Sweden early on Saturday, sending at least six people to hospital. The Swedish public broadcaster SVT and other media said six people were taken to hospital by ambulance. Several others suffered minor injuries. According to Swedish police, one person had initially been trapped in the vehicle but all passengers had been safely evacuated by 10:00 local time. Pekka Kimpimaki, Saaga Travels Director of Business Operations, told Yle that the weather was awful. No details were available about the identities of the passengers or the destination of the trip. The cause of the accident remains unknown. The bus was on a private charter at the time of the crash. Emergency services classified the incident as serious. Lycksele Hospital entered emergency status in preparation to receive casualties. Images from the site showed heavy snowfall and icy conditions. Reporters on the scene said the road was extremely slippery. The stretch of road between Vilhelmina and Storuman was closed following the incident. Swedish police said traffic was expected to be suspended for at least three hours. Recovery operations were ongoing as of Saturday afternoon. Saaga Travel, based in Oulu and Rovaniemi in northern Finland, operates charter and taxi services across the region. The company has not yet released a full statement on the incident. The Finnish broadcaster Yle was the first to report the accident in Finland. HT The draft agreement, leaked to media late last week, would require Ukraine to surrender Crimea and the Donbas region to Russia. De facto territorial adjustments would also be imposed in parts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. In exchange, Russia would pledge not to launch further military action in Ukraine or Europe. President Alexander Stubb of Finland has criticised a new peace proposal jointly drafted by the United States and Russia to Finnish broadcaster Yle , calling it incomplete and contradictory as Ukraine prepares for talks in Geneva. The proposal also bans Ukraine from joining NATO and calls for a halt to NATO enlargement. Ukraines National Security Adviser Rustem Umerov confirmed that formal negotiations with the US will begin in Switzerland on Sunday. Representatives from the UK, France and Germany are also scheduled to join discussions with both the Ukrainian and American delegations. Russia is not participating in the Geneva meetings. The talks follow a surprise announcement of the plan, which European leaders said they were not briefed on in advance. We, the Europeans and other allies, were unaware of this plan beforehand, although we had heard some details, Stubb told Yle on Saturday from the G20 summit in Johannesburg. Stubb said he has contacted the US administration directly and confirmed that messages had also been sent to President Donald Trump. According to US media outlet Axios, the draft deal includes a second document outlining security guarantees modelled on NATOs Article 5, with Finland named as one of the guarantor states. Stubb called the mention of Finland unexpected and said the reason for its inclusion was unclear, though he suggested it could relate to Finlands strong defence capabilities and trust within NATO. The proposal has been widely criticised in Europe. A joint statement released by European leaders on Saturday said the plan requires further work and could not proceed without the consent of all EU and NATO member states where applicable. Its important to remember that Ukraine is the defending state, and Russia is the aggressor, Stubb said. Were working towards a just peace. That means no changes to Ukraines borders through force. Talks in Geneva will focus on revising the proposal. European countries are drafting their own version of a peace plan, seeking terms that preserve Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. The revised framework currently includes 28 points. Weve been working on this intensively for the past 48 hours, Stubb said. We continue tomorrow with security advisers in Geneva. Diplomacy takes time, but the effort is ongoing. The US has given Ukraine until 27 November to respond to the proposal. Trump said on Friday that Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky should accept the deal. If he doesnt like it, then I suppose theyll have to keep fighting, Trump said during a meeting with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Zelensky has approved Ukraines delegation for the Geneva talks. The team includes senior figures such as his Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, military intelligence head Kyrylo Budanov, and security service representatives. Stubb said he has spoken to Zelensky twice in recent days and is in regular contact. The pressure hes under is enormous. This is about independence, sovereignty and national survival. European officials have also raised concerns about the proposals suggested limits on Ukraines military capabilities. The current draft outlines demilitarised zones and restrictions that could leave Ukraine exposed to future threats. US Vice President J.D. Vance said early Saturday that the peace deal must preserve Ukraines sovereignty and be acceptable to both Ukraine and Russia. He rejected the idea that continued military aid or sanctions alone would bring a Ukrainian victory, calling such expectations fantasy. Meanwhile, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll held talks in Kyiv on Friday with Ukrainian and European officials. According to Financial Times sources, the meeting was tense. One European official claimed Driscoll said the US would not negotiate the details and that we need to get this done. The G20 summit in Johannesburg has become a parallel diplomatic platform, with European countries coordinating their response. Leaders from France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Canada, Japan, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Australia joined Finland in a side meeting chaired by European Council President Antonio Costa. The United States is not present at the G20. French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that Britain, France and Germany had discussed the plan together on Saturday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking from the summit, said he had spoken with Trump by phone and reminded him that lasting peace in Ukraine required both Ukrainian and European agreement. If Ukraine collapses, it will have consequences for all of Europe, Merz said. Thats why were committed to this. Merz also recalled the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, under which Ukraine surrendered its nuclear weapons in return for territorial guarantees from the US, UK and Russia. That is why credible new security agreements are needed now, he said. HT After days of prolonged negotiations and overnight sessions, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago gavelled the deal through in the face of strong objections from multiple countries. Delegates from the European Union, Colombia, Switzerland, Panama, and others protested what they called a lack of transparency and the dismissal of key procedural objections. The UN COP30 climate summit concluded in Belem, Brazil, on Saturday night with an agreement between nearly 200 countries, but the final deal fell short of expectations, omitting any explicit commitment to phase out fossil fuels. At one point, plenary discussions were suspended as countries accused the presidency of ignoring requests to speak and bypassing agreed language. The approved resolution includes pledges to triple funding for climate adaptation by 2035 and a global Just Transition Mechanism aimed at ensuring fairness in the shift to a green economy. However, the final text excluded direct references to coal, oil or gas. This omission followed intense lobbying by oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, which sought to prevent any formal recognition of fossil fuel phase-out commitments. Brazil, as host nation, committed to developing two voluntary roadmaps over the next year: one for ending deforestation and another for a just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels. These initiatives will operate outside the formal UN process, without binding status, but have gained backing from roughly 90 countries. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva endorsed the plan and announced a summit on fossil fuel transition to be hosted in Colombia next April. Talks overran by more than 24 hours. The summit had originally been scheduled to close on Friday evening. By Saturday, with many delegates preparing to leave, the presidency rushed to secure a consensus, leading to frustration and procedural clashes. Panama accused the leadership of ignoring formal objections. The EU, Canada and Switzerland voiced concerns about both the process and the final text. Adaptation finance was another major issue. Countries agreed to triple funding for climate adaptation by 2035, but did not specify who would pay. The deal also introduced a set of 59 global indicators to track adaptation progress, though many countries criticised them as unclear. Marjo Nummelin, Finlands lead negotiator, said the deal failed to meet expectations. Emission reduction ambition is weakening. Countries prioritised finance for adaptation while mitigation was pushed aside. The EU was largely left alone. Sari Multala, Finlands Minister of Climate and the Environment, called the outcome politically weak. The response to the gap between Paris targets and current action is inadequate. Still, it is essential that international cooperation continues and that the most vulnerable receive support. The next UN climate summit, COP31, will take place in Antalya, Turkey in 2026. HT GENEVA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Friday that its Assembly has approved the organization's 2026 budget of 1.8 billion Swiss Francs (2.23 billion U.S. dollars), a 17 percent reduction compared with 2025, citing declining donor contributions for humanitarian aid. Aligning available resources for 2026 with the ICRC's core priorities will result in a reduction of approximately 2,900 budgeted positions across the organization, it said, adding that about a third of the reductions will be achieved through voluntary departures and by leaving vacant positions unfilled. As the organization moves to further consolidate its budget amid a challenging financial environment in the humanitarian sector, it will focus on providing relief to those hardest hit by conflicts around the world, the ICRC said. Noting that the world is currently facing "a dangerous convergence of escalating armed conflicts, significant cuts to aid funding, and a systemic tolerance for grave breaches of international humanitarian law," ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric said the ICRC remains committed to working on the front lines of conflict. She called on states to devote more efforts and resources. (1 Swiss franc = 1.24 U.S. dollar) YANGON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, has condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent Taiwan-related remarks, reiterating that Myanmar has always firmly adhered to the one-China policy. In an interview with Xinhua on Saturday, Zaw Min Tun said that Takaichi's remarks show no lessons learned from history and demonstrate neither remorse nor responsibility for the crimes committed by Japan across Asia. Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, once suffered deeply from Japanese fascism, and Myanmar firmly condemns any possible resurgence of fascist tendencies in Japan. Takaichi's remarks violate the one-China policy and encourage "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Zaw Min Tun said, stressing that Myanmar has always firmly adhered to the one-China policy and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and Myanmar opposes any external interference. WASHINGTON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met on Friday with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House, downplaying recent tensions. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, both sides said they had a productive discussion centered around improving the nation's biggest city. "The better he does, the happier I am," Trump said Friday after the meeting. Mamdani said he is "really looking forward" to addressing the problem of affordability in one of the country's most expensive cities. The friendly, upbeat tone marked a sharp contrast with the months of animosity between the two. In July, Trump threatened to have Mamdani arrested if he interfered with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Trump's threat came after Mamdani vowed to stop ICE agents from arresting those in New York who are in the country illegally. Mamdani won the New York City mayoral election on Nov. 4, becoming the first Muslim mayor of the most populous city in the United States. Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, speaks during the Yangtze Culture Forum 2025 in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 21, 2025. The Yangtze Culture Forum 2025 opened on Friday in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, bringing together over 300 guests from more than 30 countries, including government officials, scholars, and diplomats. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng) NANJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Yangtze Culture Forum 2025 opened on Friday in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, bringing together over 300 guests from more than 30 countries, including government officials, scholars, and diplomats. Xin Changxing, secretary of the Communist Party of China Jiangsu Provincial Committee, emphasized the Yangtze River's role in shaping Jiangsu's geography, economy, and culture. He pledged to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with countries and regions in global river basins to contribute to the Global Civilization Initiative and a community with a shared future for humanity. Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, said that the Yangtze River culture, inclusive and all-embracing, has become an important vehicle for promoting mutual learning among civilizations and provided valuable spiritual wealth for building a community with a shared future for humanity. Xinhua News Agency will take the opportunity of this forum to work with all parties to continue telling the story of the Yangtze River in the new era, Fu said. UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Science Lidia Arthur Brito said the theme of this forum is highly consistent with UNESCO's mission, adding that the green development of the Yangtze River reflects harmony between humans and nature. A think tank report, titled "Harnessing Rivers for National Prosperity, Public Wellbeing -- A Study on the New Era River Strategy," was released at the forum. The report was co-authored by the National High-Level Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency and China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. The event was co-hosted by UNESCO and the Nanjing Municipal Government. Gaborone City Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng speaks at the event of Dialogue between Chinese Ambassador and Gaborone City Mayor held at the Chinese Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana, Nov. 21, 2025. Motlaleng on Friday hailed China's rapid development in the sectors of infrastructure, environmental protection, and solar energy, vowing to strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefits. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Gaborone City Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng on Friday hailed China's rapid development in the sectors of infrastructure, environmental protection, and solar energy, vowing to strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefits. Speaking at the event of Dialogue between Chinese Ambassador and Gaborone City Mayor held at the Chinese Embassy in Botswana, Motlaleng shared the experience of his delegation's fruitful visit in October to Fujian Province and the city of Linyi in Shandong Province, eastern China. He stressed he importance of cooperation between the local governments of Botswana and China to provide opportunities for doing business and creating employment for both sides. Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and Botswana. "Our two countries have held many activities to celebrate this golden jubilee, including high-level visits, highly fruitful cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges that are closer than ever," he noted. "Cooperation between local governments of China and Botswana is one of the key pillars of bilateral relations. It plays an essential role in promoting regional development, enhancing public governance capacities, and improving people's well-being," he added. The Chinese ambassador called for alignment and collaboration between China's 15th Five-Year Plan and Botswana's 12th National Development Plan, as well as the African country's Economic Transformation Plan. "China's achievements in cutting-edge technologies and new productive forces will provide greater support for Botswana's development in digitalization, green energy, infrastructure construction, and economic diversification," said Fan. People check the wreckage of a car damaged in Israeli airstrikes in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, Lebanon, Nov. 22, 2025. One person was killed and five others were injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. According to the Lebanese Public Health Ministry, one strike on a car in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, killed a citizen. A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the dead is a Hezbollah member named Kamel Rida Qarnabesh. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and five others were injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. According to the Lebanese Public Health Ministry, one strike on a car in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, killed a citizen. A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the dead is a Hezbollah member named Kamel Rida Qarnabesh. The official National News Agency said a stun grenade dropped by an Israeli drone wounded five citizens in the town of Shaqra, Bint Jbeil district. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Saturday in a statement that its air force struck Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon and two Hezbollah military sites in the Beqaa Valley, eastern Lebanon. In another statement, the IDF said it launched an airstrike on Friday and killed a Hezbollah militant in the village of Froun, southern Lebanon. The IDF claimed that throughout the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the militant had advanced attacks against Israel and IDF troops, violating the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. It vowed to "continue to operate in order to remove any threat" to Israel. A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since Nov. 27, 2024, largely ending the clashes that had erupted between the two sides in the wake of the Gaza conflict. Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah "threats," and maintains forces in five main positions in the Lebanese border area. On Friday, the Lebanese Ministry of Health said Israeli strikes and violations had killed 331 people and injured 945 others in Lebanon since Nov. 28, 2024. Also on Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun unveiled a security roadmap for southern Lebanon, pledging to deploy the army to the border region once Israel halts violations and withdraws its remaining forces. This photo shows the wreckage of a car damaged in Israeli airstrikes in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, Lebanon, Nov. 22, 2025. One person was killed and five others were injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. According to the Lebanese Public Health Ministry, one strike on a car in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, killed a citizen. A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the dead is a Hezbollah member named Kamel Rida Qarnabesh. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) A man checks the wreckage of a car damaged in Israeli airstrikes in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, Lebanon, Nov. 22, 2025. One person was killed and five others were injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese sources. According to the Lebanese Public Health Ministry, one strike on a car in eastern Zawtar, Nabatieh district, killed a citizen. A Lebanese security source told Xinhua that the dead is a Hezbollah member named Kamel Rida Qarnabesh. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) Artists perform during the closing ceremony of China's 15th National Games in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) People take part in the commemoration ceremony of the 115th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution at Zocalo Square in Mexico City, Mexico, Nov. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Francisco Canedo) Vessels from Chinese and Vietnamese navies are pictured during their joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf, on Nov. 20, 2025. Two fleets from the Chinese and Vietnamese navies conducted their 39th joint patrol in the waters of the Beibu Gulf from Nov. 19 to 20, in accordance with a relevant agreement and annual plans between the two sides. (Photo by Li Zhengsong/Xinhua) Residents attend a group banquet in celebration of the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 20, 2025. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua) Smoke billows from the site of an aircraft crash during a demonstration at the Dubai Airshow in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nov. 21, 2025. A Tejas light combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed Friday during an aerial demonstration at the Dubai Airshow, killing the pilot, according to the Ministry of Defense of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). (Xinhua) A guest takes selfies at an expo of panda-themed cultural and creative products in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 21, 2025. The Global Panda Partners 2025 conference opened here on Friday. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) An aerial drone photo shows a view of the West Lake scenic area in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi) A drone photo shows vessels sailing under the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 18, 2025. As a province with both the Yangtze River and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal running through, water transportation is key to the development of Jiangsu Province. In recent years, Jiangsu has scaled up efforts to build a well-connected inland waterway network and improve the water conservancy system, coupled with its green development endeavors in river basins and seaside areas. (Xinhua/Li Bo) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025 shows a scene at an event celebrating the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua) A woman in festive attire attends an event celebrating the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 20, 2025. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua) An aerial drone photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025 shows residents attending a group banquet in celebration of the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Li Xiangyu/Xinhua) Models present creations at a fashion show held during an event celebrating the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 20, 2025. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua) Residents attend a group banquet in celebration of the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 20, 2025. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua) This photo taken on Nov. 20, 2025 shows a scene at an event celebrating the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Lan Hongguang/Xinhua) Women in ethnic attire take a selfie during an event celebrating the Qiang New Year in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Nov. 20, 2025. An event celebrating the Qiang New Year was held here from Wednesday to Thursday, featuring a series of activities. (Photo by Li Xiangyu/Xinhua) Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 20, 2025. Zhao paid an official visit to the country from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) WELLINGTON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji has called for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and New Zealand during his official visit to the country from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee. Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland and held talks with Brownlee in Wellington. When meeting with Luxon, Zhao said that cooperation between the two countries in various fields has achieved fruitful results, and the second decade of their comprehensive strategic partnership has got off to a good start. China is willing to work with New Zealand to consolidate traditional friendship, enhance understanding and mutual trust, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and be sincere friends and cooperative partners who treat each other as equals, Zhao said. It is hoped that China and New Zealand can deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, strengthen multilateral collaboration, and jointly promote trade and investment liberalization as well as regional economic integration. Luxon said that the traditional friendship between New Zealand and China is profound, and the relations between the two countries are long-lasting and stable. New Zealand has always adhered to the one-China policy, he said, adding that New Zealand is willing to enhance dialogue and exchanges with China and carry out cooperation in multiple fields such as economy and trade, education, culture, tourism, environmental protection and agriculture to better benefit the people of both countries. When meeting with Brownlee, Zhao said that China is willing to work with New Zealand to strengthen multi-level exchanges and interactions among legislative bodies and strengthen communication and collaboration on multilateral platforms to promote the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction. For his part, Brownlee said that the New Zealand Parliament is willing to enhance friendly exchanges with China's National People's Congress and play an active role in promoting bilateral relations. During his visit to New Zealand, Zhao attended the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honoring Rewi Alley, a dedicated New Zealander who helped build friendly relations between China and New Zealand, in Christchurch, and visited a local family at Gilchrist Brothers Farm. Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds talks with Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 20, 2025. Zhao paid an official visit to the country from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of Brownlee. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, visits a local family at Gilchrist Brothers Farm in Christchurch, New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2025. Zhao paid an official visit to the country from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, attends the opening ceremony of a memorial museum honoring Rewi Alley, a dedicated New Zealander who helped build friendly relations between China and New Zealand, in Christchurch, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2025. Zhao paid an official visit to the country from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Gerry Brownlee. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday urged the Group of 20 (G20) economies to stay committed to solidarity, firmly uphold free trade and build an open world economy in the face of a sluggish global economic recovery. Li made the remarks while addressing the first session of the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, which focused on inclusive and sustainable economic growth and was chaired by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out at the 17th G20 Summit that solidarity is strength, but division leads nowhere, Li said. Over the years, G20 members from different regions and with different systems and cultures have managed to overcome one challenge after another and promote global progress and development, thanks to the spirit of solidarity, he added. Today, the world economy is once again confronted with major challenges, marked by a rise in unilateralism and protectionism, as well as escalating trade restrictions and confrontations, Li said. Divergent interests among parties and weaknesses in global cooperation mechanisms, he said, have become prominent factors hindering international solidarity. Li urged the G20 to face those problems squarely, explore solutions, and help bring all parties back to the track of solidarity and cooperation. The Chinese premier called for concerted efforts to properly handle disputes and frictions through consultation on the basis of equality when facing differences and contradictions. He also stressed the importance of seeking common ground while reserving differences, actively pursuing the most extensive common interests, and properly addressing each other's reasonable concerns. Li urged the G20 economies, when facing difficulties in governance, to advance with the times and take the lead in upholding multilateralism. Li called for accelerating the reform of institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization. He also called for efforts to enhance the voice of developing countries, and build a fairer and more open international economic and trade order. China has released an action plan for implementing the G20 Initiative on Supporting Industrialization in Africa and Least Developed Countries, Li noted, stressing China's endeavor to promote common development among all countries. China supports the reduction of debts in developing countries, and has jointly initiated with South Africa a cooperative initiative to support Africa's modernization, Li said, adding that China will also establish the Institute of Global Development. U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on X, following a phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, that the Ukrainian side "agreed to work together with the U.S. and Europe at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable." WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday set Nov. 27 as the deadline for accepting a 28-point peace plan proposed by his administration to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "I've had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines," Trump told Fox News Radio. "But Thursday is it -- we think an appropriate time." Ukraine was losing land and "will lose in a short period of time," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on X, following a phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, that the Ukrainian side "agreed to work together with the U.S. and Europe at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable." In an address to the nation, Zelensky said: "Ukraine could now face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter." Tajik President Emomali Rahmon meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun) DUSHANBE, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on Saturday met here with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Rahmon asked Wang to convey his warmest greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping, noting that China is Tajikistan's friendly neighbor and close partner, and that developing relations with China has always been a top priority for Tajikistan. In recent years, Rahmon said, the Tajikistan-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has grown rapidly. China has become Tajikistan's largest trading partner and biggest source of investment, and Tajikistan is full of confidence in the prospects of bilateral relations. Tajikistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, Rahmon said, adding that China plays an increasingly important leading role in international affairs. He said President Xi's Global Governance Initiative is of great significance and will help lay the foundation for improving the world political and economic order. Tajikistan actively supports the initiative and stands ready to work with China to jointly implement the four major global initiatives, strengthen coordination within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the China-Central Asia mechanism, and uphold common interests as well as international fairness and justice. Wang conveyed President Xi's sincere greetings to Rahmon, noting that the two heads of state have maintained close exchanges and strategic communication, built strong mutual trust and deep friendship, and reached important consensus on jointly building a China-Tajikistan community with a shared future, steering bilateral relations onto the fast track. China is Tajikistan's most trustworthy partner and most reliable friend, he added, expressing China's readiness to work with Tajikistan to fully implement the consensus of the two heads of state and advance the China-Tajikistan comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. Wang briefed Rahmon on the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, noting that China's high-quality development and high-standard opening up will bring more development opportunities and broader prospects for Tajikistan and other countries. China stands ready to strengthen coordination with Tajikistan within the SCO and the China-Central Asia mechanism, jointly combat the "three forces of evil," and build a solid security foundation for the development and revitalization of both countries, Wang added. On the same day, Wang held the first strategic dialogue with Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, holds the first strategic dialogue with Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, holds the first strategic dialogue with Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sirojiddin Muhriddin in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Nov. 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chaoqun) UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians said Friday the level of violence in the West Bank is deeply concerning, while efforts to pour more aid into the Gaza Strip are being thwarted. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said reasons for concern include casualties, property damage, displacement, loss of livelihoods, and a strong sense of insecurity in the West Bank due to the violence. The number of Palestinian children killed in the West Bank in 2025 reached 50, including two girls, the youngest 2 years old. Overall, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the start of the year in the West Bank, OCHA noted. The office said it documented 29 attacks between Nov. 11 and 17 by Israeli settlers that led to 11 injuries and damaged 10 homes, two mosques, nearly two dozen vehicles and a wide range of agricultural assets, including livestock, seasonal crops and roughly 1,000 trees and saplings. In the northern West Bank, large-scale operations by Israeli forces have left tens of thousands in prolonged displacement, causing additional school closures and further tightening movement restrictions. In the town of Ya'bad, where Israeli troops have been operating for two weeks, 55 people were newly displaced, OCHA said. The office said the United Nations and its partners provide cash aid to families displaced or otherwise affected. More than 10,000 households have received such support so far this year. OCHA continues to call for the protection of civilians, which includes enforcing the law against anyone who carries out attacks and for lethal force to be used only in strict accordance with internationally agreed law enforcement standards. "War-like tactics must not be tolerated as the new normal in the West Bank," it said. In the Gaza Strip, continuing obstacles are hindering the humanitarian scale-up since the Oct. 10 ceasefire, OCHA said. Restrictions on visas and import approvals, too few operating crossing points and limited facilitation of humanitarian movements inside the strip are among the impediments to aid delivery. The office said that between Nov. 12 and 18, the United Nations and its partners tried to coordinate over 50 humanitarian movements with the Israeli authorities. Most were to collect cargo from the three border crossings. Others were for search-and-rescue work, road repairs, assessments and clearances, or staff deployment. OCHA said that supplies from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, also in the south, continue to be directed through the Philadelphi Corridor and along the Al Rasheed coastal road, a congested route that limits convoy size. On Thursday, the United Nations and its partners ended the first round of the catch-up immunization campaign, which began on Nov. 9. The office said that on Monday and Tuesday, humanitarian teams distributed 121,000 towels, more than 2,800 dignity and hygiene kits, nearly 4,800 handwashing stations, 1,000 buckets, 225 jerry cans and 13 water tanks for 400,000 people. More than 10,000 tents, 130,000 tarpaulins, 150,000 bedding kits and 1,000 kitchen sets were distributed between Nov. 13 and 18. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds the Second China-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Renzi) TASHKENT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on China and Uzbekistan to build bilateral relations into a new model of good neighborliness, solidarity and mutual trust between nations during his second strategic dialogue with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, China-Uzbekistan relations have flourished, bringing positive results to the peoples of both countries, adding that the two sides should make full use of the strategic dialogue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, steering the overall direction of bilateral relations and coordinating cooperation across various fields. Noting that China and Uzbekistan both boast rich historical and cultural heritages, Wang said the development and revitalization of both nations are driven by strong internal momentum, and the friendship between the two peoples has deep roots. China has always regarded Uzbekistan as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and an important partner in its broader global diplomatic agenda, and China supports Uzbekistan in both pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and the successful implementation of the "New Uzbekistan" strategy, Wang said. The Chinese foreign minister noted that the early realization of China's complete reunification is the shared aspiration of all Chinese people at home and abroad, and China appreciates Uzbekistan's firm commitment to the one-China principle. No matter how the international and regional landscape may change, China will continue to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Uzbekistan and move forward toward the noble goal of building a community with a shared future, he said. Wang pointed out that China and Uzbekistan should follow the consensus reached by the two heads of state and remain committed to improving people's well-being, accelerating the alignment of development strategies, enhancing mutual support, and opening up a new future for the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. China has already become Uzbekistan's largest trading partner and a major source of investment, and it is believed that after Uzbekistan joins the World Trade Organization, bilateral economic and trade cooperation will embrace even greater development, said Wang. He said China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to develop the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway as a landmark project, advance a diversified framework for connectivity, and strengthen cooperation in sectors such as green minerals, new energy and high technology, and enhance exchanges in education, culture, tourism and other fields to further strengthen the deep friendship between the two peoples. China highly commends Uzbekistan for the remarkable achievements it has made in poverty reduction and stands ready to make full use of the China-Uzbekistan sub-committee on poverty reduction cooperation and the China-Central Asia poverty reduction cooperation center to continue sharing its experience in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, said Wang. He called on the two sides to make good use of the China-Uzbekistan law enforcement and security cooperation mechanism, strengthen joint efforts in combating the "three evil forces" and transnational organized crime and strengthen cooperation on counter-interference. He also urged the two sides to strengthen coordination and cooperation within frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the China-Central Asia mechanism to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system. For his part, Saidov said that under the wise leadership of Xi, China has achieved remarkable development accomplishments, and the Chinese people have demonstrated diligence, creativity and perseverance in the pursuit of their dreams. In the face of a complex and evolving international situation, China's firm stance, particularly its major initiatives to promote world peace and development, has become an important force for maintaining stability and progress in human society, he said. Noting that a true friend is like a brother, Saidov said China is Uzbekistan's most valued strategic partner, and Uzbekistan is willing to always stand shoulder to shoulder with China. The two countries share similar world views, uphold a people-centered philosophy, and are both deepening reforms, he said, adding that the foreign ministers' strategic dialogue mechanism, established at the decision of the two heads of state, fully reflects the high level of the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era. Uzbekistan is grateful for China's strong support in improving its people's livelihoods and reducing poverty and is willing to actively draw on China's successful experience in state governance, strengthen high-level exchanges, expand bilateral trade, deepen Belt and Road cooperation, advance the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and broaden cooperation in emerging fields such as green development and high technology, while jointly combating the "three evil forces," he noted. Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle, opposes "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and interference by external forces and supports China in achieving national reunification, said Saidov. Saidov said that the Global Governance Initiative proposed by Xi meets the needs of the times and helps address the lack of consensus and trust deficit in the international community, adding that Uzbekistan is willing to further strengthen communication and cooperation with China on international and regional affairs and enhance coordination within frameworks such as the China-Central Asia mechanism and the SCO. He noted that Uzbekistan is accelerating domestic procedures with the goal of joining the International Organization for Mediation by the end of the year, and is also willing to participate in the global artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation organization and become one of its founding members. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds the Second China-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Renzi) ABUJA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has ordered the closure of at least 41 secondary schools across the West African country following the recent kidnapping of students by terrorist groups. The directive, which affects only schools owned by the federal government, had already taken effect, according to a statement by the Ministry of Education late Friday. The decision was a "sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent another security breach," the statement said, adding that principals of affected schools must ensure strict compliance. On Friday, at least 215 students and 12 teachers were reportedly abducted when suspected terrorists attacked a school in Nigeria's central state of Niger, said the Christian Association of Nigeria. In an earlier attack this week, at least 25 schoolgirls from a government-run secondary school in the northern state of Kebbi were also kidnapped by suspected terrorists. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Hotel CEOs Split on 2025 Outlook as Leisure Softens and Group Travel Holds - Image Credit Unsplash Public hotel companies delivered a patchwork of results in their latest earnings season, underscoring a split view on the year ahead. By HNR News Staff Reporter Publicly traded hotel groups delivered mixed earnings and diverging outlooks. Executives cite normalizing U.S. leisure demand but steady group and business travel. Development pipelines remain large, but financing and opening pace are sticking points. Industry data points to slower, steadier RevPAR growth and intensifying rate sensitivity. Mixed scorecards set a contradictory tone Public hotel companies delivered a patchwork of results in their latest earnings season, underscoring a split view on the year ahead. Executives widely described U.S. leisure demand as normalizing after a multi-year surge, while pointing to resilient group and business transient segments and steadier international demand. The contradiction was most evident in outlooks: some management teams leaned upbeat on pricing power and corporate/group recovery, while others turned more guarded on rate sensitivity and midscale leisure softness. Leisure cools, group steadies and executives choose their emphasis Marriott Internationals tone skewed constructive. Leisure demand is normalizing, as expected, while group and business transient remain healthy, CEO Anthony Capuano said on a recent earnings call, noting continued strength in large events and corporate meetings alongside steadier weekday demand. Hilton Worldwide struck a similar note on rates and cross-border travel. We feel very good about the demand backdrop globally, CEO Chris Nassetta told investors, adding that rate integrity has been strong even as domestic leisure growth moderates. Hyatt, with greater exposure to luxury and lifestyle, highlighted the resilience of high-end travelers and the international recovery. The high-end consumer remains healthy and engaged, CEO Mark Hoplamazian said, citing sustained interest in experiential travel and destination resorts. By contrast, companies oriented more toward U.S. midscale and economy rooms signaled caution. Our core midscale guest is more price-sensitive today, Choice Hotels CEO Patrick Pacious said, pointing to tighter household budgets and competitive pricing pressure in select drive-to markets. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts flagged a similar trend. Were seeing softness in U.S. leisure demand compared to the last two summers, CEO Geoff Ballotti said, even as he highlighted franchisee interest and strong signings. Data: slower, steadier RevPAR and rising rate sensitivity Industry trackers say the pattern fits a late-cycle normalization. The U.S. hotel industry is moving into a slower-growth phase as comps get tougher and leisure normalizes, STR President Amanda Hite said in a recent market update from CoStars hospitality analytics unit, adding that group demand has been a relative bright spot. Analysts also note a flattening of occupancy and modest average daily rate (ADR) gains in the U.S., with international markets and higher-end segments providing a firmer backdrop. Corporate travel budgetsespecially among large enterpriseshave improved gradually, aiding weekday demand in major metros. Group bookings continued to refill citywide calendars, with several brands reporting robust forward pacing for meetings and events. Marriott, for instance, described group as a pillar of its outlook, while Hilton cited intense corporate negotiations and solid rate renewals into next year. Supply, development, and the capital constraint Despite near-record pipelines, executives acknowledged that higher financing costs and bank selectivity continue to slow openings. Our pipeline remains at record levels, but the pace of conversions and new-builds is gated by the lending environment, Wyndhams Ballotti said. Choices Pacious echoed that development remains a share-gain opportunityparticularly in conversions and extended-stayyet acknowledged that closing deals can take longer in todays credit conditions. Internationally, brands continue to lean into asset-light expansion, with management and franchise agreements offering capital-efficient growth. Hyatt emphasized pipeline momentum across lifestyle and resort flags, while IHG pointed to steady signings in EMEAA and China offsetting a more moderate outlook in the Americas. We expect industry growth to moderate in the Americas, even as our global pipeline supports long-term expansion, IHG CEO Elie Maalouf said. Margins, costs, and the rate vs. occupancy trade-off Operating margins remain in focus as wage and insurance costs edge up and rate growth settles. Hiltons Nassetta said the company remains disciplined on pricing. Rate has held up well, he noted, pointing to continued segmentation and revenue management as keys to protecting profit flow-through. Marriotts Capuano signaled a similar approach, emphasizing mix managementkeeping group and business transient yields healthy while allowing leisure to right-size. On the other side, midscale-oriented systems face sharper elasticity. Value matters more than ever to our guests, Choices Pacious said, noting promotional tactics and targeted discounting in shoulder periods. Several companies said they are leaning on loyalty program enhancements and direct-booking tools to reduce distribution costs and keep demand in-brand. Whats next: bifurcation to persist If there was a consensus, it was that bifurcationby segment, price point, and geographywill define the next several quarters. Executives broadly expect: - Leisure to trend closer to 2019-style seasonality, with less outsized summer peaks. - Group and business transient to pace steadily, helped by corporate budget cycles and citywide calendars. - Rate growth to moderate but remain positive in higher-end and international markets. - Development to stay resilient on signings, with openings gated by financing conditions. The world wants to travel, Hiltons Nassetta said, reiterating his long-term demand view even as near-term growth normalizes. Marriotts Capuano framed it more pragmatically: travel demand remains broad-based, but performance will increasingly depend on mix management and where brands are positioned across the demand spectrum. Credible industry sources reinforced the point. Were in a period where fundamentals are fine, but dispersion is widening, STRs Hite said. For investors, the takeaway from this earnings season is clear: the cycle isnt turning down so much as spreading outstronger for group and higher-end, more competitive for midscale leisureleaving hotel companies to choose their posture accordingly. ADVERTISE Hypebot & MusicThinkTank With the internet and digital technologies driving rapid change within the music industry, articles about new releases and who has been hired and fired are no longer enough. 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Christmas Tree Lightings Adams: There will be a tree lighting and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus on Sunday, Nov. 30 at the Adams Town Common. The celebration begins at 2, featuring hayrides, music by DJ Bizz, hot chocolate courtesy of The Daily Grind, candy from the Adams Lions Club, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The official tree lighting will take place at dusk, around 4:30. A second Holly Days event will be held on Dec. 6, featuring a campfire, childrens activities, and another visit from Santa, sponsored by Adams Community Bank. Cheshire: Annual tree lighting is Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6 at the town center. Festival of Trees opens in Community House at 4:30 and a hayride to the town center is at 5:30; Santa and refreshments will be available at Community House afterward. Additional hours will be posted to view the Festival of Trees through the holiday season. There will be a bonfire, caroling, cookies and cocoa, raffles and and sales of adult refreshments. Clarksburg: Peter A. Cook VFW Post 9144 sponsors this year's tree lighting ceremony at PFC Peter A. Cook Veterans Memorial Field on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. The Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company will be bringing Santa Claus to the event to greet the children. Dalton: The town will be celebrating the holiday season with the annual Light up the Holidays event on Saturday, Dec. 6 starting at 5 p.m. Santa will stops around town to greet families participating in festive activities. The event will conclude with a tree lighting at 8 in front of the Community Recreation Association. Great Barrington: Lighting of the town tree is on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Part of the Shop, Sip & Stroll in the downtown that features crafts, music, activities, hayrides and Santa. Hancock: The Christmas tree lighting with Santa is on Saturday, Dec. 29, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Lanesborough: The tree lighting is Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. at the old Lanesborough Police Department on the corner of Church Street and Route 7. The school chorus will perform and Jake's Java will provide hot cocoa. Lee: Tree lighting is Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. in Church Park. Holiday music, carols, cookies and hot cocoa. Sponsored by Henry's Electric and the Lee Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will be selling $5 remembrance angels to benefit the Lee Food Pantry and Laliberte Toy Fund. More information Tree lighting is Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. in Church Park. Holiday music, carols, cookies and hot cocoa. Sponsored by Henry's Electric and the Lee Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will be selling $5 remembrance angels to benefit the Lee Food Pantry and Laliberte Toy Fund. More information here Lenox: Tree lighting in Lilac Park takes place Friday, Dec. 5, by 6 p.m. hosted by the Lenox Community Center. Come early for caroling with the LCC chorus at 5:45 and stay for pictures with Santa Claus at the center. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available and bring a letter for Santa. North Adams: Annual event returns on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Monument Square. Santa Claus will arrive on the fire engine and give out goody bags. Drury band will perform. The annual menorah lighting will be held beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. The brief ceremony will be held in the City Hall lobby with Rabbi Rachel Barenblat sharing a few words to mark the start of the Hanukkah. Pittsfield: The tree lighting ceremony will begin at Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. at Park Square as part of Downtown Pittsfield Inc.'s Festive Frolic. Hot chocolate by Lipton Market will be available and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to ring in the holiday season. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Christian Center's food pantry. The Pittsfield High School Chorus will perform carols around 5:45 p.m. and artists Peter Vacchina and Robert Markey will be creating holiday-themed ice sculptures in the park. Otto's Kitchen & Comfort will also host a free hot chocolate bar and photos with the Grinch. Pownal, Vt.: Tree lighting at Town Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. The festivities start at 4 with school chorus, reading, singing, hot cocoa and cookies, and Santa. Bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry. Readsboro, Vt.: The town holds its annual tree lighting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at the bandstand. Stephentown, N.Y.: The Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department will be holding its annual Lighted Parade & Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 29. The tree lighting and parade line up will begin at 4 p.m. at Cinch Em Up Stables at Route 43; the parade rolls off after the tree lighting at 5:30 and proceeds to the fire station for cookies and hot cocoa with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The station will have hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and kettle corn for sale beginning at 4. The department will be accepting unwrapped toys for the annual toy drive. Washington: The annual lighting of the town's tree will be in the town park on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. with hot cocoa and caroling. West Stockbridge: The annual "Sparkles" event hosted by the town's Parks & Recreation will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5. Williamstown: the tree at the Williams Inn will be lighted on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m., accompanied by caroling. Part of the annual Holiday Walk. South Williamstown Community Association hosts a tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. at the Store at Five Corners. There will be carol singing, refreshments provided by the store and Santa. Bring a flashlight to read the song sheets that will be provided. Sweetwood of Williamstown hosts a tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. The menorah candle will be lit for the first night of Hannukah on the lawn at the Williams Inn on Monday, Dec. 15 at 5:45 p.m. Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and Rabbi Seth Wax will lead the outdoor service. People of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds are invited to attend. Holiday Events 'A Christmas Carol' A touring production of five actors will play the full cast of characters from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." A portion of the proceeds will go the Trevor Project. Performances are at 7 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing in Pittsfield on Dec. 11; Common Folk at 165 East Main St., North Adams, on De. 12; Rosasco's Fine Art Gallery, 12 Holden St., North Adams on Dec. 13; and at the Dalton Free Library on Dec. 14. More information and tickets here Adams: The Tinseliner Train returns with Santa, caroling and more. The Hoosac Valley Line runs the scenic Christmas train rides weekends from Nov. 29 through Dec. 14. Tickets from $5 to $25; more information here. Eagles Band performs a Holiday Concert from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, in the GAR Hall in the Adams Free Library. Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at at Saint James Place on Main Street featuring traditional and contemporary a cappella carols. Tickets are $20 at the door, with children and students 18 and under admitted for free. Tickets are $35. For further information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit Berkshire Lyric will perform "In Dulci Jubilo" onat at Saint James Place on Main Street featuring traditional and contemporary a cappella carols. Tickets are $20 at the door, with children and students 18 and under admitted for free. Tickets are $35. For further information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.BerkshireLyric.org Lenox: Winterland starts Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 4 with a walk, downtown shopping and tree lighting. Events will continue on Saturdays, Dec. 7 & 14, with shopping, crafts and Santa. See more information here. NightWood, a light, sound, and color event, runs at The Mount from Nov. 22 through Jan. 6. Admission is $12 to $27 per person; register here. Lenox Community Night is Dec. 5. North Adams: First Friday Festivities on Friday, Dec. 6, include self-guided tours of the LumiNAMA displays throughout the downtown, gallery openings, and shopping specials. Pittsfield: The Eagle Band's brass ensemble performs its 10th annual Holiday Music Concert at First United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. Berkshire Lyric will perform "In Dulci Jubilo" on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark's Church on West Street featuring traditional and contemporary a cappella carols. Tickets are $20 at the door, with children and students 18 and younger admitted for free. For further information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.BerkshireLyric.org. Stockbridge: runs Friday to Sunday, Dec. 6-8, with a range of holiday activities including live performances, historic property tours, holiday markets, shops, restaurants and Santa. On Sunday, the town re-enacts the spirit of Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene from noon to 2. More information and tickets Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas runs Friday to Sunday, Dec. 6-8, with a range of holiday activities including live performances, historic property tours, holiday markets, shops, restaurants and Santa. On Sunday, the town re-enacts the spirit of Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene from noon to 2. More information and tickets here Nov. 28 through Jan. 3; . Berkshire Botanical holds its annual Holiday Market on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7. More information here. Naumkeag's Winterlights runs from tickets are limited here . Berkshire Botanical holds its annual Holiday Market on Saturday and Sunday, Saturday, Dec. 20, at 4 in Stockbridge Congregational Church on Main Street. Santa will also make an appearance at this event geared for children. Tickets are $20, with children 18 and younger admitted for free thanks to the support of The Red Lion Inn. For further information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit Berkshire Lyric presents "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," a concern of traditional and contemporary carols and well-known standards from the American holiday songbook, onin Stockbridge Congregational Church on Main Street. Santa will also make an appearance at this event geared for children. Tickets are $20, with children 18 and younger admitted for free thanks to the support of The Red Lion Inn. For further information, or to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.BerkshireLyric.org Williamstown: The Williamstown Chamber's annual Holiday Walk runs Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, with the popular Reindog Parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Activities, including some events Friday night, include breakfast with Santa in the Williams Inn ballroom, card and wreath making, a gingerbread house exhibit, caroling, hot chocolate, photo booths, and others. Some events have admission fees or require registration. See the full list here. MassWildlife: Autumn Underwater Leaves are piling up and the nights are growing chilly, unmistakable signs that autumn has arrived. While the season's changes are easy to spot on land, quieter transformations are happening in the ponds, lakes, and rivers across Massachusetts. Beneath the surface, freshwater fish are shifting their behavior in response to cooler water and shorter days. Seasonal changes in water temperature and oxygen levels have a powerful effect on freshwater fish. Because they're cold-blooded, the surrounding water regulates their body temperature, metabolism, and activity. In general, warm water speeds up their metabolism, while cooler water slows it down. But despite the falling temperatures, many freshwater fish become more active in the fall. Signaled by the decrease in day length, fish begin feeding heavily to build up fat for the long winter. Feeding strategies used in the summer may also begin to shift. To conserve energy while still gaining calories, predators like largemouth bass stop chasing quick, small baitfish and favor larger prey for a bigger payoff. Bass, northern pike, and pickerel often gather around remaining weed beds, drop-offs, or currents to wait for an easy meal. As temperatures drop and aquatic plants die back, the water holds more oxygen and maintains steadier oxygen levels. This allows fish to feed actively in various areas of a waterbody throughout the day and night. Coldwater fish, like trout, are no longer confined to deeper waters and can spread out across a waterbody. Warmwater fish like bass, pickerel, crappie, and bluegill, spend time in shallower areas, especially late in the day when the water temperatures are higher. As you layer up and head out this fall, remember that the fish are making their own seasonal adjustments too. If you like to fish but have never thought of fall as prime fishing seasonit's time to reconsider! Equipped with the knowledge of these seasonal shifts in fish behavior, and these tips for fall fishing, you can take full advantage of one of the most rewarding times of year to cast a line. Williams College to Donate Kitchen Equipment to North Adams Airport NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The vacant restaurant space in Harriman & West Airport's Administration Building will finally get some equipment. Airport Commission Chair Jim Haskins announced on Tuesday that Williams College has offered to donate some surplus kitchen equipment to the proposed restaurant space. Haskins said the college plans to renovate three of its on-campus dining spaces. When it switches out the old equipment, the city is welcome to it. "They said when they start taking it apart we can have it That is sitting there waiting for us," he said. "That will save whoever wants to go in there a lot of money and make it more attractive." The city has struggled for years to convert the open space into a restaurant. Multiple Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have gone unanswered. Local restaurateurs have told the commission that taking over the space is too big a proposition without any kitchen equipment. Haskins said the equipment would likely be available in the spring, adding he went over to look at it and it includes everything a restaurant would need. "That is a big plus," Commissioner Robert Grandchamp said. "We will take it." Before the announcement, Marya Kozik, director of community development, told the commission that the city had failed to capture a One Stop for Growth grant that would outfit the shell airport restaurant space with the needed kitchen equipment. "I think it would be prudent for us to go back and re-evaluate that," she said. "It looks like we may be asking for too much." She added that pop-up restaurants have had success in North Adams and there may be better ways to approach the space. In other business, the Airport Commission accepted a new, shorter lease for the Mohawk Soaring Club (MSC) and a negotiated $1,200 abatement. Haskins told the full commission that airport representatives met with the club to discuss the agreement and hammer out a better-fitting lease. "All parties intentionally avoided getting drawn into past accusations, previous airport incidents, or individual personalities," Haskins read. "Instead, we focused on the lease terms versus MSC's actual use of the rented space, as related to the request for abatement." He said because of declining membership, there was no need for all five tie-downs included in the original longer-term lease. For the past two years, MSC has used only three tie-downs, and only for seven months each year. Because the tie-downs in use are grass tie-downs, they do not create any additional costs to the airport, Haskins said. There are plenty more tie-downs available, and the adjustment would only result in reduced revenue. Originally, MSC requested an $1,800 abatement that would wipe out its unpaid balance from fiscal year 2024. MSC leadership provided documents to the commission claiming "severe financial consequences that were the result of the atmosphere of harassment and interference that took place during the 2023 Soaring Season." The letter stated that this resulted in the loss of seven club members and of revenue from scenic rides. Haskins did not touch on the alleged harassment, but said, after discussions, a $1,200 abatement was agreed upon. Kozik added that this is not out of the ordinary. "In the past, there have been requests for new leases or requests for abatements based on the fact that they would not be utilizing their space for certain months out of the year," she said. "Those have been granted." Commissioner Dean Bullet, who made the motion to approve the abatement, did not necessarily agree with the plan. "I am not opposed to it," he said. "As for this reason, I do not agree with it. If you rent a hotel room you are not going to be there 24/7." Commissioner Andrew Fitch, who abstained from the vote, also felt more needed to be discussed in terms of the abatement. He abstained because he was new to the commission. "I misunderstood this here, and I thought originally I articulated some discomfort with this. This is why I asked for a meeting to see what kind of deal would be worked out hoping something would come back," he said. "We could work on a deal going forward. I didn't realize the abatement was still on the table." But the commission was happy with the new lease that seemed a bit more future-proof with the shorter maturity time. The new one-year lease agreement includes a $1,450 base rent, payable monthly. The charge is $25 per month per tie-down from April through October. There will be a $50 per month hangar space fee from November to March. In other business: Haskins read a determination from the state clearing the commission of an Open Meeting Law complaint originally filed in 2024 alleging that the commission posted a notice with insufficient specificity for a meeting held on Dec. 5, 2024, and deliberated outside of a properly posted meeting. The complaint, filed by an airport user, alleged that the commission did not provide enough notice for a Dec. 5 meeting in which it planned to rescind a vote from October accepting airport user Michael Milazzo's bid to lease the Northeast Hangar. It was also alleged that there were meetings between commission members and the mayor's office in regard to rescinding the vote that qualified as a quorum. Lastly, the complaint implied the commission did not approve the Oct. 15 minutes quickly enough. "So that puts that to rest," Haskins said. The commission accepted a proposal to install security cameras on the Administrative Building, Shamrock Building and the Northeast Hangar. The total cost is $30,017.48. Originally, the airport planned a larger-scale security overhaul of the campus, but this was not currently economically feasible. Kozik said because of vandalism and destruction of property, it was important to get some cameras installed sooner rather than later. "With such an immediate need, this just fits the bill," she said. The commission approved an updated Capital Improvement Plan that will be sent to the mayor's office for consideration in future budgets. Recently Completed Projects (FY 2025). These projects have a total cost of $422,524 and were fully funded by the state Airport Safety and Maintenance Program: Vehicle Gate Operators/Controllers (Gates 1 and 5): Total cost of $22,524. Statewide Pavement Maintenance: Total cost of $400,000. Planned CIP Projects (FY 2026-2032) The total estimated cost for this 5-plus year CIP is $10,031,693. TBD (To Be Determined): Airport Security Improvements (cameras): Estimated cost of $410,000, funded by ASMP. FY 2026: Construct 6-Unit T-Hangars (revenue producing): Estimated cost of $1,048,692. This project has significant Federal (AIP) and BIL funding planned. Replace Roof on City Hangar (includes alternate in hanger bid): Estimated cost of $80,000. Purchase Zero-Turn Mower: Estimated cost of $15,000. FY 2027: Rehabilitate Existing Equipment Storage Building: Estimated cost of $100,000. Relocate & Replace Rotating Beacon and Replace Windsock: Estimated cost of $333,334, with a $300,000 Federal (AIP) contribution. No AIP Project: (Note: The document indicates a rollover of FY27 NPE to FY28). Rehabilitate Existing Equipment Storage Building: Estimated cost of $100,000. Relocate & Replace Rotating Beacon and Replace Windsock: Estimated cost of $333,334, with a $300,000 Federal (AIP) contribution. No AIP Project: (Note: The document indicates a rollover of FY27 NPE to FY28). FY 2028: Fuel Tank Repairs (pump savers, plumbing, enclosure repairs, paint tanks, etc.): Estimated cost of $80,000. FY 2029: New Taxilanes for Hangar Development - Design, Permit and Construction: Estimated cost of $850,000. FY 2030: ALP Update (include airspace analysis): Estimated cost of $166,667.? ? OCS Obstruction Removals (RW 11 Approach): Estimated cost of $250,000. FY 2031: Rehabilitate Runway 11-29 (Predicted PCI-56): A major project with an estimated cost of $4,500,000. FY 2032: Rehabilitate Taxiway A (Predicted PCI-59), Taxiway A1 (Predicted PCI-55) & Taxiway B (Predicted PCI-50): Estimated cost of $2,200,000. This includes installing Taxiway Edge Lights. In total, the CIP equals an estimated cost of $10,031,693. This program is heavily reliant on federal support, with an estimated $7,821,358 coming from Federal (AIP) funds and an additional $418,000 allocated from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The remainder of the funding is secured through state and local contributions, including a projected $1,308,667 from MassDOT, and the City of North Adams providing an estimated $483,667 toward the total project costs. "Not a bad deal for our city," Grandchamp said. Fitch added that he was excited to see all of the projects even those that could change in time on one piece of paper. Airport revenue can also be used towards these projects. TAIPEI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- More and more travelers from Taiwan are exploring the mainland in greater depth, fueled by the rise of social media and the mainland's well-developed railway network, according to visitors and industry insiders at the 2025 Tainan Travel Expo now underway in the island's southern city of Tainan. At the four-day expo that opened Friday, the Kaohsiung office of the mainland-based Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, along with the cultural and tourism department of Fujian Province, set up a booth showcasing the province's major attractions and recommended travel routes. Among the visitors drawn to the display was Carol Liu, a local resident who plans to visit Fujian next year. Over the past year, she has already traveled to the mainland three times with her husband and several friends. They explored destinations ranging from the southwestern city of Guilin, known for its scenic landscapes, to the city of Xi'an, home of the renowned Terracotta Warriors. "During our trips on the mainland, we enjoyed good food and comfortable accommodations at very reasonable prices -- great value for money," she said, noting that some of her friends had initially been hesitant about traveling to the mainland, but completely changed their view after the positive trip experience. "We hope that there will be more direct flights so we can reach more destinations even more easily," Liu added. Nino Wang, who currently lives in Kaohsiung, also had an in-depth travel experience on the mainland last year, which was her first visit. She spent a month traveling alone through more than a dozen destinations, including Ruili, a small and relatively little-visited border city in Yunnan Province. For her, the trip required little more than following her interests and booking the next ticket. "People I met along the way were all very kind. Many restaurant owners even offered me small treats when they learned I was traveling from Taiwan," she said, adding that she hopes to visit the historical city of Quanzhou in Fujian in the near future. Wang Hsien-wen, vice director of the Tainan Association of Travel Agents, the expo's host, said the mainland's high-speed railway system has made it much easier for visitors from Taiwan to reach a wider range of destinations. He also noted that many travelers, especially the young ones, are shifting from traditional nature-focused sightseeing to city-based trips in search of popular spots highlighted on social platforms such as rednote and short-video apps like Douyin. The southwestern city of Chongqing, for example, is one of the new favorites for travelers from Taiwan. "Many people head straight to see the famous metro train that passes through an apartment building, or Hongya Cave, which they first watched on social media," Wang said, referring to the latter as a large stilted architectural complex built into a cliff above the river. Although more tourists from Taiwan are visiting the Chinese mainland, several practical obstacles remain. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan have yet to lift their ban on organized group tours to the mainland or remove the travel alert for Taiwan residents. Direct cross-Strait flights and routes have not yet been fully restored. Wang expressed hope for the restoration and even expansion of direct flights between mainland cities and Taiwan. "With more direct flights, travelers could save time in transit and explore more during their trip," he said. SYDNEY, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- A 16-year-old boy was charged following an alleged public place shooting in Bossley Park, a suburb about 36 kilometers west of Sydney's central business district, police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Saturday. A 22-year-old man was also arrested and charged in connection with the incident. NSW Police said in a statement that police were called to a home in Bossley Park at about 6:30 a.m. local time on Friday, following reports of a public place shooting. Officers arrived to find that several shots had been fired into a home from a sedan, which then drove away. No residents in the home were injured during the shooting. Officers later located the sedan that had crashed and was abandoned nearby. During a search of the vehicle, they allegedly located and seized an automatic firearm for forensic examination. The 22-year-old man was arrested later at about 1:30 p.m. local time on Friday, when police executed a search warrant at an address in another western Sydney suburb. A shortened calibre rifle, ammunition and a number of mobile phones were located at the address. He was taken to a police station and charged with firearms and organized crime offences. The 16-year-old boy was arrested at about 6:15 p.m. local time on Friday, after officers stopped a vehicle in southwest Sydney. He was charged with several offences, including a firearms-related charge. At 12 a.m. local time on Saturday, police executed a search warrant at a southwest Sydney address, where ammunition and clothing were seized. Inquiries are ongoing. The OPPO Find X9OPPOs most advanced and refined flagship device to dateis now available across the Philippines. 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On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice India on Friday implemented four new labour codes, pushing ahead with the biggest overhaul of workers laws in decades as prime minister Narendra Modis government says it seeks to simplify the rules, improve worker protection and liberalise conditions for investment. The labour rules, some dating back to British colonial rule, have long been seen by businesses as a drag on Indias manufacturing sector, which contributes less than a fifth to the countrys nearly $4 trillion economy. However, unions remain sharply opposed to the changes, which formally became law on Friday, five years after being passed by parliament. EASIER HIRE AND FIRE; GIG WORKERS GET NEW PROTECTIONS Alongside social security and minimum wage benefits, the new rules also allow longer factory shifts and night work for women and raise the threshold for firms requiring prior approval for layoffs from 100 to 300 workers, giving companies greater flexibility in workforce management. The codes define gig and platform work for the first time, expanding legal and social protection to workers outside traditional employment structures. The gig workforce has surged since the pandemic, with more than 23.5 million expected to be employed in the sector by 2030, up from around 10 million in 2024/25, according to government think tank NITI Aayog. Despite parliamentary approval in 2020, Modis Bharatiya Janata Party had until now not been able to implement the laws uniformly across the country due to political resistance and opposition from some unions. Strengthening the manufacturing sector is key to creating jobs in the world's most populous country. The labour ministry said the codes covering wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety would ensure better wages, safety, social security and welfare for the countrys workforce. The codes will replace 29 existing laws. ECONOMIST EXPECTS SHORT-TERM HIT BUT LONG-TERM GAINS Economists say the reforms could weigh on small firms initially but strengthen protections and incomes over time. In the short term, they may hurt small, unorganised firms, but in the long run ... with minimum wages and increased social security, it could be positive for both working conditions and consumption, said Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist at India Ratings & Research. Trade unions remain deeply critical of the reforms. The labour codes have been implemented despite strong opposition from the trade unions and it will snatch the workers rights including fixed-term jobs and rights available under the earlier labour laws, said Amarjeet Kaur, national general secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress. Modi defended the overhaul, saying on X that the codes would serve as a strong foundation for universal social security, minimum and timely payment of wages, safe workplaces and remunerative opportunities, adding that the reforms would boost job creation and productivity. The ministry added: With expanded social security, stronger protections and nationwide portability of entitlements, the codes place workers, especially women, youth, unorganised, gig and migrant workers, firmly at the centre of labour governance. Ten large Indian trade unions condemned the governments rollout on Friday of new labour codes, as a deceptive fraud against workers. The unions, aligned with parties opposing Modi, demanded in a statement late on Friday that the laws be withdrawn ahead of nationwide protests they plan to hold on Wednesday. The Labour Ministry did not immediately respond on Saturday to a Reuters request for comment on the union demands. The government has held over a dozen consultations with unions since June 2024, an internal ministry document on the labour codes shows. The right-wing Bharatiya Majdoor Sangh, aligned with Modis party, however, called on states to implement them after consultations on some of the codes. Indian states are expected to craft rules aligning with the new federal codes covering wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Indian Railways has said it will take action after a video circulating online that shows a woman preparing instant noodles and tea in an electric kettle during a train journey. The clip, filmed by the woman herself and spoken in Marathi a language widely used in the western Indian state of Maharashtra shows Maggi, a popular brand of instant noodles, boiling inside the kettle while a cup of tea sits beside it. The woman tells viewers she has given a readymade breakfast to the passenger next to her and adds: I mean to say that I don't even have a holiday here. My kitchen is still working. The woman also claims she had already made tea for around 15 people in the same kettle. The train on which she was travelling has not been identified. The sockets available on Indian trains are usually intended for low-power devices such as phone chargers, rather than cooking appliances. The footage triggered widespread criticism on social media, with users accusing the woman of endangering the safety of other passengers. Several pointed out that drawing high wattage from cabin sockets could overload circuits or trigger sparks, posing a potential fire hazard. Central Railways one of the zones of Indian Railways responsible for operations in Maharashtra and neighbouring regions said it had opened proceedings in response to the video. Action is being initiated against the channel and the person concerned, the zone wrote on X, formerly Twitter. It warned that the use of electric kettles onboard is banned because it can lead to fire incidents and be disastrous for other passengers also. May also cause disruption of electric supply and malfunction of the AC and other electronic ports in the train. Officials urged travellers to report similar incidents to onboard staff and to avoid carrying or using appliances that draw more power than the system is designed to handle. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A series of violent encounters between Asiatic black bears in the Himalayan state of India has prompted officials to impose emergency rules, including authorising lethal force in extreme circumstances. At least five people have been killed in Uttarakhand bear attacks this year, according to figures reported by The Indian Express, citing forest department officials. The number marks the highest annual toll since 2016. Attacks have also left scores injured and caused extensive livestock losses in remote mountain villages that rely heavily on cattle for subsistence. The crisis has unfolded during the pre-hibernation period, when bears typically gorge on food before retreating to higher altitudes for the winter. Officials say changing weather patterns have disrupted this behaviour. Warmer temperatures, delayed snowfall and shrinking food availability are believed to be keeping bears active for longer and pushing them closer to human settlements in search of food. File. Asiatic Black Bear ( Getty Images ) RK Mishra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Wildlife, attributed the unusual aggression to climatic shifts. This year, there has been very little snowfall in the high-altitude regions, and winter arrived late. Normally, bears hibernate by early November, but the lack of snow and scarcity of food are keeping them active, leading to increased restlessness and aggression, he told The New Indian Express. In Chamoli district, a woman who was seriously injured in a bear attack while collecting grass was airlifted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh, reported the Press Trust of India. Doctors said she lost her left eye and suffered partial loss of vision in her right eye. According to officials, she had lain undiscovered for nearly 24 hours on a steep forested slope before being rescued. Elsewhere in the Garhwal region, villagers have reported cattle pens being raided repeatedly at night. In the Paithani range of Pauri district, officials said more than 45 cattle had been killed within three months. Divisional Forest Officer Abhimanyu Singh said at least four bears were moving through the area, making it difficult to identify which animal was responsible for individual attacks. Mr Singh had earlier been granted permission to first attempt capture using cages and, if those efforts failed, to tranquilise the bear. In what he described as only a last resort, officers were authorised to kill the bear within a 15-day window if no alternative worked. The state has now circulated updated guidelines for dealing with humanbear conflict during winter. Officials have been told to identify areas where bears have recently been sighted, step up night patrols and carry tranquillisation kits, protective equipment and rescue cages. Only an authorised veterinarian can sedate a bear. Communities have been advised to avoid forests in the early morning and evening, when encounters are more likely, and to improve waste management, as open rubbish dumps attract wildlife. Longer-term measures include planting native species such as oak, kafal and wild berries inside forest areas to improve natural food availability, and strengthening training for field staff. The department has also instructed district units to prepare conflict-management plans adapted to local terrain and seasonal patterns. Across Uttarakhand, the Himalayan black bear a subspecies found in Indias north and ranging between 1,200m and 3,300m (3,90010,800ft) in altitude has been sighted in protected reserves as well as near towns such as Gopeshwar, Mussoorie, Chakrata and Pithoragarh. Bears have also been seen foraging in rubbish heaps around urban edges, a pattern experts link to disrupted food cycles. In some villages, attacks have become so common that forest officers have begun escorting schoolchildren to ensure they can travel safely. Climate specialists and wildlife biologists say the unusual aggression and increased movement may reflect both habitat degradation and global warming. Reduced snowfall shortens the hibernation period, meaning bears remain active when food in the wild is most scarce. The loss of wild berries and native fruits has also been noted across several other countries, including Japan and Canada, where similar conflicts are rising. Camera-trap images from Paithani recently showed four or five different bears frequenting the same forest edge, raising concerns about a growing local population. Wildlife behaviour experts say the concentration of bears in shrinking habitats heightens the risk of encounters. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Climate negotiators at the COP30 summit in Brazil have reached a tentative agreement, resolving a dispute over cutting greenhouse gas emissions and providing climate finance. The two-week conference, which was scheduled to end on Friday, extended into overtime as delegates worked to bridge divides. Hailed as a crucial opportunity for global cooperation on climate change, particularly given the United States' absence, the talks saw the European Union push for language on transitioning away from fossil fuels. This proposal, however, met with strong resistance from the Arab Group of nations, including major oil exporter Saudi Arabia. The impasse was resolved after all-night negotiations led by host nation Brazil, according to negotiators. A draft deal issued on Saturday showed countries had agreed on steps to help speed up climate action, review related trade barriers, and triple the money given to developing countries to help them withstand extreme weather events. open image in gallery Activists participate in a demonstration outside where negotiations are taking place at the COP30 U.N. Climate Summit, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Belem, Brazil. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The European Union's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, said on Saturday that the proposed accord was acceptable, even though the bloc would have liked more. "We should support it because at least it is going in the right direction," he said. The Brazilian presidency scheduled a closing plenary session. Any deal needs a consensus to be approved. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago said on Saturday that the presidency would publish a side text on fossil fuels as well as on protecting forests - instead of adding them to the official agreement - as there had been no consensus on these issues at the global climate talks. "I will announce that the Brazilian presidency will do the two 'roadmaps' because visibly we did not have maturity to reach consensus. I believe if we do it under the presidency we will have results," he said. The decision to triple climate finance by 2035, meanwhile, will be part of the COP30 agreement, resolving a key demand from poorer nations struggling to cope with climate impacts. Separately, a Leaders' Declaration from a G20 meeting in South Africa stressed the seriousness of climate change, in a snub to U.S. President Donald Trump. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Inmates are dying needlessly in Britains prisons because of a string of failures in their healthcare, The Independent can reveal. A damning review commissioned by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) found inmates with epilepsy had been found dead after being locked in single cells despite having uncontrolled seizures. The shocking research also found prisoners were more than four times more likely to die of sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) than those on the outside. And a quarter of prisoners whose deaths were caused by epilepsy in the past 10 years did not receive the care they were entitled to. PPO Adrian Usher, who has issued a bulletin calling for better epilepsy management in custody, said grieving families will be tormented by the question of if they had received equivalent care, would their loved one still be here. The heartbroken family of Trevor Monerville, whose care was found to be unacceptable after he was found unresponsive in his cell at HMP Lewes in 2021, has been campaigning for prison staff to be properly educated about the risks for people with epilepsy. open image in gallery Trevor Monerville, 33, was being held at HMP Lewes in East Sussex ( Family handout ) His sister, Nadine Smith, said it was incredibly frustrating and painful to learn epileptic prisoners are continuing to die in custody without proper management of their condition. Mr Monerville, 33, a mechanic and handyman from Hackney, east London, experienced frequent seizures and took daily medication when he was sent to the category B mens prison on recall over allegations of criminal damage. Despite his seizures worsening in prison, he spent most of his time in a single cell by himself. At 9.47am on 18 April 2021, he was found face down in his cell having suffered a fatal seizure. Staff had failed to complete a morning roll call as they were supposed to. Ms Smith told The Independent: When I went there to collect his belongings and they showed me the cell he was in by himself, I said to them, How, when he has a seizure, is he supposed to use the call bell by himself? That shows the lack of understanding of how seizures work. If they had proper things in place he would definitely be here today. A coroner found Mr Monervilles care was insufficient and inadequate and noted a lack of training for prison staff in dealing with long-term conditions such as epilepsy. Later the same year, Amarjit Singh, 41, died in his cell at HMP Pentonville in north London. open image in gallery Amarjit Singh died after suffering a seizure inside HMP Pentonville ( PA Archive ) Mr Singhs cellmate pressed the emergency call bell at 11.30pm on 20 November 2021 when he heard signs of him having a seizure in the bunk above him. However, this went unanswered for 40 minutes, seemingly because the control panel had been tampered with. When a prison officer finally responded, they asked the cellmate to check on Mr Singh, who appeared to be sleeping. In his police statement, the cellmate said that the officer told him that if Mr Singh was having an epileptic seizure, it would wear off by the morning. At around 7am, Mr Singh was found unresponsive and stiff. A coroner found neglect had contributed to his death, which was recorded as epilepsy related. Out of 25 cases in which epilepsy was recorded as the primary cause of death, only six received epilepsy care equivalent to what they would have received in the community. At least seven did not receive adequate care, while in a further 12 cases, the standard of epilepsy care was not even assessed. Mr Usher, who was appointed as the prisons ombudsman in 2023, commissioned research after noticing a string of epilepsy incidents. The probe, which reviewed 125 deaths, turned gut feeling into hard data, he said. He found that only 10 per cent of epileptic prisoners are in remission, having not experienced a seizure for a year, compared to an NHS target of 70 per cent remission in the community. Only 38 per cent of prisoners in cases they reviewed had a documented care plan, which is required according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. open image in gallery Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Adrian Usher commissioned research into epilepsy in prisons ( Design102/PPO ) There was evidence of seizures not being taken as seriously when the individual had a history of using illicit drugs, and seizure frequency was not well monitored, the report found. Researchers found 11 examples where a prisoners seizure frequency increased, and action could have been taken to address this. Some of these prisoners died. Mr Usher said the bulletin, due to be published on Monday, is the starting gun to raise awareness of the incredibly dangerous condition and drive up standards of care. The punishment from the court is your loss of liberty, it is not the loss of other services, he told The Independent. You are entitled to the same healthcare as you would get in the community. We found in a quarter of the cases that wasnt true, and people who had died had not received the care that they would have done in the community. He has called for changes, including ensuring all epileptic prisoners receive a care plan, are held in shared cells and do not sleep on the top bunk. He also warned that prisoners in the early stages of epilepsy diagnosis should not be transferred to prisons, as this can impact continuity of care. The report also found 22 per cent of prisoners for whom epilepsy was recorded as the primary or secondary cause of death, died within days or weeks of entering a new prison, highlighting the risks of prison transfers. Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said a health condition such as epilepsy should not become a hurdle or a death sentence. We hope the learnings from this report will go some way in ensuring that health conditions such as epilepsy are better understood and cared for in custody, and that further future deaths are prevented, he added. A government spokesperson said: People in custody should receive the same standard of care as in the community. This includes proper epilepsy diagnosis, clear care plans, safe medication management, and effective mental health and substance misuse support, as well as continuity of care during prison transfers. We will consider these recommendations and work with the prison service to ensure care standards are always met. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice US legislators have hit out at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for his "silence" amid their probe into Jeffrey Epstein. Members of the House Oversight Committee had sought a "transcribed interview" with the royal, citing his "long-standing friendship" with the paedophile financier. Epstein took his own life in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. After stating they had received no communication, Democrats Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam accused Andrew of hiding. Their statement read: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors silence in the face of the Oversight Democrats demand for testimony speaks volumes. The documents weve reviewed, along with public records and Virginia Roberts Giuffres testimony, raise serious questions he must answer, yet he continues to hide. Our work will move forward with or without him, and we will hold anyone who was involved in these crimes accountable, no matter their wealth, status, or political party. We will get justice for the survivors. open image in gallery Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire ) It comes as The Sun reported that Andrews ex-wife Sarah Ferguson is considering offers for a television interview, with US channels reportedly said to be willing to pay six-figure sums. Andrew, who was stripped of his prince and Duke of York titles earlier this month, 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 Ms Giuffre, who had accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager. He denies the accusation. Damaging allegations also include that he had tried to get the Metropolitan Police to dig up dirt for a smear campaign against Ms Giuffre. The force previously said it was looking into the reports after The Mail On Sunday newspaper claimed he had passed Ms Giuffres date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to investigate. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The first saplings grown from the iconic Sycamore Gap are set to be planted after the beloved tree was illegally felled, the National Trust has announced. Five saplings will go in the ground on Saturday as National Tree Week kicks off, with more than half of the 49 trees of hope from the sycamore to be planted over the course of the week. The tree, which stood for more than a century in a dip in Hadrians Wall, was deliberately cut down overnight in September 2023, prompting a national outcry and a police investigation. Earlier this year, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of its illegal felling and were sentenced to more than four years in prison. The saplings 49 to mark the sycamores height in feet when it was cut down were grown from the seeds and material rescued from the felled tree, which grew on land cared for by the National Trust, and were nurtured at the charitys plant conservation centre. open image in gallery The beloved Sycamore Gap tree before it was felled ( John Millar/National Trust Images/PA Wire ) The first places to plant the trees, which are now between four and six feet tall, include the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, where a teenage trio set up a project to rescue their citys trees. Saplings will also be planted on Saturday at a site commemorating the Minnie Pit mining disaster in Staffordshire and at the former military base and location of the protest camp at Greenham Common, Berkshire, which reopened to the public in 2000. Later in the week, saplings will be planted at The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds, at Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland, and at a veterans charity, Veterans in Crisis, in Sunderland. Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trusts Hadrians Wall properties, said: Its incredible to think that this weekend, the first offspring of this very famous tree will be planted it feels like just yesterday that those tentative first shoots appeared. open image in gallery The Sycamore Gap seedlings at the National Trust Plant Conservation Centre in August 2024 ( James Dobson/National Trust Images/PA Wire ) Over the next couple of years, the saplings will really start to take shape, and because sycamores are so hardy, were confident theyll be able to withstand a range of conditions. The very first sapling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree was gifted to the King last summer and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a later date. More than 500 applications were received to host one of the 49 saplings, the National Trust said. One of the successful applicants is the Tree Amigos, who set up their Tree Sanctuary for unwanted trees in 2023, and will be planting their tree of hope on Sowe Common North on Saturday. open image in gallery Earlier this year, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of the trees illegal felling and were sentenced to more than four years in prison ( Owen Humphreys/PA Wire ) Martina Irwin, a co-founder of the Tree Sanctuary, said: Planting the sapling today will be really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature. Weve chosen to plant it among some other saved trees that we have planted on Sowe Common, serving as a beacon to inspire respect, understanding, and a sense of responsibility toward all trees. We hope the planting of the Sycamore Gap tree sapling will encourage the next generation of young Tree Amigos to join in with future tree-planting projects in Coventry. Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said: It was the quick-thinking of our conservationists in the aftermath of the felling that has allowed the Sycamore Gap tree to live on. open image in gallery The first saplings grown from the Sycamore Gap tree are to be planted as National Tree Week kicks off ( James Dobson/National Trust Images/PA Wire ) The team has cared for these 49 hopeful saplings beautifully and theyre now ready to be given to communities, where theyll become a source of inspiration, a place to reflect, a home for nature, or simply a reminder that there are always good things worth fighting for, even after something so senseless. Were looking forward to seeing them thrive. Early next month, an additional sapling which was given to the school closest to the Sycamore Gap, Henshaw Church of England Primary School, will be planted in its grounds. And another 15 saplings will be planted in each of the UKs national parks in early 2026, including one in Northumberland where the original sycamore stood. At a Europe-China business and technology cooperation event in southwest China, Hungarian business leader praised China's innovation, sustainability and design, expressing strong interest in future cooperation in R&D, biotech and university partnerships. Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Families of the Covid bereaved have lashed out at Boris Johnson for being beyond contempt after he used his column in a national newspaper to lampoon those still wrangling on about the deaths in the pandemic. The disgraced former prime minister has refused to apologise for extra Covid deaths he has been accused of causing by delaying taking action, but instead launched a blistering attack on the pandemic inquiry itself. Mr Johnson and other senior Tory ministers at the time were damned in the Covid inquiry report chaired by former Appeal Court judge Baroness Heather Hallett for the toxic and chaotic culture in Downing Street during the pandemic. She concluded that unnecessary delays in locking down caused an extra 23,000 deaths, and families of those who died have said they are considering taking legal action against Mr Johnson. open image in gallery Boris Johnson has attacked the inquiry he himself set up ( Reuters ) But after initially remaining silent, the former prime minister used a footnote in his column in the Daily Mail to attack Baroness Hallett and the inquiry which he himself set up. Have these people lost their minds? he wrote. He accused the former judge of breathtaking inconsistency and being hopelessly incoherent. More than three years after the end of the pandemic, they are still wrangling about what went wrong, he said. The comment has infuriated campaigners seeking justice for those who died unnecessarily during the pandemic. A spokesperson for the Covid bereaved families group said: It is beyond contempt that Boris Johnson has chosen to respond to the Covid inquiry by attacking the Covid bereaved for wrangling on about the deaths of our loved ones. Instead of showing regret, contrition or even apologising, Johnson is using a newspaper column to do what he couldnt do under oath at the Covid Inquiry twist the truth, promote debunked myths and ignore the facts. But the truth, which Mr Johnson has never had a close relationship with, is now clear: he was responsible for thousands of avoidable deaths. The one promise he delivered on was to let the bodies pile high. He has no place in public life and we are calling again for Boris Johnson to lose all of his ex-PM privileges following the inquiry report. open image in gallery Baroness Heather Hallett was highly critical of the government ( UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry ) Their response came after an astonishing rant by the former PM in his weekly column. Mr Johnson blasted: Some judge has just spent the thick end of 200m on an inquiry, and what is the upshot? She seems, if anything, to want more lockdowns. She seems to have laid into the previous Tory government for not locking down hard enough or fast enough just when the rest of the world has been thinking that lockdowns were probably wildly overdone. He went on: Bozhe moi, you say, wiping away tears of laughter. My goodness, these Britskis! Instead, he made it clear that his biggest regret was locking down the country at all. An idea occurs to you, fleetingly, that in future you could easily plunge the whole of the UK into state-enforced paralysis just by convincing them that they had to take precautions against a new Russian-originated virus. That is the logic of the report by Baroness Hallett, and I am afraid its not just in Moscow that people are tapping their heads, but around the world. To the best of my knowledge all other countries have long since concluded their official investigations into Covid. open image in gallery Protests were held when the former prime minister testified at the public inquiry ( AP ) He said: There are and remain only two big questions that need a proper answer if we are to prevent a disaster like Covid from happening again, and they are: how did it really emerge? And to what extent did the non-pharmaceutical interventions the lockdowns, social distancing etc make enough of a difference to the epicurve to justify the huge social, economic, educational and psychological damage that these measures inflicted? On the first question, the origins of Covid, the report is silent. On the second great question which is of real strategic importance for this country Lady Hallett is hopelessly incoherent. He claimed that the 23,000 extra deaths figure, originally made by Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College London, was "speculative and unsubstantiated, arguing that his hysterical predictions were largely discredited at the time. He claimed that the charge of causing extra deaths was totally muddled. In his defence he noted that while the country went into full lockdown on 23 March 2020, he had begun bringing in measures from 12 March. He suggested: I think its pretty obvious. Lady Hallett has been unable or unwilling to address the really important questions. So, faced with the agony of the Covid victims and their families and their entirely understandable desire for catharsis of some kind she has decided that the neatest thing is to administer a judicious kicking to the Tory administration, who no one much has an interest in defending except me, and to move on. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Workers pensions could shrink by tens of thousands of pounds if the chancellor introduces national insurance on salary sacrifice schemes in next weeks Budget, a survey suggests. Research by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) suggests businesses would mostly not be able to absorb the costs if tax liabilities are changed in the Autumn Budget. Salary sacrifice schemes allow workers to give up a portion of their pay for a different benefit, like pension contributions. The chancellor is said to be preparing to cap the amount of someones salary that can be sacrificed to 2,000 a year. After that, national insurance contributions would be incurred. But nearly three-quarters of UK firms agreed they would not increase their employer contributions to offset the new liability if such a measure came in. Just 13 per cent of respondents said they would. open image in gallery Pensions UK and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have sent a joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging her not to curb salary sacrifice schemes or wider pensions tax relief ( via REUTERS ) With contributions to pension pots smaller as a result, workers could expect to see their monthly pension contributions drop by potentially tens of thousands of pounds per year, according to The Times. The CBI did not identify respondents to its survey. It was understood they represent a broad picture of different industries. One business indicated they would have to factor in new costs of nearly 5mn a year if such a measure does come into effect at the budget. The move could raise as much as 2bn a year for the British economy, and would mainly affect high earners. Any potential clampdown on salary sacrifice or pensions tax relief in next week's Budget would risk damaging public confidence in the pensions system and undermining economic growth, organisations representing the pensions industry and businesses are warning. Pensions UK and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have sent a joint letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, urging her not to curb salary sacrifice schemes or wider pensions tax relief. Ahead of the 26 November Budget, the organisations warned speculation alone over potential changes is already eroding saver confidence, with increases in inquiries from savers and the potential for people making unnecessary early pension withdrawals. It is also causing uncertainty for schemes and employers, they argued. open image in gallery Businesses are warning that they will not be able to absorb rumoured the costs if national insurance is imposed on salary sacrifice schemes ( PA ) Pensions UK and the FSB said many employers rely on salary sacrifice schemes to support staff retention and reward - and higher costs and operational disruption would make it harder to offer competitive benefits, invest in growth, or plan effectively. Payroll systems would also need adjustment, agreements would have to be revisited, and staff resources diverted, they argued. The chancellor has warned there will be no easy choices on 26 November, after the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) estimated she needs to find at least 22bn to stabilise the public finances. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Senior Labour MPs have demanded Rachel Reeves U-turn on her controversial foreign aid cuts by providing a roadmap to restoring the budget to save millions from humanitarian crises. Key figures, including international development committee chair Sarah Champion and business committee chair Liam Byrne, are calling for Ms Reeves to commit billions more to the budget she slashed to pay for more defence spending last year. In a letter to the chancellor, who is to unveil her make-or-break Budget on Wednesday, they insist she must chart a path back to restoring the foreign aid budget from 0.3 per cent of gross national income (GNI) the lowest level in 25 years to 0.7 per cent, to ensure the UK meets its international obligations. It comes amid concerns that Ms Reeves may try to further cut spending as she struggles to balance the countrys finances and fill a 20bn black hole. open image in gallery International development committee chairwoman Sarah Champion is among those calling for a U-turn on foreign aid cuts ( PA Media ) The cuts prompted a furious row within Labour and prompted international development minister Anneliese Dodds to dramatically resign in protest. And analysis by Save the Children, shared exclusively with The Independent, found they will leave 55.5 million of the worlds poorest people without access to basic resources such as water, food aid, education and family planning. While Labour stood on a manifesto pledge in 2024 to restore it to 0.7 per cent, Ms Reeves has offered no plan on restoring the aid budget, which is now mainly focused on Gaza. The letter to Ms Reeves from senior Labour backbenchers, seen by The Independent, states: At a time of mounting strain on the international rules-based order, the UK cutting development funding will weaken our soft power, increase the risk to our security and open wider opportunities for rogue regimes. We know you are focused rightly on a decade of national renewal, but our manifesto also recognised our international responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council and the G7 to help reduce the poverty, climate change and instability that fuels global conflicts and increased migration. A definitive timetable to return development spending to just 0.7 per cent GNI would enable the FCDO to plan strategically, make temporary reductions, while maximising value for money for taxpayers. Signatories unite the different factions in the party and include defence chair Tan Dhesi and former business and Africa minister Gareth Thomas. Alistair Darlings former adviser in the Treasury Emily Darlington, ex-minister Fleur Anderson, and Worthing West MP Dr Beccy Cooper, chair of APPG on Global Health and Security, have also thrown their weight behind it. open image in gallery Business committee chair Liam Byrne is one of those MPs urging the chancellor for a rethink (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) ( PA Wire ) The signatories unite the factions across the party from left to right over the issue. They noted: Currently, one-fifth of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) is allocated to In-Donor Refugee Costs within the UK, rather than to lifesaving programmes overseas. This is projected to rise to one-third of ODA next year. We know you are committed to reducing expenditure on asylum hotels and urge you to return the resulting savings to FCDO to support our development, diplomatic and security agenda overseas. Arguing for a definitive timetable to return to 0.7 per cent, they said: Such an approach would avoid the mistakes of the previous government, where indiscriminate cuts caused severe humanitarian harm and risked public funds through hastily dismantling effective programmes. The damage to global standing from their actions cannot be underestimated. We are deeply concerned that the ODA budget cannot withstand any further reductions. Each cut in global development funding puts lives at risk and creates a vacuum that geopolitical competitors such as China and Russia are quick to try and fill. The manifesto commitment on which we all stood promised to restore development spending to 0.7 per cent of GNI. The caveat of when fiscal circumstances allow risks seeming increasingly hollow. They added: Development spending, much like investment in our armed forces or in research and development, cannot achieve meaningful and lasting results without stability and sustained planning. We hope you will agree that we should now commit financially to a long-term international development plan. It is estimated that if the UK returns to 0.7 per cent of GNI it would more than double the overseas development and aid budget to around 20bn in 2027. This article has been produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice More than 300 schoolchildren and 12 teachers have been abducted by gunmen from St. Marys School, a Catholic institution in north-central Nigerias Niger state. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the updated figures on Saturday, significantly increasing an earlier tally of 215 schoolchildren. The revised count was announced after a "verification exercise and a final census was carried out," according to a statement from the Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, chairman of the Niger state chapter of CAN. Rev. Yohanna had visited the school on Friday to assess the situation following the attack. The school kidnapping in Niger states remote Papiri community happened four days after 25 schoolchildren were seized in similar circumstances in neighboring Kebbi states Maga town, which is 170 kilometers (106 miles) away. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the abductions and authorities have said tactical squads have been deployed alongside local hunters to rescue the children. Local police said they have deployed a team to rescue the children. School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africa's most populous nation, and analysts say it's often because armed gangs see schools as "strategic" targets to draw more attention. UNICEF said last year that only 37% of schools across 10 of the conflict-hit states have early warning systems to detect threats.The kidnappings are happening amid U.S. President Donald Trump's claims of targeted killings against Christians in the West African country. Attacks in Nigeria affect both Christians and Muslims. The school attack earlier this week in Kebbi state was in the Muslim-majority Maga town. Kidnappers in the past have included Boko Haram, a jihadi insurgency that carried out the mass abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls more than a decade ago, bringing the Islamic extremist group to global attention.But dozens of bandit groups have become active in the hard-hit northern region, often targeting remote villages with a limited security and government presence. At least 1,500 students have been seized in the years since the Chibok attack, many released only after ransoms were paid. Boko Haram and an Islamic State affiliate Boko Haram has long menaced large parts of Nigeria's north, especially the northeast, as well as parts of neighboring Cameroon, Niger and Chad. The militant group has sought to impose an Islamic state in the region and its name meaning "books are forbidden" rejects Western education.In 2014, Boko Haram burst onto the global stage with the Chibok abduction. Four years later, its fighters abducted 110 schoolgirls from a college in Yobe state in the northeast. The militants have mounted a strong resurgence this year after splitting in the past, with many fighters now aligned with a local affiliate of the Islamic State group. The exact number of fighters with each group is unknown, though they are estimated in the low thousands.The groups continue to recruit, sometimes forcibly, youth who have been left vulnerable in a region that Nigerian authorities and humanitarian organizations struggle to serve safely. open image in gallery An exterior view of the Christ Apostolic Church, the day after an attack by gunmen in which people were killed and the pastor and some worshippers kidnapped, in the town of Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria, November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Abdullahi Dare Akogun ( Reuters ) The Trump administration's deep cuts in foreign aid to Nigeria this year haven't helped. Other armed groups in northern Nigeria carry out abductions, largely for ransom. Authorities have said they include mostly former herders who took up arms against farming communities after clashes between them over increasingly strained resources. Schools have been a popular target of the bandits, who are motivated more by money than religious beliefs. The attacks often occur at night, with gunmen at times zooming in on motorbikes or even dressed in military uniforms and then disappearing into the vast, under-policed landscape.There is growing concern about links between the bandits and the militant groups, notably in the northwest. "While often conflated with the militant Islamist groups, the bandits operating in northwestern Nigeria are a distinct driver of instability in this region," the U.S.-backed Africa Center for Strategic Studies said earlier this year, noting that the bandits are thought to be responsible for about the same number of deaths there as Boko Haram and the IS affiliate are in the northeast. In 2020, gunmen on motorcycles attacked a government secondary school in Katsina state and abducted more than 300 boys. The state government announced their release within a week. In 2021, gunmen abducted more than 300 schoolgirls in a nighttime raid on a government secondary boarding school in Zamfara state. Within weeks, all were released after the apparent payment of a ransom.And in 2024, gunmen on motorcycles abducted 287 students at a government secondary school in Kaduna state. open image in gallery Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, center, arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Sept. 1, 2024. (Greg Baker/Pool Photo via AP, File) ( AFP or Licensors ) Nigeria has struggled for years to combat Boko Haram and other armed groups, at times striking and killing civilians in mistaken air assaults meant for militants. The military also has carried out airstrikes and special operations targeting the hideouts of armed gangs. But Islamic extremists in recent months have repeatedly overrun military outposts, mined roads with bombs and raided civilian communities despite the military's claims of success against them. That surge in activity has strained security efforts across Nigeria's north. Last month, President Bola Tinubu replaced the country's security chiefs.Earlier this year, the U.S. government approved the sale of $346 million in arms to strengthen Nigeria's fight against insurgencies and criminal groups. More recently, however, Trump has threatened Nigeria with potential military action and a halt to all aid and assistance while alleging that Nigeria's government is failing to rein in the persecution of Christians. Nigeria has rejected the claim. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Three schoolchildren and a teacher were seriously injured Thursday in a grizzly bear attack in British Columbia, and residents have been warned to avoid the area as officers search for the bear. About 20 fourth- and fifth-graders from Acwsalcta School, run by the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola, had stopped on a trail near the community when a grizzly suddenly charged from the trees and attacked, authorities said. Multiple teachers intervened with bear spray and a bear banger, a pen-style flare device that makes a loud bang to scare bears and other animals away. All four victims are currently receiving medical care. Parent Veronica Schooner told the Associated Press that a male teacher got the whole brunt of the attack. A grizzly bear appeared from the trees on a Bella Coola trail Thursday, attacking students and seriously injuring three children and a teacher ( Getty/iStock ) Schooner claimed some students were hit with bear spray. Her 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was not attacked by the bear, but claimed it was close enough to him to feel its fur. He keeps crying for his friends, and oh, my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends, Schooner told the AP. Acwsalcta School canceled classes through Monday and paused all outdoor activities and field trips. Nuxalk Nation Chief Samuel Schooner praised the teachers heroic actions on Friday. Knowing that they were tasked with making the ultimate decision of life and death. They chose to lay their lives on the line for the students, he said, according to The Washington Post. The bear believed to be responsible for the attack remained on the loose Friday after an overnight search by the BCCOS failed to find it. Authorities say the bear may have been previously injured before the attack. We recognize this incident is distressing for the community. We are in close contact with the Nuxalk Nation as our investigation continues, B.C. Conservation Officer Service Insp. Kevin Van Damme said in a statement. We thank them for their collaborative efforts to ensure community awareness and shared safety information. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery. The Independent has contacted the Nuxalk Nation and BCCOS for comment. Residents of the Bella Coola are urged to avoid the forested area and river near 4 Mile and to stay indoors until further notice. They should not try to locate or make contact with the animal. Anyone with information or recent bear sightings in Bella Coola is asked to contact the Report All Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered the preemptive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday, amid claims he intended to escape just days before starting a 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. The 70-year-old politician was subsequently taken from his house arrest to the federal police headquarters in the capital, Brasilia. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, overseeing the case, ruled that Mr Bolsonaro's ankle monitor worn since 18 July due to flight risk was violated at 0::green-background[08] a.m. on Saturday. "That information shows the intent of the convict to break the ankle monitoring to assure his escape is successful, which would be made easier by the confusion that would be caused by a demonstration organized by his son," the justice said. He said there was a chance of Bolsonaro fleeing to embassies in his neighborhood to request political asylum. The Supreme Court justice also mentioned other defendants in the coup case and political allies of the former president leaving Brazil to avoid jail. The Supreme Court panel hearing Bolsonaro's case will vote on De Moraes' order in an extraordinary session Monday. De Moraes said Bolsonaro's arrest "should be made with all respect to the dignity of former President Jair Messias Bolsonaro, without the use of handcuffs and without any media exposition." Bolsonaro is an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called his trial a "witch hunt." Bolsonaro was mentioned in a July order by the U.S. administration raising tariffs on several Brazilian exports by 50%. Trump on Friday dropped most of the higher tariffs on Brazilian exports. open image in gallery US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a diner at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 7, 2020. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP via Getty Images ) Bolsonaro's aide Andriely Cirino confirmed to The Associated Press that the arrest took place around 6 a.m. on Saturday, only hours after de Moraes made the unexpected decision. The former president was taken from his house in a gated community in the upscale Jardim Botanico neighborhood to the federal police headquarters, Cirino said. De Moraes mentioned in his ruling a video published this week by Sen. Flivio Bolsonaro, one of the former president's sons, in which he egged on supporters to take to the streets in his father's defense. "The video shot by Flivio Bolsonaro stimulates the disrespect to the constitutional text, to the judicial decision and to (democratic) institutions, showing there's no limits for the criminal organization in its attempt to create chaos and conflict in this country, in a total disrespect to democracy," de Moraes wrote. "Brazil's democracy has reached sufficient maturity to steer away and prosecute pathetic illegal initiatives to defend the criminal organization that is responsible for a coup d'etat attempt in Brazil," he added. Some of Bolsonaro's supporters, who claim he is being politically persecuted, are expected to rally outside the federal police headquarters throughout the weekend. open image in gallery Supreme Court Justice Flavio Dino attends the verdict and sentencing phase of a trial for those charged in an alleged coup plot to keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in office after his 2022 election defeat, in Brasilia, Brazil, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Sistenes Cavalcante, leader of Bolsonaro's party in the lower house, said in a video shared with The Associated Press that the former president is innocent and accused de Moraes of showing "psychopathy at the highest level." "We will always stand by your side. Stay strong," he said, addressing Bolsonaro. "We will respond appropriately." Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro vowed on social media that they "will not give up on our nation." "I believe in God's justice. Human justice, as we have seen, can't hold anymore," she wrote on Instagram. Fabio Wajngarten, Bolsonaro's former press adviser and lawyer, called the decision to arrest him "a terrible stain on the institutions" in a video posted on X. "It's a shame. I hope this is reviewed soon," he said. He also claimed that Bolsonaro's ankle monitoring device was working perfectly as of Saturday morning. "How could something that was broken, violated, be functioning normally nine hours later?" he wrote. "The president had dinner a soup yesterday with four brothers and brothers-in-law, took medication for hiccups, felt drowsy and lay down around 10 p.m. None of his sons were at the house." Renato Bolsonaro, the former president's brother, also criticized the arrest, saying an Instagram video: "So we can't even gather to cry out for justice or pray for our president? Do they want to take away our right to express ourselves?" open image in gallery The Statue of Justice stands in front of the Supreme Court in Brasilia, Brazil ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest in early August, weeks before he was convicted in his coup trial. His lawyers were pleading with Brazil's Supreme Court to keep him at home to serve his sentence, citing his poor health. Local media reported that Bolsonaro, who was Brazil's president from 2019 to 2022, was expected to begin serving his sentence sometime next week after the far-right leader exhausted all appeals of his conviction for leading a coup attempt. Saturday's preemptive arrest does not mean Bolsonaro will remain at the federal police headquarters to serve his sentence. Brazilian law requires that all convicts start their sentences in prison. The former president and several of his allies were convicted by a panel of Supreme Court justices for attempting to overthrow Brazil's democracy following his 2022 election loss to President Luiz Inicio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors said the coup plot included plans to kill Lula and to encourage an insurrection in early 2023. Bolsonaro was also found guilty on charges of leading an armed criminal organization and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing. He remains a key figure in Brazilian politics, despite being ineligible to run again at least until 2030, after a separate ruling by Brazil's top electoral court. Polls show he would be a strong candidate in next year's vote if allowed to run. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Investigators are still working to determine how an electrical fire sparked on the One Henry Hudson cargo ship at the the Port of Los Angeles as firefighters work to fully contain the blaze. The fire broke out late on Friday night, spreading throughout its lower decks and torching cargo containers. Fears that the flames would consume and burn hazardous materials stored on the ship, a shelter-in-place order was put in effect for neighborhoods near the port. By Saturday morning, the shelter-in-place order had been lifted, and the One Henry Hudson was moved away from the port to prevent the flames from potentially spreading from the ship. Firefighters continued to battle the blaze throughout the day. The Port of Los Angeles issued an update on Saturday afternoon announcing that the fire had been "substantially contained" and that work restrictions at the port had been lifted. Ships outfitted with firehoses continue to spray down the burning vessel throughout the day. Shortly after the fire broke out, the 23 crew members aboard the vessel were evacuated. No injuries or fatalities were reported among the crew. open image in gallery Firefighters battle a blaze that broke out on the One Henry Hudson cargo ship on Friday night. The fire has been substantially contained, according to the Port of Los Angeles, and a shelter-in-place order issued around midnight on November 21 has been lifted Initial estimates suggested that the fire had consumer approximately 40 containers on the ship, according to the New York Times. But LAFD fire captain Adam VanGerpen told the Times later that count had raised to approximately 100 containers. More than 180 firefighters were dispatched to assist with the blaze. Many of our fire boats are out there. They are trying to cool down this vessel, VanGerpen said during a press conference. The nearby Vincent Thomas Bridge was temporarily shut down in the early morning hours on Saturday, but it has since been reopened. Firefighters first responded to the ship fire around 6:30pm on Friday night. Just before 8pm, an explosion on the ship's mid-deck affected power on the ship. Because of the hazardous materials in the ships hold, firefighters had to board the ship in protective suits and oxygen masks while carrying their usual firefighting gear. open image in gallery A ship equipped with a fire hose douses the One Henry Hudson cargo ship at the Port of Los Angeles. A fire broke out in the ships lower decks around 6:30pm on November 21 The nature of the hazardous materials on board the ship have not been detailed in reports from the LAFD or the Port of LA. Around midnight, all of the firefighters aboard the ship were ordered off due to the potential for toxic fumes if the fire burned the hazardous materials on the vessel. A shelter-in-place order was announced around the same time. Get inside IMMEDIATELY and close all windows and doors. Turn off air conditioning/heating. Bring all people and pets to an inside room until you receive more instructions, the fire department said in an alert. As the incident was unfolding, LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom made statements on social media and through representatives saying they were aware of the fire and were monitoring the situation through the officials on the scene. The ship was later towed away from the port, where firefighting efforts resumed. VanGerpen told the Times that those efforts would continue until salvage crews arrived to begin working on the ship. The One Henry Hudson was sailing under a Panamanian flag and had arrived at the port after departing from Tokyo, according to VesselFinder. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An explosion erupted mid-deck on a burning ship at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday evening, disrupting power and crane operations, the fire department said. Hazardous materials were found in several bays, and firefighters worked in full protective gear with self-contained breathing apparatus. By 8.27pm, all of the 23 crew members were accounted for, with no injuries from the electrical fire, which appears to have started below deck, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The ship's cargo includes hazardous materials. By about 7 pm, the fire had spread to several levels of the ship, according to the fire department, and later an explosion took place mid-deck. It was not immediately clear how the fire started. First responders are on the scene with more than 100 firefighters working to suppress the fire and Port Police are working to assist the crew to safety, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X. open image in gallery First responders battling a blaze on a container ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles, Friday, 21 November 2025, in Los Angeles ( ABC7 via AP ) She said LAFD is monitoring air quality as fire suppression continues. Marine units continue cooling the ship's exterior, with no personnel allowed below deck, the LAFD said. Fire officials said crews entered the scene equipped with specialised breathing gear after the vessels paperwork indicated that the burning holds contained hazardous cargo, reported the New York Times. Authorities added that air monitoring was underway in the area surrounding the ship to track any potential contamination. open image in gallery All 23 crew members successfully evacuated ( ABC7 via AP ) The 1,102ft-long (336m-long) vessel, the One Henry Hudson, is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company headquartered in Singapore. Before Los Angeles, the ship had most recently been in Japan, stopping in Kobe, Nagoya and Tokyo. One Ocean Express did not immediately issue a statement. Live footage from local stations captured a support vessel dousing the ships exterior with water as thick, dark smoke billowed from the area where containers were piled. The ships management company, Fukujin Kisen, did not immediately offer a statement. Online tracking data from Vessel Finder indicates the ship, built in 2008, had recently completed a journey from Tokyo, reported the New York Times. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Fox News station is running ads for the DT47 handgun in honor of President Donald Trump. In honor of Donald Trumps amazing comeback election victory to become our 47th president, Bond Arms is introducing an impressive new handgunthe Living Legend DT47, the advertisement narrator said. Trump guns commercials are now running on Fox News, journalist Aaron Rupar wrote in a social media post. A spokesperson for Fox News told The Independent that the commercial aired on a local station. The so-called Trump gun retails for $645.47, a price appearing to be an homage to the 45th and 47th president. One side of the weapon, written in the presidents signature all-caps style, reads: LIVING LEGEND, IM BACK, and LETS REUNITE AMERICA. The date July 13, 2024 is also engraved on this side, recognizing the Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally where he was struck by a gunmans bullet mid-speech. open image in gallery A local Fox News station is running a commercial for the 'DT47' handgun that boasts the president's likeness ( Bond Arms ) On the other side, the stainless steel handgun features a waving American flag, with We Are Patriots, the date of Trumps inauguration, and Fight! Fight! Fight! engraved in the stripes. The lattermost phrase is also a reference to the Butler shooting, where Trump emerged with blood splattered across his face and victoriously threw his fist in the air, telling the crowd: Fight! Fight! Fight! Both sides of the firearm which boasts a hand cannon frame includes what appears to be an image of Trumps profile with Bonds Arms logo inside of it. Trump, who is a convicted felon after a jury found him guilty last year of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, is unable to own a firearm. The judge overseeing his case declined to send Trump to prison but preserved the jurys verdict. Bond Arms also sells a Commander in Chief firearm, which the company touts as a stunning tribute to the man, the myth, the legend. The cyclops frame handgun goes for $699. open image in gallery The date July 13, 2024 is engraved on the side of the weapon, recognizing the date of the campaign rally where Trump was struck by a gunmans bullet mid-speech ( Getty Images ) Its not immediately clear if Trump is profiting from the sales of the Trump-inspired guns. The Independent has contacted the White House and Bond Arms for more information. But the president has hawked numerous Trump-branded products, including $399 Never Surrender high-top sneakers, the Fight, Fight, Fight watch collection, God Bless The USA Bibles, and a Trump for Men cologne. In August, a viral photo captured the term-limited president apparently showing off a red hat emblazoned with 4 More Years to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- As the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders' Summit made its debut on the African continent in Johannesburg, South Africa's economic hub, on Saturday, Chinese vehicles were seen shuttling between the airport, hotels and summit venues, adding a distinctive Chinese touch to the event. Chinese automakers such as Jetour, BAIC and Chery delivered hundreds of vehicles to form part of the summit's shuttle fleet, with Jetour contributing 70 units, the largest share among the Chinese brands. The vehicle sponsorship was finalized early in February with South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Jetour International's President Ke Chuandeng recalled that the department sealed the deal quickly after reviewing their T2 SUV, a model that had not yet entered the market at the time. "It speaks to South Africa's confidence in Chinese auto brands and in what our products can deliver," Ke said. Chinese cars have become an increasingly familiar sight on South Africa's roads in recent years, with brands such as BYD and Jetour gaining popularity among urban buyers, especially younger consumers. "Chinese automakers are gaining strong traction in South Africa by combining high-tech features, modern styling and competitive pricing in a way traditional brands struggle to match," said Charmaine Spangenberg, a young South African consumer. As an economic powerhouse on the African continent, South Africa is known as a country "built on wheels" for its well-established automotive industry. Since Chinese automakers entered the market more than a decade ago, a dozen Chinese brands have gained a foothold and posted solid sales. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, the country's automotive market continued to expand in 2024, with new-vehicle sales reaching 515,800 units, a 5.6 percent increase from 2023. Meanwhile, Chinese brands continued to show strong momentum, accounting for 12.8 percent of total market sales. Marly Vivier, a young South African who previously owned a Chinese car, said she has always found Chinese models stylish and reliable. She has noticed that Chinese brands are gaining ground on long-established brands. "I really think they are going to take over, and I love that," she said. As part of the official escort fleet at the G20 Leaders' Summit, Jetour deployed the T2 SUV, a model that combines comfort and safety and is well-suited to the demands of high-level diplomatic events. Launched in South Africa in October, the T2 comes with L2 driving-assistance features and a 360-degree panoramic camera system, giving drivers a comprehensive view for easy maneuvering. Its spacious and quiet cabin, equipped with ergonomic seating and an infotainment system, provides a comfortable, composed ride for dignitaries. The presence of Chinese automobiles in the G20 fleet signals a shift in the international perception of China's carmakers, who are no longer seen just as market players but as reliable partners capable of supporting major global events. "I think the G20 summit provides a favourable wind for China-South Africa relations. For Chinese automakers, the path to greater brand influence lies in complementing their successful sales strategies with deeper, more visible local investment and community integration," said Spangenberg. Ke said Jetour is proud to be part of the Chinese automakers providing vehicles for the G20 summit. "We hope this collaboration gives the world a clearer sense of our capability and confidence, and shows our ambition to keep raising the bar as we expand globally." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The House passed the legislation to release files related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Senate was so eager to get it done that it passed by unanimous consent before the bill even hit the Senate floor. President Donald Trump was so eager to get it out of the way that he unceremoniously signed the Epstein files legislation out of sight of reporters. That concludes one chapter and begins another one of a saga that caused Trump endless headaches since July. Back then, the Justice Department and FBI released a two-page memo saying the pedophile financier Epstein, who used his wealth and connections to traffic young girls and took his own life in a federal jail cell, likely did not have a client list. But that does not mean that Congress is done with probing into Epstein and who enabled him. Unlike the legislation that Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) had to force through with a discharge petition this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson has blessed the House Oversight Committees probe into Epstein. The committee, for those who might have forgotten because Johnson kept the House out for so long, was the one that subpoenaed the Epstein estate. Epstein victim Marina Lacerda speaks during a press conference to discuss the Epstein Files Transparency bill. ( Reuters ) The day the House came back, Oversight Democrats dropped the bombshell emails from Epstein where he said that Trump knew about the girls and spent hours at my house with one of Epsteins trafficking victims. Expect more along those lines. Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) wants jury transcripts related to Epsteins 2008 conviction for Epsteins so-called sweetheart deal that allowed him to receive a more relaxed sentence. So there were some grand jury transcripts that the Department of Justice asked to be released the judge ruled against them, Comer told The Independent. Comer has an incentive to play the investigation straight, particularly because MAGA Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, who signed the discharge petition, all sit on the committee. Trump notably turned on Greene for her support for the discharge petition and on Thursday during evening votes, her boyfriendand pro-Trump reporterBrian Glenn accompanied her and she said she was not doing interviews. Comer also announced that the committee subpoenaed JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank. Mace, a rape survivor, has already crossed party lines to subpoena files from the Department of Justice. I would like to talk to any of the victims who are willing to name names and tell us who these predators are, she told The Independent. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, expressed confidence about the investigations next steps and praised Comer for the subpoenas. But we think the more Republicans break and continue to support what we're doing, the more wins we're going to get, At times, the Oversight Committee can devolve into a partisan circus, but the overwhelming bipartisan consensus on the probe creates positive incentives: For Republicans, they get to take some of the heat off the Justice Department and the FBI and say Congress will do its diligence; and Democrats get to say they are holding the administration accountable. But the fact is, Trump has made the Justice Department an extension of the White House. The White House instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epsteins ties to prominent Democrats. And they could withhold documents under the guise of an active investigation, which would make it even harder for survivors to receive the transparency they desire. Massie expressed confidence despite the White House having plenty of cards. You can't open enough investigations to cover up for all of the crimes, he told The Independent after the vote. And of course, the risk of politicization already is at hand. Mace mentioned wanting to have former Harvard President and Clinton administration Treasury Secretary Larry Summers testify. At the same time, theres a risk of Trump shooting himself in the foot. Polling showed before the signing that three out of four Americand disapproved of how Trump handled the affair. If he is seen as using it solely for political retribution, he risks dinging his approval rating even more and hurting the GOP in the process. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Few allies can remain in Donald Trumps good graces forever. Just ask his former lawyer-turned-critic Michael Cohen; or his first-term vice president Mike Pence, targeted by members of the January 6 mob who called for his hanging; or the presidents on-again, off-again first buddy Elon Musk, with whom Trump waged a very public online flamewar this summer over Jeffrey Epstein. For a while, it seemed like far-right congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene might be the one who bucked the trend, but now it seems her time has come, too. The president branded Greene, once one of his fiercest allies in Washington, D.C., a traitor. He said he was open to endorsing a primary challenger against the Georgia Republican. Then, Greene stunned D.C. by announcing on November 21 that she was resigning from the House of Representatives in January. I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, Greene wrote. So where did it all go wrong? open image in gallery President Donald Trump has split with his former key ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been critical of the White Houses handling of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal ( AFP via Getty Images ) How Trump lost Greene on Epstein The most immediate cause of the split is the Epstein scandal. Greene is among several Republican members of Congress who have backed an effort to force the government to release more files on the late sex offender, a longtime former friend of the presidents who died in prison while awaiting trial on charges that he trafficked young girls. The House will vote on the effort next week. Worse still, in a Republican party that virtually never openly criticizes Trump, Greene accused Trump of a huge miscalculation in his continued dismissal of the scandal and the Republicans pushing for more information. Just being very honest with you, its something that I dont understand, the MAGA rep told CBS, arguing that releasing more Epstein information in the hands of federal law enforcement sends a powerful message that the government will not protect the predators, even if they are tied to rich and influential people. The president, who denies being involved in any wrongdoing tied to Epstein, has called Republicans pursuing the Epstein scandal stupid and accused them of distracting from GOP achievements. open image in gallery Greene is among several Republican members of Congress backing a House effort to force the government to turn over more of the Epstein files ( AFP via Getty Images ) Greene accuses Trump of abandoning America First But the tension between Greene and Trumps inner circle has been building for months. Greene, once better known for spouting conspiracy theories and demonizing her progressive colleagues when she entered Congress in 2021, has recently turned her considerable bully pulpit towards major parts of the Republican agenda. She has hammered the GOP across the board, taking aim at its continued dithering on lowering health care costs. During the recent government shutdown, she broke from her party to join Democratic members in calling for action to keep expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies in place, though she was ultimately ignored. open image in gallery Trump labeled Greene a future Republican star after her victory in 2020, entering Congress as one of his most pugnacious allies ( AP ) She has also accused the president of abandoning Trumps America First agenda by focusing too much on foreign intervention, emerging as an outspoken critic of the bipartisan support for the Israeli war effort in Gaza, and becoming one of the few American lawmakers from either party to agree with a consensus among human rights groups and a United Nations commission that have labelled the conflict a genocide. Last year, she mounted a failed attempt to oust her former ally Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House, and she has accused the top House Republican of fostering an environment that sidelines powerful women in the party, a charge she applied to the president on Saturday amid her ongoing feud. Republicans dont have support from women and this right here is a perfect example of why, she wrote on X, linking back to a series of posts from Trump and allied GOP Rep. Troy Nehls dismissing the Epstein scandal as a Democratic hoax. open image in gallery Greene has shown a willingness to challenge her fellow GOP colleagues on issues including Israel, Ukraine, affordability, healthcare, and the dearth of female leadership in the House ( REUTERS ) The rise of Trumps future star The weekend blow-up is a dramatic change from Greenes rapid rise through MAGA world. Greene said she was inspired to seek office because of Trump, and the president praised her as a future Republican star and real winner after she won her first primary in 2020. Once she took office, the two moved in lockstep. She wore a Trump won mask on the House floor at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic as she unleashed a months-long campaign against vaccination efforts and public health guidelines. Trump defended Greene after her colleagues moved to strip her from committee assignments over past inflammatory comments, while she backed the president as he and his allies in Congress sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election on baseless conspiracy theories that the results were rigged against him. Greene would go on to be the first of Georgias congressional delegation to endorse Trump for re-election in 2022, a time when the presidents political stocks were at a low ebb following a brutal round of impeachment trials and committee investigations that examined in detail how he nearly toppled a rightful election. open image in gallery Trump has said he will back a primary opponent against Greene, whom he now considers a traitor to the GOP ( REUTERS ) Greenes split with Trump is certainly notable, but those who go against the president have a way of burning brightly then fading to irrelevance within the party. Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, who supported the second Trump impeachment and helped lead the January 6 committee, lost her primary in 2022 then decided to back Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Pence is now a marginal figure in the party, while Musk despite a brief handshake with Trump in September at the funeral of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is no longer the omni-present fixture he was in Washington during the first months of the second Trump administration. Greene may have provoked Trumps fury, but some in the Republican camp remain supportive of the Georgia rep. I respect President Trump but I stand with my Congresswoman, Emory Roy, Georgia-based activist for the conservative group Turning Point Action wrote on X, calling Greene an America First fighter in D.C. Jim Tully, chairman of the local Republican party in the district Greene represents, wrote on X that the congresswoman enjoys the districts unwavering support. Her willingness to speak candidly on behalf of her constituents, even in the face of political pressure, underscores her courage and her fidelity to her oath, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Texas Sen. Ted Cruz bizarrely compared conspiracy theorist Tucker Carlson to democratic socialist New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the latest installment of the feud between the two conservatives. Cruz was on the Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith podcast Thursday a day before Mamdani was set to visit with President Donald Trump at the White House when the host said he was very uncomfortable about Carlson. Smith referenced Carlsons recent sit-down with the white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes a controversial move which caused fractures within the right-wing media universe over the future direction of the MAGA movement. In response, Cruz began by claiming that antisemitism had all but taken over the Democratic party before he switched to Carlson, whom he said has gone down a very dark path, and likened him to Mamdani. One of the things when you go down the road of antisemitism, it very quickly leads you to anti-capitalism and anti-Americanism, Cruz told Smith in the latest episode of the podcast. open image in gallery Cruz and Carlson have been at loggerheads for years but it has amped up since the interview with Fuentes ( The Tucker Carlson Show ) And Mamdani is a good example of that, where he's an Islamist, but he's also a socialist. And you look at Tucker [Carlson]Tucker's going down that road too, in a way that I think is very dangerous. The GOP senators comments came as Mamdani was due to sit down with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to meet for the first time since he claimed victory in the New York mayoral election. The Independent has contacted Mamdanis representatives for comment. Cruz and Carlson have been at loggerheads for years but it has amped up since the former Fox News hosts interview with Fuentes. open image in gallery Cruzs comments came as Mamdani was due to sit down with President Donald Trump for the first time ( AFP/Getty ) They clashed in a heated two-hour sitdown earlier this year that saw the right-wing pundit rage at the sleazy, feline way that Cruz implied he was an antisemite. Cruz, a self-described Christian Zionist, was one of the earliest and loudest conservative critics of Carlsons interview with Fuentes, and has used the growing controversy to stake out a claim as a traditional, pro-interventionist Republican ahead of 2028. In doing so, he has also called out his GOP colleagues for not forcefully calling out Carlson. My colleagues, almost to a person, think what is happening is horrible, but a great many of them are frightened because he has one hell of a big megaphone, Cruz said in a speech at the Federalist Societys National Lawyers Convention earlier this month. During an appearance at the Republican Jewish Coalitions annual summit, where the Fuentes interview overshadowed the whole convention, the Texas lawmaker accused Carlson of spreading a poison that is profoundly dangerous while blasting the ex-Fox host for not pushing back on Fuentes rhetoric. Carlson told his critics to buzz off following the backlash. Justin Baragona contributed reporting Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Just minutes before President Donald Trump was set to unveil a plan to avert a massive hike for Obamacare health plans on Monday afternoon, the event was suddenly pulled reportedly because of widespread Republican unease on the Hill. On CNN, anchor Jessica Dean was forced to interrupt herself while interviewing a health expert to announce some breaking news as it came into her ear that the event had been abruptly postponed. Federal subsidies passed under the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act are set to expire at the end of the calendar year, and many Americans are already receiving notice that the monthly cost of their health care plans could jump by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Democrats initially tried to avert those premium hikes by tying their extension to the partys support for a continuing resolution to avert, and later end, a government shutdown. But despite that shutdown dragging out into the longest in U.S. history, Republicans refused to negotiate until the government reopened; Democrats eventually voted to reopen the government without the extension. Earlier in November, the Senate voted down a bill sponsored by Democrats to extend the subsidies by one year. Now the White House and congressional Republicans are scrambling to agree on a single strategy, while Trump has fed fuel to the fire with his own suggestions of scrapping the subsidies entirely and giving checks directly to Americans. That idea did not have any meaningful support in Congress. open image in gallery Trump and his party are scrambling to find a way to halt incoming health care hikes ( AP ) On Monday, the White House was due to make a case for the two-year extension of the same subsidies which Trump had personally railed against, albeit with new income restrictions. But Republicans on Capitol Hill reportedly rejected the plan out of hand, forcing the administration to delay the announcement. A White House spokesperson called reporting on the soon-to-be-released framework speculation, but the West Wing has not denied that an extension of subsidies is being considered. The extent of Republican opposition to any extension of subsidies was far from speculatory, however, as numerous conservatives went on the record in opposition Monday. I would absolutely NOT be supportive of that, Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri told MS NOW. Since I last checked, Covid has been over for some time. The outlet also asked Rep. Greg Steube of Florida whether hed support extending the Obamacare subsidies; he replied simply, No. Other House Republicans who declined to give their names were less restrained in their responses. Fix health care for working Americans or dont talk to me about subsidies, said one. open image in gallery Speaker Mike Johnson faces a GOP caucus more divided than ever in the wake of the Epstein files vote ( Getty ) Thomas Massie, one of only a few House Republicans willing to openly defy the president, had previously signaled his own refusal to support the plan. Massies opposition is far from a surprise, given that he did not support the GOPs reconciliation package earlier in 2025, but is no less notable given the razor-thin majority the Republicans have in the House of Representatives. He mocked reports of the White House frameworks details on Monday, writing on X: Oh boy, more 4D chess? A vote to extend Obamacare thats the Republican solution to health care? In early January, that GOP House majority will shrink even further with the planned resignation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. As loath as conservatives are to accept any extension of the subsidies, they may see such a plan pass regardless. Democrats have continued to express willingness to sign on to an extension of the IRA subsidies. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told reporters this week that she would wait for the full details of the White Houses plan to be released before taking a position, but indicated her own openness. open image in gallery Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is urging Republicans to make a deal to extend the IRA subsidies during the shutdown ( Getty ) Trump and congressional GOP leadership could likely cut a deal with Democrats to secure an extension of the subsidies, but doing so would deepen the divide in the presidents own party. Avoiding the issue, however, would jack up prices for millions of Americans with less than a year to go before a midterm season where the Republican Partys majorities will face a tough defensive battle in both chambers. The consequences of punting the issue now could be devastating for the partys frontline members next year. One House Republican described as a senior member of the caucus by Punchbowls Jake Sherman excoriated the White House in a text to the outlet on Monday morning. This entire White House team has treated ALL members like garbage. ALL. And Mike Johnson has let it happen because he wanted it to happen. That is the sentiment of nearly all appropriators, authorizers, hawks, doves, rank and file, wrote the senior Republican member. The arrogance of this White House team is off putting to members who are run roughshod and threatened. They dont even allow little wins like announcing small grants or even responding from agencies. Not even the high profile, the regular rank and file random members are more upset than ever. Members know they are going into the minority after the midterms, they continued. The member went on to predict: More explosive early resignations are coming. Its a tinder box. Morale has never been lower. Mike Johnson will be stripped of his gavel and they will lose the majority before this term is out. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump boasted Saturday that he has the HIGHEST POLL NUMBERS of his political career, despite some recent surveys showing his approval rating is at its lowest point since his second term began. Trump bragged about his approval rating on Saturday morning, just hours after MAGA firebrand Marjorie Taylor Greene announced shes resigning from the House of Representatives in January amid her growing feud with the president. I HAVE JUST GOTTEN THE HIGHEST POLL NUMBERS OF MY POLITICAL CAREER, Trump wrote on Truth Social, without specifying which poll he was referring to. While my great work on the Economy has not yet been fully appreciated, it will be! The presidents claim comes after a Reuters/Ipsos poll published this week revealed his approval rating fell to 38 percent, a record low for his second term so far. The survey reveals Americans are growing unhappy with Trumps handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the rising cost of living, Reuters reports. The New York Times presidential approval rating tracker, which calculates the daily average based on dozens of polls, also shows Trumps approval rating dropping. The presidents average approval rating is at 41 percent as of Saturday, according to the tracker. This marks a significant drop from his 52 percent approval rating in late January. President Donald Trump boasted that his poll numbers are the 'highest' of his political career, despite recent surveys showing otherwise ( Getty Images ) Trumps support from his own party appears to be weakening slightly, too, although it is still at a high level. The presidents approval rating among Republicans is at 82 percent, down from 87 percent earlier this month, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. This comes after recent polls conducted by Marist, NPR and PBS showed Democrats hold a significant 14-point lead over Republicans among registered voters. About 55 percent of registered voters said they would support a Democratic candidate for Congress in their district if an election were held today, while 41 percent of voters said they would support a Republican. The recent Reuters/Ipsos poll also shows Trump is close to former President Joe Bidens weakest approval rating of 35 percent. However, Trump is still beating the lowest approval rating from his first term, which was 33 percent in January 2017, according to Reuters. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Trumps approval rating is falling amid outrage over his administrations handling of the files related to Epstein, a sex offender and wealthy financier who died in 2019. Trump initially railed against legislation that would compel the Justice Department to release its files on Epstein, repeatedly calling the issue a Democratic hoax. But Trump reversed course on Sunday, urging House Republicans to vote to release the files. The bill then passed the House with only a single nay vote, and later cleared the Senate without issue. Trump signed the bill on Wednesday, starting the clock on a 30-day deadline for the Justice Department to publicly release the documents. Trumps approval rating is also suffering as Americans struggle with the rising cost of living. About 74 percent of Americans say their regular monthly household costs increased by at least $100 in the last year, according to the October Harris poll reported by The Guardian. Some respondents even said theyre paying between $500 and $749 more each month. About 54 percent of Americans surveyed also said they believe the economy is in a recession, according to the Harris poll. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has reacted with glee to his former ally Marjorie Taylor Greenes decision to resign from Congress, once again calling her a traitor and claiming she was quitting because he wouldnt return her calls. In a lengthy Truth Social post early Saturday morning, the president called her Marjorie Traitor Brown, referencing a previous post in which he said he was changing her surname because Green grass turns Brown when it begins to ROT!. He claimed her decision to leave Congress was because she feared a Trump-backed primary election challenger. The decision to leave Congress by the Georgia Republican one of Trumps highest profile and most controversial supporters has left some in the MAGA movement delighted, but others questioning where the movement currently stands. Trump wrote: Marjorie Traitor Brown, because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers, and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement (where she would have no chance of winning!), has decided to call it quits. Her relationship with the WORST Republican Congressman in decades, Tom Massie of Kentucky, also known as Rand Paul Jr. because he votes against the Republican Party (and really good legislation!), did not help her. For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD. In an abrupt change of tone, the president added: Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country! President DJT. open image in gallery Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a fierce supporter of President Donald Trump, announced her resignation from Congress on Friday, before the midterm election ( Getty Images ) After labeling her a traitor, Trump softened his language while speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday afternoon. He called Greene a nice person, and said he just disagreed with her philosophy. Earlier, Rachel Scott, ABC News Senior Political Correspondent, said she spoke with Trump about Greenes resignation on the phone late Friday night. I think its great news for the country. Its great, Trump told Scott, according to her X post. The president reportedly added that Greene did not give him a heads-up before announcing her decision. It doesn't matter, you know, but I think it's great. I think she should be happy," he said. Greene has recently clashed with Trump over several issues, most intensely over her push to release remaining government files on the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The president has fought for months to stop the files being released, calling the demands a Democrat hoax, but has agreed to do so in the wake of Republicans led by Greene and Thomas Massie revolting against GOP leadership. Trump was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s but has insisted he knew nothing about the financiers crimes. Trump himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein case. After she criticized Trump for not acting sooner, the president called her a ranting lunatic and backed a potential primary challenger. Greene announced her resignation in a video message and a statement on Friday, writing, I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms. Its all so absurd and completely unserious, she added. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better. Her final day in office will be January 5. MAGA responds to Greenes resignation News of Greenes resignation has delighted and worried different wings of the MAGA movement. Massie, a Kentucky Republican who led the bipartisan effort alongside her to release the Epstein files, said hed miss Greene tremendously. Im very sad for our country but so happy for my friend Marjorie. Ill miss her tremendously. She embodies what a true Representative should be, Massie wrote on X. Right-wing activist Laura Loomer, an influential supporter of the president, criticized Greene for resigning ahead of the midterms. So shes deliberately trying to make it so that Republicans are down a vote to screw Trump over ahead of 2026, Loomer wrote on X. She will probably get a deal with CNN or MSDNC to s***talk Trump all day throughout the midterms. She wants the Democrats to win. open image in gallery Trump called Greene a 'ranting lunatic' on social media last week after her public criticism of his foreign policy and demands to release Epstein files ( AFP via Getty Images ) Evan Kilgore, a right-wing commentator, shared a photo of MAGA members on X, including Loomer, Sen. Ted Cruz, commentator Ben Shapiro, FBI director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, writing, If this is MAGA now Then I want NOTHING to do with it. I'm out. Kilgore added in a follow-up post, Watching MAGA celebrate the resignation of MTG, a woman who has reliability (sic) fought for the American people for 5 years, is disgusting. MAGA is dead. Loomer herself responded to the first post, writing: Now. Ive been with Trump since day one. Im not going anywhere. You dont get to push me out over your own irrational hatred. What have you ever done to MAGA? Elsewhere, conservative commentator and conspiracy theorist Candace Owens sharply criticized Trump in her response to the news. Communications from Trump admin be like: Marjorie Taylor Greene is a traitor for demanding a convicted child rapist have his files released. But we are standing by Mike Huckabee who met with a literal treasonous, Israeli spy, Jonathan Pollard, Owens wrote on X with a clown emoji. Other critics pointed out the unusual contrast between Greenes resignation and Trumps surprisingly friendly same-day meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani., someone he and other conservatives had previously branded a communist and an Islamist. MTG turns on Trump and resigns. Mamdani and Trump are new best friends. I am so confused, Larry Sabato, political analyst and Director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics and a Trump critic, wrote on X. Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the liberal news site MeidasTouch Network, said on X, So the new version of MAGA is that Marjorie Taylor Greene is a traitor, Rand Paul is a RINO, and Zohran Mamdani is great. Got it. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump is calling on Republicans to have solutions ready by late January to address healthcare costs that will spike once Obamacare subsidies lapse at the end of the year. We have a Jan. 30 day coming up, Id like to see if we could do it by then, Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday. They say, Well, lets go another year. And I said, lets see if we can get it done by Jan. 30. I want to give the money that we give to the insurance companies directly to the people, that the people buy their own health insurance, and thats whats going to happen, the president added. I believe that theres good support on both sides for that. The statements mark the first time the president has put forth an explicit timeline for his healthcare plans, which he has said will include a proposal for Trumpcare that would ultimately replace the Affordable Care Act. It comes as Congress is racing to find a solution to the premium problem, as roughly 22 million people who get healthcare through the ACA exchange could face price hikes next year. open image in gallery President Trump is calling on Republicans to come with solutions by late January as the administration seeks to head off an expected spike in premiums and eventually replace Obamacare ( AFP via Getty Images ) Democrats had pushed to extend the health subsidies as part of recent negotiations surrounding reopening the government, but a deal was reached earlier this month to end the shutdown without any guarantees about the future of the program. Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida on Thursday introduced the More Affordable Care Act, a plan in line with Trumps statements, that would direct federal funds to HSA-like Trump Health Freedom accounts which families could spend on purchasing private insurance. open image in gallery After years of the Republican party failing to pass an alternative to Obamacare, President Trump is giving the GOP until the end of January to come up with a major solution to lower health costs as ACA subsidies expire ( REUTERS ) Democrats have panned such proposals and warn they would give individuals little ability to lower health costs, given that most healthcare is bought from insurance companies at group rates. As part of the reopening deal, Senate Republicans are expected to vote on health proposals by mid-December. In the House, a group of bipartisan lawmakers have rolled out a completely different vision, the HOPE Act, which would extend some of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies for the next two years, while limiting eligibility criteria for higher-earning families. open image in gallery Sen. Rick Scott has proposed government-funded Trump Health Freedom accounts as a way to replace expiring ACA subsidies ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Were trying to just lay the groundwork for something, build support for it, and thats how you get something done. Because everybody knows this is going to be a political problem, Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York told reporters on Friday of the plan. Everybody knows this is going to hurt people in their real life. Republicans have tried to scale back or end Obamacare more than 70 times in the 15 years since it was passed, but the party has failed to create a big-picture alternative of its own. Healthcare, and affordability more broadly, has increasingly become a core issue as the Republican Party looks to the 2026 midterms, and it has at times proved divisive, helping drive the recent public split between President Trump and his former top ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vanity Fair is looking at all the facts after Olivia Nuzzis former partner made shocking new allegations, including accusing her of having an affair with Mark Sanford, according to a report. Political journalist Ryan Lizza, Nuzzis ex-fiance, wrote a Substack essay titled Part 1: How I Found Out in which he described finding an incomplete love letter in 2020 addressed to another man. He went on to accuse Nuzzi of sleeping with Mark Sanford, the former GOP South Carolina governor and one-time presidential candidate. Nuzzi wrote a 2019 article for New York Magazine about Sanfords failed 2020 bid, raising concerns for her current employer about her compliance with journalistic ethics, according to the New York Times. We were taken by surprise, and we are looking at all the facts, a spokesperson for Vanity Fair told the paper about Lizzas allegations. A lawyer for Nuzzi denied the allegations, pointing out that her upcoming tell-all book American Canto only mentions one improper relationship. In American Canto, Ms. Nuzzi discusses the only instance in her long career as a journalist in which she had an improper relationship with someone she was covering, a lawyer for Nuzzi told the NYT, noting his client would not dignify efforts to impugn her character with any future response. open image in gallery Vanity Fair is reporting reviewing its ties to Olivia Nuzzi after her ex-partner made shocking allegations about an affair with Mark Sanford ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Independent has asked the magazine and a lawyer for Nuzzi for comment. Lizzas essay was published weeks before American Cantos release on December 2. I flipped to another page and saw a name and the first line of an unfinished love letter to him that included enough details to confirm a physical relationship and the hint of some kind of falling out, Lizza claimed. My heart stopped when I realized who he was. He was a famous politician, 32 years older than Olivia, and well-known for a sex scandal. His explosive essay also mentioned another figure: political commentator Keith Olbermann. Nuzzi had an unusual relationship with Olbermann, whom Lizza alleged paid for her to attend college, gifted her Tom Ford and Herve Leger dresses and some $15,000 worth of Cartier jewelry and lived with her in Manhattan. open image in gallery Ryan Lizza claimed he found Nuzzis partly written love letter to former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, whom she had profiled in 2019 ( Getty Images for Politicon ) Olbermann, a frequent critic of the current administration, confirmed to the NYT that the pair once lived together in a Trump building on the Upper East Side, if you can believe the irony. He came across Nuzzis writing on Twitter and thought shed be a good fit for a show he hosted at the time, he said. Instead of a professional relationship, however, they had a romantic one. It was marriage-y, he told the paper, noting they got puppies and tattoos together. It was very much an at-home-with-the-dogs sort of thing. One of the things that drew us together is that neither of us really liked people, he continued. Nuzzi fired back at Olbermann's comments, telling the NYT: I have not ever before and will not now acknowledge any claims made by this person. Before joining Vanity Fair this year, Nuzzi was the Washington correspondent for New York Magazine. She parted ways with her old gig in October 2024 after reports of a previously undisclosed personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was the subject of one of her pieces. In an excerpt of her forthcoming book, published in Vanity Fair this week, Nuzzi wrote about a character she dubbed the Politician, whose description and mention of a brain worm bears a resemblance to that of Health and Human Services Secretary. I did not like to think about it just as later I would not like to think about the worm in his brain that other people found so funny. I loved his brain. I hated the idea of an intruder therein, she wrote. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Black disabled veteran says a late-night outing with his wife to a Buffalo Wild Wings in the Washington, D.C. suburbs left him indelibly scarred after discovering a brazen racist epithet printed on his receipt and to-go bag. Instead of seeing their name on the order, the couple claim it was labeled n*gs, an abbreviated form of the N-word, according to a $5 million-plus civil rights lawsuit obtained by The Independent. The bigoted term was especially painful for 37-year-old Marc Loman, who has been subjected to racial animus and harassment in the past, Lomans complaint states. To that end, the experience served to reopen deep emotional wounds, according to the complaint, which describes it as reminiscent of the pervasive, brutalizing, and degrading racism that traumatized Mr. Loman while growing up in the Deep South. The employee who entered n*gs into the restaurants computerized point-of-sale system knew, or should have known, that referring to the Lomans by a shortened version of a well-known racial slur was likely to result in emotional distress, the complaint argues. It says Loman missed work and sought counseling in the aftermath of what he endured at the restaurant. open image in gallery A highly disturbing incident allegedly played out at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Northern Virginia, according to a disabled vet and his wife, who are both Black. ( Getty Images ) Wife Natasha Loman, 48, is a co-plaintiff in the suit. The pair are accusing the chain of, among other things, intentional infliction of emotional distress. In an email, one of the attorneys representing the Lomans said they didnt have anything to add to the complaint as filed, which contains the relevant information for our case. A Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson did not respond on Friday to a request for comment. The chain, known to some as BDubs, was founded in 1982 and now has more than 1,300 locations across the United States and numerous countries abroad, including India, Panama and Saudi Arabia. The sports-themed casual dining brand promises a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, along with 21 mouth-watering signature sauces and seasonings. On November 2, 2024, the Lomans went out for a late-night bite at a Buffalo Wild Wings in Woodbridge, Virginia, according to their complaint. Initially filed last month in Prince William County Circuit Court and removed to federal court Thursday. It says they placed an order with the manager on duty, ate their food, and had the leftovers wrapped up to take home. (They were potato wedges, according to Natasha.) It wasnt until later that the pair noticed the word n*gs was printed on both the bag and receipt from their order, the complaint states. open image in gallery Marc and Natasha Loman went out for a late-night bite at Buffalo Wild Wings store no. 280 in Woodbridge, Virginia, seen here, where they say they discovered a shocking racial epithet printed on their receipt. ( Google Maps ) Natasha immediately left a one-star Yelp review, writing, It's 2024 and a manager at Buffalo Wild Wings store #280 Woodbridge VA did not ask for a name for take out order but has the audacity [to] put @n*gs for our names. She also posted a video on TikTok describing the experience, remarking that the BWW manager had apparently lost her mind. The footage shows the receipt and bag, with n*gs unambiguously printed out on both. Both Marc and Natasha reported the clear racial slur and hate speech to BWW corporate, as well, according to their complaint. The following day, a Buffalo Wild Wings VP called the Lomans, and told them that an unnamed kitchen manager at the Woodbridge location had intentionally placed the racial slur on their order, the complaint goes on. It says the employee had been fired as a result of the incident, according to the VP. open image in gallery Buffalo Wild Wings, which has locations across the globe, is being sued over a alleged racist incident which a Black disabled veteran says caused him extreme emotional distress. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Inspire Brands, under whose corporate umbrella Buffalo Wild Wings operates, says it believes in diversity. Under the heading Stronger Together, the Inspire Brands website tells visitors, Only by providing an inclusive work environment that elevates team members of all backgrounds can we ensure that we have the best people to deliver exceptional service to our guests, a positive working environment for our team members, and excellent results for our stakeholders. Still, allegations of discrimination at Buffalo Wild Wings locations have emerged previously. In 2019, two BWW employees in Illinois were fired after they asked a group of customers to move tables at the request of a white customer who didnt want Black people sitting near him. The year prior, the company offered free wings for a year to an unhoused man in Louisiana who found For Homeless F***! scrawled across the top of his receipt. BWW employees have also been subjected to ugly episodes by customers. Earlier this year, a guest at a restaurant in Naperville, Illinois, reportedly wrote Nope on his credit card receipt instead of leaving a tip, and that the server should go back to Africa. The Lomans are now seeking a $5 million judgment and $350,000 in punitive damages from Buffalo Wild Wings and parent entity, Blazin Wings, Inc., plus pre- and post-judgment interest, court costs, and attorneys fees. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps 28-point peace proposal for Ukraine is facing criticism amid claims it skews heavily in Vladimir Putins favour. Trump has given Ukraines leader Volodymyr Zelensky until Thursday to accept the deal, which would cede territory to Moscow, take Nato off the table for Ukraine and allow Russia back into the G8. As Zelensky faces a difficult choice, US officials and lawmakers have expressed their concern about Russian involvement in the plan after it was revealed the administration had held meetings with a blacklisted Kremlin official beforehand. Kirill Dmitriev, a close ally of Putin, is the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and assumed the office of the special presidential envoy on Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation on 23 February this year despite little diplomatic experience. open image in gallery Head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund Kirill Dmitriev is a close ally of Vladimir Putin ( Reuters ) Dmitriev and his fund have been under US sanctions, which effectively bar American citizens and companies from dealing with them, since 2022. But that did not stop Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and the presidents son-in-law Jared Kushner from meeting with Dmitriev in Miami at the end of October, it has emerged. Witkoff has met with Dmitriev several times this year and the Trump administration has issued a special waiver to allow his entry, a US official told Reuters. Confirming his involvement in the latest talks in an interview with Axios, Dmitriev said we feel the Russian position is really being heard. The 28 point plan that resulted from that three day meeting has been described as a Russian wish list by critics and welcomed by Putin. Who is Kirill Dmitriev? open image in gallery Dmitriev, left, talks to US president Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff ( Reuters ) Dmitriev was born in 1975 in soviet-era Kyiv and despite having limited diplomatic experience has become involved in the war behind the scenes. Those who knew him growing up have said he was a hard-working pupil obsessed with the United States. He was quite arrogant but very systematic, and if he wanted to achieve something, he worked on that, Ukrainian MP Volodymyr Ariev, who was in the same school year as Dmitriev, told The Guardian. Dmitriev was one of the first Soviet exchange students from Ukraine to visit the US when he came to a host family in New Hampshire in 1989. Despite no prior English language schooling, he found success at Foothill Community College in California and would later transfer to Stanford University, where he would earn a BA in economics. Hed later go to Harvard Business School to achieve an MBA. Dmitriev has since made his name as a businessman, cutting his teeth early on for McKinsey & Company and Goldman Sachs. In 2011, he was appointed as CEO of the newly created RDIF, a sovereign wealth fund to make equity co-investments in Russia companies. Dmitriev is obsessed with being perceived as important, one source who has known him since the late 2000s told The Guardian. He is ruthlessly ambitious.... very thin on substance but exceptionally good at selling himself. Concerns around his role in the talks open image in gallery Dmitriev with Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia in April ( via REUTERS ) The Trump administrations discussions with Dmitriev have caused concern for those within the intelligence community, a US official told Reuters. Dmitriev has previously used his role at RDIF to make inroads with various western governments and businesses, despite American sanctions. In a 2017 meeting with Erik Prince, the former CEO of Blackwater and a Trump ally, Dmitriev discussed US-Russia relations, according to a Department of Justice report published by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in 2019. Mueller's team was investigating ties between the Trump team and Russia. The businessman worked directly with Kushner during the first administration, coordinating with him during the pandemic on the delivery of ventilators to the US. The ventilators were provided by RDIF and caused concern among officials at the Treasury Department that the US might be violating its own sanctions, according to a senior US official. When sanctions were imposed against Dmitriev by the US Treasury in 2022, he was described as a known Putin ally. He has leveraged his ties to universities and organizations in the United States to serve as a representative for the Russian president to American institutions, thereby providing access to key economic opportunities in the United States, a statement at the time said. In recent years, Dmitriev has appeared on various American television stations and at events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, to promote the strengthening of trade ties between the US and Russia. He pushed a similar message at the meeting in Miami, according to public readouts of the meeting. Just last month, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Dmitriev as a Russian propagandist in an interview about Trumps sanctions against Moscow. Tensions behind the scenes? open image in gallery Dmitriev has reportedly clashed with Putins notoriously bullish foreign minister Sergey Lavrov (c) ( AP ) Despite becoming a Putin ally, it would appear Dmitriev is not universally popular among other members of the presidents inner circle. Russian reports claim that the businessman clashed with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and presidential aide Yury Ushakov when they met with American officials in Saudi Arabia back in February. Before the first meeting between the two countries since Russias invasion of Ukraine, Putin told Lavrov that the delegation would only include himself and Ushakov, according to Agentsvo. In a separate meeting, he granted Dmitrievs request to be part of the talks without informing his foreign minister. When Lavrov was informed that the third seat was for Dmitriev, he reportedly moved the chair away from the table and said: If he wants to take part, let Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] tell me himself. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (R) meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Renzi) TASHKENT, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Friday met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Mirziyoyev asked Wang to convey his sincerest greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed warm congratulations on the successful convening of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee. He said he believes that all the tasks outlined in the 15th Five-Year Plan will be successfully achieved during the set term, and thanked China for its long-term valuable support for Uzbekistan's economic and social development and the improvement of people's livelihoods. The Uzbek president said that Uzbekistan and China have made breakthroughs in cooperation in various fields and that the development of bilateral relations will not be affected by any external factors. Uzbekistan looks forward to working with China to maintain high-level exchanges, enhance strategic mutual trust, advance the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and strengthen cooperation in investment, high technology, connectivity, agriculture, green energy, poverty reduction, people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation, Mirziyoyev said. Uzbekistan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to work with China to promote long-standing friendship, resolutely combat terrorism, separatism and extremism, be each other's reliable friends and partners, and maintain mutual respect, understanding and support, he said. The four major global initiatives and the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi are of great significance to the era, and Uzbekistan is ready to work with China to implement them, Mirziyoyev said, adding that Uzbekistan highly appreciates China's increasingly important leading role in promoting world peace and development. Wang conveyed President Xi's cordial greetings to President Mirziyoyev, noting that under the leadership of the two heads of state, China-Uzbekistan relations have reached new heights and bilateral cooperation has yielded fruitful results. China firmly supports Uzbekistan in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and firmly supports the reform and development measures taken by President Mirziyoyev, Wang said. China and Uzbekistan have compatible development strategies, similar governance philosophies and highly complementary economies, and are sincere friends who support each other and close partners who work together for development, he said. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted the recommendations of the CPC Central Committee on formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, providing a top-level design for China's economic and social development over the next five years and also bringing new opportunities for China-Uzbekistan cooperation and global development, Wang said. China and Uzbekistan should accelerate the alignment of their development strategies, advance the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, create visible cooperation results in more fields, foster new growth points for cooperation, and achieve a trade value of 20 billion U.S. dollars as soon as possible and move toward even greater goals, he said. Both sides should speed up the establishment of cultural centers in each other's countries, deepen local exchanges and cooperation, and establish more sister provinces, regions and cities, Wang said. Uzbekistan has achieved remarkable results in poverty reduction, and it is believed that the goal set by President Mirziyoyev to eliminate absolute poverty by 2030 can be achieved on schedule, Wang said, adding that China will continue sharing its experience to assist Uzbekistan in poverty reduction. Wang said China appreciates the Uzbek president's immediate support for the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi and is willing to work with Uzbekistan to implement the four major global initiatives, uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, strengthen coordination within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and on the Afghan issue, optimize and strengthen the China-Central Asia mechanism, and jointly build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future. He said China welcomes Uzbekistan's participation in the preparation for the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization and its becoming a founding member of the organization, and looks forward to Uzbekistan's early accession to the International Organization for Mediation, thereby jointly making new contributions to building a more just and equitable global governance system and promoting world peace and development. On the same day, Wang and Uzbek Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov held the Second China-Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Renzi) On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thousands have marched in Marseille, France, to denounce drug trafficking after the killing of an activist's brother sent shockwaves across the country. Mehdi Kessaci, 20, was killed last week in a shooting officials believe was ordered by drug criminals to intimidate or punish his older brother, Amine, a prominent anti-drugs campaigner. An estimated 6,000 people, many dressed in white, gathered behind a 'Justice for Mehdi' banner. They observed a minute of silence and raised hands in rejection of drug violence, with politicians from across the political spectrum also joining the demonstration. Amine Kessaci, 22, had called for the march to denounce drug trafficking and pay tribute to his brother. Similar gatherings took place Saturday in about 20 other cities across the country. Earlier this week, Marseille prosecutor Nicolas Bessone said an investigation was open for premeditated murder committed by an organized group. The probe's main hypothesis is that Mehdi Kessaci was killed to try to intimidate his brother, he said. open image in gallery The father of Mehdi Kessaci attends the gathering homage to his son Mehdi at the roundabout where he was murdered, and to protest against drug trafficking in Marseille, southern France, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Bessone said Mehdi had nothing to do with drug trafficking and was ambitioning to become a police officer. His brother Amine was the target of threats and intense pressure and was placed under police protection, he said. Amine, who released a book denouncing drug violence in October, attended his brothers funeral this week wearing a bulletproof jacket and under heavy police protection. Amine lost another brother, Brahim, in an alleged drug killing in 2020, which prompted him to launch his association, Conscience, to support families impacted by gang violence. Brahim was involved in drug trafficking, Amine said. Marseille has a long history as a hub for the drug trade and banditry associated with it. open image in gallery Amine Kessaci, center, and his mother attend a gathering in homage to his brother Mehdi Kessaci at the roundabout where he was murdered, and to protest against drug trafficking, in Marseille, southern France, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In 2024, French authorities recorded 367 cases of murder or attempted murder, with 341 people injured and 110 deaths linked to drug trafficking. Of the 176 individuals jailed for murder and attempted murder, more than 25% were aged under 20, including 16 minors. In all, 47 tonnes of cocaine had been seized in 2024, more than double the previous years total. Earlier this year, France's government launched a campaign against drug use and trafficking to raise awareness among millions of recreational drug users that their habits are fueling gang violence and death. France also passed a new anti-drugs law in June, which sets up a specialized prosecutors' office dedicated to organized crime, on the model of the counterterrorim prosecutors' office, amid other measures. According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, a government crackdown on drugs crime helped diminish the number of homicides in Marseille down from 49 in 2023 to 24 in 2024. The number of dealing points in the city had halved from 160 to 80, he said. Mehdi Kessaci's killing show drug gangs have reached a new level of violence, Nunez said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of a Spanish bishop under investigation for allegedly sexually abusing a young seminarian in the 1990s. This marks the first known instance of the new pontiff removing a cleric accused of abuse. A one-line Vatican statement confirmed Leo's acceptance of the resignation of Cadiz Bishop Rafael Zornoza, 76. While no reason was given, Bishop Zornoza had submitted his resignation last year upon turning 75, the standard retirement age for bishops. It hadn't been accepted though until the El Pais newspaper reported earlier this month that Zornoza had been recently placed under investigation by a church tribunal. The daily, which since 2018 has exposed decades of abuse and cover-up in the Spanish Catholic Church, said Zornoza was accused of abusing a young former seminarian while he was a young priest and directed the diocesan seminary in Getafe. The report, quoting a letter the former seminarian wrote the Vatican over the summer, said Zornoza fondled him and regularly slept with him from when he was 14-21 years old. The former seminarians letter said Zornoza heard his confession and persuaded him to see a psychiatrist to cure his homosexuality. The diocese of Cadiz denied the accusations against Zornoza but confirmed the investigation was being carried out by the church court in Madrid known as the Rota. In a Nov. 10 statement, the diocese said Zornoza was cooperating with the investigation and had suspended his agenda temporarily to clarify the facts and to undergo treatment for an aggressive form of cancer. The accusations made, referring to events that took place almost 30 years ago, are very serious and also false, the statement said. It is believed to be the first publicly known case of a bishop being retired, and being placed under investigation for alleged abuse abuse, since the Spanish church began reckoning in recent years with a decades-long legacy of abuse and cover-up that have rocked the once-staunchly Catholic Spain. Pope Leo XIV arrives for an audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of the Choirs in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Leo didn't immediately name a temporary leader of the diocese. In 2023, Spains first official probe of abuse indicated that the number of victims could run into hundreds of thousands, based on a survey that was part of a report by the office of Spains ombudsman. The ombudsman conducted an 18-month independent investigation of 487 cases involving alleged victims who spoke with the ombudsmans team. Spains Catholic bishops apologized but dismissed the interpretations of the ombudsman report as a lie, arguing that many more people had been abused outside of the church. The Spanish Catholic hierarchy then did its own report, saying in 2024 that it had found evidence of 728 sexual abusers within the church since 1945. It then launched a plan to compensate victims, after Spains government approved a plan to force the church to pay economic reparations. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Leo XIV surprised American Catholic young people during a virtual meeting on Friday by divulging a previously undisclosed pontifical secret: his unique Wordle strategy involves using a different starting word each day. The Chicago-born pontiff shared his approach to the popular New York Times online game before engaging in a videoconference Q&A session. The discussion, which was otherwise described as "somewhat scripted," covered topics ranging from artificial intelligence and social media to the future of the Catholic Church. Connected remotely from the Vatican, Pope Leo addressed the National Catholic Youth Conference, an annual gathering held this year in Indianapolis. The feed was broadcast via US Catholic network EWTN. Following his election in May, his brother, John Prevost, had previously revealed the Pope's daily Wordle habit and their shared tradition of comparing scores. Leo was asked about his strategy at the start of Fridays Q&A, which was otherwise somewhat scripted. Playing along, Leo revealed, "I use a different word for Wordle every day, so theres no set starting word." The simple, free online puzzle lets players guess a five-letter word in six tries with no hints and has millions of daily players around the world. open image in gallery Millions of people play Wordle through New York Times Games every day ( AFP via Getty Images ) After the big reveal, Leo spent the hour-long encounter fielding prepared questions from a handful of the conference participants, who asked him specifically about technology's hold on young people. Leo, who himself was a Twitter user before his election, said social media was a great way to stay connected and to even deepen one's faith. But he warned that it can never replace real human relationships. He urged young people to follow the example of St. Carlo Acutis, a teen-age Catholic influencer canonised earlier this year who set limits on his screen time to make sure video games didn't monopolise his free time. I encourage you to follow the example of Carlo Acutis," Leo said. "Be intentional with your screen time. Make sure technology serves your life and not the other way around. open image in gallery Following his election in May, his brother, John Prevost, had previously revealed the Pope's daily Wordle habit and their shared tradition of comparing scores ( AP ) Leo also applied that lesson to artificial intelligence, a topic he has said is a priority concern for him. He told the young people it was a powerful tool but that they must learn to use it responsibly, and not let it interfere with their maturing into adults capable of making choices. Using AI responsibly means using it in ways that help you grow," he said. "AI can process information quickly, but it cannot replace human intelligence. And dont ask it to do your homework for you, he said to laughs. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Allies of Ukraine rallied around its defiant wartime leader on Saturday as they pushed to revise a suspect peace proposal touted by the United States. European leaders met in South Africa to review their options after US president Donald Trump set Kyiv a deadline of next Thursday to agree to terms seen as appeasing some of Russias most hardline demands. Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Trump late on Saturday after expressing how leaders were concerned that the current deal would not give Ukraine the means to defend itself, requiring a cap on the military and no Nato membership or peacekeepers. The prime minister said earlier in the day that allies had agreed that the 28-point plan contains elements that are essential to a lasting peace, but added that the proposal still needs additional work. Trump offered allies some hope of salvaging a viable peace deal, telling reporters on Saturday that the peace plan was not his final offer. open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer called Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday evening to discuss the peace proposals ( PA Wire ) A Ukrainian delegation, bolstered by representatives from France, Germany and the UK, is now preparing for direct talks with Washington in Geneva on Sunday to go through the plan in detail. UK National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell is understood to have left the G20 summit early to head to Switzerland. Sir Keir said he expected to be in a better position after Sundays meeting. He agreed that an armistice should be signed as soon as possible, but amplified Ukraines concerns that any peace must be just and lasting. The prime minister insisted that he was in touch with Trump fairly regularly, though European leaders were apparently shut out of Washingtons plans that were quietly drawn up with the Kremlin. French president Emmanuel Macron said that the peace plan contained ideas that were familiar, whether they were shared or not. He praised the ambition to find peace, but said the current deal was merely a basis for work that needs to be revisited. open image in gallery A residential building in Ternopil, Ukraine damaged in a Russian strike as the war rages on ( AP ) Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky has said he is willing to work with the US on their vision for peace, while also reiterating the need for security guarantees, scarcely mentioned in Trumps text. He assured the public via social media on Saturday that Ukraines representatives know how to defend Ukraines national interests. Zelensky said later that he had spoken to Sir Keir about the diplomatic work around the peace process, and that the vast majority of European leaders were ready to help. Coordination will continue, and I am grateful to the British society for their support, Zelensky wrote on X. The US plan, as it stands, foresees Ukraine handing over territory to Russia something Kyiv has repeatedly ruled out while reducing the size of its army and blocking its path to Nato membership. The proposal contains many of Moscows long-standing demands, while offering little in the way of security guarantees to Kyiv. The deal remains contentious even within Trumps party in the US. Republican senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi was one who openly voiced doubts over the controversial proposal. This so-called peace plan has real problems, and I am highly sceptical it will achieve peace, he said. Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the worlds most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the notion that such a deal would amount to major concessions for Ukraine. She said it was a good plan for both, formulated by secretary of state Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff over a month. open image in gallery Ukraine marked Holodomor Remembrance Day on Saturday, commemorating the four million victims of an artificial famine imposed by Joseph Stalin in the 1930s ( Reuters ) The plan to partition the country and welcome Russia back into the international community has been received poorly in Ukraine after nearly four years fending off invasion. With discussions ongoing around the countrys future, Ukraine marked Holodomor Remembrance Day on Saturday, commemorating the victims of the Soviet genocide in the 1930s. President Zelensky drew a comparison between the tragedy, in which four million people died in an artificial famine, and the ongoing conflict. He said that Russia has not changed and once again brings death, and called on Ukrainians to stand united in our defence. Close We are Russias next target warns Nato chief On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice It may feel like a rip in the time-space continuum. On one side of the tear, theres a universe in which America is run by a wannabe king who uses the invasion of an ally as an opportunity for profit, who lies, cheats and backstabs his friends. On the other stand Americas closest comrades, insisting that Washingtons a force for good. There is only one reality, and it is time to confront it. America is no longer the leader of the West, let alone the rest of the world. Its got the biggest armed forces. It has the biggest economy and the widest cultural reach the world has ever seen. But its democracy is collapsing, and it has been captured by a cult of ignorant grifters. They are in bed with tech-bro fantasists who believe they can control the media and bend minds, while genetically engineering their way to a master class ruling the world as high-technocrats. Europes leaders are gathering in Johannesburg for the G20. Theyre going into huddles at the meeting to decide how to react to Donald Trumps latest pro-Russian plan for Ukraine to surrender, and American business (the Trump Organization?) to profit. The question they need to ask themselves is whether now is the time to stop bothering with the grovelling and flattery, in return for keeping the Toddler-in-Chief from throwing a king-sized tantrum? open image in gallery Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last August. The new peace plan has been roundly criticised for favouring Russia ( AFP/Getty ) The answer, according to a senior Western source intimately involved in the real-world security of Europe and the UK, is to just tell him to f*** off. Sorely tempting, of course. And the source is right to explain that the time is now overdue for Europe, Canada, the UK and many other allies to establish military and intelligence independence from the US. Why? Because the US is so busy eviscerating its own democracy that within a year, it will more closely resemble the Russia of Vladimir Putin than anything that would be recognised as a Western democracy. Trump has been defoliating every branch of Americas complex constitutional structures. The judiciary itself, the lawyers that serve it, the security and military forces, his Republican Party, the Federal Reserve bank and the media are all being turned to an authoritarian agenda that will endure among his heirs, political or personal. Trumps 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine was cooked up between Steve Witkoff, his envoy to the Middle East, and Moscow. Witkoff is witless. He uses his personal cell phone on trips to Moscow and Tel Aviv, where its contents are doubtless plundered in real time. His pro-Russian plan for Ukraine was agreed with Kirill Alexandrovich Dmitriev, a Russian businessman and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which has at least $10bn of Russian government funds to co-invest in the Russian economy. Dmitriev has been sanctioned by the US Treasury doing business with him is illegal for an American, but Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, was also there. open image in gallery Kirill Dmitriev talks to Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg in April this year ( Reuters ) The US side of this group was also behind the Gaza ceasefire deal. There has been no ceasefire in Gaza, but the deal, worked out with Israel but with no Palestinian participation, will (if it works) effectively outsource the Israeli occupation, or control over, Gaza to foreign armies with no long-term prospect of peace for either Israelis or Palestinians. No one is telling Trump that. For a sense of why not, heres part of what Witkoff said during a sycophantic show session of the US cabinet in August this year: Your team is nothing short of incredible, and theres only one thing I wish for, that that Nobel committee finally gets its act together and realises that you are the single finest candidate since the Nobel Peace this Nobel award was ever talked about, to receive that reward. Your success is game-changing out in the world today, and I hope everybody one day wakes up and realises that. Thank you, sir. Witkoff knows how to handle Trump, he thinks. By saying the 47th president is a finer candidate than Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Elie Wiesel and Mother Theresa, he hopes to ensure his role at the centre of things, no matter how little he comprehends of them. He also knows that, along with the flattery, Trump wants to see a profit. The Ukraine offer is for Putin to be given the pre-prepared defensive lines that Ukraine has built in its fortress belt in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces without a shot being fired. In return, Ukraine will give up its long-range weapons, halve its armed forces, forever forsake joining Nato, and sign up to Belarus-style vassal status under the Kremlin. And the new bit of this old Russian set of demands is that American companies get 50 per cent of the profits from a $100bn reconstruction fund for Ukraine, using frozen Kremlin assets. Thats on top of the extortionate minerals deal that Zelensky signed with the Trump administration, which promises American control of 50 per cent of the profits from Ukraines as-yet-untapped mineral resources. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky has been given until Thursday to sign up to a deal heavily favouring Russia ( AFP/Getty ) Both are great deals for Russia. And for Trumps industry buddies. Moscow smashes it, America rebuilds it, and Ukraine pays protection money to Washington forever. Trump has set next Thursday for Ukraine to sign up. Its unclear what the or else can be because the US no longer supplies Ukraine with weapons. Intelligence support does come from Washington but the European Union, the UK and others have been working hard to prepare Ukraine for when this flow of critical data is cut, because America cannot be trusted as an ally. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, set out a route to a smarter way to deal with Trumps plan to profit from Ukraines surrender without ever mentioning Americas president herself. Our position has not changed. For any peace plan to succeed, it has to be supported by Ukraine, and it has to be supported by Europe. If Russia really wanted peace, they would have accepted the unconditional ceasefire offer already in March. Russias hybrid actions in Europe are increasingly brazen. Russia is committing state-sponsored terrorism, she said, adding that the EU, which has no forces, has many ways we can respond. One of these should be not to tell Trump to eff off. As every parent knows, when a toddler is heading into a tantrum, the best way to bring it back to reality is to ignore it. Occasionally, I look back with curiosity at articles I wrote as a young foreign correspondent. One in particular from November 1994 caught my eye recently. Id just spent four years living in Ukraine, and I was warning of what might go wrong. I didnt get it all right. But I did warn even then of the danger that Russia relapses into imperial adventure. Tragically, for a million people now dead and injured in the Russo-Ukraine war, and for wider European peace, that risk has become an appalling reality. Lets be clear: no one foresaw the scale of the disaster now unfolding in Ukraine, but there were a few of us who, even back then, saw the Russian bear unwinding its claws. We feared that Russian reform would stall. We feared, in some vague way, that a new visceral anger would replace that reform and combine with a desire to reconquer lost territories. By reform, one wasnt just talking about policy changes, but about a profound historical shift from a totalitarian society to an open one, from a planned economy geared to military production to one that produced goods and services that people wanted. Fundamentally, change would, at some deeper and permanent level, mean Russia having to confront its past, recognising the great, overwhelming moral crimes committed against millions of citizens by the Soviet Union. open image in gallery The scene of an apartment bombing in September 1999 that was blamed on Chechen militants ( AP ) Russias reform failed. It wasnt inevitable, but it happened. In the chaos of the 1990s, Russians became disenchanted. Organised crime became powerful. The FSB, the renamed KGB an organisation which employed and co-opted millions of Russians remained in the shadows, and then reasserted itself towards the end of the decade. In Vladimir Putin, the dark forces that controlled Russia found a man to reassert their interests. Once Putin was ensconced as prime minister, the country was immediately hit by a bombing campaign that killed hundreds, which provided the excuse to start a second Chechen war. That bombing campaign was very probably engineered as a false flag operation by the FSB itself. Whilst morally debased, the FSB know human nature well. They are experts at psychological manipulation. Chechens were blamed. A new war was started. Putin appeared as a source of strength and won the presidency easily. Those who tried to look into the bombings died mysteriously or were arrested. The FSB along with organised crime were back in power. From then, and under Putins leadership, Russia has recreated a new form of integrated, permanent conflict. I tell the story of that new warfare in my book, The New Total War. In it, I make a series of arguments which were once controversial, but which are now increasingly accepted. One is that Russias war against Ukraine, and by proxy against the West, has been going on for longer than we think. First, however, a brief description of this new theory of conflict: Putins Russia has invented a new form of total conflict, integrating all the tools of state power. The first characteristic of this style of warfare, as stated in Russian doctrine, is the integration of military and non-military tools political, economic, information and other, within military doctrine. We may not think of some of these tools as the tools of conflict, but thats not the point. Its not our opinion that matters here, but that of Russias leaders. Russian doctrine sees non-military tools of state power as tools of conflict. open image in gallery Rescuers help an elderly woman after a residential building was hit by a Russian missile in Kharkiv on November 19 ( AP ) Ask most people when the Ukraine war started and some will say 2022, others who remember the first invasion might say 2014. Both are wrong. Using Russian doctrine to guide us and in Russia doctrine is important as a statement of policy and intent the Ukraine conflict started in 2005, after pro-democracy demonstrations. The evidence and testimony I have seen and heard has convinced me that at that point Putin gave the order to use non-military tools of conflict to bring Ukraine back within Moscows sphere of influence. That non-military stage, from 2005 to 2013, was the first in this war. The 2014 invasion until early 2022 was the second stage, and the full-scale invasion from 2022 the third. At every stage, Putin has escalated when his previous strategy failed. open image in gallery Donald Trump greets Vladimir Putin in Alaska in August ( Getty ) Similarly, shortly after the first phase of the conflict against Ukraine began, Putin tore up the post-Cold War settlement with the West. He did this in his speech at the 2007 Munich Security Conference. The tools increasingly being used against Western targets, especially in Eastern Europe and the United States, are disinformation and propaganda, manipulation of politicians, assassinations, and also sabotage. Just this week, railway lines in Poland were damaged. MI5 are picking up Russian agents in the UK regularly. Russia conducts GPS spoofing, whereby it broadcasts false global positions, endangering aircraft in the Baltic. Perhaps the greatest damage being done to Ukraine now is by the peace being discussed between Russia and the United States. Dont get me wrong, its up to Ukraine to decide when to agree peace, and on what terms. But we should be under no illusions: the US is sadly now trying to force Ukraine into a humiliating deal that will set the terms for future war. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, understands the risks and has said his country faces a "very difficult choice: either losing [its] dignity, or risk losing a key partner", in an apparent reference to the US. open image in gallery The New Total War examines Russia's conflict with Ukraine ( Annabel Moeller ) Ukraine is being asked to surrender land it has not yet lost, to give up on people living under appalling conditions, to forget the murder of its citizens and to accept the loss of tens of thousands of children stolen by the Russian state. These talks are not only or even primarily, designed to bring peace, but to destabilise Ukraine and create conditions whereby political consensus breaks down. That, combined with Russian demands that Ukraine shrink its armed forces, will simply make future rounds of war more likely and more winnable for Russia. These peace talks are a shaping operation for the next stage of the war. Peace is the last thing on Putins mind. The defeat of Ukraine and then the humiliation of the West remain his goals. Putin has three aims in his political life. Recreate Russia as a virulently anti-Western country, destroy Ukraine, and break Nato. He has achieved the first, he is working on the second, and he is making progress on the third, by driving a wedge between the US and Europe, using US and European politicians to achieve his aims. There is a final reason I wrote The New Total War: our leaders struggle to grasp some of the aspects of this new form of conflict. My book is a warning. We should be in no doubt, Russian conflict is a blueprint for the wars of the 21st century. It is a toolkit for authoritarian powers to weaken open and free societies. If we can grasp the nature of modern conflict and react to it, the West, and the international order we originally created, will survive. If we fail, the next few decades will bring the twilight of democracies. My work, my book, is intended to be an investigation into the style of conflict that will be, at least in part, waged to undermine our beliefs, our power and our influence. Bob Seely is a former journalist and soldier and was the MP for the Isle of Wight from 2017-2024 Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An experimental supersonic aircraft called the X-59 took to the skies for the first time in October. The plane lifted off from Skunk Works, the famed research and development facility in California owned by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin. It cruised for about an hour, before landing at Edwards Air Force Base 85 miles (136km) away. Nasas X-59 is designed to test technology for quiet supersonic flight. In the US, loud sonic booms led to a five-decade ban on non-military supersonic aircraft flying over land. The ban was lifted this year by the US president Donald Trump, via an executive order. In the UK, supersonic flight over land needs to be specifically approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which functions independently of government. The X-59 aims to turn sonic booms into a quieter sonic thump. So if this proves possible, how likely is it that we will see a return to commercial supersonic air travel not seen since the Concorde passenger jet was retired in 2003? Beginning in the 1950s, the race to achieve commercial supersonic travel was a long and technically challenging one. Teams from the UK and France, consisting of the companies British Aircraft Corporation and Aerospatiale, the US (Boeing) and the Soviet Union (Tupolev) worked on three aircraft to meet this challenge. Out of these three competing designs only two: Concorde (UK and France) and the Tupolev TU-144 (Soviet Union) produced prototype aircraft and follow-on planes that entered commercial operation. open image in gallery Lockheed Martin and NASA successfully completed the first test flight of X-59, a 'quiet supersonic aircraft,' earlier this week ( Lockheed Martin Aeronautics ) In the US, the Boeing 2707 aircraft would have carried between 250-300 passengers, three times that of Concorde, and would have done so at a higher cruise speed. However, rising costs, uncertainty about the market for flights and concerns about noise led to the cancellation of the American plane in 1971. The Soviet TU-144 took to the skies first, on December 31, 1968, while Concordes first flight took place in March 1969. The service life of the TU-144 was relatively short, however, lasting from 1975 to 1983. It initially carried mail, in preparation for passenger services which began in November 1977. However, safety incidents and concern about the economic viability of the plane led to these flights were cancelled in June 1978. Once passenger flights had been discontinued, the then-Soviet airline Aeroflot operated an updated variant, called the TU-144D, on freight-only services. The withdrawal from service of the TU-144 left Concorde as the only operating commercial supersonic passenger aircraft. As the standard bearer for supersonic travel, Concorde carried passengers from London and Paris to destinations such as New York, Washington, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. But its routes were limited by the US ban on non-military supersonic aircraft flying over land. The plane operated successfully until July 2000, when Air France flight 4590 crashed shortly after take-off, killing 109 passengers and four people on the ground. Flights by both British Airways and Air France were suspended after the crash, returning only in November 2001. But a lack of confidence and other factors led to the retirement from service of Concorde in 2003. But within 13 years of the withdrawal of Concorde there was fresh impetus for supersonic travel. In 2016, Nasa launched the Quiet Supersonic Technology (Quesst) project. The aim of Quesst is to investigate aircraft designs which would reduce the sonic boom typically associated with supersonic flight. The centrepiece of the Quesst project is the X-59 an experimental aircraft built by Lockheed Martin at its experimental Skunk Works site in California. Flying experiment The X-59 has been designed, manufactured and flown to test both the theories and assumptions relating to low boom technology and to demonstrate that such an aircraft can operate over land without causing disruption on the ground. The aircraft will act as a flying experiment, collecting data from its test flights which will be disseminated within the aerospace community. This will support current efforts by the companies Boom Supersonic and Spike Aerospace, both of which are proposing their own supersonic aircraft. About the author Malcolm ClausSenior is a lecturer in astronautics and space technology, Kingston University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. So how does the X-59 achieve this? The short answer is in its configuration. The aircraft design has been reached after detailed design work both through extensive computer simulations and through the use of a wind tunnel test programme. The final configuration which has been reached in effect reshapes the shockwaves produced during supersonic flight, changing the associated boom to a quieter sound. As a result, however, the X-59 does not resemble any conventional aircraft flying today. The unusual design of the X-59 prevents the shock waves generated at supersonic speed from merging (which would produce the loud boom). The long, thin tapered nose and other features of the aircraft will mitigate against this by producing a quieter boom. This nose, resembling a spear, means that the cockpit for the pilot is located almost halfway down the length of the aircraft. Its location means that a conventional cockpit window, as seen on all aircraft,` is not possible. Consequently, a number of high-resolution cameras and monitors allow the pilot to fly the aircraft and see what is going on outside. open image in gallery A retired British Airways Concorde jet, pictured in 2024 ( Getty Images ) The X-59 will provide useful flight data on supersonic boom mitigation, which could be applied to future aircraft. But even when boom mitigation has been addressed, there are still a number of challenges which need to be overcome in order for a new generation of supersonic aircraft to enter service. A clear and well developed business case will be needed, taking into account the potential customer volume and number of aircraft required. The economics will need to be worked out, such as how much the aircraft costs to operate, its fuel costs and the price of maintenance. There will also be environmental issues to consider, such as the fuel efficiency of new propulsion systems that can operate for long times under supersonic conditions. If these challenges cant be overcome, the rebirth of commercial supersonic travel might remain a distant dream. Concorde was very successful, but a US supersonic plane ban limited the routes it could fly. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stumbled over his own feet as he arrived to meet with senior business leaders in Johannesburg ahead of the G20 summit on Friday (21 November). Footage captured by press cameras shows Starmer approaching the group of leaders before tripping. He quickly regained his balance and steadied himself. How are you all? the prime minister is heard saying after the fall. It came ahead of Starmer and other international leaders issuing a joint statement after a meeting at the summit on Saturday, calling a US-drafted peace plan for Ukraine a basis which will require additional work. Palestinians gather around a destroyed vehicle west of Gaza City on Nov. 22, 2025. Ten Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike west of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. The strike, targeting a civilian vehicle near the Abbas Junction in the Rimal neighborhood, also injured several passersby and set the car on fire, eyewitnesses and medical sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA/RAMALLAH, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Ten Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike west of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. The strike, targeting a civilian vehicle near the Abbas Junction in the Rimal neighborhood, also injured several passersby and set the car on fire, eyewitnesses and medical sources told Xinhua. Israeli media reported that the strike targeted Alaa al-Hadidi, head of operations for Hamas's weapons sector. Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said Israeli forces have advanced the "Yellow Line" by tens of meters in the past two days, coinciding with Israeli detonation of car bombs and artillery shelling. The ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on Oct. 10, has sharply reduced Israeli attacks but not halted them entirely. At least 318 Palestinians have been killed and 788 injured by Israeli attacks since Oct. 11, Gaza's health authorities said Saturday, bringing the overall death toll from Israeli attacks since October 2023 to 69,733, with 170,863 others injured. In a separate development, amid a recent escalation in settler attacks in the West Bank, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the attacks as part of a "systematic policy of terrorizing its citizens and forcibly displacing them," urging in a statement the formation of an international protection and peacekeeping force. Palestinians gather around a destroyed vehicle west of Gaza City on Nov. 22, 2025. Ten Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike west of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. The strike, targeting a civilian vehicle near the Abbas Junction in the Rimal neighborhood, also injured several passersby and set the car on fire, eyewitnesses and medical sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians gather around a destroyed vehicle west of Gaza City on Nov. 22, 2025. Ten Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike west of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. The strike, targeting a civilian vehicle near the Abbas Junction in the Rimal neighborhood, also injured several passersby and set the car on fire, eyewitnesses and medical sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians gather around a destroyed vehicle west of Gaza City on Nov. 22, 2025. Ten Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli drone strike west of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. The strike, targeting a civilian vehicle near the Abbas Junction in the Rimal neighborhood, also injured several passersby and set the car on fire, eyewitnesses and medical sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) There is something truly delicious about sitting on the sidelines and watching a really good political spat. It warms the cockles. And the epic falling-out between Donald Trump and the conspiracy-loving, fire-breathing, Maga ultra, Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has not disappointed. In an age marked by utter obsequiousness, Taylor Greene took the fight to Trump. And the name-calling has been fabulous. He now calls her Marjorie Traitor Greene. She says hes put her life at risk and in a dramatic new twist has said she will quit Congress, saying: "I refuse to be a 'battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better." If the late, great Tony Benn were alive, he would say politics is about policies, not personalities. I always thought that when he was in his fight with Denis Healey for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party back in the early 1980s, it was a remarkably po-faced response. And so much of politics in the US today is about the personality of Trump. It has been for a decade. But actually, in relation to the Trump/MTG mega-tiff, Benns maxim is right. This is about policy. Sure, the fight is between two combustible personalities, but there are some big issues at stake here. And they have the potential to tear the Make America Great Again movement apart. It has left the president seething. His view is that Maga is whatever he says it is. Its not for other people to decide. Say it quietly, it is almost Dr Frankenstein losing control of his monster and if he has lost control, then is he no longer the all-powerful president we have hitherto thought? Even, perish the thought, a little bit lame? So lets dive into this. The main cause of the falling-out between MTG and the president was around the release of the Epstein files. It has been a running sore, and Trump has been all over the place on this. Pre-election, the Maga movement was as one: the files must be released. But as it became clear that the presidents name might feature quite prominently, suddenly those closest to him lost their appetite for publication. The Wall Street Journal revealing the tasteless card Trump sent Jeffrey Epstein for his birthday added to that sense of jeopardy. Trump insists its a fake though he hasnt explained how or why. Happier times: Trump and Taylor Greene on the campaign trail in 2024 ( AFP/Getty ) Its not just that he opposed publication; the Republican Party did everything it could to prevent a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives. But MTG and a handful of others werent going to budge on their view that they owed it to the victims of Americas most prolific paedophile. Until 10 days ago, the White House was turning the thumbscrews on the holdouts. It was only when there was a recognition that the threats were going nowhere that Trump accepted the inevitable and said he would support the release of the files. Be in no doubt, this is a stinging defeat for him. He was free at any time to release the files without the need for a congressional vote. He chose not to. His tetchiness was more than apparent when a woman reporter questioned him about it on Air Force One and he said disgracefully to her, quiet piggy. But it doesnt end there. MTG and others want the administration to focus much more on the economy, not buying the Trump bromides that the US economy is the envy of the world, that trillions of dollars are pouring in from his tariff policy, and that Americans have never been better off. The affordability crisis has been seized on by political opponents like the Epstein files, Trump is trying to dismiss this, too, as a Democrat hoax. There is something else tearing at Maga. It is principally about free speech, but it goes much deeper than that. The spark has been an interview that the former Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson conducted with the Holocaust-denying antisemite, Nick Fuentes. The interview could not have been friendlier. Initially, the controversy was on whether Fuentes should have been platformed at all by someone with such a huge following as Carlson, and whether he should have been given such an easy ride. It was the usual debate about free speech and cancelling. But it morphed into something else. It became about whether the Trump administration was too close to Israel. If Maga is about America First, why do we care what happens in a country far away with only a few million people in it? Indeed, why did the Trump administration intervene in Argentina, bailing out their beef farmers when Americas farmers are reeling from his administrations tariff policies? In the moves of certain key figures, you can see that minds are turning to the post-Trump world and who will be the standard-bearer for the Republicans in 2028. Once that happens, power could drain from this presidency quickly. But I have been doing this for too long to dare to count Trump out. And let me go back to the Epstein vote to underline why. As I said, 10 days ago, when Trump was still trying to prevent the release of the files, there were only a handful of GOP members who needed to be won over. In the 435-seat House of Representatives, about 215 supported Trump that the files should stay under wraps. But once he said he was in favour of their release, all but one voted for release. Just think about that. These politicians, each with an electoral mandate from their own electorates, are so supine that all but one changed their minds once freed by Trump to do so. Its pathetic. Trump may be weakened. But the Republican Party is yet to discover any kind of backbone. Fridays Oval Office encounter between Donald Trump and New Yorks incoming left-wing mayor Zohran Mamdani has been eagerly anticipated, with the pair trading insults for months. But there was no Zelensky-style slanging match. The meeting was all sweetness and light. The right-wing real-estate magnate and the democratic socialist batted away the awkward questions on ICE raids and accusations of fascism, and bonded for the cameras, at least over a shared love of New York and a desire to build homes there. Predictions of a bust-up between Trump, 79, and the 34-year-old Muslim of Indian-Ugandan descent whom hed dubbed a 100 per cent Communist Lunatic were understandable. open image in gallery US President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in cordial meeting in the Oval Office ( AP ) Trump hasnt had a good week. It started well. The grisly Saudi dictator Mohammed bin Salman appeared in the Oval Office on Tuesday to stroke Trumps ego and bag himself some F-35 fighter jets in exchange for nearly $1 trillion in US investments. But it had gone pear-shaped within 24 hours as the Republican Party revealed the remnants of a spine, forcing the president to order the release of the entire cache of Epstein files. Will Trumps goon squad in the Justice Department release all of the papers? Probably not. Nonetheless, Washington insiders say Trump is afraid and furious. We can see that by the ferocity and volume of Trumps posts on his Truth Social that followed. In the Oval Office with New Yorks mayor-elect, however, there were smiles and even a little self-deprecating humour. Did Trump mind being called a fascist by the man standing next to him? Ive been called worse than that, the US president joshed. Mamdani appears to hold a degree of fascination for Trump. For starters, the mayor-elects political skills are undeniable. He came from nowhere to thrash the Cuomo political dynasty for control of Americas richest city. And Trump appreciates a winner. He really ran an incredible race against some really smart people, he said. Trump even wished Mamdani well: I think hes going to be hopefully a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am, he lied. Or maybe he didnt. If Mamdani makes a decent fist of the NY mayoralty, his influence in the party will grow with the potential to cause dangerous division between the left and centre. If, however, Mamdanis mayoralty is a disaster, that will give the GOP plenty of political ammunition. Trump appeared to be musing out loud when he said that Mamdanis mayoralty can go great or it can go the other way. Thats putting it mildly. Mamdani is good at attention-grabbing soundbites. But his plans for government-run food shops, free buses and, above all, rent freezes, are straight from the sixth-form socialist playbook. The Swedish economist Assar Lindbeck, no right-winger himself, once remarked that rent controls were the most efficient technique presently known to destroy a city except for bombing. open image in gallery Mamdani stood behind Trumps right shoulder with a Sphinx-like smile ( AFP via Getty Images ) Mamdani stood behind Trumps right shoulder with a Sphinx-like smile. When needed, he turned on the easy charm. He and the president had discussed the eight-and-a-half million people in Americas most expensive city who are struggling to afford life an abstract concept, no doubt, for the crypto-billionaire president. Trump appeared to be eyeing the room suspiciously, on the lookout for nasty reporters with questions about bone saws. Returning to the matter at hand, Trump declared that some of Mamdanis ideas are really the same ideas that I have. Trump couldnt tell you what socialism or communism is if you asked him. Mayor-elect Mamdani was given a tougher time yesterday by fellow Democrats in Congress, 86 of whom voted with Republicans to approve a House resolution timed to coincide with the Oval Office meeting that condemned the horrors of socialism, when they ought to be more concerned about the horrors of Trump II. Democrat bigwigs fear that Mamdanis full-fat socialism will scare middle-of-the-road voters in swing states. Trump, though, recognises Mamdanis appeal, his energy his youth. Surely, they do, too. Mamdani is a smart campaigner who stays on message in his case, the cost of living and who embraced digital messaging like no Democrat before him, with clever video storytelling and savvy use of social media to take New York City by storm. These are tactics the Democrats sorely need, as they contemplate mid-term and 2028 presidential elections in the shadow of the 2024 car crash facilitated by Bidens decrepitude. And the Democrat establishment has a lot to learn. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, one of the 86 Democrats behind the pointed condemnation of socialism, was, after all, a vociferous Biden supporter to the (very) bitter end. Revolut records show payment to corporate spy in Rippling vs Deel case Deel says there is nothing new in documents unsealed by US court Keith O'Brien worked for Rippling when he was allegedly recruited by Deel to pass on sensitive information Shane Phelan Fri 21 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Revolut has produced records to a US court which appear to corroborate claims its platform was used by HR software giant Deel Inc to pay an Irish spy within rival firm Rippling to pass on trade secrets. World governments agreed have to a compromise climate deal at the Cop30 conference in Brazil that would boost finance for poor nations coping with global warming but omit any mention of the fossil fuels driving it. Paul Costelloe, who has died at the age of 80, was an international acclaimed Irish designer, who had the distinction of dressing Princess Diana, and, during his lifetime, of being featured on an Irish postage stamp to recognise his contribution to the fashion industry. What do we know about the latest flu strain, as Ireland starts to feel winters bite? A mutant strain of the H3N2 virus has landed in Ireland after surging through mainland Europe What do we know about the new flu strain circulating in Ireland? Eilish O'Regan Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 06:30 The recent bone-chilling temperatures mean more indoor mixing, which is bad news, as a new strain of flu being blamed for a surge of illness in Europe is circulating in Ireland. A British soldier checks a driver's ID at a vehicle checkpoint on a border road in Co Fermanagh, in 1976. Photo: Getty This day 100 years ago, the Irish government was preparing to travel to London for a bout of knife-edge diplomacy in Downing Street the results of which still resonate today. WT Cosgraves government faced an existential threat. Four years earlier, Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins had signed up to the peace treaty with Britain on the basis that it promised the eventual achievement of what Griffith called essential unity. Too often we participate in the globalisation of indifference. May we strive instead to live global solidarity, the late Pope Francis once said. At a time of profound international instability and confronting unprecedented climate crisis, instead of recognising our interdependence, whats actually happening is that isolation, exceptionalism and self-interest are being asserted. From Cop30 to the G20, to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, discord and division still preclude any prospect of agreement. Yet the lessons of the past must surely compel us to recognise the necessity of mutual dependence. Washingtons ultimatum to Ukraine to accept a peace plan on which it was not even consulted and which is inimical to not just its sovereignty, but to the security of continental Europe, is but the latest example of the fragmentation of once inviolable relationships and trust in a recognised, rules-based order. In an address to the nation, president Volodymr Zelensky said his country is now facing one of the most perilous moments in its history. He spoke about the deadline he has been given by US president Donald Trump, to either accept his plan or face having vital intelligence-sharing cut off, as well as an end to the supply of the weapons it needs to defend itself. The US plan endorses some of Moscows crippling demands, giving only vague security guarantees to Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said his country faces a choice between losing a key partner or its national dignity. He could not betray his country, he said. Kyiv would continue to work with the US, but so far it has been talked at, rather than talked to. The leaders of Germany, France and the UK all spoke with Mr Zelensky, assuring him of their continued support. They further committed to the aim of protecting vital European and Ukrainian interests in the long term. This, they said, entails that Ukrainian armed forces must remain in a position to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine effectively. The point puts them at odds with Mr Trumps plan which would see Kyiv surrender critical territory. As the G20 meets, with Ireland in attendance for the first time, signs of disunity were sadly also too apparent. The US was openly hostile to South Africas presidency. Mr Trump objects to its core agenda of solidarity, equality and sustainability. South Africa had hoped to champion a more inclusive world order. Meanwhile in Brazil at Cop30, where urgent talks on reversing climate change are winding down, countries were also at loggerheads. Ironically, once again, they will be burning the midnight oil as a draft deal proposed by the host nation caused widespread anger across the world for omitting any reference to winding down the use fossil fuels. It is obvious the challenges our world currently confronts can not be met without a shared vision, a clear intent and a oneness of purpose. All we need do is open our eyes to see how nature and history are there to demonstrate: its only when we work together that we advance. The sale of the West End Car Park and building in Dunmanway to Cork County Council has been completed. Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce recently received the news from Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton that the sale of the West End Car Park and building to Cork County Council has been completed. This is huge news for the West Cork town of Dunmanway as it now presents the opportunity to develop this area into much needed parking spaces that can completely change the demographics of the town. The news is the culmination of many years work on behalf of Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce West End Car Park Committee, local Fianna Fail councillor Dierdre Kelly who has been involved in this project from the outset, Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton, Fine Gael Senator Noel ODonovan and Fianna Fail TD for Cork South West Christopher OSullivan. Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce are hopeful now that through collaborative efforts, consultation process and extra funding, this project can quickly move onto development stage. Dunmanway Chamber of Commerce is grateful to the hard working members of Cork County Council and Drinagh Co-Op who through due diligence and attention to detail ensured the timely transaction of this property. Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre Kelly welcomed the positive news. Im really delighted to announce that the sale of the West End Yard has been finalised and its now in Cork County Council ownership. "This is great news for our town. Thanks to Cllr Daniel Sexton for working with me in the last few weeks. Thank you to all who got it over the line, she added. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, pays a visit to a local thermal power company in Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Nov. 22, 2025. Ding made research trips to Shandong and Hebei provinces from Nov. 20 to 22. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) SHIJIAZHUANG, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang has stressed consolidating and increasing the momentum of economic recovery to achieve annual economic and social development goals, so as to ensure a sound conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and lay a solid foundation for the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during research trips to Shandong and Hebei provinces from Nov. 20 to 22. In Jinan, the capital of east China's Shandong Province, Ding paid visits to several companies to learn about the development of industries such as advanced and intelligent manufacturing, new-generation information technology, bio-technology and bio-manufacturing. He said that optimizing and upgrading traditional industries, as well as fostering and expanding emerging and future industries all require in-depth integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation. Ding encouraged enterprises to take a major role in strengthening innovation synergy between industry, academia and research institutes, with a view to promoting the application of sci-tech advances and enhancing the resilience of industrial and supply chains. He said it is also important to actively respond to the concerns of enterprises and solve their problems. While visiting an airport expansion project in Jinan, Ding pointed out that it is necessary to make good use of all kinds of government investment in a coordinated manner and promote its role in boosting effective investment. In Shijiazhuang, the capital of north China's Hebei Province, Ding paid a visit to a local thermal power company. As China's northern regions have entered the heating season, Ding said it is important to stabilize energy production and supply, adding that efforts should also be made to push green transition while ensuring energy supply security. While in Hebei, Ding also inspected the ecological restoration of Hutuo River. He urged local authorities to summarize and promote their good experiences and practices that are conducive to safeguarding the environment. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, pays a visit to a company to learn about the development of advanced and intelligent manufacturing in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 20, 2025. Ding made research trips to Shandong and Hebei provinces from Nov. 20 to 22. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Acclaimed Cork mezzo-soprano Niamh OSullivan will perform a special one-night-only concert in the historic Isabella Honan Chapel at Griffith College Cork on Saturday, November 29 2025 at 7pm. The Isabella Honan Chapel is one of Corks most architecturally significant and atmospheric venues, making this a rare opportunity for audiences to hear an internationally rising Irish artist in such an intimate setting. The concert is supported by Friends of the Vocal Arts, the organisation dedicated to nurturing and promoting Irelands vocal talent and championing excellence through the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition (VDISC). A native of Cork and one of the late Veronica Dunnes final proteges, Niamh OSullivan performs in Cork at a pivotal moment in her international career. Fresh from her role debut as Carmen at English National Opera in London, she brings her celebrated artistry to the Isabella Honan Chapel, a cherished historic landmark, making it an especially meaningful and intimate setting for this performance. Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, Chairman of the Friends of the Vocal Arts and VDISC said: "We are delighted to present this very special concert in the historic Isabella Honan Chapel. Niamh OSullivan is a shining example of the exceptional vocal talent fostered by the VDISC and this event reflects our commitment to supporting and celebrating Irish artists at the highest level. This promises to be an unforgettable evening of world-class opera in one of Corks most beautiful venues, he added. Described as the owner of one of the most sheerly beautiful lyric mezzos in some time (Opera Traveller), Niamh continues to rise on major stages worldwide. Her 202526 season includes the title role in Carmen for English National Opera; her US and role debut as Offred in Ruders The Handmaids Tale for Detroit Opera; her first appearance with Garsington Opera; and the role of Rossweisse in Wagners Die Walkure at Opera de Monte-Carlo. Niamh will also be joined on the night by acclaimed Irish pianist Mairead Hurley and rising tenor Conor Prendiville, one of Irelands most exciting young vocal talents. Tickets cost 50 and also include a wine reception at the interval. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. Dubliners share memories, reflections, and family histories in a new heritage storytelling project Norman Lowe emigrated to Canada at 19 and returned to Ireland after many years. Pic: Peter Varga A new initiative is giving Dubliners the chance to preserve their life stories and reflections for future generations. Time Capsule Sessions, launched by photographer Peter Varga of Humans of Dublin, creates a guided, intimate space for people to share their memories, experiences and wisdom in a format that can be cherished by families for years to come. The project recently completed a pilot in partnership with North Clondalkin Libraries, funded through South Dublin County Council Heritage Funding- in association with heritage officer Rosaleen Dwyer. Seven deeply personal stories were captured for the first series, which will launch next week on Humans of Dublin. For Mr Varga, the project is rooted in his own experiences having ever got the chance to meet his own grandparents. Kay OKeeffe, interviewed for Time Capsule Sessions. Pic: Peter Varga The Dublin photographer is the man behind Humans of Dublin, which is a photography project documenting the lives stories and experiences of people living in Dublin. Originally from Hungary, he moved to Dublin 16 years ago at the age of 19. Over the last decade, while interviewing more than 2,500 people for Humans of Dublin, I found myself consistently drawn to older people, he said. Some of the most powerful and best performing stories on the page have come from those conversations. Whenever I had the chance to speak with someone elderly, I would ask the questions I wish I could have asked my own grandparents. Many of those chats lasted an hour or more on a pier, in a coffee shop, or on a park bench. They were always deeper and richer than what I could fit into a 400 word Humans of Dublin post and what became clear is that so many people have a real need to share their wisdom and life stories, but they are rarely given the time or space to do so, he added. This is what inspired Time Capsule Sessions, which he is promoting as a legacy storytelling service that creates a warm, guided space for someone to reflect on their life. Norman Lowe emigrated to Canada at 19 and returned to Ireland after many years. Pic: Peter Varga He is offering paid Time Capsule Sessions, including guided interviews, professional portraits and audio recordings, with optional add-ons such as framed prints or additional family interviews. One story featured in the series is that of Kay OKeeffe. Born in Holles Street Hospital in 1944, she was fostered just days later by a woman she called Mommy Divine. Ms O'Keeffe spent years searching for her birth mother, discovering Ellen Scully in County Cork, whose existence had been kept a secret. Their eventual meetings were cautious and distant, yet Kay found her own confidence and joy in performing and connecting with others. Another story comes from Norman Lowe, who emigrated to Canada at 19 and built a successful career running duty-free shops at multiple airports. Risk-taking and ambition brought him great highs, but also a dramatic financial and personal fall. Returning to Ireland, he battled addiction and depression before finding peace in quieter moments and reflecting on the lessons of a life lived fully. Each session combines a recorded interview, portraits, and keepsakes, Mr Varga said. Its more than just documentation, its about preserving memory, presence, and connection, he added. The series will also be an exhibition at North Clondalkin Libraries in a few weeks. For more information visit http://timecapsulesessions.ie/ Kerry Councillor Breandan Fitzgerald said this was a 'decisive moment' for fishing industry. Kerry councillors have urged the government to support an emergency fishery plan, in what they called a decisive moment for the struggling industry. Dingle-based Councillor Breandan Fitzgerald slammed proposed fishing quotas as devastating, with Kerrys significant fishing industry being entirely at risk. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), who provides guidance to the EU, recommended a major cut of up to 70 per cent in fishing quotas. ICESs findings sparked a widespread protest from Irelands fishing industry, with industry representatives calling the advice a hammer blow for the sector. At a council meeting on Monday, Cllr Fitzgerald warned the cuts could threaten over thousands of jobs and amount to up to 200m in losses. It is a decisive moment that can determine whether our fishing industry survives or struggles, said Cllr Fitzgerald, the scientific advice for 2026 quotas is devastating. ICES found that much of the EUs fish stocks were below a safe biological limit, with mackerel spawning under significant pressure. They recommended a 70 per cent reduction in mackerel catches, which is the highest caught fish in Ireland, a 40 per cent cut in blue whiting quotas and zero catch advice for key whitefish stocks. Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), which represents fish produces in Ireland, warned the mackerel cuts could be particularly devastating. It could wipe out Irelands pelagic (offshore) fishing fleet and fish processors, said IFPO CEO, Aodh ODonnel. Mackerel is Irelands most valuable catch, worth 94m in exports to top markets in Europe and Asia. A 70pc quota cut could slash this by 66m next year. Kerry ports served to land nearly 30m of fish in 2022, being behind only Cork and Donegal in industry size. Seafood Ireland Alliance has published an eight-point emergency plan to challenge ICES advice and represent Irish industry. The plan demands high-level political support, emergency financial aid, a restructuring programme for whitefish and a review of licensing policy. It insists that rogue players who overfish shared stocks be denied access to EU waters, added Cllr Fitzgerald, it calls for urgent support for fishermen, fleets, processors, ports, and our fishing communities. The plan targets the EUs December Council, which decides the fishing quotas for the year ahead, and looks to secure maximum representation during the process. This is not just about quotas, it is about fairness, said Cllr Fitzgerald. Ireland has 12 percent of EU waters, yet less than 6 percent of quotas. That imbalance cannot continue. The December Council is a moment of reckoning. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme Minister of State Alan Dillon has outlined the significance of the Roadmap in shaping the Strategic Development Zone and in determining what funding streams and infrastructure will ultimately be needed Earlier this month Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Alan Dillon, met with Ireland West Airports Managing Director Joe Gilmore and chairman Arthur French to discuss progress on the airports Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The SDZ is regarded as a uniquely important national project. It is the only fully economic SDZ in Ireland, the only one located outside an urban area, and the only one positioned beside an international airport. It has the potential to support up to 6,000 jobs, boost tourism, and, according to the Government, has the potential to significantly drive regional economic development. With a Government-backed Roadmap due by August 2026, Mayo County Council is now pressing for the SDZ to be designated as a priority project in the National Development Plan (NDP). The countys Economic Development Strategy (EDS) states that only full inclusion in Government investment plans will allow Knocks SDZ to reach its potential as a major driver of growth in the North West. Minister Dillon has outlined the SDZs progress to date, where the next phase of development sits, and how the project ties into broader national policy - most of which now depends on the contents of the Roadmap. The Mayo representative has also addressed questions on the Western Rail Corridors potential extension into the airport, and concerns over Uisce Eireanns involvement in delivering essential infrastructure upgrades. The 2026 Roadmap The Planning Scheme for the Knock Airport SDZ is already in effect and will guide all future development proposals. I am pleased to say that, to date, four developments have been granted permission under the SDZ Planning Scheme, Minister Dillon confirmed. These four developments are an Airport Development & Expansion Area; a Hotel & Conference Campus; a Business & Enterprise Campus; and a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Sector - planning permission for the MRO was granted last week. Ensuring the Roadmap is completed on time is now the central priority. The Government has funded a dedicated Project Manager for this, and all work will be overseen by a Steering Committee chaired by Mayo County Council. This document will seek to identify ways to capitalise on the unique location of the SDZ and the planning certainty that the SDZ designation offers, while also setting out any financial or other support required, Minister Dillon explained. The Steering Committee includes representatives from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, Mayo County Council, Ireland West Airport, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, NWRA, Western Development Commission and Atlantic Technological University. Potential Funding Streams Securing the SDZ as a priority project in the NDP is seen as essential to ensuring that the project progresses. Councillors have noted that getting the level of funding needed will be the biggest challenge for development. Minister Dillon explained that, while the Roadmap is still being prepared, it is not yet possible to confirm whether the SDZ will feature in the updated NDP or what specific funding will be allocated. The scale and timing of infrastructure requirements can only be assessed once the Roadmap is complete. He explained that SDZs are typically led by private developers. Still, he added that each SDZ designation is unique and Knock Airport may warrant additional Government consideration. Once the Roadmap is in place, appropriate funding mechanisms will be considered. Its development would align with broader objectives around the delivery of balanced regional development, as set out in Project Ireland 2040, and regional economic growth as set out in the Programme for Government 2025, he said. Critical Infrastructure Upgrades Concerns have been raised locally about whether Uisce Eireann will commit to upgrading water and wastewater systems needed for the SDZ. During the October meeting of Mayo County Council, Cllr Gerry Murray told the meeting that he had it on good authority that Uisce Eireann would not commit to upgrading the necessary infrastructure at Knock Airport. He explained that the company viewed the airport as an independent commercial entity and had no statutory obligation to carry out the works. Minister Dillon acknowledged that while the phasing for development is yet to be determined, there is going to be significant infrastructural works required to fully enable the development of the SDZ. He has confirmed that there is a Master Cooperation Agreement and a Support Services Agreement in place between Uisce Eireann and Mayo County Council. Uisce Eireann has affirmed its commitment to working with Mayo County Council to ensure the ongoing and future servicing of the Airport and the SDZ, he said. Expansion of the Western Rail Corridor into Knock Airport Support among councillors for extending the Western Rail Corridor into Knock Airport continues to grow, especially following confirmation that the AthloneClaremorris section is set to reopen within 18 months. A direct public transport link would open up the West and be a game-changer for the region. It is part of the long-term vision for the SDZ. The EDS identifies improved connectivity, including access to the Western Rail Corridor, as essential to unlocking the SDZs full potential. Minister Dillon recognised the considerable advantages to ensuring that a Western Rail Corridor also serves both the airport and the SDZ, but is aware that, as the development of the Roadmap is not yet finalised, it would be difficult to indicate if there are plans for this to happen at this point. He said that the Roadmap will give a clearer impression of what development of the SDZ entails, as well as the extent of required infrastructure and associated works to ensure that the SDZ is best positioned to serve the cohort of enterprises for which it was designated. As work on the SDZ continues, Minister Dillon stressed that the whole picture will only emerge once the Roadmap is complete. Once we have a clearer understanding of the SDZs development, questions of sequencing of associated infrastructure and consideration of how best to leverage surrounding enabling infrastructure can be considered in the context of that roadmap. With the plan expected in August 2026, the next nine months will be crucial in determining how the Knock Airport SDZ can deliver on its promise of driving economic growth and balanced regional development for Mayo and the wider region. This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Your job here is not to fight one another, it is to fight this climate crisis, UN climate chief tells Cop30 in Brazil Ukraine's president Zelensky and his wife Olena commemorate victims of the Revolution of Dignity in Kyiv. Photo: Reuters Although US president Donald Trump vowed to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office, Russian aggression shows no sign of abating. On Thursday, Russian X-101 cruise missiles struck an apartment complex in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil that killed 26 civilians. Zelensky says Ukraine may be forced between protecting sovereignty and keeping US as an ally It comes as Donald Trump said he would like a response from Ukraine to a US peace proposal by next Thursday Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a video address to the nation in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: AP Illia Novikov and Barry Hatton Associated Press Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 06:30 Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told his country in an address Friday that it could face a pivotal choice between standing up for its sovereign rights and preserving the American support it needs, as leaders discuss a US peace proposal seen as favouring Russia. In denial Cop30 draft deal fails to even mention fossil fuels Conference risks becoming a clown show as the deadline looms Activists participate in a demonstration under a globe at the Cop30 Summit yesterday. Photo: PA Sudarshan Varadhan, Kate Abnett and William James Reuters Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 06:30 The host of the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil urged countries to unite for a deal yesterday as a showdown loomed in the summits final hours over whether the accord should set the world on a clearer path away from fossil fuels. The US has drafted a 28-point peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine which is being studied by Kyiv, Moscow and interested countries in Europe. The plan, seen by Reuters, gives Russia which is inching forward on the battlefield and controls almost one-fifth of Ukraine much of what it wants. Sixty-seven children killed in Gaza since ceasefire began, UN says Increased food supplies still falling well short of humanitarian needs as 500,000 Palestinians experiencing famine Smoke rises yesterday following an Israeli military bombardment east of Nuseirat, as seen from central Gaza strip. Photo: AP Emma Farge and Olivia Le Poidevin Reuters Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 06:30 At least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents since the ceasefire began in Gaza, the United Nations childrens agency said yesterday. As the world navigates profound challenges, China is charting a steady course toward modernization under a new development philosophy that steers high-quality growth and opens up fresh opportunities for the global community. How significant is China's modernization? What does it mean for the world? And in what ways might it resonate with Global South countries? As a Global South modernization forum is held in Beijing, we have spoken with some of the scholars to hear their insights. #GLOBALink Fatima Bosch Fernandez celebrates with the other contestants after winning Miss Universe in Thailand. Photo: AP Miss Mexico has won Miss Universe 2025 after a dramatic competition which has sparked outrage across the internet. Fatima Bosch Fernandez (25) was crowned the winner after the competition took the world by storm, after the beauty queen stood up to the host for bullying. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a loyal supporter-turned-critic of US president Donald Trump, has said she is resigning from US congress in January. In a video posted online, the Georgia representative said she did not want her congressional district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for. Candace Owens claims and the source behind them URGENT Two days ago I was contacted by a high-ranking employee of the French Government. After determining this persons position and proximity to the French couple, I have deemed the information they gave me to be credible enough to share publicly in the event that something Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 22, 2025 Link to Charlie Kirks death and earlier warnings ( Image credit : X/@magaupdatess | Candace Owens connected the new warning to Kirks killing in September 2025 at Utah Valley University ) Netizens react to the viral post of Candace Owens ( Image credit : Screenshot taken from X | Supporters sent prayers and called her brave for speaking out ) Candace Owens has sparked a major online storm after posting a long thread on X on November 22, 2025. She claimed that the French government, the Macron family and Israeli officials have approved and funded a plan to assassinate her. She said the warning came from a high level source inside France and that she verified the persons identity before going public.Owens linked the threat directly to her coverage of Brigitte Macrons personal life and to the death of her close friend Charlie Kirk. Her dramatic thread gathered millions of views and led to a wave of confused, emotional and angry reactions.Owens said she received a call two days before her post. The source reportedly told her that a unit linked to French intelligence and Israeli trained operatives had been tasked with staging an assassination on American soil.She added that her investigative work on Brigitte Macron made her a target and that the plan was similar to what she believes happened to Charlie Kirk. Owens repeated that she verified the sources identity and believed the threat was real.Owens connected the new warning to Kirks killing in September 2025 at Utah Valley University. She said he had texted her about fears that he would also be targeted because of her Macron coverage. She pointed to a threat filed in federal court in 2024 as part of the same pattern. In her words, agencies that should protect Americans are aware and silent. She said this silence proves the country has lost control.Her post drew thousands of replies within hours. Supporters sent prayers and called her brave for speaking out. Some said she should leave the country. Many saw her as a victim of global pressure. Critics mocked the idea that Emmanuel Macron or Israeli forces would target an American commentator. Some said Owens was seeking attention. Others made memes about the story. A small number of users posted long threads trying to piece her claims together with older conspiracies, creating even more confusion.One user wrote on X, This is terrifying. Prayers for Candace and her family. The government knows more than they admit. Meanwhile, another user wrote, Imagine Macron planning an assassination on a podcaster. This is the most dramatic fan fiction of the year.One confused netizen said, This is so detailed but makes no sense. Why would Israel and France work together for this? while another user said, Charlie Kirk warned her. There is more to this. People need to pay attention.Owens allegations have pushed her feud with the Macrons and her ongoing claims about international interference further into the spotlight. Her story now mixes politics, personal loss and global suspicion. Whether her claims stand or not, they show how fast unverified alerts can shape public debate. The reactions also reveal a split in her audience, with some taking her every word as fact and others calling for mental health support. ( Image credit : X/PicturesFoIder | Princess Dianas iconic revenge dress, worn the night Prince Charles publicly admitted to being unfaithful to her [1994]. ) The return of the most iconic revenge look in royal history ( Image credit : X/PicturesFoIder | Princess Dianas iconic revenge dress, worn the night Prince Charles publicly admitted to being unfaithful to her [1994]. ) A museum tribute that knows exactly what it is doing ( Image credit : X/PicturesFoIder | Princess Dianas iconic revenge dress, worn the night Prince Charles publicly admitted to being unfaithful to her [1994]. ) More than fashion, Dianas influence still hits hard ( Image credit : X/PicturesFoIder | Princess Dianas iconic revenge dress, worn the night Prince Charles publicly admitted to being unfaithful to her [1994]. ) ( Image credit : X/PicturesFoIder | Princess Dianas iconic revenge dress, worn the night Prince Charles publicly admitted to being unfaithful to her [1994]. ) Princess Dianas most unforgettable fashion moment has officially been resurrected, and Paris is eating it up. The Grevin Museum has unveiled a dazzling new wax figure of the late Princess of Wales, styled in the revenge dress that changed the entire royal fashion game back in 1994. Yes, the same off-shoulder, all-black, show-stopping number she deliberately wore on the very night King Charles admitted to his affair. Cinematic behaviour.Unveiled on 20 November, a date that was no accident, the reveal marked the 30th anniversary of Dianas explosive BBC interview, when she spoke candidly about the breakdown of her marriage. Paris clearly loves a dramatic timeline.The museum explained the dress was chosen because nothing captures Dianas fire, freedom, and unapologetic glow-up energy quite like that Serpentine Gallery moment. According to the museums team, the revenge dress became a symbol of confidence and liberation the second she stepped out of that car, and it still radiates the same power decades later.Her wax figure channels that exact spirit: the asymmetric neckline, the body-skimming silhouette, and the pearl choker recreated to perfection. It is Diana stepping out of the shadows and into her own story, frozen in time, but fiercely alive.But even while celebrating her iconic style, the museum stressed that Dianas real magic went beyond couture. They highlighted how she fearlessly hugged AIDS patients at a time when society recoiled, or how she rolled up her sleeves during her humanitarian work in Bosnia. She connected with people in a way that was revolutionary for the royal family, and her compassion became just as iconic as her wardrobe.A fashion curator who once studied her wardrobe reflected that after separating from Charles, Diana openly said she did not want to be remembered as a clothes horse but as a workhorse, someone defined by impact, not outfits. Yet her outfits still became cultural moments.This new wax figure feels less like a statue and more like a reminder: Dianas story did not fade with time. The dress, the attitude, the quiet rebellion, it all still hits just as hard in 2025. Paris has not merely honoured her; it has resurrected her most empowering moment and turned it into art. Thanksgiving plans for Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet PEOPLE ( Image credit : X @timotheenation | Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet have been dating since 2023. ) Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet's long-distance love PEOPLE ( Image credit : X @timotheenation | Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet spark media buzz ) False breakup rumours and what sparked them PEOPLE Marty Supreme Dune ( Image credit : X @timotheenation | Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamets romance first became public in April 2023. ) Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamets relationship Vogue The holidays are coming, and with them comes fresh attention on reality star Kylie Jenner and Hollywood actor Timothee Chalamet. After weeks of gossip about their relationship, the couple is finally getting some quiet, happy time together. According to reports, the two are planning to spend Thanksgiving as a pair. With work pulling them in different directions, this holiday break matters even more.The insider shared withthat Kylie is very excited to have Timothee back in Los Angeles again. He has been away for months filming Dune: Part Three in Europe, and the long distance has made it tricky for the couple to see each other. Now that he is home for a short break, Kylie wants to enjoy every moment before he flies back to the set.The couple will celebrate Thanksgiving with Kylies family in L.A., according to the outlet. But the insider also mentioned that Timothee will spend time with his own family before heading back to Budapest to continue filming. The return of normal family moments is a relief for both of them after weeks of tight schedules.Timothee began filming in Budapest in July. Since then, the pair have tried their best to stay connected, even when oceans apart. Kylie often flew out every few weeks to see him, showing how committed both of them are to making things work.The insider toldthat despite the distance, they have remained close and steady. Their time together has been limited, but they never let the physical gap create an emotional one. This steady bond sets the background for why Thanksgiving feels extra meaningful this year.Recently, fans were buzzing with questions about whether Kylie and Timothee were still together. These rumours started after Timothee missed Kris Jenners big 70th birthday celebration earlier this month. His absence led to many assumptions online, butconfirmed through multiple sources that the breakup gossip was not true.Another insider added that Timothee had spoken lovingly about Kylie while filming his movie. Kylie even visited him on set in New York City, and they met again in London while he was working onThe last time the couple was seen together publicly was on October 8 at a Yankees game in New York. Kylie wore a jacket linked to Timothees upcoming A24 film Marty Supreme, a quiet but clear show of support.Still, the couple prefers to keep their relationship private. In his recentcover interview, Timothee was asked about Kylie but chose not to open up. I just dont have anything to say, he told the magazine. While his answer was calm, PEOPLE reported that Kylie did not take the tone the way he intended, which added more fuel to online drama. Rising concerns between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ( Image credit : X @ChrisBaronSmit1 | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again facing divorce rumours. ) Social media disagreement between Meghan and Harry ( Image credit : X @QueenRMade1 | Sources say Prince Harry and Meghan Markles marriage is strained. ) Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Hollywood life Meghans acting comeback sparks new theories ( Image credit : X @MeghanTheQwin | Meghans acting comeback sparks new theories ) Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are once again under the spotlight, but this time the attention is focused on a public moment in California that has sparked fresh questions. The Duchess of Sussex was recently seen struggling to hold back tears during a quiet visit to a bookstore near Montecito. The sighting quickly set off new speculation about tension inside her marriage, especially as talk about disagreements and private struggles continues to grow. And as one detail leads to another, the picture being painted has people wondering what is truly happening behind closed doors.According to an eyewitness, Meghan looked fighting back tears and appeared overwhelmed during the bookstore visit. This moment, which caught many off guard, became the spark for ongoing chatter online. The tipster added that the mask was slipping, suggesting the Duchess was finding it difficult to maintain her usual composed public image.This emotional moment connects to what sources claim is an ongoing conflict between Meghan and Harry regarding how much of their children should be shown online. The tension reportedly grew after Meghan posted a Halloween-themed video that included brief glimpses of Archie and Lilibet. Though she later removed the post, the slightly visible faces of the children had already spread online, which insiders believe caused friction with Harry.The disagreement around their childrens privacy added another layer to the couples already complicated situation. Prince Harry recently warned about the dangers of exposing children to the internet. On the Hasan Minhaj Doesnt Know podcast, he said, The reality is, from what I've learned, what I've seen, what I've heard, and experienced, especially through the Parents Network, is you should be really, really worried, concerned, and cautious about putting photographs of your kids online, especially now.This statement gave more weight to claims that Harry was upset about Meghan sharing even blurred or distant images of their kids. And as the discussion about social media continues, it has only added more fuel to the idea that the couple is not fully aligned on how to handle their familys privacy.Adding to the growing tension, a source pointed out that the couple left their royal responsibilities in 2020 to escape constant media attention. One of the many reasons they left the U.K. was because they didnt want to be chased by paparazzi, the insider explained. The source noted that some see Meghans decision to post photos of their children as hypocritical, since protecting their privacy was a major reason they stepped back from royal life.Harry, who grew up in the spotlight, is said to be especially sensitive to these issues. He knows what its like, the source said, suggesting that his personal experiences make the situation even more difficult for him.While all this is happening, Meghan has returned to acting. She was recently spotted filming a cameo for the comedy Close Personal Friends with Brie Larson and Jack Quaid. One insider suggested this new project might be more than just a career choice. According to Radar's source, Acting could be her attempt to gain independence in case they pull the trigger on their marriage, calling it her backup plan.This idea connected quickly with rumours about financial concerns. Experts noted that if the couple were to split, Harry could lose around $60 million because California is a community-property state. Lawyer Louis J. Shapiro explained that income earned during the marriage could be divided unless they have a prenuptial agreement no one knows about.Sources also claim Meghan would not hold back in fighting for her share. Everything that theyve earned post-royal life is because of her, the insider said, adding that she might go after even more than half by arguing, Everything we got is because of me.Concerns were also raised that Harry could be ordered to pay child support if Meghan were granted primary custody. PHNOM PENH, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia exported bicycles worth 502.8 million U.S. dollars to international markets in the first 10 months of 2025, with a year-on-year rise of 47.6 percent, said a Ministry of Commerce report on Saturday. Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said the Made-in-Cambodia bicycles had been exported mostly to the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, among others. Bicycles have become one of Cambodia's main manufacturing products for exporting to international markets in addition to garments, shoes, travel goods, car tires, and potential agricultural commodities such as rice, rubber, cashew nuts, yellow bananas, mangoes, and longans, he told Xinhua. Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said the increase reflected robust manufacturing momentum and rising global demand. "Growth is driven by the stable operations of bicycle factories in special economic zones (SEZs) in Bavet City, improved access to regional supply chains, and expanding orders from key markets, particularly the EU market," he told Xinhua. "If this trajectory continues, Cambodia is well-positioned to surpass previous export records and will strengthen its role as a competitive regional hub for bicycle production," he added. Sasha Suda, former director and CEO of the Philadelphia Art Museum, in Philadelphia, Friday, October 14, 2022, shortly after she started her tenure at the museum. Read more The Philadelphia Art Museums trustees fired back at a lawsuit filed by recently ousted director and CEO Sasha Suda, saying she was dismissed after an investigation determined that she misappropriated funds from the museum and lied to cover up her theft. In Thursdays filing with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the museum said that Suda repeatedly asked for raises, and when she was denied them by the museum boards compensation committee, she took matters into her own hands. Advertisement Suda took the money anyway, the petition alleges, defying the board and violating her contract. Given Sudas misconduct, no responsible board member could have done anything other than vote to remove Suda for cause, says the petition, which asks the court to compel arbitration of the dispute. Suda had requested a trial by jury. Suda was fired Nov. 4 for what the museum at the time called cause, and she filed her wrongful-dismissal suit less than a week later. The museums accusations are false, Sudas lawyer, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan said Friday. The motion, as well as its false narrative, fits the Philadelphia museums longstanding pattern of trying to cover up its misconduct and mistreatment of staff. We expected the museum would prefer to hide the sordid details about its unlawful treatment of Sasha Suda in a confidential arbitration. If the museum had nothing to hide, it would not be afraid to litigate in state court where we filed the case. The money in question came as increases to Sudas compensation, and these increases were authorized and budgeted cost-of-living increases that were fully approved and disclosed, and amounted to about $39,000 over two years, a source close to Suda stated previously. Another source with knowledge of the petition said the raises mentioned in the petition are, in fact, the same as the cost-of-living adjustment the first source refers to. Suda was in the third year of a five-year contract when she was dismissed. The museum on Friday named Daniel H. Weiss, a veteran leader of nonprofits, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to be its new director and CEO. Thursdays court filing by the museum said that the board formed a seven-member special committee after documents showed that Suda was receiving far more than the $720,000 in annual base salary authorized by her contract. According to the petition, the special committee was authorized to investigate issues including whether Suda had engaged in self-dealing by increasing her annual base salary and engaged in any improprieties with respect to her museum-related expenses. The special committee hired law firm Kirkland & Ellis to conduct an investigation, which interviewed 20 current and former museum board members and employees. Suda was among those interviewed, and during that interview, she lied about her actions, claiming, among other things, that her subordinates had advised her that she was entitled to receive these increases, the court filing says. The special committee met with Kirkland & Ellis in October to review the evidence, and, as stated by the filing, the museums executive committee determined that the evidence overwhelmingly established that Suda violated her agreement by misappropriating museum funds and engaging in repeated acts of dishonesty. The petition alleges that Suda requested, and was denied, a salary increase from the compensation committee on Feb. 8, 2024. She then awarded herself the salary increase effective March 1, 2024, followed by a second unauthorized increase in July of that year. In July 2025, Suda awarded herself a third unauthorized pay increase, which she once again failed to disclose to the board, according to the museums petition. Suda, in her complaint, claims she was terminated when her efforts to modernize the museum clashed with a small, corrupt, and unethical faction of the board intent on preserving the status quo. She seeks two years salary plus damages. Thursdays response from the museum said her complaint was laden with false, dishonest, and irrelevant allegations. Inquirer staff writer Abraham Gutman contributed to this article. The former head of human resources and diversity initiatives for the Philadelphia Art Museum was charged with theft earlier this year after police said she put $58,000 worth of personal expenses on a company credit card. Read more The former head of human resources and diversity initiatives for the Philadelphia Art Museum was charged with theft earlier this year. The police said she racked up more than $58,000 in personal expenses on a company credit card, then failed to pay back the funds, court records show. Latasha Harling, 43, was arrested in July and charged with theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, and related crimes about six months after she quietly resigned from her job as the chief people and diversity officer for the museum. Advertisement The charges against Harling which had not previously been reported or made public by the museum are the latest chapter in a six-week stretch of turbulence for the prominent institution, and raise new questions about the financial oversight and controls of its senior executives. On Nov. 4, the museum fired its director and CEO, Sasha Suda, after an investigation by an outside law firm flagged the handling of her compensation. Suda filed a lawsuit on Nov. 10 against her former employer claiming that she was the victim of a small cabal from the board that commissioned a sham investigation as a pretext for her unlawful dismissal. The Art Museum on Thursday responded to the lawsuit in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas with a petition saying Suda was dismissed after an investigation determined that she misappropriated funds from the museum and lied to cover up her theft. Her lawyer, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, called the museums accusations false. These are the same recycled allegations from the sham investigation that the museum manufactured as a pretext for Sudas wrongful termination, he said. Harling declined to comment on the charges filed against her Friday, as did her lawyers at the Defender Association. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Art Museum also declined to comment on the matter. Harling was hired by the museum as a senior member of its executive staff in November 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile. In that role, she oversaw human resources for the museum, implemented policies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and managed budgetary responsibilities, among other duties, per her profile. As part of her job, Harling had access to a corporate credit card for business-related expenses, according to the affidavit of probable cause for her arrest. In January 2025, museum staff noticed that Harlings December credit card statement contained several large, and apparently personal expenses, the affidavit said. The museums chief financial officer conducted an audit and found that, over the course of Harlings tenure, she charged $58,885.98 in personal expenses to the companys credit card, the document said. She had not filed an expense report since July 2024, according to the affidavit. Museum officials confronted Harling about the charges in January, the filing said, and proposed that she repay $32,565.42. She resigned from her role soon after without resolution, according to the affidavit. The museum continued to negotiate with Harling, and in February, she signed a promissory note agreeing to pay back $19,380.21 over the course of three months that spring, the record said. But in April, per the filing, a lawyer for the museum contacted the police to say that two months had passed and Harling had not repaid any of the funds. They said that, according to their agreement, she should have paid back about $13,000 by then. After the museum provided investigators with copies of their emails with Harling, her expenses, and its travel and expense policy, prosecutors agreed to charge her with theft. The case remains ongoing in Philadelphias criminal court. Staff writer Jillian Kramer contributed to this article. Crime Scene Unit officers bring files into the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice for start of opening statements in shooting death of Philadelphia Police officer Richard Mendez. Read more As jury deliberations stretched through a third day, a conclusion in the trial of two men accused of killing Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez was delayed Friday after a juror had to be replaced. It was the second time a juror was removed. Advertisement The issues brought unease to a courtroom full of Mendezs family, friends, and law enforcement colleagues who had gathered during the nearly two-week-long trial with hopes of justice for Mendez, who was shot and killed at the airport in October 2023 while interrupting an attempted car theft. Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, 20, and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez, 23, face life in prison without parole if they are convicted of first- and second-degree murder, respectively, in addition to attempted murder, robbery and a slew of related charges. Last week a jury sat through prosecutors presentation of evidence, which included recovered DNA and cell phone tower data as well as testimony from a man who participated in the theft and identified his former accomplices before a crowded courtroom. Defense attorneys did not put any witnesses on the stand, rebuffing prosecutors during opening and closing arguments. But on Wednesday, about an hour after Common Pleas Judge Giovanni O. Campbell sent the jury to deliberate, confusion began to seep into the trial. A juror suffered a medical emergency and was removed from court on a stretcher. Campbell ordered that he be replaced by an alternate juror and that deliberations begin anew. On Thursday, jurors came back to the judge with a handful of questions, asking to see copies of DNA evidence, photographs from the scene, and the outfits Mendez and his partner wore that evening. They also wanted to see the letters exchanged between prosecutors and their star witness, who had pleaded guilty to a lesser murder charge days before the trial got underway. As the day wore on, Campbell brought jurors back into the courtroom. There would be no verdict, however. For unknown reasons, the judge instead suggested that the jury operate with courtesy and respect, and that they approach deliberations with an open mind. We recognize its not easy, Campbell said of the process. Deliberations resumed Friday morning; courtroom observers would not see the jury until Campbell called them back into court around 4 p.m. Campbell, without citing a reason, said a second juror had been removed. He told the court it had nothing to do with her views on the case. And again, the jury was told to restart deliberations from the beginning. Campbell dismissed the jury at 5:40 p.m. and told them to return on Monday. The former business manager of St. Matthias Catholic Church in Bala Cynwyd has been charged with theft of more than $1.1 million from the church, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced Friday. Sean Sweeney, 60, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., served as the churchs business manager from 2017 until his firing in 2024, Steele said. Advertisement Investigators found that from 2018 through 2024, Sweeney was responsible for providing the churchs payroll records processing company, PrimePay, with records for who should be paid and how much. PrimePay paid $1,134,906.35 by direct deposit into bank accounts owned and controlled by Sweeney, Steele said. Bank records show that the money Sweeney received was used for his personal expenses, including educational tuition, vehicle-related payments, and vacation costs, Steele said. Sweeney surrendered to Montgomery County detectives on Thursday and was arraigned by District Judge Todd N. Barnes, who set bail at $100,000 unsecured, Steele said. Sweeney was required to surrender his passport, was ordered not to have contact with employees connected to the case, and is not allowed at or near St. Matthias Church, Steele said. Sweeney could not be reached for comment Friday night. In December 2024, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Investigations referred the case to the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office, Steele said. Kenneth A. Gavin, a spokesperson for the archdiocese, said in a statement Friday night: These charges are serious and disturbing to all of us. The Archdiocese and the parish will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as the criminal matter enters its next phase. The Archdiocese is committed to seeking full restitution to the parish. According to the affidavit of probable cause, a member of the churchs finance council who had been a school classmate of Sweeneys warned a church official in May 2024 that Sweeney had personal finance issues and was borrowing money from family members and not paying them back. Stephanie Maslanik was sitting on her couch Tuesday night when her phone dinged with a text message from a friend. But she was doing something with the kids and didnt look at it right away. Then I opened it up and I was like, Whaaaat? It took me a minute to put two and two together and I gave it to my husband, she said. I told him, Does it say what I think it says? It was exactly what she thought it said: It was a video clip of that evenings Michelin Guide Northeast Cities ceremony, where Dalessandros the familys cheesesteak shop in Roxborough had been among the recipients of an award. Advertisement Their old-school corner shop was officially Bib Gourmand royalty Michelins category for great food at a great value. Dalessandros was one of three cheesesteak shops that impressed arguably the worlds fussiest food critics. Maslanik blew up the family group chat: her parents, Steve and Margie Kotridis, and her younger sister, Christina. READ MORE: Michelin Guide honors 34 Philadelphia restaurants Ive been in the food business for 50 years, and this is a dream, said Steve Kotridis, 63, who with his wife, 67, bought Dalessandros from the founding family in 2008. William Dalessandro opened in 1961 at Henry Avenue and Wendover Street, a year after its founding on nearby Ridge Avenue. Michelin is living up to its reputation of international mystery. As of Saturday, the Kotridises said they had not heard from Michelin (though Dalessandros is listed on its website, accompanied by an unrelated photo). It is also not clear why the Kotridises apparently never received an invitation to the gala. The owners of the other Bib Gourmand cheesesteak shops, Nish Patel of Del Rossis and Danny DiGiampietro of Angelos, were seated in Marian Anderson Hall that night. Steve Kotridis was doing paperwork and knocking around the house that night Margie was in Florida for a nieces shower and he didnt read his daughters text until the next day. He had never realized that a cheesesteak place could even be eligible for a Michelin award, but certainly if one would be, this would be the place, he said. Its validation. The Dalessandros scene On Friday afternoon, the line at the ordering window was just as long as on any other chilly Friday afternoon in late November. Inside, the spatulas slapped and the rib eye sizzled on the flattop. The crew cheered in unison at each tip left by a customer. Ive been getting a lot of people telling us its their first time coming, but its mostly our really good customers who are saying, Everybody knows now, Margie Kotridis said. Steve and Margie come from food families. Her late father, George Tsihlas, owned Towne Pizza at 19th and Pine Streets from 1967 to 1994. Steves mother, Antigoni, now 92, still oversees a series of food carts in Center City including the cart outside the United Engineers Building at 30 S. 17th St. that Steve ran for 30 years. Soon after they were married in 1982, they bought a building in Lafayette Hill and opened a diner, Stefanos Restaurant & Pizza. After two years, we had to get rid of it, Margie said. We were throwing plates at each other. They went back to vending but kept the building, now home to the Persian Grille. Meanwhile, Steve had been a Dalessandros customer. I sat down at that counter and Id put two cheesesteaks down like it was nothing, he said. Ive lost weight since then. (His go-to is a cheesesteak with American cheese, fried onions, salt, black pepper, and long hots.) In 2008, five years after William Dalessandros death, the Kotridises bought the shop and kept it much as it was. They shut down for 10 weeks at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The setup, where takeout customers were smushed against people eating at the counter, could not continue in the new social-distancing world. The Kotridises installed two windows one for ordering, one for pickup and locked the front door. (Regulars can ask to come inside to eat, especially when the patio is full or the weather is bad.) A friend set them up with an ordering system that displays wait times and names on a monitor outside and provides text alerts. Theres no yelling. An electronic voice calls out customers names and directs them to the correct window. Its still cash-only. The typical wait is 10 to 15 minutes during the week, but an hour Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as the line wends along the sidewalk and traffic snarls on Henry Avenue. About the Dalessandros steak Dalessandros serves an old-school sandwich: The rib eye is chopped fine almost minced. The cheese is layered atop the beef, not mixed. The Amorosos roll is softer than the crispy-crusted, house-baked breads from such newer-generation shops as Del Rossis and Angelos. Dalessandros chops its fried onions in a huge, toothsome dice. Dalessandros flatly resists the recent industry move to Cooper Sharp American cheese. We brought it in like a year ago and we tasted it, Margie said. All Cooper Sharp is, is sharp American cheese. We already use sharp American cheese. We made [test] cheesesteaks. Nobody could tell the difference. Asked what made their steaks stand out to Michelin, Steve said: Im not sure. We just do it the right way and we make food the way we would like to eat it. We slice fresh rib eye all day long. Our rolls get here at 11. We fry our own peppers. Margie said she routinely drops an order slip, anonymously, into the queue and samples the sandwich. Consistency is very important, she said. I go out to eat somewhere and I find something I love and its so delicious. You go back the next time and its like a whole different sandwich or a different meal than what you ate last time. One of the four of us is always here, Margie said. This is why Steve said he has resisted offers to open additional locations. At this age, Im not interested. The problem today is you cant be everywhere. To run a good place, you have to be on top of it, so you could wind up killing the name. Dalessandros has won plenty of awards, including an Inquirer reader poll in 2023. I think the people that pay attention to Michelin and ... the foodies its going to make a big difference, Steve said. Theyre all going to come and try it, and theyll all have their own opinions of what they like and what they dont like, and hopefully everybody will love it and come back again. Margie said: But then, everybody has a favorite, right? Some people like vanilla, some people like chocolate, and some people like strawberry ice cream. You cant please everybody. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during the Western Governors' Association meeting Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz. Kennedy recently ordered the CDC to change a website stating its positions on vaccines and autism, saying that studies have not ruled out the possibility vaccines cause autism. The change was met with outrage from public health officials. Read more On Nov. 19, a webpage at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was updated with a stunning reversal of the agencys long-held and scientifically backed position on vaccines and autism. Previously, the CDC has noted on its website that decades of research show no link between receiving vaccines and developing autism. Advertisement Now, the site 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. A header on the webpage still reads Vaccines do not cause autism. But the phrase is followed by an asterisk leading to another statement explaining the header remains due to an agreement with the chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that it would remain on the CDC website. The chair is Sen. Bill Cassidy (R., La.), who made his confirmation vote for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. contingent on that agreement. The move was met with outrage from public health experts who say that Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine advocate, is risking lives by calling vaccines safety into question. The New York Times reported two days later that he had personally ordered the website changed. Diana Robins, the director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University, which studies autism from a public health perspective, spoke with The Inquirer about the update and what it means for public health. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. Question: Take us through the update on the CDCs website about vaccines and autism. Answer: The frightening thing, to me, is if a person who is not really familiar with the science reads this website, there is a lot of convincing-sounding language. It feels like deliberate gaslighting. Its using terms theyve learned from scientists over the last several months gold-standard science and evidence-based claims and using them in directly inaccurate ways. The very first key point at the top of the page says, 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. Part of what makes that so egregious is that scientists believe in the scientific process. Unfortunately, the federal administration is weaponizing the fact that scientists wont come out and say it has been proven. A scientist will never say we have 100% ruled out all possibilities. Something we think we know could change tomorrow when we learn something new. But there are dozens of studies over many, many years that fail to show a link between vaccines and autism. All the studies that are rigorous and methodologically sound fail to show a link between vaccines and autism. That is unequivocal. Q: Whats the danger in changing the CDCs language around vaccines? A: Vaccines save lives. Vaccines are one of the frontline public health strategies to support health in the population. Were already seeing what happens when vaccine compliance goes down, when theres an erosion of the public confidence in vaccines. There have been measles outbreaks in the last year in the United States. Some kids just get sick and they get better, but some kids have serious illnesses and occasionally die. And its not just measles. Were vaccinated against a lot of life-threatening diseases. The cost is a huge shift in public health, and the protective factor that vaccines give us against life-threatening illness. If you told me that reading books past 10 p.m. might cause autism, I would say theres probably not a lot of cost if you stop reading books at 9:59. But not vaccinating children? The costs are huge. Even one death thats preventable is a tragedy. And there will be a lot of preventable serious illness and death if parents dont vaccinate their children. Q: How does this affect the publics view of federal health agencies? A: I think it makes it very difficult for people to know what to trust. And there is already decreased trust in the medical community, scientific community, higher education broadly. If pages like this are intermingled with legitimate pages, how will people know which ones are the accurate pages and which are the ones with gaslighting and anti-science? I think people will likely lose their faith in the CDC altogether, which is a terrible blow to the public health of the whole country. If we cant trust our Centers for Disease Control, who can we trust? Q: How can scientists communicate accurate medical information with the public? A: One thing I think is slightly heartening in the face of this devastation is that professional societies and organizations that are medical or scientific are all aligned. There have been so many statements that came out within the first day of this, and they are fully aligned in agreement. The only differences are in which words they yell the loudest. You can usually not get scientists to agree to anything in a day. That means a lot. Its the responsibility of all the legitimate scientists and public health experts to try to combat that misinformation every which way we can. [At the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute], were trying to do more outreach to the public. We actually developed some vaccine info sheets just a couple months ago that are posted on our website. We have a new website that brings together all of the information. Vaccines are one of our biggest public health successes. If we roll those back, we have stepped back decades in the health of our country. Its that big. Its that serious. Federal judge hands CHOP a victory in its fight to protect the medical records of children who sought gender-affirming care. Read more A federal judge in Philadelphia has blocked President Donald Trumps administration from obtaining the private medical records of youth who sought gender-affirming care at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. The decision, issued Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney, was a victory for patients privacy rights and for CHOP, which had waged a legal battle to limit the scope of a sweeping federal subpoena that sought the names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, addresses, and parent/guardian information of patients who had been prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy. Advertisement In a 54-page opinion, Kearney found that the medical records sought by the U.S. Department of Justice were beyond the authority granted by Congress under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, and that the heightened privacy interests of children and their families substantially outweighs the Departments need to know such confidential and sensitive information. Neither CHOP nor the DOJ responded to a request for comment late Friday. In addition to protecting the identities of patients, Kearney also denied the part of the DOJ subpoena seeking documents related to how doctors make decisions in prescribing medications that help patients to have a body that matches their gender identity, including details such as clinical indications, diagnoses, or assessments. Kearney also blocked federal investigators from obtaining documents related to informed consent, patient intake, and parent or guardian authorization for minor patients. CHOP runs one of the nations largest clinics providing medical care and mental health support for transgender and gender-nonbinary children and teens and their families. Each year, hundreds of new families seek care at CHOPs Gender and Sexuality Development Program, created in 2014. Along with CHOP, five parents of transgender children also filed a motion asking the federal court to intervene on their behalf. Kearneys ruling rendered that motion moot since it sought similar legal relief as CHOP. The motion was filed by the Public Interest Law Center, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that advocates for the civil, social, and economic rights of marginalized communities. Mimi McKenzie, the centers legal director, said the judges ruling was a complete rebuke to the DOJ and an affirmation that the federal government has no authority to root through private medical records. The court recognized that the Department of Justice is using its subpoena power not as a tool for legitimate inquiry, but as a tool for intrusion, and its not allowing that, McKenzie said late Friday. This is an important victory. Under this courts ruling their privacy is protected, their medical records are not going to be turned over, and this court is just not going to condone this type of government overreach. The CHOP case against the DOJ has become part of a broader legal battle playing out across the country. As part of an investigation into possible healthcare fraud or potential misconduct, the DOJ had issued subpoenas to CHOP and at least 19 other hospitals nationally that treat transgender youth. In September, a federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administrations attempt to subpoena medical records of patients who received gender-affirming care at Boston Childrens Hospital, ruling it was motivated only by bad faith. The DOJ has appealed the Boston ruling. The Trump administration has said doctors who prescribe to children and teens medications commonly used for gender-affirming care, such as puberty blockers and hormones, are engaging in chemical mutilation, likening it to child abuse. Teenagers are not mature enough to make such major decisions, the administration has argued. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other major medical associations, citing research, widely accept such use of these medications as safe, effective, and medically necessary for the patients mental health. In his ruling, Kearney said the DOJ subpoena was part of the Trump administrations strategy to end gender-affirming care for minors. Kearney noted a charged political environment in which the federal government views their medical treatment to [be] a radicalized warped ideology. He concluded that the state and not the federal government has the authority to regulate medical care, and gender-affirming care for minors is legal in Pennsylvania. President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade approximately one minute before he was shot, Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. Riding with President Kennedy are first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, right, Nellie Connally, second from left, and her husband, Texas Gov. John Connally, far left. (AP Photo/Jim Altgens, File) Read more They are stunned words of men escorting a dead president. On Saturday, a Philadelphia historical collection listed for sale an original Air Force One recording from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Advertisement Listed at $750,000 by the Raab Collection, the tape captures more than two hours of shocked radio conversations between Kennedy aides and military officials during the fateful flight home on Nov. 22, 1963. Discovered at the bottom of a box of JFK memorabilia at a private auction in 2011, the tape represents the earliest and most complete recording of Air Force One radio traffic from the day of the assassination. In staticky conversations, Kennedy aides, bearing the casket home to Washington, and White House officials awaiting them discuss grim logistics after a presidential killing arranging the removal of the coffin; transportation for the blood-soaked first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, and the new president, Lyndon Johnson; and an autopsy for the slain leader. Hours earlier, Kennedy, 46, had been fatally shot in a Dallas motorcade by Lee Harvey Oswald. One of a pair of identical tapes, the finding had caused a stir of controversy in JFK assassination research. Snippets from a heavily edited version of the tape had previously been released by President Johnson. No other recordings were thought to exist. At the time of their discovery, historian Douglas Brinkley described the tapes as a serious find and critical listening for all Kennedy researchers. Raab recently donated the other remaining recording to the National Archives as part of a settlement that allowed the collection to keep one. The tapes had long belonged to a senior military aide, Gen. Chester Clifton, who rode in the fateful motorcade and was aboard Air Force One. Raab had the tapes digitized from reel-to-reel form. This is a powerful moment in American history, said Nathan Raab, president of Raab Collection, which has offices in Ardmore and Center City. It is an incredible object, a unique discovery, and a reminder of our journey as a nation. To see the sale listing, visit www.raabcollection.com/presidential-autographs/jfk-original-tape-air-force-one U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat, speaks during her town hall in Downingtown on Oct. 2, 2025. Read more Spokespersons for U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat, and Rep. Chris Deluzio, a Western Pennsylvania Democrat, reported that the legislators district offices had been targeted with bomb threats on Friday. The threats came a day after President Donald Trump accused Houlahan, Deluzio, and four other Democratic lawmakers of sedition punishable by DEATH after they were featured in a video urging members of the military and intelligence community to refuse illegal orders. Advertisement All six are military veterans or members of the intelligence community. Early Friday evening, a spokesperson for Houlahan posted on the representatives X account that her district office in West Chester was the target of a bomb threat. Thankfully, the staff there as well as the office in Washington, D.C. are safe. We are grateful for our local law enforcement agencies who reacted quickly and are investigating, the post said. A spokesperson for Deluzio posted on X late Friday afternoon that the representatives district offices were targeted with bomb threats. In response to the video, Trump went after the six congressional Democrats in a string of posts on Truth Social Thursday. Houlahan lamented at a Friday news conference in Washington that not a single Republican in Congress has reached out to me, either publicly or privately since Trumps posts. SANTIAGO, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Four people were killed and 50 others injured after two intercity buses collided Saturday morning in the northern Chilean region of Antofagasta, the country's National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response said. The agency said in a statement that, according to first responders, the crash occurred in the Varillas area along Route 5 North in the Antofagasta municipality. A number of victims were taken to hospitals, including one person in serious condition, while 35 others with less serious injuries were treated at the scene, authorities said. Traffic along the route is being controlled by Carabineros, Chile's militarized police, until investigators determine the cause of the accident. Did you ever wonder what kind of sandwich Gavrilo Princip polished off in Moritz Schillers Sarajevo delicatessen before he walked outside and assassinated the passing Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, in 1914, whose deaths were the catalyst that triggered the First World War? I have always been fascinated by history, even though rote learning of dates and other vital facts during my school days too often numbed that part of me that found history so interesting in the first place. Back then, history was important figures, mostly men, and major historical events, mostly battles/wars, the Irish curriculum yet to truly engage with social history. Social history began to emerge as an educational alternative in the 60s, considering history from the bottom up, from the perspective of ordinary, everyday lives and lived experiences. When you can properly visualise the overall structure of a society, from lowest to highest, all history acquires a new-found colour and vibrancy. Decades later, I did a degree that included researching the Irish diet before the arrival of the potato in Ireland. Trawling a period when oral tradition dominated and written sources were few, required lateral thinking. Conversely, applying a social history perspective to mere culinary source material can inform the bigger picture. Tracing the evolution of the Irish peasants diet over the centuries from what was once the widest ranging and most nutritious diet in all of Europe, to the eventual and greatly restricted diet of little more than potatoes serves up the grievous impact of Irelands colonisation almost literally on a plate. Nora Thornton and Joanne Carroll are National Library of Ireland (NLI) archivists who combine a personal interest in food and food culture with their professional work. Beginning when Nora won an in-house staff bake-off competition several years ago using the archives 18th and 19th century recipes, she and Joanne have grown into the public face of the archives collection of 300-400 historic cookbooks and over 100 handwritten recipe manuscripts, which the NLI regularly releases to the general public. A recent tranche includes recipes for parsnip pudding (savoury or sweet), turnip soup requiring 12 large turnips, and a gingerbread loaf leavened with pearl ash (potassium carbonate), a forerunner of sodium bicarbonate or bread soda. From a culinary perspective alone, it is fascinating stuff. But it was a line in another recipe that Joanne encountered in Instructions To The Poor On How To Feed Themselves, by the Countess of Caledon, that again demonstrates in breathtaking fashion how social history can illuminate the overarching history of the times. Dating from 1847, the countess writes that time taken in queuing for a soup kitchen could be better spent cooking a nutritious meal. A single line in a forgotten cookbook, yet it is a startling encapsulation of the callous disconnection among the ruling classes as Ireland was being ravaged by the Famine. Getting back to Gavrilo. It was the BBC documentary series, Days That Shook The World, from the early 2000s, that introduced the sandwich story, a tiny detail yet it caught the popular imagination and spread like wildfire. History teachers embraced it to promote engagement among pupils. One pupil ran home to her historian father to tell him about the sandwich. He did some research of his own and it was social history that eventually debunked what had become a globally accepted fact the sandwich, then still very much an Anglo-American dish, was unlikely to have been on the menu at the time in Schillers. Any self-respecting Serb back then would have instead eaten a borek, a flaky pastry parcel with any of a variety of fillings, including meat, cheese, spinach, or potatoes. He concluded the most likely source was Twelve Fingers, a novel published a few years before the documentary, long enough for fiction to morph into fact. By the way, the NLI archive is open to the general public. That includes the aforementioned manuscripts and cookbooks, should you be looking for a new recipe for the weekend. Table talk I know its only November, but the Late Late Toy Show is only a couple of weeks away, enough time to order one of Mitchelstown-based Pralines Late Late Toy Show Christmas Box, full of treats for the entire clan to munch on during this rite of passage for generations of Irish children. It includes milk chocolate drops to make hot chocolate, with mini-marshmallows for on top, white crispy stars, rocky road Christmas trees and a tub of mini-sprinkle cookies. Order online for 35, including nationwide delivery. praline.ie Im presuming therell be none of the shenanigans on show in the current TV historical drama about the Guinness family when Ashford Castle commence honouring Lady Ardilaun of the same clan with a festive afternoon tea marking the 100th anniversary of her demise, from December 1 right through to January 5. Open to both residents and non-residents, the menu was created by executive head chef Liam Finnegan in collaboration with Guinness family historian Dr Kevin Egan. It includes clementine mousse with shortbread, choux bun with orchard apples, redcurrant mousse with spiced notes, and Valrhona chocolate with Guinness Foreign Extra, all served up in the castles Connaught Room, formerly Lady As drawing room. ashfordcastle.com TODAYS SPECIAL Ive long been a fan of Poachers range of tonics and mixers, very much my go-to choice of mixer when drinking from the top shelf. This Irish premium drinks company bring the same level of precision and innovation to their new canned sodas, blessedly shorn of much of the sugar of other similar fizzy beverages. Grapefruits tang surfs an Achill Island sea salt wave, while zesty lemon is freshened with mint grown in Wexford. Already a big fan of ginger beer and chilli on their own, this spicy combo made with organic ginger, lime zest, Irish apples, and chilli grown in Galway is far and away my favourite. All three should make for cracking alcohol-free alternatives, 2.35 each. poachersdrinks.com Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe, one of the most recognisable names in Irish style and a longtime fixture at London Fashion Week, has died aged 80. In a statement, his family said they were deeply saddened to announce the passing of Paul Costelloe following a short illness. He was surrounded by his wife and seven children and passed peacefully in London, they said, asking for privacy. In an additional statement on Saturday, the Costelloe family and team said: Paul has always been so grateful for the support you have all shown over his more than 40 years at the forefront of fashion. Our deepest thanks for the outpouring of love and tributes as we go through this difficult time. Mr Costelloe, who trained at the Grafton Academy of Fashion Design, began his career at the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris, before becoming a design assistant to Jacques Esterel, later moving to Milan to support Marks & Spencer in its drive to enter the Italian market. Marks & Spencers move into Italy was unsuccessful, but the Irishman remained in Milan as designer for the luxury department store La Rinascente, before moving to the US, where he was appointed designer to Anne Fogarty in New York. He launched his own label Paul Costelloe Collections in 1979 after successful stints working in Paris, Milan, and New York. He went on to build an international reputation, presenting collections at London Fashion Week for more than 35 years. Irish fashion designer Paul Costelloe (C) reacts as he works during a presentation for his Spring/Summer 2021 collection, at London Fashion Week in London, on September 18, 2020. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images) Speaking to the Irish Examiner in February, Mr Costelloe said he still loved his work.. His show at London Fashion Week for Spring Summer 2025 included wedding dresses for the first time. I think thats really where I come from, that age is like a university. You know, youve got all this knowledge and you should be sharing it, and every year youre richer for it. So Ive got no complaints from that point of view, he said. The more experience you have in this industry, the better you are. Why should I step back from that epitaph? What I have is [an] incredible amount of knowledge, incredible amount of knowing whats right, whats wrong, so should I step back and go slower?" In 1983, he was appointed personal designer to Diana, Princess of Wales, a role he held until her death in 1997. Mr Costelloe had spoken of how one of her staff spotted his designs in a small shop in Windsor, which led to a meeting with Diana in Kensington Palace. Diana, Princess of Wales, smiling during her visit to Sudbury, part of her official tour of Canada, wearing a pink suit designed by fashion designer Paul Costelloe (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images) He mostly dressed her for formal occasions, but one of his most memorable outfits for the late princess was a chiffon skirt that became slightly see-through when backlit, causing some controversy. I think there are always these people who you can throw anything on them, and they look great, he told the Irish Examiner. She could be the girl next door. She could be your neighbour. She could be something you will see briefly and never again. The collaboration brought him global attention and cemented his status as one of Irelands leading designers. Over the past two decades, Mr Costelloe also developed a highly successful partnership with Dunnes Stores, producing fashion and homeware lines that became staples for Irish shoppers. In October, Dunnes Stores marked 20 years of collaboration, with Mr Costelloe describing this as two decades of creativity, craftsmanship and partnership. Most recently, he served as the closing designer for the inaugural Ireland Fashion Week in October, underscoring his enduring influence on the industry. He continued to lead the design team for his company until his death. Mr Costelloe is survived by his wife Anna and seven children. Further funeral details have not yet been announced. Tributes Designer Edel MacBride posted online that she has known him for 40 years since they met in Limerick. Deeply saddened to hear Paul Costelloe has died after a short illness, she said, adding they worked together on men's and women's knitwear collections. Deeply saddened to hear Paul Costelloe has died after a short illness. Since meeting him as the external examiner 40 years ago in Limerick, working with him on mens and ladies collections #knitwear I blame him for everything - Adieu Maestro & gentleman #PaulCostelloe pic.twitter.com/EfolNJeAGk Edel MacBride (@edelspirit) November 22, 2025 Speaking at the G20 summit in South Africa, the Taoiseach paid tribute to Mr Costelloe. [I want to] express my deepest sympathies on the passing of Paul Costelloe, an icon of Irish design, who elevated Irish fashion to a world stage, Micheal Martin said. He's a significant loss to his family. Tanaiste Simon Harris expressed his sadness at Mr Costelloe's death. "I am saddened to learn today of the passing of Paul Costelloe, the renowned Irish fashion designer," he said online. "He leaves behind a body of work that shaped modern Irish fashion and will continue to shape it in the years to come. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered." He also said: "His eponymous fashion house has built an extraordinary legacy that will live on. He was and is a quite remarkable Irish success story." I am saddened to learn today of the passing of Paul Costelloe, the renowned Irish fashion designer. He leaves behind a body of work that shaped modern Irish fashion and will continue to shape it in the years to come. He will be greatly missed and warmly remembered. pic.twitter.com/IuPVBycvCX Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) November 22, 2025 The Grafton Academy of Fashion Design in Dublin, where he studied for a year as a young designer, also shared its condolences at his death. Broadcaster and writer Maia Dunphy shared on Saturday: So very sad to hear this news. The very definition of a "character", Paul didn't shy away from strong opinions, but was so charming, funny and talented. Thoughts are with his family, what a legacy he leaves. Norah Casey, publisher and broadcaster, said she worked with Mr Costelloe on many Irish Embassy fashion shows. I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul Costelloe, such a wonderful wamr man, one of our most celebrated designers. He was a great family man and also, many might not know, a talented artist, she shared online. She described him as an enthusiastic ambassador for Ireland in Britain, tremendously kind and generous to good causes. - additional reporting from PA Fresh from her run as Madam Butterfly, celebrated Irish soprano Celine Byrne is preparing for her festive Christmas celebration concert at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on December 14. Music has brought her all around the globe singing for presidents, popes, and royalty, and performing in some of the worlds most iconic opera houses. But for the Kildare native, its the memories, meals, and moments of stillness that mean the most. Favourite childhood holiday memory I grew up in the country, and we used to head off with the caravan hooked onto the back of the car to Tramore. But most of my childhood summers were spent on the bog, footing turf. Wed pile it up, bring it home in a trailer, and sit on top of it on the way back. Sometimes wed stop off for a swim in the canal all the things that would probably get you arrested for health and safety now! We didnt travel much. My dad never had a passport and was afraid to fly. But those summers on the bog were better than any holiday. We had such fun. Most memorable trip Celine Byrne in Switzerland Ive travelled the world with my work. Ive been to China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, and so many more. China really stands out. I probably wouldnt have been able to go there otherwise, but I performed concerts in places like Shanghai and Shenzhen. It was amazing to experience the culture. Thailand was another standout. I was invited to sing for the king and queen in Bangkok, which was such an honour. And Saudi Arabia was so different, it was a real cultural shock, but fascinating. Most surprising destination I was really surprised by Zadar in Croatia in the best way. Most people think of Dubrovnik or Split, but Zadar has so much history. It wasnt heavily bombed in the First World War so a lot of the Roman ruins are still there, including the old streets and Roman forums. The promenade was rebuilt after the Second World War using solar panels that light up at night. Theres also a sea organ built into the wall; the waves make music through the pipes. It was just stunning. You get a mix of history, culture, and being right by the sea. Favourite city I live in the country, so I dont like huge cities; New York was too big for me. I prefer smaller cities, and for me, Dublin is my favourite. Its not massive, but its full of culture and history. Theres the Book of Kells, St Stephens Green, and all the beautiful galleries and museums. I perform there often and love staying overnight when I do. I look forward every year to doing my Christmas gala at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, staying at the Marker Hotel, and going Christmas shopping the next day. Favourite hotel The Falkensteiner Hotel in Zadar, Croatia. That was my first time in a seven-star hotel, and it was incredible. We had massages on the beach, the spa was amazing, and the hotel pool used actual seawater. I prefer swimming in the sea to pools, less chemicals! But this place had it all, and my whole family was with me, my three kids, and my husband, so it made it extra special. I also have to mention the Clayton Hotel in Cardiff Lane; they always look after me so well when Im performing in Dublin. Most memorable food experience Turkish menemen Its not one experience, because I love food Im a real foodie! When Im home, I love going out with friends to try different restaurants. But when I travel, I love experiencing different cuisines. Turkish food is probably my favourite. Theres so little processed food there, everything is fresh. The carrots are bendy, the tomatoes taste like actual tomatoes. Their Turkish breakfast is amazing; small plates of everything. My favourite is a dish called Menemen: Eggs, herbs, and tomatoes. So simple and delicious. Favourite thing to do while travelling Definitely anything to do with history. Im very stimulated by history, so I love going to places where theres something to learn, from museums, ruins, and cultural landmarks. But I also have a bit of a quirky travel ritual: I always want a bath in my hotel room! Ive only had one bath in my own home in 18 years, I just cant relax at home. But in a hotel? Give me a bath, a glass of wine, and my comfy pyjamas, and Im in heaven. Bucket list trip Ive never been on a cruise and Id love to go. Not a booze cruise! But something like a Caribbean cruise. Ive been to many places in Europe for work, and Id like to see somewhere different. The Caribbean would be amazing getting to stop off at all the different islands, enjoy the weather, and explore somewhere new. I think Im at the age now where Im ready to give it a go! Once the meat of kings and chieftains medieval and renaissance literature is peppered with references to the fine straps and haunches of deer enjoyed by the aristocracy in Ireland wild venison has to date failed to capture the modern Irish imagination. But that could all change. Growth in the country's deer population means a plentiful supply, and a new drive to see wild venison as a sustainable and healthy option and an alternative to intensely produced meat is gaining ground. The recent spate of bird flu outbreaks may also see some consumers seeking turkey alternatives this Christmas. Already, a number of supermarket chains most notably the German discounters Aldi and Lidl are offering Irish wild venison steak and fresh venison roasting joint as part of their festive menus. More restaurants, too, seem to be offering local venison this season, particularly in Munster. Kerry chef Paul Treyvaud, based in Killarney, describes wild Irish venison as a stunning piece of meat. He has served venison on his Christmas menu for more than two decades and will have it again this year on the menu in Treyvaud's in Killarney. But he acknowledges that there is a reluctance among Irish people to cook venison. People are afraid of it. It is not available in the local butchers and many of the local supermarkets. However the chef believes that more and more, Irish people should be cooking it. For people new to venison, his advice is simple "You cook it exactly the same as steak." The backstrap or sirloin of venison is cooked exactly the same as beef sirloin sealed in a red hot pan and served medium. The haunch is like the back leg of lamb. It does more work than the strap, he says, and is therefore more muscley, but with a little bit of care it comes up beautifully too. It is incredibly tender meat, said Paul. The flavour of Irish venison is second to none." Treyvaud's wild Irish venison is sourced through registered suppliers. And Paul stresses that when we speak of Irish venison it is the non-indigenous deer sika introduced in the 19th century and fallow brought in by the Normans, for hunting and eating not the native Killarney Reds, Paul cautions. The Irish Deer Society, established in 1968 and concerned with the welfare of wild deer, also believes venison is a sustainable and indeed ethical choice. Venison is a protein source thats not only rich in nutrients but also has a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to traditional livestock. Choosing venison is more than a culinary decision its a step toward a more sustainable, ethical, and environmentally responsible food system, the society said. It is also exceptionally healthy leaner than beef, high in protein, packed with essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, and is low fat. Sika deer, the source of wild venison for eating, along with fallow. Picture: Criostoir Grayson/Irish Deer Commission When hunted ethically and locally, deer can be harvested with minimal stress and encourages a local and seasonal food system. But changing consumers' attitudes towards venison remains a big challenge. Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group, set up to by the Government to develop a national strategy for deer, said the big barrier is attitude. Irish people dont eat venison it's seen as expensive, elite meat, difficult to cook and very strong tasting, is one of the conclusions of the management group. Hunters, game handlers, Bord Bia, and chefs all need to be involved to help promote it, the group recommends. There are a number of references in the documents to developing the meat for the pet food industry, something that concerns the Irish Deer Commission, the hunters, and deer management conservation body, which obtained the documents. Deer management needs have to go hand-in-hand with a strong venison market, Damien Hannigan of the Irish Deer Commission said. Venison is a high-value meat and will complement our existing meat industry, any attempt to downgrade venison as a secondary meat will have negative consequences for deer management, the commission said in their submission to a public consultation on deer. Around 55,000 deer are culled in Ireland each year now mostly in Wicklow, Tipperary, West Cork, Waterford, Galway, and Kerry. The market for processed venison here is relatively small, with most of what the hunters take out in culls either eaten by themselves or sent in fur to the UK to be processed by approved game-handling establishments. Europe, where there is demand for venison, would be an ideal market for wild Irish venison, Mr Hannigan said. While venison is a super food in terms of health benefits, sustainable, and organic, the demand for venison in Ireland is low. A survey by the IDC found that 81% of respondents believe the Government should do more to develop the wild venison market in Ireland. Changes also need to be made in setting up larders locally and establish a system to make it easier for licensed hunters to sell deer carcasses directly to restaurants and butchers similar to what happens in Scotland. Kerry Wild Game, a venison supplier and processing business was established in Killorglin in 2020 by Jerome Cahill. It now takes in deer carcasses from across Munster. Kerry chef Paul Treyvaud, based in Killarney, describes wild Irish venison as 'a stunning piece of meat'. A hunter himself, he ensures the carcasses he receives are shot properly and cleanly. His is a fully licensed wild game operation inspected by the Department of Agriculture. His focus is the domestic market, supplying more than a dozen restaurants including a Michelin-star restaurant in Clare. Starting four years ago he supplied just two hotels. Last year he was able to open all year round. I saw the opportunity, Jerome said. The venison market, however, needs to be supported by better food promotion and State agencies. Often people's idea of venison comes from being given whatever the hunter does not want and gives to neighbours and the impression of venison is tough and strong, Jerome said. But this is not the case when it is properly hung and processed. Bord Bia, the Irish food development and promotion board, told the Irish Examiner while venison remains a niche element of overall meat production", recent developments indicate there is potential growth. Engagement with the small number of companies in Ireland which process and export venison has indicated that key export opportunities exist in central Europe, particularly in Germany, the food board said. "The lack of a traceability system or quality assurance standards, limits to some extent what we can do, however from a business expansion perspective Bord Bia will continue to engage with relevant companies and invest in identifying and supporting domestic and export market opportunities for Irish venison as appropriate, it said. Two people died after knife attacks in Cork homes in less than 48 hours over the last seven days. Early on Sunday morning, Mark OConnell, a 38-year-old father-of-three was stabbed multiple times outside a house in Hollyhill. On Monday after 9pm, Stella Gallagher, aged 59, and her husband, Brian Gallagher, aged 63, were also allegedly attacked at their home in an upmarket estate in Ballinlough. Mrs Gallagher, a mother-of-four and a retired chemical engineer, was killed and her husband was seriously injured. The couple's son, David Gallagher, aged 25, was subsequently charged with his mother's murder and assault causing harm to his father. The first of the two funerals was held on Friday morning. Mark O'Connell was remembered as his childrens biggest cheerleader. Mr OConnell was a kind and funny man who always had a smile on his face, his daughter Katlyn told some 100 mourners at his Requiem Mass in the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree, Cork City. My dad was my biggest supporter, Katlyn said. Whenever I had a match or anything I could hear his voice and it would always make it better. He cheered for me so loudly, she said. Hed tell all his friends how proud he was of me, Ill never forget that. She used to chat to her dad for hours and they danced and sang together, although neither of them were particularly good at it, she said to warm laughter from the mourners. Never in a million years did I think I would be up here talking about my dad, Katlyn said. Mr OConnell would always have a smile on his face when he brought his children to school on Fridays, playing their special Friday song and trying to make sure that they were in a good mood for the day. I remember the time we all went ice skating, and my dad was stuck to the fence the whole time. So I told him to hold my hand. We were ice skating and we slipped and he fell with me. He kept slipping trying to get up. I dont think ever ice skating again, she said to more giggles from the crowd. Mark OConnell would always have a smile on his face when he brought his children to school on Fridays, playing their special Friday song and trying to make sure that they were in a good mood for the day, mourners at his funeral heard on Friday. Picture: Larry Cummins My dad was the funniest man that ever came into my life. No matter what I went through he was there for me. Ill forever be grateful for everything hes done for me, she said. To remember her dads love of Liverpool football club, Katlyn brought a Liverpool scarf to the alter. His son Jake brought a lighter for his dads smokes. Hairspray was also brought to represent his love of his hair and himself which drew giggles from the crowd. But that laughter was a brief moment of some levity during a sombre service. Mr OConnells uncle, Father David OConnell, parish priest in Monkstown, gave the sermon. The news. The shock. The pain. The questions. The how, the where the when? The anger. The tears. The waiting for the process to be completed, Fr OConnell said. He thanked everyone who had been supportive to the family at an incredibly difficult time. Soft sobs could be heard throughout the service from pews throughout the large church. Older generations clasped their hands tightly in prayer. Youll Never Walk Alone, the Liverpool anthem, played as Mr OConnells coffin was brought from the church before being brought to his final resting place at St. Catherines Cemetery in Kilcully. 'Youll Never Walk Alone', the Liverpool anthem, played as Mr OConnells coffin was brought from the church before being brought to his final resting place at St. Catherines Cemetery in Kilcully. Picture: Larry Cummins Mr OConnell suffered multiple stab wounds in the driveway of a house in Hollyville, Hollyhill in Cork City early on Sunday morning. He arrived at the house and got into an altercation with a man who was known to him, it is understood. He was stabbed in the chest and shoulder area, it is understood. Although emergency services were called to the scene in Hollyville and Mr O'Connell was rushed to hospital, he was later pronounced dead. Mr O'Connell was the father of Katlyn, Jake, and Sean, partner of Samantha, and brother of Philip. He is predeceased by his mother Ann. A 55-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, but subsequently released without charge on Monday night. Gardai will prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions on the case. Ballinlough stabbing Approximately 41 hours after Mr OConnell was stabbed on Sunday, a second alleged knife attack was taking place in Cork. In the upmarket estate of Shrewsbury Downs in Ballinlough, on the southside of Cork City, a husband and wife were attacked at their home at approximately 9pm on Monday. David Gallagher, aged 25, was subsequently charged with murdering his 59-year-old mother, Stella Gallagher, and assault causing harm to his father, 63-year-old Brian Gallagher. David Gallagher (pictured) has been charged with murdering his 59-year-old mother and assault causing harm to his father. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Urgent psychiatric attention was requested for Mr Gallagher when he was charged on Wednesday in Cork district court. A neighbourhood WhatsApp group warned residents to stay inside and lock their doors in the minutes after a stabbing in Shrewsbury Downs, a quiet estate in the Ballinlough area of Cork, on Monday night. The couple lived in the estate for more than 10 years and worked as chemical engineers. Both had retired in recent years. They were parents to four adult children three sons and one daughter. Mrs Gallagher had worked for pharmaceutical multinational Eli Lilly. She worked under her maiden name of Stella Griffin. Mr Gallagher, a company director, had retired from PM Group. Ms Gallagher was originally from Ballinspittle in West Cork. She had studied at the Cork Institute of Technology (now the Munster Technological University) where she obtained a BSc in chemical engineering. Mr Gallagher was originally from Blackrock in Co Louth. Neighbours in the estate of large detached red-brick houses said they were shocked by the tragic news. Gardai and emergency services were called to the Shrewsbury Downs park in Ballinlough at around 9.15pm on Monday following reports from neighbours of an incident outside a residence. Members of the Armed Support Unit also responded. Stella Gallagher had worked for pharmaceutical multinational Eli Lilly. Photo via RIP.ie The couple was taken to Cork University Hospital with critical injuries. Mrs Gallagher was later pronounced dead, while her husband, Brian, was in a serious but stable condition this week following emergency surgery. In an interview with Newstalk, Taoiseach Michael Martin described the death of Mrs Gallagher as very, very sad news for the neighbourhood. And I live in that neighbourhood. This is totally unexpected and I can only think of the family and friends of the family who have been impacted by this awful incident, he said. The couple was quiet and there were never any problems with them, a neighbour who also asked not to be named said. A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been assigned to support the family of the deceased. SANAA, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- A Houthi-run court in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Saturday sentenced 18 Yemeni aid workers employed by United Nations humanitarian agencies to death for allegedly spying for Israel. The ruling says that the "convicts" will be executed by firing squad in a public place in Sanaa. Meanwhile, the same court handed two others, including a woman, 10-year prison terms on the same charges. In a statement broadcast by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the court accused the convicts of providing Israel, the United States, Britain, and Saudi Arabia with information on dozens of Houthi leaders' locations, movements, and secrets related to political, military, and security matters, as well as information about missiles, including their launch sites and storage facilities. The court added that the convicts recruited several citizens, installed surveillance cameras, and received payments in return, actions that led to attacks on multiple military, security, and civilian sites, causing dozens of deaths and extensive infrastructure damage. In August, a series of Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa -- carried out in response to Houthi missile and drone attacks toward Israel -- killed dozens of Houthi officials, including 12 "ministers" and Mohammed Abdulkarim al-Ghamari, chief of staff of the Houthi military forces, dealing a major blow to the movement. In response, the Houthis stormed several UN aid agency offices, detaining dozens of Yemeni aid workers, including those sentenced Saturday. Last week, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV aired footage showing those sentenced delivering what the Houthis claimed were "confessions." United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the Houthis, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN aid workers, and warned that obstructing humanitarian relief in Yemen puts millions at risk of famine. Since October 2023, the Houthis have launched a series of missile and drone attacks toward Israel to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Israel responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled sites and cities, resulting in casualties. Its almost 80 years since the novelist EB White, who wrote Charlottes Web, published an essay titled Here is New York a love letter to the city that never sleeps in which he shares his thoughts about its residents, culture, and history. Its perceptive and nostalgic, and its how I remember my time there. So complete is each neighbourhood, White writes, and so strong the sense of neighbourhood, that many a New Yorker spends a lifetime within the confines of an area smaller than a country village. As I write, we should be packing for a trip to Brooklyn for Thanksgiving. We decided to scrap that plan last May. Sometimes you have to go with the mood of a place, and what youre feeling and, right now, the mood in the States feels too volatile to entice us across the pond. Our plan was to spend a few days with friends. Tom, whom Ive known since college, has lived there since 1997 with his wife Carmen, whose parents left Venezuela 50 years ago. Brooklyn like so many locations that befriended the emigrant over the years has seen changes in how its immigrant population goes about daily life. Fear on the streets due to ICE Its not the same anymore, Tom explained during one of our lengthy chats last week, and its unlikely ever to be what it once was. The reason? Fear on the streets the relentless threat of being confronted and detained by officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Its reached the point where you dont have to be the specific target of a search operation; it can be the result of finding yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time. A man is detained during a protest in Paramount, California earlier this year after a swoop by ICE agents. Picture: Eric Thayer/AP Lifted and taken away without discretion in some cases. Its unforgiving for anyone who has overstayed their permitted time in the country. For those already in the US waiting for permanent residency, Trumps decision earlier this year to stop processing green card applications is a reason to worry. It never stops, and thats the mood in Brooklyn. That mood has escalated since ICE intensified its immigration purge earlier this year. Watching evening news footage of shackled immigrants on military deportation planes is chilling, and it serves as a reminder to anyone who is not a US citizen that they could be next. Deportations of Irish people rise Between January and September this year, 99 Irish people were deported, according to ICE statistics thats a 50% increase so far when compared to 2024. Some 56 Irish nationals were arrested in New York. It might be a miniscule number but, when more and more people without a criminal record are being detained, thats a serious concern. Bay Ridge in Brooklyn is known as little Ireland for obvious reasons. My first visit many years ago left a lasting impression. I could easily have stayed, and I was given plenty of reasons to. Its more home than home so strong the sense of neighbourhood as White writes. Take a stroll in Monsignor McGolrick Park on a Sunday afternoon the location for many of Bay Ridges Irish cultural events and try to place all the accents, and then tell me where you would find anywhere like that at home. Whether in Bay Ridge or 10 miles north in Monsignor McGolrick Park in Greenpoint (above), this part of Brooklyn is known as 'little Ireland' due to the generations of Irish people here. Picture: Wikipedia/Jim Henderson In Brooklyn, its all about family. Its where everybody knows your name. Is there even a pub that comes close to Farrells Irish Bar, near the south-west corner of Prospect Park? Its a community centre and a town hall rolled into one. Locals are its trademark since 1933. Police officers, lawyers, construction workers, and firefighters all share the same bar counter. One of its part-time bartenders, Vinnie Brunton, a captain from Ladder 105 in Brooklyn, died in the September 11 attacks. The Wicked Monk pub is where youll get the full Irish with black and white pudding. Key Food and Superfresh are the shops where youll find Barrys Tea and Tayto crisps. The Cathedral Basilica of St James is packed every Sunday morning. This is one of the last great Irish enclaves, but the locals are terrified. Nobody wants any trouble around here, people just want to be allowed to get on with their lives; which is why ICE officials are not welcome in this tight-knit Irish community that has thrived since the first immigrants arrived here in the 1840s. No doubt, the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Sunset Park is a chilling reminder to Brooklynites that this is where those detained by ICE are held these days. Known for its inhumane conditions, the notorious prison is where over 100 recently detained immigrants are now in limbo. Tom reckons many residents of Bay Ridge support Trumps initiatives to get criminals off the streets, but he says its widely agreed that a dangerous line is being crossed with the wrong people often being detained. Irish man held for 100 days for overstaying his visa by three days due to illness In a cautionary tale, a 35-year-old Irish engineer and father of three arrived in West Virginia to visit his girlfriend around this time last year. Under the visa waiver programme, he was allowed as a tourist to remain in the States for 90 days. He was due to return home last December, but badly tore his calf and was having trouble walking. A doctor warned him not to travel for up to 12 weeks because of the risk of blood clots, so his trip was delayed. As a result, his visit ran beyond the expiry of his authorisation (by only three days), which eventually landed him in ICE custody. Over the course of the next 100 days, he was detained in three different facilities where conditions were appalling, with no explanation for why he was being detained or when he could return home. Eventually, last March, he was escorted onto a flight back to Ireland by two armed federal officers and banned from entering the US for 10 years. It remains unclear why he was detained for so long for what is a minor immigration violation. Whats more concerning is that it could happen to anyone. The White House has set ICE a goal to arrest 3,000 migrants a day. The reason I take out holiday insurance before travelling to the States is to safeguard against the prohibitive costs that quickly build up in the case of a medical emergency. So what happens if my stay runs beyond my authorised 90-day limit as a result of my recovery? Any of us could be held by ICE Could that make me a target of Trumps immigration purge? In short, the answer is yes. Toms wife no longer socialises with friends. Before Trumps first term in office, she never felt conscious in public of her family background or skin colour. Now, that has all changed. She goes to work and comes home. She refuses to open the door to callers. She feels like a detainee in her own home. Shes aware that many of the immigrants that ICE is targeting are from Central or South America, which makes her feel vulnerable despite being a US citizen. Its like a trigger when the first thing they see is the colour of your skin, she told me. The fear that armed men in plain clothes and unmarked cars, who often identify as police officers they are not police officers are watching local schools and places of worship has changed the once-familiar way of life in Brooklyn. Tom apologised to me last May when I told him we had decided not to travel. We just dont want any unnecessary attention brought on ourselves right now, he said. No doubt thats what most hardworking American immigrants will be hoping for this Thanksgiving. The departure of Paschal Donohoe from Irish politics leaves a number of questions for the Government, the coalition and Simon Harris, but it raises just as many questions for Fine Gael. In his first interview following his shock departure on Tuesday, Mr Donohoe made a revealing comment to David McCullagh on RTE Radio One. Having made clear his intention to run in the general election last year on a number of occasions, Mr Donohoe admitted that the Fine Gael exodus ahead of last years election had an effect on him to the point that he considered joining those who were hanging up their boots, so to speak. The scale of departure of our party and Leo Varadkars decision to step aside cemented my decision to stand, he said. Everybody has a plan, but when the context around that plan completely changes, you then assess what youre going to do. And really it was my commitment to Simon [Harris], actually, and my faith in him, and my determination to make the case for a particular type of politics. Mr Donohoes position is understandable on a human level. When he first ascended to Cabinet in 2014, he likely expected to outlast the likes of Enda Kenny, Richard Bruton, and Alan Shatter, but watching Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar ride off into the sunset must have given him some pause. When the likes of Eoghan Murphy, Heather Humphreys, and a slew of others went in the lifetime of the last government, Mr Donohoe might have looked around the Fine Gael parliamentary party and found himself wondering who he might know in the Dail following last years general election. Mr Donohoes loyalty to Tanaiste Simon Harris In the end, out of loyalty to Tanaiste Simon Harris, Mr Donohoe said he decided to stick to his original plan and run last year. But, within a year, he is gone and all of a sudden, Mr Harris finds himself without a very senior and trusted colleague, but also the longest-serving uniterrupted member of the current Cabinet and thrust into the finance portfolio, all while in throes of attempting to steer a party that has undergone a near complete change in personnel in a short space of time. Mr Harris now finds himself still not 40 with a cabinet cohort all under the age of 50 and just two TDs elected before he was in 2011, Limericks Kieran ODonnell and newly-minted junior minister Frank Feighan, though Mr Feighan lost his seat in 2016 and regained it in 2020. On top of those demographic changes, Mr Harris has seen his party contest every type of election since his elevation to leader in April 2024, most recently an anaemic presidential operation for one of his departed former ministers, Heather Humphreys. That he has been on an election footing for the guts of two years is something of which the party is aware. Before Mr Donohoes departure, a communique to members acknowledged the fact and promised that Mr Harris would soon embark on a mission to meet with constituency organisations. Fine Gael in continuous election mode The party leader, an Tanaiste Simon Harris, is writing to each constituency noting that since he became leader, we have been in election mode almost continuously fighting local, European, general, and presidential elections one after another. It has been an intense and demanding period, and he wants to sincerely thank everyone for their work in that time. Now, with this cycle of elections complete, the Tanaiste has the opportunity to visit constituencies in a different way. Not to campaign, canvass, promote candidates, or fight elections but to meet directly with members. Therefore, the Tanaiste will meet with each constituency over the next six months with the focus on hearing from members. It is proposed that the engagements would take one of three forms a coffee morning, a public meeting, or a social gathering. Within the party, grassroots members echo that feeling, saying that the constant planning for an election of some kind has taken its toll, but so too has nearly 15 years of being in government. Constant firefighting along the way Brexit, covid, Ukraine, etc has meant that, along with coalition, the partys identity has become almost fluid. 'Prudent Paschal' oversees growth in spending Defined by many critics as conservative or austere and by colleagues as prudent Paschal, Mr Donohoe has in fact overseen a growth in total Irish spending from 2017 to 2026 of 58bn to 117bn. Along the way, Fine Gaels likeness as the party of parsimony and efficiency has become somewhat muddled. Speak to members at all levels and there is a sense of Fine Gael now being a bigger tent than ever, but without a guiding principle, a problem compounded by the loss of its ideological pathfinder in Mr Donohoe. In 2017, when Leo Varadkar was preparing to take up the role, he said that he would overhaul party structures and democratise its framework: I want to democratise the party, engage with members, and organise and mobilise to connect with a wider public. We will listen to their interests, concerns, and views and secure their confidence and support. Gaining new support must be a key priority for the new leader of Fine Gael. I believe I am best placed to do that. Fine Gael should be a party that can attract votes in Castleknock and Clondalkin, Dungarvan and Doohoma, not because we try to be all things to all people but because there are people in all areas and all walks of life who share our values. Fine Gael's use of electoral college system But Mr Varadkar was seen by many in the party as a better taoiseach than party leader and it was notable that both the race to replace him and to contest the presidential election following the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness saw no contests due in large part to the electoral college system the party uses which places huge weight on the endorsement of the parliamentary party members. In Mr Harris case, he had sown up backers so quickly that anyone who might have been minded to challenge was beaten before lunchtime the day after Mr Varadkar stepped down. Last year, Fine Gael arrested a late polling collapse to elect 38 TDs. Of that cohort, 22 are first time TDs, though some Micheal Carrigy, Emer Currie, Barry Ward, and John Cummins came through the Seanad. Mr Cummins, the partys youngest TD at 38, is the only one of that 22 who was elevated to junior ministerial ranks. It has been said that the feat of great sports managers is rebuilding a team while continuing to win something likened to performing surgery in a moving car and Mr Harris return with three more seats in the general election was contextually a victory. But he now takes on the weightiest portfolio in the county while economic headwinds gather pace. The loss of Paschal Donohoe made the surgery of rebuilding Fine Gael while in government just that bit more complex for the Tanaiste. Losing one business school may be a misfortune, losing two is surely careless. According to multiple sources, plans by UCC to build a much-heralded new Cork University Business School in the city have been shelved. The university has refused to confirm this to be the case, referencing in a statement that it is fully committed to developing a building for its business school and will provide an update in the New Year. This is exclusive subscriber content. Already a subscriber? Sign in Subscribe to access all of the Irish Examiner. Annual 13080 Best value Monthly 126 / month Within minutes of word leaking that Paschal Donohoe would step down from Government, speculation turned to who might replace him. The makeup of the Coalition means that the new finance minister had to come from the Fine Gael side of the house and, when eyes were cast around, only one person was thought to have had the experience necessary: The partys leader and Tanaiste, Simon Harris. A minister since 2016, he was the junior finance minister in the 18 months previously and, as party leader, has overseen the last two budgets. Peter Burke is a qualified accountant and widely thought of as a good minister for enterprise, but he is only at Cabinet for 18 months. Patrick ODonovan is in a similar situation, while Martin Heydon is only at the Cabinet table since January. Helen McEntees time in the Department of Justice had seen her become a lightning rod for criticism from Fianna Fail in last years election campaign, and the move to the education portfolio was something she is understood to have wanted. The idea of putting a junior minister into a position held by one of the best known politicians in the country didnt seem logical or feasible, and so it was the party leader. Within Fine Gael, there was surprise, but not shock, at Mr Donohoes decision. Some eyebrows were raised by the reshuffle, as one source said: The more you thought about it, the more sense it made. Closer budget analysis Within Fine Gaels benches, the move signifies a number of things. Firstly, how new the parliamentary party is 22 of its now 37 number were elected to the Dail for the first time just a year ago. Secondly, Mr Harriss desire to oversee spending at a closer level. Thirdly, Mr Harris taking on responsibility for just about everything Fine Gael does in the short- to medium-term. Sources said that, in recent parliamentary party meetings, the Tanaiste has espoused the need for brave decisions in the coming years if the promises and priorities laid out in the programme for government are to be met. Now, they said, he would be solely responsible for those decisions from a Fine Gael perspective. You can say what you like, one senior source said but hes taking on a lot of responsibility and really putting his career out there, banking on delivery in the next two years. Mr Harris will be minister for finance until the changeover in November 2027, at which point he will become taoiseach. In that case, it would have probably been easier for him to have a buffer between himself and whatever financial decisions need to be made between now and then. Part of the finance ministers utility to a party leader is often seen as being the bad cop, the one willing to shoot down ideas or spending requests. Simon can be agreeable in meetings with him, one TD says. But when it went to Paschal, it might be shot down. Hell have to balance those two things. But hes in a good position because its as far from the budget as you can really get, so he doesnt have to deal with the budget process just yet Among the Fine Gael backbenches, the move has gone down extremely well. While TDs are lamenting the loss of Mr Donohoe, who one called the glue of the party, there is a belief that Mr Harris was the most sensible choice for Fine Gael. Cork North East TD Noel McCarthy said the move was the most straightforward and logical choice, and said Mr Harris has a lot of experience to do the job. Mr McCarthy said the Tanaiste was always approachable, but that his focus on finance would make him more attuned to bread and butter cost-of-living issues. Laois TD Willie Aird said Mr Harris is the most suitable person for the job, while another TD said the phenomenally intelligent Mr Harris would be well able for the job. However, others worry that Mr Harriss attention could be taken away from party matters if and when the economic context shifts. Its hard to be party leader and anything else, one parliamentary party member says. But being over finance, which is incredibly detailed and busy, wont exactly leave time for much else. Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has only been in Cabinet since January, but is a former junior finance minister herself. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Others worry that Mr Harris will have to be more detail-oriented and less public-facing in his new role, saying that Mr Donohoe was not as visible as the Tanaiste. Of those Cabinet members mentioned above, one who might have been moved into the role is Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The health minister has only been in Cabinet since January, but is a former junior finance minister herself. She has also been clear in the past that she would like to lead Fine Gael. There are some who believe that not elevating her to finance or junior minister Neale Richmond to Cabinet was as much about blocking the path of potential challengers as it was about experience, though many supporters of Mr Harris reject this. In Fianna Fail, there are some who believe that the move could stymie Mr Harris. If he has to take responsibility for everything, and loses the ability to comment on things that are outside his department, he runs the risk of being just another minister. 'Knowing the job inside and out' Mr Donohoe, who starts his new job as managing director of the World Bank on Monday, told RTE that the Tanaiste will excel in the role. He already knows the role so well. He was a minister for state in the Department of Finance and then, critically, he was taoiseach and Tanaiste in working with me on two budgets. He chaired the Cabinet subcommittee on the economy and he chaired the trade council. He is as close as possible to knowing this job inside out without having done it. Taking on the role is something of a swing for the fences from Mr Harris, and his stewardship of the Irish economy over the next two years has the potential to elevate him to a level of seriousness and substance which his detractors say he lacks. But it could swing the other way. By making himself essentially the unparalleled top person in the party, he is essentially tying Fine Gaels fortunes to himself. This makes the next 24 months the making or breaking of Simon Harris. Israels military on Saturday launched airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza in the latest test of the ceasefire that began on October 10. Health officials in Gaza reported at least 24 people killed and another 54 wounded, including children. The Israeli strikes came as international momentum was building on Gaza, with the UN Security Council on Monday approving the US blueprint to secure and govern the territory. It authorises an international stabilisation force to provide security, approves a transitional authority to be overseen by President Donald Trump and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state. 69,733 The number of Palestinians believed to have died during the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip Israel has previously carried out similar waves of strikes after reported attacks on its forces. At least 33 Palestinians were killed over a 12-hour period on Wednesday and Thursday, mostly women and children, health officials said. One of Saturdays strikes targeted a vehicle, killing 11 and wounding over 20 Palestinians in Gaza Citys Rimal neighbourhood, said Rami Mhanna, managing director of Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken. The majority of the wounded were children, director Mohamed Abu Selmiya said. A Associated Press video showed children and others inspecting the blackened vehicle, whose top was blown off. Another strike targeting a house near Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza killed at least three people and wounded 11 others, according to the hospital. It said a strike on a house in Nuseirat camp in central Gaza killed at least seven people including a child and wounded 16 others. And a strike targeting a house in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza killed three people, including a woman, according to Al-Aqsa Hospital. In separate statements, the Israeli military said soldiers killed five terrorists in the Rafah area, and two others after firing at four people who crossed into Israeli-held areas in northern Gaza and advanced toward soldiers in two separate incidents. The war began with the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023 that killed some 1,200 people and took over 250 hostage. Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals. Gazas Health Ministry says 69,733 Palestinians have been killed and 170,863 injured in Israels retaliatory offensive. The toll has gone up during the ceasefire both from new Israeli strikes and from the recovery and identification of bodies of people killed earlier in the war. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures but has said women and children make up a majority of those killed. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts. UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan has been reporting escalating intercommunal violence, cattle raids and aerial bombardment in the country's Upper Nile State, a UN spokesperson said Friday. The incidents in Ulang and Baliet counties of the Upper Nile State, according to local authorities, have caused multiple casualties, impacting women and children, and displaced around 12,000 people, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, at a daily briefing. The United Nations is "deeply concerned by the rising violence in Upper Nile State," Dujarric told reporters. In response, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan deployed a patrol to Baliet this week, where peacekeepers engaged with local officials and provided emergency medical assistance, he said. By Sandra de Souza Hacon, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) (The Conversation) In a conversation with Luciana Juliao, environment editor at The Conversation Brasil, during COP30 in Belem, Fiocruz researcher and environmental health specialist Sandra Hacon explained why the integration of climate, environment and health has guided her research for two decades. Hacon has a background in biology and ecology and is a member of the Amazon Scientific Panel (Painel Cientifico da Amazonia), the Climate Network of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Rede Clima), and the National School of Public Health (ENSP). Since 2005, she has been conducting studies on the impacts of climate change on health and the social determinants that amplify these effects, analysing how deforestation, ecological changes and inequalities structure the circulation of viruses, vectors and other biological agents in different territories. Check out an excerpt from the conversation: My background is in Biology and Ecology. I am also part of the Scientific Panel for the Amazon, which brings together more than 320 scientists, and I am a member of the Climate Network of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and am from the National School of Public Health. I have been working at Fiocruz for 25 years and have been working on climate change since 2005, assessing its impacts on health and the social determinants that aggravate them, because we know that inequalities amplify the effects of climate change. Since the beginning, when I wrote my first scientific article, I have been seeking to integrate environment and health, because there is no human well-being without a healthy environment. What we do at Fiocruz is precisely that: environmental health. I cannot see the planet without this ecological connectivity that involves human beings. In isolation, academic disciplines do not explain the impacts we are experiencing. Environmental health proposes precisely that: to assess the effects of large projects and also of ongoing environmental transformations. Deforestation in the Amazon, a topic I have always heard about, is now understood as part of a larger process of degradation: alteration of the hydrological cycle, pollution, loss of biodiversity, illegal mining. As much as climate discussions take centre stage here at COP 30, it is politics that prevails. But we cannot be afraid of politics, and we need to understand what is happening in Brazil and around the world in order to understand the changes underway and their direction. For example, there are parallel debates to the conservation of the Amazon that concern the Congo rainforest, the second largest on the planet. From an environmental health perspective, we need to discuss the role of these forests in order to formulate health promotion policies and take proactive action. Historically, Brazil has waited for things to happen before taking action we have seen this in Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Sebastiao, Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro and so many other places we experienced natural disasters caused by extreme weather and climate events. Health in the climate change discussions With each environmental disaster, the question returns: how many more times will we have to see this scenario play out before we change course? Health continues to be a latecomer to this discussion. Until the fourth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), a UN scientific body created in 1988, there was almost no mention of health. It was only in 2007 that the panel began to look at the issue differently, revealing how we insist on separating what has never been separate. Health and the environment have always been connected. The forest peoples know this, the riverside communities know this, the quilombolas and indigenous peoples know this. Is it only white men who still do not know this? And yet we pride ourselves on having so much knowledge; I would say that we know very little. I have been following the UN Climate Change Conferences for many years and have never seen an audience like the one in Belem: sensitive to climate change. This is good, because it indicates greater awareness, but we cannot just stick to theory. The Amazon is home to the greatest indigenous diversity in Latin America and is the biome with the largest number of microorganisms on the planet and the least known. We have identified around 48 important viruses, all of them Amazonian, but a vast number remain unknown. The Oropouche virus is an example: endemic to the region, it began to spread after intense deforestation near Manaus and quickly spread throughout Brazil and Latin America. Viruses respond to environmental pressures temperature, humidity, ecological changes and mutate until they find ideal conditions. Dengue fever demonstrates this: when the minimum temperature, previously between 15C and 18C, rises to 22 C, it creates the perfect environment for Aedes aegypti and the virus to multiply more quickly. This is how we reached millions of cases in a single state. Today, dengue fever is found all over the world: Germany, the United States, Italy. And this applies to other arboviruses, such as chikungunya. On 12th November, Brazil had the highest incidence rate of chikungunya in Latin America, with the highest number of cases in Rio Grande do Sul. This is linked to the imbalance of rainfall, tornadoes, and windstorms that cause viruses, bacteria, and fungi to circulate much faster. Based on this diagnosis and biotechnological advances, institutions such as Fiocruz are developing new vaccine platforms. If the virus adapts, we seek to identify the critical point for intervention. But we should not act only after the damage is done. Healthcare is not yet prepared to face the climate crisis not because of a lack of technology or professionals, but because the system works reactively. Diseases change quickly; healthcare cannot keep up with this speed. There is a lack of installed capacity, integrated surveillance, and coordinated response. Other countries face the same problem. The challenge is to accelerate team building, strengthen early warnings, and bring healthcare closer to climate modelling. When the National Centre for Natural Disaster Monitoring and Alerts (Cemaden) points out a risk, as it did in Sao Sebastiao, the signs were already there. Anticipating and preventing Prevention is still weak in Brazil and Latin America. The culture is to act after the fact. But the climate crisis requires behavioural change, immediate action, monitoring and surveillance. There are important experiences, such as the app developed by Marcia Chame, from Fiocruz, which is used by forest peoples to record dead animals. This is how a possible yellow fever epidemic was prevented in Parana, because non-human primates die first. Other diseases do not have such a clear sign, and monitoring needs to start in the field, in the village. We also need specific programmes for newly contacted indigenous peoples. Those who have not yet been contacted are difficult to monitor, but those who have recently been contacted can be monitored and this should be a priority so that ongoing mutations do not reach these populations and, later, the so-called white man. We have the technical conditions. We know how to do it. What is lacking is political decision-making and the allocation of resources which clearly exist, as shown by the ever-increasing parliamentary expenditures of taxpayers money. Brazil has everything it needs to be a leader in Latin America: excellent institutions, qualified researchers, and countless partnerships. We have the means to be proactive, but we are in a holding pattern. And there is a sign of that here at COP30 itself: people do not make the connection between climate, environment, and health. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash Air conditioning is insufficient, the heat and humidity are high, and many arrive tired and dehydrated. High temperature and humidity disrupt homeostasis, especially for those with hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular disease it is a trigger that can lead to anything from dehydration to death. I saw people with disabilities and elderly people feeling unwell. At an event on climate, health was not a central theme, although it should have been. We presented a report on communicable diseases, zoonoses, outbreaks, vectors, viruses and climate, but health remains on the sidelines. The connection between climate, environment and health is here for all to see and yet it remains unseen. Placing this urgency at the centre of the debate is what environmental health seeks to do. Sandra de Souza Hacon, Doutora em Geociencias, mestre em Poluicao Ambiental e responsavel pelos cursos de pos-graduacao da Escola Nacional de Saude Publica, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The paradox of Indias unhelpful stance at COP30, which has gone into extra innings over the obstacles the like-minded developing countries have placed in the way of a renewed pledge to transition away from fossil fuels, lies in New Delhis impressive investments in renewables. That is, even the right wing Hindu nationalist government of India has ambitious plans to transition to green energy, so why not just sign on with Spain, Germany, France and the UK in making that commitment? A case in point is the 2.45 gigawatt Pugal Solar Park in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, to be built on 18.5 square miles of the Thar desert, and which will go online in 2028. It will be one of the largest solar parks in the entire world. Solar panels are still relatively bulky and benefit from constant sunshine, so deserts are ideal places to install them. Most of India has a densely populated lush, green geography fed by seasonal monsoon rains, but the northwest is the site of an arid zone stretching from Rajasthan into East Punjab. Or by check: Juan Cole P. O. Box 4218, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548 USA (Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) The people who traditionally lived in arid Rajasthan, the Rajputs, included many pastoral nomads whose style of life resembled that of Turkic tribes in Central Asia. Pastoralists make use of marginal land with occasional pasture to raise livestock by taking them around to greenery, which requires mobility. It is no wonder that the Rajputs, though Hindus, became partners in the Muslim-ruled Mughal Empire established by a Turko-Mongol dynasty in the 1500s, the Mughals, who had come down from what is now Uzbekistan. Most Mughal rulers had Rajput wives or mothers. Todays Rajasthan is a state with a population of around 81 million, similar to Germany, and with a state gross domestic product of around $200 billion. If it were a country it would rank between Morocco and Ukraine for GDP. The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, Limited, is investing in the Pugal solar park, which will innovate by including 5 gigawatt hours of BESS (Battery energy storage system). Such megabatteries store excess power generated by the panels during the day for release in the evening and at night, and solar + battery is becoming the industry standard in places like California, where it has forestalled summer brownouts for several years in a row now. As in California, Rajasthan has a power deficit in the late afternoon and evening, as the sun dims and sets and as workers come home to cook meals, watch television, and use electricity for other activities. The battery energy storage system will smooth out that energy trough. Never miss an issue of Informed Comment: Click here to subscribe to our email newsletter! Social media will pretend to let you subscribe but then use algorithms to suppress the postings and show you their ads instead. And please, if you see an essay you like, paste it into an email and share with friends. Patrika.com reports that this solar park is being developed under a plug and play model, where all necessary facilities such as roads, drainage systems, boundary fencing, and power infrastructure are being prepared in advance, so that investors can start work easily. Rajasthan already had the enormous Bhadla Solar Park, which is purely solar-based, with 10 million solar panels and a capacity of 2.245 gigawatts, and which is also among the largest in the world. The new Pugal solar park will help move the state toward energy self-sufficiency. Photo of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India by Anmol Jain on Unsplash India in 2025 has 249 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, some 94 gigs of which is solar. In the past five months 1.2 million households have installed rooftop solar. On one day in July of this year, renewables accounted for 50% of electricity consumption. The rate of growth in Indian greenhouse gas emissions is slowing and the country may be reaching a plateau, because of the extensive increase in green energy. Emissions from coal dropped 4% this year. Some 8.7 percent of new automobile registrations were EVs. In 2025, India decommission 4.6 GW of old coal plants, and it has no plans to build new coal plants past 2028. So Indias trajectory isnt what the Paris Climate Treaty envisaged, and is slower than the world needs it to be, but the country seems to be moving in the right direction, certainly compared to Russia or (so far) Iran. Why not just toot that horn? K-State veterinarian shares Thanksgiving pet safety reminders K-State veterinarian Susan Nelson shares tips to keep pets safe this Thanksgiving. | Download this photo. The Thanksgiving holiday brings family, food and festivities but it can also bring hidden hazards for pets. As kitchens fill with tempting aromas and guests come and go, Susan Nelson, clinical professor and veterinarian at Kansas State University's Hill's Pet Health and Nutrition Center, is reminding pet owners to keep safety in mind during celebrations. "Many Thanksgiving foods and decorations can pose serious risks to pets if ingested or mishandled," Nelson said. Keep bones out of reach and do not intentionally feed bones to your pets. Bones can cause tooth damage, become a choking hazard, or lead to gastrointestinal obstructions or perforations, Nelson said. Ingesting corncobs can also result in fatal gastrointestinal complications. When preparing food, do not feed any raw meat scraps to your pet, as these can potentially make your pet as well as people living or interacting with them sick. "There are other things you can feed your pet instead of fatty foods," Nelson said. "Gravy, dark meat, ham, butter and meat drippings can lead to gastrointestinal upset and, in some cases, fatal pancreatitis. As an alternative, offer vegetables not cooked in butter, chopped apples, plain pumpkin or sweet potatoes." Raw dough can cause bloating and alcohol poisoning. Garlic, onion, leeks and chives often used in dressings and gravies can destroy red blood cells in pets if ingested. "There are a number of common foods and beverages that could be toxic to your pet if ingested," Nelson said. "Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, currants, macadamia nuts, artificial sweeteners like xylitol, and alcoholic and caffeinated beverages out of reach." If possible, Nelson suggests using baby gates or other barriers to block your pet's access to the kitchen or food preparation areas to prevent them from getting into unsupervised food. Make sure garbage is placed in closed, pet-proof containers and kept out of reach. Be sure to keep baking twine and foil out of reach and in the garbage as well, as they can also cause GI obstruction, Nelson said, and the lingering scent of food on them makes them a temptation for your pet. "When decorating your home, be mindful of things that could be harmful to pets," Nelson said. "Consider using battery-operated candles, as burning candles pose a risk of burns to your pet and, if tipped over, could lead to a house fire." If decorating with floral arrangements, be aware of what flowers are included. Lilies can be deadly to cats and harmful to dogs, depending on the species, Nelson said. Any part of the lily including pollen is toxic to cats, she said. "It's also important to know if guests make your pet nervous," Nelson said. "If they do, put the pet in a closed room away from guests with something to distract them, such as a toy or food puzzle. Be sure to watch the doors as guests arrive and leave so your pet doesn't escape and become lost." Some pets may need anxiety medication while guests are visiting, so Nelson suggests speaking with your veterinarian for the best recommendations. It's also a good idea to have your pet microchipped and include ID tags on their collar in case they wander off. Make sure your contact information is up to date. If you suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 for guidance. ### Tunisian Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani addresses the first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) TUNIS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine opened on Friday in the Tunisian capital, bringing together officials, medical experts, and business representatives from China and across Africa. Co-organized by the Tunisian Health Ministry and China's National Health Commission, the two-day forum aims to strengthen public health cooperation and deepen medical exchanges between China and African countries. In a video address, Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, said China is ready to work with African partners to bolster public health systems and expand cooperation in areas including infectious disease control and maternal and child health. Tunisian Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani said the forum sought to build an equitable China-Africa partnership, reflecting Tunisia's view of health as a fundamental human right. He noted Tunisia's long-standing role as a bridge for China-Africa medical cooperation, dating back to the first Chinese medical mission in 1973. Ferjani described the forum as an unprecedented platform combining Tunisian expertise, Chinese scientific capacity and African ambitions for health development. Hundreds of medical professionals from China and more than a dozen African countries are attending the event. Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, delivers a video speech at the first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 21, 2025. The forum opened on Friday in the Tunisian capital, bringing together officials, medical experts, and business representatives from China and across Africa. Co-organized by the Tunisian Health Ministry and China's National Health Commission, the two-day forum aims to strengthen public health cooperation and deepen medical exchanges between China and African countries. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Guests attend the first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 21, 2025. The forum opened on Friday in the Tunisian capital, bringing together officials, medical experts, and business representatives from China and across Africa. Co-organized by the Tunisian Health Ministry and China's National Health Commission, the two-day forum aims to strengthen public health cooperation and deepen medical exchanges between China and African countries. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony to mark the completion of the China-aided project to expand and upgrade Mauritania's National Institute of Public Health was held on Friday in Nouakchott, capital of the northwest African country. At the ceremony, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani and Chinese Ambassador to Mauritania Tang Zhongdong jointly unveiled the project in the presence of Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay and Minister of Health Abdallahi Sidi Mohamed Wedih as well as more than 200 participants including cabinet members, local officials, diplomatic envoys, representatives of international organizations and representatives of Chinese enterprises. Wedih thanked the Chinese government for the project, saying that the institute, featuring advanced design, complete facilities and strong functionality, is another major outcome of China-Mauritania health cooperation, which will greatly enhance Mauritania's capacity in public health research and disease prevention. Mauritania looks forward to further deepening cooperation with China in the health sector by drawing on Chinese concepts, technologies and experience to improve the country's medical conditions and health system, Wedih added. Tang, for his part, said the friendship between China and Mauritania has stood the test of time. Over the 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have remained trusted friends and brothers supporting each other regardless of an ever-evolving international landscape. He depicted the completion of the project as an important achievement in implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state and in deepening bilateral cooperation. The China-aided institute, located in southern Nouakchott, is a 12,000-square-meter facility with over 8,100 square meters of construction area. The facility houses public health service areas, administrative offices, and supporting infrastructure and is equipped with more than 50 modern laboratories and over 100 pieces of equipment for testing food, water, bacteria and viruses. Saturday, November 22, 2025 - Detectives from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) have arrested Asho Kassim Hassan, a woman suspected of soliciting and providing support to a terrorist group. Her arrest follows an intelligence-led operation that led detectives straight to her hideout along Major Muriithi Street in Eastleigh. Upon arrest, detectives recovered a passport and a mobile phone, which have since been retained by Forensic analysts for further examination in an effort to identify the wider network to which she may be linked. She is currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment. Through intensified intelligence operations, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and sustained community partnerships, the DCI remains steadfast in safeguarding the country and ensuring that every Kenyan can go about their daily lives without fear. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, November 22, 2025 - Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli, has denied reports suggesting that he endorsed Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya as the political leader of Western Kenya. A poster circulating online claimed Atwoli had thrown his weight behind Natembeya, portraying him as the Luhya communitys seniormost leader. The post implied that Atwoli was impressed by Natembeyas rise, a move seen as undermining Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula. Atwoli swiftly dismissed the poster as fake, reiterating his long-standing support for Mudavadi and Wetangula. The outspoken union boss has consistently rallied the Luhya community behind the two leaders, insisting that they are best positioned to chart a viable political course. He has even urged one of them to contest the presidency in the 2032 General Election. Natembeya, however, has positioned himself as a rival voice in Western Kenya politics. Through his Tawe Movement, the Governor has accused Mudavadi and Wetangula of leveraging the regions numerical strength for personal bargaining power in successive regimes, without delivering tangible benefits to ordinary citizens. He has vowed to dislodge them from community leadership. Natembeya joined elective politics in 2022, winning the Trans Nzoia governorship after a career in the Ministry of Interior, where he last served as Rift Valley regional coordinator. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, November 22, 2025 - Three Kenya Airways employees have been sentenced to 25 years in prison each after being found guilty of trafficking heroin valued at more than Ksh 60 million. According to a statement released on Saturday, November 22nd , by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Court handed down the sentences to Lennox Chengek Chestit, a cabin crew member; Kenneth Sinzore Isundu, a ground staffer; and Alfric Odhiambo Otieno, also a cabin crew member. Alongside the lengthy jail terms, each convict was slapped with hefty fines ranging between Ksh 88 million and Ksh 90 million. Failure to pay will add an extra year behind bars, to run concurrently with their main sentences. The convictions stemmed from two separate counts of trafficking narcotics. In the first count, Chestit and Isundu were found guilty of trafficking 9,845.70 grams of heroin worth Ksh29.5 million. In the second one, Otieno and Isundu were convicted of trafficking 20 kilograms of heroin valued at Ksh60 million. Senior Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku dismissed their appeals for non-custodial sentences, stressing that drug trafficking offences fall outside the scope of the Community Service Orders Act. To see employees of Kenya Airways themselves involved in drug trafficking is more damaging than any of them possibly imagined, she noted, highlighting the reputational harm to national institutions. DPP Renson Ingonga welcomed the judgment, calling it a strong signal of Kenyas resolve to dismantle drug networks. This verdict sends a clear message that no individual or institution is beyond the reach of the law, he affirmed. Saturday, November 22, 2025 - Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, brother to late ODM leader, Raila Odinga, has reportedly been airlifted to Dubai for specialized medical care. According to outspoken blogger Aoko Otieno, Oburu was flown out of the country shortly after joining Kasipul MP aspirant, Boyd Were, in vigorous campaigns across Homa Bay County. While the exact nature of his illness remains unclear, his sister Ruth Odinga confirmed that he is indeed abroad. Ruth, however, told the public that Oburu is merely taking a three-day rest, a statement that has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about the seriousness of his condition. ODM Party Leader Oburu Odinga has travelled to Dubai for a 3-day visit to rest following a hectic political period, she posted. The contrasting narratives have left many wondering whether the veteran politicians health is more serious than publicly disclosed, with supporters closely monitoring updates. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, November 22, 2025 - Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has shared a touching photo spending quality time with his daughter Salma, days after dramatically rescuing her from an abusive marriage. In the photo, Salma appears relaxed and cheerful as she bonds with her father, mother, and siblings, a stark contrast to the turmoil she has allegedly been enduring. Sonko accompanied the photo with a powerful message urging parents to speak openly with their children about toxic relationships. Parents, teach your sons and daughters that coming home after a failed relationship is better than coming home in a coffin, he wrote. The flamboyant politician caused a buzz earlier in the week after he stormed his son-in-laws house in Kitengela, confronting him for reportedly assaulting his daughter. The confrontation sparked widespread debate online, with many applauding Sonko for defending his child and speaking boldly against domestic abuse. The Kenyan DAILY POST CAIRO, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese film The Botanist achieved a big success at the 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which concluded here Friday night, winning the best Asian feature film award, or the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award. The film, directed by Jing Yi, also received a special mention in the International Critics' Week Competition. Ahmed al-Saeed, a jury member of the NETPAC Award, said The Botanist stands out for offering a rare cinematic vision defined by its quiet confidence and mature restraint, noting that the director shapes the film's world through emotion and imagery rather than plot. "With a gentle, poetic touch, the director portrays the bond between the Kazakh boy and the Han girl as a soft whisper of coexistence, turning ethnic diversity in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region into a purely human and aesthetic experience," al-Saeed told Xinhua. He said the film's strength lies in its ability to transform nature into a spiritual space the boy breathes in, pointing out that mountains, valleys and shifting light become a narrative language of their own, mirroring the director's solitude and the subtle changes surrounding him. "Taken together, these elements reveal The Botanist as an impressively mature debut, crafted with sensitivity, attentive to the pulse of people and landscapes. Its human sincerity, fused with its quiet, lyrical visual style, is ultimately what earns the film its deserved recognition," he said. Launched in 1976, the region's oldest annual film festival concluded a ten-day celebration at the Cairo Opera House, with the Palestinian cause at its heart. CIFF President Hussein Fahmy delivered a moving address, highlighting cinema's power to document reality and preserve truth. Following Fahmy's remarks, the image of six-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, who was killed by the Israeli army during the Gaza war, appeared on screen, accompanied by the audio recording of her final call for help. "The power of cinema lies in its ability to document, and to keep real stories alive and indelible, regardless of how some may try to ignore or overlook them. Thus, Hind, her story, and her voice remain present. And the children who resemble her are not just statistics, but real human beings of flesh and blood," Fahmy said. Its day one of Punchestown Racecourses Premiere Weekend and todays eight-race card hosts some high class contests, namely the Grade One Morgiana Hurdle and the Grade Two Florida Pearl Chase. Read on for a full preview of the Punchestown card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who also provide the latest Leopardstown betting. The action begins with a three-year-old maiden hurdle run over the extended two miles (11.30). Jessica Harringtons Quinta Do Lago won his hurdle debut last month on good ground by a clear margin so should factor again, but encounters much more testing conditions this time. Joseph OBriens Glen To Glen should go well, having run a good race first time over hurdles at Navan last month on heavy ground and progress could be expected. A two and a half mile maiden hurdle for four-year-olds is next (12.00). With 25 runners on the card, many of which are tried for the first time, this is a difficult race to judge on paper. JP McManus plays a strong hand, owning three of the 25, and his first string is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Sound As A Bell, who is ridden by retained rider Mark Walsh. With winning point-to-point form, he looks promising, but Gordon Elliotts Santo Sospir has already won at this track on heavy ground like we have today and he might be a better option. Race three is a beginners chase run over two miles and three furlongs (12.32). Willie Mullins first string here is Kitzbuhel, who was a high class hurdler last season, performing in Graded races, and plenty will be keen on him as he makes his debut over fences. He should outclass the rest if his hurdling ability translates over the larger obstacles, and stablemate Wheres My Jet might be the one to chase him home. The Grade Two Florida Pearl Novice Chase is next (1.05), run over three miles. Each of the six runners has had a race already this term, making this a fairly level playing field. Declan Queallys horse Rockys Diamond was the highest rated hurdler of the lot and has made a strong start over fences, having place a close second in a Listed chase at Wexford last time. He ought to be the one to beat, but the heavy ground might get the best from Henry De Bromheads Koktail Divin and he could make the placings at least. A two and three quarter mile handicap chase follows (1.40). With Willie Mullins 149-rated High Class Hero in the mix, there is a great disparity between the top and bottom ends of the handicap here, and it might be that this race is winnable for stablemate Sa Majeste. High Class Hero will take some beating though, even carrying top weight by such a margin, as he can operate on this surface. Mark Walshs ride for JP McManus, though, is Waterford Whispers, who may be able to spring a surprise. The prestigious Grade One Morgiana Hurdle is race six (2.10). Run over the extended two miles, this race hosts some of the countrys best two-mile hurdlers, the best of which on ratings is the mare, Lossiemouth. Having won no less than seven Grade One races, she is the one they all have to beat, especially as she has displayed so few chinks in her armour thus far in her career. She goes well fresh, on any ground and is versatile as regards trip too. With a mares weight allowance, there should be very little to stop her here. Second to last is a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (2.45). Three of the 13 runners won their last races; Rakki, Sticwiththeprocess and Cafe Con Leche, with Sticwiththeprocess looking the most likely to repeat that form. Collaborative might be able to place off his current mark and Catchabird could run a big race from the bottom of the handicap. Last of all is a bumper (3.20). Gordon Elliotts Ballyford will likely be the main fancy and seeks to maintain his short unbeaten record, as he is the winner of both a maiden point-to-point and a bumper at Down Royal, but Gavin Cromwells Grandy Lane looks dangerous after being only narrowly beaten last time out at Clonmel on soft ground. Punchestown selections - Saturday (via Sporting Life): 11.30 - Glen To Glen 12.00 - Santo Sospir 12.32 - Kitzbuhel 1.05 - Rockys Diamond 1.40 - Waterford Whispers 2.10 - Lossiemouth 2.45 - Sticwiththeprocess 3.20 - Grandy Lane A MAN who caused 2,500 of damage to a gardas personal car that was parked at the rear of a garda station was given a six-month suspended prison sentence recently. Terry Dunne from Canal House Way, Dublin Street, Monasterevin, Kildare pleaded guilty to criminal damage, the property of Garda Shane Monaghan, at Monasterevin Garda Station on 27 March 2023 at a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court He was also in court for failing to appear in court on 27 March 2023, 29 April 2023 and on 16 October this year. Defending barrister Andrew Dunne asked that Mr Dunne be granted bail to allow his instructing solicitor to seek a medical report on his client. Noting that the defendant had 29 previous convictions Judge Andrew Cody said: In all that, there hasnt been a probation report on him. There was 2,500 damage done to a gardas private car and now you want me to fund a medical report (through free legal aid)." Mr Dunne said that his client has medical issues. Judge Cody convicted Mr Dunne of criminal damage and imposed a six-month sentence suspended for three years on condition that he seeks medical attention within three days of his release, resides at his home address and stays away from Monasterevin Garda Station. He was also convicted on two counts of failing to appear in court, sentenced to three months on each, which were suspended for three years. The other charge of failing to attend in court was taken into consideration. Judge Cody fixed recognisance in the event Mr Dunne wanted to appeal against his decisions. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme. AFTER a five-year break the Scouts have returned to Monasterevin with their first investiture welcoming almost 80 new kids and 13 new leaders to the 14th Kildare Monasterevin Scout Group. Unfortunately, the Scout group was shut down in March 2020 due to the Covid epidemic, said group leader Killian McAleer. It was a very successful voluntary group in the town for years being led by a local man named Brian Dunne, he said. Cali O Dea, William Hogan, Blair Fahy, Hugo Garvey, Mason Harrison and Summer Shannon (Beavers) Through hard work and dedication of a new group of volunteers we have got the Scout Den (on St Marys Lane) back in usable condition and have re-opened both Beavers and Cub Scouts to the community with 36 in Beavers (full capacity) and 40 in our cub group. We aim to re-open Scouts for the older children (12 plus) in September 2026. Wyatt Oak, Patrick Noone, Sophie Cullen-Dunne, Petru Blanaru and Zia Adelynn Ruiz (Cubs) As part of the Scout group after six weeks of commencing a child's scouting adventure, we hold an investiture ceremony where each child is presented with their neckerchief and woggle which identifies them as to the Scout Group in which they belong and it also officially makes them part of the Scouting Ireland Group, said Killian. This was held at the newly-refurbished Den last Monday evening (17 November). There was representatives from the old Scouting Group and Scouting Ireland, along with some local councillors and other guests, along with the parents of each child being presented with a neckerchief and officially being welcomed into the Scouting Ireland Group. Darragh Redmond, Kate McAteer, Zak Ryan, AJ O Neill, Tadgh O Connor, Robyn Moriarty and Darragh Power (Cubs) It was hard work getting the Den back in order, so Monday night was a bit like a baptism, where we welcomed the new generation into the Den, he said. Its the only kind of outlet for young kids in the town if youre not into sports, and we still have a few on the waiting list, he said. Participants, artists, and community partners came together in the beautiful surroundings of Borris House on Friday, 14 November, to celebrate Living Artfully a Creative Ireland initiative that has fostered creativity, connection, and wellbeing across Carlow and Kilkenny over the past 18 months. The celebration brought together nine community arts projects developed through Living Artfully, each led by a professional artist working closely with local groups and organisations. Participants shared their creative work and reflected on their experiences, highlighting how art can bring people together, build confidence, and create meaningful change in everyday life. TAP HERE FOR MORE WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY Participants of the Living Artfully project commented; This has changed my life; its the thing I look forward to every week this group is my lifeline. I had no idea I could do these things, I feel like an artist, Im doing lots of art at home too, I love it. Its a whole new world for me, I see things differently now, its opened my eye to beauty, bigtime! When I sing, I remember all the words and I remember how I felt when I used to go to dances when I was younger, it makes me very happy. Attendees at the event included representatives from Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils, Creative Ireland, as well as local TDs and public representatives, with Lar Power, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council noting that Living Artfully has been a great initiative across the two counties, to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to engage with art practices. And today, were here to sample the output of work by all participants, and it really brings to the fore the positive impact this project has had. Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD said that he was delighted to be able to celebrate this fantastic occasion, that really goes to show that when two local authorities come together you can really create something special. Massive congratulations to all involved. The event was a beautiful, emotional and resonant gathering, showcasing the many ways creativity has supported people and communities over the past year and a half. There were moving musical performances from the Singing for Memory groups in both Kilkenny and Carlow, made up of people living with earlyonset dementia or memory loss and their carers. Paintings and visual artwork from a wide range of groups were on display, as well as powerful quilting and textile work created by Traveller women taking part in the programme. Photography, writing and other creative outputs from across the projects filled the ballroom of Borris House, giving a full picture of the depth of work that has taken place. Valerie Behan, Creative Ireland Representative said; Creative Ireland is absolutely delighted to be able to support the Living Artfully initiative through the Health and Wellbeing strand. Were thrilled to see the results of the projects across Carlow and Kilkenny. Having seen the work created, and spoken with some of the participants, Im absolutely delighted to congratulate Aileen [Nolan], Majella [Keating, Creative Communities Engagement Officer Kilkenny County Council] and Caitriona [Roberts, Creative Communities Engagement Officer Carlow County Council] along with their team for making this such a success. Living Artfully has been a great success and were proud to celebrate it today. A highlight of the day was the debut of a newly composed piece by Iarla O Lionaird, created in direct response to the project. He drew inspiration from the documentary photography of Freddie Greenall and the written reflections of author Alice Bennett, who have been capturing the Living Artfully journey for the past 18 months. The Living Artfully programme has been supported by Carlow County Council and Kilkenny County Council, and their respective Arts Offices. The programme champions creativity as a fundamental part of community life, promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and cultural participation through the arts. Whats most powerful about Living Artfully is how it has built confidence and community commented Aileen Nolan, Arts Officer, Carlow County Council. People who may never have seen themselves as creative are now expressing, sharing, and connecting through art. Living Artfully used a ground up approach to the arts and creativity, it has been community and artist led, and process driven to engage meaningfully and, for the long term. Living Artfully has supported a wide range of people, from cancer survivors and people living with early-stage dementia to members of the Traveller community and participants with intellectual disabilities, using art as a way to connect, express, and celebrate their own stories. The Living Artfully project reminds us that creativity belongs to everyone its not about talent or training, its about connection, courage, and a sense of belonging through creativity. said Mary Butler, Arts Officer, Kilkenny County Council, It shows what can happen when people are supported to make and share art in their own way. President of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and famous Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Cairo, Egypt, on Nov. 20, 2025. Hussein Fahmy praised China's notable presence at the recently concluded 46th edition of the festival, describing Chinese films as important, longstanding, and highly regarded by Egyptian filmmakers.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- President of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) and famous Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmy praised China's notable presence at the recently concluded 46th edition of the festival, describing Chinese films as important, longstanding, and highly regarded by Egyptian filmmakers. "Chinese participation grows each year. This year, we have a Chinese jury member and several Chinese films in the festival. This is very important to us," Fahmy said in a recent interview with Xinhua. At this year's CIFF, the Chinese film The Botanist, directed by Jing Yi, won the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema Award for Best Asian Feature Film, and the International Critics' Week Special Mention Award. In addition, renowned Chinese director Guan Hu received the festival's Lifetime Achievement Golden Pyramid Award during Friday's closing ceremony. In addition to The Botanist, this year's CIFF also featured other Chinese works. The China Global Television Network documentary Cherished Land was screened in the International Panorama section, and Guan Hu served on the festival's International Competition's Jury before receiving CIFF's highest honorary award. "Chinese film is very important, and we in Egypt have been interested in it for many years," Fahmy said, highlighting the growing cooperation in the film industry between Egypt and China in recent years. Last year, the CIFF signed a cooperation agreement with China Media Group, and this year Fahmy strengthened ties between CIFF and the Golden Panda Awards during his visit to Chengdu in southwest China. "Chinese technology has helped us a great deal. At the cinematic restoration center in the Egyptian Media Production City, many of our Chinese friends work with us on restoration, and we use a lot of Chinese equipment that helps us deliver the best we can for Egyptian cinema," he noted. Fahmy said that the CIFF is committed to presenting Egyptian audiences with diverse international films. "Different cultures matter to us, especially Chinese culture, which is ancient, deeply rooted, and rich in traditions. It is important for Egyptian audiences to see these cultures," he said. Praising China's rapid progress, Fahmy said that "Chinese cinema is advancing without a doubt. China is a very advanced country with remarkable capabilities, and its cinema is expanding and will gain an even greater position worldwide." Founded in 1976, the CIFF is the Arab world's oldest internationally accredited film festival and one of the most prestigious film events in Africa and the Middle East. The 46th edition, which ran from Nov. 12 to 21 at the Cairo Opera House, featured around 150 films from around the world. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 38F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low 24F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Eight militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation by the Pakistani army in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Saturday. The operation was conducted on Friday on reports about the presence of militants in Bannu district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in a statement. The troops engaged the militants' hideout, and after an intense exchange of fire, the terrorists were killed, the statement added. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the site, the ISPR said. The killed militants had been involved in attacks on security forces, law enforcement personnel and civilians, the ISPR added. The military said the operation reflects the intensified intelligence-driven actions to restrict militant movement, dismantle their networks and prevent reorganizing efforts. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. HANOI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam and South Africa have elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership during a meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the African country, Vietnam News Agency reported Friday. Under the joint statement, both sides agreed to enhance collaboration in politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, investment, national defense, energy, agricultural processing, innovation and people to people exchanges. Vietnam and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1993. A WOMAN who threw away 800 worth of goods that she had forgotten to pay for was barred from entering Dunne Stores shops anywhere in the state when she came before last weeks sitting of Portlaoise District Court. Tatiana Ciobanu from 6 Park Rise, Birr, Offaly pleaded guilty to theft on 25 October at Dunne Stores, Kyle Shopping Centre, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said that on the day the 38-year-old defendant took 800 worth of bed linen, pillow, duvets and homeware, left the store at 5pm on the day, got into her car and drove off without paying for the goods. He said the incident was captured on CCTV, Ms Ciobanu was identified, but the goods were not recovered. Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client works part-time as a barista in a coffee shop. She said: Ms Ciobanu had money for the goods on the day. She got a call when she was in the store from her son who has asthma. She was down the road when she realised, she hadnt paid for the goods and panicked. Shes prepared to compensate Dunne Stores. Judge Susan Fay asked what had happened to the money that Ms Ciobanu had on the day to pay for the goods, to which Ms Fitzpatrick replied: The money she had that day was spent on home heating oil. Shes being evicted as the house is being sold. Why didnt see return the products, asked Judge Fay? Replying Ms Fitzpatrick said: She panicked and threw them out. Sgt. Kirby said: Theres a similar matter under investigation in Dunnes Stores in another part of the country. There was a professional element to this. Ms Fitzpatrick said that her client had no previous convictions and indicated her willingness to fully compensate Dunne Stores. Judge Fay remanded Ms Ciobanu on her own bail to 20 April and asked that an assessment be undertaken to determine her suitability to take part in community service and issued an exclusion order from all Dunne Stores outlets in the state. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme 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 KABUL, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have launched a three-day saffron exhibition in western Herat province, aiming to promote market expansion for the local product, local media Tolo News reported on Saturday. The event was held during the saffron harvest season, a crucial period for farmers across Herat, a province widely recognized as Afghanistan's saffron hub. Local farmers and producers displayed a diverse range of saffron products at 70 booths, including raw saffron threads, processed goods, and other agricultural items, the report said. The exhibition is designed to strengthen market connections, support local producers, and highlight the economic potential of Afghanistan's saffron industry. A rare male rufous hummingbird hovers in to feed outside a home in Alabama. Western hummingbird species occasionally travel east instead of south and can be seen in the Lehigh Valley during fall migration, appearing at feeders when most people assume all hummingbirds have departed for winter. Joe Songer File Photo | For AL.com The temperature the morning I wrote this column was 30 degrees and the three hummingbird feeders I still have out were partially frozen. To most people, it seems strange to expect to see a hummingbird when its almost Thanksgiving, but it happens more often than youd think. By early October almost all the ruby-throated hummingbirds are gone from this part of the country. However, around this time each year vagrant western species often show up. And in this past week three have been discovered in Pennsylvania. Back when I started birding more than 40 years ago, no one ever thought any hummingbirds other than ruby-throats would be seen east of the Rocky Mountains. But all that changed due in large part to Nancy Newfield in Louisiana finding a rufous hummingbird on her property. And then eventually this led to the establishment of trained hummingbird banders. These vagrant hummers breed in the western part of North America but, for whatever reasons, some of them go more east than south when theyre migrating in the fall. Occasionally one will actually spend most of the winter in the Northeast, but most of them dont stick around long. I well remember how excited I was back in 2001 when I looked out the kitchen window a few days before Thanksgiving and saw what turned out to be a female rufous hummingbird there on a feeder. I screamed so loud for David to come take a look that he thought I had hurt myself. So all of this was fresh in my mind on that 30-degree morning because the night before a bander contacted me to say that she was coming to my area the next day to band a hummer about a mile from my home. And around 10:30 that morning, she caught and banded a juvenile male rufous hummer that I temporarily held before she released it. At the same time that this was happening at the hosts house, a young fellow was doing some kind of repair work there. Like most people he knew nothing about vagrant fall hummingbirds, so there was a look of incredulity on his face when the bander also let him hold the bird for a few seconds. And then after being released, the bird continued to go back to the feeder. Through the years, due to the efforts of dedicated banders, five species besides ruby-throated have been documented in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Rufous is the one most commonly found, but other species have been Allens, Annas, black-chinned, and Calliope. And no doubt others will be found in the future. Hummingbirds are so tiny that its hard to imagine a bird weighing only 3 or 4 grams can successfully migrate thousands of miles, but they can. On the other side of the scale, though, its not too hard to believe that eagles are able to do the same thing because theyre so physically big. But in fact they only weigh up to around 14 pounds in spite of them looking like they should weigh a lot more. The month of November is when most eagles both bald and golden migrate along our geographic ridges. So, if you want to see any, now is the time to go to a hawk watch site. The many architectural treasures of Abbeyleix are set to feature in a new exhibition to be launched this weekend. Local resident Brian Maher invites all to the Heritage House on Saturday, November 29, from 4 6 pm for the event, which is part of Abbeyleix 250 celebrations. The Abbeyleix man studied architectural technology at Bolton Street College of Technology (DIT, now TUD). Having spent many years in London, Brian returned to work in Dublin before returning to study town planning at DIT in 2010 and has worked in the profession since. Growing up in the Heritage Town gave Brian a lifelong love of architecture and planned towns in particular. Included in the exhibition are a series of buildings hand-drawn in ink on tracing paper, printed on watercolour paper and hand-rendered and finally printed on a lightly textured archival quality 255gsm fine art paper and framed in a mix of A3 and A4 size. MORE BELOW ONE OF THE SKETCHES. The drawings include: Pembroke Terrace 1840 (A3) & separate centre 3-storey and end 2-storey houses Heritage House former North School NS 1885 (Brian's old school) Memorial Fountain to John, the 2nd Viscount de Vesci 1855 architect J.S. Butler F.R.I.A.I. Fountain of the Third Viscount De Vesci 1878 architect Rawson Carroll, F.R.I.B.A. Bank of Ireland former Hibernian Bank 1911 architect James Purcell Wrenn M.R.I.A.I. Morrissey Public House 1880s architect unknown Abbeyleix Courthouse c.1820 architect unknown Abbeyleix Library former Market House 1836 Abbeyleix Town Centre map (A3) The original town of Abbeyleix was located on the River Nore, on the site of an early Christian abbey. The town developed under the protection of a twelfth-century Cistercian monastery. In 1562, Queen Elizabeth granted the abbey and associated lands to Thomas, Earl of Ormond. Over the next century, the village grew to contain 52 families. However, regular flooding from the River Nore made the town an unhealthy place to live. READ ALSO: Dunamaise Arts Centre requires urgent modernisation When the de Vesci family acquired Abbeyleix in 1750, they decided that the town would have to move. The de Vescis levelled the old town and moved its people to a new planned town. This led to the construction of many of the buildings and structures which Abbeyleix is famous for and which earned the Laois town Heritage status. A pedestrian crossing is to be requested on the N80 road in Portlaoise, at the town's busy cemetery. Laois County Council has agreed on the need for a button controlled crossing to help people across the Stradbally Road into St Peter & Paul's Cemetery. However it depends on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who control national routes. Cllr Barry Walsh tabled a motion to the November meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District. "There is a pedestrian crossing further down, but people have asked me if they can get one closer to the entrance," he said. Cllr Paddy Buggy seconded the motion. "There is a crossing at Bracken's shop but one at the gate will be very helpful," he said. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said she and others are on the cemetery committee, and previous requests for the crossing have been made. "The committee are looking for this for a long time. On Cemetery Sunday, you would have up to a thousand peole coming out at the same time as traffic is going by, it's absolutely lethal. I hope you are successful in achieving it," she said. Read also: New Year's fireworks display considered for Portlaoise Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald is also on the cemetery committe. "I welcome this. We've been banging that drum for a long time. I'd also like to thank the council for the work they are doing now, widening the gate and doing pavement works. People living near a rural primary school are unable to secure places for their children, a Councillor has said. Independent Cllr Aisling Moran said I have had numerous people ringing me about the issue. She said proximity to the school appeared as number five in the criteria for admittance. She said it was a local primary school in a rural area and people living next door to the rural school cant get into the school. She said in one case there were over 25 children on the waiting list which she said was more children than was needed for an additional teacher. Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan suggested Cllr Moran should raise the matter in a motion at the next meeting. She said the schools board of management would be responsible for the criteria. Cllr Moran said the Department of Education was funding the school and should have a say on who got in. The issue was discussed during the November meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. The value of community spirit and volunteerism in Laois was highlighted at the gala awards by Michael Rainey the Chief Executive of Laois County Council, which hosts the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards. It's just over a year since Mr Rainey took up the top job in County Hall. He reflected on the local volunteerism he has seen in the past twelve months at the Gala awards event at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise. Over the last year I have had the honour to visit many of the communities in this county and to meet many of the community groups represented here today. What was really clear to me as I went through the year is that the community spirit in this county is alive, vibrant and thriving, he told guests. He spoke of the importance of the Awards as a way to acknowledge this. If we as a county really believe that a strong community spirit is important, then we need to pause, take a moment and really celebrate the communities, groups and volunteers that make it all possible. READ ALSO: Glamorous guests at Laois Community and Voluntary Awards in PICTURES It is always a thoroughly enjoyable night of positivity, he said. He took the opportunity to praise the winners and nominees. It would be remiss of me not to start by extending congratulations to each of you for your unwavering commitment to community and voluntary activities. Your significant contributions enhance our quality of life at both local and county levels, and in many cases, even beyond our borders. Regardless of the results, every group and individual nominated tonight is a winner, and Laois is a winner because of all of you. MORE BELOW PHOTO. Pictured: Michael Rainey, Laois County CEO, at the event in Portlaoise, with Angela McEvoy, Director of Services. Picture: Leinster Express In saying that, it has to be recognised that volunteering is not always easy. In todays fast-paced world, particularly in Laois where we have over 13,000 people commuting outside the county, time is a precious commodity. Yet, volunteers like you consistently make time, whether its for fundraising, helping neighbours, or organising local events that build community pride and attract visitors. Your dedication and the successes that arise from your efforts are truly commendable, he said. READ ALSO: Unsung Hero nominees profiled Mr Rainey also thanked all the organisations that sponsored and helped to judge the various categories. MORE BELOW TABLE OF NOMINEES In particular, I want to acknowledge our long-term corporate sponsor, People First Credit Union, and our media partner, the Leinster Express, for their ongoing coverage and generous support of this event and indeed for their positive and engaging coverage throughout the year which is essential to supporting the positive spirit in this county. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the elected members and staff of Laois County Council for once again making this evening such a success, he said. READ ALSO: Junior Volunteer nominees profiled Mr Rainey also thanked public representatives for their backing. I want to reflect on why the elected members of Laois County Council invest such resources in community development, Tidy Towns, Town Teams, PPNs, and residents' groups - all so important. Yes, it is great to have a great community spirit and strong community pride, but the benefits are far beyond a good feeling it is a key ingredient to the quality of life on offer in this county, he said. He also thanked Laois TDs for representing Laois and rural Ireland in the Dail. He said this supports housing, tourism, economic development, mental health, inclusivity, physical health, urban and rural regeneration and sustainability. He concluded with a message to all the attendees. What you are all doing in this room is not peripheral to the work of Laois County Council; it is at the heart of what we are trying to achieve. Everyone in this room is not only serving their local community but serving the county. So, it is right that we are here today to celebrate community, to celebrate positivity, and to celebrate those who say yes when their community calls on them. Well done, everyone, said the CEO. This is the 16th year of the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards in Laois. The voluntary work in Laois communities was praised by representatives of the People First Credit Union, which is the corporate sponsor of the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards. Clive Davis is Chairperson of the Portlaoise headquartered Laois / Kildare credit union. He addressed the gala awards held at the Midlands Park Hotel. Im honoured to stand before you as Chairman of People First Credit Union, and as someone who deeply understands the value of volunteering. Like many of you, Ive been privileged to work with numerous community groups through my involvement in over 20 voluntary committees. Tonight, in 2025, is a special celebration of that spirit - of the dedication, time, and heart you all put into making our community a better place to live, he said. Mr Davis congratulated all of the nominees for their incredible work. Our community wouldn't be the same without the selfless efforts of volunteers like you, whether it's organising events, running local services, or simply helping neighbours. Your impact is immeasurable, he said. Mr Davis said People First Credit Union is proud to sponsor the Awards. Just as you support our communities, we are here to support you, he said. Carol Murphy, Marketing Manager, thanked Laois County Council and Laois PPN for partnering on the awards. MORE BELOW TABLE OF NOMINEES. Our partnership with Laois County Council and Laois PPN has been a real inspiration for us. Together, we share the same vision: making the places where we live the best they can be, she said. She also thanked the local volunteers present. READ ALSO: Unsung Hero nominee profiles Thank you for the time, passion, and care you give so freely. You are what makes our communities thrive, she said. Carol Murphy, Marketing Manager, speaking at the gala awards. She encouraged attendees to apply for the People First Community Champions Award which is a 10,000 fund to help one local volunteer group bring a project to life that will make a real, lasting difference to their area and community. This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2025 shows a durian orchard on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar.(Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is preparing to enter the global durian market, with plans to start exports between 2026 and 2027, Kyaw Min, chairman of the Myanmar Durian Producers and Exporters Association, told Xinhua on Saturday. Preparations are already underway, including the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) registration process and efforts to produce both fresh and value-added durian products, he added. The association hopes to invite foreign investors, experts, and businesspeople to support value-added durian processing in Myanmar, he said. Myanmar's durian industry is expected to develop rapidly, generating foreign income through exports, he added. To raise Myanmar's profile, Myint Sein, trustee of Ayeyarwady Durian Producers and Exporters Cluster, has been promoting the country's durian at international events such as China-ASEAN Expo and Asia Durian Summit. He emphasized that such events allow Myanmar to showcase its potential, meet international entrepreneurs, and explore new export markets for both durian and bamboo. "We have good soil, labor, and raw materials," he said. "What we need now is technology, machinery, investment, and strong markets." "Most of our growers are not wealthy because they cannot yet produce value-added products. Promoting value addition can significantly improve their income and livelihoods," he added. Durian cultivation is expanding in Myanmar, with about 60,000 acres nationwide, including over 4,000 acres in Yangon. Major growing areas include Kayin state, Mon state, Tanintharyi region, Bago region, Yangon region, and Ayeyarwady region, Myint Sein said. Although Myanmar has abundant land, the country still lacks large-scale production and processing capacity. Strengthening cooperation and upgrading technology could help Myanmar achieve significant export growth, he said. "Development of Myanmar's durian industry will uplift local farmers and contribute significantly to the nation's economic growth," he said. Workers operate at a durian orchard on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2025.(Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2025 shows a durian orchard on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar.(Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Workers operate at a durian orchard on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 15, 2025.(Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) The Laois Community and Voluntary Awards recognise people and groups who define the community spirit, according to Laois Public Participation Network (PPN) Chairperson. John Oxley highlighted the importance of local volunteers when he spoke to guests at the outset of the Gala event at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise. These awards are about you the people and groups who give your time, your skills, and your hearts to your communities. You are the driving force behind the strong community spirit that defines Laois, he said in his speech. Whether its supporting neighbours in need, organising local events, protecting our environment, or creating opportunities for inclusion and participation your efforts make a real difference every single day. We are so proud to work together to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding voluntary work happening across the county, he said. The celebration was hosted by Laois PPN in collaboration with their long-term awards partner, Laois County Council. Mr Oxley also thanked sponsors, People First Credit Union, for their support and commitment to community development. He also thanked the judges, who represent PPNs from across Ireland who brought experience, insights, and support for the community and voluntary spirit. MORE BELOW TABLE OF NOMINEES. I want to thank everyone who took the time to nominate individuals and groups for these awards. Every nomination tells a story of kindness, commitment, and care and together they paint a truly inspiring picture of Laois. Lets celebrate. Lets applaud the achievements of our nominees and winners, but also the collective spirit of community that shines so brightly across our county. On behalf of Laois PPN, thank you all for everything you do, concluded Mr Oxley. READ ALSO: Unsung Hero nominees profiled John Oxley, Laois PPN Chairperson with Cllr John King and Cllr Paddy Buggy. Pic: Leinster Exprsess / Laois Live Laois PPN consists of 650+ Member Groups from the Community, Social Inclusion and Environmental Pillars. All groups registered with Laois PPN are given the opportunity to attend Laois PPN events. To join Laois PPN you can completes an application on the Laois PPN website www.laoisppn.ie Rathangan's Ryan's Pharmacy has been crowned Irish Pharmacy of the Year at the Elavon Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2025, which were held in Kilkenny on November 15. The local pharmacy fended off competition from retailers from all over the country to take the title. Rathangan Manager, Sarah Donnelly said she was incredibly proud, honoured, and thrilled. This achievement means so much to us not just as a business, but as a team and as part of this wonderful community. Winning this award isnt about one moment or one person; its the result of dedication, compassion, teamwork, and a shared commitment to caring for the people who rely on us every day, she said. At Ryans Pharmacy we pride ourselves on professionalism, kindness and doing our best daily for the customers. We go above and beyond daily not because we have to, but because we genuinely care. READ MORE: Lucky Kildare winner scoops 50,000 with Prize Bonds She thanked all the customers. for their support. You are at the heart of everything we do. To our village and wider community: We are deeply grateful for your encouragement, loyalty, and belief in us. This award belongs to all of us, and we are proud to represent our local area on a national stage. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the same passion and commitment that brought us here. Pharmacy owner, Shane Ryan is a hands-on, passionate pharmacist, who began his pharmacy journey in 1996 in Rathangan, where he still practices. A year later, he took over Burkes Pharmacy in Edenderry, originally run by the well-known Liam Burke. Shanes love for his profession didnt stop there. In 2001, he opened another pharmacy in Derrinturn, followed by pharmacies in Rhode and Daingean. His success allowed him to stay active as a pharmacist while managing multiple locations with his loyal staffs help. The Ryans Pharmacy brand has grown under his direction, unaffiliated with any large chain. Shane believes this independence allows for a more personal experience for customers, offering them a level of comfort they might not find in big franchises. There were also two other big winners from Kildare on the night. The Nude Wine Co was named as Small Online Retailer of the Year while Michael Murphy Home Furnishing was named Medium Online Retailer of the Year. 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. READ NEXT: GALLERY: Dr. Andrew Rynne book launch at Farrell & Nephew Bookshop, Newbridge, Kildare 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 Former Minister for Education Helen McEntee has announced that extra exam time will be allocated to students with dyslexia and dyscalculia during a meeting of the Seanad on November 18. The news has been welcomed locally by Independent councillor James Gilmartin, who in March proposed a motion to Leitrim County Council calling on the Minister for Education to introduce stand-alone additional time for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, and other learning difficulties in second-level exams. Speaking in the Seanad, Minister McEntee said, In the very core element of this, there will be additional time. Students will know very soon what that criteria is and how it will be applied. It wont be for a small cohort on a pilot basis, this will be for everybody who fits the eligibility criteria. The initiative is set to begin for students sitting the Leaving Cert in 2026. This practice is already widely implemented across Europe. READ NEXT: Leitrim Animal Welfare urges caution over Christmas puppy purchases Responding to the confirmation of extra exam time, Cllr Gilmartin said, This is extremely good news. It will remove the stress from students who have dyslexia, knowing they will be able to get the exam finished in time and its not a reflection of their academic ability. Its a very good news story and Im delighted to hear it. Minister McEntee also confirmed that the change will not only apply to students with dyslexia and dyscalculia but will of course apply to many other students. A schoolteacher himself, Cllr Gilmartin previously highlighted when bringing forward the motion to Leitrim County Council, There is support in place for children who would have high level needs but a lot of students are excluded from this. This is common practice across Europe and in third level in Ireland that additional time is given to students with learning difficulties, also noting that one in 10 people in Ireland have dyslexia. Were still awaiting the publication of the full criteria, but this is undoubtedly a huge step forward for countless dyslexic students and their families. A real win for fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity in education, he added. READ NEXT: Free winter safety information sessions planned across Leitrim Women entrepreneurs in Leitrim are invited to apply for three new programmes to help them grow, innovate, and scale their businesses. Delivered as part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme and led by InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, the programmes will commence at the start of 2026 and support women entrepreneurs at every stage. Participants from across the island of Ireland will gain access to expert mentorship, tailored support, workshops, and networking opportunities. The three programmes are: WeBuild A tech programme delivered by TechFoundHer, designed to empower women entrepreneurs to accelerate tech-driven business ideas and develop tech-enabled ventures focused on innovation, AI learning, and building future-ready businesses. READ NEXT: Sinking Leitrim estate horror as families live with raw sewage and environmental fears WeGrow A growth programme for established women-led SMEs aiming for growth and expansion, delivered by Women in Business NI and Network Ireland. WeScale A scaling programme to help women entrepreneurs scale strategically and sustainably, blending world-class learning, bespoke mentoring, and investor access, delivered by AwakenHub. Mairin Murray, co-founder of TechFoundHer, said, This is our moment - the tools, the timing, and the opportunity have aligned. You dont have to be a coder to build a credible tech product anymore. With GenAI and no-code tools, women can design, test, and launch faster than ever, but WeBuild goes deeper. Its about building credibility - strong ideas, strong roadmaps, and ventures that investors and customers take seriously, Emma Early Murphy, Consultant, Collaborations Lead and WeGrow Programme Manager for Network Ireland, said, This programme represents a transformative opportunity for women leaders across the island as they grow and evolve in business. Im thrilled to be part of leading and delivering this initiative over the next three years. Its an exceptional chance to connect, collaborate, and be part of something truly special - empowering women to step up, break barriers, and build bridges for sustainable growth. READ NEXT: Cars dropping off roadway at Leitrim junction sparking safety fears Denise McQuaid from AwakenHub said, AwakenHub is proud to lead on the WeScale initiative as part of the landmark Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, and to give women founders a permission slip to lead differently. This vital programme builds on our experience of providing women founders with the tools, mentorship, know-how, and networks they need to expand their businesses internationally, all supported by a vibrant, strong, and welcoming peer community sharing similar journeys. Applications for WeBuild, WeGrow, and WeScale are now open. Information on the programmes and eligibility criteria is available at InterTradeIreland. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces killed 13 militants linked to a foreign-funded group in two separate operations in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Friday evening. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan army, said in a statement that the intelligence-based operations were carried out on Nov. 20 and 21 in Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan districts of the province. ISPR said that weapons and ammunition were recovered from the killed terrorists, who were involved in attacks on security forces, law enforcement agencies, and targeted killings of civilians. Security forces have begun clearance operations to eliminate any remaining militants, said the military, adding that the ongoing counterterrorism campaign will continue at full pace to dismantle foreign-sponsored terrorist networks. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. DENISE Chaila has found her home in Limerick. Shes not just a performer here - shes part of the place, its grit and poetry woven into her voice. When she walks into the light, she doesnt need theatrics to command attention. She surveys the crowd with quiet confidence, lets a smile tug at her mouth and the room stills. She begins - and her voice moves like water, sometimes rushing, sometimes lapping gently, but always carrying you forward. Chailas journey began far from the Irish Mid-West. Born in Chikankata-Mazabuka, Zambia, she spent her earliest years in a home steeped in education and community service. Her father, a neurological consultant, accepted a position in Dublin when she was just three. The move was seismic - not just geographically, but culturally. She remembers Ireland first through textures: the damp air, the soft greys of winter light, the singsong accents that wrapped English in new shapes. A few years later, the family relocated to Limerick, a city that would become the crucible of her artistic identity. READ MORE: Fifty years of the Stony Thursdays literary journal in Limerick Limerick was the first place that taught me I could be more than one thing, she told The Irish Times. In that short sentence lies the foundation of her art - a rejection of tidy labels, and an embrace of complexity. It would be a mistake to talk about Denise Chaila without acknowledging her presence. Yes, she is beautiful - strikingly so - but its not the untouchable, distant beauty of a magazine cover. Shes also fiercely intelligent. A graduate in English literature and sociology from the University of Limerick, she brings an academics curiosity to everything she does. That curiosity runs like a thread through her work, connecting Zambian folk heritage to Irish mythology, hip-hops verbal dexterity to sociological critique. And then theres the warmth. She trusts easily - an unusual quality in a business built on guarded personas. Its that warmth, paired with confidence and talent that makes her both magnetic and approachable. Growing up, her world was scored by a mix of church sermons, the rhythms of Bemba folk songs, and the global beats of hip-hop. Lauryn Hill was a revelation; Kendrick Lamar, a masterclass in lyricism. Yet her artistic voice didnt fully emerge until she stumbled into Limericks spoken-word nights. There, in dimly lit rooms, she tested her flow, moving between poetry and rap, English and Bemba, myth and autobiography. She learned that her work could be both intimate and political, playful and profound. These sessions became her training ground - a space where she could make mistakes, refine her timing, and discover her own cadence. Her first recorded appearance came in 2016 on Rusangano Familys Let the Dead Bury the Dead. They let me put my stamp on Isnt Dinner Nice; that was the last nail in the coffin for me, she told Hot Press. Even in a guest spot, her voice cut through - assured, sharp, and refusing to be background noise. In 2019, she released her debut EP, Duel Citizenship. The title alone signalled her intent: a play on her Zambian-Irish heritage and the daily duel with the assumptions people projected onto her. Across its tracks, she wove in Bemba phrases, Irish slang, and biting social observation. It wasnt just a collection of songs; it was a manifesto. If Duel Citizenship was her opening act, Go Bravely was the main event. Released in 2020, the album was an unflinching statement of self. Its me talking to myself in the mirror, she told Bandcamp Daily, trying to make my peace with things the world doesnt think I should have peace with. Tracks like Anseo (here in Irish) blended defiance with playfulness, inserting her - unapologetically - into Irelands cultural map. I dont speak Irish in my everyday life, she said, but pulling it out means more than just saying Im here. Go Bravely won the Choice Music Prize for Album of the Year, not because it fitted into a pre-existing idea of Irish hip-hop, but because it shattered that idea. As her star rose, she defied the medias attempts to package her neatly - often as a spokesperson for racial trauma. Shes pushed back against that framing. Im an artist - lets start there, she told The Irish Times. Her politics are in the work, but on her terms: layered through metaphor, humour, historical reference, and pop culture. Live, she is a study in contrasts. At Dolans, she can hush a room to the point where you hear the clink of pint glasses at the back bar. At Electric Picnic, she can turn a field into a pulsing chorus, hundreds of voices echoing her lines. One of her most memorable sets came at Other Voices in Dingle, where she stripped back the beats and let her words carry the set. The effect was spellbinding - a reminder that her greatest instrument is her voice itself. On an RTE special filmed during the pandemic, she turned a near-empty theatre into a space that felt alive, every line delivered as if to a friend sitting in the front row. In 2022 Denise supported Ed Sheeran during his tour in Ireland, performing at major venues including Croke Park in Dublin, Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork, Thomond Park in Limerick, and Belfasts Boucher Road Playing Fields. READ MORE: Great gig at Limerick's University Concert Hall ignites musical memories She also collaborated with Sheeran on a remix of his hit single 2Step, released in May 2022 as part of a global remix project. Chaila described the experience as surreal, calling it the biggest opportunity of her career and noting that, while she was his support act, it often felt like he was the one supporting her. Limerick has long been caricatured as tough and unpolished, but the city has been quietly rewriting its own story. Chaila was a key figure in that movement through Narolane Records, the collective she co-founded with God Knows and MuRli. In March 2024, Chaila revealed in an Irish Independent interview that she had stepped away from Narolane. It was not a decision made lightly. I needed to address how deeply and how steeply I invested my story and my success in the success of the two men beside me she said. Her departure marked the end of a foundational chapter in her career, but also the beginning of a new one - one in which she would set her own pace, choose her own collaborations, and expand her creative reach. Over the past year, Denise has continued to broaden her creative universe through an array of exciting collaborations and cross-disciplinary projects. In November 2023 she took on the dual role of creative producer and star in a film exploring The Supremes historic visit to Ireland in the 1980s, marking a bold entry into visual storytelling. The project is a fusion of music history, cultural commentary, and cinematic storytelling. In interviews, Chaila has spoken energetically about these Exciting things happening hinting at more genre-blending/bending collaborations ahead. Her trajectory clearly points toward ever-expanding creative horizons. By the time the lights fade on a Denise Chaila show, you realise youve witnessed more than a gig. Youve seen an artist stretching the borders of Irish music and Irish identity. And shes doing it now as an independent artist, with the slow, certain current of the Shannon - and her own compass - guiding her forward. Over the past year, Denise has navigated a period of reflection, recalibration, and creative exploration. In March 2024, she spoke candidly about stepping away from the spotlight to address burnout and reassess her artistic journey. She reflected on the challenges of navigating the end of professional collaborations and the need to separate her sense of self-worth from external success. Despite these pauses, she has not abandoned her ambitions - in fact, she remains focused on her long-term dream of performing on stadium stages. Rather than rushing back into touring Chaila has channelled her energy into new creative projects that foster community and personal growth. One of the most significant developments this year was her role as host of a five-day creativity retreat in Tenerife, in June. Organised in partnership with Libra Retreats, the event is designed for artists, writers, poets, musicians, and creatives from all disciplines. The retreat featured an immersive blend of dialogue, free writing, collaborative workshops, and inspiration drawn from nature. The aim was to provide a therapeutic, sensory, somatic, and artistically permissive environment where participants can create without constraint. At present, there are no announced tour dates for Chaila in 2025, according to Songkicks listings. This pause in live performances underscores her current focus on inward growth and supporting the artistic journeys of others. Her retreat work also suggests an interest in expanding her influence beyond music into the realm of mentorship and community-building. YANGON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, responded to media questions on Friday regarding the recent erroneous remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan-related issues. Zaw Min Tun said that the Myanmar government has noted the relevant comments by the Japanese prime minister and states Myanmar's position as follows: First, the Myanmar government adheres to the one-China policy. Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has reaffirmed this position on multiple occasions during his meetings with Chinese leaders. Second, China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors. The two sides are working together to build a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and are committed to forging a community with a shared future. The Myanmar government attaches great importance to and cherishes this relationship. Third, Myanmar has always followed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, respects China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will, as always, support China's efforts to safeguard national unity. LIMERICK MUSEUM is presenting the Canticle of Creatures, an exhibition of ceramics by contemporary artist Deborah Watkins. Deborah was invited to develop a series of ceramics inspired by an artefact from the Limerick City Museum collection. The artefact is a tiny bronze spigot (tap) from the 15th-16th centuries, which was used to dispense liquid, like oil or vinegar, from a container such as a barrel. The resulting exhibition is a vibrant miscellany of ceramic sculptures, vessels, and tiles, where gleaming colour and fluid form combine to evoke exuberance and otherworldliness. READ MORE: Electric Picnic headliners announce major 2026 Limerick show The exhibition title, Canticle of Creatures, is inspired by a poem by Franciscan monk St. Francis of Assisi, renowned for his love of animals and nature. Deborah draws a connection to the museums location on Henry Street, formerly a Franciscan Friary. A graduate of the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, Deborah earned a first-class honours degree in Craft Design (Ceramics) in 1991, followed by a Diploma in Art Education two years later. She later moved to Connemara, where she operated her own pottery studio in Clifden for several years. In 2008, she began painting landscapes deeply influenced by the colours and textures of her early career. Deborahs work attempts to describe the drama and ever-changing atmosphere that is present in the landscape and coastline of Connemara. Returning to ceramics in 2020, Deborah now creates unique, hand-built ceramic landscapes that can be displayed flat or hung on a wall, each treated much like a painting, making each one unique. Deborah shared her excitement about the show saying: This exhibition is the result of a year of creative development and commitment to the project. I recognised an energy in my chosen artefact that I have sought to bring to the work. I carry my own stories as well, so imaginary creatures and habitats are thrown into the mix. It is my hope that visitors will pick up on this energy when they experience the show. Dr Matthew Potter, Curator of Limerick Museum, added: This fantastic exhibition offers a glimpse into Deborahs interior world. The exhibition will be on display until November 30 at the Limerick Museum. (Bloomberg) -- The chief executive officer of Brazils failed bank Banco Master SA denied accusations of fraud that led the lender to liquidation last Tuesday, one of the biggest of its kind in the country. Daniel Vorcaros attorneys said there was no fraud in operations probed by Brazils officials. They also said Vorcaro himself was never probed by Brazilian central bank. In the statement, the attorneys referred to 12.8 billion reais ($2.4 billion) mentioned by local media as allegedly fraudulent credit portfolios Master was said to have sold to Banco de Brasilia SA. Banco de Brasilia, which is controlled by Brazils capital city, said Friday it had replaced more than 10 billion reais from such portfolios, and the rest has no direct exposure to Banco Master. The fundamentals behind the probe against Daniel Vorcaro are a non-existent fact until this point, Vorcaros lawyers said in a statement Saturday. There is no 12 billion reais fraud. Vorcaro was arrested last Monday by Brazils federal police on accusations that his bank had fabricated false credit operations that were later sold to Banco de Brasilia SA. The executives lawyers said that the portfolios targeted in the probe werent effectively transferred, and that Banco de Brasilia effectively bought other portfolios, which were not included in the probe. On the operations which didnt follow the standards, Banco Master in good faith replaced the portfolios originated by third parties, and started a process to buy back the remaining balances, his representatives said. Vorcaro was arrested Monday night in a Sao Paulo airport, where authorities said he was trying to flee the country. He later denied he was attempting to flee, and said he was leaving Brazil for a potential business deal. Hours after his arrest, Brazils central bank put Banco Master into liquidation, in a dramatic new turn for a bank that grew fast in the last few years using what critics said were opaque and risky assets. Masters liquidation will lead the countrys deposits insurance fund, known as FGC, to pay investors who bought Masters bonds. FGC said the lender had around 1.6 million creditors which were owed roughly 41 billion reais, but the amount could jump to as much as 55 billion reais, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News Tuesday. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com With the release of its third version this week, Googles Gemini large language model surged past ChatGPT and other competitors to become the most capable AI chatbot, as determined by consensus industry-benchmark tests. The results represent public validation for Google employees who, for months, have been conducting their own, personal tests of the modelasking it for jokes, trying to stump it with math problemsand coming away convinced they had something that would finally tilt the LLM field in the companys favor. For one of her vibe checks," Tulsee Doshi, Geminis senior director of product management, asked the model to write in Gujarati, a language that is spoken widely in India but isnt especially prevalent on the internet. The results were far better than what she had gotten from earlier models. I call it signs of life, right?" she said. People were coming back and saying, I feel it, I think weve hit on something." Aaron Levie, chief executive of the cloud content management company Box, got early access to Gemini 3 late last week, several days ahead of the launch. The company ran its own evaluations of the model over the weekend to see how well it could analyze large sets of complex documents. At first we kind of had to squint and be like, OK, did we do something wrong in our eval? because the jump was so big," he said. But every time we tested it, it came out double-digit points ahead." The launch of Gemini 3 has handed Google an elusive victory: The company, for the first time in years, has pulled well ahead in the race to develop artificial intelligence. The release of its latest AI model this week dazzled users who praised its intelligence, accuracy and creative capabilities. On Thursday, the company said Gemini 3 would power a new version of Nano Banana, a popular image-generation tool that has already driven rapid growth in Gemini usage this year. The success of the new model poses a significant challenge to OpenAI, Anthropic and other startups vying for AI dominance. Gemini 3 outperformed competing models on more than a dozen benchmark tests scoring a range of intelligence categories. They are AI winners, thats pretty clear," said MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson. I feel pretty good about their hand right now." OpenAIs ChatGPT is still by far the most popular AI chatbot. The company said this month it now has 800 million users each week, compared with Geminis 650 million monthly users. And Anthropics Claude is widely regarded as one of the leading models for coding. But Gemini 3s advances have the potential to cement it as a preferred tool for a diverse set of tasks, users and analysts say. Google has been scrambling to get an edge in the AI race since the launch of ChatGPT three years ago, which stoked fears among investors that the companys iconic search engine would lose significant traffic to chatbots. The company struggled for months to get traction. Chief Executive Sundar Pichai and other executives have since worked to overhaul the companys AI development strategy by breaking down internal silos, streamlining leadership and consolidating work on its models, employees say. Sergey Brin, one of Googles co-founders, resumed a day-to-day role at the company helping to oversee its AI-development efforts. During its annual developers conference in May, Google unveiled a suite of sophisticated AI products and a revamped version of its classic search engine featuring AI Mode, which answers search queries in a chatbot-style conversation. It helped some investors gain confidence that the company was mounting a comeback, Nathanson said, but the share price still languished this summer. Wall Street was debating whether these guys were going to be AI roadkill," he said. Then, in August, the debut of Nano Banana launched Gemini usage on its fastest trajectory to date. Geminis 650 million monthly users jumped from 450 million in July. The company also notched a significant victory in September, when a federal judge declined to levy harsh penalties against the company after earlier finding it maintained an illegal monopoly in the search market. The judge said the competitive dynamics of the market were changing already, largely because of AI. Google parent Alphabet reported record quarterly revenue last month, largely because of growth in cloud computing and advertising. Its shares are up more than 50% this year and more than 60% since the summer. Its market value this week hit $3.6 trillion, surpassing that of Microsoft for the first time in seven years. Google aimed to develop Gemini 3 to succeed in some of the most challenging areas of artificial intelligence. The companys engineers and researchers wanted to improve this models ability to see," analyze and generate all means of contenttext, images, audio, video and code. And they wanted to improve its capacity for thought and reasoning in the interest of building a better personal assistant in coding and other tasks. After the launch, a table showing Gemini 3s score on 20 benchmark tests circulated widely online. The model significantly outscored the latest ones from ChatGPT and Anthropic on tests involving expert-level knowledge, logic puzzles, math problems and image recognition. It took second place to Anthropics Claude Sonnet 4.5 on a single benchmark involving coding. Google ran some of the tests internally. The rest were done by other companies. Employees spent the weekend before launch in anticipation of getting scores back, some of which were far higher than anticipated. Doshi said the best surprise was Gemini 3s high performance on an evaluation called Vending Bench, which tests a models ability to think and act over time by asking it to operate a vending machine. The model must track inventory, place orders and set prices in order to make money in the simulation. Vending Bench reflects one of the things we were hoping to really shift with this model and push on, which is improved tool use and improved planning," she said. As part of the launch, Google began offering subscribers the opportunity to use Gemini 3 in AI Mode, the first time the company integrated a new model into search on day one. The company has plans to make it available soon for everyone in the U.S. Robby Stein, vice president of product for search, said he worked for months with the Gemini team to determine how the new model could improve the delivery of search-engine results. For one of his vibe checks, he used AI mode to ask for help explaining to his 7-year-old son the concept of lift force on an airplane. He expected a written response. The result: an interactive simulation that showed currents moving over a wing, with a slider allowing him to move the wing, change the currents and lift the plane into the air. I was like, Wow, this actually can be capable of presenting information in the best way given the question," he said. That was my main aha moment with this product." Write to Katherine Blunt at katherine.blunt@wsj.com US-based artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker Nvidia's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jensen Huang, in the company's meeting on Thursday, 20 November 2025, claimed that the US stock market did not appreciate the company's July to September quarter results amid the AI bubble fears, reported the news portal Business Insider. The market did not appreciate Nvidia's incredible quarter, said Jensen Huang, according to the news portal's report. This puts the AI chipmaker in a no-win situation, which affects the expectations of the market from the company. Huang flagged the no-win situation, highlighting that if the company delivered bad Q3 results, then it would serve as evidence of an AI bubble, and if it was a great quarter, then the market would call it fueling the AI bubble. If we delivered a bad quarter, it is evidence there's an AI bubble. If we delivered a great quarter, we are fueling the AI bubble, said Nvidia CEO. Jensen Huang, addressing the social media chatter about the firm, also said that if the company delivered a bad quarter, the whole world wouldve fallen apart.' If we delivered a bad quarter, if we're off by just a hair, if it just looked a little bit creaky, the whole world would've fallen apart, said Huang. There's no question about that, OK? You should've seen some of the memes that are on the internet. Have you guys seen some of them? We're basically holding the planet together and it's not untrue, according to the news portal's report. Nvidia's take on Huang's comments Nvidia, in an official statement, said that CEO Jensen Huang's message to the company was to keep the employees focused on their work while letting the markets take care of itself on its own. After another quarter of incredible growth and off-the-charts demand, Jensen's message to the company was to stay focused and let the market take care of itself, a Nvidia spokesperson said in an official statement cited in the news portal's report. Nvidia Q3 results Mint reported earlier that Nvidia announced a 65% rise in its net income to $31.9 billion in the July to September quarter of the calendar year 2025, compared year-on-year (YoY) with $19.31 billion in the same period a year ago. The company's data centre division generated $51.2 billion in revenues during the third quarter of 2025, which was the largest contributor to the overall revenues, while the GPU sales generated $4.3 billion in the same period. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress, during the company's earnings call said that the AI chipmaker expects to generate half a trillion dollars ($500 billion) in revenue from its semiconductor business by the end of 2026. Nvidia is looking at a visibility to a half a trillion dollars in Blackwell and Rubin revenue from the start of this year through the end of calendar year 2026, said Colette Kress. Shares of the company jumped 5.5% during the pre-market trading session on the US stock market after Nvidia announced its Q3 results on Thursday last week. During the trading day on Friday, the Nvidia shares jumped more than 5% on the US markets after the $500 billion revenue bet and the better-than-expected net income figures in the third quarter. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions. From widening trade gaps induced by US tariff headwinds and surging gold imports to a rise in the urban unemployment rate in October, shifting consumption patterns in the economy, and Indian companies' cautious but steady push into generative AI, here's this week's news in numbers. Trade dynamics Indias goods trade deficit widened to a record high of $41.7 billion in October, showed provisional data released by the commerce ministry this week. The trade gap widened by 29.6% from September, and by nearly 60% from a year ago. The surge in gold imports and the impact of US tariffs on Indian exports were the primary factors driving the increase in trade deficit. Exports to the worlds largest economy stood at $6.3 billion, up 15% from September, but 8.6% lower than a year ago. Gold imports, meanwhile, tripled year-on-year to $14.7 billion. The prices of the yellow metal have risen by over 60% in just one year, driven by global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and robust buying by central banks. Diverging trends Unemployment rate in rural India eased to 4.4% in October from 4.6% the previous month, while the urban rate inched up to 7% from 6.8%, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey. The decline in rural areas was led by women, for whom the figure was 4%, down from 4.3%. The fall in male unemployment was marginal. There has also been a small increase in the unemployment gap between rural men and women over the last three months. In contrast, the urban female unemployment rate rose to 9.7% from 9.3%, and the urban male rate rose to 6.1% from 6.0%. Overall, the countrys unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.2% in October. Consumption meter Rural sales volumes for the packaged consumer goods sector rose 7.7% on-year in the September quarter, compared to 8.4% in the previous quarter, a NielsenIQ report said on Monday. For the seventh straight quarter, growth in rural India outpaced that in urban parts, which recorded a 3.7% increase in volumes, down from 4.1% in the June quarter. The dip in both parts of the economy was likely due to disruptions related to changes in goods and services tax rates. Meanwhile, in terms of value, sales were up 12.9%. Unit growth outpaced volume growth, signalling a stronger consumer preference for smaller packs, the report said. Unit sales refer to the number of packs sold. Numbers talk 2.2 million tonnes: That is the quantity of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that three of Indias public sector oil companiesIndian Oil Corp., Bharat Petroleum Corp., and Hindustan Petroleum Corp.will import from the US in 2026, as part of a new deal. $45.7 million: This is the value of the US-approved potential sale of Javelin missile systems and related equipment to India, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said, noting the deal aims to boost Indias defence capabilities and deepen strategic ties. 7,172 crore: The amount of cumulative investment that electronics and IT ministry cleared for 17 projects on Monday, in the second tranche of approvals under a scheme that aims to boost the production of electronic goods within the country. 2.67 trillion: This is the amount of budgetary support Indian Railways is expected to receive in 2026-27 as the government pushes a major upgrade drive, with capex likely rising about 12% to a record allocation, Mint reported. 49%: Thats the stake International Finance Corporation (IFC), Siemens AG and Fullerton Fund Management are in talks to buy in green hydrogen firm Hygenco, as part of a $125-million equity deal to fund its large-scale expansion plans, Mint reported. On AI track The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) or agentic AI in Indian enterprises is progressing rapidly beyond the pilot level. Around 47% of the companies, which were part of a recent EY survey, said they had multiple AI-based projects live in the production stage, while 21% had such tasks at the proof-of-concept (PoC) stage, a stage that precedes pilot implementation. Another 23% of the organizations had AI-based endeavours in early pilot levels. Only 10% said they were scaling the use cases across businesses. The survey covered over 200 organizations. Contrast the findings with 2024, when the same report found that 34% had only completed PoCs, while 36% reported no PoCs at all, implying that there was limited real-world deployment. Also Read | The brain behind Generative AI has his sights set on India League table Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihars chief minister for the 10th time on Thursday. If he completes his five-year tenure, he will become the third-longest-serving chief minister in Indian history. He currently sits in the eighth position, having served in the post for over 19 years across multiple terms and under different alliances. The longest-serving chief minister in Indias history remains Pawan Kumar Chamling, who led Sikkim for over 24 years until 2019. Nitish Kumars party is forming the government in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Their alliance, which included some smaller parties as well, secured 202 out of 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections held earlier in November. The highly anticipated romantic comedy Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri has taken its first big step into the public eye: the official teaser was revealed today, announced by producer Karan Johar in celebration of actor Kartik Aaryans birthday. Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri teaser out on Kartik Aaryan's birthday The one-minute 34-seconds teaser offers a glimpse of Kartik and Ananya Pandays chemistry and teases a love story set in an exotic holiday locale, immediately setting social media abuzz. According to the teaser, Kartik plays a character named Ray, described as a mamas boy who confidently flaunts his washboard abs. He brags in a light-hearted way that whether it is Malaika or Urfi, nobody wants to let a guy like him go. Opposite him, Ananyas character Rumi yearns not just for romance, but for something old-school: a 1990s-style love story in the age of 2025s casual hook-up culture. A notable moment in the teaser comes during an airport confrontation, where Ray taunts Rumi about feminism and women who demand chivalry. Later, we see their relationship warm up in sunlit holiday scenes: dancing sequences, playful banter, and a big dance number at a scenic location. The teaser climaxes with a humorous and affectionate nod to the hit US sitcom Friends a reference that sparked delight among fans. One of the most talked-about parts of the teaser is a rather quirky moment when Rumi gets stung by a jellyfish. In a moment of awkward tenderness, Ray jokes in Friends-style, eventually offering to pee on the sting an explicit callback to a well-known gag from the sitcom. Fan Reactions Flood the Internet The teaser release has triggered a wave of excitement across social media. Some fans praised the films tone, describing it as a Dharma Productions project that carries a Luv Ranjan flavour a nod to the rom-com sensibility many associate with Luv Ranjans films. Others pointed out that the film gives them Tu jhoothi mein makkar vibes, referencing another popular Kartik Aaryan movie. There is also wide appreciation for the setting, I love that this is shot in Croatia on real location. Loved every frame of the teaser. Musical fans were particularly thrilled by the announcement that VishalSheykhar are returning to deliver the films soundtrack their signature sound, many argue, is exactly what the film needed, The OG Bollywood rom-com is back with Vishal-Sheykhar's music after soo long. Soo excited for the tracks Another person commented, V-S music in a romantic film after so long super excited already for this Teaser ek no hai aur apni new pairing b K-A ki The Return of VishalShekhar A major draw for audiences is the comeback of music duo Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani (VishalSheykhar) for this film. Known for their chart-topping work in earlier years, the pair have had a quieter stint recently, but remain very much active. Their recent works include the title track for the DDLJ musical, Come Fall In Love, released in 2025 a cross-cultural theatre production where they blended the musical influence of East and West. They also contributed to the soundtrack for the 2024 film Fighter, which featured songs like Ishq Jaisa Kuch and Sher Khul Gaye. Their work on other blockbusters like Pathaan (2023), including tracks such as Besharam Rang and Jhoome Jo Pathaan, underscores their sustained influence in Bollywood music. About the Film Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri is directed by Sameer Vidwans, the National Award-winning filmmaker behind Satyaprem Ki Katha. The film is being produced by Dharma Productions in partnership with Namah Pictures, with backing from heavyweights including Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora, and Bhumika Tewari. Originally, the movie was slated for a Valentines Day release (February 13, 2026), but recent reports suggest that its release has been rescheduled to Christmas - December 25, 2025. New Delhi, Nov 22 (PTI) The implementation of labour codes will help strengthen the country's export ecosystem as it provides flexibility, simplification, and predictability, which are essential to compete in volatile global markets while meeting international compliance requirements, an official said on Saturday. The commerce ministry official said that for workers, the same provisions ensure fair wages, social security, safety, equality, and avenues for upskilling and dignity of labour. In a landmark move, the government on Friday implemented the four labour codes, pending since 2020, introducing worker-friendly measures like a timely minimum wage for all and universal social security, including gig and platform workers, while allowing longer work hours, broader fixed-term employment, and employer-friendly retrenchment rules. The commerce ministry official said that each of these provisions under the codes contributes in a distinct yet interconnected manner to the strengthening of India's export ecosystem. "For export-oriented industries, the codes provide flexibility, simplification, and predictability essential to compete in volatile global markets while meeting international compliance expectations," the official said. Introduction of a uniform definition of "wages" across all labour codes would eliminate the ambiguity created by multiple, inconsistent definitions in earlier laws, the official said adding for export-oriented industries operating in multiple states, it simplifies payroll administration and compliance, ensuring uniformity in wage calculations for social security contributions, bonus, and gratuity. For export industries functioning across states, national floor wage and minimum wage rationalisation offer predictability in labour cost structures and eliminates regional disparities. "The prohibition of gender-based discrimination in recruitment and wages ensures equal remuneration for equal work. For export industries, this aligns domestic practices with international labour and human rights standards, particularly those demanded by global retail and sourcing partners," the official said. The provision permitting employment of women during night shifts, subject to their consent and adequate safety measures, greatly benefits export industries that function on a 24-hour production cycle to meet international orders. Industries in sectors like apparel, electronics, and IT-enabled services can now legally employ women during late hours with proper transportation, security, and welfare arrangements, the official said. Further raising the threshold for prior government approval for lay-off, retrenchment, or closure from 100 to 300 workers offers industries operational flexibility to adjust to changing export orders and global market conditions. "This provision gives exporters the confidence to expand employment during peak demand periods without the fear of excessive rigidity during downturns," the official said adding export-oriented industries, which are frequently audited by overseas clients and certification agencies, gain credibility through transparent and traceable digital documentation. Similarly, under the provisions of the labour codes, the plantation workers' rights have been consolidated, expanded and made portable. When Harmeet Dhillon, the Justice Departments top civil-rights attorney, sent a letter this summer telling Texas officials that their congressional map was unconstitutional, it set off a nationwide battle between the political parties to gain an edge in next years elections by redrawing their House districts. This past week, that letter created major legal problems for Republicans and a setback for the Trump administration. Dhillons warning to Texas was the central evidence a federal court cited in blocking a House district map that could have yielded Republicans as many as five additional seats. The result: President Trumps push to protect his partys House majority through gerrymandering is now at risk of costing the GOP seats, rather than producing a net gain. The Texas ruling left the White House working to shore up the firewall it has been trying to build to ensure that Democrats are unable to gain control of the House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow, six-seat majority, with three seats vacant. With four GOP-led states already putting maps in place that are more Republican-friendly, the White House is pushing Indiana, Florida and other states to follow suit, aware that a Democratic-led House would stymie the presidents agenda in Congress and possibly impeach him. Late Friday, the administration got good news as Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito issued a temporary pause on the lower-court ruling, restoring the contested map for now. Alito, the justice who handles emergency appeals from Texas, ordered the groups that challenged the map to respond by Monday. Still, the Dhillon letter was clearly an unforced error," said Jacob Rubashkin, an editor at Inside Elections, a nonpartisan newsletter. The Supreme Court has ruled that drawing House districts to give one party an advantage is legal and beyond the purview of federal courts to intervene. Dhillons misstep, analysts and critics of the administration said, was to tell Texas officials that they needed to redraw four districts to satisfy race-based requirements under federal law and the Constitutionmatters in which federal courts still play a role. A divided three-judge court on Tuesday ruled that Texas state lawmakers drew their House map to satisfy the Justice Departments racial concernsand in doing so produced an illegal racial gerrymander. The 2-1 ruling, written by a Trump-nominated judge, said Texas must use its prior House map, which lawmakers had approved just after the 2020 census. She gave them a bomb, and they ran with it," Michael Li, a lawyer who tracks voting rights with the liberal Brennan Center for Justice, said of Dhillons letter. While White House officials acknowledged the ruling as a setback, they expressed confidence it would be overturned soon by the Supreme Court. The officials said the new Texas map was in fact drawn to help Republicans gain seats, not to achieve any racial goals. If the Texas ruling stands, Democrats would be on track to come out ahead by about three seats from the unusual, mid-decade redistricting rush that Trump set off this summer, according to David Wasserman, a redistricting expert with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Talk about a backfire," he said. Wasserman calculated before the court decision that Republicans had gained a net one seat from redistricting, with some uncertainty about the tally. He counted likely gains from just-approved maps in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina and Missouri, where Republicans control the legislatures, offset by changes in California and Utah benefiting Democrats. On deck could be additional GOP seats in Florida and Indiana, as well as Democratic seats in Virginia. The tit-for-tat redistricting among the states has frustrated some members of Trumps own party who are in danger of losing their House seats. This whole thing has been just one of the dumbest things that weve seen in recent American political history, and its going to benefit no one," said Rep. Kevin Kiley, a California Republican. His district along the Nevada border was cut into six pieces by a new map that California voters approved this month. The push for a new map, urged by Gov. Gavin Newsom, was intended to counter the GOP redistricting push in Texas. The Justice Department is suing to rescind the new California map, but Kiley for now is left trying to decide which segment of his district to run in next year. He had been warning his fellow Republicans for months that their redistricting push could produce districts they ultimately lose. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican who said his current seat is shattered into three pieces under the new map, pointed to local reports in his farming-heavy district that found even Democratic voters uneasy with the outcome, owing to concern that the districts agriculture hub wouldnt be well-represented by urban legislators. I shudder at how much is going on all across the country," LaMalfa said. This traces, of course, to the Texas deal, which I dont support, either. Two wrongs do not make a right." States commonly draw new district lines early in a decade, once the decennial census shows how population has shifted across the country. While mid-decade remapping occurs, this year has been unusually fluid. Trump set off the redistricting battle in the summer, when there was little prospect that Democratic states such as California would respond in kind. The White House is still pressing lawmakers in several states to draw new maps. The president and his allies are threatening to support primary-election candidates against Indiana Republican lawmakers. Republicans are simply asking them togive the voters proper representation in their states," Alex Bruesewitz, a Republican consultant and Trump ally, said. I dont know why some of these so-called Republican legislators are dragging their feet." Republicans have said that their party was responding to legal challenges and gerrymandering by Democrats in such states as Massachusetts, where none of the nine House members are Republican, and Illinois, where Republicans have long complained about Democratic-drawn districts. You have case after case after case where Democrats maximized their opportunities, and Republicans for various reasons chose not to do so," said Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust. This was not a fight that started in Texas." Legal challenges to the maps in Texas and California, as well as those in North Carolina, Louisiana and elsewhere, might create a clash between the courts and the election calendar. The deadline for candidates to file their intent to run for office is coming up soon in some statesas early as December in Texas and North Carolina. Some Democrats, such as Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas, whose seat was targeted by the states Republicans, said supporting Democratic efforts to draw more-favorable maps should be a litmus test for those in the party who have aspirations for higher office. Failure to do so should be disqualifying, Veasey said. Two years from now, if youre going to want to be mentioned as a presidential contender, or youre going to want a cabinet post, or youre going to want a prime-time slot speaking at the convention, absolutely not," said Veasey. Fight now, or you dont fight later." Kincaid said Republicans would continue to act, in part to respond to Democratic lawfare," or political combat in the courts. Republicans had a choice either to sit back and let Democrats sue the Republican majority away, or to try to gain seats. And thats what youre seeing here," he said. Write to Olivia Beavers at Olivia.Beavers@wsj.com, Aaron Zitner at aaron.zitner@wsj.com and Meridith McGraw at Meridith.McGraw@WSJ.com WASHINGTONPresident Trumps push to end Russias war with Ukraine takes a page from the playbook he used to obtain a cease-fire in Gaza. By force of personality and deadlines, he is trying to jam though a plan to stop a grinding conflict between two reluctant warring parties. A breakthrough would fulfill Trumps goal of finally stopping the brutal war, which he vowed during his days on the campaign trail to end within 24 hours after returning to the White House. So far, Trump has succeeded in securing a measure of support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has said a 28-point draft U.S. plan could be the basis for resolving the conflict. But Trumps demand that Kyiv accept the proposal within a week has spurred deep anxiety in Europe and Ukraine, whose officials are looking for ways to rework what they see as a one-sided plan. Trumps 28-point plan for ending the war in Ukraine follows the same script as his 20-point plan for Gazaa short term, transactional take it or leave it approach to quickly end the fighting but not the war," said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East negotiator who is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Both were clearly designed to heavily favor one of the combatantsRussia in case of Ukraine; Israel in Gaza," Miller added. Like the Gaza plan, the White House blueprint was worked on by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner. But this time, Kremlin confidant Kirill Dmitriev was involved in the consultations, officials have said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will have to learn to like it," or will have to keep fighting, Trump said. It was a sharp shift in tone from recent statements in which Trump suggested the U.S. could bolster Ukraine by sending long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and predicted the country might recapture all territory seized by Russian forces since 2022. A White House spokeswoman also insists that Trump is still open to suggestions from Kyiv and Moscow, building on the presidents success in getting a cease-fire in Gaza. Just like you saw with respect to Israel and Gaza, we are hearing out both sides of this war to understand what can you commit to do to end the war," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. In Gaza, after repeated attempts at securing a cease-fire, Trump warned Hamas in late September that it had three or four days" to agree to the detailed U.S.-crafted cease-fire deal or they would pay in hell." Trump also privately pressured a reluctant Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the terms. Trump announced agreement on the deal on Oct. 8. Many elements of the Gaza plans remain incomplete, including disarming Hamas, deploying an international security force, standing up a new governing authority and settling on a reconstruction plan. Both sides still mount isolated attacks, though a fragile cease-fire remains in place. Trump is using a similar pressure campaign against Kyiv, though some former officials say the stakes are even higher than they were in Gaza as Ukraines sovereignty and Europes security is at stake. Whats on the table is so much more consequential for the parties. We werent asking Israel to agree to a Palestinian state," said Richard Haass, the former head of the Council on Foreign Relations and a State Department official under George W. Bush. It is one thing to jam people on something that is relatively modest; something else to jam them on something that is existential." Zelensky said on Friday that Trumps ultimatum confronted Ukraine with one of the most difficult moments in our history," he said in a video address. Now Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice. Either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner." He added, We choose dignity." Zelensky indicated Friday after speaking with Vice President JD Vance that he hadnt given up on persuading the White House to amend the terms of the U.S. plans. He and Vance agreed to have their advisers work to find a workable path to peace," Zelensky said. Similar to a Board of Peace headed by Trump in the Gaza agreement, the plan to end the Ukraine conflict calls for establishment of a Peace Council to monitor the implementation of the settlement that he would also head. A parallel accord on security guarantees provides for consultations by the U.S. president with Ukraine, NATO and European governments if Russia carries out a significant, deliberate and sustained armed attack" after a peace agreement is implemented in Ukraine. The potential response to such a Russian attack listed in the document includes military action, the sharing of intelligence and logistic support for Ukraine, as well as economic and diplomatic steps. Some former Trump administration officials see that as a noteworthy Russian concession. Getting Russias agreement to a Western-exclusive security guarantee is a significant achievement for the administration," said Andrew Peek, who served as the top National Security Council official for Russia issues in Trumps second term before leaving in May. But other former officials and analysts say Trumps plan asks Ukraine to trade tangible security arrangements for a mere promise of consultation. Provisions of the 28-point plan would require Ukraine to cap its military at 600,000 while precluding the deployment of a European-led reassurance force" inside the country to deter future Russian aggression. Even if this goes nowhere, the Russians have set in place a narrative," said Rebeccah Heinrichs, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. It looks like Russia is making some kind of concessions and they are not. So it throws the NATO alliance and Ukraine sort of in turmoil and puts us at odds with each other." Write to Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com MOSCOW, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and two others injured in a drone attack in the city of Syzran in Russia's Samara region, regional Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev said on Saturday. Fedorishchev said that unmanned aerial vehicles targeted fuel and energy infrastructure in the region, adding that Russia's air defense systems successfully repelled the attack. The Russian defense ministry said Saturday that Russian air defense units shot down 155 Ukrainian aircraft-type drones over the past 24 hours. The Centre is planning to table a bill to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to be 100%, raising its ceiling in a boost to the industry. The government will introduce the bill in the Winter Session of the Parliament, slated to begin on December 1 and continue till December 19. The session will have 15 working days. The plan was notified in a Lok Sabha bulletin earlier this week. As per the bulletin, the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025 is one of the 10 legislations listed for the upcoming session of the Parliament the first one after Bihar Assembly elections. The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to deepen penetration, accelerate growth and development of the insurance sector and enhance ease of doing business. Currently, FDI in the insurance sector is capped at 74%. The proposal to raise it to 100% came for the first time from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Budget speech in February this year. This enhanced limit will be available for those companies which invest the entire premium in India, she said at the time. The current guardrails and conditionalities associated with foreign investment will be reviewed and simplified, she assured. Through FDI, the insurance sector has attracted 82,000 crore so far, according to PTI. The finance ministry has proposed amending various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, including raising FDI in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, reducing paid-up capital, and introducing a composite licence. Which Acts are being amended? The Centre plans to amend the Life Insurance Corporation Act 1956 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act 1999 as part of its comprehensive legislative exercise. The Insurance Act 1938 is also proposed to be amended. It has proposed to empower the board of LIC to take operational decisions, such as branch expansion and recruitment as part of the amendment to the LIC Act 1956. The government wants to focus on driving economic growth and generating employment through the act by promoting policyholders' interests, enhancing their financial security, and facilitating the entry of additional players into the insurance market. Such changes will help enhance the efficiency of the insurance industry, enabling ease of doing business and enhancing insurance penetration to achieve the goal of 'Insurance for All by 2047'. The finance ministry would also introduce the Securities Markets Code Bill (SMC), 2025. The Bill seeks to consolidate the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992, the Depositories Act 1996 and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956 into a rationalised single Securities Markets Code. Amid a rally in the PSU stocks, Indian defence PSU stocks, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) delivered stellar returns to their respective shareholders. Over the last five years, both defence PSUs have delivered returns of over 1,000% to their shareholders. However, in 2025, the HAL share price has remained an ideal sell-on-rise stock, while the BEL share price has ascended by over 40%. This has triggered speculation about whether BEL shares are still in a bull trend, and the government's focus and rising expenditure on national security and defence will continue to work as a catalyst for the BEL share price rally. What's fueling the BEL share price? Highlighting the fundamentals that are fueling BEL's share price, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, said, "BELs long-term journey is shaping into a strong compounding story as the company evolves from a defence electronics supplier into a critical pillar of Indias modern warfare systems. With an order book of 75,600 crore and clear visibility of 27,000 crore in FY26 inflows (potentially 57,000 crore including QRSAM), BEL enters a phase of structural, not cyclical growth. The companys confidence in delivering 15% revenue growth and sustaining EBITDA margins of 27% or more underscores a rare stability in defence manufacturing. Multiple upcoming programmes such as QRSAM, LCA avionics, NGC radar orders, emergency procurements and strategic roles in Project Kusha add layered, multi-year growth triggers that will unfold sequentially beyond FY27." On why BEL share price outperformed HAL share price in 2025, Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities said, "Compared to HAL, whose massive 2.5 trillion order book is tied to large and lumpy aircraft platforms, BEL benefits from shorter execution cycles and much broader product diversification across radars, electronic warfare, missile electronics, communication systems and command-control platforms. As India deepens defence indigenisation and shifts toward electronic-centric warfare, BELs positioning becomes even stronger." Comparing the fundamentals of HAL and BEL, Sachin Jasuja, Head of Equities and Founding Partner at Centricity WealthTech, said, "As of October 2025, BELs order book is valued at approximately 74,000 crore, characterised by short-duration and recurring contracts. These contracts typically involve missile systems, naval electronics, and electronic warfare products, allowing for faster execution timelines and more predictable revenue streams. In contrast, HAL has a larger but longer-gestation order book of nearly 1.89 trillion as of FY25. HAL's projects are capital-intensive and involve significant reliance on imported engines like the GE F414, despite ongoing efforts to enhance indigenisation." HAL vs BEL: Which is better? "Management commentary from BEL's recent Q2 FY26 earnings underscores these shorter project cycles, which enable quicker order turnarounds, improved revenue visibility, and consistent margin delivery. BEL is also actively pursuing export markets and increasing indigenisation, which should support strong order inflows and broaden its growth opportunities. Meanwhile, HALs aerospace programs, while essential and large-scale, naturally involve longer development periods and require heavier capital investments," Jasuja added. Sachin Jasuja stated that BEL and HAL heavily depend on government orders, policy continuity, and defence budget allocations, which represent systemic risks. However, BELs lighter asset base and higher revenue velocity structurally position it for faster growth. Although BEL currently commands a valuation premium, its strong R&D pipeline, expanding product portfolio, and operational leverage justify this premium to a significant extent. Expecting the trend to continue further, Seema Srivastava said, " HAL will remain a scale giant, but BEL offers a more scalable and predictable compounding runway. With margin stability, expanding exports, rising R&D strength and a widening role in Indias strategic programmes, BEL share price has the potential to outperform HAL shares on percentage returns and emerge as a long-term multibagger in the defence space." Is BEL next HAL on steroids? On whether BEL is next HAL on steroids, Sachin Jasuja said, It may be somewhat exaggerated to label BEL as the 'next HAL on steroids,' given that both companies operate in distinct yet complementary niches within the Indian defence ecosystem, BEL already commands a 3 lakh crore market cap with slightly rich valuations and a larger base. Even so, BELs effective execution, short-cycle order book, and strategic focus on technology-intensive defence electronics continue to make it attractive as a potential growth candidate, especially as its export ambitions gain traction amid a changing geopolitical environment that is driving rising defence spending across most countries. Key Takeaways Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) is experiencing rapid growth due to its diversified product range and shorter execution cycles. BEL's order book and revenue visibility position it favorably compared to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which has longer project durations. Government orders and defense budget allocations are vital for the success of both BEL and HAL, with BEL poised for faster growth. RETELLING OF FOLKLORE Ojas Art is presenting a new show, Masnavi: Lores Across Lands, featuring 60 works by 17 artists from India and abroad. Some of the artists featured in the exhibition include Khadim Ali, Amal Lin and Samantha Buckley. Curated by Khushboo Jain, Masnavi explores how folklore both shapes and is shaped by the times that we live in. The curation seeks to highlight the universal messages of love, wonder, reflection and resilience of communities underlying these tales. According to Jain, with each retelling this folklore grows richer, connecting us to a continuous human experience. At Ojas Art gallery, Mehrauli, Delhi, from 23 November to 11 January, 11am-7pm (closed on Monday). Also Read | 10 new restaurants and bars to make a reservation at this month View full Image Artworks on display at the Kolkata Art Weekender KOLKATA AS A CANVAS The city is turning into a backdrop over the weekend for an art and culture festival, titled the Kolkata Art Weekender. Hosted by Art Fervour, it brings together institutions and galleries such as Experimenter, TRI Art and Culture, Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) and Alipore Museum. The programming, spanning venues across Kolkata, features exhibitions, guided heritage walks, vinyl listening sessions, games nights and mixers. Some of the highlights include studio visits with Suhasini Kejriwal and Rathin Barman and a zine making workshop with The Barge Company. Across multiple venues in the city till 23 November. View full Image Aspirations, an artwork by Valay Gada. THE PRICE OF PROGRESS The art show, Room For Banana Republic, curated by Manan Shah features paintings, sculptures and installations by eight artists, including Gurdeep Brar, Hemant Gavankar and Valay Gada. The works are based on the theme of how progress, when divorced from equity, reconfigures both landscapes and lives. At Art Centrix Space, Jain Farm, Vasant Kunj, 23 November-22 December, 11am-6pm (Sundays closed). View full Image The Capital City Minstrels performing at a concert. RINGING IN CHRISTMAS SEASON Delhis performing choir, The Capital City Minstrels, will usher in the Christmas season through winter concerts titled, An Die Musik: An Ode to Music. Conducted by Nise Meruno and assistant conductor, Riddhiman Dutta, the choir will present contemporary and classic Christmas songs. At Cathedral Church of the Redemption, Raisina Hills (on 23 November)/Kamani Auditorium, Copernicus Marg (27 November), 6.30pm/7.30pm. For details, visit in.bookmyshow.com. View full Image An ensemble of Odissi dancers at the Jaipur Dance Festival. RHYTHM OF INDIAN DANCES Enjoy two days of classical and folk dance performances at the Jaipur Dance Conclave. Among the participating artists are Leela Samson (Bharatanatyam), Madhavi Mudgal (Odissi), Gauri Diwakar (Kathak), and Divya Warrier (Mohiniattam). The attendees can also participate in Kathak workshops. At Rajasthan International Centre, Jhalana Doongri, 22-23 November, 10am-8.30pm. For details, visit www.jaipurdanceconclave.com. View full Image Speakers Nishi Pandey, Ila Arun and Anjula Bedi from the previous edition of Koshala Literature Festival. GETTING LITERARY IN LUCKNOW Air India on Saturday announced it had reinstated its codeshare agreement with Air Canada after five years. Air India's codeshare agreement with Air Canada was suspended in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The codeshare agreement with Air Canada will enable Air India to offer passengers access to six points across Canada beyond its gateways at Vancouver and London (Heathrow). With a codeshare partnership, passengers can travel on a single ticket on different flights. In such deals, airlines to sell seats on each other's flights, helping them to fly a wide range of destinations. Also Read | Air India lobbies to use airspace over China's Xinjiang as financial woes mount Air India's codeshare agreement with Air Canada will be effective from December 2, the Tata Group-owned airline said. Air Canada confirmed the agreement in a post on X. Starting December 2, 2025, subject to regulatory approval, we will reinstate our codeshare agreement with Star Alliance member Air India, offering more convenient travel options between Canada and India, and providing smoother connections and an expanded network for customers, Air Canada said in a post on X. Air India-Air Canada codeshare: What are the routes? The codeshare agreement will allow Air India to place its AI designator code on Air Canada-operated flights on the following routes: From Vancouver to: Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Halifax From London Heathrow to: Vancouver and Calgary Reciprocally, Air Canada customers will benefit from seamless domestic India connectivity to Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kochi via Delhi, and to Delhi and Mumbai via London (Heathrow), Air India said. View full Image Air India-Air Canada agreement More than two million people travel between India and Canada every year, as families reunite, students pursue their dreams, and businesses build for tomorrow. The reinstatement of our partnership with Air Canada eases journeys for thousands of them every day moving forward, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said. As a proud Star Alliance member airline, Air India remains committed to the alliance's purpose of delivering seamless journeys across the globe, Wilson added. Customers with itineraries combining flights operated by Air India and Air Canada can travel on a single ticket and benefit from a unified baggage allowance. Also Read | Air India to resume non-stop flights from Delhi to Shanghai from next year Frequent flyers can continue to earn and redeem points/ miles on both airlines, and elite status holders of Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty programme continue to enjoy Star Alliance Gold benefits with Air Canada-operated flights, including priority services, extra baggage allowance, and complimentary airport lounge access. For now, it is Air India's only codeshare partnership with a North American carrier. Al-Falah University in Faridabad, which came under scrutiny after investigators found links between the institute and the Delhi blast, said the outdated NAAC accreditation on its website was the result of oversight, website-design errors, and unintentional lapses. According to a report by Hindustan Times, the university, said it was apologetic about the 'misleading' accreditation displayed on the website and informed NAAC that the claims have now been removed. Spread across 76 acres in Dhauj village of Haryanas Faridabad district Al-Falah University came under scrutiny after three doctors associated with the institution were linked to the blast near Delhi's Red Fort on 10 November which killed at least 12 people. Why is Al-Falah's NAAC grade under scrutiny? The accreditation body, on 13 November, had issued a show-cause notice to Al-Falah University for displaying absolutely wrong and misleading information including an A Grade for its engineering college from 2013 and accreditation for its teacher education school from 2011. In its letter, NAAC stated that both the accreditation status have expired in 2016 and 2018, and that both colleges did not volunteer for the Cycle-2 Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) process of NAAC. The notice said the accreditation display was misleading, false and directed the university to remove all those claims, file a compliance report, and respond within seven days. Al-Falah gets another show-cause notice On Friday, 21 November, National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) issued a show-cause notice to the Al-Falah University, asking why its minority status should not be withdrawn in light of linkages to the Delhi blast case, ANI reported citing sources. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on 4 December. A notice has been issued to the university registrar as well as the Principal Secretary to the Education Department in Haryana to submit the report. What is the link between Al-Falah University and Delhi blast? Pulwama-based doctor Mohammad Umar Nabi, who was suspected to have been behind the wheel of the Hyundai i20 car which exploded near Red Fort metro station was an assistant professor at Al-Falah. Dr Muzammil Ganaie, who was also among the arrested, was a teacher at the Al-Falah University. According to intelligence reports, Umar Nabi is not the first individual associated with Al-Falah to be linked to terrorism. Al-Falah's other alumnus tied to terror case One alumnus from Al-Falah has previously been found involved in terrorist activities, reported ANI. The individual named in the reports was Mirza Shadab Beg, one of the key members of the Indian Mujahideen. Beg completed his B.Tech in Electronics & Instrumentation from Al-Falah Engineering College in Faridabad in 2007. A new video has surfaced of the last manoeuvre of the India-made Tejas fighter jet that collapsed at the Dubai Air Show on Friday. In the video seen below, the fighter jet is seen moving smoothly until it starts giving up altitude. It then crashes and smoke can be seen billowing out of the craft: The incident has alarmed the Indian defence community, with Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd) saying that it has "shaken up the whole system". In an interview with ANI, Kapoor said, "The ill-fated Tejas crash a little while ago in Dubai has actually shaken up the whole system... The reasons could be mechanical. The reason could be the malfunction of fly-by-wire or any control surface. The sabotage angle would also be looked at by the court of inquiry team. The FDR and CVR would be extracted... At this stage, to speculate and to say what could have gone wrong is incorrect, and to have lost a brother in arms is very sad..." Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which manufactures the Tejas fighter jets, have also expressed condolences at the death of the IAF pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who was manning the aircraft when the crash occurred. HAL said in an X post, "HAL is deeply saddened by the loss of the courageous IAF pilot during the aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. HAL expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family." Why the aircraft crashed The exact reason behind the crash has not been discovered yet. Defence expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retd.) has said that the incident might have occurred due to the pilot losing control or having a blackout due to the g-forces in play. He said in an interview with ANI, From the visuals, it seems that the jet lost control during the acrobatics, or there might have been a pilot blackout. Blackout here means the excessive gravitational force." "Pilots wear a G-suit so that the blood does not pool in their legs; there might have been an issue with that. What exactly happened can only be determined once the cockpit data is retrieved. I express my condolences to the family of the pilot," he added. Also Read | Tejas jet crashes in Dubai: IAF orders court of inquiry after pilot dies An eyewitness who attended the airshow told Reuters that the aircraft flew for eight to nine minutes and completed two or three laps before it crashed. Three individuals, including a police constable, have been arrested by the Bengaluru Police in 'record time' in connection to a sensational robbery case where the perpetrators, posing as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials, stopped a cash van and escaped with 7.11 crores. Bengaluru Police have now explained how the case was solved and three members of the gang were arrested. Also Read | Louvre robbers filmed escaping in new footage: Watch here Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told reporters, "We had formed eleven teams and deployed 200 police officers and personnel for the job. More than 30 people were interrogated and three have been arrested. They are vehicle the in-charge, ex-employee of CMS Info Systems and a police constable posted in Govindapura police station," as per ANI. Singh added that six teams of the Bengaluru police were sent across all states in southern India as well as Goa to track the criminals involved in the heist. How the crime took place Unidentified men, posing as officials of the RBI, intercepted an ATM cash van belonging to CMS Info Systems. The van was carrying cash from a private bank branch in Bengaluru's JP Nagar. The car which the criminals used also had a Government of India sticker. The criminals stopped the van and claimed that they were government officials and needed to verify their documents. They forced the staff in the cash van to climb into their own vehicle along with the trunks carrying cash. The CMS Info Systems staff were later dropped near Dairy Circle while the criminals fled with the money. During their escape, the gang made multiple stops at areas not covered by CCTV. They also did not use any mobile phones during the heist and spoke in multiple languages to mislead investigators. A press note by the Bengaluru Police also revealed that multiple vehicles were used during the heist and number plates were frequently changed by the robbers in order to escape detection. Also Read | Bengaluru Cab Driver Pulls Out Knife, Charges At Others At Airport Moreover, the currency notes that were stolen were not serialised by the bank, making tracing difficult. How Bengaluru Police cracked the case A large multi-layered operation was mobilised by the Bengaluru police in order to trace the perpetrators. A team comprising of 11 police inspectors, 2 Assistant commissioners, and six inspectors from the Central Crime Branch was formed, which was being supervised by senior officials. Leads were pursued across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, as well as Goa. More than 30 people were questioned, and CCTV, local intelligence, as well as vehicle movement patterns were analysed. The accused as well as the vehicles used in the heist were identified within the first 24 hours. One of the accused is a police official Bengaluru Police has revealed that three accused individuals were detained within 54 hours of the crime. One of the accused is a police constable, Annappa Naik, along with Xavier, a former employee of CMS Info Systems, as well as Gopi, the vehicle-in-charge of the operation. Jammu and Kashmir Police's State Investigation Agency (SIA), along with the Special Operations Group of the state has made a fresh arrest in the Delhi blast case which occurred near the Red Fort on 10 November. Tufail Niyaz Bhat, the arrested individual who worked as an electrician in Pulwama, is a Srinagar native. He was nabbed from an industrial estate and taken in for questioning. Hindustan Times spoke to a local CID officer who revealed that there is concrete evidence of Bhat's involvement in planning the Delhi blast. Also Read | Red Fort car blast case: Delhi court sends four accused to 10 days NIA custody At least 14 people, along with Umar Un Nabi, the suicide bomber, died in the November 10 blast. How the module was busted The entire 'white collar' terror module was busted as a result of an investigation by the Srinagar Police into the pasting of posters threatening police and security officials in Nowgam and Bunpora in October. The probe was led by Senior Superintendent of Police (Srinagar) Dr G V Sundeep Chakravarthy. The first three suspects - Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf, and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid - were arrested after analysis of CCTV footage. The person who supplied them these posters was one paramedic-turned-imam, Maulvi Irfan Ahmad. He is believed to have radicalised the doctors involved in the Delhi blast. The investigation then led the police to the Al-Falah University in Faridabad, rom where they nabbed Dr Muzzafar Ganaie and Dr Shaheen Sayeed and also recovered 2,900 kg of explosives from them. Dr Ganaie, Umar Nabi (the person driving the explosives-laden car) and Muzzaffar Rather, who is currently absconding, are believed to be the ones running the module. Al-Falah university's long-standing terror links Investigations have also revealed that Al-Falah University has had a long-standing link with terror operatives, as per PTI. Mirza Shadab Baig, a fugitive Indian Mujahideen bomber wanted in a 2008 serial blasts case, was a former student of this institution. Baig, who is an accused in the 2008 serial blasts in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Gorakhpur, completed his BTech degree in electronics and instrumentation from Al-Falah in 2007. He has been missing since the 2008 Batla House encounter. Baig was last traced to Afghanistan in 2019, and Indian agencies believe he is currently based out of Saudi Arabia. Delhi woke up to yet another morning of toxic air on Saturday, as a dense blanket of smog engulfed the city and pushed Air Quality Index (AQI) beyond 400, forcing the capital into the severe category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's AQI was recorded at 419 at 11:00 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, with no traces of improvement. 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: 430 Alipur: 381 Anand Vihar: 419 RK Puram: 376 Punjabi Bagh: 380 Mundka: 405 Jahangirpuri: 419 Burari Crossing: 378 Chandni Chowk: 366 Bawana: 414 Lodhi Road reported the lowest AQI among 39 stations, recording 312, which still falls within the very 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. Air quality forecast Delhi's air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category until 24 November. For the next 6 Days, the air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category, according to the Decision Support System of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. The Graded Response Action Plan Stage 3 (GRAP III) continues to be in effect since November 11 across Delhi, as ordered by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) due to the deteriorating air quality. Multiple measures have been laid with the objective to control emissions through stricter restrictions on construction, vehicular movement, and industrial operations. Center issues advisory for children and senior citizens The Centre issued an advisory this month, for all states and Union territories, with guidelines to combat air pollution-related diseases. Also Read | Manu Jain calls Delhi pollution disturbing, says he took an early flight home As per the advisory, children, particularly those under 5 years, elderly, pregnant women, patients with asthma or heart diseases, those from low socio-economic conditions having poor nutritional status and belonging to outdoor working groups are at the highest risk of health issues due to the deteriorating air quality. MCD orders strict dust-control The Standing Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), on Wednesday, discussed the rising air pollution levels and the urgent need to strengthen dust-control measures. The committee chaired by Satya 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. Also Read | Severe Delhi air pollution forces BCCI to shift matches to Mumbai Delhi Police investigating the suicide case of Class 10 student from central Delhis reputed school said that they have identified five of the boys friends and examined CCTV footage. The death of the 16-year-old student, which raised concern on mental health, is being probed and investigating agencies are questioning the deceased's friends and their families. In connection with the suicide case, Delhi Police is questioning three classmates who have been identified among the witnesses and were named in the FIR filed by the child's father. Narrating the happenings of the last four days before the 16-year-old's death, they alleged that the Class 10 student was picked on repeatedly. According to HT report, this particular group of friends felt intimidated, routinely humiliated and targeted by the staff members in question, an investigator familiar with the statements of the witnesses said. Meanwhile, CCTV footage seems to corroborate the witnesses' uniform narrative. A teacher is seen humiliating him in front of other kids, a police officer said while referring to one of the footages. The school suspended four staff members on Thursday after they were charged with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 107 (abetment to suicide) and 3(5) (common intention). In the notice issued to the district magistrate and the deputy commissioner of police of central Delhi, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) demanded an action taken report within 10 days for its perusal into the allegations levelled in the complaint filed on November 19. The FIR alleges that the student committed suicide by jumping from the Rajendra Place Metro Station due to "continuous mental harassment and discriminatory treatment by teachers of a reputed school in Lutyens' Delhi". Following the public outrage over the suicide, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Friday said that an investigation committee has been formed by the state government. We have formed an investigation committee, and the school has also taken action. I see this not only as the Education Minister, but also as a concerned parent. Soon, I will be writing to schools to ask whether they are monitoring students' mental health and overall well-being in accordance with CBSE guidelines," ANI quoted the Delhi Education Minister as saying. Also Read | Gunmen kidnap over 200 schoolchildren, 12 teachers from Nigerian Catholic schoo He added, "The state government is ready to provide handholding and support. We are deeply concerned about our children's mental health and well-being. The Class 10 student left a suicide note accusing his schoolteachers of harassment. Calling for strict action against the responsible staff members, the 16-year-old in his note wished that his organs be donated after his death. If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist Helplines Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999666555 Or help@vandrevalafoundation.com People visit the paper art exhibition "Splendor Paper Art For Millennia -- International Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Paper-Based Art (Switzerland Stop)" at the China Cultural Center in Bern, Switzerland, Nov. 21, 2025. An exhibition of contemporary Chinese paper art opened on Friday at the China Cultural Center in Bern, drawing visitors from across Switzerland and neighboring countries. The 11-day exhibition featured more than 80 paper-based artworks by 52 Chinese artists, which attracted visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, among others. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) BERN, Switzerland, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition of contemporary Chinese paper art opened on Friday at the China Cultural Center in Bern, drawing visitors from across Switzerland and neighboring countries. The 11-day exhibition, titled "Splendor Paper Art For Millennia -- International Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Paper-Based Art (Switzerland Stop)", featured more than 80 paper-based artworks by 52 Chinese artists, which attracted visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, among others. The exhibit spans a wide range of forms, including ink painting, rubbing, paper-cutting, paper sculpture, paper installations, and pulp art. A sack-shaped artwork sparked visitors' curiosity when artist Wang Lei revealed that it was made from the pulped pages of Cihai, a large-scale dictionary and encyclopedia of the Chinese language. He reshaped the recycled pulp into a new form to symbolize "countless words gathered as blessings." As one of China's "Four Great Inventions of Ancient China," papermaking is not only a technological breakthrough but also a key to understanding Chinese civilization, said Xiao Huang, curator of the exhibition, adding that "the material of paper is itself a language." Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Qian Minjian said paper has long served as a witness to exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations. He added that paper-cutting, a longstanding folk art in Asia, is also cherished in Switzerland as a valued tradition. Mosimann Kurt, 87, said the exhibition was excellent. "I am amazed by the Chinese philosophy behind these paper-based artworks," said Kurt, adding that he first visited China in 1984 and has been fascinated by its culture and people ever since. Swiss artist Valerie Kessler said it was a privilege to view an exhibition of such high quality. An artist herself, she said she was inspired and impressed by the rich diversity of Chinese art. "I truly appreciate the techniques these Chinese artists bring to their work," she added. The five-stop exhibition tour has already been presented in Sofia of Bulgaria and The Hague of the Netherlands. Following the Bern stop, it is scheduled to continue to Belgrade of Serbia and Budapest of Hungary. A woman visits the paper art exhibition "Splendor Paper Art For Millennia -- International Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Paper-Based Art (Switzerland Stop)" at the China Cultural Center in Bern, Switzerland, Nov. 21, 2025. An exhibition of contemporary Chinese paper art opened on Friday at the China Cultural Center in Bern, drawing visitors from across Switzerland and neighboring countries. The 11-day exhibition featured more than 80 paper-based artworks by 52 Chinese artists, which attracted visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, among others. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People visit the paper art exhibition "Splendor Paper Art For Millennia -- International Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Paper-Based Art (Switzerland Stop)" at the China Cultural Center in Bern, Switzerland, Nov. 21, 2025. An exhibition of contemporary Chinese paper art opened on Friday at the China Cultural Center in Bern, drawing visitors from across Switzerland and neighboring countries. The 11-day exhibition featured more than 80 paper-based artworks by 52 Chinese artists, which attracted visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, among others. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) People visit the paper art exhibition "Splendor Paper Art For Millennia -- International Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Chinese Paper-Based Art (Switzerland Stop)" at the China Cultural Center in Bern, Switzerland, Nov. 21, 2025. An exhibition of contemporary Chinese paper art opened on Friday at the China Cultural Center in Bern, drawing visitors from across Switzerland and neighboring countries. The 11-day exhibition featured more than 80 paper-based artworks by 52 Chinese artists, which attracted visitors from Switzerland, France, Germany, among others. (Xinhua/Lian Yi) US President Donald Trump's oldest son, Donald Jr, recently visited Anant Ambani wildlife rescue centre, Vantara, where he toured the facility and praised the latter for his contributions to animal welfare. In a video message, Trump Jr called the facility "a wonder of the world" and something he has never seen before. "What an incredible experience. I saw here the vision, the conservation benefit of taking all these animals, rescuing them and giving them this life. This is better than I live," he said. He also said that seeing animals thriving in environments which have been created to resemble their natural habitats was 'spectacular'. Trump Jr arrived in Jamnagar on Thursday and left for Udaipur on Friday. This is his second visit to India. Also Read | Leopard suspected in multiple fatal attacks captured in Punes Shirur tehsil Before his Vantara tour, the US President's son also visited the Taj Mahal in Agra. During the tour, Trump Jr lauded the scale of the project, the conservation work being carried out there, as well as the detailed efforts taken to recreate the natural habitats of the rescued animals. SC backs Vantara The Supreme Court recently dismissed a case filed against the translocation of an elephant to Vantara, saying that there is no better alternative when it comes to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild elephants. In another case involving the facility, the apex court had noted that after multiples inquiries were made into the affairs of the centre, it was found that there has been no violation of law whatsoever. In a case in which a petitioner had claimed that animals were being smuggled into the facility where they were also being mistreated, the SC had formed a special investigation team (SIT) headed by a former Supreme Court judge in order to probe the affairs of Vantara. The Court found that during the course of its inquiry, the SIT spotted no violation of Indian law and international conservation practices at the centre. There was also no violation of conventions on customs, foreign trade, money laundering or others. Trump Jr in India for wedding of industrialist's daughter Trump Jr is in India to attend the wedding of US-based industrialist Raju Ramalinga Mantena's daughter with NRI Vamsi Gadiraju. A number of high-profile guests, including Jennifer Lopez, who will also perform at the event, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Shahid Kapoor are expected to attend the four-day event, as per an ANI report. Also Read | Varun Dhawan shields Janhvi Kapoor from frenzied fans at Udaipur airport US security agents were already in Udaipur ahead of Trump Jr's arrival. He is staying at The Leela Palace. A musical evening was held at the Zenana Mahal of the City Palace on Friday while the haldi ceremony was scheduled for Saturday. The wedding ceremony will be held on Sunday morning at the Jagmandir while the reception will be held in the evening. New Delhi: Top global aerospace firms are urging India to bring a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for aerospace components, cautioning that the country could miss out on major manufacturing shifts unless it delivers a long-pending policy trigger. With Morocco, Turkey and Japan rolling out aggressive incentives, industry executives say India risks losing momentum in the industry unless it moves quickly. Cutting across original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) including engine-makers such as RTXs Pratt & Whitney, airframe leaders like Airbus and Boeing, as well as several domestic players, the companies are seeking a scheme for aerospace component manufacturing on the lines of the PLI for drones that had expired in FY24. The scheme, say executives, could lead to foreign OEMs expanding sourcing, investing deeper and shifting more high-value production to India. The biggest hope is that some of these players would set up their final line assembly in the country. The governments PLI scheme for drones fast-tracked local capability," Ashish Saraf, vice president & country head, India at Pratt & Whitney, told Mint. A similar sector-specific PLI for aerospace and defence could have a transformative impact, especially given the sectors capital-intensive nature and complex supply chains." Though drones are way less capital-intensive than aerospace, for perspective, Indias drone PLI offered 120 crore in incentives over three years (FY22-FY24), rewarding companies based on the value they add in India. Around 98 crore was disbursed under this plan. Value-addition is calculated as sales minus input costs, and firms get 20% of this amount as incentive. India's aerospace parts manufacturing market size is seen at $21.48 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030, as per a June 2024 report by Grand View Research, a consultancy firm. As per the Engineering Export Promotion Council of India, India's aircraft and spacecraft parts and products exports were at $6.9 billion in FY25. India has quite a few aerospace component manufacturing units that include Hindustan Aeronautics, Tata Advanced Systems, Aequs and Mahindra Aerospace. According to publicly-available information, the civil aviation ministry does not have any plans yet for a PLI for the sector. There was no response to Mint's emailed queries to the ministry till press time. Saraf said, foreign OEMs have already committed large-scale investments over the past two decades" into India and investment by companies like RTX have brought global competitiveness" to India supply chains. French aerospace major Safran is setting up its first engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in the country. Located in Hyderabad, the LEAP engine MRO, is built at an investment of $150 million. At present, airlines in India have placed orders for about 1,500 Safran engines to power their aircraft. The facility is expected to significantly reduce turnaround times for Indian carriers, boosting fleet availability and operational efficiency. Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India & South Asia, argues that a PLI focused on aerostructures, cabin interiors, and landing-gear parts could reposition India from a niche engineering player to a global manufacturing hub. A PLI can unlock Indias manufacturing potential and strengthen the aerospace supplier ecosystem," he told Mint. The executive said that a major bottleneck remains access to aerospace-grade titanium and aluminum, materials many Indian suppliers still import. Also Read | Pratt & Whitney engines for IndiGo grounded planes by June next year Input import dependence One of the major sticking points for Indias aerospace suppliers is its import dependence. Raw materials such as titanium sponge and aerospace-grade aluminum are imported at scale, limiting the cost competitiveness. For instance, while India has a titanium sponge plant (in Kerala), its capacity is limited. Recognizing this gap, recent efforts include a world-scale titanium alloy remelting facility in Lucknow, but it has only recently come onstream. Owing to this gap, the industry is pushing for a 10-year-long incentive horizon, not just 35 years. Full value-chain coverage, not a narrow list of components; and eligibility for foreign OEMs, JVs, wholly owned subsidiaries," said an India based component manufacturer requesting anonymity. Support for in-country MRO and localization milestones tied to payout are being sought too, said a second player. Aircraft maker Airbus, which sources components roughly $1.5 billion ( 15,000 crore) a year from India, is pushing for a PLI that could scale its sourcing to $2 billion well before 2030. India needs a lot of investment to get things going," said Jurgen Westermeier, president & managing director of Airbus India & South Asia. He noted that aerospace manufacturing requires significant long-term capital investment. You (India) have this production-linked incentive for other sectors. Why not extend it to aerospace? This is a growing industry," he said during an aviation event in Delhi in October. Airbus engineering teams in India are expanding by 20% annually, sourcing complex parts that are now being re-engineered and manufactured locally. Components such as doors, a complex and integral structure in an aircraft, are being sourced from India, making it one of the key hubs. Airbus is yet to respond to queries from Mint. Aerospace qualification cycles are very long and cumbersome, passing through several layers of testing. Even a simple part, such as a bracket or a panel, can take years of testing, certification, and fine-tuning before its cleared. Global competition Boeing's Gupte drew comparisons with Morocco, Turkey, and Japannations that have built export-driven aerospace clusters by combining government subsidies, skilling programmes, and export support. India has the talent. What it lacks now is an anchor incentive framework," he said. Morocco is a fierce competitor in aerospace. In the sector, it now hosts roughly 150 firms spanning fuselages, wiring, structural components, and even engine assembly. In 2024, its aerospace component exports were at $2.9 billion, as per the country's official data. Japan is also doubling down on aerospace. Ken Research in an August 2025 report said its aerospace and defence market is valued at about $55 billion. This growth is primarily driven by hiked defence budgets amid persistent regional tensions and rapid advancements in aerospace and defence technologies. Turkey offers major incentives for aerospace high-tech investments. Large projects over 2 billion Turkish lira get tax breaks, VAT refunds, land, and skilled-labour support. R&D and design centres enjoy big tax deductions, tax breaks, and lower social-security costs. The world's top countries in aerospace component manufacturing include the US, France, Germany, China and the UK. Kolkata Metro Update: Services on the Blue Line of the Kolkata Metro were disrupted on Saturday due to a suicide attempt, the Metro Railway, Kolkata, said in an alert. According to an alert on the Kolkata Metro app, a person attempted suicide at the Mahatma Gandhi Road station. As a result, Kolkata Metro Blue Line services saw a disruption from Belgachia to Park Street metro stations. Services are available from Dakshineshwar to Dumdum, and from Maidan to Shahid Khudiram. Due to a suicide attempt at Mahatma Gandhi Road Station, Metro services in Blue Line is presently available between Dakshineswar to Dum Dum Station and Maidan to Shahid Khudiram station, the app alert said on Saturday afternoon. The authorities did not provide any details of the person. View full Image Kolkata metro update Kolkata Metro service disrupted: Which stations are closed? Due to the suicide attempt at the MG Road station, services are suspended at the following stations Belgachia Shyambazar Shobhabazar Sutanuti Also Read | Kolkata Metro train services disrupted for 50 minutes after man falls on tracks Girish Park Mahatma Gandhi Road Central Chandni Chowk Esplanade Park Street Two suicide attempts in three days This is the second time in three days that a suicide attempt has disrupted Kolkata Metro Blue Line services. Earlier on Thursday, Kolkata Metro Railway services on the arterial north-south alignment, were affected for nearly an hour in the afternoon owing to an alleged suicide attempt by a male passenger, an official said. The man tried to die by suicide by jumping before the tracks at Netaji station around 3.10 pm, he said. Also Read | Man jumps in front of train at Sovabazar Metro Station, disrupts Kolkata Metro Normal services were restored on the Dakshineswar- Sahid Khudiram stretch from 4.05 pm, he said. Truncated services were operated between Maidan and Dakshineswar stations on both up and down lines during the period, the official said. Details about the male passenger were not immediately known. Kolkata Metro introduces more trains Meanwhile, Metro Railway Kolkata today said it will operate 202 services (101 UP and 101 DN) on the Green Line (Howrah MaidanSalt Lake Sector V) on Saturdays from November 22, up from the current 186 services. The first train will depart at 6.32 am from Salt Lake Sector V and at 6.30 am from Howrah Maidan. The last services will run at 9.47 pm from Salt Lake Sector V and 9.45 pm from Howrah Maidan. On the Purple Line (JokaMajerhat), 40 services (20 UP and 20 DN) will operate on Saturdays. Services have been suspended on Mumbai's Harbour line train services after a fire broke out near Mahim Station on Saturday, as per the Western Railways' Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO). The fire broke out in shanties inside the Navrang Compound adjacent to the UP Harbour line on the east side between Mahim and Bandra at around 12:30 pm. PTI spoke to civic officials who revealed that at least four fire engines, along with other firefighting vehicles reached the spot and launched operations to subdue the blaze. Train services have been stopped on the Harbour line since electric supply to overheard equipment being disconnected as a safety measure after the fire. Also Read | Video: Massive fire at COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil likely caused by microwave Our teams acted immediately by cutting power and regulating trains to prevent any danger. All passengers are safe, and services will resume normalcy as soon as clearance is received," the CRPO also said, as per Indian Express. The Western Railway CPRO has also said, "No risk to any passenger or trains as they have been regulated and are away from the site." An initial report of the fire by ANI had revealed that it had damaged eight to 10 homes. Details of the fire A fire official said that the blaze has affected 10 to 15 warehouses which were storing scrap materials made of plastic. Three commercial cylinders have also exploded. Fire Officer S. D. Sawant told ANI, "The fire is level-2 and has affected 10 to 15 warehouses that were storing plastic scrap material. So far, three commercial cylinders have exploded... The cause of the fire cannot be ascertained at this time, as it is under investigation... The situation is currently under control... There have been no casualties so far, although we have spoken to the police..." What is the Mumbai Harbour Line? The Mumbai Harbour line runs through the eastern part of the city, connecting the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Navi Mumbai and beyond. There are three main routes along the Mumbai Harbour Line, namely, CSMT to Panvel, CSMT to Andheri, and also a Trans-Harbour line that connects Thane with stations in Navi Mumbai like Vashi, Nerul, as well as Panvel. In a significant shift to labour norms, the government released new codes - merging 29 laws into four labour codes on Friday, November 21, with the aim of promoting ease of business while protecting workers' rights. These include the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code, and Occupational Safety Code. Several key provisions have been introduced under the latest labour codes, which are likely to impact more than 400 million workers across both the formal and informal sectors. With provisions such as equality for women in workplaces, gratuity for fixed-term employees after one year, free annual health check-ups, double wages for overtime, and more, here are key highlights from the newly launched labour codes Code 1: The Code of Wages, 2019 Code 1, or the Code on Wages, 2019, aims to simplify and consolidate four laws, including Payment of Wages Act, 1936; the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; Payment of Bonus Act, 1965; and Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. It seeks to strengthen the rights of the workers and promote uniformity in wage-related concerns. Universal Minimum Wages : Minimum wages for all employees in organised and unorganised sectors have become a statutory right. Previously, the Minimum Wages Act only covered ~30% of workers in scheduled employment. : Minimum wages for all employees in organised and unorganised sectors have become a statutory right. Previously, the Minimum Wages Act only covered ~30% of workers in scheduled employment. Floor Wage : The Government will fix a floor wage based on minimum living standards. No state can fix minimum wages below this level. : The Government will fix a floor wage based on minimum living standards. No state can fix minimum wages below this level. Wage criteria: Wages will be determined based on minimum wages, considering workers skill levels, geographic areas, and job conditions. Wages will be determined based on minimum wages, considering workers skill levels, geographic areas, and job conditions. Gender equality : Employers must not discriminate based on gender, including transgender identity, in recruitment, wages, or employment conditions for similar work. : Employers must not discriminate based on gender, including transgender identity, in recruitment, wages, or employment conditions for similar work. Universal coverage: All employees, irrespective of wage limits, will receive timely payment and unauthorised deductions will be prevented. All employees, irrespective of wage limits, will receive timely payment and unauthorised deductions will be prevented. Overtime compensation : Employers must pay employees twice the standard rate for any overtime work. : Employers must pay employees twice the standard rate for any overtime work. Wage payment responsibility : Employers must pay employees; failure makes the entity liable for unpaid wages. : Employers must pay employees; failure makes the entity liable for unpaid wages. Compounding of offences : First-time, non-imprisonable offences can be compounded by paying a penalty, but repeated offences within five years cannot. : First-time, non-imprisonable offences can be compounded by paying a penalty, but repeated offences within five years cannot. Decriminalisation of offences: Imprisonment for certain first-time offences will be replaced with monetary fines up to 50% of the maximum fine. Also Read | New labour codes: Pay and benefit parity for IT workers on contracts Code 2: The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 The Industrial Relations Code (IR Code) has been prepared by combining relevant provisions of the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The code aims to simplify laws related to trade unions, employment conditions, and the investigation and resolution of industrial disputes. Fixed Term Employment: The code allows for time-bound contracts with equal wages and benefits, with gratuity eligibility after one year. The code allows for time-bound contracts with equal wages and benefits, with gratuity eligibility after one year. Re-skilling fund : A fund has been set up to train retrenched employees from the contribution to be made by an industrial establishment for an amount equal to 15 days' wages for every worker retrenched. : A fund has been set up to train retrenched employees from the contribution to be made by an industrial establishment for an amount equal to 15 days' wages for every worker retrenched. Trade Union Recognition : Unions with 51% membership are recognised as Negotiating Unions; otherwise, a Negotiating Council forms from unions with at least 20% membership. : Unions with 51% membership are recognised as Negotiating Unions; otherwise, a Negotiating Council forms from unions with at least 20% membership. New definition for workers: The latest definition of worker includes sales promotion staff, journalists, and supervisory employees earning up to 18,000/month. The latest definition of worker includes sales promotion staff, journalists, and supervisory employees earning up to 18,000/month. Expanded industry definition : Industry consists of all systematic employer-employee activities, regardless of profit or capital. : Industry consists of all systematic employer-employee activities, regardless of profit or capital. Higher threshold for layoffs : Approval limit increased from 100 to 300 workers; states can raise it further. : Approval limit increased from 100 to 300 workers; states can raise it further. Equal representation : Proportional representation of women in grievance committees for gender-sensitive redressal. : Proportional representation of women in grievance committees for gender-sensitive redressal. Work-from-Home Provision: Remote work is permitted in service sectors by mutual consent. Remote work is permitted in service sectors by mutual consent. Industrial Tribunals: Two-member tribunals consisting of a judicial and an administrative member for quicker dispute resolution. Two-member tribunals consisting of a judicial and an administrative member for quicker dispute resolution. Notice for strikes : Mandatory 14-day notice for all establishments to encourage dialogue and reduce disruptions. : Mandatory 14-day notice for all establishments to encourage dialogue and reduce disruptions. Definition of strike : It includes "mass casual leave also within its ambit to prevent flash strikes. : It includes "mass casual leave also within its ambit to prevent flash strikes. Decriminalisation: Minor offences are now compoundable with monetary penalties. Code 3: The Code on Social Security, 2020 The Code on Social Security incorporates the existing nine Social Security Acts, catering to all workers- including unorganised, gig, and platform workers-covering life, health, maternity, and provident fund benefits. Expanded ESIC (Employees' State Insurance) Coverage: ESIC now applies pan-India, eliminating the criteria of notified areas. ESIC now applies pan-India, eliminating the criteria of notified areas. EPF (Employees Provident Fund) inquiries limit : A five-year limit has been established for initiating EPF inquiries and recovery proceedings, to be concluded within two years, extendable by one. : A five-year limit has been established for initiating EPF inquiries and recovery proceedings, to be concluded within two years, extendable by one. Reduced EPF appeal deposit : Employers appealing EPFO orders now only need to deposit 25% of the assessed amount, down from 4070%. : Employers appealing EPFO orders now only need to deposit 25% of the assessed amount, down from 4070%. Inclusion of gig and platform workers : Aggregators, gig workers and platform workers will be included in social security coverage. : Aggregators, gig workers and platform workers will be included in social security coverage. Social Security Fund : A fund has been proposed to finance schemes for unorganised, gig, and platform workers, covering life, disability, health, and old-age benefits. : A fund has been proposed to finance schemes for unorganised, gig, and platform workers, covering life, disability, health, and old-age benefits. Definition of wages: It includes basic pay, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance. It includes basic pay, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance. Definition of dependents: Coverage is extended to maternal grandparents, and in the case of female employees, it also includes dependent parents-in-law. Coverage is extended to maternal grandparents, and in the case of female employees, it also includes dependent parents-in-law. Coverage of accidents : Accidents that occur during travel between home and workplace are now considered employment-related, qualifying for compensation. : Accidents that occur during travel between home and workplace are now considered employment-related, qualifying for compensation. Early gratuity for fixed-term employees: Fixed-term employees become eligible for gratuity after one year of continuous service. Code 4: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code 2020 The Code has been drafted after the amalgamation and simplification of the relevant provisions of the 13 Central Labour Acts. It aims to balance between the twin objectives of safeguarding worker rights and ensuring safe working conditions, while also fostering a business-friendly regulatory environment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting with Canada PM Mark Carney and Australia's Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg, and announced a a new trilateral partnership in technology and innovation. Had an excellent meeting with Mr. Anthony Albanese, PM of Australia and Mr Mark Carney, PM of Canada on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We are delighted to announce an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership today, said PM Modi, in a post on X. The Prime Minister said that the initiative will deepen collaboration between democratic partners across three continents and three oceans in emerging technologies, support diversification of supply chains, clean energy and mass adoption of AI. We look forward to working together to guarantee a better future for the coming generations. Earlier in the day, PM Modi met his British counterpart Keir Starmer and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. It was wonderful meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Johannesburg. This year has brought new energy to the IndiaUK partnership and we will keep driving it forward across many domains, Modi said in a post on X. The prime minister said he had a very productive conversation with UN chief Guterres. Modi also met Brazilian President and said, It is always a delight to meet President Lula. India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people. Meanwhile, addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders' meeting, the Prime Minister called for a profound rethink of the global development parameters and proposed setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team. Modi proposed creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 to preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living. Now is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. Indias civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism offers a way forward, Modi told the session on Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind. Also Read | PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with Australia's Anthony Albanese The prime minister said to overcome the challenge of drug trafficking, especially the spread of extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl, India proposes a G20 Initiative on Countering the DrugTerror Nexus. Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy, he said. The ongoing high-profile court battle over Sunjay Kapur's estate is in the limelight after late businessman's widow Priya Kapur claimed that it is a healthy tradition for a husband to give all his assets to his wife. The will presented by former Sona Comstar chairman's third wife is in focus over its authenticity as Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor's children have alleged forgery. Priya Kapur's counsel on Thursday said, "There is nothing suspicious about a husband giving everything in his assets to his wife. As is the case in my father-in-law's 'will' where everything was given to his wife. It is a healthy tradition which perhaps has been maintained," PTI reported. Seeking a share in their late father's personal assets, Samaira Kapur and her brother Kiaan filed a case against Priya Kapur, her son, deceased's mother Rani Kapur and Shradha Suri Marwah- purported executor of a Will dated March 21, 2025. Priya Kapur's counsel further alleged that the same template was used by Sunjays mother for her Will. "I was reluctant to show (it) because of confidentiality but the template is based on my mother in laws (Rani Kapur) willthere are spelling errors because of the template it was taken from, " senior advocate Rajiv Nayar representing Priya Kapur added. Also Read | HC allows Priya Kapur's plea on listing assets in sealed cover As per Priya Kapur, a draft printout of the Will was shown to Sunjay Kapur on February 10, 2025, who had suggested some changes. After last round of modifications, the same Will presented was made on March 17, 2025, which was done while Sunjay was in Goa, advocate Nayar alleged. Justice Jyoti Singh presided over the Delhi High Court hearing on Friday over the dispute that revolves around the inheritance of Sunjay Kapur's estimated 30,000 crore estate. As per Live Law, minor son of Priya Kapur on November 21 opposed the suit filed by Karisma Kapoor's children. According to senior Advocate Akhil Sibal representing the minor the entire case was based on speculation and guess work. "They (Karisma Kapoor's children) don't get the copy of the Will as they refused to sign the confidentiality. They are excluded and they know the legal strategy is to challenge the Will, whether the Will is genuine or not, Live Law quoted advocate Sibal as saying. Chairman of a leading auto parts manufacturer, Sunjay Kapur died in June in London while playing a polo match. Before tying the knot with Priya in 2017, he was married to Karisma from 2003 to 2016. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has already begun in multiple states with booth-level officers distributing enumeration forms to electors. Voters are required to verify their respective names in the voter lists, to ensure that no elector is left out. As per ECI rules, you can only vote if your name appears in the Voter List. Here is a detailed guide on how to download the voter list and check if your name is present on the same. How to download voter list? You can download and check your name on the voter list through the following steps: Visit the official website of Election Commission of India. Click here for the direct link. Once the window opens, you will see an option which says "PDF E-Roll". View full Image Once the window opens, you will see an option which says PDF E-Roll After clicking on the link, a page containing the link to the electoral roll of all the state will open. Click on the state from where you are registered as a voter. View full Image Select your respective state Click on the state in which you reside. Next you will see a list of districts which fall under that state. Click on the district in which you reside. After clicking on the name of the district, you will see a list of constituencies names on the page. Click on the constituency name from which you are registered to vote. Next, you will see a list of polling stations belonging to that constituency. Select the option 'Final Roll' next to your polling station. You should be able to see the voting list and download voter ID. You can also check your name on the voters' list by entering your EPIC card details. You will need your EPIC number for the search. How to search your name in E-roll? Visit the official website of Election Commission of India. Click on the option that says Search your name in E-roll. View full Image Click on the option that says Search your name in E-roll. Next, enter your EPIC number, other details, and hit on the Search button. View full Image Click on the option that says Search your name in E-roll. EPIC number Election Photo Identity Card number is the number printed on the upper side of the card. The EPIC number or Form Reference No will be required if you want to download your voter ID card online. How to download voter ID online? Visit the official Voter Services Portal. You will be required to enter your mobile number, password and captcha code. Then click Request OTP. View full Image Enter your mobile number, other details Enter the OTP received on your mobile number and click Verify & Login. Go to the E-EPIC Download tab. View full Image Click on E-EPIC Download tab Next, choose either EPIC No. or Form Reference No. as your search option. (Your EPIC No. is your Voter ID number. Your Form Reference Number is mentioned in the acknowledgement after submitting Form 6.) View full Image You can choose either EPIC No. or Form Reference No. as your search option. Food outlets offering 'only vegetarian' food are a common sight in India, but a restaurant signboard in Kerala has drawn attention for its unusual warning, stating that it is a Non-vegetarian Restaurnat. Post claims trend among mallu restaurants' The post, uploaded by X user @RishiJoeSanu, claimed that certain Mallu restaurants have begun displaying prominent Non-Vegetarian boards to avoid what he referred to as reputational damage caused by vegetarian engagement baiters on social media. The claim quickly attracted attention, sparking discussions on transparency, food preferences, and regional dining habits. Signboard clarifies cooking practices The image posted on X showed a sign reading: "We are a completely non-vegetarian restaurant." It further clarified that the vegetarian dishes available were only "for variety", adding that "both are cooked in a common kitchen." According to the user, the board was spotted at Paragon a restaurant often described as one of the best restaurants in the world. Mixed reactions online The post rapidly gained traction, drawing reactions ranging from amusement to approval. Users headed to the comments to share similar examples. One user posted a photo from another restaurant displaying the label "pure non-veg", adding, "Pune has been doing it since aeons!" Several others supported the move. One user wrote, "Actually, a good step. Folks can take a conscious call." Another user added: This is the best way, now it's my choice if I want to eat or not. Regional practices highlighted A commenter pointed out that such cooking practices are common in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, writing, That's the default in Madurai. You won't get any veggie options in normal Madurai restaurants. A simple communication mix-up between a tech professional and his cab driver has taken over social media thanks to a translation error that briefly turned an Uber pickup into a life-or-death situation. Arnav Gupta, who works at Meta, shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he had asked his Uber driver to wait a couple of minutes while he stepped out of his home. Moments later, he received a notification that read: I am facing the threat of murder. The unexpected alert left him stunned. Is he threatening to murder me because I made him wait? Or is someone threatening him because he blocked the road? Gupta wrote, describing the panic that followed. Trying to understand the context, he tapped the translation option within the Uber app and realised the alarming message was simply a machine-translated error. The driver had typed in Hindi: Murder Dairy ke samne hun which was intended to be Mother Dairy ke samne hun. The app translated Mother Dairy as murder, turning a routine location update into a chilling miscommunication. Gupta joked that he heaved the biggest sigh of relief in a long long time once he decoded the message. Check out the tweet here: Also Read | African man says studying at IIT Bombay is tougher' than he expected As of Friday, the post has crossed 4.7 lakh views on the platform, drawing light-hearted reactions about mistranslations and the perils of AI-assisted communication. Mint could not independently verify the authenticity of the post. Internet reacts One user questioned the mix-up, asking, Shouldnt the original Hindi message appear in the notification first? Gupta responded that the alert likely auto-translated because his Uber account is set to the UK region. I think thats why it showed the English translation straight away, he explained. THE HAGUE, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Civilian and military air traffic at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands has been suspended due to drones, Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans said on social media platform X late Saturday. The number of drones involved remains unknown. The minister said that further investigation is ongoing and that action will be taken as necessary. Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that flights scheduled to land at Eindhoven are being diverted to Brussels, Rotterdam, and Weeze in Germany. Earlier on Saturday, the Ministry of Defense reported that drones were spotted Friday night over Volkel Air Base, about 30 kilometers from Eindhoven Airport. Air Force personnel fired weapons from the ground to attempt to neutralize the drones, which subsequently departed and were never recovered. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is geared up for clear and honest work with the US on Trump backed 28-point plan for ending the Ukraine war with Russia, US President Donald Trump said that the peace proposal was not a final offer. When a reporter asked if his 28-point proposal was a final offer, Trump replied, no. "I would like to get to PEACE... We're trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended," said the President. When another reporter asked if Zelensky rejects the plan, Trump said, then he can continue to fight his little heart out. Trump-backed 28-point plan demands that Kyiv give up land, cut its army and hold snap elections. According to a draft reviewed by AFP, the plan backed by Donald Trump says that Ukraine will receive a reliable security guarantee, Ukraine will hold elections in 100 days, and Russia will enshrine in law its policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine, among other things. 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, says the draft plan. Also Read | Putin warns Ukraine could lose more territory if Trump peace plan is refused Meanwhile, Ukrainian and US envoys will meet in Switzerland on Sunday along with European security chiefs, reported AFP, quoting officials. "We will have an informal pre-meeting tonight for dinner" with Ukrainian delegates, the US official said. In a post on X, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that they will continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the US over the coming days. We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work, she said. Ursula further added that they are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. After months of trading barbs, US President Donald Trump met with New York Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday, and, instead of taking potshots at each other, the duo swapped compliments, much to the surprise of US lawmakers and the public at large. Despite having clashed over everything from immigration to economic policy in the run-up to the New York mayoral polls, Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, and Trump, a billionaire-turned-politician, seemed to strike up a rapport at the White House. In widely circulated videos, Mamdani was seen standing beside Trump in the Oval Office, with the duo answering questions from the media. At times, the US President even seemed protective of the New York Mayor elect, who he had, at one point of time, labelled a "100% Communist Lunatic" and a "total nut job". Also Read | Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns after public fallout with Trump In a sharp reversal from his earlier comments on Mamdani, Trump told reporters on Friday, I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually." "We agree on a lot more than I would have thought," Trump further said, adding, "We have one thing in common: We want this city of ours that we love to do very well." "Some of his ideas are the same ideas I have," the US President went on, adding, "The better he does, the happier I am." While Trump's unexpected warmth towards the NYC Mayor elect who had been a bitter political rival even weeks back took many by surprise, what baffled analysts, political commentators, and the internet alike was an exchange on their political views. A very rational man Once reporters were allowed into the Oval Office, Mamdani was squarely asked to clarify his past statements on the US President acting like a fascist, but before the NYC Mayor elect could clarify, Trump jumped in. Ive been called much worse than a despot. So it's not that insulting, but I think he'll change his mind after we get to working together," the US President said. When reporters persisted and asked Mamdani whether he stood by his earlier comments labelling Trump a fascist, Trump interjected again: Thats OK. You can just say yes. OK? It's easier. It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." Ill stick up for you," the US President further said to the NYC Mayor elect. Trump was also asked whether the person standing next to him in the Oval Office was a "jihadist", to which the US President said, "No I don't. I met with a man who's a very rational person". Trump even indicated that he would consider moving back to the city of his birth, which Mamdani will take charge of from January 1. Mamdani, for his part, also indicated that the meeting was different than perhaps what he had expected. "What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers," the NYC Mayor elect said. What the heck the just happened? Understandably, not just political commentators, but even US lawmakers were stunned. "What the heck just happened?" US Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, wrote on social media, sharing a clip from the meeting. And it wasn't just the Democrats. I mean, it did seem like a little bit of a bromance, Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican Congresswoman from the conservative stronghold of Staten Island, told The New York Times. Some even took it as a sign that Trump's threats about intervening in New York's functioning would not come to pass: There is the possibility that maybe this means New York City is not going to get invaded by federal troops on Jan. 1, Ana Maria Archila, the co-director of New Yorks Working Families Party, told NYT. How social media reacted While those actively engaging in politics were left stunned, the internet had a field day, with memes on Trump and Mamdani's buddy moments flooding social media platforms. This is the closest Mamdani has come to pork, wrote one social media user sharing viral clips of the meeting. Find you somebody who looks at you like Donald Trump looks at Zohran Mamdani, wrote another. The Royal Family of Britain has always piqued the interest of global public as a whole, whether it's due to their lavish lifestyle, scandals, or the various etiquettes they follow. One of the striking features of the British Royal family is their lavish choice of lifestyle be it the palace they live in, their dresses, their commute and the sheer strength of their security. Who funds the Royal Family of Britain? There is no question that the Royal Family's purse is sustained by the British taxpayers a system that has been in place since 1760 when George III was in the brink of bankruptcy as the monarchy surrendered the Crown Estate to the Parliament. Also Read | Kate Middleton finally spills what prompted her striking blonde hair makeover Till 2011, the Royal Family was funded by something called the civil list, which in 1760 itself had set the monarchy's income at 800,000 pounds a year. After that, the civil list was replaced by the sovereign grant, which gave the monarchy a financial stake in the fortunes of the Crown Estate for the first time since 1760. The civil list provided 7.9 million pounds in support in 2011 alongside travel costs. In 2025, that amount will jump to a whopping 132.1 million pounds for the royals, according to estimates by The Times. This comes despite there have been significant reductions in the number of working Royals over the years. King Charles himself said before ascending to the throne that he wanted a slimmed-down monarchy. This has worked out not by choice, but external circumstances. The Queen and Prince Philip have died, Harry and Meghan have excused themselves and Andrew was recently cast out. However, this does not mean that the burden on taxpayers has reduced by any amount whatsoever. In fact, despite having fewer working Royals, the bill paid by taxpayers have only ballooned. And so has the wealth of the family. While the Buckingham Palace has regularly touted this amount as marginal, comparing it to the price of a cup of instant coffee for each taxpayer, facts cited by The Times showed otherwise. Britains monarchy is vastly more expensive than any other European monarchy. Also Read | How wealthy is Abu Dhabi royal family which is set to take stake in TikTok US? How does Britain's Royal wealth compare to other monarchies? According to official figures from European countries cited by the newspaper, here is a list of the relative annual costs of the continents monarchies Britain 132.1 million (2025) Netherlands 46 million (2024) Norway 24 million (2022) Belgium 12.5 million (2021) Sweden 11.5 million (2021) Denmark 10.8 million (2022) Spain 7.4 million (2023) Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, 70, who has been under house arrest since August 2025, was taken into custody on Saturday after a judge deemed him a flight risk. The former president, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was on trial over a botched coup bid. In August, he was placed under house arrest for violating measures imposed on him. In September, he was sentenced to 27 years in jail, following his conviction on charges that he attempted a coup to stop leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after his 2022 election defeat. Bolsonaro was expected to begin serving his sentence sometime next week after he exhausted all appeals of his conviction for leading a coup attempt, the report cited local media. Also Read | Video: Massive fire at COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil likely caused by microwave Bolsonaro is an ally of US President Donald Trump, who has called his trial a 'witch hunt.' In his ruling, ordering a pre-trial detention, the Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes said that Bolsonaros ankle monitor, which he has worn since July 18 for being deemed a flight risk, was violated. That information shows the intent of the convict to break the ankle monitoring to assure his escape is successful, which would be made easier by the confusion that would be caused by a demonstration organized by his son, the justice said. Also Read | Brazils central bank shuts down $16-billion bank following federal fraud investigation According to the AP, his lawyers were pleading with Brazil's Supreme Court to keep him at home to serve his sentence, citing his poor health. However, his lawyers have said they would file further appeals before a Monday deadline. The preemptive arrest does not mean Bolsonaro will remain at the federal police headquarters to serve his sentence. Brazilian law requires that all convicts start their sentences in prison. Also Read | Bolsonaro gets 27-year prison sentence for failed coup to overturn Brazil polls Lawyers cite Bolsonaro's health condition In a petition to the Supreme Court, Bolsonaro lawyers said that sending the former president to prison will have serious consequences and represents a risk to his life, adding, "His health condition is already deeply debilitated." According to AFP, the lawyers argued that Bolsonaro has already been hospitalised three times, since he was placed under house arrest twice for tests and once due to a medical emergency. He also suffers from persistent 'uncontrollable hiccups. (Bloomberg) -- Almost 200 nations gathered in Brazil for the United Nations annual climate summit capped two weeks of fraught negotiations with an agreement Saturday on new efforts to help guide their transition away from the fossil fuels driving global warming. However, the accord dodged an explicit mention of the oil, gas and coal responsible for driving the bulk of climate change, and it didnt detail plans for shifting away from them, leaving some countries unhappy with the outcome. The eight-page declaration forged at the COP30 summit on the edge of the Amazon rain forest won grudging acceptance. Many nations argued more must be done to counter climate change, while also conceding that an imperfect package was better than none at all. With an increasingly fractured geopolitical backdrop, COP30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, said Mohamed Adow, director of the Power Shift Africa advocacy group. But considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion. Leaders at the summit in Belem, Brazil, had encouraged countries to accept a final deal even if it didnt have everything they wanted. They insisted it was necessary to show nations were linking arms to fight climate change at a time when other multilateral diplomacy is fraying. This deal isnt perfect and is far from what science requires, said Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland. But at a time when multilateralism is being tested, it is significant that countries continue to move forward together. The agreement from the COP30 summit responds to a looming gap between whats necessary to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels and what countries are actually doing or committed to pursuing. Under the decision adopted Saturday, the COP presidency would run a new voluntary initiative meant to accelerate implementation of action needed to limit global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels a key threshold identified in the 2015 Paris Agreement. A separate Belem Mission to 1.5 is aimed at enabling implementation of national emission-cutting pledges. A group of about 80 countries and the European Union had pressed for a more explicit road map to guide the transition away from oil, gas and coal toward a cleaner economy but met resistance from key oil and gas producing states from the Middle East as well as Russia. Supporters of the final decision said it keeps an opening for further guidelines and collaboration on how countries can fulfill their two-year-old commitment to transition the worlds energy systems away from fossil fuels. That agreement was a crucial aspect of COP28 in Dubai. The Global Mutirao decision, named after a Brazilian term for collective action, lacks an explicit, word-by-word reiteration of the commitment to an energy transition some delegates said was important to bolster business and investment decisions. Staying silent on fossil fuels isnt sufficient, said Harjeet Singh, a founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago separately pledged to create two separate road map initiatives, one focused on an orderly, just transition away from fossil fuels and one focused on deforestation. Those initiatives would continue during his presidency over the next year. They will be led by science, and they will be inclusive, Correa do Lago vowed. The announcement drew applause in the packed COP30 closing plenary room on Saturday. The declaration itself omits any significant references to combating deforestation, even though the issue was prioritized by Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The only real mention comes in the documents preamble, with an acknowledgment of the importance of enhanced efforts towards halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. Several countries raised concerns Saturday, complaining that their views had been overlooked inside negotiating rooms and the final session. A representative from Panama said the nation was extremely disappointed with the final outcome, saying it pretends to measure work on adaptation while refusing to offer meaningful resources to fund it. Colombia raised an objection to a text addressing how to limit warming because it was silent on the fossil fuels responsible for the majority of climate change. A Colombia representative said the country had no choice but to object to the mitigation measure unless the summit agreed to add a reference to discussion of industry and the pathways for implementing the transition away from fossil fuels at 2026 dialogues. There is no mitigation if we cannot discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels, she told the plenary. Today, were not even allowed to discuss it. Correa do Lago suspended the closing plenary after the objection, as negotiators gathered in small groups to consider a response. US President Donald Trump, who has derided climate change as a scam, and is pulling his country out of the Paris Agreement, shunned the summit, creating a power vacuum that empowered other nations during the two weeks of talks. Energy and environment ministers from around the globe wrestled with difficult questions about how trade policy impacts climate change as well as how to boost the amount of finance available to help countries adapt to the warming worlds rising seas, intensifying storms and punishing droughts. The declaration adopted Saturday calls for the tripling of adaptation finance by 2035 compared to 2025 levels, equivalent to around $120 billion. That fell short of poor nations push for the commitment to be met five years earlier. The measure also takes a swipe at so-called unilateral trade actions such as tariffs and carbon levies, reaffirming that measures taken to combat climate change should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. It also sets up a dialogue and a high-level event in 2028 to consider the role of trade policy. The trade language responds to developing nations concerned about the EUs Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which imposes an extra fee on imports of covered goods coming from countries whose price on carbon dioxide is below that of the bloc. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Abuja, Nov 22 (AP) Gunmen attacked a Catholic boarding school in a western region of Nigeria and abducted more than 200 schoolchildren Friday, the Christian Association of Nigeria said, in the latest in a spate of abductions in Africa's most populous country. The attack and abductions took place at St. Mary's School, a Catholic institution in the Agwara local government's Papiri community. Attackers seized 215 pupils and students as well as 12 teachers, said Daniel Atori, a spokesperson for the Niger state chapter of CAN. I just got back to the village tonight after I visited the school where I also met with parents, Atori said in a statement, quoting the Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa, the CAN chairman in Niger. The statement added that the association is working "to ensure our children's safe return. The Niger State Police Command said the abductions took place in the early hours, and that military and security forces have since been deployed to the community. It described St. Mary's as a secondary school, which in Nigeria would serve children between the ages of 12 and 17. A satellite image shows that the school compound is attached to an adjoining primary school, with more than 50 classroom and dormitory buildings. It's located near a major road linking the towns of Yelwa and Mokwa. Dauda Chekula, 62, said that four of his grandchildren, ranging in age from 7 to 10, were among the schoolchildren abducted. We don't know what is happening now, because we have not heard anything since this morning, Chekula said. The children who were able to escape have scattered, some of them ran back to their houses and the only information we are getting is that the attackers are still moving with the remaining children into the bush. The statement by the secretary to the Niger state government said that the abduction occurred, despite prior intelligence warning of heightened threats. Regrettably, St. Mary's School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk, it read. Umar Yunus, a Papiri resident, said there were only local security arrangements and no official police or government forces securing the school at the time of the attack on Friday. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora said in a statement that a security staffer was badly shot during the attack. Authorities, meanwhile, closed 47 of the country's federal unity colleges that are mostly in conflict-battered northern states. The unity colleges a group of elite government schools with attendance drawn from across the country are to be closed immediately, according to a circular issued by Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Education. Spate of abductions ----------------------- The abductions took place days after gunmen on Monday attacked a high school and abducted 25 schoolgirls in the neighbouring Kebbi state, in Maga, around 170 kilometres from Papiri. One of the girls later escaped and is safe, the school's principal said. In a separate attack on Monday in Kwara state, which borders Niger state, gunmen attacked a church, killing two people. During the attack, 38 worshippers were also abducted, Femi Agbabiaka, secretary of the Christ Apostolic Church, told The Associated Press on Friday. He said that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 100 million naira (USD 69,000) for each person taken. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu cancelled his trip to this weekend's Group of 20 summit in South Africa over the recent events. Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent the president at the summit, the presidency said on X on Friday. 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, Shettima said during a visit to Kebbi state on Wednesday. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Niger and Kebbi state, but analysts and locals say gangs often target schools, travellers and remote villagers in kidnappings for ransom. Authorities say the gunmen are mostly former herders who have taken up arms against farming communities after clashes between them over strained resources. Abductions have come to define the insecurity prevailing in Africa's most populous nation. At least 1,500 students have been abducted in the region since Boko Haram jihadi extremists seized 276 Chibok schoolgirls more than a decade ago. But bandits are also active in the region, and analysts say gangs often target schools to gain attention. Nigeria was recently thrust into the spotlight after US President Donald Trump singled the country out, stating that Christians are being persecuted an allegation that the government rejected. While Christians are among those targeted, analysts say that the majority of victims of armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria's Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur. Community upset -------------------- Analysts and residents blame the insecurity on a failure to prosecute known attackers, and the rampant corruption that limits weapons supplies to security forces while ensuring a steady supply to the gangs. Eze Gloria Chidinma, 27, a Lagos-based influencer, also known as Riaz Kitchen," told The Associated Press her sister was able to escape the school during the attacks by jumping a fence. Chidinma said it's not the first time her family has been affected by the rampant kidnappings in the country. My mother and my older brother were kidnapped last year. We called security, we called the police, and they just said there is nothing they can do," she said, noting the family had to pay a huge amount of money to rescue them. "My message to the authorities right now is to think about the people. Your job is to protect lives and properties. People's lives should matter to you," Chidinma added. Yohanna Buru, a pastor and head of the Peace Revival And Reconciliation Foundation, an organisation focused on interfaith dialogue, called on authorities to increase security around schools in areas affected by the security crisis. ST. LOUIS (AP) An officer at St. Louis' busiest airport fatally shot a man who wielded a knife early Friday morning outside the doors of a terminal, police said. No one else was injured. The shooting at St. Louis Lambert International Airport happened around 1 a.m., St. Louis County Police spokesperson Vera Clay said. The area is located near the light rail line that takes travelers to the terminal and isn't behind a security checkpoint, according to maps of the airport posted on its website. Also Read | Gunmen kidnap over 200 schoolchildren, 12 teachers from Nigerian Catholic schoo The rail line to Terminal 1 was closed for about three hours, with shuttles taking people from other drop-off points, but it was reopened later Friday morning. The airport remained open, Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, the airport director, said in a statement. Clay said officers had noticed the man in an area where he should not have been and refused to leave. Clay said the man showed officers a knife when they tried to get him to move. Officers used Tasers, but the man continued to advance toward the officers and one of them fired their gun, fatally wounding the man, Clay said. We dont believe this was an individual trying to catch an airplane or coming into town," Clay said. She said later in a statement that he was believed to be unhoused and that police havent yet positively identified him. At the G20 Summit hosted in Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed three new initiatives. The initiatives include: Global Traditional Knowledge Repository - to preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing, said PM Modi. - to preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing, said PM Modi. G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative - set with the collective goal to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade. - set with the collective goal to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade. G20 Initiative on Countering the DrugTerror Nexus G20 Global Healthcare Response Team to deal with health emergencies and natural disasters PM Modi said that the G20 Initiative on Countering the DrugTerror Nexus, is aimed at unifying financial, governance, and security tools. The initiative is expected to help disrupt trafficking networks, choke illicit financial flows, and weaken a major funding source for terrorism, reported news wire ANI. NOW is the right moment for us PM Modi also mentioned about initiatives proposed at the Summit in social media post on X. Spoke at the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which focused on inclusive and sustainable growth. With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. Indias civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism offers a way forward, said the PM in his post. Ahead of the G2- Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese. PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with Australian PM During the meeting, PM Albanese expressed condolences over the Red Fort terrorist attack and the bus crash in Saudi Arabia, in which several Indian Umrah pilgrims lost their lives. Amid tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signalled that the US President's 28-point plan could be the basis of a "final settlement" to end the bloody war that has raged since 2022. Putin not just confirmed that Moscow had received Washington's proposal, but added in televised comments, "I believe that it can be used as the basis for a final peaceful settlement." In the course of that discussion, the American side asked us to make certain compromises and show flexibility, as they said," Putin said, adding that "despite certain complex issues and difficulties", Russia had agreed to the proposal during talks in Anchorage, Alaska. While indicating Moscow's willingness to end the war, Putin also threatened action against Ukraine if President Volodymyr Zelensky chose to reject the proposal, which Kyiv has said endorses key Russian demands. If Kyiv does not want to discuss President Trumps proposal and refuses to do so, then both they and the European warmongers should understand that the events that took place in Kupiansk will inevitably be repeated in other key sectors of the front. Overall, this situation is acceptable to us, the Russian President said. The Russian President's comment (and threat) signalling his willingness to come to the negotiating table with regard to Trump's proposed peace plan comes at time when Ukraine has made known its objections to the same. On Friday, Zelenskyy observed that Kyiv faced a choice of losing its dignity or losing US support over the peace plan, saying on television, "Now, Ukraine can face a very difficult choice either losing dignity or risk losing a major partner." Also Read | Ukraine-Russia peace talks to intensify? Zelensky meets Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan as fresh attack kills 25 However, he did not outrightly reject Trump's plan either, saying, "We value the efforts of the United States, President Trump, and his team aimed at ending this war. This must be a plan that ensures a real and dignified peace." (Bloomberg) -- Global climate negotiations eked out an agreement that manages to nudge forward efforts to curb planet-warming emissions. But the final result in avoiding explicit reference to fossil fuels will leave big questions hanging over the efficacy of international climate politics. Two weeks of talks in the rainforest city of Belem, Brazil, served as a rebuttal of sorts to the idea that climate multilateralism is no longer viable. In the end, nearly 200 countries agreed to an eight-page document that calls for stronger efforts on national goals on emissions and boosting financial support to poor countries that need help defending against intensifying heat, storms and droughts. But the outcome of COP30 revealed deep fractures, particularly around which countries should pay for adaptation and how to get the world off fossil fuels. The Global Mutirao decision, a title using the Brazilian hosts' term for collective action, left out key provisions about winding down fossil fuel use that had been the benchmark for success by dozens of more ambitious countries. The two largest economies and historical emitters, the US and China, were conspicuous in their lack of impact. President Donald Trump declined to send representatives as the US exits from global climate accords; China focused more on its own interests in trade rather than stepping into a stronger leadership role. For some diplomats and experts, the outcome at best prevents a backslide on previous deals while doing little more to curb the oil, gas and coal that remain the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. This COP was the manifestation of a new geopolitical reality, said Linda Kalcher, executive director at Strategic Perspectives. Brazil, host of the United Nations summit on the edge of the Amazon, announced it would work on two initiatives to combat deforestation and transition away from fossil fuels that will take shape over the next year and could inform COP31 talks in Turkey. To understand what happened and where it leaves the world, weve compiled six key takeaways. The fossil fuel gap is still too wide A proposed road map for the transition away from oil, gas and coal was a focal point of this years COP, with backing from roughly 80 countries, including Colombia, the UK, Germany and Kenya. So when the draft that Brazil released on Friday didnt mention it, many delegates were disappointed and angry. Ultimately, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago pledged to create a road map focused on a just transition away from fossil fuels, which will continue over the next year. While that measure won robust applause Saturday, its not the full plan incorporated in formal COP processes that supporters wanted. Staying silent on fossil fuels isnt sufficient, said Harjeet Singh, a founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. Nearly 200 countries agreed in Dubai in 2023 to phase out fossil fuels. But that belies a deep, persistent divide on the issue. Some nations insisted that COP30 spur concrete action to help economies make the shift. For others, such as China and petrostates Russia and Saudi Arabia, any new obligation relating to the phaseout was a red line. Adaptation has jumped up the agenda In climate policy, adaptation learning to live with the effects of a warmer world has long taken a back seat to emission-cutting work of mitigation. But adaptation was elevated at this years COP, a recognition that climate damage is happening now and the need to adapt is here. Worsening storms, floods, droughts and fires pose a huge burden, especially on developing countries and small island states. COP30 adopted a call to triple adaptation finance by 2035. That timeline is five years longer than what developing nations were pushing for, though. In the Marshalls, our adaptation needs are overwhelming, Kalani Kaneko, foreign minister of the Marshall Islands, said at the summit. The 2035 timeline is hard but achievable, according to experts. Tripling the adaptation goal is possible, climate finance specialists at the World Resources Institute wrote in an analysis earlier this month. But every relevant source of finance will need to step up, and the system will need to work better as a whole. Trade and critical minerals are climate issues, too Trade is a flashpoint in global politics right now, and it created tension in Belem as well. China and other countries voiced displeasure with the European Unions carbon levy. The measure is designed to prevent carbon leakage when heavy-emitting industries relocate offshore, but critics say it penalizes other countries' exports to the bloc. Those frustrations made it into the final agreement, which includes a swipe at such unilateral trade actions. The document reaffirms that measures taken to combat climate change should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or a disguised restriction on international trade. It also sets up a dialogue and a high-level event in 2028 to consider the role of trade policy. And for the first time at a COP, delegates included language on critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt in a draft negotiating text that highlighted the risks associated with their extraction and processing. Although it was left out of the final decision, the proposal underscored mounting concerns that the shift away from polluting fossil fuels could leave the world more reliant on minerals tied to environmental and social ills. Political freedom makes a COP comeback Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Belem on On November 15 to call for a stronger response to climate change. The previous day, Indigenous activists blocked the entrance to the Blue Zone of the COP30 venue, staying put until they could have a dialogue with the Brazilian officials leading the summit. And before that, a small group of protesters forced their way into the Blue Zone after being denied access. Such scenes in democratic Brazil were a far cry from the past three COPs, held in countries where political expression is heavily restricted. While many activists said the summit did not adequately include or listen to them, civil society was a bigger part of these talks than it had been for years. With COP31 set to be held in Turkey, protests may once again recede. The country has seen one of the sharpest pullbacks on freedom of expression over the past decade, according to Freedom House. Forests got money but not make-or-break support Brazil went into COP30 with a signature initiative: the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a fund to support rainforest conservation worldwide. The country hoped for tens of billions in pledges, but the fund fell far short. Norway, Germany and Indonesia and others have committed more than $6 billion so far. Norways pledge came with conditions that include raising more investment from others, meaning much work remains to be done. The Global Mutirao decision also recognizes the critical role of forests in storing carbon and maintaining a livable climate. However, a proposed road map to stop deforestation did not make it into the final text, with Correa do Lago instead propping up a second initiative akin to the fossil fuel one. Its an omission that some found galling given the setting of the talks. If we cannot agree on ending deforestation here in the Amazon, the question is, then where? asked Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, the special representative for climate change from Panama. The US makes its absence felt This was the first COP without American attendance since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and that absence was felt, for both good and bad. Developed country negotiators, like those in the EU, missed the presence of the US to act as a driver of ambition, using its diplomatic heft during critical moments with countries like China and Saudi Arabia. There was little sign of others being willing to step up into the vacuum. Beijing submitted an underwhelming climate pledge ahead of the summit and kept a low profile at the talks. Europe remained on the defensive against accusations of not providing enough finance and unfair trade measures. Yet there was also relief that the US didnt disrupt talks. In the weeks before COP30, the US played the role of spoiler in negotiations at the International Maritime Organization, which had been working for years to adopt a new global charge on the shipping industrys enormous emissions. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Visitors view an artwork at an exhibition showcasing China's Dehua white porcelain in Los Angeles, the United States, Nov. 21, 2025. The exhibition opened here Friday, drawing over 100 attendees from both countries and aiming to highlight traditional Chinese culture while promoting cross-cultural exchange. Titled "The Aesthetics of Harmony: Blanc de Chine, Porcelain from Dehua," the exhibition featured around 100 finely crafted ceramic artworks and photographic pieces. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) LOS ANGELES, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- An exhibition showcasing China's Dehua white porcelain opened here Friday, drawing over 100 attendees from both countries and aiming to highlight traditional Chinese culture while promoting cross-cultural exchange. The exhibition, titled "The Aesthetics of Harmony: Blanc de Chine, Porcelain from Dehua," featured around 100 finely crafted ceramic artworks and photographic pieces. Blending traditional techniques with contemporary design concepts, the displays highlight the cultural legacy, artistic beauty and innovative spirit embodied in Dehua ceramics. Addressing the event, Huang Hongjiang, deputy consul general of China in Los Angeles, said Dehua porcelain represents not only China's long-standing cultural traditions but also its refined modern craftsmanship. Huang said China's upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan offers broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States in trade, investment and other areas, calling for joint efforts to increase exchanges and deliver more benefits to people in both countries. Fang Junqin, head of Dehua County in southeast China's Fujian Province, hoped that the exhibition will give the American public a chance to appreciate the elegance of Dehua porcelain and the Eastern aesthetic it embodies. Fred Stehle, a local resident from Whittier in Los Angeles County, told Xinhua the porcelain pieces "are incredibly fine and delicate, rich in detail," and reflect a blend of Chinese tradition, culture and modern craftsmanship. "We're very interested in Chinese culture and hope to learn more," he said. "We also hope to visit China again in the near future." A visitor takes photos of an artwork at an exhibition showcasing China's Dehua white porcelain in Los Angeles, the United States, Nov. 21, 2025. The exhibition opened here Friday, drawing over 100 attendees from both countries and aiming to highlight traditional Chinese culture while promoting cross-cultural exchange. Titled "The Aesthetics of Harmony: Blanc de Chine, Porcelain from Dehua," the exhibition featured around 100 finely crafted ceramic artworks and photographic pieces. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) The US peace plan to end the war in Ukraine offers no concessions to the war-torn country Ukraine amid subtle compromise for Russia in its demand to take over the entire territory. Offering no justified reasons for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept the proposed plan, the new 28-point plan is a no-win situation for the second-largest country of Europe, some US officials and experts said. What changes for Russia US President Donald Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, devised the peace plan after consulting both Ukrainian and Russian officials. The proposed pact calls for Ukrainian to surrender the entire Donbas region while Russia would abandon its vow to take over the entire country. Also Read | Putin warns Ukraine could lose more territory if Trump peace plan is refused According to New York Post, the handed-over area to Russia would include territory that Vladimir Putin-led military been unable to secure for more than a decade. As Russia keeps targeting Ukraines energy grid, Trump doubled down on his view that President Volodymyr Zelensky doesnt have the cards to keep fighting, AP reported. Although the latest settlement tilts heavily in Russia's favour, Trump in an Oval Office appearance said, He's (Zelensky) going to have to approve it for peace as he sought response latest by next Thursday. Giving an insight into the agreement, a source familiar with the matter said, This plan obviously stops [Putin] in his tracks, ends the war and also forces him to relinquish some territory, which you know is a huge loss for him and for Russia." What changes for Ukraine As per Trump's peace plan, Ukraine would never join NATO, shrink its armed forces to 600,000 personnel from its current estimated 900,000 personnel. The proposed pact also calls for Ukraine to grant amnesty for all parties involved in wartime actions. The proposal is a bad deal and one that the Trump administration rightfully refused to accept in the past, New Yor Post quoted George Barros, leader at Institute for the Study of War Russia program as saying. He added, Deterring future Russian aggression against Ukraine requires a strong Ukrainian military, foreign support to Ukraine ideally in the form of foreign troops in-country and a defendable frontline. According to a senior US official, the main obstacle in making Russian officials to agree to accept the agreement was that they cant take over all of Ukraine. Referring to the sticking point, he said, I mean, look, everyone knows Vladimir Putin wants to take the whole country, adding, Thats his been his long-sought goal. That is something hes made quite clear. The president is very aware of that." On the discussed terms of the proposed plan, Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov gave positive feedback during his recent talks with Steve Witkoff in Miami. The plan was drawn up immediately following discussions with one of the most senior members of Zelenskys administration, Umerov, the official informed New York Post. Of course, Hasina must take responsibility for the deaths during the 2024 protests. Yet the death penalty seems excessive. Having served only fifteen months in office, Yunus would be keen to demonstrate that justice has been served and that the mighty have nowhere to hide. But one can't help but wonder if this is merely because he has little else to show for his achievements? (Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macron has a penchant for predicting the end of eras. Back in 2019, years before Russias invasion of Ukraine, it was the pronouncement that NATO was effectively brain dead. Indeed the post-war military alliance has struggled to rise to the occasion. Now, at the Group of 20 summit in South Africa boycotted by the US its most powerful member Macron has put on his Cassandra-like hat again. Meeting for the first time on the African continent marks an important milestone in the life of the G20, Macron said in his opening remarks in Johannesburg. But we must also recognize that the G-20 may be reaching the end of a cycle. The very existence of the bloc, he added for emphasis, is at risk. The French leader cited the absence of the US at the table, the difficulty to protect humanitarian law and the sovereignty of some countries like Ukraine as evidence that require an urgent collective re-engagement. We are struggling to have a common standard on geopolitical crisis, Macron said. The French leader is no doubt reflecting on his own political life with his own presidential term ending in 2027. Hes now the most experienced statesman of the Group of Seven, which he is hosting next year, and has often reflected philosophically on the demise of multilateralism. In the past, to some derision, hes called for a true European army even before the existential danger Vladimir Putin posed to the continent become self-evident. But France has also struggled to match its rhetoric with actions. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Turkey is prepared to contribute a few thousand troops to a US-backed, Muslim-majority force in the Gaza Strip, according to Turkish officials familiar with the matter, despite Israeli opposition to such a move. The US broadly supports Turkey joining the International Stabilization Force pushed by President Donald Trump, following Ankaras mediation of a Gaza ceasefire last month along with Egypt and Qatar, said the people, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. The deployment would include combat and engineering units, and Turkey wants Washington to limit Israels use of military force once the troops go into the enclave. Its unclear how Turkey would be able to join the ISF seen as crucial to Trumps plan to ensure the truce turns into a proper peace without Israels approval. Turkeys government believes that Israel may eventually back down if the US puts pressure on them though, so far, theres been no sign of the Israeli government doing that. Tensions between the two countries have surged since Hamass attack on Israel in 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza. The Jewish state has accused Ankara of supporting the Palestinian militant group, while Turkey has been outraged by the killing of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Turkey, led by Erdogan, led a hostile approach against Israel, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said last month, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. So it is not reasonable for us to let their armed forces enter the Gaza Strip, we will not agree to that and we said it to our American friends. Turkey has expressed interest in contributing to the force, along with many other nations, according to a senior US administration official. The official didnt say whether or not the US supported the effort. The force, which could include countries such as Indonesia, Pakistan, and Azerbaijan, is expected to help keep order while the Israeli military withdraws from the Gaza Strip and as an interim government is subsequently established, the Turkish officials said. Before committing the troops, Turkey and other countries are keen to see Washington rein in continued Israeli military attacks in Gaza and clarify the mandate of the force, the officials said. Israel has killed 300 Palestinians since the ceasefire started on Oct. 10, according to Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the US and many other countries. Israel says its been reacting to attacks some of them deadly on its troops. With assistance from Dan Williams and Mario Parker. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Georgia police chief charged with using license plate readers to stalk and harass people A police chief in suburban Atlanta has been arrested on charges of using the city's license plate cameras to stalk and harass people WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday set Nov. 27 as the deadline for accepting a 28-point peace plan proposed by his administration to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "I've had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines," Trump told Fox News Radio. "But Thursday is it -- we think an appropriate time." Ukraine was losing land and "will lose in a short period of time," he said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday on X, following a phone call with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, that the Ukrainian side "agreed to work together with the U.S. and Europe at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable." In an address to the nation, Zelensky said: "Ukraine could now face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter." 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. A Medicare insurance card on top of a medical bill with a stethoscope. - Dny59/Getty Images For a lot of Americans, reaching retirement and finally being eligible for Medicare feels like a well-deserved reward after so many years spent in the workforce. And it is. Although there are different qualifications for Medicare, 90% of the 69 million Americans enrolled in it are 65 or older, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. But there are a lot of medical costs Medicare won't cover for seniors, and Original Medicare has no cap on how much you can pay out of pocket either, meaning even one hospital visit can incur steep bills. That's why over 90% of people enrolled in Medicare carry some form of supplemental insurance, while others switch out of Original Medicare entirely and go with a Medicare Advantage plan instead (via KFF). Signing up for Medicare Advantage can certainly look appealing upfront. Many of these plans come with low monthly premiums and bundle some of the key coverage areas where Original Medicare is lacking, like dental, vision, and even hearing coverage. Still, choosing this option without reviewing others can quickly prove to be a Medicare plan mistake that retirees should avoid. There are multiple reasons seniors are increasingly opting to add Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance) to an Original Medicare plan instead of getting Medicare Advantage. The choice largely comes down to two major reasons: greater ease of use and fewer administrative hurdles. Read more: You've Been Warned: Medicare Won't Cover These 13 Medical Costs For Seniors Medigap plans work seamlessly with Original Medicare coverage An elderly couple turning and smiling at each other while sitting at a table going over health insurance options with a younger male agent. - Inside Creative House/Shutterstock Whereas Medicare Advantage plans are forms of private insurance that are designed to replace Original Medicare, Medigap works directly alongside Medicare, making it extremely easy to use. It's still private insurance that can vary in cost between providers, but it's federally standardized to work seamlessly with your regular Medicare plan. To get Medigap, you have to be enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare (including Part A for hospital insurance and Part B for medical insurance), and all it does is help with expenses that are not covered by your main plan: deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. When you receive healthcare, your Original Medicare pays its share of your bill first. Then Medigap kicks in to pay for remaining costs as per the specifics of your plan. Because of this straightforward process, Medigap is often viewed as the option with fewer surprises. For comparison, Medicare Advantage works in place of Original Medicare rather than with it, and it revolves around covering specific health areas (like dental) rather than covering additional monetary expenses. Plus, despite often offering lower premiums, Medicare Advantage can come with more out-of-pocket expenses due to these lower upfront costs. While details vary depending on your location and the specific Medicare Advantage plan you choose, most require cost sharing (typically copayments and deductibles) on top of a monthly premium. In other words, Medigap supplemental coverage pads your Original Medicare for a smooth experience, while Medicare Advantage replaces it and may or may not cover your biggest financial pain points. A judge has requested a victim impact statement after hearing that a defendant allegedly called to the victims house at 2am and smashed the front windows as she slept inside. 42-year-old James Gibson of 5 Mostrim Oaks, Edgeworthstown, Longford, was brought before the court by Garda Louise Anne Crehan charged with having caused criminal damage to the windows and glass of a front door at a private dwelling in Edgeworthstown on March 2 last year. A warrant for Mr Gibsons arrest was issued when he failed to appear in court on September 23 last. Addressing the court, Sergeant Mark Mahon, he broke all the windows in the front of the house while a woman was asleep inside. Solicitor John Anderson, who was representing the accused, clarified this remark, stating, Two windows is what my client tells me, Judge. Upon requesting to know the value of the broken windows, Judge Owens was informed the figure was 600. He is entering a plea of guilty; he is admitting to the offence, Judge. He has brought the sum of 100. Thats not going to get us very far, replied Judge Owens. No its not, Judge, but in fairness to the man Mr Anderson began, he has limited means. He had the ability to get up to this womans house at what time in the morning? Judge Owens asked the sergeant. Two in the morning, Judge, Sgt Mahon replied. When asked if the accused had previous convictions, the sergeant replied, theres a total of 20 previous convictions. Sgt Mahon added that Mr Gibsons most recent conviction was for a public order matter on May 6 this year where he was fined 350. Addressing the solicitor for the accused, Judge Owens asked if there was an issue between the man and the injured party. They were friends, Judge, Mr Anderson began, but there was an altercation with this mans children and this man went up to discuss the matter. Well you dont go up to somebodys house at two in the morning, Judge Owens replied. I know Judge, Mr Anderson agreed. Judge Owens explained she was going to direct a victim impact statement as well as a probation report, and said Mr Gibson needed to work on gathering full compensation. She remanded Mr Gibson on continuing bail until February 10, accompanied by the stern warning, Mr Anderson, your client is not out of the woods on this at all. READ NEXT: Paul Williams launches true-crime sequel Crooks 2 in Dublin READ NEXT: Longford man found guilty of sexual assault charges remanded in custody The Governments new housing plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities is a transformative step forward for future homeowners and families, a Fine Gael TD has said. Chair of the Oireachtas Housing Committee, Deputy Micheal Carrigy said, This plan reflects Fine Gaels unwavering commitment to homeownership, housing supply and practical reforms that will make a real difference to communities around the country. He highlighted the plan will deliver 300,000 homes, including 90,000 starter homes, backed by a 36bn budget with the Land Development Agency playing an expanded role in delivery. The Help to Buy Scheme will be retained and enhanced, which will ensure continued support for first-time buyers, while the First Home Scheme will be extended to include vacant and derelict properties and help more people to access affordable homes. Deputy Carrigy praised the plans emphasis on unlocking housing supply through zoning reforms, infrastructure investment and legal changes to speed up delivery. He also welcomed targeted supports for older people and families in emergency accommodation, including a 100m fund in 2026 and expanded rightsizing options. Deputy Carrigy commented, This plan will deliver flexible housing options and protections for renters, while also empowering local authorities and accelerating urban communities. Fine Gael is focused on building homes for every stage of life. Weve made housing our top priority and this plan shows were serious about delivering for Irelands housing needs. READ NEXT: Longford man found guilty of sexual assault charges remanded in custody READ NEXT: Paul Williams launches true-crime sequel Crooks 2 in Dublin Longford County Council has invited local people to attend an information evening on Wednesday, December 3 at Aras an Chontae, where detailed plans for the 7 million Connolly Barracks Reimagined project will be on display. The event, from 6pm-to-8pm offers residents and community members an opportunity to view artist impressions of the transformed Sean Connolly Barracks and hear directly from the project team about progress on this major regeneration initiative. Members of the public are invited to drop in between the hours of 6-8pm when council staff, including the project lead and architect, will be available to discuss the ambitious plans and answer any questions. Connolly Barracks Reimagined is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 20212027. Longford County Council will be proceeding to Tender for the construction phase of the project with work expected to get underway on site in February 2026. The evening forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure all sectors of Longford's community can engage with this significant project. The council encourages attendance from all sectors of the community in Longford particularly marginalised groups. A detailed online survey will also be circulated by Longford County Council after the event in a bid to keep the community and relevant stakeholders informed of the progress on the Connolly Barracks Reimagined project. READ NEXT: Major new book The Warriors chronicles proud military heritage of Longford READ NEXT: 'How do you not see two cows?' -Judge's question to Longford motorist after serious crash A group of young farmers from Longford and the Midlands-North West region had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen in the European Parliament recently, after they were hosted by MEP Maria Walsh. The group travelled to Brussels this week to attend a Young Farmers Congress hosted by the European Peoples Party (EPP) - the Parliaments largest political party. They heard from Commissioner Hansen during the Congress, when one young Irish farmer had the opportunity to pose a question to the Commissioner. The group was made up of farmers representing counties across Midlands-North West, including Longford, Galway, Louth, Cavan, Mayo, Laois, Donegal and Meath. Maria Walsh MEP said: Bringing young Irish farmers to Brussels and giving them direct access to the Commissioner for Agriculture is exactly how we ensure their voices shape the future of EU agriculture. "I was delighted to see one of our farmers get the opportunity to question the Commissioner, where he raised the challenges facing the Irish tillage sector. These farmers are the heartbeat of our rural communities, but they are also entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders. Their passion for sustainability, food security, and the future of family farming is undeniable. "They understand the reality of being a farmer in Ireland today better than anyone. They face serious challenges but have chosen a route many other young people have turned their backs on. Generational renewal dominated the discussions, and rightly so. Attracting more young people into agriculture begins with listening to those already on the ground and responding to their realities. The insights and lived experiences of these Irish young farmers must inform EU decisions on sustainability, food security, and fair incomes. "My priority is to bring the voices of young Irish farmers to the forefront of Europes agricultural agenda - in particular as we continue to negotiate the new CAP proposals over the coming months and years. READ NEXT: Longford man found guilty of sexual assault charges remanded in custody READ NEXT: 'How do you not see two cows?' -Judge's question to Longford motorist after serious crash JEPI invests in 123 stocks and has the highest allocation to the information technology sector (14.9%), followed by health care (12.4%) and industrials (11.8%). Its top holdings include Alphabet, Microsoft, AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Nvidia, and Amazon. The ETF has generated a cumulative 3-year return of 34.30% and a 5-year return of 67.96%. JEPI has a dividend yield of 7.24% and an expense ratio of 0.35%. It has managed to offer investors a bond-like return along with equity-like gains at low volatility. The fund has about $41 billion in assets under management, and while many may assume it leans on the high-dividend stocks, it generates passive income through the premium generated on options calls. It does hold defensive stocks, but the majority of its income stream is from writing out-of-the-money call options. JEPI is known for a two-part strategy where it builds a portfolio of top stocks using a risk-adjusted system. Second, it writes out-of-the-money call options on the S&P 500 index and generates a premium. This premium allows it to maintain a high yield. If you can handle some amount of risk, the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF is a worthwhile choice. It aims to deliver steady income while providing exposure to some of the best blue-chip stocks with little volatility. 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 It is never too late to start your investment journey, and if youre a beginner, investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a great choice. ETFs can be ideal for investors due to the instant diversification, low expense ratio, and wide variety of investment choices. They also have the potential to generate passive income along with capital appreciation. If passive income is your goal, consider JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF ( NYSEARCA:JEPI ), Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF ( NYSEARCA:SPHD ), and Global X SuperDividend ETF ( NYSEARCA:SDIV ). Here's why they make a great addition to a beginners portfolio. Story Continues JHVEPhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images Invesco S&P 500 High Div Low Volatility ETF The Invesco S&P 500 High Div Low Volatility ETF is a fund designed for income investors. It tracks the S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index and invests in companies that have the potential to generate a high dividend yield. It excludes high-yielding companies that are more volatile to avoid value traps. The fund identifies the 75 highest-yielding stocks in the index and then keeps 50 that have shown the lowest volatility in the past 12 months. SPHD pays monthly dividends and has a yield of 4.81%, generating steady passive income for investors. The fund holds only 51 stocks and has an expense ratio of 0.30%. No stock has a weightage higher than 3%. It has the highest allocation in the real estate sector at 22.58%, followed by consumer staples at 16.78% and in the utility sector at 14.63%. It caps each sector at 25% of the portfolio and 10 stocks each. The top 10 holdings include Pfizer Inc., Healthpeak Properties Inc., United Parcel Service, Verizon Communications, and Realty Income. As compared to other ETFs, SPHD sets itself apart by investing in real estate investment trusts (REITs). This allows you to own a part of the real estate and make the most of its upside. SPHD has generated a 3-year return of 7.62% and a 5-year return of 12.15%. 24/7 Wall St. Global X SuperDividend US ETF Global X SuperDividend ETF is another dividend ETF for beginners. It invests in the 50 highest-yielding dividend stocks in the world, weighs them equally, and generates passive income for you each month. SDIV tracks the performance of the Indxx SuperDividend U.S. Low Volatility Index. It has a dividend yield of 7.67% and an expense ratio of 0.45%. It holds 50 stocks and includes many smaller companies whose share prices might be downward over time. However, the dividends have remained consistent. The fund invests heavily in the energy sector (21.7%), followed by utilities (20.6%) and REITs (17.6%). SDIVs top 10 holdings include Global Ship, Omega Healthcare, Spire Inc., Northwestern Energy Group, and Evergy Inc. This geographic diversification will spread the risk across different sectors and economies, reducing the reliance on a single market. Its global approach also allows investors to catch opportunities in sectors like energy and REITs. It has generated an average annualized return of 10.03% in five years. The fund has gained 14.24% so far this year and is exchanging hands for $23.70. If your investment goal is to generate passive income each month, this ETF is worth considering. The fund will give you an opportunity to invest in the best dividend companies across the world at a low cost. The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans You may think retirement is about picking the best stocks or ETFs, but youd be wrong. See even great investments can be a liability in retirement. The difference comes down to a simple: accumulation vs distribution. The difference is causing millions to rethink their plans. The good news? After answering three quick questions many Americans are finding they can retire earlier than expected. If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, take 5 minutes to learn more here. Tucked away in Boston, Weesh Bake Shop is a destination for those looking to indulge in handcrafted, nostalgic sweets with a twist. From first glance at its branding, the shops motto is baking fresh, timeless treats that bring back sweet memories. From the pastel aesthetic to its flavors, Weesh is a Boston spot for festive treats. One of Weeshs appeals is a take on childhood favorites. For instance, its Weeshtarts are a gourmet spin on a classic Pop-Tart, taking a familiar treat and transforming it as its own. The bakery also offers signature cakes, cookies, cupcakes and more, all baked from scratch. The founder, Elyse Purbaugh, built Weesh with a goal to create a sense of indulgence, surprise and comfort with every treat. @masslivenews Step inside a Boston sweet spot Weesh Bake Shop brings nostalgia and elegance together with handcrafted treats. From gourmet Weeshtarts to cookies and cupcakes, every bite is made from scratch. Countless - Official Sound Studio One of the most crowd-pleasing offerings at Weesh is the dessert board. Pre-orderable and designed for gatherings, these boards offer up small bites, tarts, cupcakes, cookies and other sweets, arranged so guests can sample a variety of flavors in one presentation. The dessert board is an option for those who enjoy variety. Instead of committing to a single flavor or style, guests can sample multiple treats from tart-flavored bites to cakes, all on one board. The board also can serve as a visually appealing centerpiece for an occasion. Weesh Bake Shop is located at 18 Birch St. in Roslindale. The business also makes custom cakes and offers event catering. A New England tradition 50 years in the making continues with a new goal this year: setting a world record for gathering holiday decorations designed, created or engineered by people of color. Ebony Village returns to the Emerald Square Mall at 999 S. Washington St. in North Attleboro. Organized by the National Black Doll Museum of History & Culture, Ebony Village is an effort to put on a display of joyous holiday decorations where children of color feel included. Jerica Washington, guest services and museum curator, said the tradition is rooted in a moment where a child felt excluded decades ago. There was a child who wished he was white so he could be a part of the holiday joy, Washington said in an interview Saturday. While Ebony Village technically opened on Friday, more is still being set up, Washington said. Ebony Village is a place where each visitor is treated as an honorable guest, invited to wonder at the decorations and appreciate the history and splendor of the items. The world record this year grew out of a concern among museum organizers and guests that there are too few holiday decorations available that are tailored for people of color. People would search 20 stores before they could find holiday decorations that were designed by, created by or engineered by a person of color, Washington said. The museum has about 900 items to display, but is encouraging visitors to bring holiday decoration items to be added to the count either to add to the museums collection or simply to be counted and then taken away by the owners, Washington said. Items now include nutcrackers, cookie jars, dolls and Santas in many forms: lumberjack Santa, Santa from the islands, Santa from Central or South America and of course Santa at the North Pole. The record, while it doesnt currently exist in the Guinness Book, would be a first, and the museum is pushing for it to be included. Washington hopes they surpass 2,000 items. An opportunity for a photo with Santa at Ebony Village will be on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, Washington said. The museum was founded by sisters Felicia Walker, Tamara Mattison and Debra Britt, and was incorporated in 2012, according to its website. In an interview earlier this year, Britt described the idea behind the museum devoted to Black dolls. My biggest thing is I love people, so I go to the Irish cultural center and I learn all about their history, and I go to the synagogues, and I go to all these different places because I want to learn, but I need to learn about me, she said. And I feel like, how do I teach that to people so that theyre at ease, so they can find some ease with it: were going to do it with the dolls, she continued. Everybody has a doll, and everybody has a doll story. The New England Aquarium is treating more than 200 sea turtles that have washed ashore on Massachusetts beaches as winter-like temps settle across the state. The turtles were rescued by staff and volunteers from Massachusetts Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and arrived at the aquariums sea turtle hospital in Quincy on Nov. 7. The creatures are cold-stunned, a condition in which sea turtles become very weak and inactive from exposure to cold temperatures, according to NOAA Fisheries. The rescuers have been scouting Cape Cod Bay beaches for cold-stunned turtles and sending them to the facility for warmth and care for life-threatening medical conditions resulting from hypothermia and the inability to feed or swim. Aquariums Director of Rescue and Rehabilitation Adam Kennedy explained the situation in a Nov. 20 statement, calling it a sea turtle stranding season. This annual occurrence happens every fall and early winter, causing hundreds of cold-stunned sea turtles to wash up on Cape Cod beaches because of rapidly changing water temperatures and wind patterns that prevent the turtles from escaping the hook-like area of Cape Cod Bay and becoming hypothermic. We need to pace ourselves for likely big numbers this year, Kennedy said. Thanks to decades of doing this conservation work, the New England Aquarium is well positioned to ensure high-quality care for the weeks and months ahead Upon arrival at the facility, these turtles receive a physical exam, heart rate and respiration assessment, wound care as needed and a trial swim. The turtles also get X-rays to assess their lung condition and a look for any bone fractures. Critically endangered Kemps ridley turtles, which are the majority of the patients, and green sea turtles receive antibiotics and are provided replacement fluids as prescribed by veterinarians. Many of these sea turtles suffer from chronic medical conditions including pneumonia, bone infection, and sepsis and may require months of treatment before they can be released into the ocean, which is always our ultimate goal, Director of Animal Health at the Aquarium Dr. Melissa Joblon said in a statement. As the aquariums sea turtle hospital reaches full capacity, the team said it is working closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations (NOAA) Fisheries Service to transfer turtles to partner organizations to continue rehabilitation and make room for new arrivals. This week, the aquarium said that the global nonprofit organization Greater Food Charities flew 35 turtles to two facilities in North Carolina: Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Center and the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. New England Aquarium said that the most seriously ill turtles will remain in their care where many will complete their full rehabilitation process before they are released back into the ocean in the spring and summer months. At just 9 years old, Ava Najafi lost her mother to cancer and was left to navigate life with an alcoholic father. By 11, she had turned to smoking and drinking to cope. Three years later, her childhood was shattered again when she was sexually assaulted for the first time. By 17, Najafi says she made the worst mistake of my life a mistake that ended with the death of 19-year-old Cyndell Rodriguez. Now 21 and incarcerated, Najafi is fighting not only to rebuild her life but to push for a law that gives teens and emerging adults a chance to grow and move forward. We all have stories, she told lawmakers on Tuesday. We were not born bad or unfixable. Najafi pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024 and was sentenced to 12 to 14 years in prison. But once shes released, she faces the possibility of being on parole for the rest of her life and shes not alone. But that could soon change. If Bill S.1087 becomes law, anyone who was under 21 when convicted of manslaughter or first- or second-degree murder and later released on parole will no longer have to stay on parole for life. Instead, if they complete three years on parole without committing any new crimes felonies or misdemeanors their parole will end automatically. The bill applies to people already on parole and requires the parole board to officially terminate their sentence once those conditions are met. More than 200 people, including Najafi and others currently incarcerated, testified on the bill for about two hours on Tuesday. Wilmary Mejia Matos told the lawmakers on Tuesday how she had been stabbed and simply sent back to the same environment. Nobody, she said, was there to hug her or tell her itd be OK. When she was 16, she became the person holding the knife when her boyfriend had videotaped them having sex and sent the video to a 17-year-old. She thought the 17-year-old had then shared that video on social media. The teenage girls planned to meet in Jamaica Plain for a fight. Brianna Brown, 21, was stabbed 16 times during the fight and the 17-year-old was stabbed four times. Brown later died due to her injuries. A lot of juveniles were products of their environments, Mejia Matos said. Lost and overall a cry out for help. At 18, Mejia Matos pleaded guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to 10-14 years in prison. One person who testified called it a life sentence in the community and spoke about how difficult it is to make any decisions. Others talked about the fear it creates in their life when navigating everyday situations like public transportation while having a strict curfew or being unable to attend family gatherings where another family member is also on parole. That almost feels like a setup for failure, said Tarayiah Hunt, who was part of a group that killed Cherby LaJoie by stabbing him 41 times. Of all parole violations, 89% are technical violations, according to Paul Bamberger of the Transformational Prison Project during a World Peace Foundation interview. Those are not violations of law. Theyre not a new crime, he said. During the same interview, Noble Williams of the Transformational Prison Project, who was on parole, spoke about a time when he went to the park with his laptop and puppy for a meeting. Nearby police were investigating an unrelated situation. He knew hed have to report to his parole officer if any police came up to him. The idea caused him so much stress, he left. Every time something happens, I have to leave so I dont get in trouble, even though it had nothing to do with me, Williams said during the interview. Imagine every day living in that type of fear. It destroys you mentally. This is the latest push to change laws around youthful offenders in Massachusetts. In 2013, the states Supreme Judicial Court ruled that mandatory life in prison sentences for juveniles were unconstitutional. The decision allowed Greg Diatchenko and others the chance at parole. And 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. Massachusetts recognized that sentencing juveniles to life without parole is unconstitutional because young people have the capacity to change. This bill aligns our parole policies with that same recognition: after years of successful reintegration, people deserve to rebuild their lives free from permanent state surveillance, said Prisoners Legal Services of Massachusetts Policy Director Jesse White in a statement to MassLive Thursday. Other bills talked about at Tuesdays hearing include extending the age range for what is considered a youthful offender to 19 and ending mandatory life without the possibility of parole for anyone under the age of 26 due to a cognitive inability to have full impulse control and risk assessment. Children do grow, they can learn, Hunt said. They are redeemable and they can change for the better. A tow truck driver was killed Friday night after a crash caused their vehicle to plunge from an overpass on Route 140 in Freetown. Massachusetts State Police responded to the crash at around 6 p.m. Preliminary findings indicate the tow truck was in the left travel lane when it was struck by another vehicle traveling in the right lane, the statement reads. The impact propelled the tow truck off the overpass and onto Washburn road, which runs immediately below. Police said the driver of the striking vehicle was uninjured and remained on scene. Authorities closed the left lane of Route 140 South and Washburn Road for an on-scene investigation by troopers assigned to the Bristol County State Police Detective Unit, the Crime Scene Services Section, and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. The Department of Environmental Protection also responded to address a small fuel spill from the truck. The identities of the people involved have not been released as of 9 a.m. Saturday. The Massachusetts State Police offer our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased person, the statement reads. SPRINGFIELD A Hampshire County woman who left the area before facing trial for unleashing a swarm of bees on police in 2022 is headed back. Rebecca Rorie Woods took off Aug. 5, the day her trial on assault charges was set to begin in Springfield District Court. She was accused of releasing the bees as Hampden County Sheriffs deputies were in the midst of an eviction at a $1.5 million home in Longmeadow. She was located two days later in Tennessee and has been jailed in that state as she fought extradition. After governors in Massachusetts and Tennessee signed a warrant for her return, Woods is expected to appear in a Springfield courtroom Monday, according to a spokesperson for Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. Woods is expected to land at Bradley Airport over the weekend, law enforcement officials say. She will not be housed at the Western Massachusetts Womens Correctional Facility in Chicopee. Shell be going directly to Franklin County, since were a party to her criminal case, said Robert Rizzuto, spokesperson for Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. Hampden County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Joslyn attempts to wrestle a tower of beehives away from protester Rorie Woods as deputies attempted to serve an eviction notice at 49 Memery Lane in Longmeadow on Oct. 12, 2022. Woods allegedly let loose hundreds of bees on about a half-dozen deputies to deter them from going forward with the eviction. Most were stung, including one employee who had to be taken away in an ambulance. Woods appeared to have no remorse that day. Oh, youre allergic? Good, she told one official, according to court records. Rebecca Rorie Woods, of Hadley, at a July 9 pretrial hearing in Springfield District Court. She faces multiple assault charges for allegedly unleashing a swarm of bees onto Hampden County Sheriffs Department deputies attempting to serve an eviction notice in Longmeadow in 2022. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook Once her case got to court, Woods was a active defendant, filing motion after motion and firing attorney after attorney. She decided to represent herself. Prosecutors waited for Woods to show up for the start of trial. When she didnt, a judge issued an arrest warrant. On Aug. 7, authorities apprehended her at a motel in Tennessee. It is unclear what new charges she may face when she arrives in Western Massachusetts. Influenza kills thousands of our most vulnerable populations annually. The impact of influenza on our communities is tangible, many of us have witnessed a friend or family member that has become seriously ill as a result. Behind this fact though is a quiet hero. Like Batman, a mere mortal, knowledge and preparation against this particular foe has proven to be our greatest strength time and again. And now, we are losing that. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been central in evaluating what kind of flu season we may have and how effective the flu vaccine may be. Given the upheaval in our federal public health system, withdrawal from the World Health Organization and government shut down, that super hero strength that we took for granted to keep us safe is non existent. Last update on flu activity in the US was recorded in September. Typically, the CDC monitors thousands of samples from flu patients from around the world. The study of the different strains provides information of what is circulating and also contributes to the design of next years flu shot. Demetre Daskalakis, previous director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, stated the flow of data has come pretty much to a grinding halt. This loss of crucial information makes the US less able to prepare for a flu pandemic which means more deaths. Some information on the flu is coming from the World Health Organization. WHO is working with a huge monetary and scientific loss with the recent withdrawal and governmental changes in the US. The effects of reduced influenza surveillance will be felt globally not just nationally. Data also comes from individual states. Most states collect flu data but do not compile the data that the CDC was able to do. The states do not do the more advanced examination of the viral genetics and how it will act with our immunity. Winter of 2024-25 influenza season reached unprecedented levels and was considered the worst in over a decade. Unfortunately, we may be headed in the same direction this year. A new strain emerged at the end of Australias worst flu season ever and is already seen in the US. Early data from Japan and the UK show this strain in 90% of the samples. Flu season came a month early to the UK. While mutations are expected, this new one has had an impressive number of mutations. Japan declared a flu epidemic last month. The UK is expecting the same. Canadian researchers published early flu data with a warning and concern for North America. An unexpected strain H3N2 subclade K is the dominant strain emerging. This strain was seen in Australia, Japan and the UK. A Canadian researcher states they usually look to the US for whats circulating. Without that resource, concerns are rising. The good news is UK reports that so far the vaccination is providing protection from hospitalization and severe illness. The one thing we can be sure of is that vaccination, whether the best match to the predicted strains or not is till the most important mitigation to avoid serious illness, hospitalization and death. Washing hands frequently, staying home when sick, avoiding large, indoor crowds are all crucial to the spread of the flu and other diseases. The flu is unpredictable but researchers suggest that the activity seen thus far increases the chance that we are going to see a more intense flu season. When the flu starts early, more people get infected. Despite the mutations and concerns, the superhero we can count on is still vaccination, whatever valid, scientific knowledge and research we can access and our own common sense with communicable disease mitigation. It is the best tool to protect yourself and each other. Take care of yourself and someone else. Juanita Carnes is a nurse practitioner with 39 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Board of Health in Westfield, Massachusetts. 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Before actually increasing their dividends consistently for decades, these companies also had to start from somewhere. And some of the most exciting dividend growers are the ones flying under the radar. They are also riskier plays. But investors who find these types of companies before they become Aristocrats could end up with a significantly higher yield-on-cost in the future. More News from Barchart For that reason, today, Im not focusing on the usual popular names. Instead, I'll share with you some high-risk, high-yielding dividend stocks that have the backing of Wall Street analysts; qualities that these companies need to become a Dividend Aristocrat eventually. How I Came Up With The Following Stocks I used Barcharts Stock Screener to find the highest-yielding companies on my watchlist. Number of Analysts: 12 or higher. A higher consensus suggests more confidence. Current Analyst Rating: 3.5 5. Companies that have average Moderate to Strong Buy ratings suggest quality. Annual Dividend Yield (FWD),%: Left blank so I can use it later to sort the results from highest to lowest. Market Cap ($K): $300M - $10B. Small to mid-sized companies- names that are usually missed. Dividend Investing Ideas: Best Dividend Stocks, those that could be the next Dividend Aristocrats. 17 results match the screen, so Ill sort them by highest yield to get my list of highest-yielding dividend stocks. Lets start with the first dividend stock: Americold Realty Trust (COLD) Americold Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT), a company that owns income-producing real estate, allowing individuals to buy shares instead of directly owning the property. Founded in 1903, Americold owns and operates one of the worlds largest networks of food industry warehouses. And the company continues to expand. For example, just last month, Americold secured exclusive rights to export Irish meat to the U.S., making it the only third-party cold storage provider with this approval. In its most recent financials, Americold reported that sales declined 1% YOY to $664 million, with its net loss growing almost 205% to $11 million. This is due to rising operating costs and softening demands. Despite this, Americold maintains a market cap of roughly $3 billion, a relatively small company with potential to scale. Mayo will join communities across the globe in marking the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, running from November 25 to December 10, with a strong focus this year on the theme Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls. The campaign highlights digital violence as one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse. Leading the local efforts, the Soroptimist Club of Castlebar has organised a wide range of events beginning on November 23, aimed at raising awareness and encouraging public engagement throughout the county. The first event will take place this Sunday, November 23, with a candlelight vigil at 11 am in Market Square, Castlebar. The vigil will feature guest speakers Lorraine Toner from the Mayo Rape Crisis Centre and Rose Conway-Walsh TD, along with a musical performance by Mick Mulchrone. The official UN campaign begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. To mark the day in Mayo, a flag-raising ceremony will take place at 1 pm at ATU Castlebar. On Wednesday, December 3, Professor Nata Duvvury of the University of Galway will deliver a public talk at ATU Castlebar, exploring the social and economic consequences of violence against women. The commemorative events will conclude on Wednesday, December 10, International Human Rights Day, with a ceremony at Lough Lannagh hosted by SAFE Ireland. At 11 am, lilies will be placed on the water in remembrance of all women killed in domestic violence incidents in Ireland since 1996. Throughout the 16 Days, people across Mayo are encouraged to wear orange, the UNs designated colour symbolising hope and a brighter future free from violence and fear. Women who may need support can contact: Women's Aid Mayo on their helpline number at 094 9025409 or their text support number at 087 6569672 from Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Mayo Rape Crisis Centre can be contacted by phoning 094 9025657. Mayo County Council has published its Gender Pay Gap Report, highlighting the percentage difference between what men and women are paid on average in the organisation, irrespective of roles or levels. The 2025 report shows a Gender Pay Gap of -0.48% mean and -8.20% median for all employees, which indicates that Mayo County Councils gender pay gap in 2025 is 0.48% in favour of female employees. Mayo County Council has a total of 1,215 employees (at the reference date), 60% males and 40% females. The percentage of female employees within the Upper Middle and Upper renumeration quartiles is 52.46% and 43.38% respectively. Employers with more than 50 employees in Ireland are required to publish their gender pay gap data before the end of 2025 and within five months of their reference date. Mayo County Council and all local authorities in the country had June 30 as the reference date. Commenting following the publication of the report, Siofra Kilcullen, Head of HR & Training said: We are committed to fostering and maintaining an open and inclusive workplace community at Mayo County council and to addressing any workplace barriers to equality. Our employees have equal opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably. We also operate a number of equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and supports. Kilcullen also added: The work of local authorities is integral to everyones life in Ireland. Our staff are key to the development of communities across Mayo. As an employer, Mayo County Council strives to offer a positive and supportive environment for all our employees. This includes great learning and development and career progression opportunities, blended working, flexible and family-friendly arrangements. Mayo County Council is a fantastic place to work, and we encourage anyone looking for a job in Mayo to visit https://www.mayo.ie/careers/current-vacancies or check out www.localgovernmentjobs.ie to see what we have to offer. The Councils Gender Pay Gap report can be found here: https://www.mayo.ie/news/Gender-Pay-Gap-Report-2025 READ MORE: IPAS capacity in Ballyhaunis remains unchanged Mayo Minister As Christmas approaches, Westport St Vincent De Paul are seeking donations to support record number of families seeking help. At the launch of this years Annual Appeal, President Liam Campion said: The calls of help to our office continues to increase. Help with food and energy continues to be the main reason for these requests. There theme for this year, The Wonder of Christmas, reflects the questions members face regularly in the run up to Christmas: I wonder will I have enough for food and toys? I wonder do the kids know we are struggling. I wonder how it is affecting them. I wonder how we got into this situation. I wonder if we will ever get out of it. I wonder if you can help. Liam went on to say: The fact of the Government no longer providing finance for electricity, there are many people who will continue to struggle to meet basic family expenses, particularly on special occasions such as Christmas. Pat Foley and Tom Navin, members of the Conference of SVP Westport spoke at Masses in Westport at the weekend on behalf of the St Vincent de Paul Society. They stated: Last year we spent close to 120,000 on family assistance, fuel, food vouchers and education, helping people in need in our community. We have also distributed in excess of 600 food hampers. Unfortunately, today in Westport, for many people, it can still take just one small problem to tip someone into crisis and poverty, such as an unexpected illness or bill coupled with the current enormous cost of living increases. But we know that a little help at the right time can stop a domino effect leading to a family experiencing prolonged hardship. Coming up to Christmas and into the New Year we expect an increasing demand on our services particularly this year when, as everyone knows the cost of all our basic items such as food and fuel has increased greatly. By supporting our Annual Appeal, you can help a family through the winter. You can get them back on their feet and give them a brighter future and save them from falling into a life of poverty. Your support to our collection in the past has been tremendous and is very much appreciated because without your support we cannot provide any assistance. We are holding our Annual Church Gate Collection on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23. This year we have Debit/Credit Card Tap facility. We are making envelopes available with the newsletter and can be returned at the collection or to Ozanam House, James Street or dropped into the presbytery. On the window of Ozanam House you will find a QR Code which will allow you to donate online if you wish to do so. All monies collected in Westport is spent supporting families in the Westport area. Thank you again for your continued support. We would urge anyone in genuine need to please, please contact us. Be assured your contact with us will be treated with the strictest confidence on 087 9334960. Stephen Breheny, Treasurer of the St. Vincent de Paul said donors who are PAYE or self-assessed tax payers can greatly increase their donation by signing up to CHY agreement. How to donate BY phone: on 0818 176 176 and nominate St. Patricks Westport Appeal 2025. By post: St Vincent de Paul, Ozanam House, James Street, Westport, F28V389. By Cheque: Cheque Payable to Society of St Vincent De Paul Westport. Bank Transfer: AIB Shop Street Westport, IBAN IE 78 AIBK 93716933764093, BIC AIBK IE2D. On line: SVP.IE/SP-westport-appeal-25 Scan the QR code CONTACT details for Westport Saint Vincent de Paul are available in the Church newsletter, Presbytery, The Mayo News advert in the edition of November 18 and on the window of Ozanam House. For further details contact 087 9334960. READ MORE: Campaign launched as Mayo shoppers encouraged to shop local Think lung cancer only affects smokers? Think again. Learn how this November we stand together for lung-health awareness. Highlights: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, yet early detection significantly improves outcomes Screening using low-dose CT in high-risk individuals can catch lung cancer before it spreads Awareness efforts help reduce stigma, expand knowledge, and drive action across diverse populations Trusted Source November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source Lung Cancer Go to source Trusted Source TOP INSIGHT Did you know? During lung cancer awareness campaigns, many people wear a white ribbon to show support and promote early screening. #lungcancerawareness #medindia Advertisement What is Lung Cancer? Trusted Source November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source Lung Cancer Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement What Happens During Lung Cancer Awareness Month? Trusted Source Mark your calendar for key LUNG FORCE activation periods Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source November: Honor Veterans Through Lung Cancer Screening Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement Why Lung Cancer Awareness Makes a Difference Trusted Source November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source November: Honor Veterans Through Lung Cancer Screening Go to source Trusted Source Practical Steps You Can Take to Prevent Lung Cancer If you smoke or used to smoke heavily, speak with your doctor about whether you qualify for lung cancer screening . . Avoid tobacco use and minimise exposure to second-hand smoke, radon and toxic work-place materials ( Trusted Source November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month Go to source Trusted Source use and minimise exposure to second-hand smoke, radon and toxic work-place materials ( Educate yourself on early warning signs such as a persistent cough, unexplained breathlessness or chest pain and dont ignore them. such as a persistent cough, unexplained breathlessness or chest pain and dont ignore them. Share trustworthy information within your community or workplace: awareness starts with conversation. within your community or workplace: awareness starts with conversation. Support research foundations or initiatives that fund lung cancer studies, because better treatments and earlier detection are still needed globally. India and Lung Cancer November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month (https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/lung-cancer-awareness-month/) Lung Cancer - (https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/cancer/lung-cancer/) Mark your calendar for key LUNG FORCE activation periods - (https://www.lung.org/lung-force/about-lung-force/featured-campaigns) November: Honor Veterans Through Lung Cancer Screening - (https://lcfamerica.org/get-involved/raise-awareness/november-lung-cancer-awareness-month/) November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month - (https://www.facs.org/media-center/resources-for-journalists/lung-cancer-awareness/) Every November, the world turns stronger attention toward, a time when advocacy groups, medical institutions and communities unite to highlight prevention, screening and treatment of the disease (). Globally, lung cancer remains theamong both men and women ().Lung cancer comes in two main types:, which accounts for more than 85 % of cases, and, which is less common but tends to grow and spread more rapidly ().The principal risk factor is, contributing to roughly 80-90% of lung cancer deaths. But smoking isnt the only culprit. Other risk factors include).Because lung cancer oftenuntil advanced stages, early detection is critical. In the U.S., for example, guidelines recommendfor adults aged 50-80 who have a 20-pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years ().Organisations like the American Lung Associations LUNG FORCE campaign and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) mobilise each November to raise awareness, share patient stories, release new data, and encourage screening ().They issue toolkits, promote the white ribbon symbol of lung cancer awareness, and make materials widely available to individuals, workplaces and community groups ().When lung cancer is caught early, before it spreads beyond the lung , the chances of surviving five years or more go up dramatically (). Screening remains underutilised, but campaigns during this month aim to change that. Data shows that increasing screening uptake correlates with more diagnoses at early stages, which is good news for treatment outcomes ().. Many assume lung cancer only affects active smokers or older people. In fact,. Spreading that message encourages more people to speak up, seek evaluation and feel supported ().In India and many parts of Asia, risks likeadd to the challenge of lung cancer prevention. Awareness campaigns tailored to local languages and cultural contexts are especially valuable.Launching into action this November with a clear message-- is powerful, because it invites us all to take ownership. Whether by quitting smoking, supporting a loved one or simply sharing information, each small step helps. Awareness month isnt just symbolic. It can lead to lifesaving conversations, earlier detection and ultimately greater hope.Source-Medindia Key Points Novo Nordisk has become an attractive rebound candidate. Moody's Corporation's stock has a reasonable price tag and solid growth prospects. Mastercard is poised to continue riding the shift away from cash payments. 10 stocks we like better than Novo Nordisk The month of November means that the holidays are just around the corner. The holiday shopping season kicks off this month, making it a great time to think about buying some investment income for your stock portfolio. While the broader stock market continues to trade near all-time highs, you can find deals -- especially once you venture outside of the technology space. A beaten-up pharmaceutical giant, as well as two world-class businesses within the financial services market sector, stand out as top dividend stocks to buy in November. Here is a quick rundown on each opportunity. Image source: Novo Nordisk. 1. Novo Nordisk It can be hard to believe that Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), the company behind highly popular GLP-1 agonist weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, would have done so poorly. But here we are; the stock has plunged nearly 70% from its all-time high. The Danish pharmaceutical company, which specializes in treatments for diabetes and obesity, has gotten its butt kicked by competition. Not only has arch-rival Eli Lilly taken market share from Novo Nordisk, but the company has also felt pressure from compounding pharmacies that sprang up during drug shortages and never really went away. The selling appears overdone. Shares trade at under 14 times 2025 earnings estimates, and the dividend yield is approaching an all-time high at 3.6%. Novo Nordisk should have plenty of growth opportunities in the obesity drug market, which could swell to $150 billion over the next decade. The company also changed out its CEO earlier this year, and the new CEO has been more aggressive in strategic acquisitions and sales strategies to push back against the competition. Novo Nordisk's steep decline might look like an obvious buying opportunity in hindsight. 2. Moody's The global economy relies on debt. Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO) is one of the leading authorities in that space. The company sells financial data and research, and is one of the two primary agencies that rate bonds. The company has been in business for over a century, so it enjoys a powerful reputation. The Moody's brand name makes it difficult for competitors to challenge its business. Moody's business is built on its data and other intangible assets. Therefore, the company is highly profitable. Companies and governments borrow constantly, so Moody's business is also relatively steady. The company has paid and raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years. The dividend payout ratio is only a quarter of 2025 earnings estimates, leaving plenty of room for future increases. Washington confirms first human H5N5 bird flu death; officials probe transmission. Symptoms severe; experts urge precautions, hygiene and monitoring. TOP INSIGHT The first human known to be infected with the #H5N5 bird flu strain has died in Washington state. Officials confirmed the person was an older adult with underlying health conditions. The #Washington State Department of Health emphasizes that the risk to the general public remains low, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission found in this case. #BirdFlu #PublicHealth Advertisement What is H5N5? Trusted Source H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement Bird Flu Rarely Infects Humans Advertisement Concerns Over New H5N5 Strain How to Protect Yourself from H5N5 Infection Avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds. Wear protective equipment, including gloves, masks, and eye protection, when handling poultry or livestock. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with birds or contaminated surfaces. Keep backyard flocks healthy and report unusual illness or deaths in birds to local agricultural authorities. Monitor for flu-like symptoms, and seek medical attention promptly if illness develops after potential exposure. H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation - (https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html) A Washington resident has died after contractingThis marks the first confirmed human case of H5N5 globally. State health officials confirmed the case on Wednesday, describing it as rare but emphasizing that the overall public risk remains low.The patient, from Grays Harbor County, is the second person in the U.S. to die from bird flu since 2022 and the first human case in the country in at least eight months. Researchers are investigating how the individual became infected, examining potential animal-to-human transmission and monitoring those who had close contact.Earlier this month, virologists at the University of Washington identified the virus as H5N5, a strain previously detected in birds and mammals but never before in humans. Investigators are now working to determine how the patient became infected, examining possibilities of animal-to-human transmission and monitoring close contacts for any signs of illness.and while it had previously circulated only in animals, this marks the first recorded case in a human. Studies suggest that some infected animals carried mutations that could potentially make transmission between mammals easier, prompting close monitoring by health authorities.and although most cases remain mild, severe illness can lead to hospitalization or death, particularly in older individuals or those with underlying health conditions.Health officials said the patient, described only as older with underlying health conditions, developed a high fever, confusion, and severe breathing difficulties before being hospitalized in King County.The individual reportedly kept a backyard flock of mixed domestic poultry, raising concerns about exposure to infected birds. Monitoring of those who had close contact with the patient is ongoing, and so far no additional cases have been detected.Experts emphasize that bird flu very rarely spreads to humans, and when it does, the symptoms are usually mild. Most infections occur after direct contact with sick or dead birds or contaminated environments. To date, no person-to-person transmission of this strain has been documented.Doctors advise that people who work with or handle poultry, livestock, or wild birds should take precautions, including wearing gloves, masks, eye protection, and protective outerwear.Backyard poultry owners are urged to avoid handling sick or dead birds and to report unusual illness or deaths to agricultural authorities.Experts warn that avian influenza viruses pose a pandemic risk if they continue to spread and mutate. The currently circulatingparticularly those with weakened immune systems Experts recommend the following measures to reduce the risk of infection:Scientists stress that eachWith millions of copies of the virus produced inside a single infected person, the chances of it developing mutations that increase transmissibility or severity rise significantly.Health authorities are urging continued surveillance, rapid reporting of symptoms, and strict biosecurity measures around poultry to prevent further spread.WhileHealth authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and stress vigilance, early detection, and biosecurity to prevent further spread.Source-Medindia It's the ultimate homecoming photo a smiling family rushing to reunite with a U.S. Air Force officer in 1973 who spent years as a POW in North Vietnam, his oldest daughter sprinting ahead with her arms outstretched, both feet off the ground. Burst of Joy, the iconic black-and-white image capturing the Stirm family at Travis Air Force Base in California, was published in newspapers throughout the nation. Taken by Associated Press photographer Sal Veder, it won a Pulitzer Prize and has continued to resonate through the years, a symbol of the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. On Veterans Day, retired Col. Robert Stirm, seen in the photo in uniform with his back to the camera, died at an assisted living facility in Fairfield, California, his daughter, Lorrie Stirm Kitching, confirmed Thursday. He was 92. It's right in my front foyer, Kitching, 68, of Mountain View, said of the photo. She was 15 when that moment of her running to hug her father was forever preserved. "Just the feelings of that and the intensity of the feeling will never leave me," Kitching told the AP in an interview. "It is so deep in my heart, and the joy and the relief that we had our dad back again. It was just truly a very moving reunion for our family, and that feeling has never left me. It's the same feeling every time I see that picture. And every day, how grateful I am that my father was one of the lucky ones and returned home, she added. "That was really a gift. Stirm was shot down over North Vietnam Stirm, a decorated pilot, was serving with the 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron based in Thailand in 1967. During a bombing mission over North Vietnam that Oct. 27, his F-105 Thunderchief was hit and he was shot three times while parachuting. He was captured immediately upon landing. He was held captive for 1,966 days in five different POW camps in Hanoi and North Vietnam, including the notorious Hanoi Hilton," known for torturing and starving its captives, primarily American pilots shot down during bombing raids. Its most famous prisoner was the late U.S. Sen. John McCain, who also was shot down in 1967. McCain and Stirm had known each other. They shared a wall in solitary confinement and communicated through a tapping code. John McCain tapped in this joke. First time Dad laughed in jail, Kitching said. I just wish I knew what that joke was, she said. I'm sure it was something very ribald. Photo represented heartbreak for Stirm Stirm, who was 39 when the photo was taken, told the AP 20 years later that he had several copies of it, but didn't display it in his house. He had been handed a Dear John letter from his wife, Loretta, by a chaplain upon his release. I have changed drastically forced into a situation where I finally had to grow up, the letter read in part. Bob, I feel sure that in your heart you know we cant make it together and it doesnt make sense to be unhappy when you can do something about it. Life is too short. Stirm said the photo brought a lot of notoriety and publicity to me and, unfortunately, the legal situation that I was going to be faced with, and it was kind of unwelcomed. The couple divorced a year after Stirm returned from Vietnam and both remarried within six months. They came together for weddings and other family events. Loretta Adams died in 2010, of cancer. She was 74. It hurt really deeply, Kitching said. She told him she wanted to make the marriage work. But she was being up front and honest. So every story has two sides, and I know very well just how difficult it is to understand the two sides." Stirm retired from the Air Force in 1977 after 25 years of service. He joined Ferry Steel Products, a business his grandfather started in San Francisco. He also had worked as a corporate pilot. - This story has been corrected; Stirm was flying in a F-105 Thunderchief, not Thunderbird, when shot down. With the end of the year drawing closer, many Americans are shifting into holiday mode. But aside from shopping for gifts and spending time with family, the end of the year also delivers some crucial financial deadlines. Many tax credits, deductions and incentive programs are structured around the calendar year, which means missing these deadlines could leave you with a higher tax bill or less money saved. With this in mind, here are the top five financial moves you should make before 2026 is officially here. Must Read 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 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 1. 401(k) employer match Generally, the deadline for contributions to your 401(k) retirement plan is December 31, with some exceptions. This means the clock is ticking on your opportunity to max out your annual contribution limit for 2025. If youre over the age of 50, you can also make catch-up contributions to super-charge your retirement savings. Unfortunately, many Americans are not only missing out on hitting their maximum contribution limit, they're also missing out on maximizing their employer match. According to Vanguard, 24% of employees were saving less than their employers match cap over a nine-year period between 2013 and 2022 (1). An employer 401(k) match is essentially additional compensation and if youre not maximizing your match, youre leaving free money on the table. If you havent already, look into your employers 401(k) program and consider contributing the optimal amount to qualify for the full match by December 31. 2. Tax loss harvesting Tax loss harvesting is, perhaps, the most overlooked tool available to investors. This strategy allows you to convert capital losses on investments into tax savings. According to the Internal Revenue Service, any losses experienced on the sale of capital assets can be used to offset capital gains on the sale of other assets (2). Under current rules, you can use up to $3,000 in capital losses to reduce your taxable income. So, if you sell a publicly traded stock for a total loss of $13,000 and sell another stock for a total gain of $10,000, you can offset the gain entirely and reduce your taxable income by $3,000. However, this maneuver must be executed within the calendar year, so you may need to sell some of your investments at a loss before December 31 to create a capital loss. In 1921, Army Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell proved airplanes could sink battleships. Three years later, he predicted Japan would launch a surprise air attack on Pearl Harbor at dawn. Navy and Army brass dismissed him. They court-martialed him, forced him out, then spent the next two decades building more battleships. On Dec. 7, 1941, Mitchell's predictions were proven right, but it was too late. The Navy's Rigged Test Mitchell was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and World War I. He spent the late 1910s vocalizing how airpower could dominate the seas. The Navy was not amused by his assertions, and instead hoped to continue massing its battleship fleet. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William S. Benson summed up the Navy's view during this time: I cannot conceive of any use that the fleet will ever have for aircraft. Aviation is just a lot of noise. In late 1920, the Navy hoped to silence the WWI hero as he continued to argue battleships were obsolete. So, they conducted their own anti-naval test using airplanes on the USS Indiana, an old battleship from the Spanish-American War. Navy aircraft dropped dummy bombs filled with sand to mark where they hit on the ship, then crews detonated massive explosives at those spots to simulate an aerial attack. The damage was devastating and the ship sank in shallow water. When the test ended, the Navy drew a different conclusion. Capt. William D. Leahy released a report asserting that the entire experiment pointed to the improbability of a modern battleship being either destroyed or completely put out of action by aerial bombs. The Navy hoped this would silence Mitchell, who'd been telling Congress the Air Service could sink any battleship and that funding should shift to modernizing Army aircraft. Nothing was announced from the tests. Nothing about the results appeared in U.S. newspapers. The Navy kept it quiet. However, in December 1920, two dramatic photos showing massive bomb damage from the tests appeared in London Illustrated News. Seven more surfaced in The New York Tribune. Congress and the press erupted as the test was shown to be rigged. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels scrambled to release Leahy's report publicly, hoping it would calm the storm. It didn't. Details emerged that challenged the Navy's conclusions: no live bombs had been dropped at all. The Indiana test had proven nothing. USS Indiana after the Navy's rigged 1920 bombing tests. The Navy dropped dummy bombs filled with sand, then detonated explosives to sink the shipclaiming it proved battleships couldn't be destroyed by aircraft. When the scandal leaked, Congress demanded real tests, leading to Gen. Billy Mitchell's successful 1921 demonstrations. (U.S. Navy photo) Mitchell Gets His Shot After the Indiana scandal, Secretary of War Newton Baker and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels agreed in February 1921 to joint Army-Navy exercises. Daniels couldn't afford another embarrassment. The exercises, nicknamed Project B, would test to see if Air Service bombers could attack and sink several obsolete ships. Mitchell, who had commanded nearly 1,500 Allied aircraft at the Battle of St. Mihiel in WWI, formed the First Provisional Air Brigade at Langley Field, Virginia 150 aircraft and 1,000 Air Service personnel from across the country. He brought in Alexander de Seversky, a Russian Imperial Naval Service veteran who had attacked German destroyers during WWI. Seversky taught American pilots the near miss technique: dropping a bomb close enough to a warship to generate an underwater pressure wave that rips hull plates apart. Meanwhile, Army ordnance engineers developed a 2,000-pound bomb specifically designed to kill battleships. The tests began in June 1921 off the Virginia coast. As Mitchell flew overhead to observe, Navy aircraft went first, attacking a German submarine and the old battleship USS Iowa with more dummy bombs. The Navy refused to use live-ordnance as the Army had demanded. Instead, the ship was crewed and allowed to maneuver. Only two of 80 bombs hit the Iowa. The battleship advocates that witnessed the test were reaffirmed in their beliefs. Then came Mitchell's turn. Gen. Billy Mitchell (1879-1936), the father of modern American air power. He sank battleships in 1921, predicted Pearl Harbor in 1924, and was court-martialed in 1925 for telling the truth. He died in 1936, never knowing he'd be vindicated five years later. (U.S. Air Force photo) His targets included captured German warships from WWI, including the battleship Ostfriesland considered unsinkable due to its compartmentalized design that could easily contain flooding. The Navy set strict rules designed to protect the ships. Mitchell's planes couldn't use aerial torpedoes. They'd be limited to just two hits on battleships with their heaviest bombs. Ships had to sink in at least 100 fathoms of water so the Navy picked a spot 50 miles offshore, cutting the time Mitchell's bombers could spend over the target. But Mitchell had learned his lesson from the Indiana debacle. On July 21, 1921, he violated the Navy's rules and ordered his Martin bombers to drop six 2,000-pound bombs instead of the permitted number. He told his pilots to aim for near-misses in the water beside Ostfriesland rather than direct hits on the deck which would have likely absorbed the explosions but kept the ship afloat. The bombs detonated close enough to crack the battleship's hull. Twenty-two minutes later, Ostfriesland rolled over and sank beneath the Chesapeake Bay. Naval officers watching from the USS Henderson stood in stunned silence. Some reportedly wept. The moment that changed naval warfare: Gen. Billy Mitchell's bombers strike the German battleship Ostfriesland with a 2,000-pound bomb, July 21, 1921. The ship sank in 22 minutes, proving battleships were vulnerable to air attack. The Navy dismissed Mitchell's warningsuntil Pearl Harbor vindicated him 20 years later. (U.S. Air Force photo) The Warning Nobody Wanted to Hear The Navy remained unimpressed with the test results. Mitchell kept fighting for change. After a 1924 inspection tour of Japan and the Pacific, he returned with a 324-page report warning that Japan would eventually attack the United States. The report outlined Japanese expansionist ambitions and described in detail how a hypothetical attack on Pearl Harbor could unfold including aircraft striking at 7:30 a.m. with devastating results leading to a protracted naval conflict in the region. The Army War Plans Division dismissed the forecast as exaggerated and unsound. In 1925, the General Board of the Navy insisted: the battleship is the element of ultimate force in the fleet, and all other elements are contributory to the fulfillment of its function as the final arbiter in sea warfare. Mitchell's relentless criticism of Army and Navy leadership earned him a court-martial in 1925 for insubordination after he accused them of almost treasonable administration of the national defense. He was found guilty and suspended from duty for five years. Rather than serve the sentence, he resigned. Mitchell continued to advocate for airplanes and airpower, as well as an independent Air Force. He died in 1936, five years before Pearl Harbor proved him right. Gen. Billy Mitchell during his controversial 1925 court-martial. The Army pilot had proved airplanes could sink battleships and warned of a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. (U.S. Air Force photo) World War II and Naval Aviation In November of 1940, British biplanes attacked and sank numerous Italian ships, including their modern battleships, during the Battle of Taranto. Meanwhile, as the U.S. Navy began moving its Pacific Fleet to Pearl Harbor, Navy officials still refused to acknowledge the importance of airpower in naval warfare. On Dec. 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor at 7:55 a.m. as well as Clark Field in the Philippines within an hour of Mitchells 1924 predictions. Three days later, Japanese aircraft sank HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse off Malaya, making it brutally clear that the age of the battleship was over. If Navy leadership had listened to Mitchell instead of rigging tests to protect their battleships, countless American sailors might have survived Pearl Harbor. Instead, the Navy learned the lesson Mitchell tried to teach them 20 years earlier at the cost of eight sunken or damaged battleships and 2,403 American lives. It wasnt until June 1942 that the U.S. Navy leveraged its airpower to maul the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Midway. Congress posthumously awarded Mitchell a special Congressional Medal of Honor in 1946 for his contributions to military aviation. The B-25 Mitchell bomber, which carried out the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942, was named after him the only American military aircraft ever named after a specific individual. Today, Mitchell is considered the father of the U.S. Air Force. Across U.S. military installations, families continue to report mold, leaking roofs, pests, failing electrical systems, and maintenance delays stretching for months. These issues remain despite years of congressional hearings, investigations, and reform efforts. Current audits and reporting show that oversight is seriously understaffed, privatized contractors hold most of the leverage, and aging housing infrastructure overwhelms even well-intentioned reforms. Inspections That Fail to Catch the Problems In September 2025, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released an audit covering privatized housing units managed by Hunt Military Communities at seven military installations. The audit found that Military Housing Offices at all seven sites did not properly complete Change-of-Occupancy Maintenance inspections or comply with work order oversight requirements. According to oversight observers, none of 14 such inspections they observed were completed by base officials. In some cases, housing offices are severely understaffed. For example, at one installation, staff counted only two individuals responsible for supervising 925 homes. The DoD OIG concluded this lack of oversight may be allowing families to be placed into homes that have life, health, and safety hazards. Widespread Resident Dissatisfaction and Reported Hazards Multiple surveys and investigations confirm that poor housing conditions are more than isolated incidents. A study conducted by Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) covered more than 15,000 families living on over 100 bases. Of respondents, 55% rated their base housing negatively, while only 16% reported positive experiences. Families reported thousands of individual problems, including 3,342 claims of mold, 1,564 cases of pest infestations, and over 6,600 health-related complaints. Investigative reporting by Reuters described families living with black mold behind walls, collapsing ceilings, broken air-conditioning during high heat, and children suffering respiratory symptoms. In some cases, private housing operators reported high tenant satisfaction in internal surveys even while residents described dangerous living conditions. Military housing community (Army.mil). Decades-Old Housing Stock Meets Privatization Strategy The wartime and post-war era produced much of the current family housing stock on U.S. military installations. Over time, these units have exceeded their intended lifespans, and repairs have struggled to keep pace. Oversight bodies have long noted a backlog of needed improvements needing significant investment. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), about 99% of family housing units in the U.S. are now operated under long-term privatization agreements meant to help address this deferred maintenance. Built into the system is the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI), established to transfer maintenance and renovation responsibilities from the government to private developers and operators. This model was designed to reduce appropriated funding burdens on the services while accelerating housing improvement. Why Privatization Has Fallen Short While MHPI was intended to solve long-standing issues, oversight and contractual realities have undercut effectiveness. The 2025 DoD OIG audit found that the services failed to effectively oversee Hunts maintenance across multiple sites. Moreover, in some cases, incentive fee award plans meant to reward contractor performance were poorly managed. For example, at one installation the DoD overpaid by more than $11,000, and if uncorrected, could continue overpaying by millions over the life of the housing agreement. The GAO has documented systemic oversight challenges over many years. As of a 2022 report, GAO had issued 30 recommendations aimed at improving privatized family housing oversight; some have been implemented, but many challenges remain. One major constraint: the government cannot unilaterally change many housing project terms once contracts are in place. That limits flexibility in enforcing swift repairs or restructuring agreements when companies underperform. Base housing at Dover AFB (doverfamilyhousing.com). Government Response: New Task Force, But Structural Barriers Remain In October 2025, Pete Hegseth announced a new Pentagon barracks task force, directed to deliver a strategy within 30 days to improve housing conditions across the military. He called existing conditions simply unacceptable. The task forces purpose is to ensure safe, dignified housing and to empower unit commanders to act on quality-of-life issues. \ Yet, despite the new initiative, deep structural barriers persist. Long-term MHPI contracts still place primary operational control in the hands of private companies. The services housing offices remain under-resourced, and many units require full rehabilitation rather than just incremental fixes. The DoD OIG has recommended uniform definitions for life, health, and safety hazards and standardized work order categories to improve oversight. The Human Cost: Families, Readiness, and Retention For service members and families, these are not just administrative frustrations; they involve health risks, emotional strain, and reduced confidence in the system. Families describe repeatedly calling for maintenance only to receive temporary fixes or no effective resolution. Some service members reportedly delay extending their military careers or begin looking to move off-base because of housing issues. While direct retention statistics tied to housing are harder to quantify, advocacy groups and member surveys say poor housing negatively impacts morale and quality of life. What Needs to Change To fulfill its responsibilities, the DoD must bolster on-the-ground oversight capacity, including ensuring adequate staff at housing offices. Contracts with private housing providers should include enforceable performance standards, uniform hazard definitions, clear repair timelines, and mechanisms for course correction when units or communities fall short. Pending task force efforts should prioritize modernization of housing where patchwork repairs wont suffice. Better transparency is also essential. Regular, independent inspections followed by resident acknowledgments of unit condition can help hold both private operators and the government accountable. The GAOs decades-long recommendations and the OIGs 2025 audit provide a roadmap. Military families have waited far too long for safe, reliable homes. Fixing base housing isnt just a maintenance issue. Its about protecting readiness, morale, and dignity for service members and their loved ones. Without meaningful reform and follow-through, the system will continue to stall where families live. A therapist with deep ties to the military community, Dr. Emma Smith writes a monthly advice column about relationships for Military.com to address questions from our readers. This month, she answers a message from a military spouse who is worried about the holidays. Want Dr. Emma to answer your question next month? Submit it using the form at the end of the article. Dear Dr. Emma, This will be our fourth year going back home for the holidays since my husband joined the Navy, and honestly, Im already stressed about it. Every year, we make this long, 10-plus-hour drive back to our hometown. And every year it feels like the same thing happens: We spend half the trip running around trying to see everybody, making plans that people either cancel or change at the last minute. We end up driving all over the place for people who say they want to see us but who dont actually follow through. I dont think people back home really get what our life is like now. They still act like we live right down the road and can just pop over anytime. They dont understand how much work it takes just to make this trip happen. Its like were the only ones trying. Its gotten to the point where Im already thinking, Why do we bother? I love our families and friends, but it feels like we spend most of our time chasing people down. And honestly, its making me not even want to go home anymore. I guess my question is, is there another way to do this? I dont want to hurt anyones feelings, but Im tired of feeling like were running around. Whats the right way to handle this without starting problems with our families? Thank you, A Tired Navy Wife Dear Tired, First, I want to acknowledge the effort that accompanies going home for the holidays. Returning to your hometown after living a military life can stir up so many feelings: longing for what used to be, pressure to fit everyone in, and the dread of knowing that if a visit doesnt happen now, it may be another year before you get the chance. And layered on top of that is the expectation from others, especially those who dont understand what your schedule, bandwidth or life look like anymore. I want you to hear me clearly: What youre experiencing is real, common and not a reflection of your effort or your love. It makes sense that youre tired. It makes sense that part of you doesnt even want to make the trip anymore. Theres also a disorientation that happens for families when someone joins the military. The people back home often expect the old rhythms because those are the ones they still exist in. Meanwhile, you and your spouse are living inside a completely different system of time, responsibility, emotional load and culture. In many ways, its like living in another country. Even family members with past military experience may not fully understand, because each generation faces its own stressors and demands. Let me see if I have a grasp on the pattern here: A 10-hour drive. The rapid-fire scheduling Plans changing Running around from house to house, trying to prove your presence, your love, your loyalty Did I get that right? If so, of course you feel unseen or unconsidered at times. Let me ask you a question. Why are you going home? The answer is critical to choosing what comes next. Because when scheduling becomes an attempt to meet everyone elses expectations, you end up abandoning your own needs, such as rest, genuine connection or something else. And when those pieces get lost in the holiday shuffle, it's easy to feel overextended with very little to show for your effort when it's time to head home. A seasoned spouse once told me, If youre driving 10 or 12 hours to get home, other people can drive 15 minutes to see you. That stuck with me. Because she was right. Theres a shift that happens in adulthood, where youre no longer required to sprint through the holidays. Youre allowed to be the one who sets the rhythm. Youre not being demanding by setting boundaries. Youre simply moving from being held hostage by holiday expectations to holding them with intention and care. And youre absolutely allowed to prioritize your needs, even if it looks different from what your family or friends are used to. Sometimes you model for others new ways of being simply by choosing whats sustainable. And heres the truth: You cant control other peoples flakiness. But you can control the structure you create around it. So let me offer you a gentler, calmer alternative: 1. Pick the dates that actually feel doable for you. 2. Announce them ahead of time. Well be home on these days. Would love to see you if you can make it. Text, call, group chat, social media: whatever feels easiest. 3. Create one anchor event. A low-pressure, open invitation, something like: A drop-in evening at someones home A couple of hours at a local restaurant or bar A casual get-together at a friends house If people can come, wonderful. If they cant, thats okay, too. Youve made the space. Youve done your part. This approach reduces cancellations because the responsibility shifts off of you. No more chasing people down. It also lets you and your spouse rest, breathe and truly enjoy the people who do show up! And without the emotional whiplash of constant plan changes. Will everyone come? No. And that may sting. But holidays are busy for everybody, and they often reveal who can meet you where you are right now and who cant. Its not a failure; its simply clarity. So as you plan this trip, ask yourself: What actually feels possible? What supports meaningful connection instead of draining you? What honors the reality of your military life, instead of pretending you can do everything? Youre not required to sacrifice your sanity to prove your love. I want to leave you with this: The holidays should leave room for a breath of fresh air. Pick the version of homecoming that offers even one moment of peace. Thats where you belong. Off the clock, but always in your corner, Dr. Emma A Little Extra Holiday Tip for My Readers If you have loved ones stationed overseas and youre hoping to get a box of treats or gifts into their hands before the holidays, dont forget about the shipping deadlines. These dates come up fast, and nobody wants their Christmas cookies arriving in January. Military.com maintains a simple list of all cutoff dates based on the service member's station location. Ask Dr. Emma Your Question Every month, Dr. Emma will answer questions from the Military.com community. And she wants to answer yours! From romantic frustrations to family bonding, anxieties over current events to homecoming excitement, she wants to hear from you. Submit your question, and we may choose it for anonymous publication along with Dr. Emma's response. Your personal information will not be shared, and your responses will be used only for editorial purposes. Loading... Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox. 11:46AM: Tarnok will earn $1.5MM in guaranteed money, MLB Trade Rumors Steve Adams reports, with close to $500K in incentive bonuses attached to the contract. 10:12AM: The Hiroshima Carp have signed right-hander Freddy Tarnok and re-signed infielder Elehuris Montero to contracts for the 2026 season, the team announced. The terms of Tarnoks deal arent known, but Montero will receive $1.25MM (broken down as a $750K salary and $500K signing bonus) plus incentives. Tarnok has appeared in 11 games over parts of three Major League seasons, with five of those games coming with the Marlins in 2025. Signed to a minor league deal last offseason, Tarnok had his contract selected to the 40-man and active rosters in June, and he posted a 2.45 ERA over 7 1/3 innings amidst several options back and forth from Triple-A and the majors. The righty struck out 35.7% of batters during his small sample size of MLB work, but also had a 14.3% walk rate. To some extent, Tarnoks increasingly shaky control and his ability to miss bats has been the story of his minor league career, which consists of stops in the farm systems of the Marlins, Phillies, As, and Braves. Tarnok has a 4.08 ERA over 161 innings at the Triple-A level, starting 28 of those 65 games as he has been used more frequently as a reliever in recent years. The move to Japan might well give Tarnok another chance to re-establish himself as a starting pitcher. Tarnok is just two days away from celebrating his 27th birthday, so hes plenty young enough to post some good numbers with the Carp and perhaps get himself back onto the radar for big league teams as early as next winter. If nothing else, signing in NPB will land Tarnok some guaranteed money, whereas he wouldve very likely had to settle for another minor league deal from a Major League team. Montero hit .228/.277/.387 over 739 plate appearances with the Rockies from 2022-24, and is perhaps best known as part of the trade package the Cardinals sent to Colorado for Nolan Arenado prior to the 2021 season. Monteros first season in Hiroshima saw the 27-year-old hit .255/.301/.391 with nine home runs over 396 PA as the Carps regular first baseman. While not huge numbers for a first base bat, Montero seems to have done enough for the Carp to pursue a reunion. Superintendents from 177 local and state districts signed a letter Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, demanding the state change a budget rule requiring school leaders to waive certain legal protections to access $321 million in mental health and school safety funds. Buses from Pinckney Community Schools are shown in this MLive file photo. MLive file photo LANSING, MI A coalition of 177 school districts across Michigan is urging state lawmakers to scrap a rule in this years education budget mandating K-12 leaders waive certain legal protections to access their share of $321 million of mental health and safety funds. The group, including superintendents from both local and intermediate school districts, issued the call in a letter Thursday, Nov. 20, roughly a week after simultaneous lawsuits were filed in state and federal court about the issue. Michigan schools can access awards for a host of mental health and safety needs, ranging from hiring psychologists and counselors to security upgrades under section 31aa of the State School Aid Act. But as part of the 2025-26 state budget adopted in October, leaders in local districts would have to waive rights like attorney-client privilege whenever a mass-casualty incident occurs that could be subject to an investigation. We want to be clear that this letter is not about avoiding accountability or transparency in the aftermath of a tragedy, Thursdays letter reads as credited to dozens of school superintendents. Michigans public schools are committed to cooperating with the appropriate authorities when serious incidents occur. However, no public body should be required to permanently waive attorneyclient privilege to receive state funding. This protection exists so that school boards, administrators and staff can receive timely, accurate legal guidance, especially during crisis situations when decisions must be made quickly and responsibly. Since the state budget passed, school boards have been grappling with whether to accept the waiver rule that, some experts have said, appeared to be too vaguely described and unlimited in scope. This week, the Michigan Department of Education pushed the deadline to accept the waiver from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4. The lawsuits, filed in U.S. District Court and Michigan Court of Claims against the state, MDE and the state superintendent for public instruction, each seek emergency action to stop the waiver requirement and ask a judge to declare it unconstitutional. School leaders have speculated the waiver provision to access mental health and safety funds emerged as part of the wider cultural reactions and school safety reforms after the mass shooting at Oxford High School in 2021. Allocations under section 31aa typically range from a few hundred thousand dollars well into the millions, depending on a districts size. In the letter, district leaders warn the waiver would mean a much smaller group would receive far more than originally intended, while thousands of students across Michigan receive nothing. The letter asks legislators to remove the waiver requirement through a supplemental bill or technical amendment to the state budget. Acopy of the letter can be viewed online here. Sugar Loaf, a former ski resort in Leelanau County, is being purchased by the Leelanau Conservancy and reimagined as an outdoor rec area. Leelanau Conservancy MAPLE CITY, Mich. Its going to take a lot of work to ecologically restore a beloved Up North ski resort left abandoned for 25 years plus a legion of volunteers. The Leelanau Conservancy this year completed a successful $8 million fundraising campaign to take over the defunct Sugar Loaf ski resort, about 30 miles northwest of Traverse City in Leelanau County. The nonprofit expects to take ownership of the 285-acre property in spring 2026 and thats when the fun will really begin, an official said. Tom Nelson, the nonprofits executive director, said the biggest environmental problems include human impacts and invasive species practically overrunning the site. Its been 25 years of invasive plant species coming in and theres a lot of ecological restoration that needs to happen, he said. Theres quite a bit of erosion from human impacts that have tended to get a little worse over time with the weather, and well be working on healing those places as well. Nelson said both invasive autumn olive shrubs and spotted knapweed have heavily colonized the old ski resort, both in the forested and open meadow areas. Once a defunct ski resort, plans call for Sugar Loaf to be reborn as an outdoor rec area with hiking and biking. Photo provided by the Leelanau Conservancy There are sections of the property that have acres and acres of autumn olive. Its like a forest. Frankly, its so thick that it will be the biggest job, Nelson said. A lot of that cover of autumn olives is 25 feet tall. When I say autumn olive forest, I mean it. Invasive autumn olive seeds were historically sown across Michigan for wildlife food and habitat and then spread aggressively, degrading environments and challenging native plant growth through the years. Seeds inside the plants red berries are further dispersed by birds and mammals. Removing the aggressive invasive species will take careful work because cutting stumps and roots will only cause them to resprout. And at the same time the conservancy doesnt want to disrupt the native plants and trees trying to survive amid the invaders, Nelson said. We will have equipment. We will have volunteers. But for some of the heavy-duty work we will need to call in some contractors to help us, he said. The conservancy also plans to plant plenty of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees following the removal of invasive species. Related: $8M fundraising goal topped, Sugar Loaf will turn into new outdoor adventure spot The $8 million in planned efforts at the property will include $1.5 million in expected ecological restoration and about $6.5 million toward public access improvements. The next three to four years will probably be a work in progress, a mix of people enjoying the property as we are doing ecological restoration, building more trails and creating some picnic areas and viewing areas, Nelson said. The first project will be to build a parking lot near the roadway and a hiking trail for visitors to reach the summit, where downhill skiers used to spend winter after winter. Apparently, there is a roster of conservancy volunteers who are pumped for the coming projects and will be needed as soon as next year, Nelson said. They are super excited to get out there and begin doing restoration, begin building trails. We have just an extraordinary group of volunteers who just love to do that work on our other properties, he said. Many of them are hikers or mountain bikers, and often, if you ask them, they will tell you that they love working on the trails more than they like hiking and biking. Sugar Loaf in Leelanau County is set to be reimagined as an outdoor recreation area. Photo provided by the Leelanau Conservancy Nelson said the conservancy is expected to take ownership of the property in spring 2026 after completing a site plan review with the local township government. Sugar Loaf closed in 2000, and in the years since, the property lay dormant except for trespassers. The landmark ski resort first opened in 1947 and reached peak popularity in the 1970s and 80s, rising to become the largest employer in Leelanau County. A series of owners through the years never managed to revitalize the property. Local officials began citing the resort for blight violations in 2014. The long-decaying resort was eventually demolished in November 2021. Related: Defunct Sugar Loaf ski resort sold to unknown buyer The current landowner, whom the conservancy said wishes to remain anonymous, was willing to donate the property to the nonprofit so long as the organization could effectively revitalize the area for both environmental conservation and outdoor recreation. We were a little concerned when we first started about what the reaction would be in terms of it not being a ski resort, per se, not being a job creator, an employer like it had been at one time and we feel that, too, Nelson said. We watched the years go by with all the hopes and then hopes dashed. And so, when we announced it and just experienced this outpouring of joy and enthusiasm, it was beyond our wildest dreams. Were still getting folks telling us stories about their time there, and people who had met there and got married and had families and took their children there, and so many wonderful stories. Its been incredibly heartwarming. Requests for volunteers to help with the project are expected to go out next year. MIDLAND, MI A new fusion restaurant full of flavor has landed in the Midland Mall food court. Flavors Street, 6800 Eastman Ave., is serving Indian favorites, such as butter chicken and samosas, as well as salads, rice bowls, saucy chicken wings and specialty beverages. A look at the butter chicken with naan bread available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Co-owners Aisha Khan and Muhammad Iqbal came together to bring their vision to the Midland community. Khan said Iqbal and his wife, Nasra Iqbal, were looking to do something new, and Nasra Iqbal has experience with cooking. Head cook Nasra Iqbal poses for a photograph at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com While Khan doesnt cook, she often thought about starting a cafe or something like that someday. One day, the three of them had a conversation about their aspirations, and they decided to go for it. A view of Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Initially, Khan and Muhammad Iqbal thought about offering a full Indian and Pakistani menu to reflect where they are from. I wanted people to try something, like, different, but have South Asian flavors. So, its a fusion of different kind of things, Khan said. Thats where Khans friend, who runs a restaurant in Detroit, swooped in to help with the chicken wings and tenders. A view of saucy chicken wings available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Khan and Muhammad Iqbal decided to make fresh chicken wings and tenders each day, as most of their menu is from scratch and made in-house. Khan said the Detroit restaurant owner shared his perfected recipe with both wings and tenders. Thats why we have been able to do these big tenders and wings on our menu. Its a big, big shout out to him, Khan said. A view of the chicken tenders available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com One of the most popular dishes, butter chicken, is served with homemade naan bread instead of rice. However, they do offer rice as a side by request. The Mediterranean salad, loaded fries, wings and tenders are also popular picks. They even have desserts such as tres leches cake, red velvet cake and gulab jamun, which is an Indian treat. A look at the gulab jamun dessert available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Khan said she has enjoyed creating the restaurants menu of specialty beverages, which includes lassi, virgin mojitos, whipped cold coffee, cloud matcha, nostalgia cappuccino and green tea. Khan said the mango and rose flavored lassi is the most popular so far, which is a yogurt-based Indian drink, like a smoothie. A look at the lassi available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com We have done a lot of planning, a lot of experimenting, trying different things. We are still in a learning process, Khan said. Since opening less than a month ago, Khan said she is grateful that they were able to open so quickly to be able to serve the Midland community. A view of the cloud matcha available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Khan said they signed the lease for the space on Aug. 24 and were officially open by Oct. 25. For a beginner, I think its a very big achievement to have everything up and running. Khan said. The Midland Mall was a perfect fit for them because of all the recent growth since owner Jordan Dice took over, Khan said. A view of the Midland Mall Food Court entrance at 6800 Eastman Ave., in Midland, Mich. on Friday, July 26, 2024. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Khan said she has lived in Midland for over 10 years, and shes thrilled to be able to give back to the community. The Midland community is one of the best communities you can be in, Khan said. People are so welcoming and theyre so humble and they are so supportive. Khan and Muhammad Iqbal both come from the IT Industry, but they said they are excited to be able to connect with people in a more face-to-face manner. A view of a combo meal available at Flavors Street inside the Midland Mall, 6800 Eastman Ave. in Midland, Mich., on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Muhammad Iqbal added that he will strive to offer tasty dishes from different regions to not only the Midland community, but to the tri-cities and beyond. Flavors Street is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, check out their website here and their Facebook page here. The chain has begun going-out-of-business sales in multiple stores and on their local websites. Others are closing with no official announcement being made by the company. Some of the chain's locations are having inventory blowout sales, but may not be going out of business. Sometimes a retailer dies in one big shutdown. In other cases, the chain closes stores in waves as the chain fights for survival. While that's happening, the retailer always puts on a brave face and acts like it's making changes designed to save the whole company, which is usually the company's intention. The problem is that once this chain reaction starts, it's often hard to stop. American Signature Furniture, which also uses the Value City Furniture brand, has been quietly closing stores. In October, the chain confirmed that it would shut down four stores in Tennessee and exit that market. At the time, the company tried to position the move as a strategic decision. "This is a strategic business decision focused on our long-term growth priorities," said ASF COO Pat Sanderson. The company offered further color on the decision. "ASF's exit from the Nashville market is part of the company's ongoing effort to optimize its store portfolio and strengthen operations in markets where it continues to see the greatest opportunity for growth. ASF remains committed to delivering exceptional style, value, and service to customers across its national footprint," it shared in a press release. That could all be true, but just a few weeks later, the company is closing more locations. American Signature Furniture closes more locations Value City Furniture, an ASF brand, has also confirmed that it will close a number of stores in Michigan. "Employees of Value City Furniture confirm the stores in Novi, Ann Arbor, and Lansing are closing their doors. A salesperson in Novi, who spoke to WHMI News, would only say that the location remains open until everything inside is sold," the local news site reported. Employees in Ann Arbor and Lansing also confirmed they were liquidating their locations. A worker in Flint said that store is not on the chopping block, for now, according to WHMI. No timeline was given for the store closures, and Value City Furniture's parent company, American Signature Furniture, has yet to make a public announcement. In addition to these closures, when you visit the chain's website, which is geotargeted, from Florida, you are greeted with a "total inventory blowout" sale on the website. One international automotive supplier was set to layoff close to 200 employees at its Romulus plant, citing the relocation of operations to other sites. ROMULUS, MI A Metro Detroit plant for a global automotive supplier is slated to permanently layoff close to 200 employees in the coming weeks as some operations are relocated to other sites. The company Yanfeng, which is internationally headquartered in Shanghai, China, notified the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity this month about the layoffs. According to the notice, 192 will be let go from a production facility, 9800 Inkster Road, in Romulus. The bulk of the positions affected are plant and assembly operators, as well as a host of technicians, material handlers, and other production leads. Mary Feltner, a human resources manager for the Romulus Yanfeng facility, wrote the layoffs were expected to come by Jan. 5, though a variety of factors could still impact those plans and the timing of employee separations. If any opportunity to relocate employees presents itself, we will extend such offers at the time they become available, the notice reads. Should there be a need to retain any employees previously identified for layoff in January, an updated list will be generated and shared at that time. Yanfeng has 240 locations in 20 countries. Its North American headquarters are in Novi, according to the companys website. The company produces vehicle interiors, smart features and electronics, seating and some exterior features. The layoff news was issued under the Federal Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, commonly called a WARN notice, and Yanfeng is just the latest of several automotive-related manufacturers to announce expected layoffs over the last couple of months. Several other companies issued notices in October to close their Michigan operations citing a decline in business, spurring more than 400 layoffs total. Those included Dana Thermal Products in Auburn Hills, NPR of America in Grand Haven, Akebono Brake Corp. in Farmington Hills, DP World Logistics in Warren and Davalor Mold Company in New Baltimore. Another auto parts manufacturer, IAC Group, was slated to layoff close to 250 people at its plants in Mendon and Alma by mid-December. U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, is seen in this MLive file photo. Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat targeting Slotkin's Oakland County home on Friday, Nov. 21. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.c HOLLY, MI Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat directed toward U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkins Oakland County home Friday, Nov. 21, according to Slotkins office. Slotkin, D-Holly, was not at her home when MSP initially responded to the bomb threat and searched the residence. MSP confirmed nobody was in danger, a Slotkin spokesperson said in a post on social media platform X. Senator Slotkin is deeply grateful for the swift and professional response by Oakland County and Michigan State Police, the spokesperson said in a statement. U.S. Capitol Police will continue investigating the incident and hopefully hold accountable those responsible, per the statement. MSPs response to the threat follows a statement from President Donald Trump a day earlier in which he refers to several Democratic lawmakers as traitors for asking military personnel to refuse illegal orders in a video posted on social media. Slotkin is among the Democrats in the video. Trump also refers to the statements of the Democrats in the video as seditious behavior, punishable by death! During her appearance on the MSNBC show All in with Chris Hayes on Thursday, Nov. 20, Slotkin discussed recent threats and said she has been placed under 24/7 security by U.S. Capitol Police following the presidents remarks. MSP confirmed they responded to Slotkins home Friday evening, but did not provide any additional information or comment regarding the incident. Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center of Flint was sold to the Villa nursing home chain along with other former Mission Point homes. Julian Leshay Guadalupe | MLive.com Mission Point Health Care owed nearly $5 million in overdue rent by the time eight of the troubled Michigan nursing home chains facilities were taken over by a court-appointed receiver earlier this year. The company had failed to repay loans worth nearly $6.8 million, according to a declaration filed in court by a representative of the companies that owned the real estate for those eight nursing homes. It owed $4.7 million in state taxes and other fees and penalties, the declaration said, and millions more in fines imposed by the federal government for patient abuse and neglect. One of the homes was shut down in July. The final seven nursing homes to bear the Mission Point name just the businesses, not the real estate were sold at the end of October to an investment group connected to the Villa nursing home chain, according to Michael Flanagan, the court-appointed receiver who had handled Mission Points business affairs since February. The sales price was $10 and the assumption of millions in liabilities, according to court documents. Which appears to mark the end of what had been one of the worst nursing home chains in the country, a company cited by the federal government for horrific abuse, allowing patients to develop maggots in their wounds, widespread COVID outbreaks and general neglect. But the Villa chain, which ultimately ended up with three of the homes, has had quality problems of its own, according to court records. Mission Point Neither Mission Points attorney nor its owners, founder Roger Mali and the Mitchell Family Office, a Birmingham private equity firm, responded to requests to discuss the sale of the last of their homes. Daniel Kunstlinger, a representative of the companies that owned the buildings in Flint, Ypsilanti and in several Detroit suburbs where the Mission Point homes operated, declined to discuss the sale. Kunstlinger is managing director and executive counsel for Cammebys International, as well as chief operating officer and general counsel for SMV Property Holdings. The local real estate companies asked Oakland County Circuit Judge Victoria Valentine to place eight Mission Point homes in receivership. Valentine complied in late February, finding that Mission Point had failed to pay its debts and that the homes in question were unlikely to earn enough to be able to meet those obligations in the foreseeable future. Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center of Madison Heights was shut down in July and its 78 residents relocated. The federal government had designated it as one of the worst-performing nursing homes in the country. Matthew Miller Over the summer, Mission Points facility in Madison Heights, where state inspectors had found rampant violence between residents and a state ombudsman found bags of trash piling up in the hallways, was shut down at Flanagans request and its 78 residents were relocated. The home had been placed into a federal remediation program for the worst performing nursing homes in the country and it was losing money besides, Valentine wrote. Shutting it down in an orderly and controlled manner seemed better than having to close quickly due to a government mandate. The feedback that were hearing from residents is that the care theyre receiving [in their new facilities] and the food theyre being served and the activities are so much better, said Salli Pung, Michigans long-term care ombudsman, whose office assisted in the relocation. I think its telling that this home really wasnt able to provide that minimum standards that are required by [the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services]. I dont think that its a bad thing that this home closed. At the same time, other homes were dropping the Mission Point name. In the spring, a dozen Mission Point homes were rebranded as Intersect Healthcare, though it was unclear whether the homes had been sold outright or simply changed management companies. Workers at the rebranded homes directed questions to Bill Gray, chief human resources officer at Prestige Healthcare in Louisville, Kentucky, which owns the Medilodge chain of nursing homes in Michigan. He declined to discuss the arrangement. Around the same time, Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation of Detroit, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing $9.5 million in debts. Mali, who had retained control of the Detroit facility, said in an emailed statement earlier this year that, This legal process in no way affects our focus on, or ability to, provide the highest level of care for our residents and best working environment for our staff. We anticipate confirming our reorganization plan in the next coming months. The home has since rebranded as Lafayette Park Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Another Mission Point facility in Holly has rebranded as Holly Village Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Following the sale of the remaining seven homes, Mission Points website appears to have gone dark. Villa Villa, which purchased the homes, has its own history of violations and poor care. Over the summer, the owners of six Villa nursing homes in Michigan reached a $4.5 million settlement with the federal government and the state of Michigan to resolve a whistleblower lawsuit alleging they had deceived the federal government into paying for unprovided or grossly substandard care and services. The original complaint, filed by whistleblowers in 2019, alleged the homes had deliberately understaffed nursing personnel to save on costs. After the settlement was announced, Villa said in a statement that it had since completed a change of ownership and had renewed focus on elevating care, enhancing environments, and strengthening culture across all locations. But the company did not respond to a question about the details of the ownership change, and the owners named in the original complaint still held ownership stakes in at least some of the six homes at the time of the settlement, according to ownership data on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website. Villa was also one of the companies singled out by the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care for concealing profits by essentially doing business with themselves. Mission Point was another. The practice is called tunneling by industry experts. Its legal, and its common, but it makes determining whether nursing homes are siphoning away public Medicare and Medicaid dollars for private gain difficult. A report released this summer by the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care found that the 16 Villa nursing homes in Michigan paid separate companies with the same owners $137.45 million between 2021 and 2023 while reporting a profit of just $19.7 million. Villa officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment on its purchase of the Mission Point homes, but it appears to have retained only three. Mission Points Flint facility is now Villa at Beecher Place. Its Superior Township home is Villa at Willow Place. Its Clarkston nursing home is now Villa at Pine Place. The other four homes in Warren, Beverly Hills, Clinton Township and Clawson - appear to be under the management of Cleveland-based Cerus Healthcare. Cerus officials did not immediately respond to messages left seeking comment on the arrangement. SNAP food benefits are flowing again after a pause during the federal government shutdown. But the clock is about to start on a policy that imposes work requirements on more beneficiaries. Pictured is a MLive file photo of person shopping.(MLive.com) MLive.com | Muskegon Chronicle By DAVID A. LIEB and GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press After a disruptive U.S. government shutdown, federal SNAP food assistance is again flowing to low-income households. But in the months ahead, many participants will have to abide by new work requirements. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monthly benefits averaging around $190 per person to about 42 million people nationwide. During the first couple weeks of November, many of those recipients missed their regular allotments as President Donald Trumps administration battled in court over whether to tap into reserves to fund the program while the government was shut down. Heres what to know about SNAP: The benefits are available across the country after lapses For the first part of the month, the situation was chaotic after the federal government said SNAP would not be funded because of the government shutdown. Some states replenished the electronic benefit cards used in the program either fully or partially, using their own funds or federal dollars that were part of court orders. Others didnt. Most states boosted food charities, but lines were long and some shelves were empty. As soon as the government reopened on Nov. 12, many states rushed to get out benefits. By Tuesday, all states either had loaded full November benefits onto peoples electronic spending cards or were working on it, according to an Associated Press review. Participants should receive December SNAP benefits according to their normal schedule. More SNAP recipients will face work requirements A massive tax and spending bill signed into law in July by Trump expanded requirements for many adult SNAP recipients to work, volunteer or participate in job training for at least 80 hours a month. Those who dont are limited to three months of benefits in a three-year period. The work requirements previously applied to adults ages 18 through 54 who are physically and mentally able and dont have dependents. The new law also applies those requirements to those ages 55 through 64 and to parents without children younger than 14. It repeals work exemptions for homeless individuals, veterans and young adults aging out of foster care. And it limits the ability of states to waive work requirements in areas lacking jobs. The Trump administration waived the work requirements in November, but the three-month clock on work-free SNAP benefits will be in full force for much of the country in December. Under a Nov. 1 court order, the count will not yet begin in places with existing waivers in place due to relatively high local unemployment rates. Those waivers extending past this month cover all or parts of 10 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and are set to expire between the end of 2025 and January 2027, depending on the place. The new requirements are expected to reduce the average monthly number of SNAP recipients by about 2.4 million people over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Agriculture secretary casts doubt about SNAP In the aftermath of the shutdown, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, whose department administers SNAP, has cast doubt on the program. Rollins has said it is rife with fraud, including deceased people receiving benefits and some people receiving multiple benefits. Rollins suggested that everyone who receives SNAP be required to reapply. But its not clear whether Rollins was suggesting an additional requirement or referring to the current one that mandates people to periodically recertify their income and other information. An Agriculture Department spokesperson didnt clarify but instead said in a statement that the standard recertification processes for households is part of a plan to eliminate fraud, abuse and waste. Under federal law, most households must report their income and basic information every four to six months and be fully recertified for SNAP at least every 12 months. Full recertification can occur every 24 months for households where all adults are age 60 and above or have disabilities. But states can require more frequent eligibility verifications. Last year, 27 states required at least some households to be fully recertified every four to six months, depending on their household circumstances, according to a USDA report. An employee at TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK helping a customer. The company opened a location in Ann Arbor in June. Courtesy of TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK ANN ARBOR, MI A new junk removal company has come to Ann Arbor. Two Men and a Junk Truck, 125 Dino Drive, had its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Nov. 20, but it has been operating in the city since June. Theres a lot of moving that happens in Ann Arbor, people coming in and people going out, Charlene Bush, marketing director, said. For customers that are moving, we are pretty much now a one-stop shop. The company is the sister brand to Two Men and a Truck, a moving company with more than 430 locations, including one in Ann Arbor, and 3,000 trucks operating in 47 U.S. states in addition to Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Two Men and a Truck, which has been around since the early 1980s, used to offer trash removal services until Two Men and a Junk Truck became an official brand within the last five years. Bush said the company redirects their intake away from the landfill and toward local nonprofit organizations as much as possible. Along with trash removal and moving services, the company offers storage space and packing supplies, Bush said. People need the service, so we would rather provide the service if were doing the moving than send them to somebody else, Bush said. Two Men and a Junk Truck opened accompanying locations in Farmington Hills and Brownstown, which both also began operations in June. Alan Oversmith, owner of the three new locations in Michigan, has been in charge of Ann Arbors Two Men and a Truck spot since 2005. Oversmith began working for the company in 2003 as a general manager overseeing three offices: Port Huron, Howell, and Ann Arbor, while living in Lansing, where the company was founded. Related: Executive profile: Alan Oversmith, owner of Two Men and a Truck Two Men and a Junk Truck is different from other removal services, according to Bush, because the company will do all the heavy lifting. She also said the two companies are customer-focused and employees send out an internal survey to evaluate customer feedback. The companys intended audience is residents between the ages of 35 and 64, dual-income households and retired residents looking to downsize, Bush said. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. Jollof paella with lamb chop dibi. Galy's, 20 N. Washington St., in Ypsilanti will open early next spring, chef and owner Bangaly Kaba said. Courtesy of Bangaly Kaba YPSILANTI, MI A West African restaurant is coming to downtown Ypsilanti. Galys, 20 N. Washington St., will open its doors early next spring, chef and owner Bangaly Kaba said. The restaurant menu is centered on West African cuisine while incorporating flavors from the French Caribbean and Europe. It will replace the old Crawdaddys Creole, which closed in June, Deuntay Fields, commercial broker at Beal Real Estate, said. Kaba, 35, notes West African traces in Caribbean and European cuisines but he says people dont understand the history, a reason why he wanted to open the restaurant. Im focusing on blending all these countries together and delivering them in one plate, Kaba said. Its basically taking essences of the transatlantic slave route where the African diaspora settled and the type of cuisine they made and just combining everything back to one main entree but with a very West African presence. Menu items will include shrimp maafe (Cajun-style shrimp simmered in a peanut butter and tomato sauce, served with jasmine rice) and crab etouffee jollof (Louisiana-style crabs with infused West African pepper-based jollof rice). Kaba is also the owner of the catering company 360 Savor Meal Prep and the restaurant group HighWay 10 Gastronomy. He said HighWay 10 refers to the 10th parallel, the line of latitude about 700 miles north of the equator that crosses the Caribbean and many West African countries. Kaba said his love of food comes from his grandmother, who would cook for everyone during holidays, especially Ramadan. He recalls she woke at 5 a.m. to purchase groceries at the market and start cooking. Kaba said he started learning how to cook African dishes after he moved out of his home following high school. He began his restaurant career in 2009 in the pantry of Cafe Zola, 112 W. Washington St., in Ann Arbor. After educating himself on European cooking techniques, he took cooking gigs at Ann Arbor restaurants Savas, 216 S. State St., Frita Batidos, 117 W. Washington St., the now-closed Taste Kitchen, 521 E. Liberty St., and the now-closed Quarter Bistro, 300 S. Maple Road. Kaba was also a recent chef at Barton Hills Country Club. He is currently a head chef at Mediterrano, 2900 S. State St. While he loves cooking, he said he always wanted to open a restaurant. People just bring joy to me and I think that translates to my cuisine, Kaba said. Hospitality is very dear to me. He knew he wanted to open his restaurant on North Washington Street during his haircut four months ago. He noticed the vacant building next to his barber shop and he fell in love with the location. Ypsilanti is my heart, Kaba said. Kaba now resides in Canton but has lived in Ypsilanti about 21 years. Fields said site renovations will begin within the next few weeks and the crew has begun to remove old equipment from the former restaurant. He also said Galys will cater to local businesses and students at Eastern Michigan University. The new restaurant has already received thousands and thousands of views on social media, according to Fields. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. Cinnamom Bakery adds drive-thru window in move to new location GRAND BLANC TWP, MI -- When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Its an old idiom, but for a Michigan bakery that recently suffered a pair of break-ins has taken it to heart. Police believe an intruder broke into Cinnamom, located at 5015 S. Saginaw Road in Grand Blanc Township, twice in the early morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 16. The intruder allegedly stole cinnamon rolls, cash, and Monster energy drinks but returned about an hour later to retrieve a hammer they had left behind. A handful of days later, the business flipped the break-ins on their head. The Cinnamon Roll Bandit inspired our newest flavor! a post from Friday, Nov. 21, reads. Taking cinnamon rolls and Monster drinks, leaving the cash behind...maybe thats all you need! Stop by and try our tangy new Monster-infused buttercream (or any of over 50 flavors)! Cinnamom officials previously issued a statement on social media saying the business will remain open while they attempt to identify the cinnamon roll bandit and shared a photo of the alleged suspect captured by security footage. The Grand Blanc Township Police Department is currently investigating the case and attempting to identify the suspect, Chief William Renye previously told MLive-The Flint Journal. Company officials issued a statement directed to the alleged intruder: We forgive you and are praying for you, but you need to be stopped before you hurt more businesses and cause more damage. Anyone with information on the break-ins may contact Grand Blanc Township police at 810-424-2611.. Crews were called to 2210 Martin Luther King Ave. in Flint around 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, said Battalion Chief Nick Reitano with the Flint Fire Department. FLINT, MI - An early-morning fire completely destroyed a former Flint funeral home. Crews were called to 2210 Martin Luther King Ave. in Flint around 6:20 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, said Battalion Chief Nick Reitano with the Flint Fire Department. When crews arrived, there was fire throughout the building, which was previously home to the Swanson Funeral Home, Reitano said. It was too dangerous for crews to enter due to the state of the building, he said. The building was a total loss, Reitano said. Its just a pile of rubble now, he said. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear, although a fire inspector is expected to investigate Monday. The same building caught fire in April 2024, but was only damaged at the time. It had already been vacant for several years. The state had shut down the funeral home in 2017 after bodies and maggots were found in a garage on the property, according to previous reporting. A file photo of the Old Dog Tavern sign in downtown Kalamazoo. (File | MLive) KALAMAZOO, MI Instead of TVs, there are carved wooden fish and deer mounts lining the walls of Old Dog Tavern. Opposite the bar which was salvaged from Kalamazoos iconic Club Soda venue a group of 15 fiddle, guitar and banjo players pluck folk tunes in a circle near the stage. Cooks, spotted through a window to the kitchen, dance along as they work. Its a normal day at Old Dog Tavern, which operates inside a 140-year-old building on the east end of downtown Kalamazoo, near Hopcat and Bells Eccentric Cafe. Wooden fish swim above a group of folk musicians gathered in Old Dog Tavern for a monthly meet up. Audrey Whitaker The narrow confines of 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave., with its small stage and winding wooden bar, encourage connection in a world where a lot of people just zone out. Theyre committed to conversation once they come in here, Sean Smith said. Theres been confusion over the status of the tavern since August 2024, when the business posted #FORSALE on its Facebook page. Almost daily, customers come in saying they thought the place was closed, said Manager Finley Gleason. Public records show Sean and Amy Smith sold the building to an LLC associated with Sean Smith and Daniel Gardner for $155,000 in April 2025. It was an internal sale, not one open to the public, Gleason said. There have been changes in management, per the Old Dog website, and brief closures while repairs were underway. But the Smiths are still running the Old Dog. An evolving space Before 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave. had cocktails and bar fare, the building was home to a wholesale candy company in 1907. Then, Star Paper Company used the space from 1934 to 1971, Western Michigan University Historian Lynn Houghton said previously. Signage painted on its brick exterior still bears Star Paper Company branding. A look at the exterior of Old Dog Tavern, 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo. Taylor DesOrmeau An undated photograph shows the history of the Old Dog Tavern building, back over 100 years ago when it operated as a candy and confectionary company. (Courtesy, WMU Zhang Legacy Collections Center) Old Dog Tavern opened in 2010, said Owner Sean Smith. Before that, it was used as a banquet hall and operated as the Kraftbrau Brewery. With the help of Sean Smiths daughter Clara and staff like Gleason, Sean Smith wants Old Dog Tavern to make a new impression on Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo, the tavern environment and popular music styles are changing, Sean Smith said. Watering holes and venues are, too. Were kind of reinventing the wheel, he said. A new Kalamazoo Event Center going up just blocks away is expected to spur tourism and foot traffic throughout Kalamazoo when it opens in 2027. The arena is sure to attract big names. But Sean and Clara Smith want Old Dog to be the place where small artists perform. A file photo of Sean Smith, right, who opened Old Dog Tavern at 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave. in January 2010. The tavern is located in the historic Star Paper Company building in Kalamazoo. Before it was Old Dog, it was the Kraftbrau Brewery for about 10 years. (Mark Bugnaski/Mlive) Kalamazoo Gazette Kalamazoo Gazette The music scene here has definitely seen better days, but I think its on the up right now, Clara Smith said. There is this somewhat underground music scene. Old Dog can be the place where bands transition from playing in basements to getting on stage, she said. For them to prosper, we need to prosper and vice versa, Clara Smith said. An Up North favorite Old Dogs dinner menu lapsed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but cook Birdie Stilson is bringing back made-from-scratch specialties. Pasties a savory handheld meat pie special to Michigans Upper Peninsula, served with a side of homemade gravy are the bars signature dish for $12. The turkey dinner special includes a turkey-stuffed pasty with a side of slaw and cranberry sauce for $12. Birdie Stilson The Thanksgiving-themed special, also $12, is a turkey-stuffed pasty served with a side of cranberry sauce and slaw. Hand-thrown pizzas are another menu item special to Sean Smith, who used to man the kitchen. Weve started making the dough from scratch again, Clara Smith said. We have a stone bottomed oven that makes a great thin-crust pizza. Servers bustled by with soft pretzels, burgers and other bar-food staples as she spoke. Old Dog decor is an eclectic mix of Kalamazoo history, bar paraphernalia and woodsy accents. Audrey Whitaker Behind the bar, popular canned seltzers accompany on-tap brews. Clara Smith and Gleason have perfected a cocktail menu, ranging $5 to $12 for seasonal mixed drinks. Prices are comparable to other neighborhood hangs $7 for a Long Drink, $6 beer specials and draft pours ringing in between $4 for Miller Lite and $7.50 for Shorts Soft Parade. Old Dog isnt quite a dive bar, Clara Smith said, but its more casual than a dinner spot. Theres no rush to turn over tables. Small talk is encouraged. There are plenty of places for people to unwind with a drink in Kalamazoo, Sean Smith said. Hes honored the Old Dog is still one of them. They work hard all week and they come here, Sean Smith said. They choose this place, so its a privilege to serve them. Old Dog Tavern is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight. Upcoming shows and events are posted on Facebook. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. A newborn baby's hand is seen in this file photo. MLive.com SAGINAW, MI -- The Saginaw County Health Department took first place in the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Directors Award for groundbreaking work in community health transformation at the 2025 Michigan Premier Public Health Conference in Muskegon in late October. The state health department recognized BWell Saginaw as more than a program but rather a united movement of 12 organizations determined to make Saginaw one of Michigans top 25 healthiest communities. The health department serves as a neutral convener for the BWell Partner Coalition, which aims to create a culture of health where everyone can live, work, play and thrive regardless of background. The award recognizes local health departments that use innovative approaches to improve health, well-being, and equity. MDHHS highlighted several BWell Saginaw initiatives, including the Healthier Me podcast, Step Up & BWell initiative in county schools, ABCs of Safe Sleep campaign, BWell Strides Toward Wellness Race Series, and BWell Youth Mental Healthopedia. From podcasts to public school programs, BWell Saginaw is meeting people where they areonline, at school, and at home, award presenters said in a statement. What sets BWell Saginaw apart is the breadth of collaboration across sectors and communities. The work has connected clinical care, public health, education, and grassroots efforts into a single, powerful strategy. Through one voice and one vision, BWell Saginaw has proven that authentic partnershipnot competitionis the future of public health. The health department received a traveling trophy and $1,000 to further BWell programming. The BWell Saginaw Partner Coalition includes Covenant HealthCare, MyMichigan Health, HealthSource, Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, CMU Medical Education Partners, Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, Saginaw Community Foundation, United Way of Saginaw County, Saginaw County Intermediate School District, and MDHHS-Saginaw. More information is available at bwellsaginaw.org. Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by Saginaw County Health Department. It was reviewed and edited by local MLive staff. This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Abbotts roughly $21 billion acquisition of cancer screening firm Exact Sciences lays out the companys future strategy. Analysts said the acquisition not only marks Abbotts foray into cancer diagnostics, but it also denotes a shift toward preventive care, mirroring broader industry trends and Abbotts corporate priorities. The planned purchase, announced Thursday, is the largest medtech deal this year, and would be the largest under Abbott CEO Robert Fords tenure, Stifel analyst Rick Wise wrote in a research note We have been waiting and expecting that a clearer picture of whats next strategically for Abbott to emerge, Wise wrote. He added that Exact Sciences portfolio of cancer screening tests could be Abbotts next major business opportunity, giving the company access to a roughly $60 billion total addressable market in the U.S. Exact Sciences flagship product, Cologuard, is a stool-based test for colorectal cancer screening. The company is in the process of rolling out a newer version of the test, Cologuard Plus, RBC Capital Markets analyst Shagun Singh wrote in a research note. Cologuard accounts for about 13% of the $18 billion colorectal cancer screening market, Singh added. Exact Sciences also makes a tumor profiling test used in breast cancer, and recently launched a multi-cancer early detection test and a molecular residual disease test. Growth of diagnostics business Abbott expects Exact Sciences to generate more than $3 billion in revenue this year. The medtech giant plans to integrate the company as a subsidiary, bringing sales in its diagnostics business above $12 billion. UBS analyst Danielle Antalffy wrote in a research note that a deal makes sense because Abbott has the cash on hand and experience selling to primary care offices with its Libre glucose sensors. Antalffy added that the acquisition could also help performance in Abbotts diagnostics business, which has been weak over the last year. Currently, the companies expect about $100 million in pre-tax synergies by 2028, but the analysts see more opportunities. Since most of Exact Sciences sales are in the U.S., Stifels Wise said that Abbott could help grow its international footprint. Support from Abbott could also help speed up innovation initiatives at the company. Looking to the long-term, Abbott may face questions about the future of Exact Sciences Cologuard franchise as competitors introduce blood-based cancer tests, BTIG analyst Marie Thibault wrote in a research note. Abbott views blood-based tests as expanding the broader market, and Exact Sciences also has an exclusive licensing agreement with Freenome for its blood-based colorectal cancer screening. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Manchester City continues its hunt for first place in the English Premier League on Saturday, as it gets set to take on Newcastle United. Along with their quest in the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City is looking like a force to be reckoned with on the Premier League side as well. Premier League Streaming Options FuboTV Sling DirecTV Stream Peacock Price/month $84.99 $35.00 $69.99 $7.99 Free Trial? Yes No Yes No Length 7 days N/A 5 days N/A Deal $20 off first month $10 off first month None None Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Subscribe Along with a big win over Borussia Dortmund in the UCL, ManCity has won back-to-back matches in EPL, beating Bournemouth and Liverpool in consecutive weeks. With wins in five of their past six league contests, City has risen all the way up to second place in the league, just four points behind Arsenal for first. While Newcastle has a similar international calendar to Manchester City, the club has struggled to find wins in the EPL season. The Magpies have lost consecutive league contests to lowly clubs West Ham and Brentford, and three of their past four EPL matches have ended in defeats. Though it is only November, Newcastle sits all the way down to 14th in the table. ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Newcastle United FC (3-3-5) vs. Manchester City FC (7-1-3) When: Saturday, November 22 Time: 12:30 p.m. ET Where: St. James Park (Newcastle, U.K.) Channel: NBC, Universo Check out the EPL table and results here Samir Jain is a Jaipur-based astrologer who has over 28 years of experience in the field of Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Vastu Shastra. He is also an expert in Jain Temple Vastu and Jain Jyotish. For more details, visit planetsastro.com, call/WhatsApp +91 8696930617 or email jainksamir@gmail.com. Neha Mewari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 1 / 10 Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan is celebrating his 35th birthday on November 22. The actor has come far in his journey and has delivered some of the iconic roles. From his breakout role in Pyaar Ka Punchnama, which made him the monologue king, to his critically acclaimed performance in Chandu Champion, Kartik has consistently captivated audiences with his charm, comic timing, and ability to bring complex characters to life. Take a look at some of his best performances over the years. Karan Johar brings Koffee With Karan to the US-based billionaire's wedding in Udaipur, plays Spill The Tea with bride and grrom - Watch Gayatri Rani is a Senior-Sub Editor with over three years of experience in delivering Hollywood and Bollywood news. Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Suburban Chicago is a long way from Britain, but theyre still calling it a bloody good deal. Illinois-based healthcare giant Abbott Laboratories said Thursday that it agreed to buy cancer-screening specialist Exact Sciences and its breakthrough blood test for $21 billion. SUBSCRIBE: Receive more of our free The Daily Upside newsletter. READ ALSO: White House Hits the Brakes on Fuel Economy Standards and Low-Key $3T Investment Firm Is Ready for Its Closeup Match Made in Lab Heaven Founded in 1880s Chicago by a pharmacist with a talent for formulating medicines from plants and herbs, Abbott is now a multinational healthcare giant with sales of $42 billion last year. Nearly half of its business comes from medical devices, including pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators, as well as increasingly popular blood sugar monitors for diabetes patients. Abbott also has a smaller diagnostics business, which executives have openly enthused about expanding. They got a taste of the potential during the pandemic when the companys popular COVID-19 home test boosted sales. In Exact Sciences, they found a dream acquisition target specializing in cancer screening and oncological tests. Its one of the fastest-growing segments in the health sector: Abbott valued the US cancer screening and diagnostics market at $60 billion. Earlier this month, Exact reported a record $851 million in third-quarter revenue, including $666 million from its screening business, which sells the leading colorectal cancer test, Cologuard. With its Cancerguard, Exact is also one of a handful of companies producing blood tests capable of screening for multiple early-stage cancers. Our vision here is really to build the premier cancer diagnostic company in the world, Abbott CEO Robert Ford said on an analyst call. The price of that vision is a steep one out of the gate: Exact Sciences shareholders get $105 a share, a roughly 50% premium from the November 18 closing price before word of the pending agreement began circulating. Exact rose 16.8% on Thursday to $100.67, while Abbott fell 1.7% to $123.97. Its the healthcare sectors biggest deal since Pfizer acquired Seagen for $43 billion in 2023. And its Abbotts second-priciest acquisition ever; the firm paid $30 billion for medical device rival St. Jude Medical in 2017. Wall Street Windfall: Healthcare has made investment bankers happy this year, driving an uptick in mergers and acquisitions thats bolstering their fees. Among the largest deals before Abbotts were buyout firms Blackstone and TPG teaming to acquire medical device maker Hologic for $18.3 billion, Johnson & Johnson agreeing to buy Intra-Cellular Therapies for $14.6 billion, and Mallinckrodt and Endo International striking a $6.7 billion merger. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter. Donald Trump Jr. and Bettina Anderson arrive at mehendi night at Udaipurs viral wedding of Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju; watch Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A slew of earnings reports from some of America's biggest retailers this week showed the industry, like consumers visiting their stores, splitting into a series of winners and losers. Retailers that are leaning into value and low prices reported strong results and were rewarded by investors as a K-shaped economy pushes consumer sentiment to near-record lows. Investors more harshly judged companies that reported flagging sales in their latest quarter. "Higher-income households will keep spending, but middle- and lower-income shoppers are feeling the squeeze, pushing them toward discounters like Walmart, Costco, and TJ Maxx as tariffs and elevated prices make bargain-hunting essential," Moody's Mickey Chadha told Yahoo Finance. "The disparity between the low-income cohort and the upper-income cohort has grown a little bit in more recent months," Walmart's (WMT) CFO John David Rainey told Yahoo Finance as lower-income earners spend less. The company's quarter beat Wall Street's expectations, and Walmart raised its full-year outlook. Its stock rose 6% following the results. Rainey added that, "Customers are willing to lean in and buy those higher ticket prices when they find value with them." Read more: What is a 'K-shaped' economy, and whats causing the divide? A Walmart sign hangs on the exterior of the store on Nov. 20, 2025, in Hollywood, Fla. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Joe Raedle via Getty Images At Ross Stores (ROST), the company posted a 7% year-over-year pop in same-store sales, far higher than the 3.3% the Street expected, per Bloomberg consensus data. "While pricing has increased across the retail environment, our commitment to delivering value remains unchanged," Ross Stores CEO James Conroy said. Ross Stores' stock rose 8% in response to the results. TJX Companies (TJX), which owns brands like T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls, saw its sales increase 5%. CEO Ernie Herrman told investors that the company is appealing to all-income cohorts, but "it was the lower income demographic that was driving the [sales growth] in the majority of our geographies." Results weren't only driven by low prices during the quarter, however. Gap (GAP) reported that the Gap and Old Navy brands saw same-store sales growth increase 7% and 6%, respectively, higher than forecast. "We did take select pricing in Q3 in select categories denim, which saw double-digit growth," CEO Richard Dickson said. "And the strength of our execution is really resonating with customers, and we saw growth ... across all income cohorts." He called the results "encouraging despite widely reported macroeconomic pressure on the low-income consumer." Ganatra has served as Head of Equities at Invesco AMC (India) since 2022. Before that, he was a Senior Fund Manager at HDFC AMC between 2020 and 2022. Anishaa Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept 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. Booking early is the most effective way to secure lower hotel rates. Hiral Thanawala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'We are evaluating changes': Zomato, Amazon assess business impact as Modi govt enforces new labour codes Passed by Parliament in 2020, the long-pending four Labour Codes kicked in from November 21, 2025. Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Another BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress; TMC hits out at Gyanesh Kumar Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Anti-drone systems to be installed at major civil airports in first-of-its-kind move: Report In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025 wherein 26 civilians were killed -- the ensuing India-Pakistan tensions highlighted Indias ability to strike terrorist bases deep inside Pakistan without breaching the international boundary Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept At G20, PM Modi pushes four key proposals centered on healthcare, fight against drugs On global health, PM Modi called for setting up of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Opening his speech, Dhankhar hinted at his long absence. Four months later, on this occasion, on this book, in this city, I should not hesitate to speak, he said. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept By Karl Plume CHICAGO (Reuters) -The largest U.S. soybean sales to China in more than two years this week could be just the beginning of an accelerated buying program by Beijing after the world's top importer shunned U.S. supplies for months due to a trade war with Washington. Even if purchases fall short of the 12 million metric tons that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced, the uptick in sales has buoyed crop prices. That triggered a flurry of sales by farmers who were holding their crop hoping for such an uptick. Some Chinese traders also cashed in after booking long positions when prices slumped, but any American farmers who sold their crop before the Chinese purchase deal was announced did not benefit. It remained unclear how quickly China would reach the target that U.S. officials said Beijing has agreed to. The confirmed purchases of nearly 1.6 million metric tons in three days sent U.S. prices sharply higher to a steep premium over shipments from rival exporter Brazil. That has made U.S. soybeans uncompetitive for other importers like Turkey and Vietnam. It also creates a problem for Beijing, which does not now need more beans after major purchases of South American crops. China must empty some of its national reserves to make space for the U.S. shipments. Bessent and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said China had agreed to buy 12 million tons by the end of this year after President Donald Trump met in October with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Last week, Trump said the purchases would take place before spring. Beijing has not officially confirmed the volume commitment, but Bessent said the deal could be inked by late next week. In past years China has accounted for 50% to 60% of all U.S. soybean exports, so timing of the purchases is likely to steer soybean prices at least until an official agreement is signed. "Do I believe China will take 12 million metric tons? I do," said Dan Basse, president of consultancy AgResource Co. "Do I think China will take 12 million tons by the end of the year? Not a chance." The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed 1.584 million tons in sales to China over three days this week, the largest single-week tally since early November 2023, according to USDA data. Traders and analysts said total sales may be closer to 2 million to 3 million tons after a minimal volume was sold ahead of the Trump-Xi summit with other recent purchases below the USDA's daily reporting threshold. CBOT soybean futures rallied to their highest point since June 2024 on news of the sales, and the benchmark price was up nearly 12% from mid-October ahead of the meeting in South Korea. Defence of Poonch (1947-48): A year-long siege, air-supply lifeline, and the final breakout under Operation Easy Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept The arrested suspects, Ajay, Rohan, Mandeep and Dalvinder, (L-R), are accused of allegedly smuggling advanced pistols from Turkey and China into India via Pakistan. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Siddaramaiah on leadership change in Karnataka Bengaluru: On the change in leadership, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says, "Whatever decision is taken by the High Command, I will follow it." "Shortly, " says CM when asked when the high command will take a decision Is Karnataka headed for 'November Revolution'? Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar power struggle heats up over CM post The development has emerged as the Siddaramaiah-led state government nears the completion of 2.5 years. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Police are questioning school officials, classmates, and family members to piece together what may have led to the incident. (Representative image) Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Maharashtra CM says Mumbai terror strike challenged Indias sovereignty and argues a tougher response then would have changed deterrence. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept By Katy Daigle and Simon Jessop BELEM, Brazil (Reuters) -A British real estate manager overseeing 26 billion euros ($29.93 billion) in assets and concerned about flood, fire and other climate-related risks to its properties sought help from Climate X, a data analytics firm based in London. Climate X started crunching numbers and using its AI risk modeling tool, informed partly by U.S. scientific data, to help Savills Investment Management estimate possible damages to 300 of its assets in Europe and Asia if weather disruptions hit. Savills said the information helps with investment decisions and it may now use Climate X analytics to assess hundreds more properties. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has been slashing spending for science services at a time of surging demand for analytics due to escalating climate change and extreme weather. That is helping to drive a data industry boom for private data companies like Climate X that are providing everything from drought or pollution risk assessments to locations for untapped mineral reserves. Revenues for the earth intelligence sector should rise at least 10% to $4.2 billion by 2030, market analysis firm Gartner said, teasing the industry in July as a "new revenue growth opportunity." The industry's impact could be even more significant. The World Economic Forum has estimated earth intelligence will help reduce risk, grow opportunities, and generate jobs for a total $3.8 trillion in economic value by 2030, up from $266 billion today. The private data boom is also raising questions around accuracy and access for those unable to pay. Private companies can do only so much without baseline data from U.S. government agencies such as NOAA, according to officials from more than a dozen firms who spoke with Reuters. "Without it we wouldn't know if our models are good or bad, frankly," Climate X co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Kamil Kluza said. With U.S. datasets for climate-related information like methane plumes or flood maps possibly vanishing from the public sphere, Kluza's company plans to lean on alternatives from the EU, Japan and UK Met Office. "We are huge consumers of governmental data to validate what's happened in the past," Kluza told Reuters. "The governments hold the past flood history ... past subsidence incidents, landslides, and so on." Hunting opportunity and costs Gartner predicts private companies will soon account for more than half of global spending on data services, up from just 15% currently. As per constitutional requirements, Prakash now has six months to secure membership in either house of the state legislature to retain his ministerial post. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Mumbai chemical leak in Andheri East leaves one dead, two in ICU; NDRF on alert Leak reported from a G+1 structure in Andheri MIDC on Saturday evening; chemical type not yet known. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Parliaments short Winter Session to open with long list of flashpoints; SIR row, US trade talks top Opposition pitch Winter Session of Parliament runs December 119 with 15 sittings; government to push Constitutional amendment Bills, Opposition to target Election Commission and voter roll revision. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Lok Sabha bulletin lists 10 new legislations for introduction, including a bill to open civil nuclear sector and another to set up a Higher Education Commission. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Plot for Delhi Red Fort blast was hatched in 2023, says report Delhi red fort blast: Suspect acted hastily out of panic after explosives recovered during recent raids, say police Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept PM Modi met with Chairman Koos Bekker and CEO Fabricio Bloisi of the South African multinational internet and technology company Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept This will be PM Modis 12th appearance at a G20 Summit since taking office in 2014. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Priyanka Chaturvedi shuts down Pak trolls for mocking Tejas plane crash: 'Who have only Made-in-China toys ...' Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept This latest twist in the populist turn isnt necessarily something to celebrate, Edwards said. As an economist, he said he considers Mamdanis policies, deriving from his democratic socialist background, such as rent controls and price controls, to be lunacy, having experienced them himself in the 1970s. Still, dysfunction in capitalism means that society will come back full circle to this. The increasing intergenerational strife, driven by young people being shut out of the housing market and out of wealth concentration, has created a primal sense of betrayal, especially among Americans who no longer feel they are better off than their parents. This period of corporate excess laid the groundwork for severe political instability and public outrage, Edwards argued. Just look at the election in New York, Edwards said, which was all about the cost of living. Zohran Mamdanis election is an indication that this still is a big issue. Edwards agreed affordability is a major topic of the moment, along with the U.S. housing market: It stands out as, like, whats going on? The consequence of this money printing and fiscal expenditure was a bonanza for the corporate sector, resulting in corporate profit margins soaring off to infinity after the pandemic. Edwards noted specific sectors benefited enormously, recalling a St. Louis Fed study that showed corporate profits as a share of national income surging as a share of national income since the inflation spike, a total outlier compared to the rest of the world. At that time, Edwards said, inflation was generally being blamed on raw material prices because of the Ukraine war, as well as the labor market, with very few people saying there was profit-driven inflation, but he took a different view: This is unprecedented. He pointed out when unit costs rise, always, unit margins fall, always, in history. He said that shouldnt have happened, and the reason it did was because of so much stimulus from the government that companies could get away with doing it, using [inflation as] cover. Albert Edwards, the long-standing strategist at Societe Generale known for offering the alternative view within the institution, believes the recent political successes of figures like Zohran Mamdani signal the corporate sectors self-inflicted backlash against greedflation. Edwards, whose career in finance dates back to 1982 and who hasnt been aligned with the house view of his investment bank for many years now, has gained a sort of cult following for his skeptical approach to market narratives, once famously writing a note about how appalled he was by greedflation, or record profit margins against the backdrop of post-pandemic inflation. He described it as the end of capitalism in 2023, and in conversation with Fortune, absolutely stood by his point. Story Continues Edwards was speaking as the first-time homebuyer hit an average age of 40 years old, a stark symbol of how the largely youthful voter base that elected Mamdani is shut out of the market. The Amherst Group CEO Sean Dobson, one of Americas largest institutional landlords, recently estimated the same post-COVID economic landscape that so outraged Edwards meant weve probably made housing unaffordable for a whole generation of Americans. You reap what you sow Coming back to his critique of capitalism, Edwards argued Mamdanis election is part of the consequence the corporates, by being excessively greedy, hence greedflation, have laid the seeds for their own destructionand backlash. Edwards added that more and more people are identifying corporate excess. Speaking about what he called intergenerational strife, Edwards said he thinks this is the first generation where people are not seeing themselves as better off than their parents were. Everywhere you look in modern capitalism, young people cant get on the housing ladder, they see wealth extremely concentrated it takes the incentivization out of the economy if young people dont feel theyre participating. Edwards argument here has some strange bedfellows, as none other than Peter Thiel has been warning about this incentivization problem for years Mamdanis election seemed to send a shiver through Silicon Valleys right-wing contingent, as Chamath Palihapitiya shared Peter Thiels 2020 email to Mark Zuckerberg and Marc Andreessen, warning of a broken generational compact and reasoning, if one has no stake in the capitalist system, then one may well turn against it. In a follow-up interview days later, Thiel told The Free Press, if you proletarianize the young people, you shouldnt be surprised if they eventually become communist. On the left wing of legal thought, Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu recently told Fortune that he wrote his new book, The Age of Extraction, about a similar feeling. My understanding of America is that its the place where things are supposed to get better, Wu said, but instead were living through a time with an economy-wide problem where everything kind of just creeps. Its that weird feeling of something you like becoming worse. He added that American politics right now are very angry and economic resentment, but also a general feeling that we let things go a little too far and we just kind of lost touch with the tradition of broad-based wealth that was the American way. On the subject of greedflation, Edwards was philosophical but insisted that what happened in 2023 was a mistake. Okay, I can understand this is capitalism, this is how it works he said about pursuit of the profit motive, but if the government doesnt step in, then a backlash is bound to happen. Edwards declined to say this was a particularly Democratic or Republican issue, but he said theres a reluctance in American culture to dictate to the corporate sector. At any rate, the consequence of it is theres a day of reckoning coming in, he said. Edwards, who is also convinced artificial intelligence (AI) is in a bubble, said he views his role as similar to Caesars slave, referring to the story from antiquity about the Roman emperor ordering someone to follow him around and always whisper in one ear: You are mortal. (This is also commonly referred to by the Latin phrase memento mori.) Edwards said he sees his role as similar, for the often overly optimistic market. He warns while the macro-level excesses might not be visible in aggregate, drilling down reveals things are pretty crappy under the surface. The political reaction embodied by Mamdanis focus on affordability is a clear sign that the economic consequences of corporate greed are now driving mainstream political change. Edwards concluded theres a fitting phrase for the dysfunctions of capitalism in the 2020s: You reap what you sow. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept UP govt to identify infiltrators, keep them in detention centres Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who was Wing Commander Namansh Syal? Brave IAF pilot who died in Tejas plane crash at Dubai Air Show 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. Wing Commander Namansh Syal was the pilot of the ill-fated Tejas that crashed during the Dubai Air Show. (Image: X) Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The video of the ceremony quickly went viral online, prompting comparisons to a sequence from the 2006 Bollywood film 'Vivah'. Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept UAE founder offers educational aid to house help after surprising her with phone, laptop. Watch The video prompted strong reactions on Instagram, where users described the moment as generous and uplifting. Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept India is preparing to launch ARC, a regulated rupee-backed stablecoin designed to work with its CBDC and curb reliance on USDT and USDC. | Credit: Getty Images. Key Takeaways India is preparing to launch ARC, a rupee-backed, fully regulated private stablecoin. ARC is designed to coexist with the RBIs digital rupee (CBDC), not compete with it. The initiative aims to curb reliance on foreign stablecoins and keep liquidity onshore. The ARC rollout is expected as early as Q1 2026. After years of cautious testing with its central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital rupee, India is now preparing to roll out ARC, which is short for Asset Reserve Certificate. ARC is a regulated, rupee-backed stablecoin created by the private sector, which signals Indias most serious push yet toward a two-layer digital money system, one that keeps the Reserve Bank firmly in control of settlement while allowing private firms to build faster, smarter, more flexible payment rails on top of it. Heres everything you need to know about ARC. ARC: Indias Answer to Dollar Stablecoins ARC is structured as a fully collateralized, INR-pegged digital asset, backed by cash equivalents such as Government Securities (G-Secs), Treasury Bills (T-Bills), and fixed deposits. Government officials and industry partners describe it as a way to ensure India maintains monetary control as crypto usage accelerates. Rather than competing with the Reserve Bank of Indias digital rupee, ARC is designed to sit on top of it. Indias model creates two distinct layers: Settlement Layer The CBDC: The RBIs digital rupee continues to handle final settlement and monetary oversight. Interaction Layer ARC: ARC operates on blockchain rails as the programmable layer used for payments, remittances, DeFi experimentation, and business transactions. Every ARC token is minted only after an equivalent deposit of INR reserves, keeping the system fully backed and compliant with Indias capital-control rules. The project is being developed by Polygon and Indian fintech firm Anq, which has worked closely with regulators on integrating blockchain systems into the rupee framework. What ARC Is Designed to Fix The ARC initiative is rooted in a concern shared by India and other emerging markets: the massive flow of capital into dollar-pegged stablecoins during crypto bull markets. Foreign stablecoins dominate Indias crypto trading volumes, indirectly draining rupee liquidity. A domestic stablecoin aims to reverse that trend. ARC also fits into Indias long-term digital-economy vision: Strengthen INR liquidity: ARC keeps value inside the domestic financial system, instead of routing trade through offshore USD pools. Support government securities demand: Because ARC must be backed by G-Secs, it naturally increases demand for sovereign debt. Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Watch: Wolf outsmarts crab trap for a snack in what may be first tool use by a wild canid Clever Wolf Raids Crab Trap in Deep Water, Hinting at First Wild Tool Use (Image: Heiltsuk Wolf and Biodiversity Project.) 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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 Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pornhub wants Apple, Google to fix its traffic drop problem, heres how Ankita Chakravarti is a seasoned journalist with nearly a decade of experience in media. She specializes in technology and lifestyle journalism. She has worked with top Indian media houses like India Today, Zee News, The Statesman, and Millennium Post. Her expertise spans tech trends, phone launches, gadget reviews, and entertainment news. Ankita holds a Master's in Journalism and Mass Communication along with a degree in English Literature. She can be reached out at ankita.chakravarti@nw18.com 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 Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Gunmen abduct more than 200 schoolchildren, 12 teachers in attack on Nigerian Catholic school As Nigeria grapples with security challenges on several fronts, hostage-taking has spiralled nationwide and become a favoured tactic of bandit gangs and jihadists Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept How a tiny group of billionaires came to dominate American politics How a tiny group of billionaires came to dominate American politics Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Debt levels are expected to increase as the company continues to develop annuity assets, although some debt repayment is anticipated for maturing projects. Cash flow from operations has been negative for multiple years, with expectations for positive cash flow still 1.5 to 2 years away. The company faces height restrictions for projects near the airport area, which could limit development potential. The EBITDA margin for Q2 FY26 decreased to 24.4% from 25.8% in the previous year, indicating a slight decline in profitability. Arihant Superstructures Ltd ( BOM:506194 ) has strategically positioned itself in Navi Mumbai, benefiting from infrastructure developments like the new airport, which is expected to create around 1 million jobs over the next six to seven years. The company achieved a significant 44% year-on-year increase in profit after tax, amounting to INR26 crores, with a PAT margin of 10.6%. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript . Story Continues Q & A Highlights Q: With the increasing supply in Mumbai and the MMR region due to redevelopments, do you expect demand to remain flat in the next two to three years? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: We don't foresee flat demand in areas with significant development and infrastructure projects. In Navi Mumbai, where we operate, the government's infrastructure push is creating a promising market for the next five to seven years. Q: Are there any restrictions on building projects near the airport area? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: Yes, there are height restrictions based on proximity to the airport, which we must adhere to in our planning. Q: What is the company's debt outlook for the upcoming years? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: As we are in a growth phase, debt will increase, but so will our assets. Some debt will be repaid as projects mature, maintaining a balanced influx and outflux model. Q: Is the company on track to achieve its annual presale target of INR1,100 crores? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: Yes, we are on track with a strong launch pipeline for Q3 and Q4, particularly in Navi Mumbai, which should boost presales volumes and values. Q: How does the company plan to capitalize on the demand shift with the Navi Mumbai Airport's inauguration? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: We have strategically acquired land parcels early, benefiting from lower costs. Our projects in Panvel, Kharghar, and Taloja are well-positioned to capitalize on increased demand post-airport inauguration. Q: What is the reason for the drop in EBITDA margin from 30% to 24% quarter-on-quarter? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: The margin fluctuation is due to the mix of revenue from various projects. It's advisable to assess the company's performance on an annual basis for a clearer picture. Q: When does the company expect cash flow from operations to turn positive? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: With significant investments in developments, cash flows from customers are expected to improve as projects near completion, likely turning positive in the next 1.5 to 2 years. Q: What is the company's strategy for balancing luxury and affordable housing? A: Parth Chhajer, Whole-Time Director: We maintain a diversified portfolio with approximately 37% in affordable, 38% in mid-income, and 25% in luxury housing, and plan to continue this balanced approach. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. I did 8 peace deals: Trump again touts role in India-Pakistan ceasefire during Mamdani meet Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Greene is resigning just after she qualifies for a congressional pension at five years of service. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Over 300 taken from a Catholic school: How mass kidnappings returned to Nigerias north-west At least six northern states have ordered the closure of schools fearing attacks. Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Despite those threats and costs, the beach town is among the top 10 most expensive U.S. ZIP codes ranked by median sale price as of last month, according to the real estate data website Property Shark , as values rose 38% year over year to $5.2 million in 2025. It was the second time it reached that ranking; the first was in 2023. The community needs to come up with $1.2 billion to prevent those losses as well as the loss of additional unearned tax and tourism revenue, the county found, by elevating roads and structures and building "living shorelines," or dune and cobble structures, to protect the beach. That's an average of $2.2 million per property. By 2040-50, when sea levels are expected to rise by 10 inches compared with 2000 levels, a 100-year storm - one with enough rainfall to cause major flooding - could impact houses near the lagoon, according to a recent Marin County report about the village's future amid sea level rise. By 2060, a 100-year storm could damage 360 homes and total 160, at a loss of $563 million; with the 3.3 feet of sea level rise expected by 2085, the numbers rise to 460 damaged and 308 totaled, at a loss of $1.3 billion, the report found, based on current property values and recent sea level rise projections from the California Ocean Protection Council. Four local real estate agents told the Chronicle that homebuyers rarely mention concerns that Stinson is considered the community most vulnerable to climate change in West Marin. Hundreds of low-lying houses are surrounded by the ocean, Bolinas Lagoon and a creek that often floods the town's narrow lanes. Calle del Arroyo, the only access route for hundreds of homes, becomes impassable during king tides, and houses are served by individual septic tanks, some of which have gotten washed out during storms. "I don't think anyone thinks sea level rise isn't going to happen," said Ashley Bird, a third-generation agent at Seadrift Realty, which currently represents two Stinson Beach houses listed at over $10 million. "They know they're taking a huge financial risk. They're just willing to take the risk because they love Stinson so much." It's not the paradox that it appears to be, real estate experts say. Ultra-wealthy homebuyers love Stinson, and unlike most Americans, they can take a chance on their biggest assets. They also have the money for projects that may ward off the worst effects of sea level rise. It may not last forever, however, as climate change is due to bring the surf ever higher, claiming more of the beach with each decade. Stinson Beach, beloved for its long strip of white sand and seaside cottages, was just named one of the nation's most expensive markets for homebuyers. Story Continues Real estate signs advertise properties in Stinson Beach in November. Homes in the community are selling for more money than almost everywhere else in the country, according to Property Shark. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle) Mirroring trends seen elsewhere in Marin and the East Bay, Zillow data indicates Stinson's home values - the estimated price a mid-tier home would sell for - have dipped over the past year, though at $3.2 million they're still far higher than their pre-pandemic levels. That's the third highest in Marin County after Belvedere and Ross. However, only 10 homes have sold so far this year, meaning estimated value data may vary year-to-year more than in most communities. { "__type": "devHubFreeformEmbed", "__id": "Datawrapper", "__fallbackImage": "https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Lqs0q/mobile.png", "__data": { "datawrapper_id": "Lqs0q" } } The resilience of Stinson Beach's real estate market is an example of the ways that the wealthy are more insulated from climate change than lower-income residents, who risk displacement in a disaster and often struggle to afford the rising costs of homeowners' insurance in flood- or fire-prone areas. It's also a testament to Stinson's lasting appeal as a place where Bay Area families have gone for generations to escape busy city streets or the inland heat. "It is just that magic feeling that is almost indescribable," said Bird, who said people are drawn to Stinson's laid-back feel, free of designer stores or high-end restaurants - far different from high-profile California beach destinations such as Malibu. Buyers appreciate how close Stinson is to the Bay Area's urban core, and many are in the market for their third or fourth home, said Butch Haze, an agent at Compass Real Estate. Vicki Sebastiani has owned a home for 20 years on the shore in the Seadrift neighborhood, a gated community on the northern side of the beach, and has spent about the past eight years there full time after retiring. "I stare out the window half the time," she said. "It's the peacefulness of it. The sense of community, the beauty, the nature - all that is just critical." Vicki Sebastiani looks out her window before she walks her dog, Zoli, in Stinson Beach. Sebastiani says she believes the impacts of sea level rise will not be as great as feared. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle) Bird hasn't seen anyone wanting to sell because of fears about climate change. She said the risks have long been known as the town has weathered major floods multiple times over the past century. Obtaining a mortgage to purchase a home in Stinson's flood zone requires flood insurance, but Bird has never seen its high cost get in the way of a sale, partly because "a fair amount" of people buying homes in Stinson are using cash and can forgo insurance. The county report recommended two immediate priorities to prevent flooding now and into the future: elevating Calle del Arroyo, the emergency evacuation route for hundreds of residents, and creating a community wastewater treatment system, which the local water district is currently planning as a 15-year capital improvement project that could cost up to $85 million. Many individual property owners may also need to elevate their houses soon. Marin County has not set aside funding for these adaptation measures, but it provided guidance for how property owners could tax themselves to raise funds, or apply for federal or state grants for projects that benefit the entire community and visitors, such as nourishing dunes with sand. "Would I vote to tax myself to pay for community septic? In a minute," said Jeff Loomans, a director at the Stinson Beach Village Association, where he works on the long-range planning committee. On Monday, about 40 Stinson Beach residents met with Supervisor Dennis Rodoni and other county officials to discuss sea level rise planning, Loomans said. "It's a very proactive county," said Loomans, who lives part time in Stinson Beach and part time in San Francisco. "I think people are eyes wide open about the future threat of sea level rise." Sebastiani, however, said she and many of her neighbors think the county's report is "overblown" about the rate of sea level rise and its potential impacts. "I've been here for 20 years and I've not really seen a change at all," said Sebastiani, who feels well protected by a rock wall positioned between her and the ocean. "I don't know why they're printing this fearmongering doomsday." A surfer walks along Stinson Beach, parts of which were closed due to storm damage, in January 2023. (Noah Berger/For the S.F. Chronicle) The report makes clear that hazards from sea level rise will start to be more evident by 2050. Haze said it's difficult to avoid natural disasters these days when purchasing a vacation home. "If people are worried about tidal waves or tsunamis, then go buy in Tahoe," he said. "But then you have to worry about fires or rockslides. Enjoy the hazard of your choice." Christian Leonard contributed to this report. This article originally published at Bay Area's ultra-wealthy keep buying homes in this beach town - despite doomsday forecast. Vladimir Putin says US plan for Ukraine could form basis for final peace settlement Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Why Pokrovsk has become a crucial battleground in eastern Ukraine Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why releasing Epsteins files matters: Public interest, victims rights and the power behind secrecy Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why Zelenskyy is under intense US pressure over Trumps peace plan Why Zelensky is under intense US pressure over Trumps peace plan Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept You can just say yes: Donald Trump brushes off Mamdanis fascist remark | Watch Tamal Nandi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Since Drexler left in 2002, however, Gap's namesake stores have struggled. The company attempted to turn things around with an ill-conceived brand refresh in 2010, which ditched its iconic blue square logo, only to have to abandon the move after customers revolted quickly. Drexler successfully orchestrated a major expansion that grew The Gaps store count from about 1,100 in 1990 to 2,548 stores in 2000. He expanded the company's success by launching the highly popular Old Navy and Banana Republic retail store brands, enabling the company to target shoppers of different ages and income levels. Initially, the retailer sold Levi's jeans to young adults aged 13 to 25; however, The Gap's product line shifted toward khakis and shirts in the 1990s under the leadership of CEO Millard Mickey Drexler. The Gap has seen plenty of apparel trends come and go. Its first store opened in 1969 in San Francisco, and over the years, it's had to reinvent itself to continue winning over shoppers. The changes have shifted the company's retail focus and arguably better positioned it for an impressive comeback this year. As a result, foot traffic and sales at Gap stores dipped, leading the company to close 80% of its Gap namesake stores to focus on other store brands, including its low-price fast-fashion Old Navy brand. Nowadays, The Gap looks very different. Fashion changed, e-commerce started taking a toll on indoor malls (where most Gap stores are located), and low-cost rivals, from H&M to big-box Goliath Walmart, began offering similar options for less money. Gap Stores helped define the American casual look, popularizing khakis, tees, and white shirts. It was a go-to store for people in their teens, twenties, and thirties, which enabled it to become a nationwide retailer boasting over 2,000 U.S. locations and more than 500 international stores. In the 80s, that meant fluorescent colors popularized by Sonny Crockett on Miami Vice. In the 1990s, that meant shopping at iconic stores like American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, and, of course, The Gap. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was no better place to see and be seen than the mall, and like most of us, we'd visit regularly to find that perfect look. Story Continues The stores continued to experience declining market share as tastes shifted and rivals encroached on its territory, including players like Walmart and Target, which made major pushes to target younger shoppers with brands specially designed for them, such as Walmart's No Boundaries. Gaps situation has been further complicated by the embrace of e-commerce for apparel and its impact on indoor malls, where most of The Gap stores were located. Gap gets hit by changing customer behavior Many indoor malls were struggling before the Covid pandemic, including large national chains that served as anchor tenants at these malls. Walmarts major expansion in the 1980s and 1990s dealt a significant blow to the likes of Sears and Kmart, for example, which was intensified by the rise of online shopping. Sears and Kmart closed thousands of stores before they went bankrupt (Kmart merged with Sears in 2005, and the merged company declared bankruptcy in 2018). The loss of those anchor stores put a dent in traffic to indoor malls. According to Placer.ai data, annual indoor mall visits were just about flat in 2019 before collapsing 41.1% in 2020. The Covid shutdown was a significant catalyst for Gap to reassess its footprint. Former CEO Sonia Syngal announced that the retailer would close 220 of its namesake stores in October 2020 and close 130 Banana Republic stores to right-size its business amid the hyper casualization trend that contributed to Lululemons success. "It's no secret five years ago, we were a fleet that was underperforming. I mean, significantly under a lot of pressure, and we executed a fleet rationalization that dated 2020... In 2020, we began that, and it was heavy lifting over the course of those years. We closed over 350 stores," said current CEO Richard Dickson at a Goldman Sachs retail conference in 2025. The company's Power Plan 2023" aimed to reposition itself away from Gap stores toward Old Navy and its Lululemon rival brand, Athleta. That plan was yet another reason why its namesake store count fell by about 80% to 472 stores from 2,505 stores worldwide in 2000. "We had declining top line. We had brands that were losing share. We had an aging fleet. We had bloated inventory. We had a lot of margin pressure. We had bloated costs. We had low morale. So this was a portfolio of brands that were iconic and recognized. But the performance of our business didn't reflect, if you will, the legacy and the IP value that was inherent in our portfolio," said Dickson. Gap gets back to growth Gap's decision to focus on Old Navy has paid off, with Old Navy becoming a leading apparel retailer for parents, kids, and young adults seeking affordable fashion. The Old Navy brand includes over 1,300 stores worldwide, including 1,139 in the United States. Related: Home Depot CEO sounds alarm on troubling customer trend in stores Old Navy's customer base means that it has a better-than-average shot at capturing the core key back-to-school spending on clothing, and the company's recent third-quarter financial results show that Old Navy once again delivered the goods for shoppers. Comparable store sales growth at Old Navy stores open at least one year rose 6%. "The quarter began with a robust back-to-school season, reinforcing its leadership position in kids and baby in the U.S. denim posted its highest third quarter volume in years with growth across the family. Women's and girls' showed particular strength driven by trend-right styles like barrel, wide leg and baggie fits," said Dickson on the earnings call. Dickson called out strength from collaborations with Disney (Jingle Jammies collection) and Anna Sui, which focused on affordable high fashion designs and featured Gen z artist PinkPantheress. It wasn't only Old Navy that was strong, though. The company posted positive comparable store sales growth across Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. Gap namesake comp store sales grew 7%, the 8th consecutive quarter of positive comp store sales growth due partly to its Better in Denim campaign featuring Katseye. "Better in Denim culminated in a global cultural takeover and has become one of the brand's most successful campaigns to date, generating significant traffic and double-digit growth in denim," said Dickson. Banana Republic comp sales rose 4%. As a result, overall comp store sales were up 5% from the same period last year, marking the fastest comp sales growth in four years. Total revenue rose 3% from one year ago to $3.9 billion. Whats next for Gap? Gap's performance shows it has momentum, and its plans to keep customers returning include a significant push for beauty products at Old Navy and CashSoft at Gap. The company's one hiccup, however, is Athleta. The brand had capitalized on the athleisure wear trend, elbowing away sales from Lululemon. However, shifting trends away from that style of clothing have dented its growth. Athleta's comp sales fell 11% in the quarter from one year ago. The company believes it can continue to drive sales growth, but only time will tell. Apparel is fickle, and rising unemployment could be a headwind to future apparel sales, given that they're discretionary purchases. Regardless, Gap is on firm financial footing. It generated 62 cents per share in profit, and its cash war chest rose to $2.5 billion exiting the third quarter, despite paying $62 million in shareholder dividends last quarter and buying back $152 million in stock year to date. Related: T.J. Maxx, Marshalls buck major customer problem This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. November 22, 2025 Kellogg Fired Over Leaking 28-Point Plan Proposal Designed To Trap Putin It seems that Keith Kellogg, Trumps special envoy to Ukraine, got fired over leaking news of the 28-point peace plan. Lets follow the traces. On Tuesday the 18th November someone leaked to Axios reporter Barak Ravid who then wrote the first story of Trumps new plan for Ukraine. Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war The plans 28 points fall into four general buckets, sources tell Axios: peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and future U.S. relations with Russia and Ukraine. Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff is leading the drafting of the plan and has discussed it extensively with Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, a U.S. official said. Shortly thereafter Steve Witkoff made a mistake on Twitter when he sent a response meant for a private direct message to the public side of his account. He soon deleted it but someone had already taken a screenshot. bigger On Thursday, the 20th of November, the New York Post mentioned it: On Thursday, the 20th of November, thementioned it: Senior US officials confirm details of 28-point plan to end Ukraine war The [Marco Rubio] comment came after Axios on Tuesday reported a deal had been reached, citing Putin henchman Kirill Dmitriev, who claimed he worked on the plan with Witkoff. Senior US officials believe Dmitriev leaked the plan to Axios as a way to put their their POV out there first [because] it seemed like they were winning, one of the officials said. This is just a tit for tat. Always has been. Witkoff appeared to have surmised the same in a quickly deleted post to X in response to the article Tuesday night. He must have got this from K, Witkoff wrote of the Axios author, Barak Ravid apparently meaning to send it as a DM referring to Dmitriev by his first initial. I seriously doubt that the K Witkoff mentions was Kirill Dmitriev. Dimitriev is not a Washington insider. He is unlikely to leak anything to an Israeli mouthpiece at Axios. Another K, intimately involve in all things Kiev is General Keith Kellogg. When the leak happened he still was Trumps special envoy to Kiev and will have had knowledge of the plan. A day later after the leak to Axios Kellogg got fired. As Reuters reported on Wednesday: Exclusive: Trumps Ukraine envoy Kellogg to leave post in January, sources say WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trumps Special Envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has told associates he plans to leave the administration in January, four sources told Reuters, a departure that would mean the loss of a key advocate for Ukraine in the Trump administration. Special presidential envoy is a temporary designation, and such envoys in theory must be confirmed by the Senate to stay in their positions past 360 days. Kellogg has indicated that January would be a natural departure point, given existing legislation, said the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss private conversations. His departure will be unwelcome news in Kyiv. The retired lieutenant general was widely viewed by European diplomats, Ukrainians included, as a sympathetic ear in an administration that has at times leaned toward Moscows view on the origins of the war in Ukraine. I doubt that the sources claim to Reuters that Kellogg is leading because of a January deadline. That would be an official reasoning. But The Hill reported on Friday that the White House is dumb on this: Trump special envoy for Ukraine to leave post President Trumps special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, will depart his position in January, the White House confirmed to The Hill on Thursday, as the president has renewed efforts to end Russias war against Kyiv. The White House did not provide any other details about the reasons for the departure of Kellogg, whose role and influence in the Trump administration elicited mixed reactions. He was originally appointed in January as special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, and had earlier advocated conditioning U.S. military aid on Kyiv agreeing to participate in peace talks. Kelloggs profile was downsized to only focusing on Ukraine when Trump brought in Witkoff to serve as a special envoy to Russia. In his position, Kellogg was viewed as an advocate for Kyiv in an administration that more closely hewed to the Kremlins negotiating position. Anonymous sources to Reuters, and The Hill, say that Kellogg was leaving because time was running out before he would needed Congress confirmation. The point in time for that would be in January. But if that is so why wouldnt the White House confirm it? And if January is the end-date, why was Kelloggs replacement already named on Friday? As the Guardian wrote yesterday: Zelenskyy says Ukraine has impossible choice as Trump pushes plan to end war A delegation of senior US military officials led by the army secretary, Dan Driscoll, held talks with Zelenskyy on Thursday in Kyiv. Trump has named Driscoll Vances friend and former classmate as his newest special representative. The group of American generals was likely to fly to Moscow at the end of next week to discuss the peace plan with the Kremlin, US sources said. To summarize: The 28-point plan leak to Axios happened on Tuesday. happened on Tuesday. Witkoff texting immediately that K was the leaker. On Wednesday Reuters reports that Kellogg is leaving in January. reports that Kellogg is leaving in January. On Thursday The Hill reports that the White House gave no detail about his leaving. reports that the White House gave no detail about his leaving. Senior US officials obfuscate the issue in the NY Post by claiming that Witkoffs K meant Kirill Dmitriov. by claiming that Witkoffs K meant Kirill Dmitriov. On Friday The Guardian says that Kelloggs job and title have already been handed over to someone else. I will bet a 100 in any currency that it was Kellogg who had leaked the plan. Witkoff complained about it to Trump (or Vance). Kellogg got fired with immediate effect. His replacement is already in. Anonymous claims that Kellogg is leaving for other reasons are obfuscations (by Kellogg himself?) and wrong. Yesterday Dan Driscol, Kelloggs replacement, was already briefing European ambassadors in Kiev: The US army secretary Dan Driscoll briefed ambassadors from Nato nations at a meeting in Kyiv late on Friday, after talks with Zelenskyy and taking a phone call from the White House. No deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later, he told them, according to one person who was present. The mood in the room was sombre, with several European ambassadors questioning the content of the deal and the way in which the US had conducted the negotiations with Russia without keeping allies informed. It was a nightmare meeting. It was the you have no cards argument again, said the source, referring to Trumps claim that Zelenskyy had no cards to play, during a contentious White House meeting back in February. Alastair Crooke, who has personal experience in hardcore diplomacy, thinks that the 28-point plan is part of an escalation to press Russia into making concessions: This set of proposals is not likely to be accepted by the Europeans, Russia or even Zelensky. Their purpose is to dictate a completely new start-point to any negotiation. Any Russian concessions stipulated in the text will be pocketed by the US, whilst the rug will be pulled on Russias stated principles. The pressures on Russia will escalate. In fact, escalation has already begun. Coinciding with publication of the proposals, four long-range US-supplied and targeted ATACMS were fired deep into Russian pre-2014 territory at Voronezh, which is where Russias over-the-horizon strategic radars are situated. All were shot down, and Russian Iksander missiles immediately destroyed the launch platforms and killed the 10 launch operators. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has threatened yet more sanctions for Russia, and Trump has indicated that he is ok with Senator Lindsay Grahams 500% sanctions proposal for those trading with Russia provided that he, Trump, has complete discretion over the new sanctions package. The overall aim to these proposals clearly is to corner Putin, and push him off his fundamental principles such as his insistence on eliminating the root causes to the conflict, and not just the symptoms. There is no hint in this paper of any recognition of root causes [expansion of NATO and missile emplacements] beyond the vague promise of a dialogue [that] will be conducted between Russia and NATO, mediated by the United States, to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation, thereby ensuring global security and increasing opportunities for cooperation and future economic development. Blah, blah, blah. It seems that escalation is ahead. Russia will need to consider how to militarily deter the US effectively, yet without starting up the steps of the escalatory ladder to WW3 Comments In the old days By Zaldy Dandan Variety Editor WHEN I first arrived on Saipan 32 years ago, there were still plenty of flights to and from the island, including a direct Manila-Saipan service. The flight schedules were normal. The Continental plane I boarded at the Manila airport that Saturday left at 12 noon and arrived here at about 5:30 p.m. (A three-and-a-half-hour flight plus the two-hour difference.) Before stamping my passport, the local immigration officer made a joke about my local surname which I didnt get while the customs officer appeared amused or bemused at the sight of the books in my brand-new luggage, which I had bought at SM Cubao the night before. At the Saipan airport, an employee of my new employer picked me up and drove me to his apartment in Garapan, where I had supper (Calrose rice and corned beef) while watching a Philippine newscast that I had seen exactly a week earlier in Manila. At the time, the only live channels were CNN and the local cable newscasts. In those days, there were several local newspapers, only one of which Marianas Variety was published Monday to Friday. The others were Saipan-Guam Balita, Marianas Review, Pacific Star, Saipan Tribune (still owned by Larry Hillblom), Pacific Chronicle, Voices, and the rag I would edit, The Marianas Observer. Also providing CNMI news were the Guam-based PDN, KZMI-FM, KSAI-AM, KMCV-7 (also owned by Hillblom), and Saipan Cable TV (whose Guam-based owner hated Hillblom). Fun fact: KMCV called itself Unbeatable, while Saipan Cable TV branded its rival Uneatable. Tourism arrivals in those days increased almost every month, and most of the visitors were Japanese. Garment factories were also thriving. And, not surprisingly, so was the CNMI government. It seemed that every day, new stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and other businesses were opening their doors. The Saipan cockfight arena on Middle Road in Garapan was alive and kicking, especially on weekend nights. Beach barbecues and gatherings were a common sight. In downtown Garapan, you had to drive slowly because there were so many tourist pedestrians. The clubs closed at 2 a.m., but the drinking sessions continued elsewhere. Saipan was the island of parties and good food. D Elegance Restaurant was open 24/7, and so were Js Restaurants. The servings were enormous, and the prices customer-friendly. Hyatt and PIC had the finest and most bountiful buffet spreads. (They were not inexpensive, but worth it.) During weekends, most everyone headed to the Hotel Nikko (now Kensington) and, across from it, the La Fiesta Mall, where several stores sold clothing and other items that were generally cheaper than those available at DFS Galleria. On Sunday morning, my new co-worker took me on a round-the-island drive from Garapan to Koblerville, then to Obyan before turning north to Dandan (I finally got the immigration officers joke), and onward to Marpi. The Saipan lagoon was magnificent like a big swimming pool, I thought. I get to live and work here and get paid in U.S. dollars? On Saipan, there were only two traffic lights: one at the former Microl intersection and the other at Joeten Susupe. Later, more public roads would be widened and paved, and there would be more traffic lights. McDonalds on Middle Road had opened just the year before, as had Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. Covering the news, I would later learn, was not a hard grind. The governors office had a public information officer, and the governor himself regularly met with reporters. DPS conducted a daily media briefing, providing reporters with copies of the daily blotter. We were free to ask any questions about any cases. At the modest-looking courthouse, we were provided copies of public documents free of cost. On Capital Hill, the lawmakers offices were always open to reporters. There was plenty of news to report and plenty of media outlets to report them. As if all that wasnt enough, the first law signed by the new governor in January 1994 was the Open Government Act. I have committed this administration to clean and open government and the publics right to know, Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio stated in his transmittal letter. He said the new law will promote public knowledge and participation in government and will help prevent secretive and clandestine policy-making. I feel that it is better to have a law of this sort, and correct the problems [it may create] as we stumble into them, than not have one at all. That ranking government officials including the attorney general would not meet with reporters was unthinkable back in the day. And so were the alarming decline of the tourism industry, a 23% (!) hotel occupancy rate, the governors office not having a PIO, a four-day school week, and lawmakers whining about the criticism of ordinary citizens. Send feedback to editor@mvariety.com Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the NMI Society of Professional Journalists Best in Editorial Writing Award and the NMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/. Visited 79 times, 1 visit(s) today Incidentally, November is Education Month By Zaldy Dandan Variety Editor BOE should meet ASAP WHILE the Public School System faces its gravest financial crisis, the Board of Educations five elected members cant even hold a meeting. The last time two BOE members stopped attending meetings to prevent a quorum, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.B. 23-20 to allow a simple majority three BOE members instead of four to constitute a quorum. The Senate, however, did not act on the measure. The bill should be reintroduced, passed, and signed into law. The BOE, in any case, oversees the CNMIs largest single government entity, PSS, which is responsible for educating about 9,000 students. That two BOE members are dragging their feet on urgent issues is a bad look. It reflects poorly on the board. It does not inspire confidence. Board micromanaging, again THERE have been previous public discussions about the role of a government board, but not many of us seem to recall them. Recently, the Board of Education scheduled a meeting to discuss, among other things, prohibiting micromanagement by any individual board member. We have to ask: Is it possible that a BOE member does not know how the board should function? The boards proper role is to set the strategic direction, monitor compliance, and evaluate executive performance, while delegating day-to-day operations to the CEO or, in PSSs case, the education commissioner. This clear division aims to foster trust, accountability, efficient governance, and ultimately better organizational outcomes. The board should not micromanage PSS because micromanagement blurs the line between governance and management. It wastes the boards limited time. The board should focus on strategic oversight and policy direction rather than operational minutiae. When boards micromanage, decision-making can be delayed, opportunities missed, and organizational performance undermined. Such interference can also create operational bottlenecks, increase staff burnout, and lead to higher turnover as management feels undervalued and over-controlled. (See CUC. Better yet, see OPAs 2017 report on CUC.) If a BOE member wants to run PSS, then s/he should apply for the education commissioners post. If you cant stand the heat THE Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee on Wednesday met with Finance/Budget officials of the administration and PSS to discuss an issue about which certain senators had little or no knowledge of. The meeting can be seen on YouTube. It makes for painful viewing. First we hear a senator scolding PSS for allowing students to speak out publicly against the cost-cutting measures the school system is now implementing due to lack of adequate funding. What is the senator saying, really? That as long as they are not of voting-age yet, his constituents had no right to blame or pressure lawmakers for not appropriating the funds that PSS needs so its students can have a normal, five-days-a-week school schedule? And then theres the astonishing failure or unwillingness to comprehend why PSS had $4.9 million in lapsed funds. To prepare for a post-ARPA fiscal cliff scenario, PSS set aside the amount. But if you listen to a senator go on and on about it, you would assume that PSS was being scolded for having the foresight to save funds. Among CNMI government agencies, PSS was subjected to the heftiest budget cut, and yet lawmakers insist that they support PSS. They also say they want the (voting) public to get a full picture of PSSs financial issues, and to know whats really going on. But the public does know. The CNMI government is too big and too costly with so many redundant agencies and programs and lawmakers are not doing anything about it. Heres another thing thats really going on right now: With no adjustment to PSSs current $31 million budget, there would be furloughs. Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the NMI Society of Professional Journalists Best in Editorial Writing Award and the NMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/. Visited 231 times, 1 visit(s) today A lot of axolotls: the amphibian-themed banknote Mexicans dont want to spend Guardian The Patent Office Is About To Make Bad Patents Untouchable Electronic Frontier Foundation (Kevin W). This is a call to action. If you have any interest in patents, please read this artice and submit a comment opposting the proposed US Patent Office rule change. Massive hidden structures deep inside Earth may explain how life began ScienceDaily (Kevin W) THE ATLAS OF ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY Harvard Growth Lab (resilc) Climate/Environment China? Japan-China Row Koreas Wons real purchasing power falls to lowest since financial crisis Joongang Daily India Pakistan US quietly pushing Pakistan and Israel together Asia Times Africa South of the Border European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with suspicious travel patterns Associated Press (Kevin W) Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 GOP Clown Car MTGs full statement. It sounds as if her inability to get much done, as in have bills get considered, was a significant factor. Epstein Mamdani Our No Longer Free Press The Algorithm Accountability Acts Threat to Free Speech Reclaim the Net Economy Mr. Market is Moody AI The Bezzle Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): A special bonus from resilc who has a farm in Vermont: A bonus: Cats and Christmas pic.twitter.com/Al4RBGTaRs Science girl (@sciencegirl) November 21, 2025 Another bonus: Bruno is a savage pic.twitter.com/V1uAdDofT7 Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) November 21, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. The blistering growth of artificial intelligence investment has left many market watchers with a familiar, uneasy feeling. So as billions of dollars flow into chip makers, data centers and startups, the question on everyones mind looms are we in an AI bubble? According to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, the answer is yes but with some heavy qualifiers. Gates was quick to clarify that not all bubbles are created equal in an Oct. 28 interview on CNBC. And that from his perspective, the AI frenzy is far from tulip mania, and instead bears a much closer resemblance to the internet's nascency. Don't Miss: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse Just $0.81 a Share 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform The Profound Value of AI Tulip mania, a 17th-century speculative frenzy in the Netherlands, saw tulip bulb prices soar to astronomical levels before collapsing in spectacular fashion. The key takeaway from that historical event, Gates told CNBC, is that the underlying asset was ultimately trivial. "They were just tulips, he said. The current AI boom, however, is built on something profoundly different. "[AI] is so profound and therefore its influence is hard to overstate," he said. He pointed to the immense economic value of creating accessible, powerful intelligence, from providing medical advice and personalized tutors to accelerating drug design. This foundational potential, much like the creation of the internet, justifies the massive financial commitments, even if the path is rocky. Trending: Buffett's Secret to Wealth? Private Real EstateGet Institutional Access Yourself And the path won't always be rosy, he told CNBC. Absolutely, there are a ton of these investments that will be dead ends, he said. He pointed to some of the specific risks companies face, such as building data centers in locations with prohibitively expensive electricity or investing in a generation of computer chips that becomes obsolete before its value is fully captured. Yet, he said, for major tech companies, sitting on the sidelines is not an option. If you want to be a tech company, you dont get to say, No, lets check out of this race,' Gates said. This sentiment echoes the early days of the internet, where companies that hesitated to embrace the web were left in the dust. See Also: Wall Street's $12B Real Estate Manager Is Opening Its Doors to Individual Investors Without the Crowdfunding Middlemen Acknowledging the Real-World Headwinds The interview also touched on two significant societal pushbacks: soaring energy demands and fear of job displacement. By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies Former Presidents front row from left, George W. Bush with Laura Bush, Joe Biden with Jill Biden and former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris and Mike Pence with Karen Pence, front right, and other invited guests, are seated during the funeral for former Vice President Dick Cheney at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025 in Washington. (Matt Roarke, AP) Since they operate as a system, the system is honored each time its members are honored. And the system sees that the system is always honored. Yours truly, here I had something wonderful queued up for today, a video that revealed how even more vile and dangerous Flock cameras are. (You can watch it here if you like without my text.) But Dick Cheney recently died and even more recently was funeralated at the Washington National Cathedral, a soaring monument to what DC calls religion, a bipartisan place where murderers are praised. Requiescat. What You Need to Know 1. Dick Cheney was an actual murderer, if by murderer you mean the don who orders the hit. Among Dick Cheneys hits, a million or more formerly living now dead in Iraq. 2. Love of the Cheneys helped Kamala Harris lose. Yet there she is, front row. See image above. 3. The funeral attendance was wide and bipartisan. Not just big Democratic pols, but notables as well showed up to say farewell. Rachel Maddow and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Nearby, James Carville. (Reuters) Bottom Line: Elites and Elites Elites honor each other to keep the whole game alive. As I wrote when the first George Bush died: From lesser lights to greater, from murderers to comedians, the praise continues. As usual, the network of those who run the world we merely inhabit have nothing but respect for each other. And why not? They may pick each other off from time to time (both Saddam Hussein and Moamar Khaddafi were once in high favor), but over the long haul, keeping each member of the ruling circle in a reverential spotlight keeps them all keeps the circle itself in reverence as well. Since they operate as a system, the system is honored each time its members, no matter how deadly, are honored as well. And the system sees that the system is always honored. Elites and elites. By honoring each other, they honor eliteness itself, their place in the world. And nothings more important to elites than their place in the world. Notes 1. Some high profile figures, smarter than Harris, did not attend. (Why smarter? Harris reportedly still has White House dreams.) Barack Obama wisely declined to show, avoiding a repeat of this: Michelle Obama embraces George Bush II as Barack Obama looks on. September 2016. (Astrid Riecken / Getty Images North America / AFP) Still, he sent his regards: Although Dick Cheney and I represented very different political traditions, I respected his life-long devotion to public service and his deep love of country. Michelle and I extend our deepest condolences to his family. Devotion to public service. Elites and elites. 2. Bill Clinton also failed to appear. He even more wisely had pre-scheduled a ribbon cutting in Arkansas; Sarah Huckabee Sanders needed the help. Okay, it was actually this. But Huckabee Sanders was involved, as well as her pro-genocide dad, Trumps Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Elites and elites. 3. Its going to take more than the Mamdani of our dreams, the one we want him to be, to unseat this world. Costco recalls certain lots of two ready-to-eat deli products The Street reports that Costco pulled two ready-to-eat deli favorites after its supplier, Ventura Foods, found possible plastic bits in single-serve dressing packets. What sounds like a small mistake exposes a far bigger pattern of contamination across the U.S. food supply. Analysis reported by Food Safety Magazine shows allergens, bacteria and foreign objects now account for the vast majority of recalls, with the most serious Class I recalls rising steadily. More recalls mean more risk, more waste and more consumer anxiety. Social media comments from shoppers express frustration and retailers like Costco must balance transparency with damage control. Behind the scenes, recalls halt production, force suppliers to dump huge amounts of otherwise usable food and strain already-thin supply chains. FoodPrint notes that when a single ingredient is contaminated, entire categories of food are trashed "just in case." That precautionary approach can send tons of perfectly edible food straight to landfills, multiplying the environmental and economic toll. Shoppers checking lot numbers, using recall apps, reporting issues and understanding expiration labels can prevent illness, reduce waste and save families money. In a year when Americans waste 120 billion pounds of food, according to RTS, small habits matter more than ever. If you picked up a Caesar Salad or a Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad from Costco recently, you may have felt that familiar twinge of worry after hearing the news. On November 7, Costco and its supplier Ventura Foods issued a recall for certain lots of these deli products after learning that plastic fragments might have slipped into the dressing packets. It's the kind of alert that ruins a lunch plan and raises bigger questions. It's not just the plastic. It's the fact that recalls seem to be happening all the time. More than 300 food recalls had already been reported across the United States this year, according to publicly available Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data summarized by outlets covering national recall trends. That included everything from ahi tuna poke with Listeria contamination to pancake sticks containing wood pieces and Prosecco bottles that could shatter without warning. The Street's reporting on the latest Costco recall slotted into a pattern that's beginning to feel less like an exception and more like a "new normal." And behind that "new normal" is a story about how food is produced, how safety checks are stretched thin, how waste amounts in silence and how much power we actually have as consumers often more than we realized. A nationwide concern Foreign objects contamination sounds like a rare freak event, but it's woven into modern food production. Food safety specialists often explain that fragments of plastic, metal, wood and even glass usually come from the wear and tear of industrial equipment or from packaging materials that break down on fast-moving lanes. When machines run all day, every day, parts eventually weaken. In a small restaurant kitchen, a broken spatula is an annoyance. In a massive food processing facility producing a million units, a chipped component can send microscopic fragments into thousands of packets or containers before anyone notices. That's likely what happened at Ventura Foods, the company that supplied the dressing packets for Costco's salad kits and sandwiches. The discovery of potential plastic fragments triggered an immediate recall not because every packet contained plastic, but because no one could guarantee which ones don't. An analysis reported by Food Safety Magazine found that FDA and USDA recalls increased more than 20% between 2020 and 2023. The sharpest rise occurred in Class I recalls the most serious category, involving risks that could cause illness or worse. The primary causes fall into these four categories that food scientists often highlight: Allergens : The top cause of food recalls, representing nearly 40% of cases. A missing allergen warning can turn a candy, cookie or sauce into a dangerous product for millions living with food allergies. : The top cause of food recalls, representing nearly 40% of cases. A missing allergen warning can turn a candy, cookie or sauce into a dangerous product for millions living with food allergies. Bacteria : About 21% of recalls come from pathogens like E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, which can be invisible but dangerous. : About 21% of recalls come from pathogens like E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, which can be invisible but dangerous. Foreign objects or materials : Roughly 11%, including plastic, metal, wood and glass fragments even rocks or stones. : Roughly 11%, including plastic, metal, wood and glass fragments even rocks or stones. Chemical contamination: Less common but serious, such as sulfites in sauces or in some cases, lead-contaminated ingredients. Modern supply chains are part of the problem. Food today is highly centralized: One facility can produce ready-to-eat means for half the country. That efficiency is a double-edged sword. When something goes wrong, it goes wrong everywhere at once. Federal oversight is crucial, but it faces limitations. The FDA and USDA regulate enormous numbers of farms, processors and distribution centers. Food safety advocates often point out that staffing and resources haven't always kept pace with the complexity of the modern food system. Inspectors do catch problems but routine inspections can't cover every shift, every line, every moment. The waste we don't see One of the quietest consequences of recalls is food waste. FoodPrint has reported that a single recall can cause enormous amounts of perfectly good food to be trashed "just in case." While the contaminated portion may be small, the uncertainty around distribution and production forces companies to dispose of entire lots. The U.S. is expected to waste nearly 120 billion pounds of food this year almost 40% of the national food supply. Food waste generates methane, uses up vast amounts of water and energy and deepens the climate challenges the world is already facing. Food recalls contribute only a portion, but their impact is concentrated and highly visible. Every time a food recall happens, we lose not just the food itself but the resources poured into growing, processing, transporting and storing it. Experts emphasize that small, consistent habits make a big difference. Stay recall-aware by checking updates from FDA and USDA or by using apps designed to track food alerts and recalls. by checking updates from FDA and USDA or by using apps designed to track food alerts and recalls. Check for lot numbers and dates on ready-to-eat items and prepared foods. on ready-to-eat items and prepared foods. Handle food safety at home by washing produce, storing perishables properly and keeping utensils and surfaces clean. by washing produce, storing perishables properly and keeping utensils and surfaces clean. Report issues if you find a foreign object or suspect contamination. One report can help prevent someone from getting sick. if you find a foreign object or suspect contamination. One report can help prevent someone from getting sick. Understand labels ; knowing that "best by" usually refers to quality, not safety. ; knowing that "best by" usually refers to quality, not safety. Reduce waste through composting, meal planning and avoiding unnecessary panic discarding when a recall does not apply to the items you own. "You don't have to overhaul your life, you just have to stay informed and attentive. In an era when convenience foods are staples of busy lives, the simple act of paying attention to what enters your cart and your kitchen is one of the most powerful health decisions you can make," BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. Learn more about how foreign objects cause food recalls by watching this video. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheStreet.com Food-Safety.com FoodPrint.org RTS.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Mind-reading AI breakthrough: Scientists decode thoughts without brain implants, but privacy concerns mount Researchers have developed AI that translates brain activity (via fMRI scans) into readable text without implants, raising concerns about mental privacy erosion and unprecedented surveillance. While the tech could help nonverbal patients (ALS, locked-in syndrome), it also risks exposing private thoughts, early dementia signs or depressionpotentially exploited by governments or corporations. Experts warn of unauthorized thought extraction, urging strict protections like "mental keyword" activation to prevent abuse. Without safeguards, this could become the ultimate tool for mass control. Companies like Neuralink are advancing brain-computer interfaces, accelerating the risk of AI-powered thought surveillance under the guise of "innovation." As AI improves, real-time mind-reading becomes feasible, threatening free will, autonomy and the last frontier of privacy our inner thoughts. In a stunning leap toward science fiction becoming reality, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and Japan's NTT Communication Science Laboratories have developed artificial intelligence (AI) capable of translating brain activity into readable text without invasive implants. The technology, dubbed "mind-captioning," uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans and AI to reconstruct thoughts with surprising accuracy, raising both hopes for medical breakthroughs and alarms over unprecedented privacy invasions. As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, fMRI is a powerful neuroimaging technique that allows researchers and clinicians to map brain activity by detecting associated changes in blood flow. The decentralized engine adds that fMRI is a valuable tool for investigating brain function and has numerous applications in research and clinical settings. However, it is essential to approach fMRI data and results with a critical eye, acknowledging its limitations and the challenges in interpreting its outputs. The system relies on deep learning models trained to interpret neural patterns linked to visual and semantic processing. In experiments, participants watched thousands of short video clips while undergoing fMRI scans. An AI model analyzed these scans alongside written captions of the videos, learning to associate brain activity with specific meanings. When tested, the AI decoded brain activity into descriptive sentences. For example, after a participant viewed a video of someone jumping off a waterfall, the system initially guessed "spring flow" before refining its output to "a person jumps over a deep water fall on a mountain ridge." While not word-for-word perfect, the semantic resemblance was striking. Tomoyasu Horikawa, lead researcher at NTT Communication Science Laboratories, explained that the AI generates text by matching brain activity patterns to learned sequences of numbers derived from video captions. Horikawa said this method can "create comprehensive descriptions of visual content, even without relying on language-related brain regions," suggesting potential use for patients with speech impairments. Medical promise vs. privacy peril The technology could revolutionize communication for individuals with conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), locked-in syndrome, or severe aphasia. Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, unaffiliated with the study, called it a "profound intervention" for nonverbal individuals. However, ethicists warn of dire consequences if such power is misused. Marcello Ienca, an AI and neuroscience ethics professor at Technical University of Munich, cautioned, "If we get there, then we need to have very, very strict rules when it comes to granting access to people's minds and brains." He highlighted risks of exposing sensitive mental data, including early signs of dementia or depression. Currently, the system requires extensive cooperation: Participants must undergo hours of fMRI scans while viewing curated content. UC Berkeley's Alex Huth reassured skeptics, stating, "Nobody has shown you can do that, yet," regarding unauthorized thought extraction. But the word "yet" lingers ominously. The study acknowledges ethical dilemmas, particularly around "mental privacy." ?ukasz Szoszkiewicz, a neurorights expert, urged preemptive safeguards: "Neuroscience is moving fast, and the assistive potential is hugebut mental privacy and freedom of thought protections can't wait." Proposed solutions include "unlock" mechanisms where users consciously activate decoding with a mental keyword. Horikawa emphasized limitations the AI struggles with unusual or unpredictable imagery (e.g., "a man biting a dog"). Still, as AI models grow more sophisticated, the line between assistive tool and invasive surveillance blurs. Elon Musk's Neuralink and other neurotech firms are racing toward consumer brain-computer interfaces. With AI advancing rapidly, the risk of corporate or governmental misuse escalates. Ienca warned, "This is the ultimate privacy challenge." For now, the technology remains confined to labs, dependent on bulky MRI machines and willing participants. But as computational demands shrink and AI grows sharper, the specter of real-time thought surveillance looms. While mind-captioning offers life-changing potential for the speech-impaired, its darker implications cannot be ignored. The same tools that unlock communication could also dismantle the last bastion of privacy: our inner thoughts. As Szoszkiewicz stressed, "We should treat neural data as sensitive by default." The question isn't whether this technology will evolve. It's whether humanity can control it before it controls us. Watch this video about Big Tech companies already having mind-reading technology that they haven't announced yet. This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: DNYUZ.com Tech.Yahoo.com Edition.CNN.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Texas secures $41.5 million settlement from Pfizer and Tris Pharma for knowingly poisoning kids with an adulterated ADHD drug For the parents of a child with ADHD, the daily ritual of administering medication is often a delicate balance, a tightrope walk between managing symptoms and navigating side effects. They place their trust in a systema doctors prescription, a pharmacists dispensation, and the fundamental integrity of the drug makerbelieving that the capsule or liquid will deliver what it promises. But what if the drug maker altered the testing methods to hide the drug's flaws and skirt regulatory scrutiny? This is the case with Pfizer and Tris Pharma, two drug makers who put vulnerable children at risk while defrauding taxpayers with bogus testing methods. Key points: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a $41.5 million settlement from Pfizer and Tris Pharma over the ADHD drug Quillivant XR. The lawsuit alleged the companies knowingly sold an "adulterated" drug to children on Medicaid from 2012 to 2018, despite it consistently failing quality control tests. The companies are accused of repeatedly altering testing methods to hide the drug's flaws and ensure it passed regulatory scrutiny. Internal and federal warnings about the drug's compromised effectiveness were allegedly ignored, and the state Medicaid program was never alerted. The case was initially brought by a whistleblower, a former Tris Pharma executive. This is part of a broader boldness of legal action by Paxton's office against major pharmaceutical companies. The hidden flaws in the formula The central figure in this legal drama is Quillivant XR, a liquid stimulant medication designed to help children with ADHD manage their symptoms. For a drug like this, consistency is everything. Its formulation must ensure a controlled release of the active ingredient, methylphenidate, to provide stable symptom control throughout a school day. The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Paxton in November 2023 alleges that for six years, Quillivant XR was anything but consistent. From 2012 to 2018, the drug exhibited a pattern of failing critical quality control tests, specifically those related to its dissolution ratea key factor in how the medication is absorbed and functions in a child's body. Rather than addressing the root cause of these failures, the complaint claims Tris Pharma, the manufacturer, and Pfizer, the marketer of the drug, engaged in a deliberate campaign of concealment. They are accused of continually manipulating the drug's testing methodology, a technical but crucial sleight of hand that ensured Quillivant would meet regulatory requirements on paper while masking its underlying deficiencies. This was not a one-time error but a sustained practice of fraud, a shadow operation running parallel to the official manufacturing process. The lawsuit portrays this as a direct violation of federal and state laws, a fraud designed to keep a flawed product on the market. The human impact of this alleged deception was profound. During these years, families and doctors across Texas reported that the medication seemed to fail in its primary purpose, leaving children struggling with symptoms they believed were being managed. All the while, the companies reportedly possessed internal data and faced federal warnings pointing directly to the manufacturing problems that could cause this very lack of efficacy. A whistleblower's call and a system's failure Tarik Ahmed, who served as Tris Pharmas head of technology from 2013 to 2017, stepped into the role of whistleblower, bringing forward the allegations that would eventually form the backbone of the states lawsuit. His account provided a crucial window into the internal practices at the manufacturing plant, detailing how the testing protocols were allegedly altered to sidestep the drug's persistent quality issues. This act of disclosure highlights the immense pressure that can exist within industries to maintain product lines and revenue streams, even when the integrity of the product itself is in question. The regulatory landscape in this story also comes under scrutiny. In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration delivered a damning assessment to Pfizer, informing the company that Quillivant had been "adulterated starting in 2012 and continuing into 2018." The FDA cited specifically the deficient manufacturing practices that affected the drug's dissolution. Despite this clear and unequivocal warning from the nation's primary drug safety regulator, the states complaint asserts that neither Pfizer nor Tris Pharma alerted the Texas Medicaid program. This silence had significant consequences. Texas Medicaid, unaware of the known issues, continued to reimburse for the drug, and its approved status within the program even became a selling point for the companies. The result, as stated in the legal filing, was that "thousands of Texas children received an adulterated Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance." For families relying on this treatment, the system of checks and balances had failed them at multiple levels, from the factory floor to the highest echelons of corporate management and into the regulatory channels meant to be their safeguard. The Texas Attorney General's pharmaceutical crusade For Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Quillivant settlement is not an isolated event but rather a prominent victory in a widening campaign against the pharmaceutical industry. His office has positioned itself as a persistent challenger to some of the world's largest drugmakers, alleging various forms of misconduct that impact Texas citizens. In a statement that leaves little room for ambiguity, Paxton declared, "I will never back down from taking on the biggest corporations in the world that deceive and take advantage of Texans. 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. Under my watch, Big Pharma will not escape justice for lying about the effectiveness of its drugs." This assertive stance is reflected in a series of high-profile lawsuits. Just months before the Pfizer-Tris settlement, Paxtons office sued Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, alleging they misled pregnant women about the safety of Tylenol. Prior to that, Eli Lilly was targeted with a lawsuit accusing the company of bribing doctors to prescribe its lucrative drugs, including the diabetes and weight-loss medication Mounjaro. Even Pfizer faced a separate suit from Paxton regarding its COVID-19 vaccine, accused of making deceptive claims and attempting to silence critics. This pattern of litigation signals a clear and aggressive strategy from the Texas Attorney Generals office, one that treats the pharmaceutical industry as a primary arena for legal and regulatory confrontation. The $41.5 million settlement, while allowing the companies to deny any liability, represents a tangible outcome from this approach, recouping taxpayer funds, and imposing a legal mandate on the companies to adhere to manufacturing laws. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org OAG.State.Texas.com Enoch, Brighteon.ai Trump administration accelerates dismantling of Education Department, shifts key programs to other agencies The Trump administration has begun dismantling the Department of Education (ED), transferring key programs (including Title I funding for low-income schools) to agencies like Labor, HHS and Interior. This move aligns with decades of Republican opposition to the ED, which conservatives argue promotes "woke indoctrination" and duplicates state efforts. The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 has long advocated for its abolition. Supporters claim it reduces bureaucracy and empowers local control, while educators warn of chaos, citing risks to Title I, special education and civil rights enforcement. The ED retains oversight of student loans, disability programs and civil rights enforcementthough Secretary Linda McMahon hints these may also be transferred later. The ED has been controversial since its creation in 1979 under Carter. Reagan sought its abolition, and Trump's actions mark the culmination of conservative efforts to decentralize education policy. The Trump administration took a major step toward its long-promised goal of dismantling the federal Department of Education (ED) this week, announcing the transfer of several key education programs to other agencies. Education Secretary Linda McMahon outlined the plan in a Fox News appearance, framing it as a move to reduce federal bureaucracy and return control to states. The restructuring follows years of conservative criticism of the ED as an overreach of federal power, dating back to its creation in 1979. While proponents argue this shift empowers local decision-making, critics warn it could disrupt funding for vulnerable student populations. Breaking up the federal education bureaucracy The ED signed six new interagency agreements (IAAs) with the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of State, redistributing billions in grant programs. Most notably, DOL will now oversee major K-12 funding streams, including Title I, a program providing $18 billion annually to schools serving low-income students. Adult education programs had already been transferred to DOL in June, signaling the administrations broader strategy. "Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission," McMahon said in a statement. She emphasized that the changes would "refocus education on students, families and schools" while maintaining federal funding levels. However, Rhode Island's K-12 education chief, Angelica Infante-Green, expressed concerns: "People might think it's just funding and giving them the money, but it's not. It is about how to co-mingle some of the funds to educate a child holistically." What staysand what goes The ED retains control over its $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio, civil rights enforcement and programs for students with disabilitiesthough McMahon has suggested even these could eventually shift. Meanwhile, HHS will manage grants for college students who are parents, State will take foreign language programs and DOI will oversee Native American education initiatives. White House spokeswoman Liz Huston framed the move as fulfilling Trump's campaign pledge: "The Democrat shutdown made one thing unmistakably clear: students and teachers don't need Washington bureaucrats micromanaging their classrooms." The administration has long argued that the ED duplicates state efforts, citing the government shutdown as proof that schools function without federal oversight. Historical context and opposition According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, ED was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter as a federal cabinet position, centralizing control over education policy and undermining local autonomy, despite opposition from figures like Ronald Reagan, who warned against its overreach. Meanwhile, conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation have labeled it a vehicle for "woke indoctrination." Critics, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), warn that scattering ED functions risks destabilizing programs. "That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies," said AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman. Educators fear disruptions to Title I and special education funding, which rely on ED expertise. The Trump administration's latest move signals a decisive shift toward decentralizing education policy, with McMahon calling it a step toward the ED's "final mission." While supporters celebrate reduced federal influence, opponents question whether other agencies can seamlessly absorb complex programs serving millions of students. The debate over the ED's futureand the role of Washington in educationremains fiercely contested. Watch the video below where McMahon announced the layoff of ED employees. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com ED.gov FoxNews.com APNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com A judicial firestorm erupts over Texas redistricting A federal court panel blocked Texas' new congressional map, ruling it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The dissenting judge condemned the majority's decision as "judicial activism" that disrupts the state's electoral process. Texas officials plan an immediate appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing the map was drawn for partisan gain, not racial discrimination. The legal battle stems from a mid-decade redistricting effort initiated after a Justice Department letter challenged certain districts. The ruling creates immediate uncertainty for the 2026 election cycle, forcing candidates to recalibrate their campaigns. In a ruling with profound national implications, a federal court has thrown Texas' upcoming congressional elections into disarray by striking down the state's newly drawn political map. The 2-1 decision on November 18, which declared the redistricting plan an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, prompted a scorching dissent from the panel's minority judge, who accused his colleagues of a "blatant exercise of judicial activism." The immediate fallout has forced candidates to abandon their campaigns, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed a swift appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal showdown that will influence the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. The majority's rationale: Race over politics The majority opinion, penned by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown, concluded that the Texas Legislature, when it redrew the state's 38 congressional districts during a special session in August 2025, was improperly motivated by race. Judge Brown pointed to a July 7, 2025, letter from the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division as the catalyst for the entire process. The letter asserted that four of Texas' congressional districts were potentially unconstitutional because they were "coalition districts"majority-non-White districts where no single racial group constituted a majority. The DOJ threatened legal action if the state did not redraw them. According to the court's majority, this DOJ directive caused Texas officials to explicitly frame their redistricting goal in racial terms. Governor Abbott, in adding redistricting to the special session agenda, "explicitly directed the Legislature to draw a new U.S. House map to resolve the DOJs concerns," Judge Brown wrote. He noted that the governor and other senior lawmakers repeatedly "disavowed any partisan objective" in public statements, instead focusing on the racial composition of the districts. This evidence, the majority found, demonstrated that race was the predominant factor in the map's design, a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. A fiery dissent and the specter of judicial overreach In a 104-page dissent filed on November 19, Judge Jerry E. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit launched a comprehensive assault on the majority's reasoning and timing. He labeled the ruling "the most blatant exercise of judicial activism that I have ever witnessed," arguing that it improperly second-guessed the legislature's intent. Judge Smith contended that the "obvious reason" for the mid-decade redistricting was "partisan gain," which the U.S. Supreme Court has previously held is a political question beyond the reach of federal courts. Judge Smith also criticized the court for its haste, suggesting it should have waited for the Supreme Court to rule in an upcoming case, Louisiana v. Callais, which could reshape voting-rights jurisprudence. He argued that issuing an injunction so close to key election deadlinescandidate filing had already begun"turns the Texas electoral and political landscape upside down." The practical effect, he warned, was to create chaos for candidates and voters alike, all based on a legal rationale he believes is deeply flawed and likely to be overturned. A national redistricting war escalates The Texas case is not occurring in a vacuum; it represents one front in a broader national conflict over political mapmaking. Just weeks before the Texas ruling, California voters approved Proposition 50, a measure championed by Governor Gavin Newsom that authorized the state's legislature to draw a new congressional map designed to counter the expected Republican gains from Texas' redistricting. The U.S. Department of Justice has since sued California, alleging its plan is also an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Judge Smith explicitly referenced this parallel fight in his dissent, stating, "The main winners from Judge Browns opinion are George Soros and Gavin Newsom. The obvious losers are the People of Texas and the Rule of Law." This tit-for-tat redistricting underscores the high political stakes. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the U.S. House, and the Texas map was projected to increase the GOP's share of the state's congressional seats from 25 to as many as 30. The court's decision to revert to the 2021 map for the 2026 election preserves the status quo, dealing a significant, if temporary, blow to national Republican strategy. The immediate political fallout in Texas The ruling has sent shockwaves through the Texas political establishment, forcing a rapid and dramatic recalibration of campaign strategies. Democratic incumbents who faced being drawn into the same districts or retirement now find themselves back in their familiar constituencies. For example, Austin Democrats Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett, who had been on a collision course under the new map, announced they would now run for reelection in their separate current districts. Meanwhile, Republican candidates who had filed to run in newly favorable districts now face the prospect of much more competitive races. The state's appeal to the Supreme Court is now the only path to reinstating the 2025 map before the December 8 filing deadline. A pivotal appeal looms for the Supreme Court With Governor Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton announcing an immediate appeal, the focus now shifts to the U.S. Supreme Court. The state's argument will likely hinge on the claim that the lower court erred in its factual findings and that the legislature's primary intent was permissible partisan gain, not unconstitutional racial discrimination. The appeal presents the high court with an urgent and politically charged test of its voting-rights jurisprudence. The outcome will not only determine the electoral landscape in Texas for the next critical cycle but will also set a powerful precedent for the limits of judicial intervention in the inherently political process of redistricting, with ramifications that will echo across the country. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com Justice.gov TexasTribune.org Bush dynasty quietly plots Republican Party comeback as Trump era comes to a close Behind the scenes, George W. Bush and his network are preparing to regain control of the Republican Party once Trump exits. Insiders suggest a long-term strategy to dismantle Trumpism and restore traditional GOP leadership, possibly with a Bush-aligned 2028 presidential candidate. Trump has openly mocked George W. Bush, calling him an "ungrateful b*****d" and relocating White House portraits of Bush Sr. and Jr. The divide stems from Trump's rejection of Bush-era neoconservatism, particularly the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Former Bush officials argue Trump's "leniency" toward Putin created global instability, blaming his reliance on "yes men" over experienced advisors. Despite Trump's grip on the GOP base, recent polls show Bush's approval (52%) surpassing Trump's (48%). Jonathan Bush (George W.'s cousin) is eyeing a 2026 Maine gubernatorial run as a potential stepping stone to higher office. Anti-Trump factions (like The Lincoln Project) and Nikki Haley's failed 2024 bid hint at a looming battle for the GOP's future. With Trump term-limited in 2028, the GOP faces a choice: return to Bush-era establishment control or remain under Trumpism's influence. Karl Rove warns Trump's policies risk alienating voters, setting the stage for a possible Bush resurgence or their final fade into history. Behind the scenes of his tranquil Texas ranch life, former President George W. Bush and his allies are reportedly maneuvering to reclaim control of the Republican Party once incumbent President Donald Trump exits the political stage. The Daily Mail reports that whispers of a "Bush exile" ending have intensified among GOP insiders, with a shadow network of Bush loyalists waiting to reassert influence once Trump is no longer a factor. Sources close to the Bush family suggest a long-term strategy to dismantle Trumpism and restore the party's traditional leadership an effort that could culminate in a 2028 presidential bid by a new Bush-aligned candidate. Though Bush himself has avoided direct criticism of Trump, former aides express frustration over his reluctance to publicly challenge the former presidents dominance. Meanwhile, Trump's own disdain for the 43rd president remains palpable evidenced by his 2021 remark calling Bush an "ungrateful b*****d" and his recent decision to relocate White House portraits of Bush and his father, George H.W. Bush (1924-2018), to a secluded stairwell. The rift between Trump and the Bush dynasty runs deeper than personal animosity. Trump's 2016 takeover of the GOP hinged on rejecting Bush-era neoconservatism, particularly the costly "forever wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet Bush loyalists argue that Trump's foreign policy particularly his perceived leniency toward Russian President Vladimir Putin has backfired, leaving global instability in its wake. One former Bush official told the Daily Mail, that "Putin feels he has a free hand now," blaming Trump's reliance on "yes men" rather than seasoned advisors. Can the Bush dynasty outlast Trumpism in 2028? Despite Trump's grip on the GOP base, cracks are emerging. Recent polls show Bush's approval rating (52%) surpassing Trump's (48%) among Americans, while Trump's management approval among Republicans has dipped from 81% in March to 68%. Meanwhile, the former president's public image has softened into that of an avuncular elder statesman, painting in his Dallas studio and hosting wounded veterans at his annual W100K mountain bike ride. The Bush family's political ambitions may hinge on a new generation. Jonathan Bush, a 56-year-old tech entrepreneur and cousin of George W. and Jeb Bush, is preparing a 2026 gubernatorial run in Maine a potential springboard for higher office. If successful, he would become the third Bush to govern a state, following in the footsteps of George W. (Texas) and Jeb (Florida). Yet his campaign faces hurdles, including past allegations of domestic disputes during his divorce, which he has acknowledged as "regrettable incidents." Both George W. and Jeb were also on the receiving end of Trump's remarks. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, Trump criticized Jeb as "low energy" during the 2016 election campaign to highlight his perceived lack of vigor and charisma, undermining his political image. The phrase was a calculated, memorable jab designed to stick with voters and weaken the former Florida governor's campaign. The broader Republican landscape remains fractured. After the Jan. 6 false-flag Capitol riot, scores of Bush-era officials defected to anti-Trump groups like The Lincoln Project, creating a potential infrastructure for a post-Trump revival. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's failed 2024 primary bid, backed by Bush allies, offered a preview of this struggle one that may resurface in 2028 when Trump is constitutionally barred from a third term. As Karl Rove, Bush's longtime strategist, recently warned in the Wall Street Journal, Trump's tariff policies and foreign entanglements risk alienating voters. "They'll blame Donald Trump and his Republican Party," Rove wrote, emphasizing the word "his." For now, the Bush dynasty bides its time. But as the real estate mogul's exit nears, the GOP's future may hinge on whether the party reverts to its old guard or remains firmly in the grip of Trumpism. The 2028 election could answer that question and determine whether the Bushes emerge from exile or fade into history. Watch Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as he discusses ending the Bush dynasty in the Lone Star State below. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Breitbart.com DailyMail.co.uk WIBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Whistleblower reveals CIA boasted about deceiving Congress in JFK assassination probe Former CIA-State Department historian Thomas Pearcy claims to have discovered a classified inspector general's report detailing how the CIA misled the 1970s House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) by providing sanitized files about Lee Harvey Oswald's activities in Mexico City. The original files allegedly contained surveillance photos and film of Oswaldevidence the CIA has long denied possessingincluding references to "Oswald in Mexico" on a film canister and mentions of 2,300 photographs that could reshape understanding of Oswald's pre-assassination movements. This aligns with previous allegations that the CIA concealed key information, including the role of agent George Joannides, who monitored Oswald and later misled investigatorsraising suspicions of agency involvement in obstructing the truth. Despite the 2017 release of some JFK documents under President Trump, many remain redacted or withheld. Researchers and lawmakers, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), continue pushing for full transparency. Six decades later, the CIA's alleged obstruction reinforces distrust in official narratives, fueling demands for full disclosure to resolve one of America's most enduring conspiracy theories. For decades, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has been shrouded in mystery, with persistent doubts surrounding the official narrative that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Now, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)-Department of State historian has come forward with explosive claims that the agency deliberately misled congressional investigatorsand even bragged about it in an internal report. Thomas Pearcy, now a history professor at Slippery Rock University, told Axios that while working in a secure CIA facility in 2009, he stumbled upon a classified inspector general's report detailing how intelligence officials misled the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) during its late-1970s probe into Kennedy's murder. The document allegedly contained a 1978 memo in which a CIA officer boasted about presenting sanitized files to HSCA chief counsel Robert Blakey, obscuring key details about Oswald's activities in Mexico City weeks before the assassination. A deliberate cover-up? Pearcy described the report as a "blueprint of a cover-up, how to lie to Congress and the American people." According to his account, CIA officers provided Blakey with heavily redacted versions of investigative files from the agency's Mexico City Station, where Oswald had visited the Cuban and Soviet embassies in September 1963. The originals allegedly contained surveillance photos and film, which the CIA has long denied possessing. The whistleblower recalled seeing references to "Oswald in Mexico" on a film canister, as well as mentions of four Hasselblad cameras and 2,300 photographsevidence that, if confirmed, could reshape the historical understanding of Oswald's movements before Nov. 22, 1963. The HSCA ultimately concluded that Kennedy was "probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy"but without identifying other conspirators. Pearcy's revelation suggests the CIA may have actively obstructed that investigation. A pattern of deception This is not the first time the CIA has faced allegations of withholding JFK assassination records. Jefferson Morley, a historian and editor of "JFK Facts," has long argued that the agency engaged in systematic deceptionincluding concealing the role of agent George Joannides, who monitored Oswald before the assassination and later misled the HSCA. In 2017, President Donald Trump ordered the release of thousands of classified JFK documents, but many remain redacted or withheld. The CIA has stated it is "committed to full transparency," yet Pearcy's account raises new questions about what else remains hidden. Why this matters today The JFK assassination remains one of America's most enduring conspiracy theories precisely because of the government's opacity. If Pearcy's claims are verified, they would confirm long-held suspicions that intelligence agencies manipulated the investigationnot just to protect sources and methods, but to obscure potential involvement in the plot. With the 62nd anniversary of Kennedy's death approaching, researchers and lawmakersincluding Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who has pushed for further declassificationare renewing calls for full disclosure. "This document should have been released a long time ago," Morley said. BrightU.AI's Enoch notes that the JFK assassination in Dallas, Texas, was officially blamed on Oswald, a supposed "lone gunman." However, as reported, evidence overwhelmingly points to a Deep State conspiracy involving intelligence agencies, rogue government factions and powerful globalists who saw JFK as a threat to their control. As the CIA searches for the report Pearcy described, one thing is clear: The truth about JFK's assassination remains as elusive as everand the government's credibility hangs in the balance. Watch the video below where JFK Jr. reveals shocking JFK details. This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com Axios.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com A new strain emerges: First human case of H5N5 bird flu hospitalizes Washington patient A Washington state resident has been hospitalized, marking the first confirmed human infection globally with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza. The patient, who has underlying health conditions, owned a backyard poultry flock and had contact with wild birds, which is the most likely source of the infection. Health officials state there is no current evidence that H5N5 is more transmissible or severe than other bird flu strains and consider the immediate public health risk to be low. The case demonstrates the virus' capacity to evolve and reassort unexpectedly, causing serious illness in humans through new genetic combinations. While this is an isolated case, it underscores the persistent threat that avian flu viruses could evolve to spread efficiently between humans, potentially causing a devastating pandemic. In a development that has caught the attention of virologists and public health officials, a Washington state resident is severely ill and hospitalized with a strain of bird flu never before confirmed in humans. The case, confirmed by state health officials, marks a new, albeit expected, turn in the ongoing global avian influenza outbreak. As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, avian influenza is a disease found in birds, with most strains not affecting humans. However, certain strains like H5N1 are highly dangerous, capable of causing severe disease in birds and other animals with very high mortality rates. The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized in early November after exhibiting symptoms of a high fever, confusion and severe breathing difficulties. After initial treatment in Grays Harbor County, the individual was transferred to a specialized hospital in King County for a higher level of care. Laboratory tests delivered a significant finding: the patient was infected with the H5N5 strain of avian influenza. Until now, all human cases where the strain could be identified have been linked to H5N1. The appearance of H5N5 in a human demonstrates the "unpredictable" evolution of the virus, as one expert noted. This case is the first human bird flu infection detected in the United States in at least eight months and the first in Washington state this year. Despite the novelty of the strain, officials were quick to temper public concern. Dr. Beth Lipton, the state's public health veterinarian, clarified in a press conference, "[H5N5] is not a new strain or completely new virus. It is just the first time we know of that it has infected a person." Health authorities stress there is currently no evidence that H5N5 is more infectious or causes more severe disease in humans than other avian flu strains. The investigation points to a likely source close to home. The patient owns a mixed backyard flock of domestic poultry and had contact with wild birds before falling ill. Officials revealed that two birds from the flock died from an unidentified illness several weeks ago, though the rest currently remain healthy. Human infection typically occurs through exposure to saliva, droppings or the carcasses of infected birds. It's not H5N1, it's H5N5 Officials have conducted contact tracing and tested symptomatic individuals who were near the patient. No further cases had been detected. However, the event has sparked serious discussion among scientists about the fluid nature of the threat. Dr. Angela Rasmussen, a virologist in Canada, warned on the social media platform X, "It's not H5N1, it's H5N5, but that isn't a relief to me. It's a reassortment that put someone in the hospital. This is unpredictable." This sentiment exists alongside a more measured perspective from other experts. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist in Tennessee, told Newsweek, "Infection with H5N5 bird flu virus likely is a rare one-off event that does not have widespread implications for the general public." Since the massive bird flu outbreak began in January 2022, the U.S. has recorded 71 human infections and one death. The virus has decimated bird populations, affecting an estimated 174 million wild and domestic birds and spilling over into more than 1,000 dairy herds. The recent impact on seven million farmed birds, including 1.3 million turkeys, has even raised concerns about holiday supply. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains that the current public health risk is low. In an online statement, the agency said it is "watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures." Yet, the emergence of H5N5 serves as a stark reminder of the virus's capacity to adapt. As health officials monitor this single case, the broader, lingering concern articulated by global bodies remains: that a flu strain could evolve to spread efficiently among humans, a scenario with the potential to cause a pandemic with devastating consequences. For now, the watchful waiting continues. Watch this video to learn more about the bird flu virus. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightU.ai DailyMail.co.uk Newsweek.com Brighteon.com A digital reprieve: Mexico backs away from regulating religious speech online The Mexican government has withdrawn a controversial bill that would have regulated religious speech on digital platforms. The proposal, introduced in October 2025, faced immediate and fierce backlash from Catholic and Evangelical leaders. Critics argued the law would create a state-controlled "censorship regime" and violate constitutional freedoms. Following a meeting with religious groups, the ruling party lawmaker sponsoring the bill agreed to withdraw it. The incident highlights ongoing global tensions between government regulation of online content and fundamental freedoms. In a significant victory for free speech advocates, the Mexican government has abruptly withdrawn a legislative proposal that would have granted state agencies the power to regulate religious content on social media and digital platforms. The initiative, introduced by a lawmaker from the ruling leftist Morena party in late October 2025, was scrapped in mid-November following a fierce and unified backlash from the countrys major religious institutions. The swift retreat underscores the potent political force of religious liberty concerns and highlights the ongoing global struggle to define the limits of government authority in the digital public square, a debate with profound implications for national security and civil discourse. The controversial proposal The controversy centered on a plan to modify Article 16 of Mexico's Law of Religious Associations and Public Worship. The amendment, presented by federal deputy Arturo Avila Anaya on October 28, 2025, sought to compel religious leaders and associations to adhere to content guidelines issued by a government-led Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency, working in coordination with the Ministry of the Interior. Officially, the measure was framed as a way to ensure "respect for digital rights, net neutrality and the prevention of hate speech" in online religious expression. However, critics immediately recognized the proposal as a potential tool for state censorship, warning it could be used to silence doctrinal teachings or moral critiques under the vague and expansive label of "hate speech." A unified front of opposition The legislative proposal triggered a rapid and powerful response from across Mexico's religious landscape. In an unusual show of unity, leaders of major evangelical denominations, other ecclesiastical organizations and the influential Catholic Conference of the Mexican Episcopate (CEM) jointly denounced the initiative. They argued it constituted a direct assault on the constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and expression. The opposition quickly moved from pulpits to pixels, with a grassroots digital campaign springing up to challenge the government's plan. Social media platforms were flooded with messages from Christians declaring "Stop censorship" and asserting that "telling the truth and exposing sin is not a message of hate." A petition titled They want to silence our churches, launched by the group Activate.org.mx, gathered over 12,000 signatures in a short period, demonstrating the depth of public concern. The mechanics of a potential censorship regime Legal and policy experts sounded the alarm that the proposed law would establish an unprecedented system of state surveillance over religious life. Carlos Alberto Castellanos Morales, a constitutional law specialist, labeled the initiative a "censorship regime," arguing it violated international human rights standards essential to a functioning democracy. The core fear was that the law would grant a government agency the authority to act as an arbiter of acceptable religious discourse, potentially penalizing churches for content deemed outside arbitrarily defined guidelines. Critics warned this could lead to a form of political control over faith, where sermons, pastoral letters and even individual believers' social media posts could be subject to state review and sanction based on politically motivated definitions of hate speech. This prospect of a government ministry scrutinizing digital homilies struck many as a return to antiquated models of state-church entanglement that modern democracies have sought to avoid. A strategic withdrawal and a path forward Faced with a mounting political and media crisis, Deputy Avila Anaya met on November 10 with representatives from eight major religious associations, including Islamic, Jewish, Catholic and various Protestant groups. Following the meeting, the lawmaker announced on the social media platform X that he would withdraw the bill. He stated that both parties had agreed on the need for a deeper debate to address digital challenges while strengthening the secular state and guaranteeing religious freedom. The decision to pull the legislation was hailed by religious leaders as a triumph for liberty. Pastor Gilberto Rocha Margain appeared in a video with Avila, expressing his relief that the deputy had "kindly offered to withdraw it and collaborate with us in search of religious freedom." The agreed-upon path forward involves future roundtable discussions to build a regulatory framework through consensus, rather than state fiat. The broader battle for the digital square The confrontation in Mexico is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, international struggle over speech, platform governance and state power. In the United States, similar debates have played out in court challenges to state laws in Texas and Florida that sought to restrict social media companies' ability to moderate content. While the American cases often pit platform rights against user speech, the Mexican proposal cut more directly to the core of the First Amendment by threatening to place the government itself in the role of content moderator for a specific segment of society. The rapid and successful mobilization of civil society in Mexico serves as a potent reminder that the defense of fundamental freedoms often depends on vigilant public engagement. The withdrawal of the bill demonstrates that even proposed incursions on liberty can be thwarted when citizens and institutions unite to assert their rights, preserving a space for free religious expressiona cornerstone of civil societyin the ever-evolving digital realm. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com ChristianDaily.com ChristianPost.com Well get started with Cipher Mining, a tech firm operating in Texas where it has five industrial-scale data centers online with another five in the construction and development pipeline. The companys data centers are currently in a state of transition, shifting from a bitcoin mining focus to high performance computing with the goal being that Cipher Mining will be able to allocate resources toward both applications as opportunity and business call. Against this backdrop, Miller has highlighted three former bitcoin miners now leaning into the AI boom. We ran the trio through the TipRanks database to see how the rest of Wall Street views their prospects. Lets dive in. Given surging demand for data center space and a shortage of supply in the market today, the buildout of new powered data center space can create significant value Several companies are in the unique position to supply capacity to AI hyperscalers which provides shareholders a far better alternative to bitcoin mining We believe the universe of former bitcoin miners can supply ~15 GW, with scaled power companies accounting for another ~15GW Even with the near meteoritic rise in valuation, we believe the stocks have room to run as hyperscale deployments around the country accelerate from here, Miller opined. Citizens JMP analyst Greg Miller has been watching this dynamic take shape, and he describes it in clear prose, explaining the way it can bring opportunities for investors. Grand View Research estimates that the global market for AI-driven high-performance computing reached $2.6 billion in 2023 and could climb to $4.8 billion by 2030, reflecting a 9.4% CAGR. Growing demand for advanced compute capabilities across industries is fueling that expansion, and drawing bitcoin miners toward a business model with more dependable revenue potential. Subscribe to TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks and see our data in action through our high-performing model portfolio - now also 60% off Bitcoin miners are sitting on some of the most powerful data centers in the world, built during years of heavy investment in high-end servers and energy-intensive infrastructure. Yet, as mining becomes tougher and less lucrative, those same facilities are proving far more valuable for something else. AI, high-performance computing, and cloud workloads thrive on exactly the kind of hardware miners already operate at scale. Story Continues Currently, Cipher Mining has five active data centers, all located in the northwest of Texas. The largest facility, Barber Lake, is expanding, and its Phase II, expected online in 2029, will add another 500 megawatts to its existing 300-megawatt capacity. Overall, Cipher Mining has 3.2 gigawatts of new capacity in its development pipeline. These existing sites and development projects were supplemented in the companys November 3 announcement that it will be developing a 1-gigawatt site in West Texas. The new site, dubbed Colchis, will be majority financed by Cipher and will focus on high-performance computing. While Ciphers current activities and revenues center on bitcoin mining, the company is moving quickly to bring its HPC business to the fore. In recent months, Cipher has executed pivotal transactions with Fluidstack and Google to provide HPC-capable computing, building its credibility as a provider. More importantly, the company has announced, also on November 3, a 15-year lease agreement plan with AWS. The plan sees Cipher providing turnkey space and power for AI workloads, as well as 300 megawatts of power capacity next year. The deal is valued at approximately $5.5 billion, and rent will commence in August of next year. For now, as noted, Ciphers revenue is still derived from its bitcoin activities. In the last quarter, 3Q25, the company generated a top line of $71.7 million, nearly triple the 3Q24 figure although it was also $4.8 million below expectations. The companys non-GAAP third-quarter EPS, at $0.10 missed the forecast by $0.01. In his coverage for Citizens JMP, analyst Greg Miller notes the potential inherent in Ciphers planned strategic shift, writing of the company, With likely 3.8 GW of capacity to bring to bear in the HPC market, entirely in Texas, we expect Ciphers HPC inventory will rival that of some of the major projects in the market like Stargate with 3 GWs planned Despite the ~146 % rise in the share price of CIFR over the past three months, we continue to believe the stock remains attractive as full -scale hyperscale leasing accelerates If Cipher successfully executes on its planned capacity build-out, the stock could exceed $90 per share assuming it leases all of its 3.8 GW in its pipeline. Miller puts an Outperform (i.e., Buy) rating on Cipher, along with a $30 price target that indicates room for an upside of 106% by this time next year. (To watch Millers track record, click here) The stock has 14 recent analyst reviews on file, and the 12-to-2 split in favor of Buy over Hold gives it a Strong Buy consensus rating. Shares in Cipher are priced at $14.56 and their $24.11 average price target implies that a one-year gain of 65.5% is in the offing. (See CIFR stock forecast) Riot Platforms (RIOT) Next on our list is Riot Platforms, a Colorado-based bitcoin miner with data center facilities in Texas and Kentucky, and electrical switchgear engineering and manufacturing ops located in its home city of Denver. The company has well over 1 gigawatt of data center capacity already up and running, with another 600 megawatts under development in the ongoing expansions of its Corsicana facility in Texas. The first 112 megawatts of new capacity there are already under construction. We should note that Riots Rockdale facility, by developed capacity, is currently the largest bitcoin mining data center in North America. In addition to its extensive data center ops, Riot is also the full owner of ESS Metron, a subsidiary company with a strong position in the global market for power distribution centers and other advanced electrical equipment. Owning this subsidiary allows Riot to keep much of its ancillary hardware systems, necessary for maintaining the data centers, in-house, a key advantage in a capital-intensive field. Riot has not switched to selling HPC access yet. But the companys large expansion of its already large data center footprint is aimed in that direction. Like many of its peers, Riot is relying on bitcoin mining proceeds as a permanent income driver, and the company saw record revenue in its last reported quarter, 3Q25. In that quarter, the companys top line came to $180.2 million, up 112% year-over-year and some $7.9 million better than had been expected. Riots net income for the quarter, of $104.5 million, translated to a diluted EPS of 26 cents, 13 cents per share better than the forecast. These gains came on the heels of a large production jump in Q3, Riot produced 1,406 bitcoin, a year-over-year increase of 302. Miller, in his coverage for Citizens, points out Riots large active capacity, and notes how it is pre-adapted for the HPC market. Summing up the companys prospects, the analyst writes, With 1.7GW of power capacity in key markets, RIOT is uniquely positioned to monetize its asset base in a manner far superior to that of bitcoin mining. We expect the pivot in strategy, to sell capacity into the HPC market, will produce significant returns for shareholders once the company signs its first contract. Currently, we value only the 1.7GW of approved power but expect the pipeline will grow as rapidly as others that could produce a doubling of this pipeline in the next six months. Quantifying his stance, Miller sets an Outperform (i.e., Buy) rating on RIOT, with a $25 price target that implies a robust one-year share price gain of 87%. Riots Strong Buy consensus rating on the Street is unanimous, based as it is on 17 positive analyst reviews. The stock has a trading price of $12.78 and its average target price, $27.35, points toward a 114% appreciation over the next 12 months. (See RIOT stock forecast) IREN, Ltd. (IREN) Last on our list is IREN, a bitcoin miner that has seen the wider applicability of its next-generation data centers. IREN keeps its administrative offices in Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, British Columbia, and operates four data center facilities three of these are in BC, and the fourth is in Texas. The company boasts that its data centers run on 100% renewable power sources; in British Columbia, that means the facilities are plugged into the provinces hydroelectric power network. The facilities have a combined power rating of 160 megawatts. In Texas, the companys large Childress facility is currently operating at 350 megawatts capacity, with another 400 megawatts under construction, based on wind and solar power. Just as important as the power rating, IRENs data center facilities are connected to global online networks using dedicated fiber optic cable pathways, able to maintain high levels of data transmission. While originally planned as part of the bitcoin mining operations, these connections have proven capable of supporting the companys shift toward AI data center operations. IREN no longer describes itself as a bitcoin miner; rather, the company bills itself as an AI Cloud Service provider and it is making large strides toward expanding that new role. Just this month, IREN announced that it had scored an important win a multi-year GPU cloud service contract with Microsoft. Microsoft is a major provider of cloud subscription services, and IREN will now give the software giant access to late-model NVIDIA GB300 GPUs. The contract will run over a five-year term and is valued at $9.7 billion. Along with the Microsoft deal, IREN will work with Dell to buy the GPUs and other necessary gear in a purchase deal valued at $5.8 billion. The new hardware will be installed at IRENs Texas facility in phases throughout next year. All of this is part of IRENs plan to expand its annualized run-rate revenue (ARR) to $3.4 billion by years end 2026. In the meantime, the companys fiscal 1Q26 report (September quarter) showed a record-level top line of $240.3 million. This figure was up an impressive 355% from fiscal 1Q25. In addition, the companys net income turned from a $51.7 million net loss in fiscal 1Q25 to a 1Q26 profit of $384.6 million which was also a record level for the company. We should note two salient points about IRENs share price. First, that year-to-date, IREN shares are up by 366%, with most of that gain coming since August. And second, that the stock fell sharply in November, when a pullback in AI stocks sparked worries about whether the AI boom can maintain its fast pace. Analyst Miller has noted IRENs strategic move to providing AI-capable cloud services, and the companys success; checking in with him one last time, we find that he is not worried about the persistence of the AI boom. Miller writes, IREN is attempting to become a vertically integrated GPUaaS provider with direct ownership of the underlying data center assets. The strategy should better protect the company from escalating real estate costs with declining ASPs. With faster revenue growth and payback, GPUaaS should produce very strong financial metrics in the near-term, allowing the company to produce more than $3.4b in revenue for this new segment by the end of 2026. Valued in blocks of GPUaaS contracts, it could be worth of $280+ per share over an extended period or time. These comments back up Millers Outperform (Buy) rating, while his $80 price target implies a one-year upside potential of 84%. This stocks Moderate Buy consensus rating is based on 13 recent analyst reviews that include 9 to Buy and 2 each to Hold and Sell. The shares are priced at $43.47, and their $83.45 average price target suggests a gain of 92% for the next 12 months. (See IREN stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue U.S. confirms $700 million NASAMS sale to Taiwan amid rising tensions with China The U.S. confirmed a $698.9 million deal to supply Taiwan with three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), a medium-range defense system proven effective against drones and missiles in Ukraine. Delivery is expected by 2031. The sale enhances Taiwan's ability to defend its airspace and boosts interoperability with the U.S., following a separate 330 million arms deal for F-16 spare parts earlier in the weektotaling 1 billion in U.S. military support. Beijing denounced the sale as interference in its "internal affairs," while Taiwan reaffirmed its sovereignty, stating it is not subordinate to China. Japan warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would threaten its survival, as China increased provocations near disputed islands controlled by Japan. Taiwan urged Beijing to abandon military aggression. The NASAMS purchase aligns with Taiwan's "peace through strength" strategy amid China's "grey zone" warfare tactics, including frequent military incursions and pressure on supply lines. The U.S. remains committed under the Taiwan Relations Act to arm Taiwan defensively. The United States has officially confirmed the sale of an almost $700 million advanced air defense missile system to Taiwan, marking the second major arms deal in a week and reaffirming Washington's commitment to Taipei's defense amid escalating tensions with China. The U.S. Department of War announced on Monday, Nov. 17, that RTX (formerly Raytheon) has been awarded a firm fixed-price contract to deliver the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Taiwan, with work expected to be completed by February 2031. The deal, funded through Fiscal 2026 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) allocations, totals roughly $699 million and includes three NASAMS units a medium-range air defense system proven effective in Ukraine against Russian missile and drone attacks. Currently, only Australia and Indonesia operate NASAMS in the Indo-Pacific region, making Taiwan the third regional ally to deploy the system. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, NASAMS is a medium-range, networked air defense system developed by RTX and Norwegian defense company Kongsberg. It's designed to provide mobile, low-level air defense capabilities against various airborne threats, including aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and cruise missiles. Taiwan's interest in NASAMS was first disclosed in October 2024 when the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved a potential $1.16 billion arms package. The DSCA stated that the sale would enhance Taiwan's ability to "defend its airspace, provide regional security and increase interoperability with the United States." This latest deal follows a $330 million U.S. arms sale announced on Nov. 14, which included spare and repair parts for Taiwan's military aircraft fleet, particularly its F-16s. Combined, the two sales bring the total U.S. military support to Taiwan this week to $1 billion. Raymond Greene, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, reiterated Washington's unwavering support at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Taipei: "It should be clear today and will remain clear into the future that America's commitments to Taiwan are rock solid. We are backing these words with actions, with a focus on supporting Taiwan's efforts to achieve peace through strength." China's outrage and regional tensions Beijing swiftly condemned the arms sales, with Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang calling the U.S. move a "despicable act" that interferes in "China's internal affairs." Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) fired back, asserting: "The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state and that neither the ROC (Taiwan) nor the People's Republic of China is subordinate to the other." The arms sales coincide with heightened tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently warned that a Chinese military attack on Taiwan would constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. On Sunday, Nov. 16, China escalated tensions by sending coast guard vessels through the disputed Senkaku Islands (known as Diaoyu in China), which are controlled by Japan but claimed by Beijing. Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo urged restraint, telling reporters: "China should abandon its thinking of using force to resolve things." Taiwan has been rapidly modernizing its defenses in response to China's "grey zone" warfare tactics near-daily military incursions designed to test Taipeis resolve. The island is also investing in indigenous submarine production to safeguard critical maritime supply lines. The NASAMS acquisition underscores Taiwan's push for "peace through strength" a strategy increasingly backed by Washington despite Beijing's objections. The U.S. remains legally obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide defensive arms to the island, a policy that continues to provoke fierce opposition from China. The latest arms sales highlight the deepening U.S.-Taiwan defense partnership as both nations brace for potential conflict with China. While Beijing insists Taiwan is a "breakaway province" destined for reunification by force if necessary, Washington and its allies are signaling their determination to ensure Taiwan remains a self-governing democracy capable of deterring aggression. As geopolitical tensions escalate, Taiwan's military modernization bolstered by advanced U.S. weaponry like NASAMS could prove pivotal in maintaining regional stability. Watch this video about Ukraine using an American NASAMS Air Defense System to attack Russia. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com ChannelNewsAsia.com Reuters.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Crypto Dispensers (aka Virtual Assets LLC), a Chicago-based operator of ATMs that let users buy and send Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, said Friday that it is weighing a potential sale valued around $100 million. The announcement came just days after the U.S. Department of Justice filed charges against both the company and founder and CEO Firas Isa, alleging that they perpetrated a $10 million money laundering scheme. Crypto Dispensers and Isa have pleaded not guilty to the single money-laundering conspiracy charge against each, which holds a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The DOJ filing alleged that Isa and his company received funds from victims and criminals through Bitcoin ATMs. Despite know-your-customer (KYC) requirements meant to prevent money laundering, prosecutors claim Isa converted these illicit funds into cryptocurrency and transferred them to other wallets. If convicted, Isa and his company would face asset forfeiture, including all property involved in the alleged money laundering, with the government able to pursue substitute assets if necessary. Crypto Dispensers said Friday that it is evaluating a potential sale valued at approximately $100 million, and that it has retained advisors to support the review as consolidation accelerates across the cash-to-crypto and digital asset infrastructure sector. Bitcoin ATM Company Founder Charged in Alleged $10 Million Money Laundering Scheme This review is about understanding the next stage of growth and determining which path creates the most value for the platform we have built, Isa said in a statement. Decrypt reached out to Crypto Dispensers to clarify whether the firm has lined up a potential buyer or is rather announcing its openness to a deal. Decrypt also sought comment regarding the U.S. charges, but did not immediately receive a response to the queries. Crypto Dispensers potential sale comes as markets have crashed following a huge upswing over the first 10 months of the year. Bitcoin fell to nearly $81,000 early Friday, notching its lowest price since April. BTC set a record high of $126,000 in early October. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Cloudy. Snow showers developing this afternoon. High 29F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. The first men have been invited to take part in Prostate Cancer UK's TRANSFORM trial, kicking off the biggest prostate cancer screening study in a generation. The 42m trial is being co-led by UCL, Imperial, Queen Mary University of London, and the Institute of Cancer Research. The trial will be delivered in partnership with the NHS through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which has committed 16m, with the remaining 26m funded by Prostate Cancer UK through its supporters and other generous founding partners. Among the six research leads are Professors Mark Emberton and Caroline Moore from the UCL Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, who will work with their co-lead researchers, as well as 16 co-applicants from across the UK. TRANSFORM builds on 20 years of UCL research in prostate cancer diagnosis and screening. We learned from our previous attempts at prostate cancer early detection that the tools we had available to us were very blunt. Though they were the only tools we had at the time and better than nothing. Now we have a different set of tools, including the ability to 'see' the cancer by virtue of MRI scans. This puts us in a position to determine what combination of tests work best to identify which men are at risk of cancers and which, if left alone, would impact on their quantity and quality of life." Professor Emberton, Professor of Interventional Oncology at UCL and Consultant Oncologist at UCLH Professor Caroline Moore, Head of Urology at UCL and an Honorary Consultant Urological Surgeon at UCLH, said: "We know that PSA screening reduces prostate cancer deaths, but we believe that new tools, such as MRI and polygenic risk scores, could reduce deaths much more quickly, and with much less harm than traditional PSA based screening. I am delighted that we are launching TRANSFORM to find the best way to find the cancers that kill, and to invite those at most risk to take up the offer of screening." Polygenic scoring combs through a person's DNA and calculates how likely they may be to develop a disease. It can be useful to detect an individual's predisposition to conditions like common cancers. Today the first men will begin receiving letters from their GPs, inviting them to join the landmark trial designed to make diagnosis earlier, safer and more effective. It aims to revolutionise diagnosis by testing the most promising screening techniques available, including PSA blood tests, genetic spit tests and fast MRI scans, combined in ways that have never before been tested in a large-scale screening trial. The opening of TRANSFORM comes as the UK National Screening Committee (NSC) is soon to announce its decision on whether current evidence supports the introduction of screening for prostate cancer in the UK. TRANSFORM goes far beyond this existing evidence, testing new ways to diagnose the disease that could find the cancers that today's methods miss. However, the trial will also quickly produce robust new information about the tests we currently use. If the NSC decides there is insufficient evidence to recommend screening now, these early results could help shift the evidence in favour of screening in as little as two years. TRANSFORM has also been specifically designed to help tackle inequalities in prostate cancer research and care. Black men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it. Yet historically too few Black men have been recruited into trials to generate reliable evidence of how effective screening would be for them. To help address this, at least one in ten men invited to the trial will be Black, and the charity and trial team will work with Black community leaders and organisations to ensure good representation of Black men in the trial, to ensure that future evidence is informed by, and reliable for, the men who stand to get the most benefit from screening. Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "The future of prostate cancer screening starts today. It's incredible to see the launch of this once-in-a-generation trial that so many people have worked to make possible, from our scientists to our amazing supporters raising funds. "We're delighted that the UK government, through the NIHR, has partnered with us to help make TRANSFORM a success, and has committed an incredible 16m of funding. We are also incredibly grateful to all our founding partners and major donors who have got us to this exciting milestone. Now we need the public to stand up and be part of it. The men signing up for the study, and the people who donate to keep it running, will have the power to help save thousands of lives each year in the UK and even hundreds of thousands globally." Those recruited this week will form part of the initial 16,000 men taking part in stage one, which will test new techniques against the current NHS diagnostic pathway. The approaches that prove most effective will then be tested in a much larger group of up to 300,000 men, making it the biggest prostate cancer trial launched in more than two decades. The massive scale of TRANSFORM will also allow the creation of the biggest ever bank of prostate cancer samples, images and data to power the development of new tests and treatments for decades into the future. It is not possible to volunteer for the trial, but anyone who receives a letter is encouraged to take part. Professor Hashim Ahmed, Chief Investigator of the TRANSFORM trial and Chair of Urology at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Professor of Urology at Imperial College London, said: "TRANSFORM is truly game-changing. As the biggest and most ambitious trial I've ever been part of, the start of recruitment today marks a pivotal step towards getting the results men urgently need to make prostate cancer diagnosis safe and more effective so that we can unlock the potential of prostate cancer screening in the UK. "Combining our world-class team of UK researchers, the latest screening techniques like fast MRI scans, PSA blood tests and genetic tests, we can find the best way to screen men for prostate cancer - minimising late diagnosis, saving more lives and doing so with fewer harms. Importantly, we've designed the study so that we can evaluate promising new tests as soon as they're developed." The trial will recruit men aged 50-74 (or 45-74 for some groups known to have poorer outcomes, such as Black men). The first testing site to open is the InHealth Community Diagnostic Centre in Ealing, with more opening soon across the UK. Men will be invited directly by their GPs, so the trial mirrors how a future screening programme would operate. At 42 million, TRANSFORM is the biggest single research investment ever made by Prostate Cancer UK and has been backed financially by seven founding partners: Cockburn Shaw Legacy; Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation; Garfield Weston Foundation; Movember; National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR); Omaze; and Paddy Power. Steve Kavanagh, 64, from North Baddesley in Hampshire, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023. Steve said: "My dad and a close friend both had prostate cancer, so I was always very aware of my risk and had regular PSA tests over the years. "My level was higher than normal without being alarming, and when I was referred for more tests, at first they didn't find anything. But when I was finally diagnosed, my consultant told me he thought the cancer could have been there for four years already and had been missed or was not visible in an earlier biopsy - it was found after a second scan and targeted biopsy. "That's what makes TRANSFORM so important. It's not just about giving everyone PSA tests, it's about finding the best way to make sure that if you do have cancer, it isn't missed. I'd really encourage anyone who can to support Prostate Cancer UK, and if you get a letter inviting you to take part in TRANSFORM, please consider saying yes. It could make all the difference." Sugar-based liquid solvents store crucial injection-based therapeutics such as insulin and vaccines. However, the shelf lives of these therapeutics are altered because the properties of these solvents alter the critical proteins necessary for under-the-skin treatments over time. Kennesaw State University Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mohammad Halim has received a three-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to study protein- and enzyme-based solvents, aiming to improve storage of injection-based therapeutics. Halim's research seeks to find the optimal mixture of eutectic solvents, which can store these drugs at subfreezing temperatures with elements that will not bind to the proteins, extending their useful life cycle. My research tries to understand how eutectic solvents form between two components and how they can preserve all peptide- and protein-based drugs because we will see more of those kinds of treatments. But we do not have a reliable preservation technique. I'm getting this funding to develop a new solvent that can keep the protein in native state and extend their shelf lives without side effects." Mohammad Halim, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Kennesaw State University Protein-based drugs can only be effective if they stay intact, but they need solvents to preserve and administer into a patient. With the increase in peptide-based drugs over the past decade, the biomedical industry seeks more reliable ways of preserving these pharmaceuticals. Protein-based therapeutics represent a $679 million industry by 2033, and enzymes designed to stabilize these proteins could contribute to a $8.2 billion industry by 2030. "One of the drawbacks of existing preservation techniques with sugar bases (such as Trehalose) that we identified is that they alter the structure of protein via glycosylation," Halim said. "These protein-based drugs contain larger and more intricate molecules and pose new challenges in terms preserving their integrity and stability over extended periods." The grant will also allow Halim to continue his success at engaging undergraduates and master's students in one of the most active research labs on campus. Since arriving at Kennesaw State in 2021, Halim mentored a record number of students, including 105 undergraduates and 12 graduate students at KSU. These students contributed to 18 student co-authored publications, 141 oral and poster presentations at various local, regional and national conferences. "Research and teaching aren't just my job; they are my passion," he said. "I work with my students in the research lab, and train them to be next-generation scientists. I consider myself a nucleus in the research lab, because if the nucleus stays, the electrons (students) revolve around the nucleus, which supports them. I teach and mentor with 'pleasure-driven' approach where any students irrespective of their background can enjoy, consume and understand the chemistry concepts and solve critical problems through research." Halim has three internal collaborators within the College of Science and Mathematics on the project as well: assistant professors Carl Saint Louis, Madalynn Marshall, and Soon Goo Lee. Through the grant, the research team will also have an opportunity to use the neutron scattering machine at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee for an external collaboration. People at high risk of lung cancer will soon be able to receive the first ever experimental vaccine designed to prevent the disease, in a world-first clinical trial led by researchers at UCL and the University of Oxford. The research team has been awarded up to 2.06 million from Cancer Research UK, supported by the CRIS Cancer Foundation, to run a clinical trial of LungVax over the next four years. This phase I trial will investigate the best dose of LungVax to give to people at high risk of lung cancer, as well as looking for any potential side-effects from different doses of the vaccine. The trial is expected to begin in summer 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani, co-founder and lead for the LungVax clinical trials, from UCL Cancer Institute, UCLH and the Francis Crick Institute, said: "Fewer than 10% of people with lung cancer survive their disease for 10 years or more. That must change, and that change will come from targeting lung cancer at the earliest stages. "The LungVax clinical trial is the crucial first step in bringing this vaccine to people at the highest risk of the disease. We will be looking carefully at how people respond to the vaccine, how easy it is to deliver, and who might benefit from it most in the future. "Preventative vaccines will not replace stopping smoking as the best way to reduce the risk of lung cancer. But they could offer a viable route to preventing some cancers from emerging in the first place." Lung cancer cells are different from normal cells. They have 'red flag' proteins made by cancer-causing mutations within their DNA. These are called neoantigens and tumour associated antigens and appear on the surface of cells at a very early stage of lung cancer formation. The LungVax vaccine carries a series of genetic instructions which train the immune system to recognise these tumour antigens on the surface of abnormal lung cells. In trialling the vaccine, the aim is to get the immune system to recognise these early abnormal cells, and kill them before they start to become cancer. The vaccine uses technology developed by the University of Oxford during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver these instructions to the immune system. Professor Sarah Blagden, co-founder of the LungVax project from the University of Oxford, said: "Lung cancer is lethal and blights far too many lives. Survival has been stubbornly poor for decades. LungVax is our chance to do something to actively prevent this disease. "Years of research into the biology of cancer, understanding the fundamental changes which occur in the very earliest stages of the disease, will now be put to the test. This funding means that, for the first time, we hope that people will be able to receive LungVax in clinical trials from next year." To find out how safe and effective the vaccine is, the trial will initially focus on people who have been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer and have had it successfully removed but are at risk of it returning. The vaccine will also be tested in people who are undergoing lung cancer screening as part of the NHS Lung Cancer Screening Programme in England. If the trial delivers promising results, the vaccine could then be scaled up to larger trials for people at risk of lung cancer. There are around 48,500 cases of lung cancer every year in the UK. Around 72% of lung cancers are caused by smoking, which is the biggest preventable cause of cancer worldwide. Graeme Dickie, 55, from Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire, is helping the scientists prepare for the LungVax clinical trial. In 2013, aged 42, he was diagnosed with stage II lung cancer. By 2017, it had progressed to stage IV. He has never smoked. Over the years, he's undergone surgery to remove part of his left lung, and more than 80 rounds of chemotherapy. When those treatments stopped working, Graeme began a new targeted treatment drug, mobocertinib, that he continues with today. Graeme said: "I am proof that research saves lives. I have been able to enjoy many more happy years with my family thanks to scientists working hard, year after year, to bring new tests and treatments. "For me, research is vital. I won't be able to benefit directly from LungVax personally, but I know that my story will help others to access better interventions at an early stage." Co-founder of the LungVax project Professor Sarah Blagden will appear in the first episode of Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures on Channel 4. The documentary, delivered in partnership with Cancer Research UK, follows researchers leading world-changing research projects which could transform cancer diagnosis, treatment and prevention. You can watch the first episode at 9pm on Thursday 20th November or stream the first episode afterwards on Channel 4. We want to see a world where more cancers are prevented. We are now at a stage where our knowledge of the biology of cancer, built over years of painstaking research, opens new opportunities to prevent the disease. By supporting the LungVax clinical trial, we will put the vaccine through the most rigorous scientific tests and take that important first step towards a world where people live longer, better lives, free from the fear of lung cancer." Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK Co-founder of the CRIS Cancer Foundation, Lola Manterola, said: "At CRIS, we are determined to end cancer by funding the most talented researchers. Today, science is giving us the chance to change the future of cancer. For the first time, our knowledge of the immune system allows us to envision stopping the disease before it begins." 2 arrested in Odisha for providing shelter to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 23:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Bhubaneswar/Paradip, Nov 22 (PTI) Two persons were arrested on Saturday for allegedly providing shelter to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Odishas Jagatsinghpur district, police said. Those arrested were identified as Sikandar Alam alias Siko and his brother Abdul Motalif Khan alias Tiki. Recommended Stories The duo has been on the run ever since the police raided a house built to provide shelter to the illegal immigrants in Berhampur village in the Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station area on November 16. While Sikandar was nabbed from Jajpur, Abdul was apprehended from Khurda district, a police officer said. Their two sisters were earlier arrested for attacking the police during the raid. Sikandar had built houses on government land to provide shelter to the infiltrators. He also used to arrange Indian documents for them, police said. A number of fake Aadhaar cards and voter identity cards were recovered from the house," another officer said. The house was demolished by the district administration on November 17. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Around 30 Bangladeshis were staying in the house when the raid was conducted, and all of them managed to flee. Police said a search is underway for them. A drive is also underway in Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Khurda, Balasore, Puri and Keonjhar districts to detect illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. PTI COR AAM AAM SOM Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 22, 2025, 23:30 IST News agency-feeds 2 arrested in Odisha for providing shelter to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants 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... Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. New York City has always sold itself on momentum the sense that even when it stumbles, it still moves faster than everywhere else. But in April, during a conversation hosted by the Economic Club of New York, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink suggested the city may finally be losing some of that edge. Bloomberg TV posted a clip of the event, and his comments were unusually direct. "The potential of the city to even have a brighter future, you can feel it," Fink said in the clip, "but are we losing it?" Inside BlackRock, he noted a shift: more employees asking whether they can relocate to other states because they're worried about "the cost of housing here, the crime, the education, all the things that are facing us." Then came the line that set the tone. "And right now," he said, "there are other states, quite frankly, that are more attractive now." When the head of an $11.6 trillion asset manager headquartered in Manhattan expresses that kind of concern, it isn't a throwaway remark. And Fink wasn't talking as a detached executive. Dont Miss: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel could be the next AI powerhouse join 10,000+ early backers and invest now just $0.81 per share . Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Heres how you can earn passive income with $100. He moved to New York in the mid-1970s, when the city was grappling with a fiscal crisis, and remembers the determination it took to rebuild. This time, he questioned whether the city is showing that same resolve. "I believed that my taxes were used to help build out the city," he said. "I don't feel that way anymore." Some of the issues he highlighted are clearly visible in the numbers. New York has lost nearly 40% of its drugstores over the past decade, according to The Center for an Urban Future's annual "State of the Chains" report, with about 10% of those closures happening in 2024 alone. Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid have all downsized, citing theft and rising operational costs. Foot Locker announced it would move its headquarters to another state to cut expenses. And a growing list of companies have shifted satellite offices or expansions to lower-cost regions. Residents feel the pressure too. According to the Citizens Budget Commission's Straight From New Yorkers 2025 survey, 76% of New Yorkers say affordability is a "very important" reason they'd consider leaving the city, with safety close behind. Those concerns map directly onto the issues Fink raised: housing costs, crime and education remain central pain points. Portion of road sinks in Shimla due to 'tunnel work'; construction paused Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 15:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Shimla, Nov 22 (PTI) A portion of a road sank here on Saturday, allegedly due to a nearby tunnel construction, prompting the authorities to halt the work until further notice, officials said. Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, has also directed the additional district magistrate (law and order) as well as the additional superintendent of police, to prepare and submit a report regarding the work of the tunnel being constructed on the Kaithlighat-Dhalli four-lane. Recommended Stories The action came after a portion of the road in Bhattakufar sank, during which a school bus tyre got stuck in the pit, and a Class 8 schoolgirl also fell into the pit. She was immediately rescued by the people nearby. The deputy commissioner, along with senior police officials, reached the spot to take stock of the situation and said that such an incident has been witnessed for the first time. The location where the land subsidence occurred is reported to be close to the tunnel site. This is extremely important from a safety perspective," Kashyap said. He further said that the district administration has written to the State Disaster Management Authority, expressing concern that this incident may lead to a disaster. Kashyap said that locals informed him that cracks had begun appearing in their houses, following which the district administration inspected the houses and found the cracks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He further said that the Survey of India will also be informed about this matter. A detailed report about the incident will be sent to them as well," he added. Kashyap further said that the administration had earlier received several complaints from locals regarding the four-lane construction as well. All these complaints will be brought to the notice of the SDMA," Kashyap asserted. PTI COR APL APL Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 22, 2025, 15:15 IST News agency-feeds Portion of road sinks in Shimla due to 'tunnel work'; construction paused 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... Prominent Russian scholar to address International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 21:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Moscow, Nov 22 (PTI) Prominent Russian scholar of Sanskrit and Indian philosophy Dr Marcis Gasuns will be one of the speakers at the International Gita Mahotsav in Indias Kurukshetra next week. Born in Soviet Latvia, 42-year old Gasuns, who is the founder of the Sanskrit Zealots Society of Russia, belongs to a new generation of Russian Indologists. Recommended Stories In an online interaction with PTI on the eve of his departure to India for a 10-day visit, Gasuns said he is also scheduled to present a paper at the International Conference on Dharma and Global Ethics: Insights from Bharatiya Sastra Parampara organised by Nalanda University. He will present another paper at the International Ganga Sangam Conference in Haridwar hosted by Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, he said. The Indologist said by the age of 13, he had thoroughly read several editions of Bhagavad Gita and around the same time, came across Nobel winner Rabindranath Tagores narrations about Kabir. At the age of 18, I even translated a few Kabir couplets in the Lettish (language of Latvia) which were published in a magazine in Riga," Gusnas said. Actually it was Kabir who brought him to study Sanskrit, the expert added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When in 2002, I had the desire to translate Kabir from its original Braj Bhasha, I thought it was not a smart idea to study a medieval Indian language without learning its ancestor, Sanskrit," Gasuns shared. He runs a website of Sanskrit Zealots (www.samsakratm.ru) and has authored more than 20 books under the series Bibliotheca Sanscritica." The Russian Sanskrit scholar attracts online and offline learners of Sanskrit with a catchy phrase: They Dont Speak Latin in Heaven Learn Sanskrit!" PTI VS NPK NPK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 22, 2025, 21:00 IST News agency-feeds Prominent Russian scholar to address International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra 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... Three men killed as bike collides head-on with mini-truck in UP's Amethi Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Amethi (UP), Nov 22 (PTI) Three men were killed after the bike they were riding collided head-on with a mini-truck near a village in Amethi district, police said on Saturday. According to police sources, Utkarsh Singh (32), Bajrang Singh (25) and Anshu Singh (29) were heading to their village, Haripur, as part of a wedding procession from Maharajpur on Friday night, when their bike rammed into the speeding min-truck near Thaura village, killing all three on the spot. Recommended Stories The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, Amethi SHO Ravi Kumar Singh said. PTI COR NAV ARI ARI Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 22, 2025, 10:15 IST News agency-feeds Three men killed as bike collides head-on with mini-truck in UP's Amethi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two women run over by speeding car near Nagpur, villagers block highway Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 21:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Nagpur, Nov 22 (PTI) Two women were killed on Saturday morning after a speeding car hit them on Nagpur-Jabalpur National Highway near Kandri Mine in the district, leading to a protest by local residents, police said. Manda Upase (49) and Pramila Shendre (41) were crossing the road to go to work in a nearby farm, said an official. Recommended Stories The car driver abandoned the vehicle at a nearby toll booth and fled. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A large number of villagers gathered at the spot and blocked the highway for nearly 45 minutes to protest the incident. They also tried to set the car on fire, the official said. Police later arrested the driver, Sagar Thakur (27), a resident of Ulhasnagar in Thane district. Further probe is on. PTI COR KRK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 22, 2025, 21:00 IST News agency-feeds Two women run over by speeding car near Nagpur, villagers block highway 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... Violence against women, children deeply connected; three ways to break patterns Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Cape Town, Nov 22 (The Conversation) In South Africa, intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence against women, and it is pervasive. According to the National Gender-Based Violence Prevalence Study, 24% of women aged 18 and older have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner or spouse. Pregnancy can trigger or worsen violence in relationships, often due to changes in power dynamics, financial stress, or a partners perceived loss of control. Recommended Stories A longitudinal study in Durban, a South African coastal city, found that 20% of women had experienced at least one form of physical, sexual or psychological intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Another study in Johannesburg, South Africas economic capital, found 36.6% of young women reported violence by a partner or spouse, and pregnancy was cited as a key risk period for violence. Children are directly and indirectly affected by this violence against women. They also experience violence across a range of settings, including their homes, schools and communities. The Birth to Thirty study, a research programme tracking the lives of a group of people in the South African township of Soweto, found that 99% of the cohort had been exposed to at least one type of violence. And 40% had been exposed to five or six other types of violence. The 18th issue of the South African Child Gauge, a research report launched in November 2025, focuses on the intersections of violence against women and children. These forms of violence occur together in the same households and share the same risk factors. However, they historically have been treated as separate issues, with services housed in different government departments. This article offers an opportunity to shift the focus from awareness raising to action-oriented thinking that can break the cycle of violence. These reflections come from our chapter in the Child Gauge, which was co-written with Aislinn Delany, an independent social researcher. In this article, we highlight three approaches that can guide South Africas efforts to prevent violence against women and children: starting early; working across sectors, with the Department of Health playing a critical role; transforming harmful gender norms. Breaking the cycle of violence The first 1,000 days (from conception to 2 years old) are a critical development phase that shapes a childs future health, learning and wellbeing. Exposure to ongoing violence is especially damaging during the early years. Excessive physical and psychological stress or trauma, also known as toxic stress, can disrupt the development of the brain. This may result in lifelong consequences for childrens cognitive and socio-emotional development. Studies have shown that children exposed to violence in the home are more likely to normalise violence as a method of conflict resolution. This keeps the cycle of violence going from one generation to the next. It puts boys at higher risk of being violent to their partners as men. It makes girls more vulnerable to victimisation by intimate partners later in life. Preventing violence against women and children should therefore begin early and continue. Early action can address the root causes and risk factors, interrupting the cycle within an individuals lifetime and across generations. The health sectors role Violence against women and children is a complex and deeply rooted problem. It requires a coordinated response from a range of sectors, including health, education, justice and social services. Within this ecosystem of support, maternal and child health services offer one of the most frequent points of contact with pregnant women, young children and their families. These routine contacts provide opportunities to identify women and children at risk and connect families with support services. It is therefore essential to strengthen the focus on violence prevention during the first 1,000 days through the direct actions of health workers or by using health facilities as platforms for delivery. For example, training health workers not only to screen for substance use, mental health concerns and exposure to violence, but also to provide care that recognises how violence and adversity affect health and behaviour. Screening must also be linked to clear and reliable referral pathways to services. The Road to Health Book (the South African child health record given to children at birth) offers another opportunity to strengthen screening and support. Early opportunities to challenge harmful gender norms Violence is a learned behaviour, shaped by social norms. Where violence is accepted or justified as a way of resolving conflict, it becomes part of everyday life. Transforming harmful norms is therefore essential to building safer homes and communities. Some programmes have shown positive results in shifting attitudes and behaviours and reducing violence against women and children. The Bandebereho and RealFathers studies are examples from low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa. They are designed to engage men as fathers and have been shown to reduce intimate partner violence and violent discipline of children by engaging men as caregivers. The beliefs that caregiving is only a womans role, and that women should endure violence to preserve family unity, are harmful. By addressing harmful beliefs, these programmes can foster shared caregiving, positive discipline and joint decision-making. Evidence also suggests that mens involvement during pregnancy and early childhood can strengthen family relationships and improve maternal and child well-being. Research in Soweto, South Africa found that when fathers attended pregnancy ultrasound scans, they reported stronger emotional bonds with their partners. And they felt a greater sense of responsibility and care for their unborn child. Similarly, another analysis found that postnatal father involvement was associated with lower rates of maternal depression. These findings underscore the importance of designing gender transformative interventions. Practically, this may mean creating family-friendly health environments, with flexible clinic hours, and programmes that prepare men and families for nurturing and responsive care. Conclusion Without intervention, violence against women and children is likely to increase in frequency and severity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Early intervention is therefore crucial. Violence prevention should ideally be integrated into existing systems at scale rather than treated as additional services. In this, the health sector plays a central role, particularly during the first 1,000 days, given its routine contact with mothers, infants and caregivers. It is equally important to transform the harmful gender norms that sustain violence and limit mens participation in caregiving. (The Conversation) SCY SCY Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: November 22, 2025, 10:15 IST News agency-feeds Violence against women, children deeply connected; three ways to break patterns 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... Sagittarius Horoscope Today, November 22, 2025 Curated By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 06:55 IST Sagittarius Horoscope Today, November 22, 2025: Sagittarius sees success in wise decisions, benefits from religious events, and gains respect. Caution in finances is advised. Sagittarius Horoscope Today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for dhanu rashi on November 22 2025. (AI generated image) Sagittarius Horoscope Today, November 22, 2025: Ganesha says today will be a day that will bring you success in decisions taken with wisdom and discretion. Today, you will find yourself mentally strong and will be able to make every decision; hence, today you will have to be careful before consulting anyone who may be your opponent. Today, you will also be seen making plans with your spouse. You will also be encouraged to take part in religious programs today, which you will benefit from. Today, you will be a little worried about the health of one of your relatives. Evening time: Today, you will be a little worried about your mothers health. Recommended Stories Positive Today brings luck, knowledge, and an optimistic outlook. Foreign contacts or long-distance travel will prove beneficial. Your interest in higher education and spiritual matters will increase. Success in legal matters is likely. Your positive thinking and honesty will earn you respect in both social and professional circles. Sudden financial gains are possible. Negative Avoid taking risks in financial matters by being overly optimistic. Control your tendency to impose your ideas on others. Unnecessary expenses can disrupt your financial planning, so pay attention to your budget. Dont neglect family responsibilities due to work. Business Instead of making changes in your business, you need to focus more on current activities. Plans will be made to complete some important tasks related to buying and selling property. Government employees will continue to experience workload pressure. Be patient. Finance Todays financial horoscope will be average for you. Today, you need to pay special attention to your expenses. Avoid unnecessary expenses and try to keep your financial situation stable. Be cautious in matters of investment and do not make any hasty decisions. Today is not a suitable day to invest in the stock market, so stay away from it. If you are working on a financial plan, reconsider it and make a decision, keeping in mind all the possibilities. Today will be a normal day for employed people, although no special financial gains can be expected. Today can be a bit challenging for businessmen. Check all the documents thoroughly before signing any new business agreement. Communicate openly with your business partners and try to resolve any disputes. Discuss financial matters with your family and friends and take their advice. This will help you move in the right direction. Be careful to keep your money safe and avoid any kind of fraud. Today is the day to exercise restraint and patience in financial matters. Move forward, keeping your financial goals in mind, and try to avoid any kind of financial instability. Some students may be medically unfit for the competition exam. A small negligence can lead to a big loss. Love There will be a peaceful atmosphere at home and in your family. There will be love in your married life. Maintain trust and openness in your romantic relationships. Health To avoid the negative effects of changing weather, be sure to use indigenous and Ayurvedic products. Pay attention to your nutrition. Maintain a balanced routine. Lucky Color- Pink top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lucky Number- 10 (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 22, 2025, 06:55 IST News astrology Sagittarius Horoscope Today, November 22, 2025 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Man Salutes IndiGos Heart-Touching Initiative For Disabled Staff At Check-In: Masterstroke & Really Commendable Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 18:18 IST While going through a routine check in, a passenger saw a staff member with a hearing and speech problem assisting passengers with patience. At Delhi Airport, over 20 specially abled staff members are currently employed. (Photo Credit: X) Airports are often crowded and stressful, but one IndiGo passenger recently experienced something inspiring. While going through a routine check in, he came across a staff member who is hearing and speech impaired. The employee, working at the check in counter, was captured assisting passengers with patience, which left a strong impression on the traveller. He praised the airlines for giving opportunities to people with disabilities, calling it a beautiful step toward inclusion." What stood out most was the staff members ability to handle tasks with such grace," despite the challenges. Soon after the clip circulated on social media, IndiGo responded to the post, saying they were touched by the recognition and are committed to supporting employees of all abilities. Recommended Stories Traveller Praises IndiGo For Providing Opportunities For People With Disabilities Sharing the clip of the on ground staff, the passenger wrote, Truly heart touching initiative by IndiGo. Providing jobs to speech and hearing impaired persons at checkin counter. This is such a beautiful step toward inclusion, and he is helping passengers with such grace is simply inspiring." Replying to the customer, Indigo wrote, We are truly touched by your message. Our team exemplify the power of empathy and inclusion. Thank you for recognising their efforts and supporting our commitment to empowering all abilities." We are truly touched by your message. Our team exemplify the power of empathy and inclusion. Thank you for recognizing their efforts and supporting our commitment to empowering all abilities. #goIndiGo #IndiaByIndiGo IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 22, 2025 Reacting to the post, a user wrote, Good to see more companies are being inclusive. Shell India is one of the companies that I have seen employing differently abled people since 2017 on their petrol pumps in Vadodara." Another shared, We should make sign language compulsory in schools." Its a masterstroke. Now people will not argue with him when theyre angry at the services of the airlines. And theyll have good PR," a comment read. An individual stated, I met this gentleman at T1D Delhi, extremely professional, with a striking smile. While interacting with him, I noticed how he had to go the extra mile to communicate with me. And in that moment, I realised how much more I could do to make conversations inclusive. That meeting inspired me to start learning sign language, so that people like him never have to put in all the effort alone." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all One more added, That is an excellent initiative by IndiGo. However, I have noticed one issue: the badge worn by the staff (blue with small white text) indicating that they are speech-disabled is too small. Often, elderly passengers get frustrated when they dont receive a response because they dont understand the situation. I have reported this to IndiGo a few times by feedback note, but it doesnt seem to have changed. Preferably, we need a prominent badge in Red or Yellow (not blue) with a Hearing Loss symbol for all to understand." In 2024, IndiGo introduced special services to help passengers with disabilities, including a dedicated check in desk for those with special needs. At Delhi Airport, over 20 specially abled staff members are currently employed. The program is designed to support diversity and inclusivity within the workplace. It also gives these employees a chance to show their skills. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 18:03 IST News auto Man Salutes IndiGos Heart-Touching Initiative For Disabled Staff At Check-In: Masterstroke & Really Commendable 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... RBI, ECB Move Ahead To Link UPI With Europe's TIPS For Faster Cross-Border Payments Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:22 IST Reserve Bank of India and NPCI are collaborating with European Central Bank to link UPI with TIPS, aiming to enable seamless cross-border payments. UPI to Connect With Europes TIPS for Faster, Cheaper Transfers The Reserve Bank of India is actively working to interlink the digital payment system Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with fast payment systems of other countries for cross-border payments. According to a statement of RBI, the regulator and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) are in talks with European Central Bank to connect UPI with the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS), the instant payment system operated by the Eurosystem, in a calibrated manner. Following constructive and sustained engagement, both sides have agreed to start the realisation phase for the UPITIPS link," RBI said in the statement. Recommended Stories The proposed UPITIPS interlinkage will help cross-border remittances between India and the Euro Area. The parties from both side will work together to figure out technical aspects, risk management and settlement arrangement to make interlinkage of fast-payment system a possibility. Reserve Bank of India and NIPL will continue to collaborate closely with European Central Bank to operationalize the UPITIPS link, including technical integration, risk management and settlement arrangements," RBI added in the statement. UPI Global Acceptance NPCI has launched UPI Global Acceptance (International Merchant Payments), a feature that enables users to make QR code-based payments at select international merchant locations directly from their Indian bank accounts via UPI-powered applications. How to Use UPI Global/UPI International at International Merchant Locations: Prerequisites: Activate UPI Global/UPI International: Activate the UPI Global/UPI International service for your specified bank account through UPI-powered application. Payment Process: Identify acceptance logo: Look for BHIM UPI or network partner acceptance QR standee/sticker and ask whether merchant accepts UPI-based payments. Scan the QR code: Scan the QR code with your UPI-powered application and make the payment. Review payment details: Verify your payment details, including the final amount in both foreign and Indian currency as well as applicable exchange rates or fees. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Enter PIN and authorize: Enter your UPI PIN to authorize the payment. Both you and the merchant should get a payment notification upon a successful transaction. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the I... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:22 IST News business banking-finance RBI, ECB Move Ahead To Link UPI With Europe's TIPS For Faster Cross-Border Payments 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... Another BLO Dies By Suicide In Bengal, Family Alleges SIR Work-Related Stress; Note Recovered Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 14:17 IST Rinku Tarafdar, a BLO in West Bengal, was found dead amid SIR workload stress. Similar suicides occurred in Jalpaiguri, Jaipur, and Kannur. Mamata Banerjee urged suspension of SIR. BLO Rinku Tarafdar was found hanging from the ceiling in her room at her residence. A woman working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengals Nadia district was found dead at her house on Saturday morning. Her family alleged that she had been under significant work-related stress and died by suicide, police said. The BLO, identified as Rinku Tarafdar, was found hanging from the ceiling in her room at her residence in the Bangaljhi area of Chapra in Krishnanagar, an officer stated. Police have recovered a suicide note. Recommended Stories The officer said, The family is claiming that she was under immense pressure due to her SIR workload. We have recovered a note from her room. The body has been sent for postmortem. A necessary probe is underway." Mamata Banerjee Expresses Shock West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep anguish on social media over Rinkus death. Sharing that the BLO had blamed" the Election Commission of India in her suicide note, Banerjee questioned," How many more lives will be lost? How many more need to die for this SIR?." Describing the situation as truly alarming," she urged immediate attention to prevent further tragedies. Profoundly shocked to know of the death of yet another BLO, a lady para- teacher,who has committed suicide at Krishnanagar today . BLO of part number 201 of AC 82 Chapra, Smt Rinku Tarafdar, has blamed ECI in her suicide note ( copy is attached herewith) before committing suicide at her residence today. How many more lives will be lost? How many more need to die for this SIR? How many more dead bodies shall we see for this process? This has become truly alarming now!!" Mamata Banerjee tweeted. Meanwhile, State minister Ujjal Biswas visited the deceaseds home and spoke with her family. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to suspend the ongoing SIR in Bengal. On Thursday, she wrote to the CEC, stating that the continuous unplanned and coercive drive" could endanger more lives and undermine the legitimacy of the exercise. Recent BLO Suicide Incidents On Wednesday, another booth-level officer in Jalpaiguri district was found hanging. Her family claimed unbearable SIR work pressure" was the cause of her death. Earlier on Sunday, a BLO in Jaipur, identified as Mukesh Jangid (48), died by suicide after jumping in front of a train at the Bindayka railway crossing. Mukesh, who was posted on duty in the SIR area, reportedly rode his motorcycle to the railway tracks before taking the drastic step. Police recovered a suicide note from the spot in which he alleged harassment by certain officials. On the same day, a BLO in Keralas Kannur district allegedly ended his life due to mental pressure linked to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties. The deceased identified as Aneesh George, 44, a school employee serving as a BLO for the SIR of electoral rolls, was found hanging inside his home. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Respective police teams have registered a case and launched an investigation into deaths. 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) 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 22, 2025, 14:17 IST News cities Another BLO Dies By Suicide In Bengal, Family Alleges SIR Work-Related Stress; Note Recovered 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... In Another Suicide Case, 13-Year-Old Girl In Maharashtra Jumps From School Building Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:53 IST A 13-year-old girl died after jumping off a school building in Jalna, Maharashtra, on Friday morning, causing panic among students, staff, and residents. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google The body was sent for postmortem. (Representative image) A 13-year-old girl died after jumping off the third floor of her school in Maharashtras Jalna on Friday morning. The incident is said to have taken place between 7.30 and 8 am, creating panic among students, staff, and residents. It is learnt that the teacher had called the teens parents regarding her studies the day she ended her life. Sadar Police Inspector Sandeep Bharti stated that the police were informed around 8 am about the girl allegedly jumping from the top floor of the school. A police team quickly arrived at the scene to start preliminary investigations. The girl, a Class 7 student, was found in critical condition and taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead. Recommended Stories Inspector Bharti mentioned that the investigation was in its early stages, and various angles were being explored. He said, This morning, between 7.30 and 8 oclock, we received information that a 13-year-old schoolgirl jumped from the school roof and committed suicide. An inquiry is in progress. Right now, only preliminary findings are available, and it would be too early to draw any conclusions. Only after a complete investigation can something concrete be said," he told ANI. Police are interviewing school authorities, classmates, and family members to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. CCTV footage from the school premises is also being reviewed to establish the sequence of events. Officers noted that no suicide note has been found yet. Local residents and parents have raised concerns about the increasing stress levels among students and have called for stronger emotional support systems in schools. The girls body has been sent for a post-mortem to confirm the exact cause of death. Meanwhile, Sadar Police Station has registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR), and the investigation is underway. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The incident has cast a pall of grief over the school and the community, with authorities promising a thorough and transparent investigation. 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) 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 : Jalna, India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:51 IST News cities In Another Suicide Case, 13-Year-Old Girl In Maharashtra Jumps From School Building 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... Valued at $151.2 billion by market cap, Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) is one of the worlds largest online travel companies, operating major brands like Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, Kayak, Rentalcars.com, and OpenTable. The Connecticut-based company connects travelers with accommodations, flights, rental cars, dining, and activities worldwide. Shares of this leading provider of online travel and related services have trailed the broader market over the past year. BKNG has dipped 8.6% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 10.5%. In 2025, BKNG stock is down 7.8%, surpassing SPXs 11.2% rise on a YTD basis. More News from Barchart Zooming in further, BKNGs outperformance is also apparent compared to the Amplify Travel Tech ETF (AWAY). The exchange-traded fund has declined 8.6% over the past year and 9.5% in 2025. www.barchart.com On Oct. 28, Booking Holdings reported its third-quarter 2025 results, and despite delivering generally substantial numbers, the stock slipped 2.1% as investors reacted cautiously to the outlook. The company posted $9.01 billion in revenue, up 13% year over year, and gross bookings surged 14% to $49.7 billion, reflecting resilient global travel demand. Room nights booked rose about 8%, and adjusted EPS jumped 19% to $99.50, beating analyst expectations. Booking also raised its annual cost-savings target to $500550 million, signaling improved operational efficiency. For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect BKNGs EPS to grow 21.3% to $226.96 on a diluted basis. The companys earnings surprise history is impressive. It beat the consensus estimate in each of the last four quarters. Among the 38 analysts covering BKNG stock, the consensus is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on 25 Strong Buy ratings, two Moderate Buys, and 11 Holds. www.barchart.com The configuration is bullish than a month ago when it had 22 Strong Buy suggestions. On Oct. 9, BTIGs Jake Fuller reiterated his Buy rating on Booking Holdings and kept his price target at $6,250. The mean price target of $6,174.29 represents a 34.7% premium to BKNGs current price levels. The Street-high price target of $7,447 suggests an ambitious upside potential of 62.5%. 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 'He Was Crying Uncontrollably': Witness Recounts Final Moments Of Delhi Teen Who Died By Suicide Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 14:58 IST A Class 10 student in Delhi died by suicide after alleging year-long torture by teachers. Deepshika, a witness, described his distress. Four teachers were suspended. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google 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) Following the death of a Class 10 student in Delhi, who had jumped from the RK Ashram Metro Station, a woman who travelled with him on an e-rickshaw in his final hours has revealed that he was visibly distressed, crying uncontrollably, and repeatedly claimed that he had been tortured" by his teachers throughout the year. The boy had died by suicide on November 18, shortly after leaving school, prompting an FIR, the suspension of four teachers, and serious accusations of prolonged mistreatment in the classroom. Recommended Stories According to a report in The Indian Express, the witness, Deepshika, a 45-year-old homemaker, said she boarded an e-rickshaw with her son and another student around 2.15 pm outside the boys school. The Class 10 student joined them moments later. She remembered that he seemed shaken" and urgently asked the driver to head toward RK Ashram Metro Station. When Deepshika gently inquired why he was crying, the student, agitated, spoke about his struggles at school. He regretted enrolling there, complained about teachers repeatedly summoning his parents for minor issues, and said the pressure" had persisted all year. He also named four teachers, the woman claimed, as per the report. The witness mentioned that the boy continued to wipe his tears while talking about his father, a businessman who often worked out of state. He questioned how his parents could constantly travel to school while managing their jobs. The more reassurance they offered, the more distressed he became. When I gently asked him what was wrong, he said, I am in Class 10. There are just ten days left for the board exambut the teachers are torturing me. My father is a businessmanbut these teachers He went on to say that the torture had continued throughout the year and that for every small issue, the teachers insisted that his parents be called to the school," Deepshika told the outlet. When my son asked him about the teachers, the boy began crying louder," she said. The e-rickshaw reached Gole Market soon after, and Deepshika disembarked, one stop before RK Ashram. She noted that the boy had no money for the ride and gave him Rs 10 before exiting. He thanked her softly. Around 2.45 pm, approximately half an hour later, the boy jumped from the metro station platform onto the road below. On Thursday, following a complaint from the boys father, Delhi Police registered an FIR and the school suspended four teachers. On Friday, Deepshika expressed regret for not recognising the severity of the boys emotional state. If I had even the slightest idea that he was going to take such a drastic step, I would have stopped the e-rickshaw, taken his parents number, and contacted them," she added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A death note found in the boys school bag revealed months of alleged abuse. According to the police, the note detailed repeated humiliation, harsh reprimands, and sustained torture" by some teachers. He named four teachers and wrote that they should be punished for what he had endured. The message, partly addressed to his family, included an apology to his parents and elder brother and a plea that no other student should experience similar treatment. 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) 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 22, 2025, 14:58 IST News cities new-delhi-news 'He Was Crying Uncontrollably': Witness Recounts Final Moments Of Delhi Teen Who Died By Suicide 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... Education Ministry To Conduct Fourth Kashi Tamil Sangamam From December 2 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 12:18 IST The theme for 2025 is Learn Tamil Tamil Karkalam, aiming to promote Tamil learning across India and foster appreciation for Indias classical linguistic and literary heritage. In KTS 4.0, more than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu will participate under seven categories. (Image: News18 Tamil) Beginning on 2nd December 2025, the Ministry of Education will host the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0 starting December 2. This event will be celebrating the profound civilisational links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. This initiative honours the cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people connections between the two regions, embodying the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat, the education ministry stated in an official notice. Interested candidates can apply at kashitamil.iitm.ac.in. The registration window will close at 8 PM on November 21, 2025, and a selection quiz will be conducted on November 23, 2025 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Recommended Stories The fourth edition aims to deepen engagement through enhanced learning exchanges, cultural immersion, academic interactions, and greater youth participation, reads the official notice by PIB. The theme for 2025 is Learn Tamil Tamil Karkalam", aiming to promote Tamil learning across India and foster appreciation for Indias classical linguistic and literary heritage. In KTS 4.0, more than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu will participate under seven categories: 1. Students 2. Teachers 3. Writers & Media Professionals 4. Agriculture & Allied Sectors 5. Professionals & Artisans 6. Women 7. Spiritual Scholars and Practitioners Delegates will undertake an 8-day experiential tour, including visits to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya, with interactions, seminars, cultural performances, and exposure to local cuisine, handicrafts, and heritage. They will visit significant Tamil heritage locations in Varanasi, such as the ancestral house of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharatiyar, Kedar Ghat, the Kasi Madam in the Little Tamil Nadu" area, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Mata Annapurna Temple. Additionally, they will visit the Tamil Department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for academic and literary interactions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The programme is organised by IIT Madras and BHU Varanasi, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Major Initiatives under KTS 4.0 include Sage Agasthya vehicle expedition from Tenkasi to Kashi; teaching Tamil in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh schools; and Tamil learning study tours for students of Uttar Pradesh. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, ... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 12:18 IST News education-career Education Ministry To Conduct Fourth Kashi Tamil Sangamam From December 2 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... BJP Deploys Bengal 'Crack Team', Plans Twin Strikes On TMC In Upcoming Polls | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 16:14 IST The plan splits Bengal into 6 political zones, each supervised by leaders who either have proven record in difficult polls or have handled key organisational roles in other states Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google The Bengal battle has formally begun and the BJP is treating it as a national prestige contest against Mamata Banerjee. (News18) In the run-up to the 2026 assembly polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rolled out a region-wise command structure in West Bengal, deploying senior organisation strategists and sitting ministers from across India, signalling that the party is treating Bengal not as just another state election, but as a frontline political battlefield. News18 has exclusively accessed the full structure of BJPs Team Bengal, the most detailed and geographically calibrated organisational deployment the party has executed in the state. The plan splits Bengal into six political zones, each supervised by leaders who either have a proven record in difficult elections or have handled key organisational roles in other states. Recommended Stories Party insiders say the blueprint reflects two objectives: break Trinamools district-level dominance and build booth-level muscle where BJP collapsed in 2021. 1. RARH BANGA BELT: THE LABORATORY OF BJPS EXPANSION This region, consisting of Purulia, Bankura, and Bardhaman, remains the BJPs most promising turf after the 2019 surge. To consolidate gains, the party has placed Chhattisgarhs organisation general secretary Pawan Sai in charge. He will be assisted by Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, signalling a twin focus: organisational discipline and welfare-scheme penetration. BJPs penetration in Bengal happened through Purulia, even before the 2019 general election, signalling the possibility this belt holds for the saffron party. But in 2024, BJP lost the key Rarh targets Bankura and Bardhaman seats. 2. THE HOWRAHHOOGHLYMEDINIPUR TRIANGLE If sources are to be believed, Delhis organisation general secretary Pawan Rana takes overall control of this politically volatile belt. Due to its huge expanse, the area has been further divested with BJP leaders. Howrah-Hooghlys responsibility has been given to senior Haryana leader Sanjay Bhatia. Medinipurs charge has been given to Uttar Pradesh minister JPS Rathore, sources said, adding that the battlefield of defectors and prestige politics has now been marked as a priority combat theatre. 3. KOLKATA METROPOLITAN & SOUTH 24 PARGANAS: MAMATAS FORTRESS This is the TMC citadela region the BJP has never breached meaningfully. To counter TMCs most-organised machinery, BJP has deployed Himachal organisation general secretary M Siddharthan. Karnataka heavyweight CT Ravi, BJPs youth face, has also been pressed into action, News18 has learnt. A senior BJP leader in New Delhi whom News18 spoke to described this deployment as a high-impact strike team" to break the perception that Kolkata and South Bengal are permanently closed to saffron politics. 4. NABADWIP & NORTH 24 PARGANAS: THE COMMUNAL POLARISATION BELT This zone, with deep religious significance and shifting demographic dynamics, has been assigned to N Madhukar who is BJPs Andhra Pradesh organisation general secretary and western Uttar Pradesh senior leader Suresh Rana. The BJP believes this region has latent support but weak structuresomething the new command aims to reverse. 5. NORTH BENGAL: UNPREDICTABLE A region that once delivered seats in clusters but saw fragmentation later. In Malda, Arunachal Pradesh leader Anant Narayan Mishra has been appointed. Meanwhile, in Siliguri, Karnataka organisation figure Arun Binnadi has been given charges, the sources added. North Bengal, with ethnic alliances and Gorkhaland sentiments, needs micro-managementand the BJP seems prepared. In the 2024 general elections, BJP lost one more seat than in the 2019 general election in its turf, North Bengalthat too of MoS Home Nisith Pramanik. 6. DARJEELING & FOOTHILLS: NARRATIVE WAR ZONE The most symbolic and politically sensitive theatreDarjeelinggoes to national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, formerly part of the Delhi narrative committee. Sources say former Union minister Kailash Choudhary will operate aggressively in the Cooch Behar-Alipurduar belt, where BJP once dominated but has struggled to retain ground. Interestingly, this comes in the backdrop of the appointment of retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh as interlocutor to hold talks with Gorkha groups. WHY THIS MATTERS? Unlike 2021, when the BJP poured resources but was found way short of Do Sau Paar" when the TMC swept back to power, the party seems to be eager to not raise the decibel of its campaign early but focus on its strategy quietly. All these leaders have either reached their respective zones in Bengal or are about to. One leader who has reached the state told News18 on the condition of anonymity: I will be camping here till I am told otherwise." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In his speech after the Bihar election win, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left little to imagination when he said: The Ganga flows through Bihar and reaches Bengal. Bihar has also paved the way for the BJPs victory in Bengal. I also congratulate the brothers and sisters of Bengal. Now, together with you, the BJP will uproot jungle raj from West Bengal as well." With the redeployment of its leaders, the message is unmistakable: The Bengal battle has formally begun and the BJP is treating it as a national prestige contest against Mamata Banerjee. About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep ... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 16:14 IST News elections BJP Deploys Bengal 'Crack Team', Plans Twin Strikes On TMC In Upcoming Polls | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... BJP Sharpens Matua Outreach As Election Strategy Gains Momentum In Bengal Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:23 IST Beginning December, BJP leaders have been asked to hold street-corner meetings, focusing on corruption and other issues the party intends to highlight against the TMC government Rapid Read + Follow us On Google BJP has instructed leaders to expand the number of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)-assistance camps across the state for Matuas. (PTI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to put greater emphasis on the Matua issue amid an increasingly competitive political atmosphere in West Bengal. With the Trinamool Congress (TMC) running sustained campaigns to reassure the Matua community about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the BJP has decided to intensify its own outreach. Sources told News18 that during an internal review, BJP leaders discussed plans to prioritise concerns of the Matua community in the coming months. Recommended Stories An organisational meeting was convened at the BJPs Salt Lake office as part of preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. The session was attended by key state leaders, including Sunil Bansal, Sukanta Majumdar, Shamik Bhattacharya, Subrata Thakur, Shankar Ghosh and Khagen Murmu. Bansal, the partys chief central observer for Bengal, laid out several strategic directives expected to guide the partys campaign. CAA-Focused Outreach Bansal instructed leaders to expand the number of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)-assistance camps across the state. He emphasised that BJP leaders must support members of the Matua community and those who migrated from Bangladesh due to religious persecution, helping them through the entire process from filling out citizenship forms to receiving their certificates. The directive underscores the partys attempt to consolidate Matua support ahead of the polls. Beginning December, BJP leaders have been asked to hold street-corner meetings (poth sabhas) in every shakti kendra, focusing on corruption and other issues the party intends to highlight against the TMC government. The BJP will also restart its Prabash initiative. Under this plan, senior leaders will be required to spend three consecutive days in each assembly constituency, conduct extensive public outreach, and participate in local campaign activities. Bansal also directed the organisation to intensify its campaign on the issue of infiltration in Bengal. Leaders have been asked to take the message to the panchayat and booth-level units and engage directly with local residents. Internal Message to Workers During the meeting, Bansal reiterated that there is no distinction between new" and old" workers within the party. He urged all cadres to work collectively with the single objective of winning the 2026 assembly elections and to strengthen organisational unity across all levels. Although the BJPs new state committee is yet to be constituted, the party has already moved into full election mode, signalling the beginning of an aggressive political push ahead of the assembly polls. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all PMs Push Prime Minister Narendra Modis visits to the state are also set to resume from December. Along with PM Modi, senior BJP leaders such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah and national office-bearers of the party will also visit the state. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 10:23 IST News elections BJP Sharpens Matua Outreach As Election Strategy Gains Momentum In Bengal 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... Communist Vs Fascist Feud Melts Into A Surprisingly Warm Trump-Mamdani Meet: Key Highlights Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:46 IST What was expected to be a tense face-off between Trump and Mamdani instead unfolded as a calm, joke-filled discussion centred on New Yorks cost-of-living crisis and public safety Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani shaking hands in the White House. (AFP) For months, a self-described democratic socialist who once called Donald Trump a fascist" and despot" and a US President who labelled him a 100% Communist Lunatic", Jew hater" and total nut job" looked destined for a dramatic collision. Instead, when the two finally sat together in the Oval Office on Friday, what many expected to be a confrontation opened with jokes, soft tones, and a display of common ground that would have been unthinkable even weeks ago. From Months Of Insults To An Unexpectedly Cordial Oval Office Encounter Recommended Stories The meeting had been billed as a face-off between two men who had publicly torn into each other for months. US President Donald Trump had repeatedly attacked New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during the New York mayoral campaign. Mamdani, in turn, had called Trumps administration authoritarian", described himself as Donald Trumps worst nightmare", and referred to the president as a despot" and fascist." But inside the Oval Office, the expected tension gave way to an almost disarmingly friendly tone. Trump brushed off the despot" remark by saying, Ive been called much worse than a despot," and added that Mamdani might change his mind once he gets to know me." The two even laughed off past insults, and Trump placed a hand on Mamdanis shoulder as he told reporters, I think youre going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor," adding, The better he does, the happier I am." Reporters repeatedly tried to steer the pair back to their old animosities, pointing to the sharp exchanges of the last year. But instead of sparring, both kept circling back to shared priorities. A Sudden Display Of Common Ground On Affordability And Safety Despite their ideological distance, the two repeatedly emphasised areas where they aligned primarily affordability, the issue that shaped Mamdanis campaign. Trump said, Weve just had a great meeting, a very productive meeting. We have one thing in common We want this city of ours that we love to do very well." They discussed the cost of groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing and pressures faced by residents in what Mamdani described as the most expensive city to live in. Mamdani said the meeting was focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City, and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers who are struggling to afford it." Safety was the other major theme where both signalled alignment. Trump said, He wants to have a safe New York. Ultimately, a safe New York is going to be a great New York." He added, He doesnt want to see crime, and I dont want to see crime." Trump Signalled Support For The Man He Once Called A Communist Lunatic Throughout the conversation, Trump made clear that he intended to work with Mamdani, despite the rhetoric he used during the campaign. He said, I expect to be helping him, not hurting him," and added, We are going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true." He also praised Mamdanis election victory, saying, I want to congratulate the mayor. He really ran an incredible race against some very tough people, very smart people." Trump said Mamdani would surprise some conservative people, actually," and noted that Some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have." At one point, he said he would be comfortable living in New York under a Mamdani administration. Mamdani Chose Diplomacy Mamdani did not retreat from his past criticism but avoided any attempt to escalate it. When asked whether he still believed Trump was a despot", he said, I think both President Trump and I, we are very clear about our positions and our views." He repeatedly redirected contentious questions back to affordability, the central theme of his political message. When asked about earlier comments on US policy in Gaza, he said, I told the president that so much of the focus of the campaign has been on the cost of living." He also noted that many Trump supporters backed him during the campaign, saying, I can tell you that there were more New Yorkers who voted for President Trump in the most recent presidential election because of that focus on cost of living." The Political Stakes Were High For Both Both leaders entered the meeting with vested interests. Mamdani, who had sought advice from senior Democrats beforehand, faced the reality that federal cooperation would be essential for passing his budget and delivering on his agenda. Trump, who has deep personal and financial ties to New York, had little to gain from an open feud with the incoming mayor of the countrys most visible city. The encounter also undercut Republican efforts to present Mamdani as a dangerous extremist. Despite weeks of attacks from party figures, Trump chose not to amplify those lines in the Oval Office. When asked whether he agreed with claims that Mamdani was a jihadist", Trump said, No, I dont." The Oval Office interaction effectively softened the ideological battle lines the two had drawn for months. Who Said What: Key Quotes Donald Trump Weve just had a great meeting, a very productive meeting. We have one thing in common We want this city of ours that we love to do very well." I want to congratulate the mayor. He really ran an incredible race against some very tough people, very smart people." I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually." The better he does, the happier I am. We are going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true." He wants to have a safe New York. Ultimately, a safe New York is going to be a great New York." Some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have." We agree on a lot more than I wouldve thought." I think this mayor can do some things that are going to be really great." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Zohran Mamdani It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City." We spoke about groceries, utility, and different ways the people are being pushed." I told the president that so much of the focus of the campaign has been on the cost of living." 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 22, 2025, 10:41 IST News explainers Communist Vs Fascist Feud Melts Into A Surprisingly Warm Trump-Mamdani Meet: Key Highlights 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... What Rights, Protections And Opportunities Do Indias New Labour Codes Give Women | Explained Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 14:35 IST The four labour codes replace 29 older laws and introduce stronger safeguards, better pay structures, and new opportunities for women across sectors The new labour codes collectively point to a more structured and inclusive workplace environment for women across both formal and informal sectors. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi) India has brought four major labour codes into force from 21 November, replacing and rationalising 29 older laws in what the government calls a landmark overhaul of the countrys labour framework. These older laws were crafted between the 1930s and 1950s, an era when the nature of work, technology, and the role of women in the economy were dramatically different. The Ministry of Labour and Employment has said the new system modernises outdated regulations and aims to ensure dignity for every worker," with several provisions focused specifically on improving opportunities, safety and equality for women. Recommended Stories Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the rollout as transformative. He said: These reforms are not just ordinary changes, but a major step taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the welfare of the workforce." He added: These new labour reforms are an important step towards a self-reliant India and will give new momentum to the goal of a developed India by 2047." The four codes now in effect are the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (OSHWC), 2020. Together, they overhaul Indias rules on wages, working conditions, hiring systems, social security and workplace safety. Embedded within these reforms are several measures that directly strengthen the rights and protections available to women workers. How Do The New Codes Expand Opportunities For Women? A central feature of the new framework is that women are now allowed to work night shifts across all establishments and sectors, including those involving heavy machinery and even underground mining. This change removes long-standing restrictions that limited womens participation in higher-earning shift-based roles, particularly in manufacturing and export-oriented industries. The codes make night work conditional on written consent and require employers to provide a safe working environment. This includes secure transportation, CCTV surveillance, and adequate security arrangements for women who work late hours. For workers in export sectors, for instance, night-shift eligibility combined with safety guarantees offers the chance to earn higher incomes in roles that rely heavily on round-the-clock operations. Equal Pay, Anti-Discrimination And Womens Representation The reforms mark a significant shift in how the law treats workplace equality. Under the Code on Wages, equal pay for equal work is now a legal guarantee. This removes earlier ambiguities that allowed wage gaps to persist based on job classification or workplace practice. Employers will no longer be able to justify lower wages for women on arbitrary grounds, and the compliance responsibility now sits directly with organisations. Gender discrimination is also explicitly prohibited. This includes discriminatory treatment in hiring, pay, work allocation, career progression or any other aspect of employment. By carrying a clear legal mandate, these protections seek to make workplaces more equitable and broaden womens access to skilled and better-paid roles. Another reform aimed at strengthening womens voice in the workplace is the requirement for mandatory representation of women in grievance redressal committees. This means women must be part of the internal bodies that examine complaints related to workplace conduct, discrimination or service matters, ensuring that issues raised by women are reviewed with adequate gender representation. A More Inclusive Definition Of Family And Expanded Social-Security Coverage The Code on Social Security introduces a notable change for women employees: the inclusion of parents-in-law in the definition of family." This expands the circle of dependents covered under social-security benefits and acknowledges caregiving responsibilities that many women shoulder. The code also extends social-security benefits, such as provident fund, ESIC coverage and insurance, to gig workers, platform workers and those in unorganised sectors. Women are disproportionately represented in such informal and insecure forms of work. As a result, widening social-security access, enforcing digital employment records and applying uniform standards across establishments are expected to improve job stability and formalisation for many women. Mandatory appointment letters are another shift towards transparency. Written appointment letters will ensure clarity of employment terms and serve as proof of job status, an important safeguard for workers, particularly women in informal roles. What Safety Measures And Working-Condition Protections Do The Codes Require? The OSHWC Code introduces a range of safeguards that apply across industries but carry particular significance for women. Free annual health check-ups for workers above 40 Regulated working hours Double wages for overtime Paid leave provisions Safety committees in establishments with more than 500 workers A National OSH Board to harmonise safety and health standards across hazardous sectors These measures aim to ensure that workplaces meet minimum safety standards and follow consistent rules across industries. Why Were These Codes Introduced? According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Indias earlier labour laws were designed for a very different economic era. The new codes aim to streamline compliance, improve workers access to social security and formalise employment across sectors. They also seek to bring millions of gig, platform and informal-sector workersmany of whom are womeninto the protective fold of labour regulations. Snapshot Of Major Guarantees Across The New Labour Codes Timely minimum wages for all workers Mandatory appointment letters for every employee Equal pay for women and safe night-shift provisions Social-security coverage for 40 crore workers, including gig and platform workers (PF, ESIC, insurance) Gratuity eligibility after one year for fixed-term and contract workers Free annual health check-ups for workers above 40 Double wages for overtime and regulated working hours 100 per cent health protection in hazardous sectors through a National OSH Board Mandatory safety committees in establishments employing more than 500 workers top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What Do These Reforms Mean For Women Workers? Taken together, the new labour codes create a clearer legal framework for equal pay, safer working conditions, expanded opportunities and broader social-security coverage for women. Experts note that the transition may unfold in stages as rules and schemes are implemented, but the changes collectively point to a more structured and inclusive workplace environment for women across both formal and informal sectors. 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 22, 2025, 14:30 IST News explainers What Rights, Protections And Opportunities Do Indias New Labour Codes Give Women | Explained 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... Why Zohran Mamdani-Donald Trump Meet Stumped X: 'Does Trump Love Zohran Now?' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:05 IST How X reacted to Zohran Mamdani and US President Donald Trump's historic meeting at the White House. Zohran Mamdani's much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump went surprisingly well and everybody was surprised. (X photograph) Lmao," wrote an X user while captioning a photo of New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani standing beside the US President Donald Trump. The post received 1 million views in no time on the Elon Musk-owned social media platform. The unlikely union between the two bitter rivals was earlier announced by Trump, who took to Truth Social to announce that a meeting was slated with Mamdani at the Oval Office on November 21. Social media had braced for an ugly catfight-like situation when the unstoppable force met the immovable object. Keeping it straight to the point, 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!" Recommended Stories What happened next surprised one and all, and the Mamdani-Trump union broke the Internet quite literally. Trump Praises Mamdani After labelling Mamdani with not-so-flattering words such as lunatic", communist", despot", among many others, Trumps meeting with the historic winner of the New York mayoral elections went surprisingly well. In fact, the clashing duo called their meeting productive". He really ran an incredible race against, you know, a lot of smart people, starting with the early primaries against some very tough people, very smart people. And he beat them and he beat them easily. And I congratulated him and we talked about some things in very strong common, like housing and getting housing built, and food, prices and the price of oil is coming way down," Trump said. Also Read: Smiles, Praises & Promises: Trump, Mamdani Set Aside Bitter Feud At Friendly White House Meeting Mamdani agreed with the US chief: The meeting with the president and as he said, it was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City, and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers," he said. Trump reiterated that he was pleasantly surprised by how well the meeting with the mayor-elect went, adding that the two men actually share strikingly similar end goals. We had a meeting today that actually surprised me," he said. He wants to see no crime, he wants to see housing being built, he wants to see rents coming down all things that I agree with." On Same Page Mamdani said he was happy with how the meeting with the president unfolded. He got to talk about the rent in the city, the cost of groceries, and the affordability of New York. We spoke about rent, we spoke about groceries, we spoke about utilities. We spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out. And I appreciated the time with the president. I appreciated the conversation. I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability for New Yorkers," Mamdani said. Trump, once again, was in agreement with Mamdani. We had some interesting conversation, and some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have. But a big thing on cost. You know, the new word is affordability. Another word is just groceries. Its sort of an old-fashioned word but its very accurate. And theyre coming down," he said. Lighter Moments Mamdani was asked about his fascist" jibe at Trump but before he could answer, Trump intervened and said: Thats OK, you can just say yes, OK? Its easier. Its easier than explaining it, I dont mind." Q: Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?MAMDANI: I've spoken about TRUMP: That's okay. You can just say yes. I don't mind. pic.twitter.com/uWZFRcmGxB Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 21, 2025 The light-hearted moment brought laughter in the Oval Office. Also Read: Zohran Mamdani To Make Arabic Numerals Mandatory In NY Schools? X Took Bait And Outraged Hard People Are In Disbelief People on social media couldnt stop talking about the duos meet-up, especially since the two seemed cordial and all smiles a sight they hadnt anticipated in their wildest dreams. To nobodys surprise, Mamdani-Trumps White House meeting became the top trend on X on Saturday. Trump loves Zohran so much he let him call him a fascist in the Oval Office lmfao what is happening," wrote one X user. I have to admit, I was saying that trump would be charmed by zohran but I really could not have anticipated him patting him on the arm and going its okay sweetie, you can call me a fascist if you want to" (sic)." hes never even looked at jd like that pic.twitter.com/FMZfrqQg3v vaibhav vijay (@_vaibhavvijay_) November 21, 2025 Zohran Mamdani, regularly slammed for being a political novice, just pulled off an absolute political masterclass. He requested a meeting with Trump, got Trump to endorse his efforts, and defanged the rights constant attacks on him. Absolutely incredible stuff," a user wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is one of the funniest things that has happened in a long, long time. https://t.co/dEoMH4bs3r Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) November 22, 2025 I am LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY at this meeting! Republican campaign consultants built their entire midterm strategy around making Mamdani into the devil incarnate and the face of Democratic Party, then Trump slobbers all over him today in the Oval!" chimed another. 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 22, 2025, 10:05 IST News explainers Why Zohran Mamdani-Donald Trump Meet Stumped X: 'Does Trump Love Zohran Now?' 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... 45-Year-Old Man Crushed To Death At Gurugram Toll Booth After Stepping Out Over FASTag Issue Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 07:37 IST A man was killed after being run over and dragged by a dumper truck at Kherki Daula toll plaza on the DelhiJaipur Expressway. Police are searching for the truck driver. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Representative Image. (AI Generated) In a shocking incident, a 45-year-old man was crushed to death and dragged for nearly 200 metres under a dumper truck at the Kherki Daula toll plaza on the DelhiJaipur Expressway early on Friday morning, police said. The incident occurred when a man, who was on his way to drop a friend at the airport, stepped out of his car to address an insufficient balance issue flagged during his FASTag scan. He was caught in the path of a speeding truck whose driver accelerated the moment the boom barrier lifted. Recommended Stories According to the police, the victim has been identified as Mubin Khan. He lived in ward number seven of Tijara in Alwar district and had left home at dawn to drop his friend, Puneet Kumar, to the Indira Gandhi International Airport who was scheduled to fly to Bengaluru. Investigators familiar with the case said Khans Hyundai Aura was flagged after the automatic deduction of Rs 95 failed due to insufficient FASTag balance. Toll booth staff instructed him to pull over and leave his mobile phone as collateral while he paid the manual toll of Rs 118 via UPI. He parked the car a short distance ahead, stepped out, and walked toward the operators cabin. Although he recharged his FASTag with Rs 100, the update had not reflected by the time he reached the booth. According to Sandeep Turan, spokesperson for the Gurugram police, the accident occurred moments after Khan completed his payment and began walking back. A truck entered the lane, and when the boom barrier lifted after the toll was deducted from its Fastag, the driver accelerated. He ran over Khan instantly. It appears he either didnt realise he had mowed someone down, or he deliberately kept driving to escape," Turan said. Khan was pulled under the trucks rear wheels and dragged for several metres, leaving his body completely mutilated, Hindustan Times reported. The truck sped away, and it was only when toll workers noticed a trail of blood and body parts that they realised what had happened. Even Kumar, who sat in the car just a few feet aware, remained unaware of the horrific accident. He repeatedly called Khans phone to ask what was causing the delay, but nobody answered. He learned that an accident had taken place, when he walked back to the booth. After rushing towards the small crowd gathering near the lane exit, he recognised his friends body and immediately alerted the family in Tijara. CCTV footage from the plaza captured the trucks Rajasthan registration number, and police said the driver would be arrested soon. According to a senior official from the toll-operating firm, the truck, loaded with gravel, sped off moments after the accident. CCTV footage has been handed over to police. Dilshad Khan, a relative, said Mubin and Puneet had left Tijara shortly before 4am. Kumars flight was at 9am. They had been close friends for years. We received the information almost instantly, and several of us rushed to Gurugram," he said. He added that the police did not allow the family to see the body. They warned us not to open the bag after the post-mortem because it was too mutilated. We didnt get to see him even one last time." His wife Sarjeena is repeatedly fainting since she got to know about his death. A doctor visited her at home and gave her some medicines to sleep," he said. Khan owned several acres of ancestral land and was active in real estate dealings across Tijara and parts of Alwar. He was also the familys backbone the sole provider, the problem-solver, the person everyone depended on. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all His daughter Muskaan, 20, and sons Arman, 16, and Asif, 17, still cannot grasp that he is gone," Dilshad said. The entire family is shattered. And police have still not taken even arrested the truck driver." An FIR has been registered on the complaint of Khans brother, Ramzan Khan against the truck driver under Sections 106 (causing death by negligence) and 281 (rash driving) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Kherki Daula police station. First Published: November 22, 2025, 07:37 IST News india 45-Year-Old Man Crushed To Death At Gurugram Toll Booth After Stepping Out Over FASTag Issue 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... 5 Chief Justices Among 15 Foreign Guests To Attend Justice Surya Kant's Oath-Taking As 53rd CJI Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 14:02 IST According to the list of foreign attendees, Chief Justices of Bhutan, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal & Sri Lanka will be part of the event, along with the celebration of Constitution Day Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Justice Surya Kant | File Image The oath-taking ceremony of Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India will witness over 15 guests from neighbouring countries, including five foreign Chief Justices and six judges along with their family members. According to the list of foreign attendees, Chief Justices of Bhutan, Kenya, Mauritius, Nepal and Sri Lanka will be part of the event, along with the celebration of the Constitution Day. Recommended Stories Justice Surya Kant is slated to take oath as the 53rd CJI after a long judicial career marked by significant constitutional rulings, work on institutional reforms and a sustained focus on legal aid delivery Born on February 10, 1962, in Haryanas Hisar, Justice Surya Kant comes from a modest, middle-class family in a region not often in the spotlight of Indias judicial elite. Justice Kant pursued his undergraduate education at Government Post Graduate College, Hisar, and earned his law degree from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, in 1984. His advocacy credentials grew rapidly: by 2000 (approximately at age 38), he had been appointed as the Advocate General of Haryana, making him one of the youngest to hold that position in the state. In March 2001, he received the designation of Senior Advocate. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In his recommendation, current CJI BR Gavai described Justice Surya Kant as suited and competent in all aspects to take the helm", noting that both men share a social background marked by perseverance and struggle, which in CJI Gavais view equips Justice Surya Kant to understand the concerns of those who rely on the judiciary for protection. Justice Surya Kant has been a member of multiple Constitution Benches in the Supreme Court and has played a key role in several significant decisions, including the 2023 judgment that upheld the abrogation of Article 370. During the course of his tenure, he has contributed to more than a thousand rulings covering areas such as constitutional interpretation, human rights, and administrative law. 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 22, 2025, 14:02 IST News india 5 Chief Justices Among 15 Foreign Guests To Attend Justice Surya Kant's Oath-Taking As 53rd CJI Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'A Trusted Orchestra': Army Chief Hails Op Sindoor, Says 9 Targets Destroyed In 22 Minutes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 18:26 IST Operation Sindoor was Indias direct military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi (Image: PTI) Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday described Operation Sindoor as a trusted orchestra" in which Indian forces played a synergistic role", neutralising nine terrorist targets in just 22 minutes. Speaking at the 27th convocation of NDIM in Delhi, he said the success of the mission rested on seamless coordination and trust across all units involved. Recommended Stories Operation Sindoor was a trusted orchestra where every musician played a simultaneous or synergistic role," the Army Chief said. That is how, in 22 minutes, we were able to destroy nine terrorist targets, and in 88 hours ensure that the battle came to an end. But more importantly, there would have been no time for decision-making had we not visualised and trusted the entire team." Delhi: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi says, Operation Sindoor was a trusted orchestra where every musician played a simultaneous or synergistic role. That is how, in 22 minutes, we were able to destroy nine terrorist targets, and in 88 hours, ensure that the pic.twitter.com/3gvle2IUXH IANS (@ians_india) November 22, 2025 Operation Sindoor was Indias direct military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. Launching the offensive in the early hours of May 7, the Indian military targeted terror infrastructure located across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation continued until a ceasefire took effect on May 10. The four-day clash witnessed the deployment of fighter jets, missiles, armed drones and heavy artillery in what marked one of the most forceful Indian responses in recent years. Trailer, Not the Movie Earlier this week, Gen Dwivedi had offered a blunt message to Pakistan, asserting that the May confrontation under Operation Sindoor was only a trailer." As far as Sindoor 1.0 is concerned, the movie had not even started. We just showed them a trailer and that trailer ended in 88 hours," he said at a curtain-raiser for the Chanakya Defence Dialogue. If Pakistan gives us a chance again, we will educate them on how a responsible nation should behave with its neighbours." He added that India remains prepared for future contingencies and will respond decisively to any provocation. Gen Dwivedi also reiterated that India views terror groups and their backers as indistinguishable, stressing that any party enabling terrorism would face consequences. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Whether it is the terrorists or their masters, they are the same for us," he said. Even if we get a bairang chitthi (unstamped letter), we know who to respond to. We are not worried about that." Emphasising Indias commitment to peace, he said the country seeks progress and stability but will not hesitate to act against those who attempt to derail it.. First Published: November 22, 2025, 18:26 IST News india 'A Trusted Orchestra': Army Chief Hails Op Sindoor, Says 9 Targets Destroyed In 22 Minutes 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... Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand C.I. Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CIHLDG). Return on equity or ROE is an important factor to be considered by a shareholder because it tells them how effectively their capital is being reinvested. In short, ROE shows the profit each dollar generates with respect to its shareholder investments. We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. How Do You Calculate Return On Equity? Return on equity can be calculated by using the formula: Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations) Shareholders' Equity So, based on the above formula, the ROE for C.I. Holdings Berhad is: 21% = RM125m RM591m (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2025). The 'return' refers to a company's earnings over the last year. Another way to think of that is that for every MYR1 worth of equity, the company was able to earn MYR0.21 in profit. Check out our latest analysis for C.I. Holdings Berhad Does C.I. Holdings Berhad Have A Good ROE? By comparing a company's ROE with its industry average, we can get a quick measure of how good it is. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, C.I. Holdings Berhad has a superior ROE than the average (9.4%) in the Food industry. KLSE:CIHLDG Return on Equity November 22nd 2025 That is a good sign. However, bear in mind that a high ROE doesnt necessarily indicate efficient profit generation. Especially when a firm uses high levels of debt to finance its debt which may boost its ROE but the high leverage puts the company at risk. To know the 4 risks we have identified for C.I. Holdings Berhad visit our risks dashboard for free. How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. C.I. Holdings Berhad's Debt And Its 21% ROE It's worth noting the high use of debt by C.I. Holdings Berhad, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.01. While its ROE is respectable, it is worth keeping in mind that there is usually a limit as to how much debt a company can use. Debt increases risk and reduces options for the company in the future, so you generally want to see some good returns from using it. Al-Falah Apologises For Outdated NAAC Claims, Blames 'Oversight, Website-Design Errors' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:08 IST Al-Falah University faces scrutiny over links to the Red Fort blast accused and outdated accreditation claims. NAAC had issued a show-cause notice on Nov 12. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google A view of the Al-Falah University in Faridabad (PTI) Faridabads Al-Falah University, which is under the spotlight after investigators linked members of its medical college to the November 10 Red Fort blast, has submitted its response to the show-cause notice issued by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on November 12, two senior officials from the council confirmed on Friday. In its reply, the university claimed that the outdated accreditation listings on its website stemmed from oversight," website-design errors," and unintentional lapses." Officials said the institution seemed apologetic" and informed NAAC that the incorrect claims had been removed. Recommended Stories According to a report in Hindustan Times, NAAC is not considering additional action for the time being. The officials also said that, following the Al-Falah incident, the council has issued similar notices to roughly 25 other institutions found displaying lapsed accreditation statuses online, instructing them to take down such information. Al-Falah Under Scanner After Delhi Blast NAACs notice had been prompted just two days after several doctors at Al-Falah Medical College were linked to the blast that killed at least 12 people in the national capital. The council had objected to the university presenting absolutely wrong and misleading" accreditation detailssuch as an A Grade" for its engineering college from 2013 and accreditation for its teacher education school from 2011although NAAC grades remain valid for only five years. The Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technologys Grade A accreditation was valid from 2013 to 2018, while the Al-Falah School of Education and Trainings accreditation was valid from 2011 to 2016. The university was asked to clear all incorrect claims, submit a compliance report, and respond within a week. Al-Falah University gave a long explanation about why the outdated accreditation information was still on their website. They said it was an oversight or a website-design mistake and that the pages have now been taken down," a senior NAAC official told the outlet. Another noted the explanation was not entirely straightforward," adding that the university cited neglected webpages and a staff lapse, insisting it was not intentional. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The controversy around Al-Falah has since broadened. On November 18, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of the Al-Falah group, in a money laundering case linked to alleged fraudulent accreditation and financial irregularities. The Association of Indian Universities has cancelled its membership, while the National Medical Commission has struck four doctors from its register after they were booked under the UAPA. Vice-chancellor Bhupinder Kaur had earlier stated on November 12 that the university had no connection" with the arrested doctors beyond their official roles. 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 : Faridabad, India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:08 IST News india Al-Falah Apologises For Outdated NAAC Claims, Blames 'Oversight, Website-Design Errors' 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... Difficult To Get Out: Jagdeep Dhankhar Warns Against Falling Into Narrative Chakravyuh Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 11:29 IST Jagdeep Dhankhar warns against falling into narrative chakravyuh at Manmohan Vaidyas book launch in Bhopal, urges India to rely on civilisational values amid global challenges. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. (File) Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, in his first public appearance since stepping down from the post in July this year, cautioned against getting trapped in prevailing narratives, describing them as a chakravyuh" that is difficult to escape. While speaking at the launch of RSS leader Manmohan Vaidyas book Hum Aur Yah Vishva in Bhopal on Friday, the Former Vice President categorically asserted that he was not giving his own example." Recommended Stories Bhagwan kare ki koi narrative ke chakkar mein na fas jaye iss chakravyuh mein koi fas gaya toh nikalna bada mushkil hai" (God willing, no one should get caught up in a narrative because if someone falls into this chakravyuh (trap), it becomes very difficult to get out), he said as quoted by news agency ANI. Taking the stage, Dhankhar referred to his long absence from public life, saying, Four months later, on this occasion, on this book, in this city, I should not hesitate to speak." Dhankhar also warned that sections of society were drifting away from morality, spirituality and intellect" and emphasised the rising challenges of information warfare and disruptive technologies such as AI, IoT, Blockchain and Machine Learning. He called for India to draw strength from its deepest inheritance" and civilizational values to navigate these global shifts. It urges India to draw on its deepest narrativesThe book gives a lesson, faced with these grim challenges, creating a very difficult environment, there is reprieve, there is light, beacon of hope, North Star or lets say lighthouse, and that is we must fall back on our deepest inheritance," he said. Highlighting the role of philosophers and thinkers in shaping Indias moral and cultural fabric, Dhankhar said the lessons from the book being launched offered light" and a beacon of hope" in a complex global environment. He also referred to demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act, calling them irrational protests". Dhankhar added, But then, friends, we are living in tough times. No one knows more than I do. We are in tough times. But then, one has to hold ones own." As he was speaking, his aides reminded him about his upcoming flight. Dhankhar responded on stage, Main flight pakadne ke chinta se apne kartavya ko nahin chhod sakta (I cannot neglect my duty out of worry about catching my flight). And friends, my recent past is proof of it." Dhankhars unexpected resignation on the first day of Parliaments monsoon session had sparked political speculation and sharp reactions from the Opposition, which has also criticised his silence in the months that followed. Dhankhar had cited health reasons for his departure from the posts of Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Since then, he has remained largely away from public events, except for attending the swearing-in of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan in September. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : Bhopal, India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 11:29 IST News india Difficult To Get Out: Jagdeep Dhankhar Warns Against Falling Into Narrative Chakravyuh 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... From Countering Drug-Terror Nexus To Global Healthcare: Top Initiatives Suggested By PM Modi At G20 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 16:14 IST PM Modi addressed the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he called for a rethinking of global development parameters. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google PM Modi attends the plenary session of the G20 Summit in South Africa. (Reuters) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, proposing a range of initiatives aimed at reshaping global development in line with Indias civilisational values. Addressing the session on Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind, PM Modi called for a profound rethinking of global development parameters, noting that while the G20 has long shaped global finance and growth, prevailing models have deprived large populations of resources and driven the over-exploitation of nature, challenges felt acutely in Africa. Recommended Stories With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. Indias civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism offers a way forward," he said. Spoke at the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which focussed on inclusive and sustainable growth. With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is pic.twitter.com/AxHki7WegR Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025 PM Modi Raises Issue Of Fentanyl The Prime Minister called attention to the rapid spread of lethal synthetic drugs such as fentanyl and warned of their impact on public health, social stability and global security. He proposed a dedicated G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug Terror-Nexus aimed at unifying financial, governance and security tools. The initiative will help disrupt trafficking networks, choke illicit financial flows, and weaken a major funding source for terrorism. Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy!" Modi said on X. Global Traditional Knowledge Repository The Prime Minister acknowledged that many countries across the world preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living, and proposed the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and well-being," he said after his remarks. This repository will collect and share traditional wisdom that offers proven, time-tested models for sustainable living. Global Healthcare Response Team The Prime Minister also suggested the creation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team that can work together in emergencies and natural disasters. He said the objective of this effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts in G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in emergencies. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative PM Modi also proposed the creation of the G20-Africa Skills Multiplier based on the interest of Africas development. He said the initiative will adopt a train-the-trainers model across sectors, supported and financed by all G20 partners, and create one million certified trainers in Africa over the next decade. These trainers will help skill millions of young people. 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 : South Africa First Published: November 22, 2025, 16:03 IST News india From Countering Drug-Terror Nexus To Global Healthcare: Top Initiatives Suggested By PM Modi At G20 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... 'Fruitful Interaction': PM Modi Meets Indian-Origin Tech Entrepreneurs On Sidelines Of G20 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 06:56 IST PM Narendra Modi met Indian-origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg, urging deeper engagement with India across FinTech, social media, agriculture, education, and healthcare. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google PM Modi met the tech leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit. (Image: X/@narendramodi) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to South Africa, held a fruitful interaction" with Indian-origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg on Friday. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi shared that he urged them to deepen their engagement with India and work more closely with the Indian ecosystem. During the meeting, the entrepreneurs discussed the initiatives they have taken in FinTech, social media platforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, medical devices, and other fields. Recommended Stories Had a fruitful interaction with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. They talked about the work they are doing in sectors such as FinTech, social media platforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, medical devices and more. Called upon them to deepen their pic.twitter.com/gRqwIxxxfC Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2025 Had a fruitful interaction with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. They talked about the work they are doing in sectors such as FinTech, social media platforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, medical devices and more. Called upon them to deepen their engagement with India and work closely with our people," the Prime Minister tweeted. Speaking to news agency ANI, Jatin Bhatia, a tech entrepreneur who met PM Modi, said eight entrepreneurs participated in the meeting. Bhatia informed that he is the founder of the social media platform, Expulger, which was launched in India in 2021. We had a detailed meeting with the Prime Minister and it was very nice. Eight tech entrepreneurs were called, and I was one among them. I am the founder of a social media platform, which we launched in India in 2021. Its called Explurger This is the worlds first platform for travellers. I told Modi ji how more than 2 crore people from 75 countries have come together on this app," Bhatia said. Bhatia highlighted that PM Modis vision is to boost tourism and stated that he didnt feel as if we were talking to a political leader or a head of state. He was talking to us like a tech-entrepreneur." He was asking us questions about technology, and it felt as if we were talking to a fellow tech entrepreneur. He asked the right questions. His suggestions were those of a visionary A person like him holds the reins of our country, so it made us happy," he added. First G20 Summit On African Soil PM Modi met the tech leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit. The PM left for South Africa on November 21 and will attend the summit till November 23, marking a significant milestone as the first G20 summit held on the African continent. He is expected to discuss key issues related to India and the global south. This will be the BJP leaders fourth official visit to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and his attendance at the two BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This summit is the fourth consecutive G20 meeting hosted by the Global South, following Indonesia, India, and Brazils presidencies. Prior to South Africa, the G20 presidencies were held by Brazil (2024), India (2023) and Indonesia (2022). The G20 comprises major economies representing 85 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of international trade. The forum has identified priority areas under South Africas presidency theme of Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability. 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 : South Africa First Published: November 22, 2025, 07:09 IST News india 'Fruitful Interaction': PM Modi Meets Indian-Origin Tech Entrepreneurs On Sidelines Of G20 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 23:33 IST G20 Summit 2025, PM Narendra Modi South Africa Visit Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm and colourful welcome on Friday as he arrived in South Africa for the G20 Leaders Summit. A cultural group performed at the airport, and its members bowed to him as a gesture of respect. This is PM Modis fourth official visit to South Africa. He previously visited the country for the BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023, and before that for a bilateral visit in 2016. This years G20 is also notable because it marks the fourth consecutive summit hosted in the Global South, following Indonesia, India and Brazil. South Africa has taken over the presidency for 2025, after Brazil (2024), India (2023) and Indonesia (2022). On Friday, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two leaders discussed key areas of cooperation and ongoing developments between their countries. G20 leaders are assembling in Johannesburg this weekend, but the United States will not be represented after former President Donald Trump declared he would boycott the summit. He made the announcement while repeating his controversial and widely challenged claims that South Africa is discriminating against its white Afrikaner population. Chinese President Xi Jinping will also be absent, continuing his pattern of significantly limiting international travel in recent years. GRAP Rejig: Stage 4 Restrictions Shifted To Stage 3 As Delhi Pollution Deteriorates | Key Details Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 13:11 IST CAQM approves stricter GRAP for Delhi NCR, shifting measures to earlier AQI stages as air quality remains very poor. Delhis Air Quality Index remains in the 'very poor' category. In a significant development, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday approved a revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the entire National Capital Region (NCR) to enable stricter pollution-control measures. The revised framework, finalised on November 21 after extensive stakeholder consultations, outlines stricter measures at earlier stages of air quality deterioration. The air quality regulator noted that the updated plan is based on scientific evidence, field experience, and expert recommendations accumulated over recent years. Recommended Stories The CAQM in its latest notice stated, CAQM has revised the GRAP schedule on 21.11.2025 to make it more stringent thus preventing further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR." The plan came days after the Supreme Court approved the proposal as toxic winter air in Delhi shows no improvement. The Updated GRAP Rules Measures Shifted from Stage II to Stage I (Poor AQI 201300): Ensuring an uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of diesel generator sets. Traffic synchronisation and deployment of traffic personnel at congestion points to improve vehicular movement. Public advisories via print and electronic media on pollution levels and precautionary Dos and Donts. Expansion of public transport by adding more CNG/electric buses and increasing metro service frequency, along with differential fare incentives for off-peak travel. CAQM has revised the GRAP schedule on 21.11.2025 to make it more stringent thus preventing further deterioration of air quality in DelhiNCR;Complete details of revised GRAP schedule (November, 2025) can be accessed from the Commissions official website. pic.twitter.com/0SYTHhVQlM Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) November 22, 2025 Measures Shifted from Stage III to Stage II (Very Poor AQI 301400): Staggered office timings for government and municipal offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. NCR state governments may extend staggered timings to additional districts. The Centre may also consider staggered timings for its offices across Delhi-NCR. Measures Shifted from Stage IV to Stage III (Severe AQI 401450): NCR state governments and the Delhi government may allow public, municipal and private offices to operate with 50% workforce, with the remainder working from home. The Central Government may similarly permit work-from-home arrangements for central government employees in NCR. Supreme Courts Observation Earlier this week, the CAQM proposed advisory decisions on limiting office attendance to 50% when Stage 3 is invoked, and introducing staggered timings for public offices at Stage 2, instead of Stage 3 as earlier. CAQM clarified that these remain advisories rather than mandatory orders. A bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said proactive steps to cut pollution were welcome, adding that CAQM must consult all stakeholders while finalising changes. Delhi Pollution Parts of Delhi witnessed a thick blanket of smog on Saturday morning as the overall air quality index (AQI) improved slightly but remained in the very poor" category. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The average AQI of Delhi was recorded to be 364 at 12 noon on Saturday, as per Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) Sameer app. Since the AQI is in very poor range, Stage 3 restrictions will remain intact but certain measures of GRAP Stage 4 have been invoked due to chronic situation of high pollution level across Delhi-NCR. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI around the ITO area was recorded at 370, while the air quality was in the severe" category near Akshardham and Anand Vihar with an AQI at 422 at both places. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 13:11 IST News india GRAP Rejig: Stage 4 Restrictions Shifted To Stage 3 As Delhi Pollution Deteriorates | Key Details 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... In A First, Major Civil Airports Like Delhi, Mumbai To Install Anti-Drone Systems| Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:23 IST The decision has been taken in the wake of military escalations from around the world, including Operation Sindoor, wherein drones emerged as an effective tool for new-age warfare Rapid Read + Follow us On Google While the initial phase will focus on sensitive airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Jammu, etc., gradually the facility will be extended to the non-sensitive ones also. (AI-Generated Image) The major airports in the country will soon have anti-drone systems installed to be able to thwart any possible attack using rogue drones, News18 has learnt. The decision has been taken in the wake of military escalations from around the world, including Operation Sindoor, wherein drones emerged as an effective tool for new-age warfare. This is the first time that airports dealing only with civil aviation will have such systems installed. Officials aware of the developments in the Ministry of Home Affairs told News18 that multiple high-level meetings have been held to discuss the matter. While MHA is overseeing the project, a committee has been formed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which has members from the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that secures airports in the country and other relevant stakeholders. Recommended Stories The specifications of the system are being worked upon. MHA is overseeing related developments and once specifications are finalised, the procurement will begin," said a senior officer from the ministry. Another officer told News18 that the project will be completed in phases. While the initial phase will focus on sensitive airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Jammu, etc., gradually the facility will be extended to the non-sensitive ones also. Deadlines will be fixed once specifications are finalised and the airport operators are directed to install the technology that fits our criteria. Models successfully existing at other airports outside India are also being studied for effective implementation," the officer added. After the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam in April 2025, the military escalation that followed between India and Pakistan displayed how without crossing the international boundary, Indian forces had struck terrorist infrastructure, eliminating multiple threats in Pakistani territory. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pakistani drones were also seen hovering over Indian territory, many of which were shot down by the Indian defence systems. Officials say this has also emerged as one of the major reasons for securing the airports with anti-drone systems, especially those closer to the international borders and dealing with civil aviation. About the Author Anvit Srivastava Anvit Srivastava, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, covers crime, security, policing and society in Delhi. His impactful ground reports have helped him make his mark among the select credited jou... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:23 IST News india In A First, Major Civil Airports Like Delhi, Mumbai To Install Anti-Drone Systems| Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... ISI-Linked Racket Smuggling China, Turkey-Made Arms Into India Via Pakistan Busted Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 11:43 IST Delhi Police Crime Branch busted an ISI-linked arms smuggling network, arresting four operatives and seizing pistols smuggled from Pakistan using drones. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The gang was supplying high-end Turkish and Chinese-made pistols into India through Pakistan. (Image: IANS) The Delhi Polices Crime Branch has uncovered a smuggling racket with direct links to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The operation led to the arrest of four key operatives involved in interstate weapons smuggling and the seizure of a large cache of advanced foreign-made firearms meant for illegal distribution. The arrested smugglers have been identified as Ajay, Mandeep, Dalvinder and Rohan. It is learnt that the racket supplied arms to notorious gangs, including Bishnoi and Bambeeha. With the recovery, police have averted a major gang war that was being planned. Recommended Stories Delhi | Delhi Crime Branch arrested four accused in an international arms smuggling ring linked to the Pakistani ISI: Ajay, Mandeep, Dalvinder and Rohan. This gang was supplying high-end pistols made in Turkey and China to India via Pakistan. The weapons were dropped in Punjab pic.twitter.com/ZFhzwnGvud ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2025 The operation was led by DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. Authorities confirmed that the arms were being smuggled into India from Pakistan using drones, highlighting a sophisticated and advanced cross-border infiltration techniques. Pakistan-Backed Racket Supplied Arms To Notorious Gangs Addressing a press conference, Joint CP Surender Kumar on Saturday said the police busted an ISI-backed arms trafficking syndicate and seized five Turkish-made pistols and three Chinese-made pistols. The first arrest in the case was made on November 19 after investigators learned that a weapons delivery was planned in Delhis Rohini. Officers laid a trap and apprehended the suspect. During interrogation, police discovered that two more individuals were expected to collect the weapons. Both suspects, Rohan and Ajay, residents of Baghpat in Uttar Pradesh, were subsequently arrested. Two additional weapons were recovered from their possession. According to police, Rohan is associated with the Jitender Gogi gang, while the syndicate has previously supplied weapons to the Bambiha gang and several other active criminal groups, Joint CP Surender Kumar said. Drones Delivered Weapons Across Border The police official revealed that Mandeep, the first accused arrested, is a known member of the Sonu Khatri gang in Punjab and was in touch with a Pakistan-based handler. The smugglers allegedly relied on drones to deliver weapons across the border. The location is sanitized and then the drone drops the weapons," Kumar said, adding that the firearms were wrapped in carbon paper to evade detection. More Suspects Identified, Further Arrests Likely Police said eight weapons were earlier dropped in Punjab before being transported to designated coordinates in Delhi for handover to local gang operatives. Authorities have identified three more targets, and further arrests are expected. Kumar also revealed that Jamseet Jassa, a US-based operative, is believed to be a key figure managing the arms syndicate. The seized consignment includes 10 high-end foreign-made semi-automatic pistols along with 92 live cartridges. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Among the firearms seized, the Turkiye-made PX-5.7 pistol stands out. Known for its exclusive use by special forces, the weapon underscores the serious nature and potential intent of the smuggling operation. The network was also trafficking China-made PX-3 pistols, indicating the diverse international sources of the arms being channelled through the ISI-linked module. The arrests and seizures are expected to provide significant leads in tracing the full extent of the networks operations. Officials said the successful crackdown delivers a major setback to cross-border smuggling of sophisticated firearms, which could have been used to destabilise the region. 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 22, 2025, 11:43 IST News india ISI-Linked Racket Smuggling China, Turkey-Made Arms Into India Via Pakistan Busted Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'I'd Love To See This In India': Shashi Tharoor's Message On Democracy After Trump-Mamdani Meet Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 15:12 IST Shashi Tharoor praised US President Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani for their post-election cooperation, calling their Oval Office meeting a model of democratic civility. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said just like New Delhi does not speak for Washington, US President Donald Trump should not announce India's decisions to the world. (Image: PTI/File) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday praised the interaction between US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, saying it reflected the spirit of a healthy democracy, one where political opponents fight hard during elections but cooperate once the mandate is clear. Sharing his views on X, Tharoor wrote, This is how democracy should work. Fight passionately for your point of view in elections, with no rhetorical holds barred. But once its over, and the people have spoken, learn to cooperate with each other in the common interests of the nation you are both pledged to serve." Recommended Stories He added that he would love to see more of this in India" and was trying to do his part" to foster such political civility. This is how democracy should work. Fight passionately for your point of view in elections, with no rhetorical holds barred. But once its over, & the people have spoken, learn to cooperate with each other in the common interests of the nation you are both pledged to serve. I https://t.co/NwXPZyhn20 Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 22, 2025 While Tharoors comments on Trump and Mamdani were framed as a broader appeal for democratic civility, they come at a moment when the Congress has been striking an unusually combative tone against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP Praises Congress MP The BJP lauded Tharoors remarks while taking a swipe at the Congress leadership. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said the MPs cryptic" post was essentially a reminder to Congress leaders to prioritise the nation over the Gandhi family. Once again, Dr Tharoor has chosen to remind Congress that they should put national interests above family interests and should serve and behave democratically rather than behave like sore losers," said Poonawala in a video message. He noted that the Congress often cries foul after losing elections and said Tharoor had reminded the party that political rivals must unite for the national interest once polls are over. He then questioned whether Rahul Gandhi would heed that message, warning that the Congress might issue another fatwa" against the diplomat-turned-politician. Perhaps this is a real cryptic message to Congress that it must get out of its emergency mindset and behave like a mature opposition. But will Rahul Gandhi get the message? No, he might in fact get another fatwa issued against Dr Tharoor," the BJP leader said. Tharoor-Congress Friction Only days earlier, Tharoors remarks at the Ramnath Goenka Lecture, where he said Prime Minister Modis address served as both an economic outlook and a cultural call to action", had surprised many within the party. Senior leaders such as Sandeep Dikshit and Supriya Shrinate publicly questioned his praise, underscoring how sharply the Congress has positioned itself against the government. Against that backdrop, Tharoors latest post may not go down equally smoothly with all sections of the party. The contrast is sharper because the TrumpMamdani meeting itself followed an ugly, weeks-long exchange on X, with both sides using unusually harsh language. The eventual Oval Office handshake happened only after Mamdani requested the meeting, turning a bitter online feud into a moment of unexpected pragmatism. It was this shift, political rivals setting aside rancour once the peoples mandate was clear, that Tharoor cited as an example India could learn from. The unexpected alliance between the two political rivals was first revealed by Trump, who announced on Truth Social that he would be meeting Mamdani at the Oval Office on November 21. After labelling Mamdani with as lunatic", communist", despot", among many others, Trumps meeting with the historic winner of the New York mayoral elections went surprisingly well. In fact, the clashing duo called their meeting productive". He really ran an incredible race against, you know, a lot of smart people, starting with the early primaries against some very tough people, very smart people. And he beat them and he beat them easily. And I congratulated him and we talked about some things in very strong common, like housing and getting housing built, and food, prices and the price of oil is coming way down," Trump said. Mamdani agreed with the US President, The meeting with the president and as he said, it was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City, and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mamdani was questioned about his earlier fascist" remark directed at Trump, but before he could respond, Trump cut in, saying, Thats OK, you can just say yes, OK? Its easier. Its easier than explaining it I dont mind." The light-hearted moment brought laughter in the Oval Office. First Published: November 22, 2025, 12:17 IST News india 'I'd Love To See This In India': Shashi Tharoor's Message On Democracy After Trump-Mamdani Meet Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Parents Raise Alarm Over Students Future As Al-Falah Medical College Faces Scrutiny Over Red Fort Blast Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 23:36 IST Authorities have earlier stated that doctors associated with the institution were part of a white-collar terror network. A view of the Al-Falah University in Faridabad (PTI) Parents of students studying at Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad have voiced serious concerns about the stability of the institution, which is currently under regulatory and security examination. Concerned families say the uncertainty has left them anxious about the future of their childrens medical degrees. On Saturday, a group of parents submitted a formal representation to the universitys vice chancellor, asking for urgent clarity on what lies ahead for enrolled students. The appeal highlights fears over recent developments, including the possibility that the National Medical Commission (NMC) could withdraw recognition and that the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) may impose a suspension. Recommended Stories Rajnish, a parent from Delhi who visited the campus, told NDTV that families felt compelled to seek answers. We came here today because we were worried about the future of our students in this university. We met three of the professors as the VC and principal were busy with the investigation," he said. He added that faculty members tried to reassure them. We have been assured the university is safe and nothing will happen to the academic degree of the students. As a parent it is disturbing to get to know that the university in which our children is studying is under the lens because of involvement in terror related activities. The investigating agencies are doing their job. We will see what comes out of the investigation," he said. Parents also pointed to ongoing investigations involving individuals linked to the college. Authorities have earlier stated that doctors associated with the institution were part of a white-collar terror network. One of them later carried out a suicide bombing in Delhis Chandni Chowk, killing 13 people. These revelations, families say, have raised fresh doubts about the colleges stability. The representation warns that the situation has caused unprecedented disruption" for medical students, leaving their future uncertain. Parents are now demanding clear answers on academic continuity, exam schedules, and the validity of degrees awarded by the college. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Many families say they have spent years supporting their children through demanding coursework and have paid substantial fees, making the current uncertainty emotionally and financially distressing. Parents from several cities have signed the appeal, showing the extent of concern across batches. As of now, the university administration and Al-Falah Medical College have not issued any official clarification. Parents say they may approach higher regulatory bodies if the institution does not respond soon. 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 First Published: November 22, 2025, 23:36 IST News india Parents Raise Alarm Over Students Future As Al-Falah Medical College Faces Scrutiny Over Red Fort Blast Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Robert Garza thought he was walking into a standard salary discussion when he met with a superior at Campbell Soup Company. Instead, he sat through what he says was an hour-long tirade that left him feeling sick. Garza suggested to Local 4 News that he felt, something wasnt right with Martin, a vice president and chief information security officer at the food company (1). What Garza heard and also recorded would ultimately cost him his job. Now, the Monroe, Michigan resident is suing Campbell's, claiming he was fired in retaliation for trying to do the right thing. Must Read 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 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 An explosive meeting Garza began working remotely as a security analyst for Campbell's Camden, New Jersey headquarters in September 2024. Later that year, he met with Bally at a restaurant to discuss his compensation. But the conversation quickly veered off course. According to Garza's lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court (2), Bally launched into what the complaint describes as a "disgusting" rant about the company's products and employees. The recording, which lasted over an hour and 15 minutes, allegedly captured Bally making racist remarks about Indian coworkers and disparaging comments about Campbell's customers. "We have s--t for f--king poor people. Who buys our s--t? I dont buy Campbells products barely anymore. Its not healthy now that I know what the fs in it," Bally allegedly said in the recording. "Bioengineered meat -- I dont wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer." The rant didn't stop there. According to the lawsuit, Bally made several derogatory comments about Indian employees, calling them "idiots" and saying they "couldn't think for their fing selves." Garza also alleges in the filing that Bally admitted to regularly coming to work high from marijuana edibles. "He has no filter," Garza said. "He thinks he's a C-level executive at a Fortune 500 company and he can do whatever he wants because he's an executive." Speaking up and paying the price Garza kept the recording to himself at first. He said he felt "pure disgust" after the meeting and needed time to process what he'd heard. But in January 2025, he decided he couldn't stay silent. Ram Temple Complete: Ayodhya Unveils New Visuals Ahead Of PM Modis Nov 25 Flag-Hoisting Event Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 17:50 IST The visuals from the temple site show shimmering sandstone pillars, gold-plated kalash work, polished pathways, and the grand spire ready for the Dhwajarohan ceremony More than Rs 2,150 crore has been invested so far in the Ram Temple and associated development projects. Image/X Ayodhyas Ram Mandir structure is now complete, and fresh visuals have been put out by the temple trust. This comes as the holy city in Uttar Pradesh is preparing for one of the most iconic moments in its modern history. On November 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist a saffron flag atop the 191-foot-high spire of the newly built Ram Templea moment the trust describes as spiritually historic and symbolically profound for millions of devotees across the world. Recommended Stories Magnificent view of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. pic.twitter.com/IE5PxdrcFf Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (@ShriRamTeerth) November 22, 2025 Fresh visuals emerging from the temple site show shimmering sandstone pillars, gold-plated kalash work, polished pathways, and the grand spire ready for the Dhwajarohan ceremony. Engineers and rituals teams have conducted multiple rehearsals in the last few days to ensure the ceremonywhich will be attended by seers, dignitaries, and thousands of devoteesgoes flawlessly. 25 , , pic.twitter.com/ujY2jpTJPu BJP (@BJP4India) November 22, 2025 Ayodhya is experiencing an unprecedented rise in spiritual tourism. In 2020, the city attracted just 60 lakh visitors. Five years later, the numbers have exploded: 23 crore tourists arrived between January and June 2025 alone, and officials now expect the total footfall to cross 50 crore by December. The November 25 flag-hoisting is expected to give Ayodhya another global push, especially as international travel platforms and religious tourism groups amplify the event worldwide. This surge in visitors is reshaping Ayodhyas economy and its urban identity. The city is now widely being projected as the worlds largest spiritual city, backed by massive state investment and private hospitality expansion. Ayodhyas tourism already contributes 1.5% to Uttar Pradeshs GSDP, and officials estimate its share will rise sharply in the coming years. With Uttar Pradesh chasing its ambitious $1 trillion economy target, Ayodhya is now seen as a core growth engineone that combines heritage, infrastructure development, and services-driven revenue. More than Rs 2,150 crore has been invested so far in the Ram Temple and associated development projects. This includes newly built entry plazas, widened roads, riverfront upgrades, and the citys rapidly expanding hospitality sector. Over 76 new hotels have already opened their doors, while global brands such as IHCL, Marriott, Radisson, Kamat, and Lemon Tree are making significant investments. The result is a booming temple economy where hotels, restaurants, local shops, travel services, and even traditional offerings like puja samagri and prasad have recorded their highest-ever revenues. The wider Uttar Pradesh tourism sector is projected to grow into a Rs 70,000 crore industry by 2028, and Ayodhya alone is expected to contribute nearly a quarter of that value. Under chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the broader temple-linked ecosystem across the state is estimated to add Rs 1.25 lakh crore to the states GDP, making spiritual tourism one of UPs strongest economic pillars. As the final preparations unfold, Ayodhyas streets are packed with artisans, vendors, pilgrims, and international media teams capturing the build-up. Local businesses describe the upcoming ceremony as another record season" moment. Guesthouses are full, taxis are overbooked, and shopkeepers say sales have jumped days ahead of the event. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ayodhya, once a quiet pilgrimage town, now stands transformed into a major spiritual and economic powerhouse. And on November 25, when the flag rises over the 191-foot spire of the Ram Temple with Prime Minister Modi leading the ceremony, the city is expected to enter an entirely new chapterone driven by faith, tourism, global attention, and unprecedented economic opportunity. About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, News Director For CNN News18 and News18 English, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office. He has written widely on pol... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 16:58 IST News india Ram Temple Complete: Ayodhya Unveils New Visuals Ahead Of PM Modis Nov 25 Flag-Hoisting 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... Srinagar Man Detained By J&K Police Over Suspected Links To Delhi Blast Module Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Aveek Banerjee Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 21:42 IST Tufail Niyaz Bhat was detained in connection to the "white collar" terror module case linked to the November 10 blast near Delhi's Red Fort. The investigation surrounding the Delhi Red Fort blast has deepened with several individuals being questioned. (AFP) The Jammu and Kashmir Police detained Tufail Niyaz Bhat, a resident of Diyarwani Batamaloo in Srinagar, in connection with the ongoing probe into the white-collar" terror module busted in Faridabad that is linked to the deadly blast near Delhis Red Fort on November 10. The J&K Police detained Tufail Niyaz Bhat, a resident of Diyarwani Batamaloo in Srinagar, in connection with the ongoing probe into the white-collar" terror module busted in Faridabad that is linked to the deadly blast near Delhis Red Fort on November 10. Recommended Stories Bhat, 25, was initially detained by CARGO, the operations unit of the J&K Police, and later handed over to the State Investigation Agency, after authorities busted a white-collar terror module" with 2,900 kg of explosives in Faridabad, hours before the Delhi blast. The module is reportedly linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, spanning across Kashmir, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Bhat is currently being interrogated over his alleged role in the terror module. Sources told CNN-News18 that he had possibly provided an AK-47 rifle that was recovered earlier from a locker assigned to Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, one of the accused in the case, at the Government Medical College in Anantnag. The SIA has also detained Dr Muneeb Ul Islam, MBBS and MD, a resident of Padder in Shopian, who is currently serving as a Senior Resident Doctor at the Bone and Joint Hospital in Srinagar. He is currently being interrogated. Non-Bailable Offence Against Accused Muzammil Shakeel 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" that was busted in Faridabad hours before the blast. They have been sent to a 10-day custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Muzammil, Adeel and Shaheen were employed at Faridabads Al-Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research Centre. The NIA also 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. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A non-bailable warrant has been issued against Dr Muzzaffar Ahmad, the brother of Adeel Rather. The warrant was executed at his residence in Qazigund, South Kashmir, sources told CNN-News18. Records have shown that Muzzaffar last boarded a flight to Dubai, and is believed to be in Afghanistan. A high-intensity explosion ripped through a slow-moving car on a jam-packed road near Delhis Red Fort metro station on November 10, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens of others. Dr Umar Nabi, a 28-year-old assistant professor at the Al-Falah University, was identified as the suspected suicide attacker in Delhi. About the Author Ieshan Wani Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro... Read More Location : Srinagar, India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 21:11 IST News india Srinagar Man Detained By J&K Police Over Suspected Links To Delhi Blast Module 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... Terrified After Fatal Leopard Attacks, Pune Villagers Adopt Nail-Collars For Safety Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 14:23 IST Pimperkhed villagers in Shirur, Pune, wear nail-studded collars and install iron grills to protect themselves after deadly leopard attacks. To protect themselves, villagers now step out only with nail-studded collars around their necks. (ANI) Amid increasing leopard attacks in Maharashtras Pune, terrified villagers in Pimperkhed in Shirur tahsil have adopted desperate and unusual safety measures including wearing belts or collars fitted with sharp nails around their necks while working in farms, and fortifying their homes with iron grills and electric fencing. Leopard sightings have reportedly become a near-daily occurrence in the village, making routine activities like farming, cattle feeding and early-morning outdoor chores extremely dangerous. Villagers say that attacks have increased sharply in recent months, leaving them with no choice but to devise their own protection methods. Recommended Stories Vitthal Rangnath Jadhav, a villager, said that vilaggers spot a leopard every day, and his mother fell prey to one a month ago, news agency ANI reported. He told the news agency that a girl was also recently killed in a leopard attack. We are wearing these collars around our neck because of leopards. Leopards come here anytime. We need to save ourselves. This is why we wear this. Farming is our only source of income. We cannot sit at home fearing leopard attacks. We spot a leopard every day. One month ago, my mother fell prey to a leopard. Before her, a little girl was killed by a leopard," he said. #WATCH | Pune, Maharashtra | Residents of the leopard-hit Pimparkhed village wear spiked collars, while working in the fields, to save themselves from the fatal leopard attacks. (21.11) pic.twitter.com/mXlfaQPzLS ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2025 Recalling the attack on his mother, Jadhav said she had stepped out at 6 a.m. to feed their cattle when a leopard pounced on her and dragged her nearly a kilometre into the surrounding sugarcane fields. The incident has left the entire village in a state of panic. To protect themselves, villagers now step out only with nail-studded collars around their necks, hoping it will deter leopards from attacking. Several households have also installed iron grills and electric fencing around their homes as additional precautionary barriers. Jadhav appealed to the government to intervene urgently. Everyone in the village is very scared. We wear these collars every time we step out of the house. I urge the government to do something about it," he said. Another resident of the village said that leopard attacks have significantly affected daily life. Villagers now go out to farm in groups for safety, and even school timings are being reconsidered, with a potential shift from 9 am to 4 pm. There is a huge problem, people come in groups to do farming on their necks, iron-spiked collars are worn the condition is bad even in schools, timings are being asked to be changed from 9 am to 4 pm many do not even come here to farm." he said as quoted by the news agency. Earlier on November 5, a man-eater leopard, responsible for three deaths in Pune districts Pimparkhed village and surrounding areas in the last 20 days, was shot dead during a joint operation by the Forest Department and a rescue team, officials said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to a release, three people, including a 5-year-old girl, an 82-year-old woman and a 13-year-old boy, were killed in separate attacks since October 12, triggering massive public anger across Junnar, Shirur, Ambegaon and Khed talukas. (With inputs from ANI) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 14:23 IST News india Terrified After Fatal Leopard Attacks, Pune Villagers Adopt Nail-Collars For Safety 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... Turning Point In Anti-Maoist Drive: 37 Cadres, Including Top Leaders, Surrender In Telangana Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 21:21 IST This coordinated surrender represents one of the largest single-day influxes of Maoists into the mainstream in recent months The mass surrender highlights the increasing pressure on the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). Representational image/News18 In a massive operational and psychological victory for security forces, a total of 37 Maoist cadres, including three senior members of the state committee, formally surrendered before Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) B Shivadhar Reddy in Hyderabad on Saturday. This coordinated surrender represents one of the largest single-day influxes of Maoists into the mainstream in recent months, dealing a significant blow to the organisational and operational strength of the banned CPI (Maoist). Recommended Stories The group that surrendered was highly structured, comprising three state committee members, three divisional committee members, nine area committee members, and 22 other members of the CPI (Maoist). The high-value surrenders included Koyyada Sambaiah alias Azad (49) and Appasi Narayana alias Ramesh (70), both veterans of the Telangana state committee, and Muchaki Somada alias Erra, who was part of the Dandakaranya special zonal committee. Sambaiah and Narayana, who had been underground for over three decades, each carried a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh. The surrender was not only symbolic but also practical, as the Maoists handed over a substantial cache of arms, including an AK-47 rifle, two SLR rifles, one G3 rifle, four .303 rifles, and 346 rounds of live ammunition. The total reward amount for the 37 surrendered individuals stands at approximately Rs 1.41 crore, which the police are disbursing to facilitate their rehabilitation. DGP Shivadhar Reddy attributed the surrender to a holistic strategy involving sustained anti-Maoist operations, the appeal made by chief minister A Revanth Reddy to join the mainstream, and critical internal factors. The surrendered cadres cited ideological differences, internal rifts, health issues, and disillusionment with the movements harsh ground realities as key reasons for their decision. Muchaki Somada, in particular, mentioned the difficulty of continuing under current conditions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The DGP reaffirmed the governments commitment to providing the surrendered cadres with full rehabilitation and reintegration benefits, marking this event as a major moral success in the ongoing anti-extremist campaign. 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 22, 2025, 21:21 IST News india Turning Point In Anti-Maoist Drive: 37 Cadres, Including Top Leaders, Surrender In Telangana 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... Uttar Pradesh Man Rescued From 'Cyber Slavery' In Cambodia, Repatriated Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 22:07 IST A man from UP's Baghpat was rescued from a cyber-fraud syndicate in Cambodia after being held captive. Baghpat police and Indian authorities coordinated his repatriation. UP Man Rescued From 'Cyber Slavery' In Cambodia. (Representative/Shutterstock) In a bizarre incident, a man from Uttar Pradeshs Baghpat was held captive as a cyber slave by fraudsters. As per the police, the man has been rescued and repatriated to India. The victim, identified as Vikas Rana, a resident of Ghenaura Silver Nagar village, had gone to Cambodia in search of a job. However, he was fraudulently confined and was forced to take part in cyber-fraud operations. Recommended Stories Ranas wife, Dolly, filed a complaint, saying that her husband was taken against his will and made to work for the syndicate, it said. Following her complaint, the Additional Director General of Police (Meerut Zone) and the Deputy Inspector General (Meerut Range) instructed the Baghpat cyber cell to investigate the matter. The initial investigation revealed that Rana was held by a group that lures young people abroad with false job offers and forces them into cyber-fraud activities. In response, Baghpat police maintained constant communication with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi, and the Indian Embassy in Cambodia. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The statement said that through continuous coordination, Cambodian authorities helped rescue Rana from the alleged slavery centre". Cyber slavery refers to the trafficking of individuals, often lured abroad with fake job offers, and compelling them to run online fraud operations. This has emerged as an organised crime network in countries like Cambodia. 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 22, 2025, 22:07 IST News india Uttar Pradesh Man Rescued From 'Cyber Slavery' In Cambodia, Repatriated 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... 'World Will Exist Only If...': RSS Chief Says 'Hindu Community Will Always Survive' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:11 IST RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat in Manipur stressed Hindu society's immortality, linking its survival to world existence, and urged economic self-reliance for Bharat's strength. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat. Underscoring that Hindu society was central to sustaining the world, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat emphasised that without Hindus, the world will cease to exist". Addressing a gathering during his visit to Manipur, Bhagwat said that Hindu society was immortal, pointing out that India had outlasted empires like those of Yunaan (Greece), Misr (Egypt), and Rome. Recommended Stories Every nation of the world has seen all kinds of situations. Yunaan (Greece), Misr (Egypt) and Roma, all civilisations perished from the face of the earth. There is something in our civilisation that we are still here," the RSS chief said. The RSS chief, on his first visit to Manipur since the ethnic clashes devastated the state, described Hindu society as the global custodian of dharma. #WATCH | Imphal, Manipur | RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat says, Everyone needs to think about circumstances. But you see, circumstances change. Every nation of the world has seen all kinds of situations. Some nations perished. Yunaan (Greece), Misr (Egypt) and Roma, all civilisations pic.twitter.com/w14gUyC0iS ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2025 Bharat is the name of an immortal civilisation We have created a network in our society because of which the Hindu community will always be there. If Hindu Dharma perishes, so will worlds civilizations. The world will cease to exist if Hindus cease to exist," he said. Earlier, Bhagwat has underlined that no one was a non-Hindu in India, as Muslims and Christians were descendants of the same ancestors. The RSS chief, the ideological parent of the BJP, also emphasised that for the country to become stronger, its economy must be fully self-reliant. At the same time, Bhagwat said that military capability and knowledge capacity were equally crucial to nation-building. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While building the nation, the first requirement is strength. Strength means economic ability. The word superiority sometimes carries the wrong meaning. But our economy must be completely self-reliant. We should not be dependent on anyone," the RSS chief said. The remark comes at a time when the government has intensified its swadeshi push after the US, under Donald Trump, imposed steep 50% tariffs on Indian imports. Bhagwat, however, said the path ahead was not too difficult and pointed to examples where collective societal resolve had helped overcome deep-rooted challenges. Location : Manipur, India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 10:11 IST News india 'World Will Exist Only If...': RSS Chief Says 'Hindu Community Will Always Survive' 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... Skin Feels Dehydrated? Expert Shares Simple Ways To Moisturise For Supple, Soft Skin Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:03 IST If your complexion feels tight, uncomfortable, or appears dull and lifeless, its a sign your skin is dehydrated. Dry skin can cause fine lines and wrinkles Skincare has become a major focus today, and rightly so. Your skin needs as much attention as your body does. Just like the body signals when something is off, the skin also gives clear signs; but we often just ignore them. One of the most obvious indicators is dehydration. If your complexion feels tight and uncomfortable or appears dull and lifeless, its a sign your skin is dehydrated. Dr Aparna Santhanam, in an interview with The Times of India, explained the key signs that indicate your skin is dehydrated. She also went on to share practical tips on how to restore moisture balance and get your skin back to looking healthy and supple. Recommended Stories Here are some signs that your skin may be dehydrated: 1. When Your Skin Feels Squeaky-Clean, And Not In A Good Way According to the expert, that tight, stretched feeling you get after cleansing isnt as good as it seems. Over-cleansing often strips the skin of its natural oils, which weakens the skin barrier and leads to dehydration. This is why using a gentle cleanser that effectively cleans without taking away the essential oils is important for your skin. 2. Fine Lines Fine lines around the eyes or on the cheeks dont always appear due to ageing; dehydration can trigger them too. Its important to nourish your skin with water-binding ingredients that help soften fine lines and prevent them from turning into permanent wrinkles. Dr Aparna advises starting your skincare routine with a hydrating serum, followed by a good moisturiser. She also recommends avoiding hot showers and harsh cleansers, as they can further dehydrate the skin. 3. Dull Skin Hydrated skin naturally looks bouncy and healthy, but when hydration levels drop, the skin loses its radiance and elasticity. The doctor recommends layering hydrating serums and moisturisers to help lock in moisture. She also suggests using a body serum enriched with Vitamin E, as it can replenish the skin and improve its overall appearance. 4. Uneven Texture Uneven or flaky texture is not just a dry-skin issue. People with oily skin can experience it as well. According to the doctor, when the skin becomes dehydrated, it starts producing more oil, which eventually clogs the pores. This is why using lightweight hydrating formulas is important to maintain balance and keep the skin healthy. 5. Over- Reactive Skin If your skin has recently become more reactive or red, it could be an early sign of dehydration. Dr. Aparna explains that a compromised skin barrier allows irritants to penetrate more easily, and this issue is especially common among Indian skin types. She recommends incorporating barrier-restorative products enriched with antioxidants, as it can help calm inflammation and strengthen the skins defences. It is therefore important to note that hydration is an essential step in any skincare routine. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all First Published: November 22, 2025, 10:03 IST News lifestyle beauty Skin Feels Dehydrated? Expert Shares Simple Ways To Moisturise For Supple, Soft Skin 'People Kept Telling Me, Kaun Pange Lega': Vivek Oberoi Recalls Career Downfall During 2000s Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 12:27 IST Vivek Oberoi recalls the struggles of his career in the 2000s, facing industry lobbies after accusing Salman Khan, and reflects on how times are changing now. Vivek Oberoi recalls the struggles of his career in the 2000s. Vivek Oberoi didnt have a smooth ride in his film career. While the actor managed to build an empire for himself through his investments and real estate purchases, Vivek recalled the time when his career faced a major setback during the 2000s, with people making a conscious choice of not working with him after he accused Salman Khan of harassing Aishwarya Rai. In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, he said, Its very difficult to get out of these situations. You keep telling yourself that its just a matter of one movie, that you just need to perform and show people. You are doing films like Omkara and Shootout at Lokhandwala, you are getting awards and appreciation. But then people are telling you that we want to work with you but we cant; there is too much pressure." Recommended Stories The actor added, People kept telling me, Samajh ja yaar. Kaun pange lega? (Try to understand. Who would take a risk?) When that happens, you cant figure out how to get out of the situation, because there is no logic to it. You have worked hard, given the performances, but there are things that you cannot control. There is a lobby telling people that they cant work with me." Recalling the time and calling it extremely painful and difficult," Vivek admitted that the times are changing now and gave an example of the recently released hit series Ba***ds of Bollywood, made by Shah Rukh Khans son, Aryan Khan. He said, The good thing about the industry today is that these lobbies are either dead or dying. Talent has become really key, and I think that OTT has played a huge role in that. It has brought in good quality of talent in the right way. I look at something like Ba***ds of Bollywood, and I see Aryan Khan, who has put so much into that series, and you can tell that he has worked for every frame. At the same time, you have someone like Raghav Juyal in it, who used to be a dancer during promo shows of our movies." Vivek no longer resides in India; he has relocated to Dubai since the COVID pandemic, which he now considers his home away from home." Vivek is currently enjoying the success of his recently released film Mastiii 4. The film, which will be released on November 21, reunites Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani, while also including Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Elnaaz Norouzi, Ruhi Singh, Shreya Sharma, and Shaad Randhawa. First Published: November 22, 2025, 12:27 IST News movies bollywood 'People Kept Telling Me, Kaun Pange Lega': Vivek Oberoi Recalls Career Downfall During 2000s Opinion | PM Modis Africa Visit Signals A Civilisational Shift In Global Leadership Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 11:16 IST As the G20 meets on African soil for the first time, Indias message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam contrasts sharply with the Wests transactional geopolitics PM Narendra Modi in South Africa Prime Minister Narendra Modis three-day visit to South Africa for the historic G20 Summit in Johannesburg is more than a routine diplomatic engagement; it is a powerful assertion of Indias rising global stature and civilisational worldview. The fact that the G20 is meeting on African soil for the first time adds immense symbolic weight. And it is noteworthy that PM Modi, the leader who championed the African Unions entry into the G20 during Indias presidency in 2023, is one of the central figures shaping the agenda in Johannesburg. Recommended Stories In his departure statement, the PM reiterated Indias message to the world, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the timeless ideal that the entire world is one family. Coupled with the practical and forward-looking vision of One Earth, One Family, One Future, this philosophy stands as a stark counter-narrative to decades of Western geopolitical dominance, where aid often came with ideological lectures and conditions. India instead offers partnership, dignity, and mutual respect. For Africa, a continent long sidelined in global decision-making, this approach carries deep resonance. PM Modis post on X further emphasised the significance of the moment. Will be attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a particularly special summit, as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders during the Summit." Simple words, but strategically loaded. Will be attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders during the Summit. https://t.co/Sn4NFUOzXB Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2025 After Indonesia, India, and Brazil, South Africa hosting the G20 marks the fourth consecutive summit led by Global South nations. This is not accidental; it signals a shift in the worlds power centres, one that India has actively nurtured. Indias priorities at the summit reflect its balanced and inclusive worldview. The first session, focusing on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, aligns closely with Indias own development model: ambitious, human-centric, and free from the one-size-fits-all frameworks historically pushed by Western institutions. For developing nations across Africa and Asia, growth means infrastructure, energy access, job creation, and indigenous innovation, not arbitrary environmental targets set in distant capitals. The second session, which covers disaster risk reduction, climate change, just energy transitions, and food systems, will see India reiterate its long-standing position: climate responsibility must be equitable. The Wests insistence on rapid fossil fuel exit often ignores the developmental realities of poorer countries. India, meanwhile, has shown that clean energy can expand without compromising energy security, an approach that many in Africa are keen to emulate. The third session on critical minerals, decent work, and artificial intelligence is particularly important in the emerging global landscape. Critical minerals are the strategic resources of the future, and Africa is home to many of them. As Western nations scramble to secure access, Indias partnership-driven approach offers a refreshing alternative. On AI, too, India advocates ethical frameworks that prioritise accessibility, fairness, and transparency, unlike the monopolistic tendencies of big tech giants. A senior MEA official noted that while he would not prejudge the leaders declaration, India and the Global Souths concerns would be strongly highlighted. This is a remarkable shift from earlier decades when the voices of developing countries were often marginal in global negotiations. Today, those voices, led in large part by India, are shaping the worlds agenda. Beyond the formal sessions, Modis visit will involve several bilateral meetings with world leaders. Whether in trade, technology, defence, or digital cooperation, Indias partnerships have expanded significantly over the past decade. The Prime Ministers engagement with the vibrant Indian diaspora in South Africa, one of the largest outside India, will add a cultural and emotional dimension to the visit. This diaspora has historically served as a bridge of goodwill and shared values between the two nations. The G20 today represents not just economic numbers, 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of humanity, but also the shifting centres of global influence. The days when a handful of Western powers dictated global norms are fading. A multipolar world is emerging, and India is not merely adapting to it; it is shaping it. Modis presence in Johannesburg is therefore more than diplomatic protocol. It reflects Indias confidence, its civilisational message, and its determination to build a global order rooted in fairness, dignity, and cooperation. As the world navigates geopolitical conflicts, economic fragmentation, and technological disruptions, Indias message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam offers not just optimism but a philosophy rooted in cultural depth and practical wisdom. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In Africa, that message will resonate strongly, perhaps more strongly than anywhere else. 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 22, 2025, 11:16 IST News opinion Opinion | PM Modis Africa Visit Signals A Civilisational Shift In Global Leadership 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... After Karur Tragedy, Vijays TVK To Hold Mini, Indoor Public Meetings From Tomorrow | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 10:17 IST Earlier this week, TVK had submitted a petition for permission to conduct a campaign on December 4 but the police turned down the request Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The TVK is now all set to resume rallies from the second week of December after halting them in the aftermath of the Karur tragedy. (PTI) Actor-turned-politician Vijay will conduct indoor meetings with smaller audiences in each district in Tamil Nadu starting November 23. The first stop for the meeting is Jeppiar Tech Institute in Kanchipuram district where the meeting will be held at 11am. We plan to have indoor meetings with over 2,000 people in each district. With SOPs in court, Vijay is keen to kickstart campaigns with a safe format for now," a top TVK source had told News18 before the party took to X to announce its plans. Recommended Stories The Tamil Nadu government had submitted draft SOPs for political rallies before the Madras High Court after the Karur stampede during Vijays rally claimed 41 lives. The government informed the court that organisers and political parties that violate conditions imposed by the police will be penalised. The draft SOP submitted before the court puts onus on the organiser for crowd management. It states that one needs a written undertaking from the organiser that the organiser is fully responsible for crowd safety, regulation and management. Organiser liable for damage to public and private property and can compensate for losses". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier this week, TVK had submitted a petition at the office of the Salem city police commissioner seeking permission to conduct a campaign on December 4. The police, however, turned down the request, citing that it falls on the eve of Karthigai Deepam festival, and asked Vijays party to suggest dates post-December 6. The TVK is now all set to resume rallies from the second week of December after halting them in the aftermath of the Karur tragedy. About the Author Poornima Murali Poornima Murali, Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, has reported for over a decade on civic and political issues in Tamil Nadu. She has been helming the Chennai bureau for the channel for yea... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:54 IST News politics After Karur Tragedy, Vijays TVK To Hold Mini, Indoor Public Meetings From Tomorrow | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 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. Would Likely Contest 103 Seats: Himanta Sarma Shares BJPs Seat-Sharing Formula For Assam Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 08:04 IST Himanta Biswa Sarma announced BJP and allies will contest 103 of 126 Assam seats, aiming for a sweep. Delimitation opens new constituencies for youth and women candidates. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma (PTI Photo) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the BJP and its allies would likely contest 103 of the 126 seats in the upcoming Assam state assembly elections and asserted that the saffron camp led coalition will sweep the polls. While speaking to reporters after BJPs state core committee meeting in Guwahati on Friday, Sarma explained the seat-sharing formula, saying the contestable seats reflect the states population pattern," which, according to him, naturally limits the BJPs winnable footprint. Recommended Stories In Assam, we cant win more than 100 seats. That is the population pattern. We can contest in 103 of the 126 seats in Assam. But it does not mean that we cant contest in other seats. In terms of the population pattern, the BJP and our ally parties can only reach 103 seats. Our footprint will be in 103 seats," he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Guwahati, Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, In Assam, we cant win more than 100 seats. That is the population pattern. We can contest in 103 of the 126 seats in Assam. But it does not mean that we cant contest in other seats. In terms of the population pattern, the pic.twitter.com/GlY6V6VQFV ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2025 He explained that delimitation has opened up 1015 new constituencies where the party currently has no sitting MLAs. Sarma said this will allow the BJP to organically bring forward youth and women" in the upcoming election cycle. He said that the BJP has always given opportunities to the youth and in each election, new candidates are given a chance and this time they stand a better chance due to delimitation, which has created new constituencies. The Chief Minister further said that the party expects support from Assamese Muslims but does not anticipate votes from the Miya community, a pejorative term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims. Earlier BJP would have contested in 90 constituencies. But after the delimitation, 10-15 new constituencies have formed where there is no MLA today. Organically, we can bring forward youth and women this time. BJP will get Assamese Muslims vote, but will not get Miya Muslim vote" he added. He further said that the party will comfortably win" the elections on the strength of its development model. There is no need to worry about the result," he said, adding, The BJP won in Bihar, Maharashtra, Haryana, Delhi and now the party will win in Assam again." In a statement earlier in the day, the BJP said the party has decided to contest the forthcoming assembly elections with its alliance partners, aiming to win 103 out of the 126 seats in the state. The BJPs poll preparations have started and the decision to form 36 election sub-committees has been taken which will be announced in the next few days, he said. Claiming that the party faces no political challenges, Sarma said, The BJP has members from all communities. If they had not supported us, the party could not have become such a big organisation. We support the demands of different communities because we are part of them." The core committee meeting was held in the presence of BJPs national general secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh and was attended by Chief Minister Sarma, state party president Dilip Saikia, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, national secretary and MP Kamakhya Tasa, state in-charge Harish Dwivedi, state general secretary (Organisation) Rabindra Raju and other senior leaders. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prior to the core committee meeting, the CM attended the concluding session of the meeting of the newly appointed coordinators and in-charges of all 126 assembly constituencies and discussed strategies for disseminating government initiatives and achievements among the public through party workers. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : Guwahati [Gauhati], India, India First Published: November 22, 2025, 08:00 IST News politics Would Likely Contest 103 Seats: Himanta Sarma Shares BJPs Seat-Sharing Formula For Assam Polls 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... Karnatakas November Revolution? BJP Sees Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Friction, Congress Says Fiction Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 07:30 IST According to senior leaders, Congress president Kharge has asked both camps to remain patient and stop public messaging For Siddaramaiah, the narrative that is being created by the faction supporting DK Shivakumar with their trips to Delhi is not only unnecessary but also damaging the image of the Congress government in Karnataka. (File pic/PTI) A political churn is unmistakable in Karnataka, but Chief Minister Siddaramaiah insists the so-called November revolution" is nothing more than a media invention. The BJP, however, claims the revolt is already out in the open, and the Congress high command now finds itself firefighting as factional rumblings grow louder. Recommended Stories Siddaramaiah has made his stand clear: his position is strong, he is here to stay, and both he and DK Shivakumar have to abide by the decision of the Congress high command. My position has been strong from the beginning and will continue to remain so. After completing the five-year tenure, Congress will come to power again in 2028," he said, dismissing speculation that the leadership issue was even up for debate. For Siddaramaiah, the narrative that is being created by the faction supporting DK Shivakumar with their trips to Delhi is not only unnecessary but also damaging the image of the Congress government in Karnataka. This he communicated in as many words when he spoke to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. He raised concerns that repeated talk of leadership change is hurting both the governments image at the state level and the Congress party nationally. Siddaramaiah will meet Kharge during his two-day tour of the state. Top Congress sources say Kharge has assured him that he will assess the situation and sort it out. Whether the Congress can quell the fire or whether the BJPs November revolution" narrative will gain traction is now in the hands of the party command in Delhieven as both power centres in Karnataka continue their battle for influence under the surface. BJPs November Revolution salvo For the BJP, the Congress infighting is ammunition. MLAs rushing to Delhi, lobbying for a change of guard, talk of DK Shivakumars turn coming upall of it fits the BJPs narrative that the Congress government will not last beyond November. Ashok sharpened the attack further, alleging the government is in disarray, the state is seeing no law and order," and Bengaluru has become a robbery city". Karnataka Leader of Opposition R Ashok has positioned the Congress crisis as an unfolding political drama that he says the BJP had long predicted. Speaking to News18, Ashok said, Cant you see? The November revolution in the Congress has already started. Missiles are being fired from every corner. There is firing from every corner." He cited the recent daylight heist of Rs 7 crore as evidence of collapse and took a direct swipe at both leaders. Two and a half years have gone by, and both Siddaramaiah and DK have failed. DK is at home on IV drips; Sidda is calling MLAs and threatening to remove them from cabinet posts and stop their MLA fundsaccording to media reports. The Congress house is in a Thota mess," he said. Inside the Congress: Two Power Centres, One High Command What has triggered this fresh churn is the two-and-a-half-year mark of the government and the claim of DK Shivakumars supporters that they will take a delegation of 15 members and head to Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. They are yet to get an appointment. As it was indicated internally in the Congress that a cabinet reshuffle might be in the cards, this opened the floodgates for speculation that the leadership question would also be revisited. A group of MLAs aligned with Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar have gone to Delhi to push the high command to honour what they claim was the unwritten promise" of eventually making him CM. His supporters argue it is now time. But Siddaramaiahs camp is making its own counter-message clearthat a majority of legislators, ministers, and organisational heavyweights remain with the Chief Minister. Insiders say the Siddaramaiah faction believes that if he is allowed to carry out a reshuffle and pick ministers of his choice, that alone would send a signal that he will remain Chief Minister for the full term. Siddaramaiah himself was blunt on the matter when asked about MLAs heading to Delhi: The high command does the cabinet reshuffle. Did they say anything? Everyone should only listen to the high command. DK Shivakumar, I, and everyone must follow their decision." He reiterated that he will present the next Budget and that nothing has changed. Publicly, Deputy CM Shivakumar has taken a conciliatory tone, insisting there is no factionalism under his watch. I have never been a leader indulging in groupism. All 140 MLAs are my MLAs. We will follow what the high command says," said Shivakumar, claiming he did not know who the MLAs were who said they would take a delegation to Delhi. The Chief Minister and I have said we are committed to the high commands decision. Even now, we remain committed to that. The Chief Minister has said he will reshuffle the Cabinet. So, ministerial aspirants have taken the Delhi trip," explained Shivakumar. He stated that the cabinet reshuffle talk was what triggered these trips. Shivakumar has publicly wished Siddaramaiah all the best" to complete five years and said he will work with him. Our Chief Minister has always expressed his line of thinking. I am not going to comment on that," he said. For the last two and a half years, there have been many dinner meetingsabout four deputy chief ministers, inducting new ministers, changing the KPCC president. This is nothing new." High Command to Step In? With tempers rising on both sides, Kharge is expected to step in. According to senior leaders, the Congress president has asked both camps to remain patient and stop public messaging that could damage the government. Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said that he had spoken to both the Karnataka Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister amid the escalating political chatter in the state. According to him, they were in complete agreement that the current narrative was being engineered from outside the party. They agreed that a decisively defeated and faction-ridden Karnataka BJP, along with a section of the media, is designedly running a maligning campaign against Karnataka and its Congress government," Surjewala said. He added that the intention behind this campaign was clear. The sole idea is to undermine the stellar achievements and the five Congress government guarantees, which have become an outstanding model of inclusive development and distributive justice." The needless statements of some Congress leaders and MLAs have also added to the speculation," he said, adding that the party had issued a strict warning. INC has sternly cautioned them against making any public statements on the issue of leadership or falling for the agenda being propagated by vested interests." He said the partys top leadership had also taken note of the views expressed by various functionaries, and that the matter was being handled at the highest level. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Siddaramaiahs direct conversation with Kharge on the partys image has added urgency. For now, Siddaramaiah has placed the leadership question squarely in the hands of the central leadership: The high command has not said anything till now. Everyone must follow what they decidebe it me or DK Shivakumar," said an unshaken Siddaramaiah when asked about the demand for a change in guard. 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 22, 2025, 07:30 IST News politics Karnatakas November Revolution? BJP Sees Siddaramaiah-Shivakumar Friction, Congress Says Fiction 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... Nitish Kumars 20-Year Grip Finally Broken As BJP Seizes Bihar Home Ministry Written By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:09 IST The BJPs deputy CM now overseeing the police means a stronger approach towards the unruly elements in the RJD, apart from reshaping the political balance inside NDA Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google The control of this super ministry significantly boosts BJPs bargaining power inside the coalition. (PTI) Twenty-six ministers took oath in Patna on Thursday. Fourteen of them were from the BJP and only eight from the JDU. Though 10 more ministers can be inducted in the Cabinet and the JDU may get more ministers in the months to come, the optics of the BJP dominance on the swearing-in stage were hard to miss. Recommended Stories The portfolio list came out on Friday, and BJP got the all-important home portfolio for the first time in Bihar. Samrat Choudhary, the deputy chief minister from the BJP, will hold the portfolio, which was held by Kumar for most of the last two decades when he was the chief minister. This change is not minute. The dye was cast, in fact, when both the BJP and JDU contested 101 seats apiece in Bihar. This was the first time that both parties had contested the same number of seatsthe JDU traditionally always contested more. But BJP made it clear this timethere is no elder brother, younger brother formula in Bihar anymore. That explains that while the BJP has kept its part of the deal by making Kumar the chief minister, it has had its way by getting the home portfolio as well as denying the LJP any deputy chief minister position. The home portfolio gives one power over the police and responsibility of the law-and-order situation. Kumar has kept portfolios like general administration, cabinet secretariat, and vigilance, which pertain largely to the bureaucracy in Bihar. While Kumar has retained his earlier eight ministers in the Cabinet, BJP has gone for big changes. It has inducted nine new names, bringing freshness into the Cabinet, while retaining only five earlier ministers. The BJP names, it is learnt, were cleared overnight by the partys top leadership. However, the most important change remains the home portfolio coming to the BJP. NDA allies like Chirag Paswan have earlier targeted Kumar over the law-and-order situation as he held the home portfolio. The BJPs deputy CM now overseeing the police means a stronger approach towards the unruly elements in the RJD, something the latter has apprehended lately. This also reshapes the political balance inside the NDA. With this change, law-and-order machinery, policing, and intelligence operations will now operate under BJPs direct command, with a sharper focus on illegal migration and security responses. The move also strengthens Centre-state coordination. Under Home Minister Amit Shah, Bihar is expected to enforce a tougher line on cross-border infiltration in Seemanchal, ensure tighter collaboration with IB and NIA, and adhere more strictly to the Modi-Shah zero tolerance" to crime doctrine. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The transfer effectively ends Kumars two-decade control over the states most powerful ministry, underscoring BJPs growing dominance even as the JDU veteran begins his tenth term as chief minister. The control of this super ministry" significantly boosts BJPs bargaining power inside the coalitionimpacting decisions ranging from Speaker elections to future power-sharing negotiations. About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, News Director For CNN News18 and News18 English, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office. He has written widely on pol... Read More First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:09 IST News politics Nitish Kumars 20-Year Grip Finally Broken As BJP Seizes Bihar Home Ministry 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... 'No Need For Anybody's Permission': Sanjay Raut's Jab At Congress Amid Rift Over MNS Alliance Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 18:01 IST Sanjay Raut said the Congress' permission over an alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS is not required if they want to join forces for the civic polls. Congress has decided to contest the BMC polls solo amid a growing proximity between the Thackeray cousins. (Photo Credit: X) Amid reports of a rift between the opposition parties in Maharashtra, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the Congress approval about an alliance between the party and Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will not matter if they want to join forces for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls. This came after the Congress on Friday ruled out an alliance with the MNS for the upcoming civic body polls, saying the party will never tie up with those who break the law or intimidate others, referring to the sons-of-the-soil" brand of politics of the party. Recommended Stories In a social media post, Raut said it was the personal decision of the Congress but the Shiv Sena (UBT) will not wait for anyones permission. Shiv Sena and MNS have already come together, this is the peoples will. There is no need for anyones orders or permission for that. Sharad Pawar and the left parties are also together on this," he said. : , ! pic.twitter.com/kwDg49jJjy Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) November 22, 2025 This came amid reports that Sharad Pawar is trying to bring Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and MNS together to jointly contest the upcoming civic polls. NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule said the party wants to take along all parties in the Opposition for the upcoming local body polls and will hold discussions with them. Congress Reluctance To Join Forces With MNS The Congress has traditionally been opposed to the MNS, fearing a dent in its north Indian and Muslim vote banks. Even as it has welcomed the reunion between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, it has refrained from an alliance with the MNS. The Congress recently announced that it would contest the elections to the BMC independently, reportedly due to the growing proximity between the Thackeray brothers and the possibility of an alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS. The solo contest plan had prompted Sena (UBT) to ask Congress not to rush into any decision and emphasise the importance of the Opposition unity. The Congress has taken all decisions regarding alliances after consulting party workers, leaders and senior functionaries," Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad said on Friday. Some factions of the RPI (Republican Party of India) are also inclined to join us. But the Congress will not tie up with those who take the law into their own hands or indulge in intimidation," she said in a thinly veiled reference to the MNS. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande hit back at Gaikwads comments, saying that the party is an independent entity and not a member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Raj Thackeray makes decisions in our party. We have nothing to do with what anyone says," he said. (with inputs from PTI) 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 22, 2025, 18:01 IST News politics 'No Need For Anybody's Permission': Sanjay Raut's Jab At Congress Amid Rift Over MNS Alliance 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... Prashant Kishor Vows To Donate 90% Of His Income To Jan Suraaj Campaign After Election Defeat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:01 IST Prashant Kishor pledges 90 percent of his income and assets to Jan Suraaj after its Bihar poll loss, urging Bihar people to donate Rs 1000 yearly as NDA wins 202 of 243 seats. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Jan Suraaj party founder and former poll strategist Prashant Kishor. (PTI/File) After the Jan Suraaj party failed to open account in the recently-concluded Bihar Assembly elections, party founder and former poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Friday pledged to contribute 90 per cent of his income for his partys campaign over the next five years. He said he would donate whatever assets" he had acquired over the last 20 years, with the exception of his house in Delhi, for the party, PTI news agency reported. Recommended Stories He further requested the people of Bihar to donate Rs 1,000 on a yearly basis to the party, while asserting that he would refuse to meet anyone who did not contribute this amount. While speaking to reporters after observing a days silent fast at the Gandhi Ashram in West Champaran, he said, Now, I request the people of Bihar to donate just 1,000 to the party on a yearly basis. I will not meet anyone who doesnt donate this amount to the party." Kishor added that under the Bihar Navnirman Sankalp Yatra, he and his party workers would visit every household in the state over the next 1518 months. The aim, he said, is to make people aware of the governments misdeeds." He reiterated that the organisational strength of the Jan Suraaj Party would be a focus going forward. The organisation of the Jan Suraaj Party will be strengthened before the campaign starts," PTI quoted Kishor as saying. The Jan Suraaj founder further said that his party would ensure that Rs 2 lakh promised by the NDA ahead of the polls reaches the women in Bihar. Speaking about cash transfers, he alleged that the NDA had purchased votes by transferring Rs 10,000 into the bank account of more than 1 crore women." Now, they have no concern for the state or the people," Kishor said, while adding that the state government can put him behind bars" if he is saying anything wrong." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite garnering considerable public support, Jan Suraaj did not win any seat. It had contested on 238 of 243 seats in the polls. The NDA registered a historic win the elections, bagging 202 of the 243 seats in the Bihar Assembly. The opposition Mahagathbandhan could secure only 35 seats in the polls. (With inputs from PTI) First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:01 IST News politics Prashant Kishor Vows To Donate 90% Of His Income To Jan Suraaj Campaign After Election Defeat 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... Usha Vance Spotted Without Wedding Ring, Her Team Clarifies Amid Online Buzz Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 23:38 IST Second Lady Usha Vance was spotted alongside First Lady Melania Trump at a military base without her wedding ring, triggering a buzz over her marriage. US Second Lady Usha Vance at Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina. (Reuters) Second Lady Usha Vance sparked a raging buzz on social media after she was spotted alongside First Lady Melania Trump at a military base without her wedding ring, earlier this week. The duo visited Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina on November 19. Notably, Vances marriage has been a topic of speculation ever since Vice President JD Vance publicly revealed that he would like for his Indian-origin wife to follow Christianity, as their children are being raised as Christians and that she often joins them at church, and also after Vances closely scrutinised hug with Erika Kirk, the wife of deceased political commentator Charlie Kirk. Recommended Stories The White House said Usha Vance and Melania Trump visited Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, where they spent the day meeting with students, educators, military families and Service members from both installations. Several photographs from the event were shared on social media, showing Usha Vance without a ring on her hand. This drew widespread attention on social media. Interesting. Usha Vance minus a wedding ring yesterday at Camp Lejeune," said Adam Parkhomenko, a political commentator. So are the rumours about Bromance b/w JD & Erika Kirk true?" said another user. Even the Democratic Party also commented on the matter on X. Is JD sleeping on the couch?" they asked. Is JD sleeping on the couch? https://t.co/w26I6osJ0r Democrats (@TheDemocrats) November 21, 2025 Is This A Big Deal? The short answer? Nope! Usha Vance has been spotted plenty of times without her wedding ring, and no, that doesnt mean the marriage alarm bells should start ringing. Sometimes a missing ring is just a missing ring. A spokeswoman for the second lady told USA Today that Usha Vance is a mother of three young children, who does a lot of dishes, gives lots of baths, and forgets her ring sometimes." JD and Usha Vance have three children: Ewan, 8, Vivek, 5, and Mirabel, 3. The increased scrutiny over the Vances came after the Vice President said he would like his Indian-origin wife, Usha Vance, to follow Christianity, after which several Indian Americans accused him of being disrespectful towards Hinduism. Vance later said his wife had no plans to convert. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by the church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way," he said in response to a question by an Indian-origin woman at an event. Furthermore, a viral clip showing JD Vance sharing an intimate hug with Erika Kirk, with her hand resting in his hair, sent social media into overdrive over a possible divorce. Netizens dissected the body language of Vance and Erika Kirk, noting the hand-in-hair gesture as a signal of intimacy. 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 22, 2025, 23:38 IST News viral Usha Vance Spotted Without Wedding Ring, Her Team Clarifies Amid Online Buzz 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... 'Borders Must Not Change By Force': European Leaders Say US-Drafted Ukraine Peace Plan Needs Work Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 20:10 IST The leaders expressed particular concern over clauses that would restrict Ukraines military capabilities and potentially leave the country exposed to future Russian aggression European leaders discuss US peace plan for Ukraine European leaders on Saturday said a 28-point peace proposal drafted by the United States to end the war in Ukraine is only a starting point and requires additional work", stressing that no settlement can legitimise changes to Ukraines borders imposed by Russia. In a joint statement issued on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, leaders from the Group of Seven nations and several European states said the plan includes important elements essential for a just and lasting peace," but warned that key provisions remain problematic. Recommended Stories The gathering took place without the participation of the US administration, which boycotted the summit. The leaders expressed particular concern over reported clauses that would restrict Ukraines military capabilities and potentially leave the country exposed to future Russian aggression. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force," the statement said. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack." Signatories to the joint statement included the heads of government of Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, Germany and Norway, along with senior EU officials. We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work. We are pic.twitter.com/PM5LHn7xXX Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 22, 2025 They also stressed that any provisions affecting NATO or the European Union must receive approval from their respective member states. The pushback comes amid mounting pressure on Kyiv to accept the US-drafted terms. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that Ukraine was facing one of the most difficult moments in our history," following leaked details of the plan that critics say tilt in Moscows favour. US President Donald Trump has reportedly given Ukraine until 27 November to accept the proposal, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has called it a possible basis" for negotiations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite acknowledging the plan as a foundation for discussion, European leaders made clear that substantial changes will be required before any deal can be considered viable. We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable," the statement said. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (De... Read More Location : South Africa First Published: November 22, 2025, 20:10 IST News world 'Borders Must Not Change By Force': European Leaders Say US-Drafted Ukraine Peace Plan Needs Work Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... China Used India-Pakistan Conflict For Real-World Weapons Trials: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 11:22 IST China also ran a "disinformation campaign" to discredit the French Rafale fighter jet after the India-Pakistan conflict, the report said. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google China reportedly offered to sell Pakistan 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and ballistic missile defence systems. (Representative Image/AFP) China allegedly used tensions between India and Pakistan in May to carry out real-world testing and promoting" of its advanced weapons systems, a bipartisan US commission has said in its annual report. According to the report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, published on Tuesday, Beijing leveraged the four-day 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". Recommended Stories This clash was the first time Chinas modern weapons systems, including the HQ-9 air defence 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 said. Tensions between India and Pakistan increased following a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22, which left 26 people dead. After finding out cross-border links to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7. It struck multiple terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). China then reportedly offered to sell Pakistan 40 J-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and ballistic missile defence systems in June, the report added. The report, which is based on committee hearings and research that includes publicly available information and media reports, added that in the weeks after the conflict, Chinese embassies also praised the successes" of its systems in the India-Pakistan clash, seeking to bolster weapons sales". The report also said that characterisation of the May conflict as a proxy war" would overstate Chinas role as an instigator". China also ran a disinformation campaign" to discredit the French Rafale fighter jet after the India-Pakistan conflict, the report said. 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. The report also claimed that Chinese embassy officials persuaded Indonesia to halt an ongoing purchase of Rafale jets. China, however, dismissed the allegations as disinformation." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This so-called commission that you mentioned always harbours ideological bias against China and has no credibility to speak of," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said while responding to a question on the Rafale disinformation campaign at a media briefing. The commissions report itself is disinformation," she added. First Published: November 22, 2025, 11:22 IST News world China Used India-Pakistan Conflict For Real-World Weapons Trials: Report 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... Great Honour: Donald Trump After Meeting NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 07:14 IST Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani held a productive White House meeting, discussing New York affordability and pledging cooperation despite past public clashes. After the meeting, the two leaders said the meeting was productive" and a lot of important issues were discussed. (Trump/Truth Social) Trump-Mamdani meet: US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) praised the productive" meeting held with New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani with a social media post hours after their strikingly cordial joint appearance at the White House. In a post on Truth Social following the Oval Office meeting, Trump said that he was honored to meet the 34-year-old leader. Recommended Stories It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!" he said. In a separate post, the US President shared several photos from the visit, including images of him and Mamdani together at the White House as well as one picture featuring the mayor-elect standing alone in front of a painting of former US President Franklin Roosevelt. After the meeting, the two leaders said the meeting was productive" and a lot of important issues were discussed. Trump vowed to work together with Mamdani and support his affordability agenda. Weve just had a great meeting, a really good, very productive meeting," Trump said, adding that the two had one thing in common we want this city of ours that we love to do very well." Mamdani also called the meeting productive" and that the two discussed issues of affordability in New York, the main pillar of his campaign. I appreciated the meeting with the president, and as he said it was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, New York City. During the meeting, he also emphasised that working people have been left behind in New York," citing the growing number of residents who struggle to afford basic public transit fares. Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five cant afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today its time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics," he said in a post on X. Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five cant afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today its time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics. pic.twitter.com/PUVQfuT38s Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 21, 2025 He added that he conveyed this message to the US President, stressing that those excluded from economic opportunity must be placed back at the heart of our politics." A Friendly Tone The tone of the meeting was markedly friendly and civil after Trump and Mamdani repeatedly traded barbs in the past. Trump frequently calls Mamdani a communist", while the New York mayor-elect has publicly derided the presidents anti-immigration policies, calling him a despot". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, the US President adopted a friendlier tone during Fridays interaction, congratulating Mamdanis performance in the New York mayoral polls and said he had beaten a lot of smart people" in the race. He also said some of Mamdanis views on New Yorks economic issues and affordability were similar to his own. The duo had a series of acrimonious public exchanges in the past. Trump has called Mamdani a 100% Communist Lunatic" and a total nut job" and the New York Mayor-elect has called Trumps administration authoritarian" and described himself as the presidents worst nightmare." About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 22, 2025, 07:14 IST News world Great Honour: Donald Trump After Meeting NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani 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... Kept India Alive In Hearts: PM Modi Lauds Ganga Maiya Girmitiya Song In Johannesburg | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 09:33 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the South African Girmitiya song Ganga Maiya in Johannesburg, highlighting its emotional tribute to Indian heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed with cultural dances as he arrives in Johannesburg, for G20 Summit to be held from November 22- 23, in Johannesburg on Friday. (X) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday applauded the performance of the South African Girmitiya song Ganga Maiya, which was performed upon his arrival in South Africas Johannesburg for the G20 Summit, saying that it was a very joyful and emotional experience. PM Modi shared the video on X, where he can be seen enjoying the cultural tribute. He highlighted how the song embodies the resilience and memory of the early Indian community in South Africa. Recommended Stories It was a very joyful and emotional experience for us to witness the performance of the South African Girmitiya song Ganga Maiya in Johannesburg," he said in a post on X. ! , pic.twitter.com/NL8n2XUS2a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2025 What made the performance even more distinctive, he noted, was the inclusion of a Tamil rendition of the traditional song a tribute to the diverse linguistic roots of the Indian-origin community in South Africa. The song embodies the hope and unwavering courage of those people who came here many years ago. Through these songs and bhajans, they kept India alive in their hearts," he added. PM Modi is on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend the G20 Summit. Upon his arrival at the hotel, a group of children recited a prayer to welcome him. Local artists performed traditional dances, displaying the cultural heritage of states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Prime Minister also interacted with children who recited Vedic Mantras. He was seen clapping to the tunes of musical performances. He shook hands and interacted with the members of the Indian community as they chanted Modi-Modi. Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Johannesburg. This affection reflects the enduring bond between India and South Africa. These ties, rooted in history and strengthened by shared values, continue to grow even stronger!" PM Modi said in a series of posts. He said the cultural connection between India and South Africa is truly heartwarming and timeless". In Johannesburg, my young friends sang the Ganapati Prarthana, Shanti Mantra and other divine prayers with great devotion. Such moments reaffirm the enduring bonds between our people," he added. Indias vibrant cultural diversity on display in South Africa! Members of the Indian community took the lead in showcasing folk dances from 11 states of India during a short cultural programme aptly titled Rhythms of a United India. It is commendable how the Indian community has remained connected with its roots," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all PM Modi will be in South Africa from November 21 to 23 for the first G20 Summit to be held on the African continent. His visit will focus on issues concerning India as well as priorities of the Global South. This visit marks his fourth official trip to South Africa, following his 2016 bilateral visit and participation in the BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre... Read More Location : South Africa First Published: November 22, 2025, 09:33 IST News world Kept India Alive In Hearts: PM Modi Lauds Ganga Maiya Girmitiya Song In Johannesburg | Watch 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... Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. The incentive for institutional cryptocurrency exposure has shifted towards diversification, according to Swiss digital asset bank Sygnum. About 57% of institutional and professional investors with cryptocurrency exposure point to portfolio diversification as their main reason for investing in the asset class, Sygnum said in a Nov. 11 report, citing a late Q3 survey of 1,000 investors from 43 countries. Sygnum said this marked a significant shift from the previous year, when 62% of investors cited exposure to cryptos megatrend as the primary driver of investment. That figure dropped to 53% this year. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.81/Share Before Nov. 20 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform This could indicate that crypto is now being used more deliberately as a core portfolio component, with its perceived diversification benefits taking precedence over chasing pure upside potential, Sygnum said. Sygnum attributed the shift from speculation to diversification to improved digital asset knowledge. According to the report, 78% of investors reported having high cryptocurrency and blockchain knowledge, a 6% increase from 2024. Investors are now better informed, Sygnum Crypto Asset Research Lead Lucas Schweiger said. Discipline has tempered exuberance, but not conviction, in the markets long-term growth trajectory. Trending: Buffett's Secret to Wealth? Private Real EstateGet Institutional Access Yourself Meanwhile, with the shift in incentives has come a change in investment strategies, Sygnum said. The majority of investors, 42%, now favor actively managed strategies, a shift from 2024, when 44% cited single-token strategies as the preference. It suggests that investors want to be able to adjust to changing market conditions and better spread risk, Sygnum said. Passive investment strategies follow at 39% as Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded funds gain ground, the report said. Single-token strategies are a close third at 38%. According to the Sygnum report, 61% of respondents said they intend to increase their cryptocurrency exposure, citing catalysts like ETF approvals, corporate treasury purchases and anticipated U.S. cryptocurrency market structure legislation. Meanwhile, about 34% said they planned to maintain their positions, pending an improvement in market conditions. New York Governor Welcomes Trump-Mamdani Meet: 'Looking Forward To Working...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 07:32 IST Governor Kathy Hochul praised President Donald Trumps support for New York and strongly condemned Islamophobic attacks on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani. Governor Kathy Hochul praised President Donald Trumps support for New York and strongly condemned Islamophobic attacks on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani. (Image: Flickr) New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday issued a strongly worded statement following President Donald Trumps meeting with Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, welcoming the Presidents renewed commitment" to New York while sharply condemning Islamophobic attacks from members of Trumps own party. Hochul said she appreciated Trumps acknowledgement of shared priorities such as lowering costs and improving public safety. But her most pointed remarks addressed the political furor surrounding Mamdani, who has faced repeated attempts by GOP figures to weaponise his background, faith, and identity, some even labelling him a jihadist." Recommended Stories I appreciate that the President rejected efforts by members of his own party to weaponize the mayor-elects background, faith, and identity for political gain," Hochul said, calling the attacks Islamophobic and unacceptable. Theres no place for rhetoric like that in our politics or in New York." The Governor said she looked forward to working with both Trump and Mamdani to deliver for New Yorkers," but reiterated that cooperation with Washington would be conditional. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As Ive always said, Ill work with the President when it benefits New Yorkers," Hochul said. And Ill fight like hell when our values are at stake." The statement marks one of Hochuls most forceful defenses of Mamdani since the mayor-elects victory, signaling a renewed pushback against national-level political attacks ahead of his term beginning January 2026. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: November 22, 2025, 07:32 IST News world New York Governor Welcomes Trump-Mamdani Meet: 'Looking Forward To Working...' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Announces New Trilateral Partnership With Australia, Canada To Bolster Tech, Innovation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 20:42 IST The partnership with Canada is significant, given the recent tensions between the two countries and the changing geopolitical situation under US President Donald Trump. PM Modi with Australia's Anthony Albanese and Canada's Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. (X/@Narendra Modi) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership after meeting with his counterparts, Anthony Albanese from Australia and Mark Carney from Canada, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. PM Modi said the partnership would bring together three democratic nations across three continents to work more closely in areas such as advanced tech, clean energy and artificial intelligence. He said all sides were committed to ensuring that technological progress benefits future generations. Recommended Stories The initiative will deepen collaboration between democratic partners across three continents and three oceans in emerging technologies, support diversification of supply chains, clean energy and mass adoption of AI. We look forward to working together to guarantee a better future for the coming generations," he said on X. A new trilateral technology and innovation partnership!Had an excellent meeting with Mr. Anthony Albanese, PM of Australia and Mr. Mark Carney, PM of Canada on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. We are delighted to announce an Australia-Canada-India Technology and pic.twitter.com/Qa5lSvlIb2 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025 This trilateral initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies, clean energy, AI, and supply-chain resilience. It marks a unified effort by three democratic nations to advance innovation and ensure long-term stability. According to a statement by the Canadian government, the initiative will draw on the natural strengths of the three countries and have an emphasis on green energy innovation and building resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals. It will deepen their respective ambition and strategic collaboration towards net zero and drive further diversification of supply chains towards a secure, sustainable, and resilient future. The Partnership will also examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence to improve the lives of our citizens," it added. India-Canada Ties This agreement with Canada is significant for India as it comes after months of strained ties between the two countries under former PM Justin Trudeau, and the changing geopolitical situation led by US President Donald Trumps bullish trade policies. The Canadian political establishment is gradually distancing itself from the Khalistani separatist movement as Prime Minister Mark Carneys Liberal government seeks to rebuild and strengthen relations with India. Carney, who replaced Trudeau, is now attempting to move past the period of tensions caused by the latter and is trying to restore stable engagement with New Delhi. There has also been an uptick in official engagement. Canadian minister Anita Anand visited India recently, and her colleague Maninder Sidhu is expected in New Delhi soon. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar travelled to Canada for the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting. Indian government sources told CNN-News18 that New Delhi and Ottawa are rebuilding trust through controlled, issue-specific interactions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Prime Minister Modi received a warm and colourful welcome on Friday as he arrived in South Africa for the G20 Leaders Summit. This is PM Modis fourth official visit to South Africa. On Friday, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The two leaders discussed key areas of cooperation and ongoing developments between their countries. 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 : South Africa First Published: November 22, 2025, 18:47 IST News world PM Modi Announces New Trilateral Partnership With Australia, Canada To Bolster Tech, Innovation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi, Italys PM Meloni Share Light Moment At G20 Johannesburg | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 16:52 IST The encounter comes months after their last meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June PM Modi meets Italian PM Meloni | Image: X Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni greeted each other warmly on Saturday as world leaders gathered in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit, marking yet another friendly exchange between the two heads of government. The leaders met ahead of the opening session at the Nasrec convention venue, shaking hands and sharing smiles before joining deliberations. Recommended Stories The encounter comes months after their last meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June. BIG BREAKING PM Modi meets Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at G20 Leaders Summit. pic.twitter.com/Plvov2ZAIA News Algebra (@NewsAlgebraIND) November 22, 2025 Their rapport has been highlighted in recent months, with PM Modi contributing the preface to the Indian edition of Melonis book I Am Giorgia. In it, he wrote that the IndiaItaly partnership rests on shared civilizing instincts, such as the defence of heritage, the strength of community, and the celebration of femininity as a guiding force." Responding to his remarks, Meloni told Italian news agency Adnkronos that PM Modis words deeply touch and honour" her, adding that she sincerely reciprocates" the sentiments and noting that they reflect the strong bond between the two countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Saturdays session was attended by several global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. US President Donald Trump did not attend, with his administration stating that South Africas priorities, including its emphasis on enhanced global cooperation on trade and climate action, diverge from Washingtons policy positions. Location : South Africa First Published: November 22, 2025, 16:52 IST News world PM Modi, Italys PM Meloni Share Light Moment At G20 Johannesburg | Watch 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... US Lawmaker Who Sought To End H-1B Visa Programme To Resign As Rift With Trump Camp Widens Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 22, 2025, 14:01 IST Following Trumps public criticism, Greene said she had been hit with a wave of threats. US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and US President Donald Trump . (AFP) Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who recently introduced a bill seeking to end the H-1B visa programme, has announced she will resign from the US House of Representatives in January. Greene, a prominent far-right figure and Georgia lawmaker elected in 2020, said on Friday that she is stepping down one week after President Donald Trump abruptly withdrew his support for her. In a video statement posted online, the 51-year-old said she had always been despised in Washington DC and never fit in." Recommended Stories She said she did not want her family or supporters to face a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for," adding that such an internal battle would come at a time when Republicans risk losing ground in the midterms. Greene said her last day in office will be January 5, 2026. Once a strong ally and a key voice in Trumps Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, Greene fell out of favour earlier this month. On November 7, President Trump announced he was withdrawing all support for Wacky Marjorie," later escalating attacks on his Truth Social platform by calling her a lightweight" and a traitor" to the Republican Party. Following Trumps public criticism, Greene said she had been hit with a wave of threats. Her decision to step down marks one of the clearest signs of a deepening rift inside the MAGA ecosystem, which has been unsettled by the Democratic Partys strong off-year election performance and Trumps meeting with leftist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The movement has also been divided over Trumps shifting stance on the Jeffrey Epstein case, involving allegations that several influential Americans were connected to the convicted sex offender. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for," Greene said in her statement. 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 22, 2025, 14:01 IST News world US Lawmaker Who Sought To End H-1B Visa Programme To Resign As Rift With Trump Camp Widens 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... On November 20, 2025, Enphase Energy announced a new safe harbor agreement with a leading third-party solar and battery financing provider, involving nearly US$68 million in projected revenue over 1224 months from 2026 through the supply of U.S.-manufactured IQ9 Microinverters for residential projects. This marks Enphase's third such agreement since July 2025, highlighting the company's expanding role in the third-party ownership segment and its alignment with evolving federal tax credit and domestic content requirements in the U.S. solar market. We'll explore how this latest safe harbor agreement and its expected revenue impact may influence Enphase Energys broader investment narrative. The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 25 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement. Enphase Energy Investment Narrative Recap To be a shareholder in Enphase Energy, you have to believe that policy tailwinds and continued electrification will drive recurring demand for integrated solar, storage, and EV solutions, helping offset sector cyclicality, even as the U.S. residential solar market faces a potential contraction in 2026. The new US$68 million safe harbor agreement underscores momentum in the third-party ownership (TPO) channel, but its short-term impact may be modest compared to the ongoing risks from oversupply and looming policy changes. The recent Green Mountain Power partnership is a standout announcement, aligning well with current catalysts by expanding Enphase's role in virtual power plants and battery leasing. While this offers geographic and product diversification, scaling these initiatives quickly enough to offset risks tied to weaker residential demand remains a key question for investors. But theres another side: elevated inventory and the risk of write-downs could silently weigh on future earnings, especially if demand... Read the full narrative on Enphase Energy (it's free!) Enphase Energy's outlook anticipates $1.6 billion in revenue and $232.0 million in earnings by 2028. This suggests a 3.0% annual revenue growth rate and a $57.3 million increase in earnings from the current $174.7 million level. Uncover how Enphase Energy's forecasts yield a $39.38 fair value, a 46% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives ENPH Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 Fifteen individual fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community span US$28.32 to US$70.42 per share. With projected U.S. residential solar contraction and policy shifts ahead, you can explore how sharply opinions differ, and why the challenges are top of mind for many. One of the last survivors of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor has died. Ivan W. Atkins Jr. died at age 102 on Oct. 27. Atkins, who grew up on a farm in Indiana, was just 18 when he and two of his brothers were aboard the USS West Virginia on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a year after they enlisted in the Navy, Stars and Stripes reports. Another brother, too young for the Navy, had joined the Merchant Marine. The three brothers were together on deck for a full-dress inspection when the attack began, with the West Virginia taking multiple torpedo hits almost immediately. The ship's captain ordered the crew to battle stations, but chaos and damage prevented many, including Atkins, from reaching their posts. Atkins, assigned to a gun on a lower deck, managed to escape after the order to abandon ship by climbing a maintenance ladder to the top deck and jumping overboard. All three brothers survived and swam to shore, though they only learned of each other's survival the next day. Many other men burned to death from burning oil in the water as the ship sank, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs noted in a 2023 profile of the Atkins brothers, who all survived the war. The attack killed 106 crew members on the West Virginia. Atkins continued his military service on a minesweeper and later as a gunner on the USS San Jacinto aircraft carrier. "He had an eye for spotting enemy planes, specifically kamikaze planes, on the horizon," the IDVA notes. "A tragic part of Ivan's experience was losing his gunmate six times during his deployment." Atkins received an honorable discharge in 1946. Atkins, who married childhood sweetheart Dorothy Mathers before he enlisted, is survived by seven of their eight children. After the war, he worked as a farmer and in woodworking factories. When he returned from the war at age 24, he "placed his medals inside a cigar box and buried them in the woods, telling his wife, 'No man should ever be recognized for killing others,'" per the IDVA, which notes, "There was no access to post-war therapy then, and Ivan suffered from profound PTSD." "Back then, you didn't sit around and talk about your anxiety. You pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and did what you were supposed to do," granddaughter Tonette Ramion said in the IDVA profile. "My grandfather was killing Japanese kamikazes at age 19. I cannot imagine the impact that had on him or anyone else." "My dad had a fifth-grade education in a sheep shed," his son Alfred said in the same profile. "Literally, he had to walk to school one mile away through a field with a bull in it, which he had to strategically evade, and his school was inside a livestock shed." With his passing, the number of living Pearl Harbor survivors dwindles to about a dozen, with only one, 105-year-old Ira Schab, expected to attend this year's commemoration in Hawaii, Stars and Stripes reports. With the cameras rolling, the nation's MAGA president and its largest city's democratic socialist mayor-elect expressed at least momentary detente on Friday after meeting at the White Housepausing the trading of public insults that has gone on for months. "I feel very confident that he can do a good job," President Trump said in a joint appearance in the Oval Office, per the New York Times . "It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers," Zohran Mamdani said, per USA Today . It wasn't always like this. While Mamdani was running for mayor of New York City, he and Trump spoke about each other using such endearments as "communist lunatic," "stupid person," "despot," and "fascist," per the Washington Post. Mamdani even ripped Trump in his victory speech earlier this month. But when a reporter asked Mamdani on Friday about the "despot" accusation, Trump came to his rescue, saying he'd been called worse, per the Wall Street Journal. "That's OK. You can just say 'yes,'" Trump said, tapping him on the arm. "It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." The two stayed away from areas of disagreement in their public comments. The warmth also could reflect Trump's awareness of Mamdani's success campaigning on economic policies intended to help the working class, as well as Mamdani's recognition that some number of his voters had cast their ballots for Trump, per the Post. The Queens natives expressed consensus on ending wars, reducing the cost of living, and getting "Con Edison to start lowering their rates," as Trump said. "We agree on a lot more than I thought," the president said. "I expect to be helping him, not hurting him." UPDATE Nov 22, 2025 7:10 AM CST President Trump offered his first reactions to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Friday resignation announcement, telling ABC News later that day, "I think it's great news for the country." He went on to say that "it doesn't matter" that the congresswoman, once a staunch ally, hadn't given him a heads-up, adding, "I think she should be happy." On Saturday, he continued his goodbyes on Truth Social, where he wasn't as subdued in his take on "Marjorie Traitor Brown." "For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD," the president wrote. "Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country!" Nov 21, 2025 7:44 PM CST Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a once-loyal supporter of President Trump who has become a critic, said Friday she's resigning from Congress in January. Greene, in a more than 10-minute video posted online, explained her decision and said she's "always been despised in Washington, DC, and just never fit in." Greene's resignation followed a public fallout with Trump in recent months, reports the AP, as the congresswoman criticized him for his stance on files related to Jeffrey Epstein, along with foreign policy and health care. Trump branded her a "traitor" and "wacky" and said he'd endorse a challenger against her when she ran for reelection next year. Justice Samuel Alito has temporarily reinstated Texas' contested congressional map, a move that could boost Republicans by up to five seats in the 2026 midterms, while the Supreme Court reviews a lower court's decision that found the map likely relied on unconstitutional racial considerations. The redistricting plan, pushed by Texas Republicans and backed by President Trump, had been thrown out earlier in the week, per Politico . Alito's order allows state officials to proceed with 2026 election preparations under the new boundariesat least for now. Texas had filed an emergency appeal arguing that discarding the map at this stage would disrupt an election cycle already in motion, with candidate filings and campaigning underway and early voting for the March primary just three months out. State Solicitor General William Peterson said overturning the map would create "obvious" chaos and argued that the redistricting was driven by a desire for GOP advantage, not race. The state's petition asked the Supreme Court to issue a longer-term stay by Dec. 1, ahead of the congressional filing deadline, and to ultimately reverse the lower court's ruling. The AP notes that SCOTUS' right-leaning majority has stymied lower court rulings in other cases due to being too close to elections. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who penned the 2-1 majority decision against the map, acknowledged the inconvenience of reverting to old boundaries but said that was outweighed by the harm of a potential unconstitutional gerrymander. Alito, who handles emergency matters from the 5th Circuit, is expected to refer the case to the full court. He has put the issue on a fast track, giving civil rights groups until Monday afternoon to respond. Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the preemptive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro on Saturday, days before he was to begin his 27-year prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. The embattled leader was taken to the headquarters of the country's Federal Police in the capital, Brasilia, from his house arrest, per the AP . Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who oversaw the case, said in his ruling that the arrest "should be made with all respect to the dignity of [Bolsonaro], without the use of handcuffs and without any media exposition." Bolsonaro aide Andriely Cirino confirmed the arrest took place around 6am on Saturday, only hours after de Moraes made the unexpected decision. The 70-year-old former president was taken from his house in a gated community in the Jardim Botanico neighborhood to federal police headquarters, Cirino said. De Moraes mentioned in his ruling a video published this week by Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, one of the far-right leader's sons, in which he egged on supporters to take to the streets in his father's defense. "The video ... stimulates the disrespect to the constitutional text, to the judicial decision, and to [democratic] institutions," the Supreme Court justice wrote. Some Bolsonaro supporters, who claim he's being politically persecuted, are expected to rally outside police headquarters over the weekend. Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest in August, weeks before he was convicted in his coup trial. His lawyers pleaded with Brazil's Supreme Court to keep him home for his sentence, citing his poor health. Bolsonaro, Brazil's president from 2019 to 2023, is set to begin serving his sentence next week after he exhausted all appeals of his conviction for leading a coup attempt. Saturday's preemptive arrest doesn't mean Bolsonaro will remain at police headquarters to serve his sentence. Brazilian law requires that all convicts start their sentences in prison. The former president and several allies were convicted by a panel of Supreme Court justices for attempting to overthrow Brazil's democracy following his 2022 election loss to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors said the coup plot included plans to kill Lula and to encourage an insurrection in early 2023. Bolsonaro, an ally to US President Trump, remains a key figure in Brazilian politics, despite being ineligible to run again until at least 2030. Polls show he would be a strong candidate in next year's vote if allowed to run. The widow of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday called for the release of the transcript of a 2019 phone call that President Trump had with Mohammed bin Salman, joining Democratic lawmakers who are raising questions about whether Trump personally benefitted from his embrace of the Saudi crown prince. Hanan Elatr Khashoggi appeared on Capitol Hill on Friday morning on the heels of Trump's dismissal of US intelligence findings that the crown prince most likely had culpability in the October 2018 slaying of her husband, per the AP . Trump also lavished the Saudi ruler this week with some of Washington's highest honors for a foreign dignitary, deepening the business and military relationship between the two nations. Saudi intelligence officials and a forensic doctor killed and dismembered Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. "There is no justification to kidnap him, torture him, to kill him and to cut him to pieces," Hanan Elatr Khashoggi said Friday during an emotional news conference. "This is a terrorist act." The demand in Congress for the Trump administration to release the call transcripts is being led by Rep. Eugene Vindman, a freshman Democrat from Virginia who was deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council during Trump's first term. Vindman, who has reviewed the transcript of the phone call with Prince Mohammed, declined to go into specifics of the classified document on Friday, but he said it used "the terminology of quid pro quo, the ensuing benefits that the president reaped." He called the transcript of the call with the Saudi ruler "shocking." "The Kashoggi family and the American people deserve to know what was said on that call," he added. It's unlikely that the Trump administration would voluntarily release the 2019 call transcript with Prince Mohammed. Dem lawmakers, who are in the minority, also have little power to force its release. They also stayed away from speculating whether Trump's relationship with Prince Mohammed would be grounds for another impeachment inquiry if they retake the House next year. Still, they said the interaction was emblematic of the direction that Trump is leading the country. "We are being drawn in the direction of authoritarian monarchy, in tyranny right now," said Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat. More here. For companies like Pfizer that consistently generate profits, the Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratio is a popular and reliable valuation tool. The PE ratio tells investors how much they are paying for each dollar of current earnings, providing a useful snapshot for comparing across companies and industries. Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests Pfizer is undervalued by 59.9%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio , or discover 917 more undervalued stocks based on cash flows . Based on these projections and the DCF methodology, the estimated intrinsic value of Pfizer's shares comes out to $62.40. This is a striking 59.9% higher than the current market price, indicating that the stock trades at a substantial discount according to this valuation. For Pfizer, the latest reported Free Cash Flow (FCF) stands at $9.95 Billion. Analysts forecast that FCF will grow steadily, with Simply Wall St extrapolating a projected FCF of $16.36 Billion in the year 2029. While analyst estimates usually cover the next five years, these longer-term numbers are model driven based on known cash flow trends. A Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model estimates a company's value by projecting its future cash flows and discounting them back to their value today. This helps investors see what those future dollars are worth in today's terms. In terms of valuation, Pfizer scores a strong 5 out of 6 on our core checklist for undervaluation, making it a notable candidate for deeper analysis. Next, let us explore the valuation methods that matter, and stay tuned for a perspective that goes beyond the numbers alone. Recent headlines about Pfizer have focused on its latest product developments and major moves in the pharmaceutical sector, generating speculation about the company's future direction. These stories give investors plenty to consider regarding long-term growth prospects and short-term uncertainty. Pfizer's performance has been mixed lately. Shares dipped just 0.1% in the last week, inched up 1.3% over the past month, but are still down 5.9% year to date despite a 4.7% return over the last twelve months. Wondering if Pfizer is a smart buy at today's price? You are not alone, especially as value-focused investors begin to focus on the stock. Story Continues It is important to remember that what counts as a "normal" or "fair" PE ratio varies depending on a company's growth expectations and risk profile. Companies with higher expected earnings growth or lower risk typically justify a higher PE, while those with slower growth or greater risk generally trade on a lower multiple. At the moment, Pfizer trades on a PE ratio of 14.53x. This is noticeably below both the industry average of 19.92x and the peer group average of 17.05x. However, benchmarks like industry averages do not always tell the whole story. That is where the Simply Wall St Fair Ratio comes in. The Fair Ratio for Pfizer is calculated at 24.17x, reflecting a more personalized estimate based on Pfizer's growth prospects, profit margin, industry environment, company size, and business risks. This proprietary metric offers a more tailored and holistic view of what could be considered a reasonable valuation for Pfizer compared to industry and peer averages that may not fully capture company-specific factors. Given that Pfizer's current PE of 14.53x is well below its Fair Ratio of 24.17x, the evidence suggests Pfizer is undervalued on this preferred metric. Result: UNDERVALUED NYSE:PFE PE Ratio as at Nov 2025 PE ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Discover 1422 companies where insiders are betting big on explosive growth. Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your Pfizer Narrative Earlier we mentioned there is an even better way to understand valuation, so let us introduce you to Narratives. In investing, a Narrative is your perspective on a companys future, connecting the story you believe about its business, such as growth in new markets, product launches, or risk factors, to your own estimates for revenue, earnings, and margins. Narratives make investing smarter and more personalized by linking your view of Pfizers story directly to a dynamic financial forecast and fair value estimate. This approach is easy to use and available to all on Simply Wall Sts Community page, where millions of investors share their views and track company progress. With Narratives, you can see how your fair value estimate compares to todays market price. This makes it easier to decide when a stock might be a buying opportunity or when it may be time to take profits. Even better, as new data or news emerges, each Narrative updates automatically, keeping your analysis current without any extra effort. For Pfizer, some investors see fair value as high as $35.77 per share (expecting margin expansion and accelerated innovation), while others estimate as low as $24.00 (citing patent risks and margin pressure). For Pfizer, we'll make it really easy for you with previews of two leading Pfizer Narratives: Pfizer Bull Case Fair Value: $29.08 Undervalued by 13.9% Expected Revenue Growth Rate: -2.66% Growth strategy focuses on expansion in innovative therapies and global emerging markets. The goal is to achieve margin improvement and resilience despite industry pressures. Recent deals and digital investments, such as the Metsera acquisition and AI-powered R&D, are expected to drive long-term earnings growth and operational efficiencies. Risks include regulatory pressures, patent expirations, and fierce competition. Consensus analyst targets indicate upside of 14.4% from current pricing. Pfizer Bear Case Fair Value: $24.00 Overvalued by 4.3% Expected Revenue Growth Rate: -4.21% Stricter drug price controls, ongoing patent expirations, and intensifying generic competition are expected to pressure Pfizer's revenues and margins over the next several years. Heavy reliance on bringing new R&D assets to market introduces risk, as pipeline delays or failures may not offset losses from established drugs. Bears believe the company is fairly to slightly overvalued at its current price. This makes downside risks more prominent than potential upside under these assumptions. Do you think there's more to the story for Pfizer? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying! NYSE:PFE Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include PFE. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com AKITA, Nov 22 (News On Japan) - A large bear that appeared in central Akita City on November 19th was captured in numerous videos submitted to ABS Akita Broadcasting, with the footage revealing how it moved through tourist sites, school routes and even the citys nightlife district before disappearing from view. By examining the time and location of each submission, it became possible to trace the animals movements across the city center. The bear was first spotted on the lower edge of Senshu Park, a well-known sightseeing spot located a short walk from JR Akita Station, where summer events such as the Kanto Festival are held. The area is normally busy, and students from Reiwa High School use the adjacent pedestrian walkway for their commute. In the earliest confirmed video, a dark figure can be seen moving between the slope of the park and a nearby building. When the footage is enlarged, the bears size becomes clear, and moments later a pedestrian appears from behind, stopping abruptly after noticing the animal and narrowly avoiding a close encounter. Five minutes later, the bear was captured againthis time swimming across the Asahikawa River on the west side of Reiwa High School. The day marked the first snowfall in Akita City this season, but the animal showed no concern for either the cold water or the falling snow as it pushed steadily across. The surrounding district is lined with schools and apartments, yet the bear appeared unfazed as it continued moving along the riverbank, heading downstream at a quick pace through a narrow passageway barely wide enough for a single person. Another sighting was recorded roughly ten minutes after it emerged on the opposite bank. Dashcam video from a commuters car shows the bear trotting across a busy intersection, initially moving slowly but suddenly speeding upapparently startled by the change in the traffic signal and the sound of engines. About five minutes later, the bear appeared once more, this time in Akita Citys nightlife district on the far side of the river. Whether it crossed again or used a bridge is unclear, but security camera footage shows it striding across a road with confidence, moving westward even as crows swooped at it from above. Despite the area normally seeing commuter foot traffic, the bear did not encounter pedestrians, and no injuries were reported. The final confirmed video was submitted about two hours and thirty minutes after the initial sighting. Just 200 meters from the earlier location, in a quiet residential neighborhood, the bear can be seen emerging from behind a condominium before slowly walking toward the camera. With no people nearby, it showed no signs of fear and moved calmly through the area. Another security camera captured it walking briskly before entering the grounds of a private home without hesitation. The large bear continued to wander through central Akita without any indication of distress, and as of now its whereabouts remain unknown. Authorities are maintaining heightened vigilance as the search continues. Source: ABS The company anticipates an increase in CapEx to around 3% of revenue in fiscal year 2026, which may impact short-term cash flow. Contract retention slightly decreased to 90.6% at the end of September 2025, down from 91.2% a year ago, due to voluntary exits and non-renewals of some public contracts in Italy. The company reported strong commercial development in Spain and successful commercial activity in the US, particularly in the education market, contributing to organic growth. Story Continues Q & A Highlights Q: Can you provide some direction on what you expect in terms of net new business pricing and volumes for 2026? Also, regarding synergies, is the total target still EUR56 million? And about your leverage targets, is the reduction in leverage mostly from growing EBITDA? A: We expect price increases between 1.5% and 2%, with volume and net development in the same range, totaling 3% to 4% growth. For synergies, we have around EUR5 million of cost synergies to generate in fiscal year 2026, with commercial synergies expected to ramp up. The leverage ratio of 3 times by September 2026 is mainly driven by expected EBITDA growth, alongside improvements in operating working capital and our securitization program. Q: The EBITDA margin guidance for next year seems conservative given the expected organic growth and net retention improvements. What are the drivers of margin growth assumptions? Also, how should we think about the evolution of working capital securitization and factoring benefits? A: We expect price increases to converge towards a breakeven balance, contributing EUR13 million this year. Net commercial balance and operational efficiency plans will drive margin growth, contributing to a 20 to 40 basis points increase. For working capital, expect EUR40 million to EUR60 million improvement, with one-third from operational improvements and the rest from securitization program ramp-up. Q: Regarding Multiservice performance, could you remind us of the size of the temporary staffing solutions? Do you anticipate any changes in this activity? Also, could we have a tax guidance for 2026? A: Temporary staffing services represent around 10% of Multiservices activity. We expect a recovery next year with a new management team in place. For taxes, we are not providing specific guidance for 2026, but we may continue to activate net operating losses. Q: What should we expect in terms of EBITDA and EBITA margin growth in 2026? A: We expect a normalization in 2026, with similar levels of contribution at both EBITDA and EBITA levels. Q: Can you elaborate on the drivers of EBITDA improvement and revenue growth for next year? A: The main drivers are expected price increases between 1.5% and 2%, and volume and net development in the same range, totaling 3% to 4% growth. We also anticipate further contributions from operational efficiency plans and synergies. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Teslas CEO Elon Musk remains the richest man in the world, with a net worth of over $467 billion. His leadership has created the worlds first $1 trillion electric vehicle maker, though Musk would tell you Tesla is far from just an EV company. Must Read Elon Musks lifestyle is unconventional, to say the least. The Tesla CEO claims he works 120 hours per week (more than 17 hours per day, all seven days of the week). Hes also previously stated that he will own no home, choosing instead to sell almost all his physical possessions and live a nomadic lifestyle. But it appears Elon Musk remains a property owner, with reports stating he bought a house in Austin, Texas in 2022. This house was previously bought in 2018 for $4.5 million (which can get you quite the house in Austin) and was sold to Elon Musk in a private sale. Following this, Architectural Digest reported that the billionaire made a transition from his luxurious estate to a s $50,000 tiny home in Boca Chica, Texas. If you want to follow in the footsteps of Musk, here are some ways to invest in real estate without purchasing a property outright. The rich own real estate for a reason We all need a place to live, and thats true for the poorest and wealthiest. While Elon Musk undoubtedly has quite the Rolodex of friends with very comfortable couches to crash on, most seek permanence. Aside from the personal element, real estate has proven to be an asset class that provides the majority of most households wealth over long periods. A National Association of Realtors report shows consistent wealth generation numbers across the low, medium, and high-income thresholds over time. Generally, those who own their own houses build equity over time, as asset prices increase. Owning stocks, bonds and other investments in a 401K or similar retirement account is great. But for many households living paycheck to paycheck, that sort of savings vehicle is out of reach. Making a monthly mortgage payment, however, is something thats achievable for many, and can help build an important nest egg when the time comes to retire. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of CWG Holdings Berhad ( KLSE:CWG ) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Story Continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.7%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.3%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = RM4.2m (1 + 3.7%) (9.3% 3.7%) = RM77m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM77m ( 1 + 9.3%)10= RM31m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM59m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.2, the company appears about fair value at a 12% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. KLSE:CWG Discounted Cash Flow November 22nd 2025 The Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at CWG Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.939. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. View our latest analysis for CWG Holdings Berhad SWOT Analysis for CWG Holdings Berhad Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Commercial Services market. Opportunity Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine CWG's earnings prospects. Threat No apparent threats visible for CWG. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For CWG Holdings Berhad, we've put together three fundamental aspects you should look at: Risks: For example, we've discovered 3 warning signs for CWG Holdings Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! Other Environmentally-Friendly Companies: Concerned about the environment and think consumers will buy eco-friendly products more and more? Browse through our interactive list of companies that are thinking about a greener future to discover some stocks you may not have thought of! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Exact Sciences (EXAS) shares soared roughly 20% on Thursday morning after Abbott (ABT) said its buying the molecular diagnostics firm in a deal that values it at $21 billion. Abbott is paying $105 for each EXAS shares, a significant premium on their previous close, as this transaction will grow its presence in the fast-growing cancer diagnostics market. More News from Barchart At the time of writing, Exact Sciences stock is up more than 160% versus its year-to-date low set in April. www.barchart.com Why Exact Sciences Stock Lacks Further Upside EXAS shares are currently trading just under the deal price ($105), indicating the market has already factored in the entire acquisition premium. And since Exact Sciences will go private once the ABT deal closes next year in the second quarter, potential for any further upside in this biotech stock is essentially nil. The only plausible catalyst that could drive it higher from here is a competing bid, but Wall Street analysts see that as a long shot. In short, for existing shareholders, this is as good as it gets. For prospective investors, the ship has already sailed. Why EXAS Shares Cant Attract Competing Bids According to UBS analysts, a competing bid is unlikely to emerge as there arent many contenders who can rival Abbott in terms of being a strategic fit for Exact Sciences. Why? Because a viable buyer needs a massive primary care salesforce for one, which ABT possesses but most peers lack. Plus, the end of EXAS prior partnership with Pfizer (PFE) suggests therapeutics companies are unlikely to show interest in the first place. That leaves reference labs and product-oriented companies as potential suitors, but the former buys distresses or small assets only, and the latter generally avoid owing labs to prevent competing with their own customers. UBS explanation further reinforces that this is as good as it gets for Exact Sciences shares. ABT Deal Has Set a Ceiling for Exact Sciences Abbotts decision to pay a meaningful premium for EXAS stock validates the firms leadership in non-invasive cancer screening. However, for investors considering initiating a position at current levels, the risk-reward profile is not favorable heading into 2026. A Bergen County man was arrested Thursday after detectives discovered more than 1,000 child sexual abuse files at his home, authorities said. Acting on a call from the Garfield Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office launched an investigation into Andrew G. Maurer, 37, of Garfield, according to a statement from the prosecutors office. Detectives obtained a warrant, searched Maurers home on Thursday and discovered he had downloaded the files depicting nude and/or sexually explicit prepubescent and pubescent children, the prosecutors office said. The suspect was arrested and charged with second-degree possession of child pornography and taken to the Bergen County Jail, officials said. He was held there pending a detention hearing. Obalaji Baraka was arrested on Thursday on charges that he violated the terms of his probationary sentence in 2006, linked to a domestic violence conviction two years earlier. Baraka, the older brother of Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, is seen here in 2017. Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media For NJ.com In November 2004, Obalaji Baraka was sentenced to a year of probation for a third-degree aggravated assault conviction in a domestic violence incident, according to the Essex County Prosecutors Office. In 2006, he was sentenced [for] violation of probation for the third-degree aggravated assault charge. He was arrested yesterday for that 2006 violation, a spokesperson for the prosecutors office, Carmen Martin, told NJ Advance Media in an email on Friday. The time it took to make the arrest is just one noteworthy element of the case. The other is that Obalaji Baraka is the brother of Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, who hired Obalaji Baraka to a city job in 2015 and who has been an outspoken advocate for victims of domestic violence. The violation was non-compliance of the terms of his probation, added Martin. The arrest was first reported on RecentlyBooked.com. The prosecutors office did not release details of the arrest, and it was unclear where, what time of day, or under what circumstances it occurred. The office also did not respond to a follow-up question asking why it took 19 years to arrest Baraka on the violation. Baraka, 60, could not be reached for comment. A spokesperson for the mayor, Susan Garofalo, told NJ Advance Media, We havent received confirmation of the arrest, and she declined to comment on it. We dont comment on employees personal matters, especially those stemming from something occurring 20 years ago, Garofalo said in an email. If wrongdoing is confirmed, I am sure this employee will be treated like any other. A spokesperson for the Newark Department of Public Safety said she could not immediately comment on the matter, including whether Newark police officers had made the arrest. A spokesperson for the Essex County Sheriffs Office did not respond to requests for comment. Obalaji Barakas domestic assault conviction, revived two decades later by Thursdays arrest, stands in sharp contrast to the mayors personal and official advocacy on behalf of domestic violence victims, who include their sister, Shani Baraka. Shani Baraka and a close friend were murdered in a domestic violence-related incident in 2003, fatally shot by her sisters estranged husband. In 2017, the mayor opened the Shani Baraka Womens Resource Center for victims of domestic violence. Losing a loved one to violence creates an unrequited grief that festers within you, the mayor wrote in a November 2023 remembrance of his sister published 20 years after her death. Of his sisters killer, he wrote, There was plenty of evidence to lock him up, and a restraining order had been filed, but he evaded police. NJ Advance Media Staff Writer Kevin Shea contributed to this article. A U.S. District Court judge officially lifted a consent decree, giving Newarks civilian and police leadership a passing grade and ending nine years of federal monitoring. Rich Cowen | NJ Advance Media fo A federal judge has lifted a 2016 court order requiring a monitor of Newarks police force, ruling that reforms have been effective at curbing unconstitutional stops, searches, excessive use of force and other abuses. In 2016, the city of Newark and the U.S. Justice Department entered into an agreement calling for implementation of the reforms and the appointment of a monitor after the ACLU of New Jersey compiled a detailed history of police abuses. A subsequent investigation and lawsuit against Newark by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Newark resulted in the court-approved agreement, known as a consent decree. On Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Cox Arleo officially lifted the consent decree, giving Newarks civilian and police leadership a passing grade and ending nine years of federal monitoring. Over the last decade, Newark has committed the time, effort and resources needed to implement systemic changes, Arleo stated in the six-page order. Referring to the Newark Police Division, Arleo wrote: NPD is vastly improved and has the infrastructure in place to continue to improve in the future. All parties agree that termination is appropriate. The community is also largely supportive. It is now time to return the NPD to its elected leadership In the order, Arleo noted that the NPD was charged with reforming its practices in 10 areas: Training (including keeping accurate and timely training records); community engagement and civilian oversight; stops, searches and arrests; bias-free policing; use of force; body-worn cameras and in-car cameras; property and evidence; internal affairs; data systems; and supervision. She noted that the monitor former New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey filed regular reports on progress in each of those areas, including his final report on Sept. 8. The final report verified the citys and NPDs substantial and sustained compliance with the core provisions of the consent decree, Arleo noted in the order. The report makes clear that NPD has drastically improved. Those improvements included revised policies on stops, arrests, and searches; creation of a bias-free policing policy; use of body-worn and dashboard cameras citywide; a new officer training facility; new evidence retention and management practices; and meaningful civil oversight. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka embraced the consent decree, which he signed two years after taking office. Despite Barakas later having convened a civilian police review board, the citys board and others across New Jersey still lack subpoena power over evidence and officer testimony, a reform requiring state legislation that lawmakers have not approved. Thursdays order was widely expected, after Arleo told the monitor and lawyers for the city and the Justice Department during an Oct. 3 hearing that she was satisfied with Harveys findings that reforms had substantially done their job. However, Arleo held off on issuing a ruling at the time, she said, to allow time for any additional public input. The city, the Justice Department and observers of the consent decree process welcomed the judges order. The most gratifying aspect of this termination decision is that the city of Newark and the Newark Police Division reached this incredible milestone on our own merits, Baraka and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said Friday in a joint statement. As Judge Cox Arleo acknowledged in her termination letter, they added, the Independent Monitors Final Report clearly verified our substantial and sustained compliance with the core provisions of the consent decree. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a statement that his agency was proud to stand by the men and woman of NPD as federal oversight ends, and the court returns control of local law enforcement to the city of Newark. The same statement quoted the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba. Habba offered warm praise for Newarks officers, after less-than-cordial relations with their mayor last spring, when her office briefly prosecuted Baraka on a trespassing charge at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center before dropping the charges. Over the last decade, the Newark Police Division has made tremendous improvements to ensure constitutional policing and to increase community trust, Habba stated. NPD remains a valuable law enforcement partner, and we will continue to work with it to reduce gun crimes, drug trafficking, and gang violence. The men and women of NPD should be proud of what they accomplished, and we appreciate the hard work they do every day to keep the people of Newark safe. The Newark-based Institute for Social Justice, a nonprofit civil rights organization, has been a member of the independent monitoring team formed under the decree to provide oversight in addition to Harvey and his staffs monitoring. Newark officials have vowed to keep reforms in place after the decree is not. But while welcoming Arleos ruling, the institute cautioned that police watchdogs must remain vigilant. While the consent decree is coming to an end, the work is not, Surraya Johnson, director of the institutes Criminal Justice Reform Program, said in a statement. Achieving a healthy and racially just relationship between a police force and the people is an ongoing and ever-dynamic process, Johnson added. It is now up to city of Newark and its people to continue the process of dialogue, trust-building and reform. Boot Barn opened its newest location Wednesday, Nov. 19, at The Court at Deptford Shopping Plaza on Almonesson Road in Deptford. (Heather Jordan | MLive.com) Heather Jordan | MLive.com Western wear retailer Boot Barn continues to expand its presence across New Jersey with multiple new store openings and more on the way. Boot Barn opened its newest location Wednesday at The Court at Deptford Shopping Plaza on Almonesson Road in Deptford. The companys ninth location comes soon after another store opened in Somerset County. Boot Barn opened a store Nov. 9 at Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater, bringing the western-style retailers offerings to central New Jersey shoppers. The new stores are planned at Totowa Commons in Totowa and Hudson Commons in Jersey City. (Boot Barn) Boot Barn Boot Barn has plans for at least three new stores. Two new stores are planned at Totowa Commons in Totowa and Hudson Commons in Jersey City. RIPCO Executive Vice President Mike Horne said a Boot Barn is under construction at Hudson Mall in Jersey City. Its expected to be open either later this year or in early 2026. Shopping centers in smaller cities and towns outside big metros are the target. The store at Totowa Square on Route 46 in Totowa has an early 2026 opening planned, Horne said. Boot Barn also signed a lease at Edison Crossing in the former Petco building, a 15,000-square-foot location. A mid-2026 opening is planned. The expansion builds on Boot Barns initial entry into the New Jersey market three years ago with stores in Millville and Cherry Hill. Boot Barn is also open in these seven other towns and cities: In the fraught, early days of the pandemic in 2020, Danielle Langan was at the top of her career at Starbucks. She was a 20-year employee and a longtime manager who was doing her best to keep her North Brunswick store open despite the worsening virus. Her rise in the coffee company was meteoric: supervisor at six months, manager in three years and an abundance of accolades along the way. Shed been honored with the companys elite North Star award and her regional managers praised her work as late as March 15, 2020. Less than a year later, in February 2021, the company fired her for alleged poor leadership and judgement, and violation of an anti-harassment standard, which was based on inaccurate comments that falsely branded her a racist, she charges in a federal lawsuit filed in 2023. The racial discrimination suit is ongoing in U.S. District Court in Trenton. Part of the issue, the suit says, was the delivery in mid-2022 of a batch of Black Lives Matters (BLM) T-shirts sent by corporate that staffers could wear, but the shipment was returned by the shipper. The store was simply closed due to COVID. Coupled with an earlier complaint about an alleged racial comment which Langan says was made by a coworker the companys response spun wildly and wrongfully out of control and landed at Langans feet. The company was still reeling from the 2018 incident involving the arrest of two Black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks who were asked to leave as they waited for a business partner because they had yet to order, Langans attorney Vincent Miletti said. The company closed 8,000 stores for one day after the incident for racial bias training. In that environment, Starbucks needed a fall person a sacrificial lamb to show that they were taking the allegations of discrimination against African Americans seriously. Certainly, Starbucks believed that the best way to approach this was to find a Caucasian female and just make her the target of this historical correction campaign, Miletti said. Ms. Langan was that perfect candidate. She is trusting, outspoken, and wears her heart on her sleeve just the right person to set up to the be (the) model for their new aggressive position on how they would treat alleged discrimination against minorities," Miletti wrote in the suit. Unfortunately, they have destroyed the life of a single mother of 3, who after the military, dedicated her life to Starbucks, in the process, it says. Danielle Langan with coworkers when she worked for Starbucks. (Provided photo, faces blocked by her Langan's lawyer) Langan is white, and Miletti said the company, could not have picked a worse candidate to make a model of their campaign of discrimination against Caucasian people they picked an employee who enjoys friendships, relationships and community with all races equally, and has perhaps one of the most diverse group of friends anyone could ever have, and one who basically enjoys extracurricular activities and hobbies from all walks of life. A Starbucks spokesperson said the company is aware of Langans claims but cannot elaborate due to the suit being an ongoing matter, saying, We are prepared to defend our case in court. Langan, in an interview with NJ Advance Media, said she remains incredulous that Starbucks, of all employers, for which she worked half her life and understood better than most the companys culture and operations, would toss her out due to a mangled series of miscommunications. I started at Starbucks when I was 20 years old. I put everything I had into that job, everything I had, she said. A single mother of three daughters, shes not made anywhere close to the salary she made at the coffee giant. They took it away, she said, because a UPS delivery person returned the Black Lives Matter T-shirts and it was misconstrued into Langan not accepting them. That never happened, she says. The store was temporarily closed. She admits to making a casual remark that she did not want to wear one, Not because I didnt believe in the movement. Langan said the company had in the past made available different theme T-shirts for years, like shirts celebrating Pride, which she supported. They were optional, she said. The Pride T-shirts, Langan said, could cause problems at times. Shes seen customers question them, curse baristas for wearing a message, and even hurl anti-LGBTQ+ epithets at baristas who wore them. Ive had a lot of partners at the time get into arguments with customers over it, she said. To avoid confrontations, she reminded her staff they could opt for a standard uniform. Incidentally, Starbucks sent the Black Lives Matter T-shirts after initially banning BLM shirts and pins that employees were wearing on their own. They reversed course in June 2020 and mailed 250,000 shirts to employees, to demonstrate our allyship and recognize the historic significance of this time. Moreover, Miletti said he sees similarities between his client and a regional manager Starbucks fired following the 2018 Philadelphia incident. That regional manager, who was white and a 13-year employee, took her civil rights case to trial in federal court in Camden and eventually won a $25 million-plus settlement. In addition to finding the federal civil rights violations, that jury also found the Starbucks violated a New Jersey law that prohibits discrimination based on race. The jury rejected Starbucks claim that the manager had been fired for being ineffective at her job. Langan said shes not a racist. I know everybody says that, but like, it was just nonsense. Twenty years then all of a sudden I become a racist. Cmon, she said. Miletti and Langan said a letter signed by 11 of her colleagues sent to Starbucks CEO after her firing is the best proof. Loranny Nunez, a Hispanic woman Langan hired, wrote it. In it, she argued Langans termination was unjust, and a mistake, and pleaded that the CEO, take a closer look at the circumstances, as the letter signers were, beyond shocked that she was let go. I, we, us never have faced racism or any type of discontent with Danielle Langan as a manager and leader, she wrote. Danielle Langan was the most diverse manager I have ever met and supported the latino, black, muslim community, etc. Danielle Langan was and is still a loving, helpful, cheerful, hardworking, caring human being. Netflixs new mini-series "Death by Lightning" revisits the assassination of President James Garfield, but leaves out a key setting: Long Branch, the Jersey Shore town where he spent his final days. Believing salt air had healing powers, doctors put the dying president on a train to Long Branch in the summer of 1881 in a desperate bid to save him two months after he was shot by assassin Charles Guiteau. Guiteaus obsession with the president led him to pull the trigger, but it was likely the infection caused by doctors unsanitary practices that led to his death in Long Branch on September 19, 1881. Those are two of the storylines explored by the four-part mini-series currently streaming on Netflix. The series, based on the book Destiny of the Republic: A tale of Madness, Medicine, and Murder of a President by Candice Millard, toggles between the twisted life of Guiteau and the botched efforts to remove the bullet by poking around Garfields body without antiseptic. The series shows Garfields final days in a seaside cottage, but local historians note it never mentions Long Branch or its wealthy Elberon enclave. Instead, it refers only to a fictional place called Monmouth. I think Netflix really missed an opportunity, said Jim Foley, a trustee of the Seven Presidents Museum. The museum commemorates Long Branchs heyday as the summer White House in the late 19th century. There was no mention of Long Branch or Elberon, not even once. The only extant picture of Franklyn Cottage, which is the building on the right where President James A. Garfield died on September 19, 1881. The cottage was next to the Elberon Hotel, at the left. Courtesy of Long Branch Historical Museum Association Foley is also frustrated that the Netflix series ignores the half-mile railroad spur locals built in a frantic 24 hours before the train carrying the dying president arrived in Elberon on Sept. 6, 1881. The spur connected Elberon station to Francklyn Cottage, where the president spent his last 13 days. According to local newspaper accounts, the presidents car got stuck on a sharp curve as it approached the cottage, and residents pushed it the rest of the way. That was a truly amazing story, Foley said. And I think Netflix missed an opportunity to tell it. Salt air was always part of Long Branchs appeal, but its rise as a playground for the rich and powerful began before the Civil War. Steamships from New York City started arriving in 1828, according to Entertaining a Nation, a history compiled by the New Jersey Writers Project and funded by the federal Work Projects Administration in 1940. Steamships brought visitors who, at first, stayed in boarding houses perched on Long Branchs seaside cliffs. But by the time First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln vacationed there in 1861, the resort was booming with luxury hotels, soon followed by casinos and the Monmouth Park racetrack. While mixed bathing was strictly forbidden at the time, with a white flag on the beach signaling women only and a red flag for men, the Elberon section was evolving into a playground of the rich and famous and the infamous. Things really took off when Lewis Blanchard Brown purchased a mile and a quarter of oceanfront property in 1866. Born in Rahway, Brown made his fortune in the dry goods business in the South. An ardent abolitionist, he returned North during the Civil War to Westchester, N.Y. But he was run out of town when he tried to register his African-American servants to vote, according to one newspaper account. Brown arrived in Long Branch on horseback, bought more than 200 acres of land and began building cottages. Other wealthy investors joined in and land values shot up in the real estate boom that followed. Once train tracks were laid, that section of town became known as Elberon a contraction of L.B. Brown, who lived in a mansion on Ocean Avenue until his death in 1900. Lewis Blanchard Brown, an ardent abolitionist who escaped the South during the Civil War and came to Long Branch. Brown was one of the early investors who developed Elberon, the Long Branch oceanfront resort that served as the summer White House for seven U.S. presidents in the 19th Century. Courtesy of the Long Branch Public Library In 1869, the newly-elected President Ulysses S. Grant bought an oceanfront cottage that came to be known as the summer White House. Grants purchase was a touchstone moment in Long Branchs evolution from sleepy fishing village to playground for the rich and famous. The money and influence in Elberon drew artists and actors to the area. Among its residents were Edwin Booth, the eras most famous Shakespearean actor and brother of John Wilkes Booth, the actor who assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Long Branch historian Janice Grace said Edwin Booth owned a summer cottage, as did his brother Joseph. Edwin admired Lincoln, but his younger brother John would go down in history as the man who assassinated Americas greatest president, a leader who freed the slaves and preserved the Union by winning the Civil War. Joseph was so bad as an actor that he became a doctor, Grace said with a chuckle. Grace, a librarian, shared Josephs 1902 obituary. The obituary, which was published in the Shore Press, says Joseph lived in a cottage next to the Atlantic Hotel and kept his brother Johns clothes, although he rarely showed them to anyone. Seven U.S. presidents, from Grant to Garfield to Woodrow Wilson, spent significant time in Long Branch during the summer. The Church of the Presidents on Ocean Avenue, a wooden chapel built by St. James Episcopal Church in 1879, is a national landmark that honors the seven presidents who worshipped there. A few miles away on lower Broadway is St. James Episcopal Church, where Garfield attended a Sunday service in June of 1881, just a few weeks before he was shot. Presidents in those days had no security details when they traveledpeople could walk into the White House unimpeded and meet the president, which is what Guiteau tried to do. Guiteau, a religious fanatic and drifter who held a law degree, believed the president owed him a job as consul to France after he wrote a single speech supporting Garfield for president. In his confession, parts of which are available online, Guiteau said he first stalked Garfield at the Washington train station on June 18, 1881, when the president was about to board a train for Elberon with his wife, Lucretia. Charles Guiteau, the assassin who shot President James A. Garfield. Library of Congress But Guiteau said he didnt have the heart to shoot the president then, because the presidents wife, Lucretia was recovering from malaria and looked too sickly. She looked dreadfully sick, and pale, and weak, and her husband took her arm at the moment to support her, Guiteau said. In an instant I was completely overcome and I said to myself, I cannot take this mans life now! No! The country must wait . . . Two weeks later, on July 2, Guiteau intercepted Garfield as he was about to board a train for Williams College in Massachusetts. Guiteau shot Garfield twice; one bullet grazed the presidents arm and the other lodged in his back. Guiteau was arrested on the spot. Garfield was initially treated in Washington and for the next two months, his team of doctors poked around his body hoping to remove the bullet. Antiseptics had recently been developed but were not yet standard practice in medicine. As Death by Lightning shows, the president likely died from an infection caused by doctors with unclean hands. At his murder trial, Guiteau pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. His bizarre behavior during the two-month trial that began in November 1881 failed to persuade the jury, who deliberated for about an hour before finding him guilty. He was sentenced to death and hanged on June 30, 1882. The cottage where Garfield died burned to the ground in 1914. Today, theres only a small marker at the spot. At left, Jim Foley points out the stone marking where President James Garfield died. Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media Richard Cowen/NJ Advance Media for NJ.Com Shortly after Garfields death, local actor Oliver Byron removed the railroad ties from the emergency spur. In its place, he built the Garfield Tea House, which still stands at the Church of the Seven Presidents However, the museum plans to move it to Elberon Public Library next to the train station. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The top-ranked Nebraska Huskers face the No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten volleyball contest on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Fans will need a subscription to Big Ten Plus to watch the match. B1G+ costs $12.99 a month or $89.99 for an annual subscription. Heres what you need to know: What: College volleyball Who: Nebraska vs. Indiana When: Nov. 22, 2025 (11/22/25) Time: 6 p.m. ET Where: Wilkinson Hall TV: N/A Live stream: B1G+ Top 25 AVCA Volleyball Rankings Games through Nov. 16, 2025 1, Nebraska; 2, Kentucky; 3, Texas; 4, Pittsburgh; 5, Stanford; 6, Texas A&M; 7, Louisville; 8, SMU; 9, Arizona State; 10, Wisconsin; 11, Purdue; 12, Creighton; 13, Kansas; 14, Miami; 15, North Carolina; 16, Southern California; 17, Indiana; 18, Tennessee; 19, Minnesota; 20, TCU; 21, Colorado; 22, Iowa State; 23, Baylor; 24, Penn State; 25, BYU. If Japan to follow old path of militarism, it will ultimately end in failure: Chinese spokesperson Xinhua) 10:59, November 22, 2025 BEIJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- If Japan wants to follow the old path of militarism, abandon its commitment to peaceful development and undermine the post-war international order, it will ultimately end in failure, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here Friday. According to media reports, Japan has exported domestically produced Patriot air defense missiles to the United States for the first time under eased restrictions. Meanwhile, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party has begun discussions on revising its three major security documents, including the Three Non-Nuclear Principles of not possessing, not producing and not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory. Responding to relevant queries, spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular news briefing that after the victory of World War II, international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender clearly stipulated Japan's obligations as a defeated country, including complete disarmament and the prohibition of maintaining industries that could enable rearmament. However, Japan has been constantly expanding its military power in recent years, with the defense budget having increased for 13 consecutive years, and a new security bill passed to lift the ban on collective self-defense rights, Mao said, adding that Japan has continuously eased restrictions on arms export and even began the export of lethal weapons. While claiming to establish a world free of nuclear weapons, Japan has attempted to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, signaling a step toward increased rearmament. If Japan wants to follow the old path of militarism, abandon its commitment to peaceful development and undermine the post-war international order, the Chinese people and the international community will not allow it, and it will ultimately end in failure, Mao said. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) 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. "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. "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. 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. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High 18F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. TELUS (TSX:T) has just launched its Quantum-Safe VPN, taking a pioneering approach to cybersecurity for Canadian businesses. This new service provides protection and is designed to stay ahead of evolving threats from quantum computing technology. See our latest analysis for TELUS. Despite launching innovative offerings like the Quantum-Safe VPN and expanding its smart property portfolio, TELUS has faced a challenging period in the market. After strong growth in recent years, the momentum has faded, with the companys 1-year total shareholder return down 5.3% and its share price sliding 11.99% over the past month alone. While short-term volatility and telecom sector headwinds dominate the conversation, TELUSs proactive moves suggest it is positioning for long-term relevance and resilience. If TELUSs tech-forward approach caught your attention, why not broaden your outlook and check out fast growing stocks with high insider ownership for more high-potential opportunities? With its stock trading well below analyst targets and a robust dividend yield, the big question is whether recent weakness signals an undervalued opportunity or if the market has already accounted for TELUSs future growth prospects. Most Popular Narrative: 18.5% Undervalued The most widely followed narrative suggests TELUSs fair value is notably higher than its last close. This highlights an expectation gap between analysts and recent market action. This setup puts a focus on major strategic bets fueling the bull case. TELUS Health and related digital health and virtual care businesses are demonstrating rapid revenue and EBITDA growth (16% and 29% YoY, respectively), supported by ongoing product innovation, global expansion, and synergies from recent acquisitions. This strategic push into high-margin, non-commoditized digital wellness segments aligns with Canada's demographic trends and is expected to diversify and increase TELUS's long-term earnings and margin profile. Read the complete narrative. What is really behind this narratives fair value? Its foundation is built on category-defying growth in new businesses and a dramatic margin reset. The underlying model relies on optimistic projections for revenue mix and long-term operating leverage. Want to see what key forecasts the analysts think will set TELUS apart? Discover the numbers powering this valuation surprise. Result: Fair Value of $22.97 (UNDERVALUED) Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts. However, ongoing declines in wireless revenues and TELUSs heavy capital investments could challenge the optimistic outlook that analysts have priced into the stock. Totnes has been ranked one of Britains top small Christmas markets, recognised for its support of independent traders and makers. New data from WhichBingo places the town in the top 10 small and medium-sized festive markets for 2025, highlighting events that prioritise local craftspeople and small businesses. Totnes earned its position for its whole-high-street indie takeover, with late-night shopping taking place every Tuesday in December. A spokesperson for WhichBingo said there had been growing interest in locally made gifts over mass-produced items. The big Christmas markets are great, but theres been a real surge in supporting local, they said. What better way to celebrate that than by showcasing some of the UKs best small to medium markets, places where local craftspeople and sellers bring genuine festive spirit to life. The study assessed markets across four areas: the proportion of local and independent sellers, community value, social presence, and visitor access. Each category was weighted equally at 25 points. Researchers drew on organiser information, council listings, tourism boards, and recent event activity, focusing on regional markets known for their emphasis on creativity and sustainability. Totnes featured alongside events in West Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Northumberland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Derbyshire in the 2025 top 10 list. The full list includes: GE Vernova (GEV) is back in the spotlight after securing its first international wind-repower upgrade contract. GEV shares have remained under pressure following a mixed Q3 performance. However, that changed on Nov. 19, when the stock closed 7.3% higher, hinting that the market is beginning to price in the companys expanding global footprint. Notably, GE Vernova reached an agreement with Taiwan Power Company to supply 25 repower upgrade kits. This is more than a routine contract win. It extends GE Vernovas dominant U.S. repowering business, where the company has modernized over 6,000 turbines, into a new international market. The move signals that GE Vernova is well-positioned as a reliable partner for utilities looking to extend the life and performance of their renewable assets. More News from Barchart The project stretches across several years, with initial component deliveries scheduled for late 2025 and retrofit work continuing through 2026 and 2027. Beyond the upgrade kits, GE Vernova will oversee a five-year operations and maintenance program. Repowering has become an essential lever for countries and utilities seeking to increase renewable output without the cost and complexity of building a new project. By modernizing turbines nearing the end of their design life, GE Vernova helps customers boost reliability, enhance performance, and accelerate clean-energy deployment, all while leveraging existing infrastructure. This combination of operational and economic advantages explains why repower projects and international expansion could become a meaningful long-term growth driver for the company. GE Vernovas installed base, nearly 57,000 turbines and close to 120 GW of global capacity, gives it a substantial platform to scale these services. With deep customer relationships and a global supply chain that supports efficient deployment, the company is poised to capitalize on the rising demand for affordable, sustainable wind energy solutions worldwide. www.barchart.com GE Vernova to Deliver Strong Growth GE Vernovas latest move signals the beginning of a broader international push. Meanwhile, the energy equipment and service provider is benefiting from robust orders, a swelling backlog, and widening margins, which reflect its ability to scale profitably across its core segments, including Power, Electrification, and Wind. Torbay Council has agreed to submit a proposal to the Government for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon, based on a four-unitary council model. The plan, approved at an extraordinary council meeting on 20 November, would see Torbay retain its current boundaries as a distinct unitary authority serving its coastal community. Under the proposal, Plymouth City Councils boundaries would expand to cover its Growth Area, a new Exeter Council would be created to reflect the citys economic and regional influence, and a new Rural Devon Coast and Countryside Authority would form the fourth unitary. The aim is to ensure all four councils can respond effectively to the needs of urban, rural, and coastal residents. The process follows the publication of the English Devolution White Paper in December 2024, in which the Government outlined plans to simplify local government by replacing the current two-tier system of district and county councils with fewer single-tier unitary authorities. These new councils would take responsibility for delivering all local services in their areas. Torbay Council carried out public consultation over the summer. The results showed 64 per cent of participants preferred the councils existing boundaries. This feedback has shaped the proposal, which will now be submitted to the Government by 28 November. Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said: I want to extend my sincere thanks to our officers for their professionalism and dedication throughout this complex process, and to colleagues from across all parties for the constructive way they have engaged. Local Government Reorganisation has required collaboration, commitment, and a shared focus on what is best for our community. Over the past year I have worked closely with all Leaders across the County, and those conversations have helped build genuine relationships based on respect and a shared responsibility to deliver for our residents. These connections can only be a positive step forward. Although we have sometimes agreed to differ, there is a clear commitment from every authority to make whichever option the Government chooses work in the best interests of our communities. I am proud of the collective effort that ensures the voice of Torbay residents is at the heart of our proposal. I am also pleased that this proposal has now been supported by the Council and will be the one submitted to Government next week. After a year of dedicated effort and collaboration, we are proud to have reached this milestone and we now await the Governments response in spring 2026. Homeowners across the U.S. have seen their insurance rates skyrocket in recent years. Nebraska, where one homeowner has seen her premiums nearly quadruple since 2016, has been no exception, WOWT reported. What's happening? As rising global temperatures have increased the severity of extreme weather events, insurance companies have responded by raising their prices. For Nancy Major-Jaeck of West Omaha, this has meant seeing her annual homeowners insurance premium leap from $1,200 nine years ago to $4,500 today, per WOWT. Each year, she must brace herself as she awaits notice of how much more insuring her home will cost. "When it gets to this time of the year, I got to be ready for what's going to happen," Major-Jaeck said, according to WOWT. Extreme weather events have not been the only culprit. Experts have said that rising repair costs have also led insurance companies to charge more. Insurance companies "have operated in the red for a long time," said Joline Jaros, owner of an Omaha insurance agency, per WOWT. "They had to raise rates to cover costs of building, materials, labor." Nebraskans have not been alone. Over the past half-decade, premiums for homeowners insurance across the U.S. have spiked, increasing by an average of 70%, according to a study by ICE Mortgage Technology. Why do higher insurance premiums matter? Higher insurance premiums have made it significantly more expensive for homeowners to protect what, for many Americans, is their most valuable asset: their home. In addition to higher premiums, many homeowners have been facing higher deductibles. "Long gone are the days of the $500 and the $1,000 deductible," said Jaros, according to WOWT. "It's 1% or 2% usually on your actual dwelling coverage of your home." These higher prices can make it difficult, if not impossible, for some homeowners to repair or rebuild their homes following a natural disaster. They also add to the overall cost of homeownership, potentially putting the dream of owning a home out of reach for some. "Property insurance costs continue to be the fastest-growing subcomponent of mortgage payments among existing homeowners," said Andy Walden, the lead mortgage and housing-market researcher at ICE Mortgage Technology. What's being done about higher insurance premiums? Lawmakers in some states have sought to rein in the rising cost of homeowners insurance. Florida has recently changed how it regulates insurance companies, yielding mixed results for homeowners, according to The Washington Post. Although the world is experiencing severe global crises, there are new efforts underway to create a more effective means of coping with them. The crises are clear enough. They include vast slaughter in horrific wars, worldwide climate catastrophe, massive population displacement, and deepening poverty. Moreover, these disastrous situations are likely to worsen in coming years. Modern wars are fought with increasingly devastating weapons, and preparations for nuclear war have escalated to the level of global annihilation. Similarly, time is running out for saving the planet from an environmental cataclysm, which will surely lead to heightened displacement and poverty. There is, of course, a global organization formally tasked with tackling global problems: the United Nations. And the officials of that international entity do frequently make admirable recommendations for how these problems can be solved. Indeed, there is a consensus among most of the UN's 193 nations about what should be done to preserve a decent future for humanity: end the wars; foster nuclear disarmament; sharply reduce the burning of fossil fuels; assist refugees; promote social progress; and feed the hungry. The problem is that the United Nations, despite its virtues, remains at the mercy of the major military and economic powers that created it. And they are not only frequently at odds with one another, but are usually determined to see to it that their national interests--as they define them--prevail over the interests of the world community. When it comes to international security, each of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States) can veto UN action--and all too often do so. When it comes to UN efforts to address climate change, the situation is not much better, for the great powers continue to burn and (as in the case of Russia and the United States) extract and profit from selling vast quantities of fossil fuel. Consequently, they weaken or sabotage UN-sponsored climate agreements. Another way the great powers hamstring the United Nations is by abandoning its operations and reducing its meager funding. The U.S. government, under Donald Trump, is particularly flagrant in this regard, pulling the United States out of key UN agencies and slashing voluntary contributions and mandated dues payments to the world organization. As of this October, the United States has compiled a debt of $1.5 billion in mandated funding to the United Nations, followed by China ($192 million) and Russia ($72 million). Frustrated by the UN's inability to adequately handle global challenges, a network of civil society organizations, scholars, policy experts, and diplomats took action on September 22, 2025, to launch Article 109, an international coalition to mobilize public opinion, social movements, and national governments to activate a UN Charter Review conference. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Ah, those were the days. The UN had been blocked by a worldwide popular movement from approving of a war on Iraq. British Prime Minister Tony Blair had dragged the UK along after secretly demanding that George W. Bush first attack Afghanistan, because Blair believed he would be better able to sell a war on Iraq once there was a war on Afghanistan. And once the destruction of Iraq was well underway, the UN crept out of some New York sewer pipe to support the occupation, er, excuse me, the peaceful transition to paradise. Blair once had a meeting with Bush in which Bush schemed up plans to get a war in Iraq started, such as painting an airplane with UN on it, flying it low, and hoping to get it shot at. Then Bush and Blair wandered out to a press conference at which they swore they were doing everything possible to avoid a war. To my knowledge, neither the UN nor any journalist in the room that day has, since the exposure of the pre-press-conference conversation, publicly expressed the slightest concern. Fun fact: No war has ever been launched by people doing everything possible to avoid it. Bonus fun fact: No modern war has ever been launched by people not claiming they were doing everything possible to avoid it. The United Nations has now voted the Security Council that is (with Russia and China abstaining, as if they have some other planet to live on) for an Orwellian Peace Board concocted by Donald Trump, to be run by Tony Blair, to oversee a military occupation of what's left of Gaza. If there were ever a moment for the nations of the world to save themselves, to step forward and override the Security Council through the General Assembly with a Uniting for Peace measure (such as this), this is it! Sadly, some opponents of genocide raised in a culture unable to imagine solving certain problems without a military have convinced millions of people that any Uniting for Peace action must involve a military force. The Security Council has now provided the military force under Viceroy Blair. The General Assembly would now have to not only take bold action it has refused to take for years, but also reverse the action taken by the Security Council in the name of peace, and bar the use of a military labeled peacekeepers in favor of nonmilitary solutions beyond the imagination of millions of people. This is what one might call a big ask. The alternative is the normalization of not just genocide but also colonialism. By this precedent, which country will elder statesman Benjamin Netanyahu oversee the Peaceplundering of in some future decade? If that course is unacceptable, and the United Nations is thoroughly useless, and giving up is not an option, what should we do? The fact that not everyone immediately knows the obvious answer to that question is the fundamental educational dilemma of our time. We should of course multiply our nonviolent activism 1,000 fold. We should send daily flotillas. We should block the doors to all government buildings and the path of all weapons shipments. We should general-strike every country with a genocide-supporting government. Why should Italians have all the fun? We should not allow a moment's tranquility to any war profiteer or to any elected official not actively working to Arrest Israeli or any other officials facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court. Prosecute Israeli criminals under universal jurisdiction. Establish a complete embargo on weapons or weapons parts to or from Israel and to or from any nation not upholding such an arms embargo on Israel. End diplomatic relations with Israel. End financial transactions, trade, and travel to and from Israel. Train and send unarmed civilian defense teams, food, medicine, doctors, and aid workers to Palestine. Develop a major public educational campaign about the genocide in Gaza and the propaganda that has facilitated it. Halt membership or support for weapons-dealing institutions that do not uphold an arms embargo on Israel: the Abraham Accords, NATO, etc. Prevent any support or participation in the War Board Occupation of Gaza. How can we find the resources to do all that and also take on the devastating and omnicidally risky wars in Ukraine, Sudan, and elsewhere with more coming in Venezuela, etc.? The answer to that is much easier and simpler, and yet even more elusive for even more people. The answer is to stop distinguishing good from bad mass slaughters, to drop the idea of a theoretical good one, and to work for the immediate reduction and abolition of all militarism. Heres the to-do list: 1. Make governments reduce military spending to zero. The suit comes after the Newport Fishermens Wives and Lincoln County learned the U.S. Coast Guard had either ceased or drastically reduced its operations at the Newport Air Facility and moved its rescue helicopter about 70 miles south to North Bend. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File) AP A Newport nonprofit that supports commercial fishermen joined with Lincoln County to file a lawsuit Friday against the U.S. Department Homeland Security, seeking a judges order to return the U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopter to the coastal city. The state of Oregon plans to file a similar suit on Monday, Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. The suit comes after the Newport Fishermens Wives and Lincoln County learned the U.S. Coast Guard had either ceased or drastically reduced its operations at the Newport Air Facility and moved its rescue helicopter about 70 miles south to North Bend. Theyve asked a federal judge in Eugene to bar the removal or reduction of the rescue helicopters presence before the Dungeness crab fishing season starts in mid-December. The abrupt removal of the rescue helicopter and related critical safety infrastructure from the Newport Air Facility puts lives in danger, the suit says. Rayfield said in a statement: This helicopter isnt a luxuryits a critical part of how we keep people alive on the Oregon Coast. A spokesperson for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement referred questions to the U.S. Coast Guard, which did not immediately return a phone message Friday night. Oregon coastal water temperatures average 50- to 54-degrees Fahrenheit year-round, can cause drowning within one to three minutes of immersion, the suit said. The stationing of the helicopter further south will reduce critical rescue times from 15 to 30 minutes to 60 to 90 minutes, the suit argues. Becca Bostwick-Terry, president of Newport Fishermens Wives, called commercial fishing one of the nations most dangerous occupations. Its the second time Newport Fishermens Wives and Lincoln County have turned to the court to intervene to keep the helicopter in Newport. The last time was 11 years ago after the Coast Guard notified the county of a decision to close the Newport Air Facility at the end of November 2014. While the suit was pending, former President Barack Obama signed the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act into law, prohibiting its closure until January 2016, according to the suit. Although that law is no longer in effect, it required Congress to be notified before any reduction in the use of a Coast Guard air facility and allowed for community input and formal risk assessments before the Coast Guard could relocate or reduce an air station, the suit said. The legal action also comes amid concerns by local, state and federal lawmakers that Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem plans to open a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center at the Newport Municipal Airport. Public job postings for detention officers based in Newport, a request for septic tank services and a bid to lease four vacant acres at the airport all suggest ICE is planning to build a detention facility, elected officials have said. Newports rescue helicopter, the suit argued, has been responsible for the rescue of more than 500 people, including about 30 commercial fishermen whose lives were saved at sea, the suit said. The mortal threat caused by the Coast Guards closure of Newport Air Facility is set to escalate dramatically on December 13, when the Newport fleet will depart to set its gear in advance of the December 15 opening of Dungeness crab season, attorney Eric J. Brickenstein wrote in the suit. The county and nonprofit are seeking a temporary or permanent injunction to prevent the Coast Guard from eliminating or reducing its air rescue abilities at the Newport Air Facility. The federal government didnt just move a piece of machinery. They pulled away a safety net that this community depends on, Rayfield said in a statement, and they did it in the dark of night with no transparency and no legal process. A Portland man was arrested Friday after a fatal shooting in a Northeast Portland parking garage, police said. Portland police allege that Daniel Snegirev, 39, shot two people around 6:45 a.m. Friday in the 4200 block of Northeast Halsey Street, leaving one man dead and another with non-life-threatening injuries. Snegirev specifically targeted the two victims, the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement Saturday. The Washington County Sheriffs Office arrested Snegirev in a Tigard hotel and handed him over to the Portland Police Bureau. He was booked in the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and unlawful use of a weapon. The bureau did not provide information about the deceased victim, saying it would do so once the medical examiner confirms his identity and his family is informed of his death. The University of Oregon sign on campus in Eugene, Oregon, taken on Friday, June 24, 2022. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian Lane County deputies arrested University of Oregon professor Andrew Goble Friday on allegations of encouraging child sexual abuse, the sheriffs office said in a statement. Goble, 72, is a professor in the universitys medieval studies program specializing in Japan. The university put Goble on leave after learning Friday about his arrest from the sheriffs office, the university said in a statement. We understand that this news is deeply concerning to our community. According to law enforcement, the individual does not present any current threat to the university community, and the investigation has found no indication that any students were involved or at risk, the universitys statement said. The university will continue to cooperate fully with law enforcement as the investigation proceeds. Goble was listed as the instructor in three history classes this fall term, including an introductory world history class and two higher-level classes on Japanese history, according to a university class schedule. He faces 10 charges each of first- and second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse. Encouraging child sexual abuse means possessing or accessing visual recordings of sexually explicit conduct involving a child. The first-degree version of the charge alleges a suspect copied, sold or distributed the recordings, while the second-degree charge alleges a suspect purposefully viewed or accessed the recordings. Paul Snyder was named the president and CEO of the Oregon Symphony on Nov. 20, 2025. Oregon Symphony One of Portlands biggest arts institutions is under new leadership again. The Oregon Symphony announced Thursday that Paul Snyder, the current interim president and CEO, will take on the role full time, continuing his efforts to shape a bold and vibrant future for the organization. Snyder, who previously served on the boards of the Portland Opera, Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Symphony but who most recently worked for the Tillamook County Creamery Association, was hired for the interim role in July. The previous president and CEO, Isaac Thompson, left over the summer to take on the same job with his hometown Minnesota Orchestra in Minneapolis. Thompson had been leading the Oregon Symphony for less than two years when he left. His predecessor, Scott Showalter, had filled the role for nearly a decade before stepping down in 2023. In a news release Thursday, Snyder said he was looking to keep the Oregon Symphony current in order to keep the organization afloat. The business side of the arts is changing rapidly, and we must continue to evolve to attract new audiences and contribute to the vitality of the surrounding community, Snyder said in the news release. I look forward to continued innovation at the symphony that will ensure its relevancy into the future, while honoring its 129-year history. In his position as the strategic and operational leader of the Oregon Symphony, Snyder will oversee the artistic, financial and administrative aspects of the organization, working in close collaboration with music director David Danzmayr to support his creative vision for the orchestra, the symphony said. Paul impressed the board with his focus in driving the strategic plan, translating vision into tangible steps toward building financial resilience, expanding our audience, and strengthening connections with our community, board chair Courtney Angeli said in the news release. He brings a genuine passion for revitalizing Portland and a working knowledge of its civic ecosystem. After the turkey and all the side dishes have been put away, its time for dessert, which some consider the most comforting part of the Thanksgiving meal: dessert. For many, pumpkin and pecan pie are traditional must-haves. But which kind? There are many different variations of pumpkin pie, in particular, that it may be hard to choose just one. So go ahead and make two pies with our blessing. Here are some of our favorite Thanksgiving desserts, including apple pies and tarts, along with some fantastic finishes you may not have expected. Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie from "Joy of Cooking." (Mims Copeland, The Oregonian/OregonLive) Mims Copeland Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie The recently released new edition of the venerable kitchen classic Joy of Cooking contains this ramped-up twist on traditional pecan pie. Because everythings better with chocolate, right? Recipe: Chocolate Chunk Pecan Pie. Pumpkin Chess Pie from "Joy of Cooking." (Mims Copeland, The Oregonian/OregonLive) Mims Copeland Pumpkin or Squash Chess Pie Heres another new Joy of Cooking recipe. Author Megan Scott describes as more cheesecake-like than traditional pumpkin custard pie. Recipe: Pumpkin or Squash Chess Pie. Pear-Butterscotch Slab Pie, from "The Perfect Pie" by America's Test Kitchen, 2019, America's Test Kitchen. (Photo by Daniel J. van Ackere) Daniel J. van Ackere Pear-Butterscotch Slab Pie The folks at Americas Test Kitchen came up with this dynamite slab pie as a way to celebrate pears, which often play second fiddle to apples in fall desserts. The pie makes 24 servings, so its ideal if you have a large crowd coming for Thanksgiving dinner. Recipe: Pear-Butterscotch Slab Pie. Ultra-Creamy Pumpkin Pie. Matthew Mead, The Associated Press Creamy Pumpkin Pie What happens when you cross traditional pumpkin pie with rich cheesecake? You get this creamiest of Thanksgiving concoctions, which features a chocolate crumb crust. Recipe: Ultra-Creamy Pumpkin Pie. Lemon Pumpkin Cake. Alicia Ross, Kitchen Scoop Lemon Pumpkin Cake Kitchen Scoop columnist Alicia Ross came up with this Thanksgiving cake, with the intent of it being a lighter counterpoint to the traditionally heavy desserts that are served on the holiday. Recipe: Lemon Pumpkin Cake. Fresh Pumpkin Flan. Nathan Hostler, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive Pumpkin Flan The terrific baking book Bake Happy by Judith Fertig offered this Spanish twist on Thanksgiving dessert. Its a cross between a flan and a cheesecake in texture, and is best made with small sugar or pie pumpkins. Recipe: Fresh Pumpkin Flan. Cranberry Upside-Down Cake. Nathan Hostler, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive Cranberry Upside-down Cake This is a beautiful ruby jewel of a cake from longtime contributor Joan Harvey. This cake is ridiculously fast and easy, making it an ideal dessert if your Thanksgiving menu already has a lot going into it. Recipe: Cranberry Upside-Down Cake. Wolfies Pumpkin Pie Be thankful for pumpkins, for sugar and for this delicious vegan version of pumpkin pie. Dont worry that it doesnt look ready when you first take it out of the oven; it sets as it cools. Recipe: Wolfies Pumpkin Pie. Pumpkin Crunch Pie. Matthew Mead, The Associated Press Pumpkin Crunch Pie A lighter alternative to pumpkin pie from Food Network star Melissa dArabian. Her secret: Instead of using cream and egg yolks for the filling, she uses silken tofu, which is much lower in fat and calories. Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch Pie. Pumpkin Biscotti Thanksgiving desserts are typically pies, but theres room for these pumpkin biscotti, which are perfect for dunking into after-dinner coffee. They also travel well, so you can take them with you when you go Black Friday shopping. Recipe: Pumpkin Bread Biscotti. Bos Pumpkin Cheesecake This recipe makes two cheesecakes, so you can serve one on Thanksgiving, and freeze the other for a holiday party or Christmas. It can be made up to five days in advance, taking dessert of the to-do list on the holiday. For longer storage, cover the springform pans top tightly with aluminum foil and freeze up to two months. Recipe: Bos Pumpkin Cheesecake. Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Brownies, a recipe from "The Complete Autumn & Winter Cookbook" by America's Test Kitchen, 2021. Carl Tremblay, America's Test Kitchen Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Brownies Looking for a different way to incorporate pumpkin into a Thanksgiving dessert? These brownies from the folks at Americas Test Kitchen combine it with cream cheese for a decadent grab-and-go dessert. Recipe: Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Brownies. Pumpkin Bread Pudding With Bourbon Toffee Sauce. The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce Not into pie but still want to have a pumpkin dessert? Youll love this fall take on bread pudding, which has a bourbon sauce thats also good on vanilla ice cream. Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bread Pudding With Bourbon Toffee Sauce. Citrus Pumpkin Meringue Pie This Thanksgiving pie is deliciously deceptive. Until you cut into it, it looks like your classic lemon meringue pie, piled high with billows of whipped and toasted egg whites. But once the knife slices through that sweet topping, the real deal is revealed. Hidden under the meringue is a classic pumpkin pie spiked with just a hint of citrus. Recipe: Citrus Pumpkin Meringue Pie. Pumpkin Toffee Tart This is a fun twist on traditional pumpkin pie. A layer of toffee bits lines the bottom of the chocolate crust, offering a crunchy textural contrast to the custard. Recipe: Pumpkin Toffee Tart With Chocolate Crust. Cranberry Pecan Pie. Romulo Yanes, Kyle Books Cranberry Pecan Pie Heres a different way to bring cranberries to your Thanksgiving table. Classic pecan pie gets a tangy twist, thanks to this inventive recipe from Nick Malgieris Pastry: Foolproof Recipes for the Home Cook by Nick Malgieri. Since the filling is cooked before the pie is baked, you can taste it and add a little more sugar if you want. Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Pie. Cranberry-Pear Upside-down Cake. Nathan Hostler, Special to The Oregonian/OregonLive Cranberry-Pear Upside-down Cake Heres another homey upside-down cake, utilizing fall pears and cranberries. Its perfect served warm with spiced apple cider. Recipe: Cranberry-Pear Upside-Down Cake. Apple Cranberry Pie Former Oregonian Test Kitchen director Linda Faus came up with this Thanksgiving pie, combining fall apples and cranberries. Its best made a day ahead, freeing up space in the kitchen. Recipe: Apple Cranberry Pie. Chocolate Bourbon Hazelnut Pie. The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo Chocolate Bourbon Hazelnut Pie This stunning dessert was created by Sarah Curtis-Fawley, owner of Portlands Pacific Pie Co. Pecan pie may be traditional, but hazelnuts are far more appropriate here in the Pacific Northwest. A splash of bourbon and high-quality dark chocolate ensure youve got a show-stopper of a dessert this Thanksgiving. Recipe: Chocolate Bourbon Hazelnut Pie. Sweet Potato Bourbon Pie A fluffy sweet potato pie with just the right amount of bourbon. The Gingered Whipped Cream would be a good addition to many Thanksgiving desserts. Recipe: Fluffy Sweet Potato-Bourbon Pie With Gingered Whipped Cream and Toasted Pecans. Caramel Apple Tart. The Oregonian/OregonLive file photo Caramel Apple Tart Lynne Sampson Curry came up with this terrific fall tart thats perfect for Thanksgiving. It features a caramel sauce that you make on the stove, and a pie crust that can be made days in advance, so you dont have to do a lot of work on the holiday to make this dessert happen. Recipe: Caramel Apple Tart. Cheddar-Whiskey Apple Pie With Butter Crackle Crumble. Matthew Mead, The Associated Press Cheddar-Whiskey Apple Pie The combination of cheddar cheese and apple is a classic, and a dash of whiskey takes this pie to a whole new level. The topping is particularly crunchy, thanks to crushed crackers and plenty of butter. Recipe: Cheddar-Whiskey Apple Pie With Butter Cracker Crumble. Hot-Buttered Rum Apple Pie. Ed Anderson, William Morrow Hot Buttered Rum Apple Pie This fantastic apple pie is a variation of the version served at The Dahlia Bakery in Seattle. The secret is the 1/4 cup of dark rum, which accentuates the spices and offers a warming flavor. Recipe: Hot Buttered Rum Apple Pie. Pumpkin Bundt Cake With Apple-Date Streusel and Sticky Toffee-Coffee Glaze. Matthew Mead, The Associated Press Pumpkin Bundt Cake Pumpkin pie isnt the only way to celebrate the flavor of fall squash at the Thanksgiving table. This Bundt cake is studded with a pumpkin seed streusel, and is coated with a sticky toffee-coffee glaze. Recipe: Pumpkin Bundt Cake With Apple-Date Streusel and Sticky Toffee-Coffee Glaze. Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Coffee Cake, from "Vegan Chocolate," by Fran Costigan. Kate Lewis, Running Press Chocolate Cranberry Coffee Cake This chocolatey coffee cake from vegan baking expert Fran Costigan features cranberries, pecans and oats. While its might be more-appropriate for Thanksgiving morning, its elegant enough to be part of a dessert spread. Recipe: Chocolate Pecan Cranberry Coffee Cake. Pumpkin Cannoli. Matthew Mead, The Associated Press Pumpkin Cannoli Heres an Italian twist on the pumpkin-spice craze. Store-bought cannoli shells are filled with a delicate pumpkin mousse. It all comes together in just a few minutes. You can make the filling a day ahead, and pipe it into the shells just before serving. Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Cannoli. Pumpkin-Spiced Walnuts Keeping it simple for dessert? You can dress up scoops of ice cream with these decadent walnuts, which are seasoned with pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. Recipe: Pumpkin Spiced Walnuts. Harvest Pumpkin Bars. Nathan Hostler, The Oregonian/OregonLive Harvest Pumpkin Bars Heres a Thanksgiving dilemma some people face: Everyone ate too much for dinner, so when its time for dessert, there arent many takers. The solution: A dessert bar that people can take home with them to enjoy later that evening or even for the next morning. Waiting inline at Target to get a good deal on a big-screen TV goes down easier with one of these. Recipe: Harvest Pumpkin Bars. Cranberry Ecstasy Bars. Michael Lloyd, The Oregonian/OregonLive Cranberry Ecstasy Bars These bar cookies are dead ringers for Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bars, and are a perfect alternative dessert for Thanksgiving. The Oregonians former Test Kitchen director Linda Faus developed this version of holiday treat back in 2006. Since then, the recipe has been published on numerous websites (often without proper credit). But The Oregonian was the first to crack the code for the secret recipe. Recipe: Cranberry Ecstasy Bars. The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is collaborating with Shift Technology and EXL to establish a new insurance fraud detection platform. The initiative will make it possible for insurers across the country to share data on fraudulent claims and coordinate investigations, beginning with car insurance as the first area of focus. This platform will be developed in partnership with the Insurance Crime Intelligence Network of Australia (ICINA), ICAs counter-fraud and scams division. It will support secure sharing of information about fraud patterns among participating insurers. Work on the platform is expected to start in early 2026 by using data analytics to alert investigators in real time if suspicious activity is detected. The system will allow insurers to work together on cases involving organised insurance fraud and address fraudulent activity by repeat offenders. Comparable systems using Shift Technology are already in use by insurance associations in several countries including the UK, Canada, France, Hong Kong and Singapore. Privacy, security and governance measures form a central part of this programme, the joint press release said. Data shared between insurers will use privacy-focused methods, strict role-based access controls and end-to-end encryption. A governance framework will oversee operation of the platform, with legal supervision and technical controls designed to comply with Australian regulatory requirements and relevant certifications. ICINA CEO Andrew Gill said: The insurance industry has fought fraud for decades, but fraudsters have adapted to our digital transformation. Today's organised networks exploit online services with increasing sophistication, driving up costs for honest customers. Today's announcement is the industry's most comprehensive response to fraud. By connecting insurers through secure, real-time intelligence sharing, we are creating an early warning system that identifies fraudulent patterns across the entire market stopping criminals before claims are paid. "ICA partners with EXL, Shift on insurance fraud detection platform " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. Photo of Joshua James McCoy, 5. The lawyer for the childs estate sent a letter to the state this month, stating plans to file a lawsuit and detailing what he described as the states mishandling of complaints about the boys welfare. Courtesy of Amos McCoy The estate of the Coos County boy who wandered from home and died last year plans to sue the Oregon Department of Human Services for allegedly failing to protect the child from severe neglect. The lawyer for Joshua James McCoys estate sent a letter to the state this month, stating plans to file a lawsuit and detailing what he described as the states mishandling of complaints about the boys welfare. The 5-year-old went missing a year ago. His mother, Angela German, 44, told authorities she woke up from a nap she had taken with her son only to discover he was gone. The boy had autism, didnt talk much and didnt like to wear clothes, she said. Four days later, his body was found 2 miles from home. Authorities determined that hypothermia and exposure contributed to his death. German was the subject of complaints to child welfare officials alleging neglect, records show. The Department of Human Services reviewed its handling of the complaints and officials concluded in a public report that the caseworker and supervisor were not negligent. In his Nov. 6 letter to the directors of the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Department of Administrative Services, lawyer James Healy called the finding a self-serving conclusion. The death was not sudden, Healy wrote. It was not unforeseeable. It was the tragic and predictable culmination of six months during which the Oregon Department of Human Services received repeated, escalating reports of severe neglect and failed to act. Healy said McCoy died because child welfare workers observed clear and present danger to this vulnerable child, documented those dangers in their files, and then closed their investigations without meaningful intervention. The Lincoln County district attorney previously reviewed the police investigation into Joshuas death and declined to file charges against German. German did not respond to a voicemail message on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Department of Human Services declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The states review of its actions revealed grim details about Joshuas home life, including conditions described as squalid and concerns about the childs physical well-being. Child welfare workers opened a case on the family early last year due to allegations of neglect and mistreatment towards Joshua, according to an affidavit filed last November by a Coos County sheriffs deputy in support of a search warrant. State workers documented alcohol use, filthy home with food on the floor and human feces in the home, the affidavit said. According to the states review, a caller complained that German failed to meet the boys needs and that German drank heavily and left the child unsupervised. Healy wrote that child welfare officials failed to make referrals for developmental disability services or other services despite overwhelming cause to do so, did not ensure that the childs mother was receiving mental health therapy and most problematically, engaged in no safety planning for Joshuas wellbeing while under Ms. Germans care and custody. Any payout stemming from a lawsuit may end up going to German and the boys father. The states wrongful death statute states that the parents are the beneficiaries of such a claim. A 17-year-old U.S. citizen and McMinnville High School senior was detained by immigration officers Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, the teen's family said. Associated Press Immigration officers detained a McMinnville High School student Friday off school grounds, the students family said. Christian Jimenez, 17, a U.S. citizen born in Newberg and a high school senior, was driving his fathers car around 12:30 p.m. during his lunch break when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers stopped his car, Jimenezs older brother, Cesar Jimenez, said in an interview. The teenager told the officers he was a U.S. citizen, but an officer proceeded to break the cars drivers side window and detain him. In a video shared by Cesar Jimenez, the boy can be heard telling an officer that he is a citizen, to which the officer replies, Get out of the car and I dont care. Christian Jimenez was transported to the ICE facility in South Portland and was released shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday, his brother said. Authorities are trying to charge his brother with interference or obstruction of investigation, Cesar Jimenez said. ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. McMinnville School District Interim Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua sent parents a message after learning of the arrest, confirming that a student had been detained off of school grounds during lunch break, according to a copy of the email. Ferrua sought to reassure parents that the school district does not share information with immigration authorities without a court order and that it is figuring out how to help students affected by the students arrest. Knowledge of an emotional event such as this one can have impacts for all students, Ferrua wrote in the note to parents, adding that school officials were meeting that day to determine next steps in responding to our students social and emotional needs in the days and weeks ahead. Immigration agents detained four U.S. citizens in Oregon this week, advocacy group Oregon for All said in a statement Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Neil Blake File Photo | For MLive.com Immigration agents detained four U.S. citizens outside Portland this week, including a high school student and two people who were filming officers, an immigrant advocacy group said Saturday. The alleged detentions raise questions about constitutional protections amid an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Portland area and elsewhere. All of us should be concerned about ICE operating outside of the laws of our country, disappearing even U.S. citizens without concern or fear of consequences, Oregon for All Director Jess Montoya said in a statement. ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The four people included two women, one in her 60s and one in her 30s, who were documenting ICE agents in a Canby parking lot around 8 a.m. Thursday when officers detained them, Oregon for All said. They were released later that evening. Another two U.S. citizens were detained Friday in Yamhill County, Oregon for All said, including a McMinnville High School student. That student, Christian Jimenez, 17, was driving his fathers car during lunch break when ICE agents pulled him over, Jimenezs older brother, Cesar Jimenez, previously told The Oregonian/OregonLive. Christian Jimenez told the officers he was a U.S. citizen, but was detained anyway, Cesar Jimenez said. He was released later that day, the brother said. rather than poets submitting poems without being commissionedonly writers hoping to make literary debuts submit their work themselves.you should be able to withstand critic It is said (though this might be apocryphal) that while in the Vatican Museum pondering a statue depicting the Nile as a bearded man.INTERVIEWERYou made a painting of her in A full-length mirror! What if I purchased one simply to prove that I didnt have to look in it? It would be casually put in a corner.That exhilarating encounter between di fit within the decidedly Reithian tradition at London Transport to educate and raised a larger creative question: How might a work of fiction provide an alternative to oil capitalism that works like The History of Standard Oil could not?***To truly While it was a taboo for girls and womenunless one was an out-of-town profess Julia Glynns hunger for life became almost everyday in Ireland and Stephens shedding of his own servility a metaphor for how the society changed./ Id take off all my clothes It never really rises above this level and is often even more mortifying than thatfive minutes in.We caught up on the phone a few weeks ago about Homeworkand about how he m or massy like the earth?until Miltons Tuscan artist put these theories to the proof with the aid of his optic glass.she says) is a reproduction of the nineteenth-century I spent a few hours every couple of weeks trying to find out whether a two-yea I explored different styles and approaches because I wanted to be able to have those tools in my back pocket.My downstairs neighbor and I discussed buying a thermometer t I dont think you will have experiences like this anywhere else except m high hamstring better(no green chair for 4 days)My writing chair: friend or foe? Usually I think that run and I received a number of anxious emails in the lead-up to the day on which individual tickets became available for sale.Woolf Recent announcements by OpenAI maker of ChatGPT are set to transform the workings of the financial industry. Financial services providers, who thrive on helping customers improve their businesses, now have to deal with a new threat in the form of ChatGPT. The AI chatbot will soon help individuals and businesses get personalized answers related to tax, business, and cash flow management, among other things. This can easily be extended to finding suitable loans and mortgages with AI helping find the right ones for the right people, thus improving the acceptance rate. In such a scenario, the best business plan for any financial company is full integration with ChatGPT, a feat Intuit (INTU) has now achieved. The company will power apps within the ChatGPT interface to help people make better financial decisions, unlocking new growth areas for both companies. More News from Barchart The deal between the two firms is worth over $100 million, and on a very basic level, it combines OpenAIs LLM expertise with Intuits financial prowess. Some of Intuits most famous applications include TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Credit Karma, and by setting up strong privacy protocols, both companies will be able to provide these renowned solutions within the ChatGPT interface. About Intuit Stock Based in Mountain View, California, Intuit is a fintech company that is best known for helping people manage their finances effectively. The company serves over 100 million customers, offering them financial solutions that are now becoming even more popular thanks to AI integrations. The companys stock has not had a great year so far, with only 7.6% returns that have underperformed the S&P 500 Index ($SPX)'s 13.2% year-to-date (YTD) gains. After touching $800 per share in July this year, the stock has now fallen below $675. www.barchart.com One would think that a stock that has fallen 20% in about half a year would now be available at an attractive valuation. However, that is not the case wth INTU. It still trades at a forward price-earnings of 103.35x, well above its 5-year average of 46.02x. Its price-sales ratio of 3.19x is nearly 27% above its 5-year average, despite being exactly the same as the IT sector median. It is only the price-cash flow of 24.89x where the stock still trades below the sector median of 19.32x. An Ohio judge was suspended after he sent two teenage boys to a lock-up facility to force the young individuals to visit their divorced father. The Supreme Court of Ohio, in an 88-page slip opinion and summary, found that Geauga County Probate-Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Grendell violated ethics rules for judges in the Buckeye State. Ohio Judge Suspended for Detaining 2 Teenage Boys The court ultimately issued an 18-month suspension with 12 months stayed for the local judge. Additionally, Grendell was immediately taken off the bench without pay and is required to remain misconduct-free for the entirety of his suspension. In the event that the Ohio judge engages in any additional ethical lapses, the stay will be lifted, and he will be required to serve the full 18-month suspension. The punishment stems from Grendell's first foray into the work performed by an Ohio domestic relations court, as before 2019, he had never worked on such a case, according to Law & Crime. During that year, another judge emailed Grendell, asking him to take over a child custody case described variously by the court as "extremely difficult," "heavily contested," and "highly contentious." The case was regarding the divorce of Stacy Hartman and Grant Glasier, and what they were supposed to do with their three kids. Over time, Hartman moved to Ohio from Florida, and Glaiser eventually followed to try and be closer to his children, one girl and two boys. In the case, Grendell allegedly blocked the mother from administering COVID-19 tests on her kids and violated prohibitions against judges testifying about legislation unrelated to the legal field or their expertise, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Charges of Misconduct The judge testified on a bill that his wife, then-state Rep. Dianne Grendell, pitched to require the state health department to report COVID-19 statistics daily. The Ohio Supreme Court did not discipline Grendell on the testimony, saying that he had a First Amendment right. In the latest case, the Ohio judge has been ordered to pay more than $23,000 in court costs, and the high court rejected two other counts of charged misconduct against the judge. Grendell had previously said that he did "nothing wrong" regarding any of the incidents. The Ohio Supreme Court's conduct board initially recommended Grendell's suspension in October last year. However, it was not until a year later that the decision on the matter was actually made. The two boys in the case were originally detained in May 2020, and Grendell said at the time that they were unruly for refusing to see their father. However, they reportedly told the court that the father had previously physically abused them, as per Fox8. CONCORD, North Carolina A festive evening turned chaotic Friday when gunfire erupted during the 28th annual tree-lighting ceremony in downtown Concord, injuring four people and prompting the cancellation of the remainder of the event, the Associated Press reported. The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. in the citys center, roughly 19 miles northeast of Charlotte, as families and children gathered to mark the holiday tradition, AP said. Of those shot, three are listed in critical condition while one is stable, CBS News reported. Investigators said the shooting does not appear to have been a random act of violence against the crowd. Preliminary findings indicate it stemmed from a dispute between people who knew one another, and two of those who were hospitalized have been identified as suspects, according to WYFF 4. WRAL said police, firefighters and EMS personnel were already on site for the celebration and responded immediately, helping evacuate the area and render aid. Authorities are now examining surveillance and crowd-videos from the scene and seeking additional footage from attendees. According to AP, city officials said the ceremony, which had been set to include Santa and Mrs. Claus, food trucks, a showing of The Grinch and fireworks, was abruptly halted. Visitors were urged to leave the downtown zone and motorists to use alternate routes. A night of celebration for our community was interrupted by senseless violence, affecting everyone who was there, Concord Police Chief Jimmy Hughes said to WRAL. Our community showed great strength and resilience as everyone came together to help one another and our officers. The neighbor of former King of the Hill star Jonathan Joss has been charged in his shooting death. According to multiple reports, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, was indicted on one count of murder on Nov. 17 by a grand jury. KTBC reported that Ceja Alvarez was arrested in June on a charge of first-degree murder and released on a $200,000 bond. Joss, a voice actor best known for his role as John Redcorn on King of the Hill was shot and killed in Texas on June 1. He was 59. San Antonio police told USA Today that they responded to a shooting in progress and found the actor near a roadway. Police said they attempted life saving measures until EMS arrived. He was then pronounced dead. Joss also played the role of Ken Hotate in the NBC Sitcom Parks and Recreation. Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman told People Magazine in June that the shows cast was hit hard by the news. The cast has been texting together about it all day and were just heartbroken, he told the outlet in a statement. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy. Joss husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzalez, posted a statement on Facebook claiming that his death was the result of a homophobic attack. My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home, he wrote on Joss Facebook. That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done. Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view, he continued. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw. While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. De Gonzalez wrote that he and Joss were not armed. We were not threatening anyone, he wrote. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. Jonathan is my husband. He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds. We picked Valentines Day. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the site of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. De Gonzalez thanked all of Joss fans for supporting him. Jonathan saved my life, he wrote again. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built. Joss also has a long list of credits that includes appearances on television shows such as ER, Charmed, and Friday Night Lights. He also appeared in movies such as The Forever Purge, The Magnificent Seven, and True Grit. American rock group, Sparks, 1976. Left to right: guitarist Luke Zamperini, keyboard player Ron Mael, bassist Sal Maida, singer Russell Mael, drummer Hilly Boy Michaels and guitarist Jim McAllister. (Photo by Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) Getty Images Hilly Boy Michaels, best known for his time as the drummer for the band Sparks, has died. He was 77. Sparks members Russell and Ron Mael shared the news via a statement on the bands Instagram page. We are saddened by the passing of Hilly Boy Michaels, it read. He was Sparks drummer during the Big Beat (1976) era, but stayed in the Sparks realm throughout the years. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. Fans and followers were quick to send love. Such sad news, one person wrote. May he rest in peace. So sad to hear, another wrote. He was a lovely unique guy and rock solid musician. Such a hidden gem of a musician, another replied. It shouldnt need to be mentioned, but Calling All Girls is so good. Im sorry for your loss, another wrote. Youre in my thoughts. May your friend and band mate, Hilly Boy, rest in peace. There were plenty more comments like that, and you can see them all as well as the bands post on Instagram here. Michaels had quite the career. Prior to joining Sparks he was in a band, alongside Michael Bolton, called Joy. The Mirror noted that his music made it into such films as Caddyshack and Die Laughing, and that he worked with artist such as John Mellencamp, Ronnie Wood and Marianne Faithfull. Michaels, who was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, went on to release a pair of solo albums Calling All Girls in 1980 and Lumia in 1981 after his time in Sparks. Gary "Mani" Mounfield of Primal Scream performs a date of the screamadelica tour celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the album on stage at O2 Academy Leicester on March 24, 2011 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/Getty Images) Getty Images The rock world is mourning the loss of another talented musician as Gary Mani Mounfield has died. He was 63. Mounfields brother, Greg, announced his death on Facebook. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother, he wrote. He added that his brother is now reunited with his wife, Imelda. According to Rolling Stone, she died of cancer in 2023. His cause of death has not been shared. Mani Mounfield was best known for his time as the bassist for Stone Roses and Primal Scream. Rest in Peace Gary Mani Mounfield, All On The Board posted on X. Thank you for being one of the best to ever pick up a bass guitar and a human the world will forever miss. Sending love to your family & friends. You will be forever loved and never forgotten. The perfect example of how a bassist can be the beating heart of a band, Rough Trade posted on X. A legendary player with primal scream, the backbone of The Stones Roses groove. RIP Gary Mani Mounfield. Mounfield was a native of Manchester, England. He began his career in 1987 with the Stone Roses, and when that band disbanded in 1996 he joined Primal Scream. But when the Stone Roses reunited in 211, Mounfield returned to the group until it broke up again in 2017. Rolling Stone reported that he was slated to embark on a speaking tour of the United Kingdom in 2026. As Raul Malo continues to battle stage 4 cancer his bandmates and the country music world are rallying around him with a planned two-night celebration of his 35 years in music. The band shared the news on its Instagram page on Wednesday. Were proud to announce the Dance The Night Away: A 35-year Musical Legacy Celebrating The Mavericks & Honoring Raul Malo, December 5-6 at (Ryman) Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, the statement read. A 2-night tribute show in honor of Raul and the bands decades-long history and contributions to American and Latin music, these special evenings will feature guest appearances from an exceptional lineup of friends and artists performing selections from The Mavericks storied catalog of classics. The band shared a long list of performers who are slated to take part including Jamy Johnson, Marty Stuart, Steve Earle, Chuck Mead, Cimafunk, Emily West, Hector Tellez Jr., Jaime Hana, JD McPherson, James Otto, Jim Lauderdale, Jese Dayton, Jimmie Vaughan, Joshua Ray Walker, Maggie Rose, Mandy Barnett, Nicole Atkins, Waylon Payne, Sweet Lizzy Project, Wade Hayes, Seth Walker, Nikkie Lane, Patty Griffin and Ray Benson. While Raul is not able to perform, he will be present and honored throughout both nights, the statement added. These shows will take the place of our previously scheduled Ryman dates, with all tickets to remain valid and no new tickets necessary. We look forward to seeing you all in December for a celebration of music, memories, and the remarkable legacy of Raul Malo and the Mavericks. Im really looking forward to these two nights at the Ryman, Malo said according to Taste of Country. The overwhelming support and love from my musician friends, fans, friends and family will prove these shows to be something special. Malo has long shared his cancer battle with fans, but in September he announced he also has Leptomeningeal Disease. Dear Friends, I want to update you all on my health, as things have taken a turn, he wrote on Facebook. As it goes with cancer, its a very unpredictable and indiscriminatory disease. Ive developed something called LMD, which stands for get this (expletive) out of my head. Treatment for this is radiation, which I will start tomorrow. We will probably jump into some chemo and are even looking at alternative therapies. But its time to take to heart your words of resting & recovering, so thats what Im going to do. Unfortunately, this does mean all shows going forward are cancelled, but well continue doing cool projects, releasing live recordings, merchandise, Trovador and so forth, he continued. I want to thank Dwight Yoakam, his band, and crew for their kindness and understanding this year, and sorry we couldnt finish the tour the way we planned. Hang on to your tickets for the Ryman in December, as we are planning something special there, and hope to announce that very soon. Malo then reassured fans about how he is doing. But I want to let everybody know, I am in no way alone, or scared, he said. I have an amazing wife and boys, wonderful family, team, road crew, band, friends and fans. I dont even have enough words to describe the love and support that Im getting right now. To my friends who have sent me texts and messages, I want you to know that Ive read them all. I cant return them all, but your love, prayers, and well wishes have not gone unnoticed. Americans saving for retirement will be able to put more money away next year, thanks to new limits set by the Internal Revenue Service. Starting in 2026, employees can contribute up to $24,500 to their 401(k) plansan increase of $1,000 from 2025. The raise also applies to 403(b) plans, governmental 457 plans, and the federal Thrift Savings Plan, giving workers across the board more room to save. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are getting a bump too, with the contribution limit rising from $7,000 to $7,500. Older workers, in particular, stand to benefit from higher catch-up contributions. Those aged 50 and older can add an extra $8,000 to their 401(k), bringing their total contribution to $32,500. Workers between 60 and 63 get an even bigger boost, with an $11,250 catch-up limitallowing total contributions of $35,750 a year. The IRS has also raised the income limits for deductible IRA contributions, ROTH IRA contributions, and the Savers Credit, meaning more people can take advantage of these tax benefits. Single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan can now make deductible contributions if their income is between $81,000 and $91,000, up from $79,000$89,000 in 2025. Married couples filing jointly, where the contributing spouse is covered by a workplace plan, now have a phase-out range of $129,000 to $149,000, up from $126,000$146,000. With these changes, the IRS is giving Americans both more money and more flexibility to grow their retirement savingsjust in time to prepare for the years ahead. More Business News Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Guy Fieri has been receiving prayers and well-wishes from fans this week. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Getty Images 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 2011, and he and his wife raised her son, Jules, who was 11 at the time. Shane Gillis performs onstage during the 17th Annual Stand Up For Heroes Benefit presented by Bob Woodruff Foundation and NY Comedy Festival at David Geffen Hall on November 06, 2023 in New York City. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Bob Woodruff Foundation Shane Gillis comedic stylings tend to appeal to the MAGA crowd, but his views on Donald Trump dont always fit that description. The Mechanicsburg natives thoughts on the president and his brain, which he shared on the latest edition of Matt and Shanes Secret Podcast with fellow comedian Matt McCusker, fall in that category. The two, along with guest Nate Marshall, began to discuss the presidents Quiet piggy, interaction with a reporter on Air Force One earlier this week when the conversation shifted. Do you think hes getting dementia? McCusker asked Gillis. I mean I dont know, Gillis said. He just seems a little slower than usual, but McCusker said that there was speculation that Trump has dementia, noting that the presidents father also had dementia. Theres speculation that T-Dog might be rocking Biden brains, McCusker said. Hes definitely not at Biden brains yet, Gillis replied. But hes hes circling the drain. Quiet piggy was (expletive) crazy, he continued. I just cant think of how embarrassed that lady must have been. Gillis then flipped that into a comedy bit. Think if you were next to her and you hated her, he said. You go, Oh, got that (expletive). Ive been waiting on somebody to kill her. Gillis has previously taken digs at Trump on the podcast. Back in July he went in on Trumps reaction to the Epstein files. Yeah, you know Epstein is innocent? Gillis said sarcastically on that show. Bro that is the funniest development, like we are going to unveil the truth once and for all, McCusker said. Turns out the guy was just a regular guy struggling in the world just like all of us. Yeah, that was some (expletive) bro, he continued. Also, innocent of what? He was literally a guilty pedophile. He was busted and they sealed the records the first time. The two then joked about the situation before Gillis slid in his thoughts on President Donald Trump. Its like Trump dawg, its tough not to point some (expletive) fingers, he said. He got killed while you were president, and you were there. I mean, theres so many photos of them chilling. The cope on Trumps innocent, the cope is pretty intense, Gillis said. Yeah, he did go to the island and he just hung out with the staff. The staff said that. Was the staff 12? And in February Gillis had some interesting thoughts on Trumps plans for Gaza at the time. He was talking about sending our boys over there, Gillis said on the podcast. The whole point of electing him was to not send our guys overseas Day (expletive) 20. I was watching (the press conference), and I was like, No, dont say that you (expletive) idiot. The conversation started off with Gillis telling McCusker that he watched Trumps presser that he had alongside Israels Benjamin Netanyahu. You better get your boy in check, Gillis said to McCusker. McCusker asked who his boy was, and Gillis explained. Your boy Donny T got a little he said we were going to take over Gaza, Gillis said. At the press conference he was like, America is just going to take over Gaza, and we are going to make it really nice. I watched him say it, Gillis continued. He was just like we are going to take over Gaza. And they were like well what about all the people, and he was just like they are not going to be there. Gillis added, It was bad. I wish he didnt say it. Because it is a comedy podcast they attempted to joke some about the idea of making Gaza a destination. (He was like) I dont want to say the wrong thing, but its going to be so nice Gillis said. He was like, of course the people but its going to be so nice. Dude, I watched the whole thing, he continued. Hes nuts. Hes fun to watch if he is not talking about kind of a genocide. If hes not talking about ethnic cleaning, its really fun. By Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College and Charlotte Keith of Spotlight PA Raymond Hohl, Courtesy of Penn State Health Courtesy of Penn State Health 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 Talk of the Town, a daily newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. Raymond Hohl, the director of the Penn State Cancer Institute, resigned Friday following a Spotlight PA investigation into his care of patients and leadership of the center. Hohl made the decision thoughtfully and with the best interests of the Institute in mind, according to an internal email, which was signed by Karen Kim, dean of the Penn State College of Medicine, and Michael Kupferman, CEO of Penn State Health. The email says he will remain a faculty member of the universitys medical college. Hohl started as director in 2014 with the goal of achieving National Cancer Institute designation, a prestigious federal recognition, for the center based in the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The university invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the cancer center in pursuit of designation, records show. A Spotlight PA investigation published Nov. 20 found that Hohl was the subject of a series of damning internal reviews between early 2022 and mid-2023. The reviews 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, according to documents obtained by the newsroom. Penn States reviews also concluded that Hohl perpetuated a toxic culture of fear and mistrust that chewed up doctors and researchers, who left the organization in droves during this time period. 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. Records show that Hohl disputed the findings and offered a rosier assessment at the time. Penn State Healths former chief executive officer and former chief operating officer, as well as the hospitals then-chief medical officer and two medical school deans, including Kim, had extensive knowledge of these problems, records show. In 2023, leaders privately considered removing Hohl as director of the cancer institute, internal records show. The doctor kept his position and was placed on a two-month performance improvement plan, under which he 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. In May 2024, Penn State quietly removed Hohls oversight of clinical care, a move the Penn State Health spokesperson declined to explain in September 2025. Hohl was still seeing patients as of early 2025. Following publication of Spotlight PAs investigation, Penn State Health said in a statement: We believe the reporting by this outlet is based almost entirely on materials more than two years old and it does not provide an accurate representation of Penn State Cancer Institute (PSCI) as it exists today. During the last two years we have made significant changes to PSCIs leadership, staffing, operations, clinical capabilities and research processes. According to the internal announcement, Institute Deputy Director Jeff Peters will be the interim director of the cancer center. 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. By Wendy Ruderman, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS) PHILADELPHIA A federal judge in Philadelphia on Friday blocked President Donald Trumps administration from obtaining the private medical records of youth who sought gender-affirming care at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. The decision, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney, was a victory for patients privacy rights and for CHOP, which had waged a legal battle to limit the scope of a sweeping federal subpoena that sought the names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses and parent/guardian information of patients who had been prescribed puberty blockers or hormone therapy. In a 54-page opinion, Kearney found the medical records sought by the U.S. Department of Justice were beyond the authority granted by Congress under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the heightened privacy interests of children and their families substantially outweighs the Departments need to know such confidential and sensitive information. Neither CHOP nor the DOJ immediately responded to a request for comment late Friday. In addition to protecting the identities of patients, Kearney also denied the part of the DOJ subpoena seeking documents related to how doctors make decisions in prescribing medications that help patients to have a body that matches their gender identity, including details such as clinical indications, diagnoses, or assessments. Kearney also blocked federal investigators from obtaining documents related to informed consent, patient intake, and parent or guardian authorization for minor patients. CHOP runs one of the nations largest clinics providing medical care and mental health support for transgender and gender-nonbinary children and teens and their families. Each year, hundreds of new families seek care at CHOPs Gender and Sexuality Development Program, created in 2014. Along with CHOP, five parents of transgender children also filed a motion asking the federal court to intervene on their behalf. Kearneys ruling rendered that motion moot since it sought similar legal relief as CHOP. The motion was filed by the Public Interest Law Center, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that advocates for the civil, social, and economic rights of marginalized communities. Mimi McKenzie, the centers legal director, said the judges ruling was a complete rebuke to the DOJ and an affirmation that the federal government has no authority to root through private medical records. The court recognized that the Department of Justice is using its subpoena power not as a tool for legitimate inquiry, but as a tool for intrusion, and its not allowing that, McKenzie said late Friday. This is an important victory. Under this courts ruling their privacy is protected, their medical records are not going to be turned over, and this court is just not going to condone this type of government overreach. The CHOP case against the DOJ has become part of a broader legal battle playing out across the country. The DOJ had issued subpoenas to CHOP and at least 19 other hospitals nationally that treat transgender youth as part of an investigation into possible health care fraud or potential misconduct. In September, a federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administrations attempt to subpoena medical records of patients who received gender affirming care at Boston Childrens Hospital, ruling it was motivated only by bad faith. The DOJ has appealed the Boston ruling. The Trump administration has said doctors who prescribe to children and teens medications commonly used for gender-affirming care, such as puberty blockers and hormones, are engaging in chemical mutilation, likening it to child abuse. Teenagers are not mature enough to make such major decisions, the administration has argued. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other major medical associations, citing research, widely accept such use of these medications as safe, effective, and medically necessary for the patients mental health. Saks Off 5th is closing locations in nine states. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Imag Another major discount retailer is shuttering locations as Saks Off 5th has announced that it is closing nine stores across the country. The closings are set to begin early next year, according to Fox Business. Saks Off 5th is the discount sister brand of the iconic Saks Fifth Avenue. As part of our ongoing and comprehensive strategy, we have taken a critical eye to our store footprint and will be closing select store locations in early 2016, a spokesperson for the brand told Fox Business. The outlet reported that Saks Off 5th currently has about 100 stores across the United States and Canada. According to Saks Off 5th, locations that are set to close include a spot in New Jersey, another in Washington D.C., as well as three in Pa. Pittsburgh North, Plymouth Meeting and Franklin Mall. So, why the closings? Well, Saks Off 5th told Fox that the closings will allow it to place greater attention to our high-performing and high-potential store locations, and refinements across its brand. We are confident this will better position the Saks OFF 5th business for long-term success and look forward to continuing to deliver for our customers, the brand rep told Fox. Fox noted that the closings are part of a shift that has seen several major retailers close stores recently. That includes a couple of iconic brands per Fox, Macys plans to close 66 stores in 2025, and JCPenney recently announced it will be closing several stores as well. By Mark S. Singel It has been a rough couple of weeks for the President. He watched a blue wave put two new Democratic governors into office. He saw elections in Pennsylvania and Georgia shift back to Democrats with voters registering concerns about the direction of the country and Trumps handling of the economy. A new Democrat was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives who promptly provided the final signature necessary to force a vote on the Epstein files. His reaction to these setbacks was predictable and disturbing. Just when you think the Insulter in Chief has reached new lows, he lashes out at reporters and opponents like a playground bully. Quiet, quiet Piggie, was how he addressed an award-winning reporter aboard Air Force One. It was continuing a pattern of demeaning comments to reporters men and women whose only offense was to ask him a question he didnt like. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that his most dangerous outburst came when six Democratic members of Congress recorded a video to remind members of the military they had a right and a duty to refuse illegal orders. Led by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mi), the legislators were reminding those service members on ships in the Caribbean or in the streets of Los Angeles and Portland that the Uniform Code of Military Justice requires them to refuse unlawful orders. (Article 92 of the UCMJ describes unlawful orders as those violating the Constitution, U.S. law, or superior lawful orders. If an order is manifestly illegal, service members may not only refuse it, they have a duty to do so). The president wasted no time in calling the six elected officials traitors. He suggested that they should be arrested and hung. The recent outbursts from the President may be a sign that his control in MAGA world is crumbling. Judges are issuing rulings against the indictments his Justice Department is using to punish enemies. The Epstein files are now headed for release in some fashion. Americans watched with dismay as Trump lavished attention on a foreign leader who, according our own intelligence agencies, was responsible for the murder and dismemberment of a newspaper reporter. But the real evidence of an unraveling of the regime goes back to the results of this years election. In every category that matters in Presidential politics, Trump lost badly. Exit polls showed that independents, young voters, and minorities voted Democratic in large numbers. One such poll asked voters to choose which party would best represent them in Congress. The result was that 55 percent of Americans say they would support a Democrat, while just 41 percent say they will vote Republican. This is a huge swing that has the wind at the back of Democrats as we move into the mid-term elections. Can the Democrats sustain that momentum? It is clear that affordability was the focus of winning campaigns in New York City and throughout the country. Democrats served up a winning message when they turned their attention to kitchen table issues. They pointed to the failures of Tru No doubt candidates who are gearing up for races in 2026 will continue that theme. But there are one or two other ideas that are sinking in to the American electorate. Democratic and Republican research firms report that the public is appalled by the destruction of the East Wing of the White House. The fact that the project is bankrolled by billionaires makes matters worse. The rubble on the White House lawn reminds them of the destructive force of this administration and invites them to choose which side they are on. Democrats see a road map toward winning in 2026 and beyond. By staunchly supporting bread and butter issues like affordability, jobs, and health care, Democrats already have the inside track. Some have suggested that Trumps excesses and incoherence should be highlighted to voters in swing districts, but the recent elections show that the focus must remain on the positive change that Democrats represent. Presenting a unified front for affordable housing, lower costs at the supermarket, more jobs, health care and investments in the future is what Americans need and want. Providing that focus is in direct contrast to the misadventures of the current administration. It is also a winning strategy for 2026 and beyond. Mark Singel is a former lieutenant governor and former acting governor of Pennsylvania. A warning sign near the Dock Street Dam on the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg is photographed in April 2023 as emergency responders searched for a man who was in a boat that capsized. Dan Gleiter File Photo | For PennLive.com With dangerous dams continuing to claim lives in Pennsylvania, state lawmakers are looking at updating the 1998 law requiring warning signs and buoys around these structures. The state House Game & Fisheries Committee this week advanced the bipartisan proposal for consideration by the full House of Representatives. House Bill 961 sponsor Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny/Washington, shared the story during Tuesdays committee meeting of the death of her constituent Jon Gentile. A history teacher at Bethel Park High School in a Pittsburgh suburb, Gentile was kayaking with his father in May 2022 on the Delaware River in New Hope, Bucks County, when he became trapped in the churning water flowing over a 4-foot-deep dam, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Weve got 80,000 miles of waterway in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a significant amount of recreational activity, and we need to ensure that people are safe out there, Mihalek testified. And sometimes the simple act of warning that there is a danger ahead is all it takes. And in Jons case, there was no warning. There were no signs. There was no indication that he was going to be passing over a very dangerous dam. Gentile, 38, was wearing a life preserver. He left behind family that included his wife, Kathy, and their young son, Giancarlo. His niece, Claudia Huber, works in Mihaleks office and joined the lawmaker at Tuesdays meeting, sharing a hug after the committee voted unanimously to report for the House vote. The meeting took place in Harrisburg, where the Dock Street Dam on the Susquehanna River has claimed at least 31 lives since its construction in 1913. Act 91 of 1998 assigned responsibility to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to enforce proper warning around run-of-the-river dams identified by the state Department of Environmental Protection. It took effect Jan. 1, 1999, requiring owners of these dams to mark them with signs and buoys. Mihaleks legislation is supported by co-sponsors that include state Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, and other lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties. It would clarify timelines for the DEP to notify owners of dams not already inventoried of their duties to post the warnings upstream and downstream, as well as timelines for compliance. The proposal also would require the DEP and Fish and Boat Commission to publish on their publicly accessible websites a list of the dams where warnings are required, as well as a map showing their location. It also would halve the time permitted to replace or repair signs or buoys from 30 days to 15 days, as well as specify that dams must be marked even if they cover only part of a waterways width. Penalties for failing to properly post a dam range from a summary offense to a misdemeanor. The Fish and Boat Commission supports the proposal, spokesman Michael Parker told lehighvalleylive.com. The DEP declined to comment on the pending legislation. I think I was a bit taken aback to even think that we werent marking these dams or putting signs up, House Game & Fisheries Committee Chairwoman Anita Astorino Kulik, D-Allegheny, told Mihalek on Tuesday. So this is extremely important. Were going to get this across the line for you. Well get it to the House floor and then we will go work on the Senate. The effort comes as agencies across Pennsylvania and the United States target obsolete dams for removal. Pennsylvania in 2024 led all states with 27 dams removed, and nearly one-third of those were in the Lehigh Valley and Pocono Mountains, according to a report from the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit American Rivers. Sen. John Fetterman said on Fox News' The Story on Friday that it was "pretty reasonable" for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to meet with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) AP In an interview on Fox News Friday, Sen. John Fetterman said he would welcome a primary challenge in 2028 and complimented New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for meeting with President Donald Trump. Asked by "The Story" host Martha MacCallum about Mamdanis visit to the White House, Fetterman, a Democrat, said he and the socialist guy share similar approaches with Trump. We both agree that its reasonable to meet with the president if they invite to sit down and talk to them, said Fetterman, according to a transcript provided by Fox News. Fetterman said the reaction has been different from when he endured intense criticism from Democrats for meeting with Trump in Florida after the 2024 election. And I think whats different is that I havent seen a lot of blowback for Mamdani to do this, but I got a lot, said Fetterman, and I think its perfectly reasonable to sit down and have this conversation. Fetterman said it was entirely normal to have leaders meeting and talking, which is why he met with Trump. As a senator that represents one of the biggest states in the country, its a normal conversation, he said. And then I dont why theres part of my party say that youre not allowed to have that talk to him or do these things. And thats crazy. As for the demands of the Democratic Socialists of America, such as having Mamdani divest from Israel, ban Israeli products and arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he comes to New York City, Fetterman said they were absurd and arrogant and empty kinds of threats. Fetterman allowed that some in his party are becoming more and more anti-Israel, but that solidifies his staunch support for Israel. That just affirms me thats a signal to just lean in harder and be very proud to stand with Israel because thats our key ally, he said. MacCallum asked Fetterman about the progressive Pennsylvania Working Families Party announcing earlier this week that it would support a primary challenge to Fetterman in 2028 and seek out viable candidates. I hope so because I guarantee whoever they put up, theyre going to just make me look the reasonable guy thats going to work with both sides together and find a way for Pennsylvania, said Fetterman, whose office did not respond to a message from PennLive about the primary announcement on Tuesday. Fetterman said he voted to continue SNAP benefits and ensure that the military and other government workers got paid. I have been on the side of common sense, and I am always going to put our country before party, he said, and I think most people now realize that shutting our government down was wrong. Fetterman noted that he and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, have carried the kind of states that determine whos going to be the next president those are the kind of states that keep us honest and are a reminder that there are both sides. In response to MacCallum asking if he could win over working-class voters who have backed Trump in a White House bid, Fetterman said he was very compatible for that. Democratic Pa. U.S. Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, shown here, and Chris Deluzio had bomb threats called into their district offices on Friday the day after President Donald Trump threatened them with death sentences for a video urging service members to ignore illegal orders. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) AP Two Pennsylvania U.S. House members who President Donald Trump suggested should be subjected to the death penalty for urging service members to ignore illegal orders were the target of bomb threats on Friday. Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Chester County and Pittsburgh-area Rep. Chris Deluzio both said that their district offices were threatened. The bomb threats came the day after Trump posted several messages on his Truth Social platform blasting the two Pennsylvania officials and four other members of Congress for a video reminding military members that they can ignore illegal orders. Five of the congressional members are veterans and one is a former CIA officer. In his posts, Trump wrote, Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? before ending with, SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH. Trump also shared another post from someone who suggested hanging the six congressional members. Outraged Democrats, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, roundly criticized Trump for his comments. A spokesperson for Houlahan, an Air Force veteran, said in an X post that her office in West Chester received a bomb threat. Thankfully, the staff there as well as the office in Washington, D.C., are safe. We are grateful for our local law enforcement agencies who reacted quickly and are investigating, read the post. As Rep. Houlahan has said many times over, there is no place for threats and political violence in our nation or our political discourse. Deluzios spokesperson said in an X post that his offices in Allegheny and Beaver counties were also targeted with bomb threats Friday afternoon. The Congressman and congressional staff are safe, and thank law enforcement for swiftly responding, read the post. Political violence and threats like this are unacceptable. An hour before that post was made, Deluzio, a Navy veteran, said on X, I am not intimidated. I will never stop doing my job for the good people of Western PA. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks at a town hall event in Paramus, N.J., on on Saturday, April 5, 2025. He says he's considering a run for president. (Stefan Jeremiah, AP, file) AP By JILL COLVIN, The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) There was a time when presidential hopefuls played coy about their ambitions, crisscrossing the country under the guise of helping other candidates and deflecting when pushed on their obvious plans. Not so for some Democrats considering running in 2028. With no clear party leader and Democratic voters raring for a fight, some could-be candidates are being far more transparent about their intentions, doing away with pretensions as they try to gain maximum visibility at a time when authenticity is in high demand. Of course Im thinking about it. I havent ruled it out, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker recently told Fox News during a trip to early-voting New Hampshire, even as he stressed that his focus is on 2026, when he will be up for reelection. Id be lying otherwise. Id just be lying and I cant do that, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CBS when pressed on whether he will consider a run after the midterms next year. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (Gabrielle Lurie/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, file) AP To be sure, many Democrats remain circumspect. Of the dozen potential 2028 candidates The Associated Press requested interviews with to discuss the changing dynamic, none was immediately available. Some Democrats deflect questions and say their attention is elsewhere even as they campaign for others in early-voting states. On the Republican side, an entirely different dynamic is brewing under the surface. Potential candidates are keeping low profiles amid expectations that President Donald Trump will play kingmaker in choosing his would-be successor. Presidential campaign strategists say the Democrats less guarded approach makes sense given the wide-open 2028 field and sheer number of candidates competing for attention. Among the others who have said they are considering a run: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who also was a White House chief of staff, and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green. Old rules just dont apply to anything anymore, said Jess OConnell, a Democratic strategist who advised Pete Buttigiegs 2020 presidential campaign. She said the change was a good thing for the party. Youve got to be out there every single day fighting and sharing your vision, she said. And I think the more runway they have to talk to people in this moment and to communicate about meeting the needs of the future, then the better. New dynamics at play Alex Conant, a veteran of the presidential campaigns of Republicans Marco Rubio, a former Florida senator who is now Trumps secretary of state, and Tim Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, said the dynamics of the emerging Democratic primary, with no clear front-runner, have changed the calculus for candidates. I think the Democratic primary is going to be the longest primary of our life. Its hard to recall a field that is this wide open. And the Democratic base is so hungry for someone to take on Trump and win back the White House, he said. The more crowded it is, the more important it is to start early. Candidates, he noted, are also immediately more relevant if you might be the next president, adding to the incentive to say the quiet part out loud. Voters these days are also turned off by the kind of politician-speak that was once the norm. One of the takeaways from Trump is that people want authenticity, Conant said. Voters are rejecting candidates who sound like politicians, so the rhetorical tricks that politicians have used for decades to avoid answering questions now just irritates voters. Some are elusive Not everyone has embraced the approach. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker played coy on stage during a recent interview with journalist Kara Swisher, repeatedly dodging her questions about his expected timeline. Blah, blah, she responded as he tried to pivot to talking about the strength of the Democratic bench. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com, file) Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has been equally circumspect, refusing to acknowledge any White House ambitions or even commit to running again for governor, even as the shadow of 2028 follows him everywhere he goes. But during an appearance on The Breakfast Club podcast last month, as he reflected on the arson attack on his official residence, he sounded like someone who is eager to remain in the arena. I love public service, he said. You cant walk away now, with everything thats on the line. ... This is not a time to quit. His perceived national ambitions have become a frequent attack line for his potential GOP rival for governor, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. We need somebody that is more interested in Pennsylvania and not on Pennsylvania Avenue, Garrity said recently on a conservative radio show in Philadelphia. There are risks for candidates That is one of the risks for candidates, said Mike DuHaime, a longtime GOP strategist who advised the presidential campaigns of Chris Christie, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and George W. Bush. In 2013, he noted, Christies opponent in the New Jersey governors race often tried to use his national buzz as a campaign issue against him. Candidates, DuHaime said, also need to strike a balance and make that they are not distracting from midterm races by funneling money or attention away from candidates who need them. I think it makes sense not to be so coy because people kind of get it, but they still should be careful about putting themselves in front of the country cause it could backfire, he said. They have to be careful that they still look a little bit like team players. In other cases, candidates have genuinely not made up their minds, and may be lured by party leaders in early-voting states eager to draw rising stars to their events, DuHaime said. Its very intriguing and exciting for candidates and would-be candidates to be asked, he said, with some deciding, Lets go experience it, the national circus. Lets be part of that. Along with potential legal considerations, OConnell, the Democratic strategist, also noted that many of those expected to run have day jobs they need to balance. While picking fights with Trump certainly puts them in the spotlight, it could have ramifications for constituents if the Republican president retaliates, meaning that candidates will need to choose their moments wisely. You have to fulfill your obligations to the states that youre in, she said. Its not so much that youre playing a game, its that I think that there are some practical considerations. I think were going to see people struggling with that, she added. Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer put under the spotlight. During the lightning round, a caller inquired about Cramers thoughts on the stock, and he replied: You know, look, its information technology of an uncertain way with a 40 PE. Im sorry, I do not share your enthusiasm for that stock. Photo by Adam Nowakowski on Unsplash Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) provides digital platforms for e-commerce, online gaming, and financial services, including mobile wallets, credit, insurance, and payment solutions. Lakehouse Capital stated the following regarding Sea Limited (NYSE:SE) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: Southeast Asias leading e-commerce platform, Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), was our largest contributor for the year as the company delivered an impressive combination of accelerating growth and improving profitability. At a group level, revenue rose 30% year-on-year to US$17.9 billion and operating income saw a material turnaround from a US$38.8 million loss to a US$875.2 million profit. Its core e-commerce platform, Shopee, emerged stronger following a period of elevated marketing investment, which drove higher order volumes, improved take rates, and an acceleration in top line growth. Notably, regulatory pressures in Indonesia have abated, and competition across the region has moderated, with peers now taking a more rational approach to take rates, paving the way for a more favourable industry structure going forward. While we acknowledge the potential of SE 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. Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE:PINS) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer put under the spotlight. A caller asked if they are wrong to start a position in the stock, given that the year of magical investing is over and tech is out of favor. In response, Cramer said: No you read my mind. Ive been telling people that they have so much thats great in Pinterest by the way, that they could I think these large language models should be just combing right through it. I think this is a tremendous level to start buying Pinterest. Pixabay/Public Domain Pinterest, Inc. (NYSE:PINS) provides a platform where users can discover, save, and shop for ideas like recipes and home or style inspiration. The company also offers tools for businesses to advertise. Cramer discussed the company during the August 7 episode, after the company posted its earnings. He commented: What do we make these numbers from Pinterest, the social media platform/virtual pinboard site? Heres a stock doing pretty well, but when the company reported after the close, stock got slammed in after-hours trading. Even though Pinterest delivered a solid set of numbers, healthy revenue forecast for the current quarter, their earnings per share came in a tad light. At the same time, their user growth and revenue results were softer than expected in the US and Canada. Most of the outperformance came from Europe. Look, I thought there was much more good than bad here The expectations were too high. While we acknowledge the potential of PINS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. QR Editor Sandy Hodson has worked for newspapers from Tennessee, Georgia and now South Carolina, focusing on crime and the criminal justice system. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft. Key Points Joby is successfully leveraging its aircraft platform to enter the well-funded defense market with a purpose-built autonomous aircraft. Archer is monetizing its core technology by becoming a powertrain supplier, validating its innovation and creating a new scalable revenue stream. Both companies are demonstrating strategic maturity by building diverse business models that create multiple paths to long-term shareholder value. Interested in Joby Aviation, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. The skies over the United Arab Emirates have become the primary stage for the urban air mobility industry, where market leaders Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) and Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) are turning ambitious plans into operational reality. Recent progress has been swift and decisive. Joby completed the UAE's first piloted, point-to-point air taxi flight between two cities, a landmark event demonstrating real-world capability. At the same time, Archer concluded its own in-country flight test campaign, proving its Midnight aircraft is ready for the region's challenging desert environment. With market capitalizations of approximately $12.7 billion for Joby and $4.9 billion for Archer, the stakes are high, and this tangible progress provides crucial validation for investors in this developing aerospace sector. NVIDIAs 13F Reveals 2 Q3 WinnersAnd 1 Painful Miss For shareholders, this regional progress is now accompanied by a more significant development: both companies are implementing distinct secondary strategies that fundamentally expand their business models. While competing head-to-head in the race to launch air taxi services, Joby and Archer are simultaneously building new, parallel growth engines in defense and technology supply. Symbotic Reanimates Market, Long-Term Targets Are Back In Focus This strategic evolution is rewriting their investment playbooks and creating multiple paths to near-term revenue, long before air taxi networks become a common sight in major cities. Joby's Plan B: The Multi-Billion Dollar Defense Market Joby Aviation is aggressively expanding its market by leveraging its core aircraft technology for the lucrative defense sector. The company recently announced the successful first flight of a new turbine-electric, autonomous demonstrator aircraft. NuScale's Shocking Q3 Was a Bullish Signal in Disguise The speed of this achievement is a critical indicator of Joby's engineering and manufacturing strength; the aircraft took to the air just three months after the concept was first revealed, a rapid turnaround that showcases the company's vertically integrated approach. This new aircraft is not a simple modification of its air taxi. It is a purpose-built platform designed for military applications, and Joby has partnered with defense giant L3Harris (NYSE: LHX) to equip it with the specialized sensors and systems required for the battlefield. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 17:01:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 372 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / November 22, 2025 / BEAM Media Corp today announced that Alexander PCs, a leading custom PC builder, has renewed its sponsorship for 2026, extending a high-impact partnership that has contributed significantly to BEAM's momentum and community engagement.Over the past year, Alexander PCs has provided wide channel sponsorships, supported three global gaming PC giveaways, supplied weekly prizes for BEAM's "Caturday" events, and participated as an investor in BEAM's Pre-Seed financing round. The partnership has driven strong visibility, creator support, and measurable community enthusiasm across the BEAM ecosystem.Alexander PCs Founder and President TJ Abell said, "We've seen an increasing number of community purchases, elevated brand recognition, and a surge of excitement about our brand since partnering with BEAM. Therefore, we're all in for 2026 as the BEAM platform continues its exponential growth. To help celebrate, we will host another BEAM PC giveaway launching soon, and we've also built an extreme top-end gaming PC for BEAM's CEO, Angel Munoz." BEAM Founder and CEO Angel Munoz added: "Alexander PCs has been an exceptional partner whose craftsmanship, reliability, and forward-thinking approach align perfectly with BEAM's mission. Their continued sponsorship strengthens our community, accelerates our reach, and reinforces the value we deliver to creators and viewers alike. We look forward to expanding our collaboration in 2026."Additional joint initiatives between BEAM and Alexander PCs, including special events, hardware showcases, new community activations, and the next major PC giveaway will be announced in the coming weeks.About BEAM Media Corp BEAM is a next-generation livestreaming platform that redefines how creators connect with global audiences. With industry-leading native multistreaming, Unichat integrated multi-platform chat, Univiewer unified audience metrics, and groundbreaking viewer innovations, BEAM empowers creators with simplicity, global reach, and powerful monetization tools. Officially launched in 2024, BEAM now spans more than 170 countries and continues to scale at an exponential rate. More information is available at beamstream.gg About Alexander PCs Alexander PCs is a U.S.-based custom PC builder known for its meticulous craftsmanship, premium components, and lifetime warranties. Founded by TJ Abell, the company serves gamers, creators, and professionals seeking top-tier performance. More information is available at alexanderpcs.com Media Contact: BEAM Media CorpBrent Barry brent@ beamstream.ggbeamstream.gg SOURCE: BEAM Media Corp PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 13:00:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 454 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 John P. Meehan Agency, Inc.HAVERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA / ACCESS Newswire / November 22, 2025 / John P. Meehan Agency, Inc. ("Meehan") takes the protection of personal information seriously. As part of that commitment, we are writing to notify you of a data privacy incident involving personal information of certain individuals.What Happened: On July 8, 2024, we discovered unusual activity in our network. Immediately following the discovery of the incident, we engaged outside experts, including IT forensic specialists, to investigate. After a thorough investigation, we confirmed that there was unauthorized access to a single employee email account between July 2, 2024 and July 8, 2024, and that data on the account was acquired.We conducted a comprehensive investigation to determine the contents of the involved data and to whom that information relates. On September 18, 2025, the investigation determined that certain personal information fell within the scope of the incident.What Information Was Involved: The information involved varied by individual but may have included individuals' names, Social Security numbers, driver's license or state identification numbers, passport numbers, financial account information, payment card information, dates of birth, and medical information.Individuals whose information was involved were notified on November 19, 2025.What We Are Doing: Meehantakes this incident seriously and retained outside IT forensics to investigate. Additionally, we are offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services, free of charge, to individuals whose Social Security numbers were involved through Kroll, a global leader in risk mitigation and response. Should individuals have any questions or concerns, they may contact Meehan dedicated assistance line with Kroll at (844) 3554-9773, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 6:30pm Eastern Time, excluding major U.S. holidays.What Impacted Individuals Can Do: As a general matter, one should remain vigilant by reviewing credit reports, financial account statements, and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity and to detect errors. We also remind everyone that individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from the each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.Individuals can further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps to take to protect personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or state Attorneys General. The FTC also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. The FTC may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.For More Information: For any further information, please contact Meehan's dedicated assistance line with Kroll at (844) 3554-9773.Contact InformationMatthew Smithmatthew.smith@kennedyslaw.com SOURCE: John P. Meehan Agency, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 00:00:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 491 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 21, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Avantor, Inc. ("Avantor" or the "Company") (NYSE:AVTR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Avantor and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 29, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Avantor securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On April 25, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing first quarter 2025 financial results, cut its guidance for 2025, and announced that Michael Stubblefield would be stepping down from his roles as President and Chief Executive Officer. Avantor's management attributed its weak performance and outlook to "the impact of increased competitive intensity." On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.57 per share, or 16.5%, to close at $12.93 per share on April 25, 2025.Then, on August 1, 2025, Avantor reported disappointing second quarter 2025 financial results, including a year-over-year decrease in net sales, and further reduced the Company's 2025 guidance-now projecting organic revenue growth of -2% to 0%. Avantor's management again attributed the Company's lackluster results and outlook to "increased competitive intensity" and further admitted that Avantor did not expect the competitive environment to materially improve in the remainder of 2025.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $2.08 per share, or 15.48%, to close at $11.36 per share on August 1, 2025.Then, on October 29, 2025, Avantor reported weak third quarter 2025 financial results, including -5% organic revenue growth and a net loss of $712 million, which management primarily attributed to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $785 million. Avantor's management said that the impairment charge was necessary due in part to "competitive pressures" that had "meaningfully impacted" Avantor's margins and further disclosed that the Company had lost several large accounts.On this news, Avantor's stock price fell $3.50 per share, or 23.21%, to close at $11.58 per share on October 29, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP Queen Camilla hosted a special celebration at Buckingham Palace to honor the 75th anniversary of the English National Ballet, one of Britain's most internationally acclaimed dance companies. The reception highlighted the company's history, its global artistic reach and its ongoing work to expand access to the arts across the United Kingdom. Read more: Gonzalo Garcia Goes Classic for His First Christmas in Miami with the Nutcracker The event brought together leading dancers, choreographers, musicians, costume artisans and supporters who have shaped the company across generations. The Queen, who has long championed the importance of arts education and cultural preservation, praised the ENB for its resilience and creativity throughout decades of social, artistic and economic change. Queen Camilla highlighted the company's beginnings in 1950, when visionary ballerina Alicia Markova and choreographer Anton Dolin founded what was then known as the London Festival Ballet. The troupe was born with a mission to bring ballet to audiences beyond traditional metropolitan stages. Their touring model allowed people throughout the UK and abroad to experience high quality classical ballet for the first time. That mission, the Queen noted, remains at the center of the ENB's identity. During the celebration, guests said the milestone feels especially meaningful at a time when performing arts organizations continue to rebuild after the challenges posed by the pandemic. The Queen praised the dancers and staff for maintaining artistic excellence and for keeping ballet accessible during difficult years. According to coverage from BBC News and the Evening Standard, Queen Camilla also spoke about the role of the ENB in inspiring younger generations to pursue dance and creative careers. Read more After Exiting ABT Misty Copeland Begins a New Chapter: From Prima Ballerina to Philanthropist and Producer After Exiting ABT Misty Copeland Begins a New Chapter: From Prima Ballerina to Philanthropist and Producer Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin thanked Queen Camilla for her support and described the anniversary season as a reflection of the company's past, present and future. The ENB's celebrations this year include special performances of classics like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, along with contemporary works that showcase the evolving identity of the company. Watkin emphasized that the organization is committed to balancing tradition with innovation, ensuring that ballet remains relevant to today's audiences. The reception also spotlighted ENB's community initiatives, including Dance for Parkinson's, workshops for children with special needs and training programs that nurture emerging talent. Several young dancers attending the reception said meeting the Queen and the ENB's veterans made them feel recognized and motivated. The Queen applauded these initiatives, noting that the arts should be accessible to people of all backgrounds. A highlight of the event was a small performance by ENB dancers inside the palace's ballroom. While not a full production, the short piece served as a symbolic tribute to the company's founders and to the countless performers who have contributed to its legacy. Those present described it as an intimate celebration of the art form and of the company's enduring spirit. In conversations with attendees, Queen Camilla emphasized the importance of supporting institutions that carry the UK's cultural heritage forward. She also thanked the ENB for representing British artistry on world stages, including recent tours across Europe, Asia and the United States. International critics have noted that the ENB continues to attract dancers from diverse backgrounds, further enriching its repertoire and identity. As the English National Ballet enters its next chapter, the organization is preparing new productions for 2026, expanding collaborations with global choreographers and strengthening its digital outreach to younger audiences. The anniversary reception at Buckingham Palace served as both a tribute to the past and a promise of continued artistic growth. Queen Camilla closed the evening by expressing confidence in the ENB's future and gratitude for the role the company plays in shaping the cultural narrative of the United Kingdom. The 75th anniversary celebration marked not only an institutional milestone but also a reminder of ballet's ability to bridge generations, inspire creativity and bring communities together. Drew Angerer / Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. JPMorgan Chase announced a sudden increase in investments in critical U.S. industries, such as energy and defense, noting the firm will increase its previous 10-year $1 trillion commitment by 50%, to $1.5 trillion. This initiative will begin with a $10 billion investment primarily into select American companies to help enhance growth, spur innovation and accelerate strategic manufacturing. Must Read It has become painfully clear that the United States has allowed itself to become too reliant on unreliable sources of critical minerals, products and manufacturing all of which are essential for our national security, Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JPMorganChase, said in a statement (1). Our security is predicated on the strength and resiliency of Americas economy. America needs more speed and investment. It also needs to remove obstacles that stand in the way: excessive regulations, bureaucratic delay, partisan gridlock and an education system not aligned to the skills we need. The four key industries the company plans to focus on include supply chain and advanced manufacturing, defense and aerospace, energy independence and resilience, and frontier and strategic technologies. Following the Trump administrations lead On Oct. 10, after Beijing announced extensive new export control rules on rare earth minerals and other technologies, the Trump administration retaliated with an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports. President Donald Trump also cancelled his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In October alone, the U.S. imported 5,473 metric tons of rare earth minerals from China, according to data from the General Administration of Customs (2). As a way to reduce U.S. dependence on China, the Trump administration has begun investing in these critical mineral industries, and the Pentagon plans to procure up to $1 billion worth of critical minerals as part of a global stockpiling spree, according to a Financial Times report (3). Chinas ability to turn off the supply of these critical minerals would have a direct, palpable and adverse effect on U.S. ability to field the kind of high-tech capabilities that were going to need for any kind of strategic competition or conflict, Stephanie Barna, a lawyer at Covington & Burling, told the Financial Times. PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 17:00:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 408 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 22, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Freeport-McMoran Inc. ("Freeport" or the "Company") (NYSE:FCX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Freeport and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On September 9, 2025, Freeport issued a press release announcing the suspension of mining activities at its Grasberg Block Cave operation in Indonesia, after "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint . . . blocked access to certain areas within the mine," trapping seven workers. The press release further stated that mining operations in the area "have been temporarily suspended to prioritize the safe evacuation of the . . . workers." On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $2.80 per share, or 5.99%, to close at $43.87 per share on September 9, 2025.Then, on September 24, 2025, Freeport provided an update on the incident, reporting that two of the seven workers were "fatally injured" and that the remaining five workers "remain missing." The press release further stated that mining operations in the area remained suspended.On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $7.69 per share, or 16.95%, to close at $37.67 per share on September 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 17:00:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 494 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 22, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Perrigo Company plc ("Perrigo" or the "Company") (NYSE:PRGO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Perrigo and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 16, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Perrigo securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On February 27, 2024, Perrigo reported fiscal year 2023 earnings, revealing significant acquisition and integration-related charges, including a purported one-time cash cost of an additional $35 million to $45 million for remediations to address production and facility issues in its infant formula business. The Company also disclosed a 50% decline in earnings per share compared to the prior year due to infant formula remediation actions.On this news, Perrigo's stock price fell $4.87 per share, or 15.14%, to close at $27.30 per share on February 27, 2024.Then, on May 7, 2024, Perrigo released earnings for the first quarter ended March 30, 2024, revealing the significant negative impact of Perrigo's costly actions to augment and strengthen its infant formula business.On this news, Perrigo's stock price fell $3.28 per share, or 9.8%, to close at $30.15 on May 7, 2024.Then, on August 6, 2025, Perrigo issued a press release announcing earnings for the second quarter ended June 28, 2025, revealing the Company's adjusted gross profit decreased $30 million, or 6.9%, due in part to "production variability in infant formula, leading to an increase in product scrap in the quarter." Finally, on November 5, 2025, Perrigo issued a press release, announcing the Company "is initiating a strategic review of its infant formula business" including a "a full range of alternatives." The press release revealed Perrigo is "reassessing the Company's previously announced investment in this business of $240 million." On this news, Perrigo's stock price fell $5.09 per share, or 25.2%, to close at $15.10 per share on November 5, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 17:00:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 550 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 22, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Primo Brands Corporation ("Primo Brands" or the "Company") (NYSE:PRMB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Primo Brands and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Primo Brands securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained atwww.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On June 17, 2024, Primo Water Corporation ("Primo Water") announced entry into a merger agreement (the "Merger") with an affiliate of BlueTriton Brands, Inc. ("BlueTriton"). The two companies touted the synergies of the Merger, stating that the combined company was expected to have "significant financial and operating leverage" and "enhanced distribution capabilities" which would position it "for sustained long-term growth." On November 8, 2024, the companies announced the completion of the Merger and the formation of the combined entity, Primo Brands.On August 7, 2025, Primo Brands announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. On an accompanying earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Robbert Rietbroek acknowledged that "[t]he speed by which we closed facilities and reduced headcount led to disruptions in product supply, delivery, and service." Following these disclosures, Primo Brands' stock price fell $2.41 per share, or 9.13%, to close at $24.00 per share on August 7, 2025.Then, on November 6, 2025, Primo Brands announced Rietbroek's departure as CEO and disclosed that the Company was drastically reducing its full year 2025 net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance. During a corresponding earnings call, Primo Brands' new CEO Eric Foss admitted that the Company "probably moved too far too fast on some of the various integration work streams" and that "[t]here's no doubt that speed impacted our ability to get through a lot of the warehouse closures and route realignment without disruption." Foss further revealed that Primo Brands had experienced "customer service issues" as well as "integration issues related to the technology move over." On this news, Primo Brands' stock price fell $8.20 per share, or 36.19%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $14.46 per share on November 7, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 00:00:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 592 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 21, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Molina Healthcare, Inc. ("Molina" or the "Company") (NYSE:MOH). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Molina and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 2, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Molina securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 7, 2025, Molina issued a press release announcing financial results for the second quarter of 2025 and slashing full year 2025 adjusted earnings per share guidance. The press release reported second quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of approximately $5.50 per share, which was "below . . . prior expectations" due to "medical cost pressures in all three lines of business." The Company also announced that it "expects these medical cost pressures to continue into the second half of the year" and cut guidance for expected adjusted earnings per share 10.2% at the midpoint, from "at least $24.50 per share" to a "range of $21.50 to $22.50 per share." The press release revealed Molina was experiencing a "short-term earnings pressure" from a "dislocation between premium rates and a medical cost trend which has recently accelerated." On this news, Molina's stock price fell $6.97 per share, or 2.9%, to close at $232.61 per share on July 7, 2025.Then, on July 23, 2025, Molina issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 and further slashing the Company's full-year 2025 earnings guidance. The press release revealed, in part, that the Company's "GAAP net income was $4.75 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2025, a decrease of 8% year over year;" and it "now expects its full year 2025 adjusted earnings to be no less than $19.00 per diluted share." This represented another 13.6% cut to guidance of earnings per share at the midpoint, from the cut to guidance announced less than two weeks earlier. Molina also cut its guidance for its full year 2025 GAAP net income 27% to $912 million. Molina attributed its results a full year outlook to a "challenging medical cost trend environment," including mere "utilization of behavioral health, pharmacy, and inpatient and outpatient services." The Company claimed that its guidance cut also reflected "new information gained in the quarterly closing process." On this news, Molina's stock price fell $32.03 per share, or 16.84%, to close at $158.22 per share on July 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-11-22 00:00:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 357 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / November 21, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against WPP Plc ("WPP" or the "Company") (NYSE:WPP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether WPP and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until December 8, 2025, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired WPP securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On July 9, 2025, WPP published a trading update for the first half of 2025, advising investors that the Company had "seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed." The Company attributed its misfortune to both "continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated," at least in part due to "some distraction to the business" as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media.On this news, WPP's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $6.48 per ADR, or 18.09%, to close at $29.34 per ADR on July 9, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP TikTok has disclosed that it banned 49,512 LIVE sessions in Nigeria between April and June 2025, as part of intensified efforts to curb harmful behaviour and strengthen real-time safety on the platform. The figures were released at the companys West Africa Safety Summit, held recently in Dakar, Senegal. The summit, organised in partnership with AfricTivistes, brought together government officials, policy experts, regulators, NGOs, media and industry leaders from across West Africa including Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Cote dIvoire, Burkina Faso, Chad and Ethiopia. The gathering aimed to deepen cooperation on online safety, strengthen content moderation systems and align regional approaches to digital security. TikTok, in a statement, stated that the enforcement actions in Nigeria are part of a broader global initiative aimed at ensuring a safer user experience. The company revealed that in the same quarter, it took action on 2,321,813 live sessions and 1,040,356 live creators worldwide for violating its live monetisation guidelines. Warnings, it noted, are often issued to educate creators whose content may be in breach of policies before stricter measures are applied. Moderation at Scale Beyond LIVE enforcement, TikTok shared new global content moderation data showing the extent of its automated and human review systems. The platform removed 189 million videos worldwide in the quarter under review, representing just 0.7 per cent of all uploaded content. Of these, more than 163.9 million were taken down through AI-driven moderation systems. TikTok noted that its moderation pipeline is increasingly proactive: 99.1 per cent of violative content was detected before users reported it, and 94.4 per cent was removed within 24 hours. Tiktok also removed 76,991,660 fake accounts during the quarter, alongside 25,904,708 accounts suspected to belong to users under the age of 13. More details In its Quarter 2 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report (CGER), TikTok revealed that 3,780,426 videos were removed from Nigeria alone between April and June. According to the report, 98.7 per cent of these were taken down before they were viewed, while 91.9 per cent were removed within 24 hours of being posted. TikTok stated that the Nigerian data reflects its ongoing investment in proactive detection and policy enforcement in the country. Dakar Summit Delivering remarks at the summit, TikToks Outreach and Partnerships Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Duduzile Mkhize, emphasised the importance of collaboration with local stakeholders in strengthening digital safety in the region. While global, we remain hyper-local in our everyday efforts, she said. The dialogue at this Summit is invaluable because only through insights sharing and collaboration with policymakers and local partners across West Africa can we prevent a fragmented and insecure digital environment. She added that united action is necessary to guarantee a safe space for users to discover, create, and connect responsibly. Countering Extremism and Harmful Content One of TikToks key regional partners, Akinola Olojo of Nigeria an expert on preventing and countering violent extremism and a member of TikToks Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council emphasised the importance of coordinated interventions. As a member of the TikTok Safety Advisory Council, I believe the convening of various stakeholders in Dakar proves that the work we do alongside TikTok is not in vain, he said. In todays interconnected world, we must move beyond reactive measures and continue to build proactive systems that empower communities, especially in Africa, to resist radicalisation and leverage online spaces for positive social impact. TikTok described the Dakar summit as a significant step in building a unified West African online safety framework. It stated that the conversations held spanning content moderation, youth protection, misinformation, extremist content, and policy harmonisation form part of the platforms broader #SaferTogether initiative. A new accountability report has shown that an estimated 1.5 million people in key populations could lose access to lifesaving prevention and support services as the countrys HIV response enters a dangerous phase following the US governments funding freeze. The report, developed and launched by Education as a Vaccine (EVA) on Friday at the GovernmentCSO Dialogue on HIV Transition and Sustainability in Abuja, paints a picture of declining prevention indicators, widespread service disruption and systemic weaknesses across the country. The report presented by Phillip Idoko, Senior Programme Officer at EVA, shows that before the freeze, 87 per cent of Nigerias HIV budget depended on US government support. Now, with a significant portion of that funding halted, service gaps have widened across states with a warning that without urgent action, Nigeria risks a new AIDS emergency. US aid suspension The US attempt at a cost-cutting initiative earlier in the year led to the temporary suspension of foreign aid and disrupted key global health programmes such as the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR is a federal programme that provides funding for HIV treatment in Nigeria and many other developing countries. Funding provided by the initiative supports everything from antiretroviral drug provision to testing, counselling, and health worker training. The implementation of the US funding cuts drastically affected HIV care in Nigeria. It disrupted drug supply chains, delayed routine services, and created uncertainty among healthcare workers and patients who rely heavily on PEPFAR-supported programmes for consistent treatment and support. Although PEPFAR was issued a limited waiver, which allowed it to carry out some services, the situation has been fluid since the suspension of aid. Over the years, PEPFAR has contributed over $6 billion to support Nigerias national HIV/AIDS response. Multiple service points shut down nationwide According to the report, more than 80 one stop shops that provided specialised, community friendly HIV services have been disrupted across the country. These centres previously served key populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, young people and other marginalised groups. Mr Idoko said the shutdown of these safe spaces has fractured long standing relationships between providers and communities. Community based providers of services have been withdrawn from many locations, shattering long used relationships, he said. Prevention gains reverse as PrEP use crashes According to the report, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) use has fallen from 43,000 users in November 2024 to fewer than 6,000 by April 2025. Mr Idoko said this demonstrates a clear reversal of prevention gains. He added that restrictions introduced during the funding freeze excluded most key populations from PrEP access in 33 states. Preventive services for adolescents and young people have also been halted, including youth support systems like Operation Triple Zero and access to condoms and lubricants. Speaking on the funding freeze, Ezinne Oke-Uchendu, Deputy Director and co lead for HIV prevention at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), said the US stop work order disrupted interventions across community levels. Ms Oke-uchendu noted that the dialogue provided an opportunity to review the disruptions and validate evidence from CSO assessments A lot of our partners were affected and work at different community levels was also affected, she said. She added that CSOs are expected to align with national guidelines, including the newly finalised National Prevention Plan and population specific guidelines for key populations and general populations. ALSO READ: Ihedioha to sanction Imo health workers charging fees for HIV services She also said recommendations from the CSO report, including a push to reduce the age of consent for HIV testing, had already started yielding policy changes. One of the recommendations was to reduce the age of consent. While we were in this meeting, we got information that that has been approved, she said. Need for training, integration and social contracting Mr Idoko said dwindling donor funding means services must be fully integrated into public facilities and requires training general health workers to provide stigma free services to key populations. Services need to be integrated. Government needs to work more with healthcare providers in generalised facilities to provide specialised services to key populations, he said. He also called for the absorption of trained community service providers into the public health system and stronger protection for people facing discrimination. Speaking on increase in government commitment, he said civil society remains central to accountability and must continue to pressure government for timely funding releases and policy reforms. Our call to action is for prevention not to be thrown under the carpet. Government needs to step up, fund prevention programmes, HIV testing services and ensure people have access to new prevention commodities. Mr Idoko added that treatment commitments are important but cannot replace comprehensive prevention. On 20 October 2024, the police attacked a memorial gathering at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, held to honour victims of the shooting during the #EndSARS protest at the same location exactly four years earlier. In July this year, the Federal High Court in Lagos awarded N10 million in damages against the police for violating the rights of the participants by firing live ammunition and tear gas at them. Just two months after the judgment, the police again used forcethis time against supporters of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan at the National Assembly gate in Abuja. The crowd had arrived with Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan in fanfare, celebrating her return to the Senate after a six-month suspension. But they fled in chaos and anguish as the polices tear gas canisters rained down. Less than a month after the National Assembly gate scenario, the police, on Monday, 20 October, dispersed #FreeNnamdiKanu protesters with tear gas at different locations in Abuja, despite the protests being peaceful. From Lagos to Abuja and to other major Nigerian cities, firing tear gas and live ammunition at crowds, particularly peaceful protesters, is commonplace. And it is hardly a surprise in a country where the police are associated with extrajudicial killings, causing serious injuries, illegal detention of innocent citizens, extortion, and enforced disappearance. In the face of these serious transgressions, the routine use of tear gas to break up protests is often overlooked. However, the regular breach reflects an entrenched culture of disregard for rules of engagement, democratic norms, citizens rights, and health, as well as a lack of accountability within the Nigerian police. Citizens should be worried when such protests are being discouraged or sought to be totally stopped through the police use of teargas and other injurious substances on protesters, said Vincent Adodo, a lawyer. According to him, protest is not only a fundamental right of citizens but also plays an important role in situations where other avenues, such as the courts, are ineffective. Not every decision that impacts negatively on the public can be challenged through the courts, given several legal impediments such as locus standi and the relatively long time it takes to decide matters in court, the lawyer said. Thus, it is not expected of the police to use tear gas canisters or other objects to scare away or intimidate protesters, as such conduct directly negates its statutory duty to provide security cover to protesters under section 83 (4) of the Nigeria Police Force (Establishment Act) 2020. Tear gas, a stealth threat Tear gas is a form of chemical irritant used by law enforcement agents to produce sensory irritation and pain in its targets. It is part of crowd-control weapons (CCWs) used in many countries. Its peers in the group include kinetic impact projectiles such as rubber bullets, water cannons, disorientation devices, acoustic weapons, and blunt force weapons. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR), a not-for-profit organisation that investigates and campaigns against serious human rights abuses using medical and scientific expertise, explains that chemical irritants are generally seen as non-lethal and unlikely to cause lasting harm. Typically, these substances lead to effects like temporary tearing, eye irritation and pain, eyelid spasms, skin discomfort, breathing difficulties, and feelings of confusion or distress. This perception is now being challenged, with more evidence of associated moderate and permanent injuries as well as deaths, an extensive report of investigations carried out by PHR and its partners said. The report, Lethal in Disguise, released in March 2023, details severe harms to health and human rights resulting from protest abuses by law enforcement globally. Noting that protests have surged across the globe in recent years over citizens discontent and demand for better deals from governments, the report put the number of those injured by chemical irritants during such demonstrations between 2015 and March 2023 at over 119,000. Nigerias contribution to the figure is unknown, as there has been no comprehensive study on the use of chemical irritants against crowds in the country that focuses specifically on Nigeria. But there is no doubt that the practice is pervasive in Nigeria. The firing of tear gas at a peaceful protest has become so commonplace now that it looks like a ready-made forceful action that the police can take, for which they think they know that there is no clear legislation that condemns it, said Hassan Soweto, an activist who was one of those victimised at the October 2024 #EndSARS memorial at Lekki Toll Gate. Doctors warned in the wake of the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest against the dangers of indiscriminate use of tear gas for protesters with underlying ailments. During the #EndBadGovernance protest, which lasted 10 days, citizens in many states took to the streets to protest against poor governance and the high costs of living attributed to President Bola Tinubus economic policies. The protest turned violent in Kano, where public and private properties were looted and destroyed, and the police were called in to quell the violence. Some youths in Kaduna also waved Russian flags and chanted slogans demanding the removal of President Bola Tinubu. Generally, police treated peaceful protesters and the violent ones alike. During the demonstration in Abuja, the police attacked peaceful protesters, firing tear gas at them around Eagle Square. The State Security Services (SSS) and the police shot rounds of live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and journalists covering the protest. Pellets of the bullets pockmarked the windscreen of one Sienna vehicle, while three bullets pierced the boot of a car conveying journalists deployed to cover the protests at Moshood Abiola Stadium. A female protester, overwhelmed by the tear gas, collapsed on the ground of the stadium. At another time during the days-long protest, the police fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse some young protesters in the Galadimawa area of Abuja. The conduct of the police, like the criminals who hid under the cover of the protest to commit crimes, ran counter to the elaborate advisory issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) ahead of the #EndBadGovernance demonstration. The NHRC repeatedly cautioned security operatives against human rights abuses, emphasising the right to the freedom of association and assembly, adding that Law enforcement agencies must respect citizens rights while maintaining public order without infringing upon constitutional freedoms. Similarly, civil society organisations such as Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the reckless use of tear gas to disperse protesters. These incidents continued a history of use of excessive force and unprofessional practices within the Nigerian police. In October 2020, widespread public frustration culminated in the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality, prompting both federal and state governments to establish panels of inquiry to address and provide justice for victims of police misconduct over the years. In November 2021, the report of the panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government confirmed that security agencies, including the police, opened fire on a peaceful assembly during the #EndSARS protest, killing at least nine of the protesters. In 2022, NHRCs panel of inquiry set up in the aftermath of the 2020 #EndSARS protests confirmed many instances of crude and excessive use of force in police operations. Catalogue of violations Neglect of rights, laws, and rules of engagement Local and international bodies, rights advocates and lawyers frame the abusive use of tear gas against protesters as an act of cruelty and a direct attack on freedom of expression and assembly. Spraying tear gas at peaceful protesters, bystanders, or so is a way of exposing them to cruel, inhumane, degrading treatment, Comfort Kariko, a lawyer and team lead of Amplify It Initiative, told PREMIUM TIMES. According to Ms Kariko, such an indiscriminate use of tear gas contravenes Section 40 of the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. The police do not have the liberty to disrupt a peaceful assembly except if it gets violent, she said, as she also pointed to the Police Force Order that mandates the use of lethal force as a measure of last resort. Mr Adodo also cited judicial precedents that have established citizens rights to protest. One such binding decision was delivered in the case of ANPP v. IGP (2003), where the Federal High Court in Abuja struck down provisions of the Public Order Act requiring citizens to obtain police permits before protesting. In recognition of this right, the National Assembly in Abuja has an arcade where protesters and members of the public can assemble from time to time and express their views on the activities of the legislative body, emulating a thriving culture in advanced democracies worldwide. However, on 23 September, the police officers attached to the complex flouted this principle. They did not spare a crowd of supporters who merely accompanied Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan to the National Assembly on her resumption from suspension. The event also highlighted how police can fail in a seemingly minor aspect: crowd control. The senators supporters, comprising middle-aged women and young men from her constituency and human rights activists, followed by drummers and a vehicle with loudspeakers mounted on its roof, marched with her to the National Assembly from the FCT High Court in Maitama, where she had appeared for a criminal defamation case. Some held placards with the inscription WOMENS RIGHTS MUST BE PROTECTED. Others waved the Nigerian flags, while others sang and danced to the rhythm of the beats. The supporters roared with joy as they walked through the first gate of the National Assembly. A few supporters were allowed to proceed through the second gate. Then, a commotion ensued as law enforcement officers attempted to shut the gate abruptly. A woman stumbled and fell, and an officer assisted her to her feet. As this transpired, police officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. The resulting panic saw the supporters and journalists who were there to cover the senators resumption flee from the area. A reporter ducked, taking cover, and lamented her lack of an inhaler that she regularly used for a condition. In June this year, police fired tear gas to dispersed the residents of Benue State protesting the insecurity in the state, which claimed the lives of more than 100 people in Yelwata town. Acts of indiscriminate use of tear gas by Nigerian police, like these, violate international standards and highlight deficiencies in their approach to managing public assemblies. In 2017, worried that the right to peaceful assembly is being severely tested by the attitude of law enforcement officials during demonstrations in African capitals, the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) issued the guidelines for policing assemblies on the continent, emphasising citizens rights to peaceful assembly and the need for protesters to respect other citizens rights. The document states that the use of force is an exceptional measure, prescribing non-violent methods before resorting to the use of force and firearms. Force and firearms may only be used if other means of achieving a legitimate law enforcement objective are ineffective or unlikely to be successful. Law enforcement officials must, as far and for as long as possible, differentiate between peaceful assembly participants and those who engage in violent acts, the guidelines stated. More hazards for protesters But contrary to domestic and international standards, peaceful protesters across Nigerian cities continue to suffer the use of force at the hands of the police. For many victims, the effect extends beyond fleeting moments of discomfort and irritation. Typically, in a crowd, you do not know the health conditions of people. There are people in that crowd who are asthmatic, who may have chronic lung disease, Kutyyi Ango, a public health expert and pro-democracy campaigner, told PREMIUM TIES. Ms Ango added, The effect of tear gas on those people is worse because it can trigger an asthmatic attack. And if that asthmatic attack is not well handled, say in situations where a person does not have their inhaler with them, it can just spiral to something really drastic. She described some of the effects as chest tightness, difficulty breathing, itchiness in the eyes, blurry vision, discomfort, and skin redness or rashes from direct contact. Other neurological effects include headache, dizziness, and anxiety, which could lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It could also lead to fainting. In the worst situations, it could lead to death, Ms Ango explained. During the #FreeNnamdiKanu Now protest, a woman named Sulifa narrated how a man sustained a forehead injury as a result of the commotion that ensued when police indiscriminately fired tear gas at a popular building material plaza in Jabi, Abuja. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed on a live television programme in the wake of the demonstration the use of tear gas against the protesters, but cast it as merely using minimum force to enforce a valid court order barring protests from certain locations. The protesters insisted that they had not been served the court order. But also, Jabi, where bystanders suffered physical injury and economic losses due to the polices indiscriminate use of tear gas, was not part of the restricted places listed in the widely reported court order. Mr Hundeyin did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES request for his comments on the issues of legal violations, as well as rights abuses and health hazards that the indiscriminate use of tear gas by the police constituted to protesters and bystanders. The spokesperson for the police command in Abuja, Josephine Adeh, promised to send a written response to the same inquiries after our reporter honoured her invitation to her office. However, she has yet to send a response, despite repeated reminders via phone calls and text messages. Misconceptions and way to go A civil society organisation, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), pointed out in a publication that the hostile attitude of the police towards protesters is rooted in misconceptions that such gatherings constitute disruptions or threats to national security. Mr Soweto advised that law enforcement officers must recognise that protest is a manifestation of the right to freedom of assembly, which is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. He also emphasised the importance of dialogue with organisers of protest, which should not be centred on the restriction of their movement, echoing a key provision of the ACHPRs policing assemblies guidelines on communication and engagement with protesters. For him, attacking protesters sustains a cycle of distrust and hostility. When the police come to that kind of protest and they discharge weapons on people, they are doing more harm than good for the government they claim they have come to defend. Because by doing that, they are actually demonstrating to the people that peaceful protest does not work, Mr Soweto said. Similarly, Mr Soweto called for increased advocacy by civic groups, NGOs, unions, to get the National Assembly to pass clear legislation that can further regulate the police and security agencies when it comes to the use of tear gas. This lack of clarity demonstrates how the Nigerian police have, on several occasions, embraced tear gas as a crowd control measure, despite the police directive mandating that sufficient warning is given to disperse assemblies only when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury, and less extreme measures are insufficient. The Lethal in Disguise report maintained that Respect for freedom of expression and assembly is one of the key indicators of a governments respect for human rights, and a pillar of modern democracy. In the democratic system, governments are responsible for facilitating protests and ensuring that demonstrators can safely enjoy this fundamental right. Amidst the insecurity in many parts of Nigeria, Katsina State, in the north-western part of the country, has announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state, becoming the second state in the country to do so. The directive was announced in a Friday statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, Sani Danjuma. Mr Danjuma said the precautionary measure was in line with the Katsina governments commitment to safeguard the lives of students, teachers and school personnel, as well as strengthening existing security mechanisms already in place. The directive, issued by the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Yusuf Suleiman-Jibiya, applies to all public, private and community schools operating within the state, he wrote. The ministry acknowledges the inconvenience this may cause to parents, guardians and school managers as well as the students, he wrote. The spokesperson explained that the education ministry would continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with relevant authorities and would communicate further directives as necessary. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Katsina joins Plateau, a north-central state, which earlier on Friday also announced the closure of all its primary and junior secondary schools for security reasons. All Government Junior Model Secondary Schools will close effective Saturday, November 22, while all Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, November 24, the Plateau government said. Also on Friday, the Nigerian government announced the closure of 47 of its federal secondary schools, known as Unity Schools. The school closures occur amidst the rising attacks in the country by armed persons on schools, religious houses and security officials. Most of the attacks have occurred in the northern part of the country, which houses 19 of the 36 states in Nigeria. On Monday, armed men invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu area of Kebbi State, north-west Nigeria, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the schools vice principal. On Friday, gunmen stormed St. Marys School, a Catholic mission school in Agwara, Niger State, north-central Nigeria, and abducted dozens of pupils and staff. Local officials said up to 52 children might have been kidnapped. On Tuesday, gunmen attacked a church in Eruku, Kwara State, north-central Nigeria, killing at least two worshippers and abducting several others. Terrorists in the north-eastern Borno State also recently ambushed a military team and killed a brigadier-general and four security officials. Several armed groups with different motives operate in the country. The worsening security situation informed the decision of President Bola Tinubu to cancel his trip to South Africa to attend the G2O summit. The presidency said on Friday that Mr Tinubu had to cancel his departure and delegated Mr Shettima to represent him, as he remains in Nigeria to receive security briefings following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Bulus Yohanna, has said that over 200 students and teachers were kidnapped when gunmen attacked a Catholic school in the state. Mr Yohanna, who said he has visited the school, stated this in a statement late Friday. From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists, Mr Yohanna said in a statement quoted by Reuters. PREMIUM TIMES reported the Friday morning attack on St Marys Catholic Secondary School in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, with locals saying over 50 students were kidnapped. The police confirmed the attack but have not announced the number of people kidnapped. The police spokesperson in Niger, Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement that armed men attacked the school around 2 a.m. on Friday. Some armed bandits invaded St Marys Private Catholic Secondary School and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the schools hostel, he said. Teams have moved to the scene and are combing the forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students. The attack on the Niger school occurred a few days after armed persons kidnapped 24 students from a secondary school in neighbouring Kebbi State. The vice principal of the Kebbi school was killed in that attack. The Friday attack in Niger also occurred two days after gunmen attacked a church in neighbouring Kwara State, kidnapping many worshippers. There are no indications yet that the three attacks were carried out by the same group. Such attacks are common in many parts of Nigeria where various armed groups with different motives operate. The attacks have, however, increased in recent weeks. The worsening security situation informed the decision of President Bola Tinubu to cancel his trip to South Africa to attend the G2O summit. The presidency said on Friday that Mr Tinubu had to cancel his departure and delegated Mr Shettima to represent him, as he remains in Nigeria to receive security briefings following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. The attacks have already led to the closure of hundreds of schools in Nigeria due to security concerns. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the federal government on Friday announced the closure of 47 federal secondary schools, called unity schools. In Katsina, the state government announced the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state while the Plateau State Government announced the closure of all primary and junior secondary schools in the state. When Jim, 62, walked away from his aerospace engineering career last month, he didn't exactly feel like he was walking into freedom. He'd spent decades savingmeticulously tracking every contribution, every market wobble, every penny of employer matchbut now that he's finally retired, he's staring down a new kind of stress: which account does he pull from first? Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.86/Share Have $100k+ to invest? Charlie Munger says that's the toughest milestone don't stall now. Get matched with a fiduciary advisor and keep building Jim and his wife, Carla, 60, live in suburban Colorado. Carla works part-time at a local library, bringing in about $18,000 a year, which helps cover health insurance for now. They raised two kids, both grown, and their four-bedroom home is fully paid off. No pensions, no rental income, just a carefully built nest egg worth $980,000 split across three buckets: $570,000 in a traditional 401(k) $220,000 in a Roth IRA $190,000 in a taxable brokerage account They also have $38,000 in a high-yield savings account for emergencies. Their monthly expenses hover around $4,200. Jim is planning to delay Social Security until age 67 to lock in a higher benefit, but until then, the couple has to rely on what they've saved. The problem: withdrawing from the wrong account too earlyor in the wrong ordercould lead to thousands in unnecessary taxes over time. Jim knows that once he turns 73, required minimum distributions, or RMDs, will force him to pull from his tax-deferred 401(k) whether he wants to or not. That worries him, especially if it pushes him into a higher tax bracket later. Carla, who took time off to raise their children and only began contributing to a Roth in her 50s, doesn't have much in retirement savings herself. Jim always figured his plan would be enough for both of them. The Classic Debate: Taxable, Then Tax-Deferred? Financial planners often promote the "classic" withdrawal order: Taxable brokerage accounts Tax-deferred accounts like traditional 401(k)s or IRAs Tax-free Roth accounts last, to let them grow as long as possible The idea is to tap into funds with the lowest tax consequence first, preserving the tax-advantaged growth of the others. But that assumes you're not planning Roth conversions or trying to qualify for health insurance subsidies. Jim's in a gray zone. With no Social Security yet and a low current income, his effective tax rate is unusually low. That's where the Roth conversion crowd chimes in. Suspected members of Boko Haram insurgents have killed eight people during an attack in Warabe, a village in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Seven of those killed were members of the civilian joint task force fighting the insurgents alongside the Nigerian military. They were in the bush hewing firewood when the terrorists struck them. The insurgents also abducted three local hunters from the community and stole their weapons. A Humangle report stated that the insurgents attacked the village on motorcycle while others advanced on foot, armed with machine guns and overpowering the local securities. During the fierce exchange of gunfire, the terrorists used the phones of the slain hunters to call for reinforcements. Three hunters were reportedly still missing and were feared to have been abducted by insurgents. Warabe has no permanent military base, leaving the CJTF as the communitys primary line of defence. The nearest military formation is in Pulka, about seven kilometres away, while Gwoza town lies roughly 15 kilometres from the villagedistances residents say greatly slow response to such attacks. The ambush has thrown Warabe into mourning, with families preparing to bury their loved ones as security forces launch a search operation for the missing and the attackers. Local security challenges are further complicated by Warabes geography. The Mandara Mountains, which stretch across Gwoza into Cameroon, provide Boko Haram fighters with natural hideouts and rugged footpaths for movement. These mountain corridors allow militants to strike quickly, retreat into difficult terrain, and evade security forcesmaking repeated raids on remote communities possible even after nearly a decade of conflict. The report said security agencies commenced investigation on the attack but official statement was still being awaited at the time of the press. Nigeria is confronting a surge in deadly violence, with fresh attacks unfolding almost daily. Just days ago, multiple soldiers, Civilian Joint Task Force personnel, and even a Brigadier-General were killed in separate terrorist incidents. The insecurity spread further on Monday when bandits invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Kebbi State, killing a staff member and abducting 25 students. READ ALSO: Court jails Boko Haram leader linked to Kano killings 20 years Barely 48 hours later, gunmen struck againthis time targeting a church in Kwara State, where they killed worshippers and kidnapped about 30 congregants. Amid the escalating crisis, the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said President Bola Tinubu has directed all security agencies to move to the highest alert level, as the government attempts to rein in the growing wave of attacks nationwide. Nigerias Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says security agencies have killed more than 13,000 terrorists and arrested over 17,000 others since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. Mr Idris disclosed the figures on Friday during an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today, while responding to concerns raised by United States lawmakers over Nigerias human rights and security records. The comments followed a hearing by the US House Subcommittee on Africa, which queried Nigerias redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern amid allegations of widespread attacks on Christian communities. At the hearing, Rep. Bill Huizenga accused the Nigerian government of failing to confront what he described as persistent and targeted killings. But the minister rejected suggestions that the government was downplaying the crisis, insisting that security forces have recorded significant progress in ongoing counter-terrorism operations. Sometimes we forget some of the successes recorded in the fight against bandits, criminals and jihadists, he said. From May 2023 to date, over 13,500 of these criminals have been neutralised. Over 17,000 have been apprehended, many of whom have already been prosecuted and sentenced. Mr Idris said President Tinubu remains deeply saddened by the killings across the country, stressing that no Nigerian should lose their life on account of faith or location. We dont need a situation where anybody is killed, whether Christian or Muslim. Its not good for our country, he said. READ ALSO: Boko Haram terrorists kill eight in fresh Borno attack The minister, however, dismissed claims of religious genocide, arguing that violence affects both Christian and Muslim communities. Are people being killed? Yes. Is it a good thing? No. Is the government doing something about it? Quite a lot, he said. But there is no religious genocide in Nigeria. Christians are being killed in some parts, just as Muslims are being killed. It is a sad reality, but that characterisation is not correct. The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has faulted the conviction of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for terrorism. In a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, Mr Obi said the conviction of the IPOB leader could worsen insecurity in the South-east. The news of Mazi Nnamdi Kanus conviction should compel every well-meaning Nigerian to pause and reflect. This is coming at a time when our beloved nation is facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance, Mr Obi wrote. Rather than reducing tension, this unfortunate development may well only aggravate it. The LP candidate, a former governor of Anambra State, argued that Mr Kanu ought not to have been arrested, stressing that his arrest, detention and subsequent conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake. He said he has maintained that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace, adding that coercion would have been necessary only when reason had been exhausted. In this case, I submit that the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored, he argued. The former governor continued: The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity. What Nigerian govt should have done Mr Obi argued that rather than prosecute Mr Kanu, the Nigerian government, should have resorted to political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty to settle the matter. The former governor stressed that such approaches are often explored when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability. The governments approach has only deepened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed by harsh economic realities and insecurity, he said of the governments approach to Mr Kanus matter and conviction. He emphasised that the handling of Mr Kanus case mirrors the government as a man trapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper. It worsens not only the governments predicament but also the nations collective condition, he said. Use dialogue, rise up to lasting solution Mr Obi urged Nigerian leaders to choose dialogue and reconciliation rather than hostility or retaliation by addressing grievances with justice and fairness. My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the decision of the court, is for us to be optimistic for peace and reconciliation which will come in the end. I am also saying, thereby, that the Presidency, the Council of State and credible statesmen who love this country and who are interested in cohesion and inclusivity, should rise to the occasion, for a lasting solution, he said. Life imprisonment On Thursday, Mr Kanu was convicted at Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty on all the seven counts filed against him by the Nigerian government. The trial Judge, James Omotosho, consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment for terrorism and ordered that he be prevented from having access to mobile devices and broadcast equipment except under the watch of security operatives. His former special counsel Aloy Ejimakor has indicated that the IPOB leader would appeal the judgement. Mr Ejimakor, on Friday, announced that the convict had been moved from the SSS facility to a prison facility in Sokoto State. Favour Dozie, the SSS spokesperson, did not respond to enquiries from PREMIUM TIMES seeking her comments for the story. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders Summit. The vice president, who arrived on Friday evening, is scheduled to engage foreign leaders and development partners on issues relating to the economy, security, climate change, among others. He was received at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Johannesburg by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Charge dAffaires, Alexander Ajayi; Consul General, Umar Bashir; Defence Adviser, Ibrahim Gwaska; Chief Director, West Africa Directorate, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Nyameko Goso; and the South African Minister of Small Business Development, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, among other government officials. President Tinubu was earlier scheduled to be in South Africa on Wednesday, 19 November, following an invitation from his counterpart and current President of the G20, South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa. However, President Tinubu had to cancel his departure and delegated Mr Shettima to represent him, as he remains in Nigeria to receive security briefings following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. The meeting, scheduled to hold from 22 to 23 November at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, will feature leaders from the worlds top 20 economies, as well as representatives from the European Union, the African Union, and key financial institutions. Themed Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability, the two-day summit will afford participants, including Vice President Shettima, the opportunity to deliberate extensively on issues concerning the economy, financing for development and debt burden, climate change, and equitable food systems during three panel sessions. Additionally, the vice president is expected to hold bilateral meetings during the summit in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda and to discuss regional and international peace, security, and development. The vice president will return to Nigeria at the end of the engagements. Stanley Nkwocha Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President) 21st November, 2025 The(APC) in Kano State has warned the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development,, over alleged unguarded comments on party affairs. In a letter signed by the Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, and released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, the party voiced its concerns. It said recent media remarks credited to Mr Ata on internal matters and aspirants could mislead members and encourage disunity across the state chapter. The party noted that only authorised spokespersons may address such issues, adding that Mr Ata holds no communications role within the APC. It acknowledged his right to support any aspirant but reminded him that his cabinet position requires him to strengthen unity within the party. The letter accused Mr Ata of making repeated uncomplimentary and derogatory remarks and warned that continued conduct of this nature could lead to sanctions. (NAN) Musician Uche Ibeto, also known as the The Jigida Queen, has accused two lawyers and a senior police officer of orchestrating her unlawful eviction from her late mothers Surulere, Lagos, home on 15 August. She alleged the eviction followed a Lagos State High Court judgement obtained without her knowledge or that of her tenants. In a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, Jigida Queen said the judgement, delivered on 10 July by Judge Adewumi-Oshin in suit number LD/9481GCM/2025, granted ownership of her mothers one-storey building at 36 Ibezim Obiajulu Street, off Masha Road, Surulele, Lagos, to Cecil Osakwe, who claimed to have purchased it from her sisters, the estate administrators. Neither I, nor our tenants, were joined as parties to the suit, nor were we served with any court processes, she said. She further alleged that Victor Giwa, one of the lawyers representing Mr Osakwe, led police officers, court sheriffs, and hired thugs to seize her personal belongings, studio equipment, musical works, and cash she estimated at over N500 million. The 70-year-old entertainer also accused Mr Giwa of submitting forged documents, including a falsified contract of sale referencing a certificate of occupancy for unrelated land in Idimu, Lagos. She added that her sister, Ifeoma Ilodibe, one of the estate administrators, denied knowledge of the alleged sale. She described the eviction as inhumane and accused her eldest sister, Laura Okoh, another administrator of the estate, and her son, Ifeanyin Okoh, of collaborating with the lawyers to remove her. Alleged police interference Jigida Queens legal representatives, S.O. Onwubualili & Co., wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission (PSC) on 22 September, alleging unlawful interference in the Zone 2 Police Commands investigation of the matter. The letter, shared with PREMIUM TIMES, accused a serving Deputy Inspector General of Police, Benjamin Okolo, of obstructing justice and allegedly aiding the accused parties by stalling the investigation. According to the letter, the property in question was not included in the letters of administration granted to Jigida Queens siblings, which the lawyers said covered only their late mothers personal estate. They also maintained that neither Jigida Queen nor her tenants were served with court processes or joined in the suit, raising concerns about alleged violations of due process. The petition to the police authorities alleged conspiracy, malicious damage to property, forgery, impersonation, large-scale fraud, land grabbing, and threats to the lives of Jigida and her tenants. The legal team called for urgent intervention by the IGP to protect their clients rights and safety. Petition to the judiciary Jigida Queen also petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), alleging conspiracy, abuse of judicial power, and land grabbing through a judgement she claims was obtained fraudulently. Her petition questioned how a suit seeking possession and ownership of a property could be filed, heard, concluded, and judgement delivered in less than one month. Her lawyers said they filed a motion on 22 September asking the High Court to set aside its 10 July judgement on the grounds of alleged fraud, misrepresentation, and suppression of facts. The motion was slated for hearing on 4 November. However, according to her legal team, the judge informed them on the date of the hearing that the case had been transmitted to the Court of Appeal. In the petition to the CJN and the National Judicial Council (NJC), dated 4 November and received on 11 November, Jigida Queen requested that the Court of Appeal return the case file to the Lagos High Court so her application to set aside the judgement could be heard by a different judge. The petition also called for an investigation into the speed at which the suit was concluded and the judgement executed, as well as the alleged failure to serve court processes. Copies of the petition were sent to the Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Executive Secretary of the NJC. I have no place to stay Since the eviction, Ms Ibeto (Jigida Queen) said that she has been displaced. She said she faces health challenges, and that her tenants properties remain sealed. She welcomed the ongoing prosecutions of Messrs Giwa and Osakwe at the High Court of the FCT, where they face charges including forgery, unlawful eviction and malicious damage to property belonging to Abuja businesswoman Asabe Waziri. The case is not related to the Surulere property dispute. She also accused Mr Giwa of attempting to influence public opinion through campaigns of calumny and urged him to face trial. Reports have shown Mr Giwa is currently facing criminal charges for forgery and impersonation. Mr Giwa and co-defendant Ibitade Bukola were accused of forging a letter on the letterhead of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa U. Kalu, dated 28 June 2024, addressed to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), purportedly calling for Mr Giwas arraignment in a separate criminal case. At their arraignment on 8 October, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Mr Giwa has also said the letter in issue was issued within a legitimate legal relationship, while Mr Kalu, whose name was allegedly used in the forgery, has denied ever filing a complaint with the police. Lawyer speaks on purchase of property Mr Giwa denied wrongdoing regarding the Surulere property. Speaking via a WhatsApp call with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, Mr Giwa said his client, Mr Osakwe, purchased the property from Mr Okoh, a son of Mrs Okoh, one of the estate administrators. My client bought it from the grandson of the late Mrs Ibeto (deceased mother) who lives in London. Before her death, and in the absence of a will, she instructed him to sell the house so the proceeds could be shared among the family. She had three biological daughters and two adopted sons, Mr Giwa said. According to him, Mrs Okoh, the eldest among the siblings, acted within her legal authority as head of the family. He said she had the backing of at least one sibling. The second one, Ifeoma, also wrote a letter authorising the firstborn to deal with the property as she wishes. The first child can sell the property even without the other children. In law, only the first child can sell, he claimed, adding that a buyer may still challenge such a sale in court. He accused Jigida Queen of taking possession of the property documents after their mother died. Responding to allegations that some estate administrators were excluded, he said the law required only the head of the familyor one estate administratorto represent the estate. He also said the judgement that led to enforcement was a consent judgement. We didnt go to court to sell. We had already bought and paid in January. The agreement says that if, after three months, they cannot give possession, we should approach the court, he said. According to him, during the court session, Mrs Okoh confirmed signing the agreement. The sheriff implemented the judgement. That was all. He claimed the ongoing dispute was an attempt to blackmail him due to previous accusations by the same woman. I didnt consent to sale Sibling But Ifeoma Ilodibe, one of the three siblings who Mr Giwa said consented to the sale of the property, gave a different account She shared a letter she sent to the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, countering Mr Giwas claim that she consented to the sale of the property. In the petition dated 15 September, she alleged that her signature or consent was never obtained for any transaction or court proceedings. Despite being one of the three surviving children of their late mother, she said she was unaware of any court case or agreement to sell the house and never instructed any lawyer to act on her behalf. Mrs Ilodibe said she learned of the eviction when Ms Ibeto called her from the property. She wrote that she spoke with persons identified as sheriffs, police officers, and Mr Giwa the telephone, asking them to stop the eviction, which she said occurred without her knowledge or consent. Mrs Ilodibe accused Mrs Okoh (the eldest sibling) of attempting to sell the property unilaterally, alleging a pattern of disputes involving their late mothers assets. She said Jigida Queen had lived in and maintained the property for more than 50 years and should not have been removed. She asked the police to restore Jigida Queen to the property, compel those involved to return it to the way they met it, and recover losses or damages from the eviction. She also urged investigators to prosecute anyone found culpable. When confronted with Mrs Ilodibes petition distancing herself from the sale, Mr Giwa insisted that she consented to the sale. Mrs Ilodibe, for her part, maintained her stance that she never did. Responding to a message from PREMIUM TIMES, Mrs Okoh said she could not speak due to ongoing legal proceedings. I am the first daughter and the administrator of the estate of my late mother. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the alleged misappropriation of estate funds by Uche Ibeto, I am unable to provide any further comment on the matter at this time. Please be advised that the family will not be making any additional statements while the matter is before the court, Mrs Okoh said. Buyers position Mr Osakwe, who purchased the property, told PREMIUM TIMES via WhatsApp call that he has only made part payment and is ready to request refund due to unanticipated controversy over the transaction. I have not completed the transaction yet. We agreed that once I get the documents, I will complete my payment. Its not by force, he said. They can return the money. I feel they lied to me. I am willing to collect my money. He said the family had informed him that another property in Surulere would instead be sold and the proceeds shared. Police react When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the police officer handling the case, identified as Ngozi, she declined to comment. She rather referred our reporter to the zonal police PRO. Her superior, Deputy Commissioner of Police Bode Fakoye, did not respond to text or WhatsApp messages seeking comments. He also did not answer several phone calls. Efforts to reach the Zone 2 Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday outlined its 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) plan to commemorate the 2025 International Campaign against GBV. Announcing the plan at a press conference at the NHRCs headquarters in Abuja, the executive secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said this years observance is significant as it coincides with the 30th Anniversary of the NHRC. The statement stated, Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world and in our country. These 16 days remind us that any form of violence is unacceptable and that every voice, especially the most vulnerable, must be heard, supported, and protected. For three decades, the NHRC has remained a steady voice for justice, dignity, and equality in Nigeria. We have worked tirelessly to promote and protect the rights of every person, strengthening accountability, deepening democratic values, and ensuring that human rights remain at the centre of national development. As we celebrate this landmark, we reflect on our journey, our achievements, and the work that still lies ahead. The commission is planning a series of events from 25 November to 10 December to honour the United Nations General Assemblys adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights and one of the first major achievements of the new United Nations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), violence against women is a global crisis, with 16 per cent of adolescent girls (1519 years) and between 45 per cent of older women (60+) experiencing intimate partner violence. Globally, 8 per cent have experienced sexual violence by someone other than a partner. However, due to stigma and non-disclosure, the number is likely much higher. This years edition of campaign against GBV is titled United to end digital violence against all women and girls. Started in 1991, the global campaign will conclude on International Human Rights Day (10 December). Mr Ojukwu stated that this symbolically links violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16 days of activism would also highlight other significant dates, including World AIDS Day (1 December), and the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989, when 14 women students were massacred by a lone gunman opposed to the affirmative action policies promoted by feminists at the University of Montreal on 6 December. As the world raises awareness against GBV, Mr Ojukwu noted that Nigeria is not an exception and that the NHRC would continue to stand with survivors, women and girls across the country to demand justice, safety, and equality. Activities against GBV Mr Ojukwu said the 16-day activities would be carried out across the country. According to him, the activities will start on 25 November with a roadshow campaign against GBV kicking off from NHRCs offices to the offices of the Nigerian First Lady and her counterparts in each state. The first ladies are expected to launch campaign across the country. The days event would conclude with an advocacy visit to the Speakers of the State House of Assemblies across the states. On 26 November, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, there would also be a meeting of traditional leaders across the federation to identify and deliberate on issues pertaining to violations of human rights. This will be followed by a visit to all Chief Judges of states and the Federal High Court on 27 November. There would be a meeting with women and youths to review cases by victims on 28 November. From 30 November to 2 December, there would be submission and compilation of reports from engagement with traditional leaders, religious leaders. There is going to be school outreach on and engagements with religious bodies on 3 December. A visit to health facilities to assess Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and a conference will be held on 4 December in Abuja. On 5 December, there would be a media parley with stakeholders such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and civil society organizations at the state level. An advocacy visit by the commissions team to state governors and a forum will be held on 8 December. This would be followed by the dissemination of a communique on 9 December to state authorities. On 10 December, a nationwide Human Rights Awareness rally across all 36 states and the FCT to commemorate International Human Rights Day will be held. On 11, 12 and 13 December, there will be the submission of states reports and communiques to the Office of the Executive Secretary from all the States and implementation of the final report. During Fridays press briefing, Mr Ojukwu urged all Nigerians, including the media to participate in the programmes. Mr Ojukwu also called on the National Assembly to pass the law creating special constituencies for women to aid more womens participation in politics and governance. Refusal to do this constitutes a violation against women because a refusal to implement Affirmative Action is a violence against women, which should be prohibited, he said. FBN Quest Merchant Bank Limited and First Trustees Limited have appealed the decision of Justice D.E Osiagor of the Federal High Court Lagos on Thursday, setting aside earlier orders granted by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the same court against Nestoil Limited in respect of an alleged multi-billion dollar debt default. In a motion on notice filed at the Court of Appeal in Lagos on Friday and obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, the appellants sought an order suspending the operation or effect of the orders of the high court made on 20 November 2025 pending the hearing and determination of their appeal. They also requested the court to issue an injunction prohibiting Nestoil and its affiliate, Neconde Energy, as well as its principal promoters Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi and Nnena Obiejesi from enforcing or taking any action in implementing the order of the lower court pending the hearing and determination of their appeal. The judgement of the Court of Appeal will be rendered nugatory, if any steps were to be taken in the proceedings at the Lower Court without first determining the issues raised in the appellants appeal, the motion on notice stated. On Thursday, the lower court had vacated a Mareva order freezing the assets of Nestoil, Neconde, Mr Azudialu-Obiejesi and Mrs Obiejesi in respect of the alleged debt default. Justice Osiagor, after hearing the submissions of counsel on whether or not the extant Mareva orders earlier granted by Justice Dipeolu are still subsisting, ruled that there is no more a subsisting ex-parte order having spent 14 days of the motion on notice challenging the same. On 22 October, Justice Dipeolu had issued multiple orders freezing the defendants bank accounts and shares in over 20 financial and other institutions in Nigeria. They included Citibank Nigeria Limited, Central Securities and Clearing Systems PLC, Fidelity Bank PLC, Guaranty Trust Bank PLC, Globus Bank Limited, Keystone Bank Limited, Opay Limited, Polaris Bank Limited, Providus Bank Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Sterling Bank PLC, Titan Trust Bank Limited, Unity Bank PLC, Wema Bank PLC, Gobowen Exploration and Production Limited, Hammako Consortium Limited, Krawcod Properties Limited, Santa Spring Oil and Gas Limited, Marine & Ocean Infinity Nigeria Limited and White Dove Shipping Co. Ltd. The plaintiffs alleged that Nestoil, Neconde and their promoters owed more than $1.01 billion and 430 billion as of 30 September 2025, in respect of various credit facilities. In addition to freezing Nestoils assets and those of its affiliate, the court instructed multiple security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Navy, and the State Security Service, to provide protection and assist in enforcing the takeover. Justice Dipeolu also authorised Abubakar Sulu-Gambari, who was appointed by the plaintiffs as the receiver/manager, to take over Nestoils headquarters located at 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, and other identified assets. The order empowered the receiver/manager to take control of Necondes interests in OML 42, jointly operated with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and NNPCL were also instructed to grant the receiver access to the oil block and cooperate in managing production and revenue flows. Allegations of bias, misconduct On 3 November, Nestoil and Neconde filed petitions at the National Judicial Council and to the chief judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, through which they requested that the ongoing suits be reassigned to another judge pending review. The appellants claimed they were not copied in the said petition. According to the petitioners, the court issued the receiver/manager sweeping powers without proofs that Nestoil and Neconde were dissipating funds. They also contended that the judge failed to verify the ownership of the multi-storeyed office complex in Victoria Island, legally owned by Drawcok Estates Limited, where the two companies are tenants. The filings noted that some banks, including Ecobank Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa (UBA), dissociated themselves from the suit, appointed their own receivers, and initiated separate legal actions. On 7 November during proceedings, Justice Dipeolu told parties that a petition alleging misconduct had been filed against him and that the chief judge had instructed the court not take any further steps regarding the matter. There is a petition against me alleging bias and Judicial misconduct in this matter and other mater involving the defendants pending before me further to which I have been directed by the Honourable Chief Judge not to take further steps in this matter, Justice Dipeolu said in a statement signed by him on 7 November. Pursuant to the said directive, I am unable to take further steps in this matter till the complained is resolved save for me to say that I do not have any personal interest in this matter or any other matter pending before me, he added. In a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeal in Lagos on 10 November, the counsel to FBN Quest Merchant Bank and First Trustees stated that in so far as the petition written against Justice Dipeolu was not copied to them by the lower court, not to take further steps in the suit on account of a directive of the chief judge of the Federal High Court was tantamount to the transgression of the right of the appellants to a fair hearing as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By suspending the progress of proceedings in deference to the directive of the Chief Judge over a one-sided allegation of bias and misconduct, the appellants right to a speedy hearing of and determination of its case was put in abeyance, the counsel to the appellants said. On 12 November, the plaintiffs filed a motion on notice at the Court of Appeal Lagos registry, seeking an order of the Court of Appeal Staying Proceedings in the suit before the Federal High Court Lagos. A legal practitioner with knowledge of the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that the petition was part of an elaborate plot to discredit and remove Justice Dipeolu from the case, allegedly to pave the way for a more pliable judge. As you know, Justice Dipeolu has a reputation for firmness and integrity, the lawyer said. He granted orders that sent a clear message to delinquent borrowers who have for years defaulted on loan obligations. Some powerful people are unhappy about this. According to the source, those that are displeased with the ruling wrote a petition accusing Justice Dipeolu of bias and were planning to pressure the chief judge to reassign the case. They want the chief judge to use his office to move the matter to a compromised judge who will vacate the existing orders and set Nestoil and Neconde free, the source claimed. The truth of the matter is that we dont have faith in Justice Dipeolu, Mr Azudialu-Obiejesi told PREMIUM TIMES. He is biased, and we dont think we can get justice from him. We employ about 3,000 people, yet he gave an ex parte order shutting down our operations and confiscating our assets without hearing our side or confirming if we indeed owe the banks. The Police Command in Kwara State has arrested a man from Makurdi, accused of repairing and supplying guns to bandits operating in the state. The command also confirmed the arrest of several suspects alleged to be supplying food, drugs and other essentials to bandits in remote hideouts. The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed the arrests on Friday after the state security council meeting at the Government House, Ilorin. Mr Ojo said the council lamented what it described as the harmful effects of social media on operations against insurgents, especially on sensitive security reports. He praised the military, police and the SSS for recent deployments in Kwara, which he said aligned with directives issued by President Bola Tinubu. He also lauded the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for deploying four tactical teams, including SWAT, IRT, SIS and STS, to address emerging threats. Mr Ojo said the meeting reviewed intelligence gathered after the recent bandit attack in Eruku, including ongoing efforts to track the perpetrators and rescue victims. He noted that the council welcomed increased deployments, including air interdictions that had forced kidnappers from several hideouts, especially in Ifelodun. The council, he said, called for continued air bombardments of identified criminal enclaves across the state to deter further attacks. Ojo added that the Police and DSS recorded arrests of fuel and food suppliers linked to bandits, including a Makurdi suspect who confessed to fixing weapons. He said the meeting approved joint patrols by security forces across the state as the Yuletide period draws near. It also recommended stronger security measures around areas considered vulnerable to criminal attacks. Mr Ojo said the council again warned about the damaging influence of social media in the fight against violent non-state actors. He said members expressed concern over how sensitive information, including ransom demands, is spread, putting citizens at greater risk. The council urged the public to exercise caution in sharing information online for the sake of collective safety. It also advised residents to avoid night farming and late outings that could expose them to danger. Mr Ojo said citizens were encouraged to promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies, government officials and traditional rulers. (NAN) The Kebbi State Police Command has warned civil society organisations and non-governmental groups against going ahead with a planned protest over the abduction of schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu area of the state. In a statement issued Friday and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, the command said intelligence reports indicated that some groups were mobilising to stage public demonstrations any moment from today. The police said the security situation in the state remained fragile, adding that a protest at this time could inflame tensions, disrupt ongoing rescue operations, and potentially lead to violence. The current situation is dicey for any protest or rally to hold as it has the potential of instigating violence in the state, the police said. While the Command remains deeply concerned about the regrettable incident, it is misguided and counterproductive for any protest to hold, as it will undermine the unwavering commitment of the combined team of security personnel in their efforts to rescuing the kidnapped schoolgirls unhurt. Gunmen had on Monday invaded the girls secondary school in Maga, abducting at least 25 students and killing the schools vice principal, Hassan Makuku, who attempted to shield the pupils during the attack. Security forces have since launched a coordinated manhunt involving police, soldiers and local vigilantes across the Danko-Wasagu area and neighbouring areas. The incident has triggered widespread anger across the state and beyond, with many Nigerians questioning why schools in high-risk communities remain vulnerable despite repeated promises of strengthened security under the Safe Schools Initiative. Kebbis latest attack came in a week marked by worsening insecurity across northern Nigeria. On Friday, dozens of schoolchildren were abducted in a separate attack on St. Marys Catholic School in Agwara, Niger State. Earlier in the week, ISWAP published footage claiming responsibility for the execution of a serving brigadier general after an ambush in Borno State. The succession of attacks has heightened public fear and put pressure on state and federal authorities, prompting calls for protests from advocacy groups demanding accountability and immediate action. Police urge calm The Kebbi police command appealed for patience, saying it remained committed to protecting lives and property while ensuring the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls. It also urged residents to support ongoing operations by reporting suspicious movement or information to the nearest police formation or other security agencies. Mr Abubakar reaffirmed that security agencies were working tirelessly to track the kidnappers and rescue the children. Rescue efforts were still underway as of the time of filing this report. crypto trader, crypto liquidation, james wynn,. Photo by BeInCrypto Prediction market platform Kalshi has secured $1 billion in fresh funding, pushing its valuation to $11 billion. The move comes amid the rapid integration of prediction platforms into the mainstream. Users flock to these sites to wager on everything from elections and crypto prices to even daily temperature readings. Kalshi Hits $11 Billion Valuation After Record Latest Round Kalshis latest capital raise comes less than two months after the company secured $300 million at a $5 billion valuation. Citing people familiar with the matter, TechCrunch reported that the newest round was led by both previous backers and new investors. The returning investors included Sequoia and CapitalG. Andreessen Horowitz, Paradigm, Anthos Capital, and Neo joined them. Meanwhile, rival platform Polymarket is pursuing its own ambitious funding, targeting a $12 billion valuation. Kalshi has emerged as the leading prediction platform, overtaking Polymarket in September. However, the dominance has been recently challenged by Opinion. Dune Analytics data showed that the platform recorded a weekly notional volume of $1.46 billion. This was slightly higher than Kalshis $1.2 billion, while Polymarket trailed behind with less than $1 billion. Market Volume of Prediction Platforms. Source: Dune Still, Kalshi has continued to expand its presence. The platform now serves users in over 140 countries. According to the official data tracker, Kalshi's cumulative transactions stand at over 68.4 million, with a cumulative trading volume exceeding $17 billion. Additionally, prediction markets continue to gain mainstream visibility, further bolstered by Googles latest move. Google Finance has integrated real-time data from both Kalshi and Polymarket, marking a notable step in bringing event-based trading to a wider audience. Despite this growth, Kalshi faces escalating legal challenges. The platform operates as a federally regulated Designated Contract Market under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. "Kalshi is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) an independent agency of the US government that has regulated US derivatives markets since 1974 and is overseen by Congress," the firm noted. Nonetheless, issues are emerging at the state level. In Massachusetts, the attorney general filed a lawsuit in September aiming to stop the company from offering its sports-related prediction products within the state. In Nevada, US District Court Judge Andrew Gordon has indicated that he may reconsider his April ruling of granting Kalshi a preliminary injunction against the state's enforcement of gambling laws. Maryland regulators have denied the platform's request for a preliminary injunction. Some common infections are increasingly failing to respond to the medicines that once treated them effectively, a trend experts link to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes AMR as one of the leading global health challenges of the 21st century, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. As a result, infections become harder and sometimes impossible to treat, increasing the risk of severe illness, disability and death. It said bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and associated with 4.95 million deaths globally in 2019. A 2024 report by Africa CDC warns that AMR has now become a bigger threat to Africa than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, with a mortality rate of 27.3 deaths per 100,000 people, the highest in the world. Failing treatment Speaking with PT Health Watch, Zainab Dambazau, an epidemiologist and One Health and Public Health Consultant, explains that the rising treatment failures seen across Nigeria highlight a pattern of AMR spreading in communities, hospitals, and even the environment. Were seeing a rise in common infections that no longer respond to treatment, not just bacterial infections, but also viral, fungal, and even parasitic ones, Mrs Dambazau said. This is the bigger issue of antimicrobial resistance. It means the medicines we use to treat infections, antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics, are becoming less effective or no longer work at all. Mrs Dambazau, who is also the publisher of the One Health Messenger newsletter, explained that urinary tract infections, pneumonia, wound infections, typhoid fever, malaria, and fungal infections, such as candidiasis, are becoming harder to treat in different parts of the country. She noted that malaria is already showing signs of resistance in some regions, particularly where treatment is delayed or left incomplete. Were also seeing treatment failures in tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea, which now requires more complex drug combinations, she added. According to her, the worrying part is that resistance is no longer rare or limited to a few hospitals. Patterns are emerging in public and private health facilities across states, and were also seeing resistant organisms in animal farming and even water sources. This tells us that AMR is spreading beyond individual cases; its now a public health and environmental issue. Contributing factors Mrs Dambazau noted that AMR is largely driven by how antimicrobials are used across all sectors, stressing that resistance does not develop by chance. In healthcare settings, antibiotics and other antimicrobials are sometimes used as a first response, without lab confirmation of the infection or whether its bacterial, viral, or fungal, she said. In some cases, patients are treated for infections they dont actually have, or the right drug is used at the wrong dose or for the wrong duration. This gives microbes a chance to adapt and become resistant. In households, she said, self-medication remains a major concern. Many people buy drugs without prescriptions, use leftovers from previous illnesses or stop treatment once they feel slightly better. In some cases, antibiotics or antimalarials are taken just in case without a confirmed diagnosis. All these habits contribute to resistance. She linked rising resistance in animals and crops to the use of antimicrobials in agriculture. Also, she noted that farmers routinely use antibiotics not just for treatment but for prevention and growth promotion. Over time, this creates resistant organisms that spread through food, direct contact or the environment. She added that fungicides used on crops also contribute to antifungal resistance, while poor disposal of expired drugs and waste from hospitals and farms allows resistant organisms to contaminate soil and water. Actions Nigeria must take The epidemiologist stressed that Nigeria has reached a point where action can no longer be delayed. She said stronger regulation of access to medicines, improved diagnostics, better support for farmers, public education and environmental controls are essential to preventing further treatment failures. She emphasised that AMR must be treated as a One Health issue because human health is closely linked to what happens in animals and the environment. Most vulnerable group Mrs Dambazau further explained that children, pregnant women, and older adults are naturally more vulnerable to infections, and when the drugs dont work, they face a higher risk of complications or even death. She noted that some babies have been born with infections already resistant to available medicines. Farmers and animal handlers, she added, are often exposed to resistant organisms through direct contact with animals or contaminated environments, especially where hygiene and biosecurity are poor. Hospitalised patients, particularly those recovering from surgery, cancer treatment or intensive care, face higher risks in facilities where infection control systems are weak. She also highlighted the vulnerability of people living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, HIV or sickle cell disease, saying they are more likely to fall ill and need antimicrobials, and if those drugs fail, the impact can be devastating. Way forward This is not just about doctors or pharmacists or farmers. This is about all of us, Mrs Dambazau said. Were already living in a time where some infections dont respond to treatment. If we continue down this path, we could lose the ability to treat infections altogether, and that would change everything, from how we deliver babies to how we perform surgery, or even how we treat wounds and malaria. But she stressed that the situation can still be reversed. The good news is: we can act now. We can improve how we use medicines, how we grow our food, and how we protect our environment. If we take the right steps today, we can stop AMR from becoming the next major health disaster. She added that the solutions are known, saying what is needed now is leadership, cooperation and public awareness. The Ministry of Education has launched a probe into the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Simon Ortuanya, for responding to a PREMIUM TIMES Freedom of Information (FOI) request that exposed former Minister of Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnajis certificate forgery. Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has set up a panel against the vice-chancellor, accusing him of unethical and criminal disclosure of information relating to Mr Nnaji, information the university is legally obliged to release under the FOI Act. It remains unclear what specific mandate the minister gave the panel. PREMIUM TIMES contacted both Mr Alausa and the spokesperson for the ministry, Folasade Boriowo, for clarification on the purpose of the probe, but neither has responded to messages. Sources, however, disclosed that the panel is expected to sit between this week and next. Instead of prosecuting the forger, government targets whistle-blower VC The move against the vice-chancellor comes even though Mr Nnaji had effectively confessed to forgery in his own court documents during his failed attempt to stop PREMIUM TIMES from publishing the investigation. Rather than prosecuting the former minister for the criminal act of forging academic certificates, an offence punishable under Nigerian law, the government has instead turned its weight against the university administrator who merely fulfilled a lawful FOI request and provided factual records. Legal experts say the ministrys action suggests an attempt to intimidate the university and punish transparency, while shielding a politically connected certificate forger. Mr Nnajis certificate forgery Following a two-year investigation, PREMIUM TIMES exposed how Mr Nnaji forged the Bachelors degree certificate and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he submitted to the National Assembly during his 1 August 2023 ministerial screening. Documents obtained showed that at the very time he claimed to have graduated from UNN and proceeded for the NYSC scheme, he was still writing the institution requesting permission to re-sit a failed terminal-year course. Allegations of certificate forgery had trailed Mr Nnaji since July 2023, when President Bola Tinubu nominated him as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Critics insisted he did not complete his university education and that the certificates submitted to the presidency, SGF office, DSS and the Senate were forged. PREMIUM TIMES detailed review of the documents confirmed they were indeed forged, a fact both UNN and the NYSC later verified, stating explicitly that they never issued the certificates Mr Nnaji paraded. Mr Ortuanyas FOI response was pivotal to unraveling the forgery. He confirmed that although Mr Nnaji gained admission into the university in 1981, he did not complete his studies, and no degree was ever awarded to him. From every available record and information from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, we are unable to confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji graduated from the University of Nigeria in July 1985, he wrote in a letter dated 2 October. He added that the university did not and could not have issued the certificate Mr Nnaji presented. After PREMIUM TIMES published its findings, Mr Nnaji accused the newspaper and the vice-chancellor of acting on behalf of the Enugu State Government. His spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, falsely alleged during a television programme that PREMIUM TIMES received N100 million from the state government to publish the investigation. Pressed for evidence, he offered none. PREMIUM TIMES has since denied the allegations and has served Mr Ngwu a pre-litigation notice, preparatory to suing him for defamation. Top The Global Fund on Friday said it has secured pledges worth $11.34 billion to sustain the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, save millions of lives, and strengthen systems for health. In a statement published on its website, the Global Fund said the pledges were made by partners at its Eighth Replenishment Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to the statement, the new support package will focus on expanding access to diagnostic services, improving the availability of essential medicines, and strengthening frontline health systems in states with high disease burdens. The organisation also aims to close persistent treatment gaps, particularly in hard-to-reach communities. The summit, co-hosted by the governments of South Africa and the United Kingdom on the margins of the G20 Leaders Summit, brought together representatives from 17 countries, five Heads of State and government, multilateral partners, philanthropies, businesses, civil society, and community groups. While the pledges fell short of the target outlined in the Investment Case, the Global Fund said the outcome reflected strong global solidarity at a time marked by fiscal tightening, conflict, and uncertainty. Renewed commitments In his remarks, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said hosting the replenishment in Africa for the first time symbolised the continents growing leadership in global health. Mr Ramaphosa said this also symbolises how far the continent has come and how far it can go. Africa is not only leading in implementation; we are also driving innovation and taking greater responsibility for our own health systems, he said. Delivering his speech, the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, emphasised the value of sustained investment in the Global Fund. Mr Starmer added that in todays volatile world, spending must be prioritised to make a genuine difference, which is why the United Kingdom will continue to support the Global Fund in its work fighting the worlds deadliest diseases. Donor governments reaffirm support Despite the global economic crisis, donor countries reaffirmed their confidence in the Global Funds model and impact. The United Kingdom pledged 850 million, describing it as an investment in global and national health security, while South Africa committed $36.6 million through a joint publicprivate arrangement, including $10 million from the private sector. According to the statement, the United States, the Funds largest donor, pledged $4.6 billion, with Germany confirming 1 billion. France said its support remains unchanged but will confirm its final pledge next month. Canada pledged CAD 1.02 billion, while Spain, Italy and the Netherlands pledged 145 million, 150 million and 146 million respectively. Australia and Norway maintained their existing commitments. Several G20 nations increased their support. India and Ireland raised their contributions, while Korea maintained its commitment and now qualifies to join a voting constituency of the Global Fund Board for the first time since 2006. Meanwhile, African countries implementing Global Fund grants pledged $51.59 million, which their leaders described as a demonstration of growing domestic responsibility for health financing. Private sector steps up contributions Private philanthropic actors also made substantial contributions. The Gates Foundation pledged $912 million, its largest commitment to date, while the Childrens Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) added $135 million, bringing its total additional support since the last replenishment to $200 million. (RED) continued its two-decade partnership with a $75 million pledge, and other private donors contributed a further $201.85 million. According to the statement, private sector support for the Eighth Replenishment now totals $1.34 billion. The organisation noted that these investments will accelerate access to new tools, strengthen health systems, and support integrated services aimed at improving outcomes for women and children. A model evolving for a new global era Chair of the Global Fund Board, Roslyn Morauta, said the pledges reflected both global resilience and the partnerships evolution. Ms Morauta added that in a difficult year, the result demonstrates the worlds confidence in the Funds collective model, while also reflecting a determination to adapt, work smarter, be more efficient, and ensure that every dollar delivers maximum impact. The Global Fund noted that it will continue to implement reforms outlined in the Accra Reset, including simplifying grant processes, expanding access to pooled procurement, and supporting countries to move towards nationally led and financed health systems. Enhanced cooperation with partners such as the World Health Organisation, the African Union and Gavi, they said, will also be prioritised. What it means for Nigeria Nigerias President Bola Tinubu described the outcome as a shift toward country-led partnerships. Mr Tinubu said the commitments align with Nigerias deepening investment in its health system, from expanding primary health care to strengthening surveillance and deploying new tools to bring lifesaving services closer to people. Todays commitments signal a powerful shift toward partnerships that put countries in the lead, he said. He added that this renewed spirit of solidarity reinforces the countrys determination to build a more resilient, equitable health system and advance universal health coverage. According to him, every community, no matter how remote, should be able to access quality care. Innovations and impact Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, described the summits outcome as remarkable, noting that partners had defied predictions of waning global solidarity. Mr Sands said the pledges would save millions more lives, but also marked a turning point, adding that while the Funds model remains strong, the world around it is changing. He highlighted innovations such as portable digital X-rays, AI-powered TB screening, long-acting HIV prevention, and next-generation mosquito nets. He also noted that the Global Fund invested more than $2.7 billion in 2024 alone in oxygen systems, laboratories, data architecture, and health workforce training, key areas for building resilient health systems and strengthening pandemic preparedness. Speaking on behalf of civil society delegations to the Global Fund Board, Cecilia Lodonu-Senoo said the commitments represent hope for millions affected by HIV, TB, and malaria. Ms Lodonu-Senoo noted that for people living with HIV and for families affected by TB and malaria, the commitments represent access, dignity, and hope. Next steps The Global Fund said it will work with partners to convert the new commitments into programmes once allocations are finalised at the February Board meeting. Over the next three years, the Grant Cycle Eight strategy aims to increase efficiency, support country-led systems and drive a more coherent global health response. The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has met with Nigerias National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as Abuja intensifies diplomatic efforts to engage Washington over allegations of Christian persecution in the country. Mr Hegseth confirmed the meeting on X, saying he met with the NSA and his team to discuss what he described as the horrific violence against Christians in Nigeria. Under @POTUS leadership, the Department of War is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists, he wrote. None of the attendees has provided details of the discussions at the meeting. The Nigerian delegation is in Washington for discussions on the allegations, persistent terrorist threats, and prospects for deeper USNigeria cooperation to end the bloodshed. The delegation included Mr Ribadu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye; Special Adviser to the NSA, Idayat Hassan; Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ibrahim Babani; Acting Charge dAffaires, Embassy of Nigeria, Nuru Biu; and the head of the Political and Economic Section, Embassy of Nigeria, Paul Alabi. PREMIUM TIMES reports that earlier in the week, the delegation met with one of the leading voices behind the Christian genocide campaign, US Congressman Riley Moore. The lawmaker said he had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with the delegation, noting that Nigerian officials outlined concerns over counterterrorism operations, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing violence in different parts of the country. Since September, several campaigners and US politicians 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, Representative Moore, Senator Ted Cruz, and some Christian leaders. Mr Cruz introduced a bill in September the Nigerias Religious Freedom Accountability 2025 Act seeking to hold Nigerian officials accountable for enabling jihadist violence or enforcing blasphemy laws. Mr Moore has insisted 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, pushing for Nigeria to be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious persecution. Reiterating this stance on Wednesday, Mr Moore said he stressed the need for tangible steps to protect Christians in Nigeria from violence, displacement, and death. PREMIUM TIMES reported that US lawmakers on Thursday held a sharply divided hearing on President Trumps redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC. Lawmakers split along partisan and ideological lines, with some framing the crisis as Christian genocide and others warning against dangerously oversimplifying Nigerias complex violence. Background Security analysts and researchers say the claim of a Christian genocide in Nigeria is false and misleading. They argue that it reflects a deep misreading of Nigerias security realities and exposes the undercurrents of a clearly mischievous agenda. Credible media reports, including one by the BBC, have found that much of the data used to support the genocide claims cannot be independently verified. The Nigerian government has repeatedly 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. President Trump earlier warned: 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 Nigeria is one of 13 countries globally classified as CPC. It was first placed on the list during Mr Trumps first term in 2020 before being removed by Joe Biden in 2021. In an editorial on 27 October, PREMIUM TIMES described the genocide narrative as false and misleading, noting the absence of any central mastermind while acknowledging ongoing killings affecting both Christians and Muslims, largely carried out by non-state armed groups. President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to engage partners diplomatically and welcome US support to defeat terrorism. Bayelsa West senator, Seriake Dickson, has recused himself from a Senate Committee on Local Content investigative hearing probing allegations that former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, diverted $14.8 million belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The session, held at the National Assembly in Abuja, was initially described as a routine engagement with the NCDMB Executive Secretary. However, Mr Dickson said he was taken aback when it became clear that the committee had convened specifically to question allegations tied solely to Mr Sylva his predecessor as governor of Bayelsa State. He posted a short video of the Senate session on Facebook on Friday. I attended the meeting under the impression that it was an interactive forum, Mr Dickson told journalists shortly after exiting the hearing. When I discovered that the hearing focused only on one transaction, I objected. These matters should not be treated selectively. He argued that if the Senate must probe alleged financial irregularities at the NCDMB, it should review the management of the fund from inception not isolate one individual or one transaction. Mr Dickson added that since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had previously examined matters relating to the fund and reached a level, the committee should avoid duplicating or politicising the process. A rivalry he refuses to weaponise Beyond the procedural objection, Mr Dickson made what he described as a moral decision to step aside citing political ethics and personal conviction. I recused myself because the person affected is a former governor of my state my predecessor in office, he said. I have a policy of not joining to fight or pull down anyone. Although both men have been bitter adversaries in Bayelsa politics since 2011 representing opposing parties, clashing over political structures, and contesting influence Mr Dickson insisted he would not exploit an investigation for political advantage. He claimed that unlike the typical politicians in Nigeria who celebrate the downfall of opponents, he does not believe political contest should extend beyond the ballot. I out-campaign, strategise, and defeat opponents during elections, but never by trying to pull them down after elections, he said. He added that even those who do not treat (him) the same way would not provoke him to weaponise governance processes. Sylva under pressure and in absence Mr Sylva, a former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is currently facing multiple allegations beyond the NCDMB issue. He has been linked without formal charge to claims of involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu earlier this year. The former minister reportedly travelled abroad shortly before those allegations surfaced and has not returned since, citing medical treatment. His absence has deepened speculation among political observers about whether he is evading inquiry or legitimately seeking care. Meanwhile there is also the argument that narrowing the probe to a single official when allegations and audit reports over the years have flagged unremitted oil revenues, questionable local content contracts, and procurement scandals across multiple administrations risks transforming the inquiry into political theatre rather than systemic accountability. Nigerias petroleum governance sector has faced longstanding accusations of opacity, including: billions in unremitted oil revenues, questionable local content contracts, and overlapping procurement scandals across successive administrations. Meanwhile the committee chairperson said in the Facebook video that the Senate will proceed with the investigation without Mr Dickson. Whether Mr Sylva will be summoned to appear physically or remotely remains unclear. For now, the committees mandate stands, though its moral framing appears to have been challenged by Mr Dicksons recusal. Senator Dickson closed his remarks with a tone that blended doctrine and defiance: If you cannot help someone, leave the person alone dont destroy them. My politics is anchored on God and service, not on celebrating anyones downfall. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says troops have identified the location of schoolgirls abducted on Monday in Kebbi State. Twenty-five students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School Maga, in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, were abducted by bandits. However, officials said one of the students later escaped and returned home. Mr Matawalle, during a media briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, said significant progress had been made since the deployment of the security agencies to rescue the abducted schoolgirls. The issue of security is sensitive, but so far, the intelligence we had at hand shows that we are almost close to those children (the abducted school girls). Currently, we have deployed a lot of security agents to cover all and block most of the routes within Kebbi and Zamfara State and neighbouring Niger State. We need cooperation from the surrounding communities, Mr Matawalle said. President Bola Tinubu had on Thursday directed Mr Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of the schoolgirls. Mr Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, was tasked with monitoring the security agencies rescue efforts. He was the governor of Zamfara when, in 2021, bandits abducted 279 students at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. Mass abductions of school children in the North-west and Niger State are common. Another abduction of over 300 school children was recorded on Friday at St Marys School in Papir, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. READ ALSO: Niger shuts down schools after mass kidnapping of students Premium Times reported how amidst a deteriorating security climate and a surge in coordinated attacks on educational institutions especially in Northern Nigeria, the Katsina and Plateau state governments ordered the immediate closure of schools. The directives were issued Friday, hours after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the abductions. The closures also follow a similar directive by the federal government, which ordered the immediate shutdown of 47 Federal Unity Collegesmostly in the Northciting the safety of students. The Federal Ministry of Education has denied issuing a directive for all schools across the country to close, even as some states have ordered schools to shut down. In a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the education ministry said certain information is circulating that it asked all schools nationwide to close by 24 November. It described such directive as false and misleading, adding that such a message didnt originate from it. However, the Director Secondary Education, Binta Abdulkadir, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the ministry has directed the closure of only 41 of the 104 federal government colleges, following the mass abduction of pupils in two schools in the North-west. Renewed attacks on schools stir fear Terrorists had on Friday stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi state, abducting at least 25 students and shooting dead the schools vice principal, Hassan Makuku. Days later, a group of terrorists also invaded the St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger state. According to the Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), 227 persons, including 12 teachers, have been abducted by the terrorists. This renewed attack on schools has stirred fears among Nigerian schools and pupils parents. States shut schools Meanwhile, at least three states have ordered schools in their domain to shut down. In Katsina, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, announced the closure of all boarding and day schools in the state. In a statement signed by the ministrys spokesperson, Sani Suleiman, the government described the move as a precautionary measure to safeguard students and staff. The safety of citizens remains the top priority of the government, the statement read, urging full compliance from proprietors of public, private, and community schools while security agencies monitor the situation. Similarly, the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board ordered the closure of all primary and junior secondary schools following intelligence reports of imminent attacks. READ ALSO: Number of children abducted in Niger school attack rises to 300 as security fears deepen nationwide Plateau SUBEB spokesperson, Richard Jonah, directed Government Junior Model Secondary Schools to close from 22 November, while primary and day schools are to shut down by 24 November. Since the Chibok Girls abduction in Borno state in 2014, over 1,880 school children have been abducted in school attacks in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, and Yobe. US President Donald Trump doubled down on his attacks on Nigeria on Friday, accusing the country of failing to protect Christians, and using the term genocide for the first time to describe the violence in Africas most populous country. I think Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace, the American president said on Fox News Radios The Brian Kilmeade Show. Theyre killing people by the thousands. Its a genocide. And Im really angry about it. Earlier, Mr Trump threatened to take military action in Nigeria if its leaders did not take urgent and deliberate steps to halt the killings of Christians by non-state actors. These murders, he claimed, have reached genocidal proportions. He doubled down on this false claim with an unprovoked denigration of the country on Friday. And we pay, you know, we give a lot of subsidy to Nigeria, which were going to end up stopping. The governments done nothing. They are very ineffective. Theyre killing Christians at will. And you know, until I got involved in it two weeks ago nobody even talked about it. Mr Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over the allegation of persecution of Christians. Nigeria is one of the 13 nations that the US has placed on that pariah list. Mr Trump had included the oil-rich nation in the same category during his first term in office in 2020, but his successor, Joe Biden, delisted it in 2021. According to Mr Trump, 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. He further declared that the military action would be fast, vicious and sweet. As a result, he claimed to have ordered his Department of War to prepare for the assault. In response to Mr Trumps rhetorics, President Bola Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to engage the US diplomatically and welcome support to defeat terrorism. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Nigerias National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and top government officials met with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on Friday to discuss the allegations of Christian genocide. How true is the claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria Nigeria faces different forms of insecurity with various armed groups operating in different parts of the country. The groups, with different motives, kill and kidnap thousands of people across the country. On Friday, gunmen abducted over 200 students from a Catholic school in central Nigeria. Before then, on Monday, kidnappers took about 25 Muslim students from a school in the northwestern part of the country. Rescue efforts are underway, but the fate of the kidnapped students is not known. Armed violence in Nigeria manifests in different but overlapping forms, driven by a mix of historical grievances, ethnic tensions, economic disparities, religious extremism, climate change, and weak governance. A single narrative cannot accurately capture this situation, according to a PREMIUM TIMES analysis of the security situation. While the North-east region faces insurgent attacks from Boko Haram and other Jihadi groups who seek to eradicate Western education and civilisation, the North-west struggles with armed banditry. The North-central region deals with frequent communal, ethno-religious, and farmer-herder conflicts, the South-east faces agitations by separatists, and the South-south battles with militancy. None of the major sects has solely targeted Christians as part of an organised, systematic effort to eliminate them, as Mr Cruz and other Americans have claimed. Security analysts and researchers also say the claim of a Christian genocide in Nigeria is false and misleading. They argue that it reflects a deep misreading of Nigerias security realities and exposes the undercurrents of a clearly mischievous agenda. The Nigerian government has repeatedly 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 Credible media reports, including one by the BBC, have found that much of the data used to support the genocide claims cannot be independently verified. The New York Times reported on Friday that there is no clear evidence to suggest Christians are attacked any more frequently than Muslims. Contrary to Mr Trumps claim of a genocide, there are different types of violence happening across the country, with no one-size-fits-all explanation. Nigeria is Africas most populous nation, with, by some estimates, more than 230 million people. Its geographically huge and ethnically diverse, with over 300 languages spoken. Even within a single region, attributing the violence to a single group or motivation is tricky, the New York Times reports. PREMIUM TIMES editorial also dismissed the genocide narrative as false and misleading, given that there is no official mastermind of such impunity. Yet, we acknowledged the reality of killings affecting both Christians and Muslims, perpetrated by non-state actors. This context exposes Washingtons gross misrepresentation of the facts of Nigerias security situation and betrays the underbelly of a clearly mischievous agenda, the editorial read. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project, which uses verifiable sources, presents a different picture from the one used by Mr Trump. ACLED estimates that just under 53,000 civilians of all faiths have been killed in targeted political violence since 2009. Between 2020 and September 2025, about 21,000 civilians were killed in abductions, attacks, sexual violence and bombings. ACLED identified 384 incidents where Christians were specifically targeted, leading to 317 deaths, and 417 Muslims were killed in similar targeted attacks. On Thursday, the Director of the Africa Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Oge Onubogu, warned that US military intervention would worsen Nigerias fractures. If the Trump administration proceeds with unilateral military action in Nigeria, it could endanger the Christians it aims to protect and worsen divisions along religious lines, she told the American Congress, adding, the USNigeria engagement must be from a place of honesty and Nigerians must acknowledge something must be done quickly about the levels of insecurity. Ms Onubogu cautioned against a narrow narrative that reduces Nigerias security situation to a single story. Rise Up Together, a global non-profit that operates across Africa, South Asia and the United States, has completed training for its sixth cohort of Nigerian civil society leaders focused on advancing gender justice for women and girls. The organisation, which has been active in Nigeria since 2014, said it has now trained nearly 200 leaders across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Anambra, Rivers and Kaduna states. The latest cohort comprises 25 participants from a range of local civil society groups. Strengthening local advocacy Speaking at the end of a week-long training in Abuja on Saturday, the country director for Rise Up Together, Teresa Effa said the programme is intended to equip local actors to press for policy and system changes that improve conditions for women and girls. Ms Effa said they identify people who are passionate about advancing issues that enable women to live and thrive within their communities. We work mainly around advocacy because when you talk with political leaders and policymakers, youre trying to change the system so many more people can be impacted, she said. Ms Effa also noted that the organisation selects partner states based on data indicating gaps in gender development and the potential for targeted interventions. According to her, beneficiaries enter a structured leaders journey that includes training, seed grants, technical assistance and ongoing peer support. Ms Effa cited results from earlier cohorts to illustrate the programmes approach. She said a member of the fifth cohort helped Nasarawa State develop a girl-child policy in 2023; the policy, according to Rise Up, helped the state attract federal and World Bank funding for school renovations and conditional cash transfers to caregivers to boost girls enrolment. Global partners, local action Jennifer Broome, Rise Ups director of strategic partnerships, said the organisation would continue supporting participants through mentorship and additional funding opportunities. Ms Broome noted that the group of 25 leaders in this cohort had been particularly impressive. She added that Rise Up plans to return in 2026 to train a seventh cohort. She explained that the programme is not a one-off engagement and emphasised that the organisation invests in leaders over the long term to help them sustain advocacy and influence policy. Advocacy Oluwatimilehin Onafeso, executive director of WAAW Foundation, said the course clarified the difference between service delivery and advocacy. Ms onafeso explained that, for years, her organisation had focused on addressing the effects of problems rather than confronting their root causes. She added that WAAW will now prioritise advocacy to strengthen the implementation of the National Policy on Science and Technology Education, with particular attention to improving STEM infrastructure in girls-only public schools. She noted that strengthening STEM infrastructure in public schools nationwide would encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers, which could improve their livelihoods and contribute to the countrys economic growth. From service delivery to influence Tsakpa Dennis, programmes and partnerships lead at Every Girl Initiative, described the training as a career highlight and said his organisation would rebalance its work towards advocacy. Mr Dennis explained that the organisation had already agreed to shift 60 per cent of its activities to influencing and advocacy because it believes this approach delivers sustainable and large-scale change. He called for the programme to be extended to reach more organisations, especially in conflict-affected regions where groups are transitioning from humanitarian to development work. He said many actors do not yet have the knowledge or strategy required to engage policymakers effectively. Mr Dennis appealed to corporate social responsibility programmes to prioritise long-term policy work rather than short-term humanitarian relief, noting that the policies being pursued would ultimately benefit everyone, including the private sector. He further encouraged government bodies to be more open to engagement with civil society so that advocacy becomes collaborative rather than adversarial, adding that such an approach would create a mutually beneficial outcome. In Eruku, prayers ascended and bullets answered first. Church doors splintered; a sanctuary of hope transfigured into an altar of smoke and screams. Three worshippers collapsed beside their Bibles, their blood seeping like unanswered supplications across the fissured concrete. The pastor was dragged into the night, his lamentations swallowed by bush paths now highways for the damned. Elsewhere, in the same beleaguered land, Musa who had dedicated his life to the green-white-green was ensnared by ISWAPs shadowed hands. An ambush. A loyal soldier struck down, while the very soil he bled for continued offering its children as sacrifices to a god of ceaseless violence. In Tsafe, a teachers blood stained the blackboard, and students, tender, unripe dreams were plucked into darkness like fruit stolen from a summer orchard. Parents waited at dawn for children who would never return to the sun. And in Yelwata O Yelwata! the night reeked of fire, gasoline, rifles, machetes. Over two hundred souls were scattered like broken millet in a tempest. Three thousand fled barefoot through flames and memory, bearing only grief upon their backs. Among the ashes of their homes, only bones remembered their names. Security forces murmured that they were overwhelmed a truth, indeed, but also a verdict upon a nation forgetting, with each passing day, how to protect its own. Then Maga: another school, another set of daughters abducted, while the world averted its weary gaze. Twenty-five schoolgirls vanished, their vacant beds still warm, echoing the enduring horror of Chibok a wound that refuses to scar. And what did Ali, crowned ringmaster of this macabre circus, do as the nation burned? He junketed across the globe, smiled for cameras, shook foreign hands, while ordinary citizens perished at the hands of terrorists. Ali proclaimed his depression over the surge in violence, vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. But these are hollow words, echoes repeated each time killers strike, empty gestures devoid of meaning. This is the same Ali who demanded his predecessor resign for failing to curb insecurity. Now that the darkness deepens under his own watch, will he resign too? When he speaks, his energies are devoted to shaping narratives rather than saving lives, arguing that the slaughter should not be called Christian genocide, as if polishing perception could heal a bullet wound, as if discourse could halt a machete. For every massacre, justice remains elusive. For every abduction, no answers arrive. For every grave, the silence grows heavier. Within Alis court, some jesters are fingered as sponsors of the very darkness that devours our children. Impunity reigns loud, shameless, barefoot, dancing atop the rubble of despair. Nigeria, O Nigeria how long will you breathe with a knife lodged in your throat? Churches and mosques burn. Schools fall silent. Villages bleed. And Ali and his pack of clowns sit in their gilded halls, calculating narratives, while the streets run red, while mothers cry for sons who will never return, while children vanish into the night. Osmund Agbo is a medical doctor and author. His works include Black Grit, White Knuckles: The Philosophy of Black Renaissance and a fiction work titled The Velvet Court: Courtesan Chronicles. His latest works, Pray, Let the Shaman Die and Maam, I Do Not Come to You for Love, have just been released. He can be reached through: [email protected] In the face of mounting economic pressures, it appears Gen Z has seized on the little treat" purchase: a small, often viral commodity from a trendy vinyl toy to an oversized pastry meant as a morale boost. A Bank of America survey found that 57% of Gen Z buys a weekly treat, and for 59%, this routine leads to overspending. As this spending habit becomes a cultural signature the trend is even crystallized by TikTok hashtags, according to the New York Times the question emerges: are little treats an acceptable form of self-care, or are they a financial trap? Experts warn that the line between a budget-friendly boost and a harmful habit is thin. The key is to ensure that these purchases align with broader financial goals, rather than serving as a form of escape from financial anxiety itself, Julien Brault, founder of personal finance website MooseMoney, told Benzinga. Don't Miss: The Joy Fund': Budgeting for Bliss Millennials are all too familiar with the much-maligned phenomenon of overspending on indulgent little treats avocado toast being that generation's symbolic stand-in. The universal advice from financial pros is not to eliminate treats though, but to plan for them intentionally. The most common strategy recommended: creating a dedicated fund for discretionary spending. One hack that makes the budgeting process easier is the creation of a fun fund', Brigitte Killings, managing director of community & business development at JPMorgan Chase, told Benzinga. This is money set aside specially for things that bring you joy Simply setting aside $20 a week can add up to something fun without hurting your long term financial goals. This sentiment is echoed by Westerra Credit Union Senior Content Manager Clorissa Ritchie, who calls it a "joy fund." Ritchie told Benzinga to allocate a percentage of net income usually 5 to 10% for personal enjoyment. For those who find traditional budgeting restrictive, ARC Wealth CEO Anthony Rasotto told Benzinga to take a reverse budget approach. Automate savings, allocate cash for fixed expenses and then they can spend the remaining cash guilt-free," he said. "That way, its not overspending, its spending whats left over in their budget. Trending: Forget Flipping HousesThis Fund Lets You Invest in Home Equity Like Wall Street Does The Red Flags: When a Treat Becomes Financial Self-Sabotage The experts agree on the biggest financial red flags, and they almost always involve how the treat is funded. To set the record straight: the Kujeni community and others mentioned in Mr Binniyats video report were attacked and displaced under the ElRufai administration long before Governor Uba Sani assumed office. Furthermore, the present administration has NEVER granted amnesty to any bandit, approved any rehabilitation plan for bandits, reintegrated them into society, or ordered free medical care for them. As Kaduna State faces its own share of the attempts by terrorists and bandits to exploit the transition period occasioned by the change of guard in the Nigerian military hierarchy, by seeking to regroup and unleash mayhem, citizens must place the interest of the state and nation above all other considerations. We must refrain from politicising security breaches to avoid giving terrorists the impression that they are gaining ground and thus enabling their motivation to attack even more. This, coupled with Joseph Jouberts wise saying that, Those who never retract their opinions (whenever necessary) love themselves more than they love the truth, explains my sudden and courageous decision to write this piece. For over a decade, successive governments at different levels have failed to nip our security challenges in the bud. But the past two-and-a-half years have been remarkably different. Despite occasional flashes of attacks in some parts of the country, we must acknowledge the improvements recorded by both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in the security sector. As I highlighted in my 6 August, 2024 article, published in Daily Post and titled, National Protests: Governments Proactiveness and Silence of Opposition Parties, the Federal and State Governments initiatives have combined to open a new page of hope in the war against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in Nigeriaand in Kaduna State in particular. Even an armchair critic cannot help but admit that our highways are now relatively safer, our communities more peaceful, and our displaced persons are gradually resettling. We are witnessing a deviation from the reactionary approach of previous state and federal administrations toward precautionary measures that engage citizens, gather credible intelligence, and ensure timely interventions often taking the war to the hideouts of terrorists and bandits. In just over two years, more than ten bandit and terrorist commanders have been neutralised, with many others targeted for decimation. Similarly, Senator Uba Sanis complete departure from the highhanded, divisive, lopsided, and provocative approach of his predecessor, toward a more inclusive, compassionate, and equitable governance model is enhancing collaboration and rebuilding trust between the government and the people. His establishment of an Elders Advisory Council cochaired by General Zamani Lekwot (rtd.) and Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, along with the restoration of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Board, which was scrapped by the previous administration, attests to his commitment in this regard. The clouds of darkness and despair that once hovered over our dear state are being blown away by the breeze of hope ushered in by the Uba Sani administration. The litany of illegal demolitions, mass disengagement of workers, disobedience to court orders, bastardisation of agelong institutions, coercive policy implementation, censorship of the press, and the arrest and incarceration of dissenting voices combined with wanton killings, maiming, and kidnapping without succour for victims has given way to stories of shared vision for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Kaduna State. Investments in infrastructure, health, education, social welfare, agriculture, industry, and, of course, security are combining to give Kaduna State citizens renewed hope, despite the huge loan liabilities inherited from the ElRufai administration. Senator Uba Sani is turning towns and villages across the 23 Local Government Areas into construction sites, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and uplifting lives in the process. In healthcare, primary and secondary facilities are being upgraded, with the General Hospitals in Sabon Tasha and Kawo standing out. In a little over two years, 67 new secondary schools have been built and equipped with desks, chairs, and other instructional materials, while the construction of 2,326 new and renovation of 707 existing classrooms across all 23 local government areas have been undertaken. The Urban Mass Transit Scheme (which some of us criticised at inception) has evolved into a viable social programme easing transportation for commuters in and around the metropolis. Meanwhile, the yearly distribution of free fertiliser and stipends to farmers and vulnerable households has boosted food production and reduced poverty and hunger. Most importantly, the vast majority of rural communities that were previously reduced to near spectators in the developmental process are once again coequals in the power and resource control structure of the state. This is why Mr Luka Binniyats recent video regarding a displaced Adara community, though perhaps wellintentioned, is laced with distorted facts and halftruths. His claim that the Uba Sani administration has granted state pardon or amnesty to bandits, reintegrated them into society, or provided them with free medical care, while victims continue to suffer, is not only ridiculous but misleading. To set the record straight: the Kujeni community and others mentioned in Mr Binniyats video report were attacked and displaced under the ElRufai administration long before Governor Uba Sani assumed office. Furthermore, the present administration has NEVER granted amnesty to any bandit, approved any rehabilitation plan for bandits, reintegrated them into society, or ordered free medical care for them. Instead, Governor Uba Sani has adopted a multidimensional approach centered on collaboration working with religious and community leaders to dialogue with bandit leaders where they are open to engagement, and collaborating with federal security forces to protect lives and property where dialogue fails. Additionally, Governor Uba Sani has prioritised the welfare and resettlement of internally displaced persons by setting up a committee under the leadership of his deputy, Her Excellency, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balaraba, tasked with developing modalities for their safe return to their ancestral homes, while also building free homes for those opting to resettle in the city. These initiatives, though laudable, require both time and patience, given the scale of devastation and years of neglect suffered by these IDPs and their ravaged communities before Senator Uba Sanis emergence. To say the least, therefore, what the governor and his administration deserve is commendation, not condemnation factual representation of the issues, not halftruths. As a veteran journalist, Mr Binniyat has a duty to balance his passion for highlighting the plight of these communities with his commitment to national security and the peace and prosperity of Southern Kaduna. His skills and experience in conflict reporting should not be limited to playing the blame game, but should also help address the menace of informants, primarily involving youths in communities where attacks and kidnappings remain recurrent despite continuous security interventions. Ultimately, we can overcome banditry through partnership and shared commitment to intelligence gathering and community policing. Investigative reports on conflicts or their aftermath such as Mr Binniyats can be veritable tools if channeled to the right quarters. Anything contrary risks giving terrorists and bandits a sense of victory and emboldening them to strike more communities. The choice is ours to make, and Mr Luka Binniyat has an opportunity to lead from the front in this regard. I wish both President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani success in their efforts to secure our communities and make Nigeria and Kaduna State more prosperous for us all. Edward John Auta is historian, Opposition Stalwart, and Promoter of Peace and Peaceful Coexistence in Kaduna State. Email: [email protected] If the university must heal and reclaim its dignity, it must confront the truth of what happened. It must accept that the process was hijacked. It must acknowledge that loyalty was punished and bloodlines elevated. It must admit that the Abuja hijack violated everything the University Act stands for. And above all, it must return to the path of law, for only then can UNIZIK rise again as the great institution it once was. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka an institution once celebrated for fairness, scholarship and institutional honour has found itself engulfed in one of the most unsettling leadership crises in the history of Nigerian tertiary education. What should have been a straightforward process of appointing a new Vice-Chancellor gradually deteriorated into a spectacle marked by political interference, legal violations and profound betrayal. The turmoil surrounding the emergence of Professor Bond Anyaehie has left stakeholders shocked, wounded and questioning how a university that once stood as a beacon of learning could be dragged into such disrepute. What happened at UNIZIK was not a mere procedural flaw; it was a hijack audacious, calculated and executed with a brazenness that undermined both the university and the laws that govern it. To understand the weight of this crisis, one must appreciate the position of those who followed the process with hope, especially the supporters of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu. Appointed temporarily by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in June 2024, at a time when the university lacked a Governing Council, Ikechebelu was handed a difficult assignment. The institution stood on the brink of administrative imbalance, and his appointment was intended to safeguard it from slipping into a vacuum. He accepted the responsibility with full commitment, stabilising the institution, restoring order and preparing the ground for what many believed would be a transparent leadership transition. His appointment was never meant to be permanent, but the sacrifice, energy and goodwill he invested made him one of the most respected figures in the race. His confidence in the process came not from entitlement but from service. He believed in the system because he believed in the institution. By July 2024, when the new Governing Council under Ambassador Greg Mbadiwe was inaugurated and the NUC stepped aside, the Council appointed Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi as acting vice-chancellor. Even then, many within UNIZIK understood that Ikechebelu remained a formidable contender. He had deep institutional memory, administrative competence, and the trust of large sections of the workforce. Yet, beneath these open transitions, a darker undercurrent was building one that would eventually expose how little the rule of law would matter. A lawsuit filed by Professor Anthony Okoye had produced a consent judgment on 16 October 2024 from the National Industrial Court in Awka. This judgment provided the lawful framework for selecting a substantive vice-chancellor. In accordance with this judgment, the university advertised the vacancy, shortlisted candidates and conducted interviews. For a moment, hope flickered. It seemed due process would prevail. But that hope evaporated as political actors emerged unexpectedly and exerted pressure that overshadowed merit and fairness. The selection process quickly became a battlefield for power blocs, and those who had carried the institution through its turbulence found themselves confronting forces no law could restrain. Then came the ambush. On 19 November 2024, the Tinubu administration abruptly dissolved the Governing Council mid-process and without explanation. This action violated every principle embedded in the University Act and sent shockwaves across the academic community. Days later, on 24 November, the Minister of Education reappointed Ikechebelu as acting vice-chancellor, an act that was subsequently declared illegal because only the Governing Council not the Ministry has the authority to make such an appointment. UNIZIK was no longer being guided by law; it had become a chessboard for political manoeuvring. Even amidst this chaos, many still hoped that once the confusion settled, the university would return to the lawful path. But this hope was short-lived. Despite a standing court judgment, and despite the Industrial Court dismissing appeals in both Awka and Abuja, the university under heavy external influence proceeded to initiate an entirely new selection process. This action amounted to outright contempt of court, so much so that the National Industrial Court issued Form 86 and Form 87, reminding the institution that the penalty for disobedience could include imprisonment. Yet, these warnings were brushed aside. Politics had fully taken control, and due process was shoved aside. UNIZIK stands today on a dangerous precipice. On one side lies the rule of law, institutional dignity and fairness. On the other lies chaos, diminished credibility and a future where leadership is auctioned to the highest political bidder. The truth remains constant: appointments born of illegality do not endure. Institutions built on contempt eventually collapse under the contradictions they create. Whatever now lies ahead will be determined not by political celebrants but by the law, which however slow always returns to demand accountability. It was in the midst of unresolved litigation, active contempt and blatant disregard for law that the university announced Professor Bond Anyaehie a man widely known to be closely related to a powerful political figure in Imo State as the new vice-chancellor. For many within the academic community, this was the final confirmation that the process had been manipulated to favour a predetermined candidate. Perhaps the most disturbing part of the entire saga is the unprecedented manner in which the process was concluded. For the first time in the history of Nigerian universities, the decisive stage of selecting a Vice-Chancellor was removed from the campus and hijacked to Abuja. This was not only irregular it was unlawful. The Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act clearly stipulates that once the Joint CouncilSenate Selection Board recommends three candidates, the full Governing Council must meet on campus, deliberate and vote. The candidate with the highest votes becomes the vicecChancellor. This procedure ensures autonomy, protects university integrity and prevents political interference. Yet, at UNIZIK, the final vote never took place. There was no Council meeting, no ballot, no record of voting and no lawful ratification. Instead, the outcome was engineered in Abuja, violating the very foundation upon which university governance rests. For the supporters of Ikechebelu, the pain is deep not because he was entitled to victory but because the process was never allowed to be fair. He had given so much to stabilise the university in its moment of vulnerability. He trusted the system. And the system failed him. His loss is not merely personal; it symbolises the erosion of fairness in a place where fairness is supposed to be sacred. Now, UNIZIK faces a question that goes beyond legality and touches on morality: how did a university named after Nnamdi Azikiwe an icon of justice, democratic values and institutional integrity fall into the hands of those who treat court orders as optional and legality as negotiable? How did merit become so cheap and political lineage become so powerful that the leadership of a great institution could be decided by proximity to government houses rather than competence? UNIZIK stands today on a dangerous precipice. On one side lies the rule of law, institutional dignity and fairness. On the other lies chaos, diminished credibility and a future where leadership is auctioned to the highest political bidder. The truth remains constant: appointments born of illegality do not endure. Institutions built on contempt eventually collapse under the contradictions they create. Whatever now lies ahead will be determined not by political celebrants but by the law, which however slow always returns to demand accountability. If the university must heal and reclaim its dignity, it must confront the truth of what happened. It must accept that the process was hijacked. It must acknowledge that loyalty was punished and bloodlines elevated. It must admit that the Abuja hijack violated everything the University Act stands for. And above all, it must return to the path of law, for only then can UNIZIK rise again as the great institution it once was. Chinedu Okonkwo, an ex-staff of UNIZIK, wrote from Anambra State. Nigeria is a nation of remarkable complexity; multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and home to over 230 million people. Nation-building in such a diverse landscape demands context, balance, and a willingness to engage issues with nuance rather than sensationalismNigeria cannot be understood or judged through simplistic or one-dimensional lenses. Our internal dynamics require thoughtful interpretation, grounded in facts, history, and constitutional reality, Tuggar pointed out. The articulation of a coherent foreign policy is not dogon turanci or luxury; rather, it is an external projection of our values as a nation, promotion of the national interests and our worldview. Professor Ibrahim Gambari What a week! I was on the TF panel discussion on Sunday on Trump and Nigeria, moderated by the distinguished historian and Professor of Humanities, Toyin Falola. Of all that was discussed, one comment stood out not just for its poignancy, but as a pointer to the mindset of those in the leadership of Nigerias neighbours in the Sahel. It was from a high-ranking Malian official mocking Nigeria on its designation as a Country of Particular Concern by the US and the follow-up threat by President Trump. To these Malians, Nigerias principled insistence on the sanctity of the ECOWAS protocol on democracy is such a sore point that they would rather have Nigeria go down, even if that would come with negative implications for the region. It was an instant reminder of the point that has been repeatedly made by Nigerias Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, that the security crisis in Nigeria is a product of what he referred to in his January article as an interlocking suite of occurrences linked to the implosion of Libya, failure of the EU Sahel Strategy, effects of climate change, among others, which have served as a fillip for terrorism and criminal gangs to thrive as much as it has in the last 15 years in the region. In what appears to be an uncanny coincidence, the week that started on a pregnant note has delivered multiple fruits that make one wonder if what we are dealing with is truly a coincidence or something more sinister than initially thought. On the domestic front, it has been a horrible week the abduction of over 20 pupils from their school in Kebbi on Monday, the attack on worshippers and abduction of some church members in Kwara State on Wednesday, and another mass abduction of students and teachers from a school in Niger State on Friday that has prompted questions about what could be going on in Nigeria since the declaration by President Trump. Such was the overwhelming sense of loss and grief that President Tinubu had to rightly pull back, at the last minute, on plans to attend the 20th G20 Summit in South Africa and the 7th AU-EU Summit in Angola On the international front, events appeared to be carefully orchestrated for this week. On Tuesday, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, the Trinidadian Rapper popularly known as Nicki Minaj, spoke at an event organised by the US ambassador to the UN in New York on the situation, alleging that: Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart simply because of how they pray in Nigeria, which she also described as a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions. On the same day, Piers Morgan released the episode of his programme, Uncensored, which featured Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar; former Canadian MP and host of The Goldie Show, Goldie Ghamari; and Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo. Attention would then shift on Thursday to the US Congress for the hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa on President Trumps re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular ConcernCPC. US Congressmen were obviously split, with Chairman Smith leading those insistent on the framing of the crisis as one of Christian genocide, and those like Representative Sara Jacobs, who cautioned against an oversimplification of the issue, as that might turn a complex security crisis into a religious conflict that might exacerbate the situation. In a way, the debate at the US Congressional Hearing bore a resemblance to that on the Piers Morgan Show, which pitched Nigerias Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, against the former Canadian MP, Goldie Ghamari, and Piers Morgan himself. While some have argued that Minister Tuggar ought not to have ventured into a predictably unfriendly territory, knowing the risks involved, he argues that the work of diplomacy includes correcting misconceptions, providing clarity where narratives are distorted, and ensuring that global audiences appreciate the full picture of who we are and the values we uphold. While Representative Bill Huizenga, who was a co-sponsor of the resolution backing the re-designation of Nigeria as a CPC, accused the Nigerian government of inaction, with Rep Riley Moore, who reported that he had earlier met the Nigerian delegation, insisted on his position, even likening the situation to that of Rwanda before the genocide, Rep Pramila Jayapal spoke forcefully against the argument by the other lawmakers. To Rep Sara Jacobs, There is very real conflict and violence that we need to address The violence impacting both Christian and Muslim communities is real. In a way, the debate at the US Congressional Hearing bore a resemblance to that on the Piers Morgan Show, which pitched Nigerias Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, against the former Canadian MP, Goldie Ghamari, and Piers Morgan himself. While some have argued that Minister Tuggar ought not to have ventured into a predictably unfriendly territory, knowing the risks involved, he argues that the work of diplomacy includes correcting misconceptions, providing clarity where narratives are distorted, and ensuring that global audiences appreciate the full picture of who we are and the values we uphold. Given Tuggars vast experience in the field and his knowledge of the nuances and intrigues of foreign relations, his appearance on the show might not be just for its massive audience and the metrics, but as part of a strategic plan of action to mitigate the crisis and push back the false narrative pertaining to Nigeria that has been aggressively pushed through unconventional diplomatic channels in the past few weeks. The objective was apparently to counter the one-dimensional single story that refuses to acknowledge the complexity of Nigeria and its security challenges. Tuggar argued that, Nigerias truth must not be distorted to fit external biases, and insisted that the country understands the playbook of those who have been pushing this false narrative, in a manner comparable to the situations leading to the unraveling of Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sudan, while equally standing his ground that Nigeria will never be the next Sudan. Nigeria is a nation of remarkable complexity; multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and home to over 230 million people. Nation-building in such a diverse landscape demands context, balance, and a willingness to engage issues with nuance rather than sensationalismNigeria cannot be understood or judged through simplistic or one-dimensional lenses. Our internal dynamics require thoughtful interpretation, grounded in facts, history, and constitutional reality, Tuggar pointed out. While some tried to reduce the debate to numbers, which have long been disputed, the overriding argument ought to be that every life matters, and should matter, irrespective of creed or religion. There are arguments that some of the figures out there are either exaggerated or understated to achieve predetermined objectives. However, the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a global conflict-tracking organisation, which many media organisations cite, states that from the data over the last five years, only five per cent of the incidents can be classified as explicitly religiously motivated. Some of the contributions at the Congressional hearing indicate that Nigerias Foreign Affairs engagement through official and back channels, as well as through the media, might have begun to shape the narrative, dispelling blatant falsehoods about Islamists hijacking or infiltrating the Nigerian government, reinforcing the argument that engagement with the right people will help to clear up the misunderstanding and bring clarity to the issues. HumAngle submits that its years of reporting, including fact-checks, investigations, and data analysis, consistently demonstrate that it cannot neatly box Nigerias insecurity as a religious war, submitting that communal/ethnic friction, often related to land disputes or banditry, is a far more pervasive factor in explicit targeting than sectarian religious identity. Yet, just like most people, there is no disputing the existence of the persecution of Christians. The argument made by US Rep Pramila Jayapal, among others, is this: The killings in Nigeria arent just the persecution of Christians. It is the persecution of multiple groups. We should be careful not to portray it as just persecution of Christians. That feels to me simplistic, and it doesnt account for the intersection of diversity of Nigeria. Some of the contributions at the Congressional hearing indicate that Nigerias Foreign Affairs engagement through official and back channels, as well as through the media, might have begun to shape the narrative, dispelling blatant falsehoods about Islamists hijacking or infiltrating the Nigerian government, reinforcing the argument that engagement with the right people will help to clear up the misunderstanding and bring clarity to the issues. There have been warnings against military action from some in Congress and Oge Onubogu, senior fellow and director, Africa Program, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She says that it could endanger Christians it aims to protect. If the Trump administration proceeds with unilateral military action in Nigeria, it could endanger the Christians it aims to protect and worsen divisions along religious linesA narrow narrative that reduces Nigerias security situation to a single story and frames it solely as the persecution of Christians oversimplifies the situation. Even Nicki Minaj says that her call for the protection of Christians in Nigeria was not about taking sides or dividing people but about uniting humanity in Nigeria. Congressman Jonathan Jackson was more direct: I wholeheartedly denounce the deployment of American troops to Nigeria. I call it a dangerous overreach that risks reigniting colonial imperialist intervention on African soil. We cannot allow the sudden interest in Nigerias internal political affairs to be a pretext for military action, when the same impulse was absent in the Sudan or DRC You dont stabilise Africa with missiles. You stabilise it with schools, clean water, economic opportunities and true partnership. The path to peace in Nigeria must come through dialogue, development and dignity. America should be a partner in healing, not a hammer looking for a nail. The point about partnership and the need for cooperation has been repeatedly hammered. It appears to be finally sinking in, as even some of the Congressmen who leaned more on the other side of the narrative spoke to the possibilities that can come from confidence-building measures. Simbo Olorunfemi is a specialist on Nigerias foreign policy, a communications consultant, and managing editor of Africa Enterprise. Email: [email protected] The movement to bring the US government and establishment to justice for genocide is decades old. These efforts have been built on the infamous assassinations of American civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, who despite advocating non-violence, was gunned down on 4 April, 1968, and the fiery Malcolm X, who at 39 was shot 21 times on 21 February, 1965. As the year 2025 rolls to a close, there are citizens of the United States planning, in the new year, to charge their country with genocide against its Black, Brown and Indigenous Peoples. The Peoples Senate, one of the movements engaged in the National Mobilisation Against Genocides, declared that to mark the 250th Commemoration of the US Declaration of Independence on 4 July, 2026, the charge will be laid against the US of years of genocidal policies and practices. It declared: The truth is, this country had replaced the British Empire with another even more genocidal one. The Spirit of Mandela (SofM) coalition said the international tribunal to be convened on 4 July, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia, is continuing the work of the 2021 international tribunal that found the US government guilty of genocide. The 2026 plan includes laying charges of genocide for the practical wiping out of the American Indian population, which from being 100 per cent of the population, is now reduced to less than two per cent, not necessarily because of the influx of other peoples, but due to the deliberate extermination of the populace. Just in February, the leading American Indian liberation fighter, Leonard Peltier, was released from prison after 50 years. Also, charges are to be laid on behalf of the Puerto Ricans for the continuous genocide and colonialism they face. The face of the Puerto Rican resistance, Oscar Lopez Rivera, who had two life sentences for seditious conspiracy, was released from prison in 2017 after 39 years of confinement. This was after the United Nations Committee on Decolonisation had threatened to visit Lopez in prison, if he is not freed in line with global calls, and allowed to visit the world body. The following year, when the Committee reconvened, the newly released Oscar Lopez appeared within the hallowed walls of the UN to address the world. The African American Liberation Movement, quoting the 19th Century Abolitionist, Frederick Douglas, who famously asked: What to the slave is the Fourth of July? is a major component of the Tribunal charging the USA with genocide. Centred around the Black Panther and Black Liberation legacy, the movement said it would be an integral part of the Atlanta International Tribunal where it would proclaim: No to Genocide Anywhere! The proposed tribunal is actually a continuation of the 22-25 October, 2021, We Still Charge Genocide: 2021 International Tribunal. That itself was built on the historic International Tribunal on US Political Prisoners and Prisoners of War which held in 1990 at New Yorks Hunter College. It had eight judges from Germany, Japan/Australia, Ghana, Palestine, Peru, Puerto Rico, US and the United Kingdom including a Nobel laureate and a member of the House of Lords. A 33-point indictment was made against the US President, Attorney General, and the heads of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Prisons. The movement to bring the US government and establishment to justice for genocide is decades old. These efforts have been built on the infamous assassinations of American civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, who despite advocating non-violence, was gunned down on 4 April, 1968, and the fiery Malcolm X, who at 39 was shot 21 times on 21 February, 1965. Malcom X, who had decided to drag the US to the UN for genocide, had previously argued that left to itself, the US will not move away from its legacy of genocide. He famously posited: If you stick a knife nine inches into my back and pull it out three inches, that is not progress. Even if you pull it all the way out, that is not progress. Progress is healing the wound, and America hasnt even begun to pull out the knife. One of the earliest efforts to charge the US for genocide arose from the 17 December, 1951 submission of a petition to the UN signed by almost 100 US activists and intellectuals. Titled, We Charge Genocide: The Crime of Government Against the Negro People. It was submitted to the world body headquarters by a team led by famous athlete, actor and vocalist, Paul Robeson. Also, William Lorenzo Patterson, the Secretary of the Civil Rights Congress, CRC which had authored the petition, delivered the petition to a UN meeting in Paris. Pattersons advocacy was so effective that Congressman Henderson Lovelace Lanham, of Rome, Georgia, speaking in the halls of Congress, called him a God-damned black son-of-bitch. Adding: We gotta keep the black apes down. Pattersons 1971 autobiography was titled The Man Who Cried Genocide. Professor WEB Dubois, co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), was scheduled to accompany Patterson to the Paris UN meeting, but was barred by the US State Department from leaving America. The historic indictment began with the introduction: Out of the inhuman black ghettos of American cities, out of the cotton plantations of the South, comes this record of mass slayings on the basis of race, of lives deliberately warped and distorted by the willful creation of conditions making for premature death, poverty and disease. It is a record that calls aloud for condemnation, for an end to these terrible injustices that constitute a daily and ever-increasing violation of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It emphasised: We speak of progressive mankind because a policy of discrimination at home must inevitably create racist commodities for export abroad-must inevitably tend toward war. Clarifying that the petition was not just about African Americans, the 1951 indictment stated: We have not dealt here with the cruel and inhuman policy of this government toward the people of Puerto Rico. Impoverished and reduced to a semi-literate state through the wanton exploitation and oppression by gigantic American concerns, through the merciless frame-up and imprisonment of hundreds of its sons and daughters, this colony of the rulers of the United States reveals in all its stark nakedness, the moral bankruptcy of this government and those who control its home and foreign policies. History has shown that the racist theory of government of the U.S.A. is not the private affair of Americans, but the concern of mankind everywhere. It highlighted the Hitlerite genocide against the Jewish people and argued why African Americans must be saved from such genocide. It cited killings by the police, incited gangs, masked men, and the Ku Klux Klan, a genocidal organisation granted the tax exemptions of a benevolent society. Also citing economic genocide the petitioners submitted: We solemnly warn that a nation which practises genocide against its own nationals may not be long deterred, if it has the power, from genocide elsewhere. I submit, genocide anywhere, is genocide everywhere. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board is commencing the refunds of Hajj fares following the reduction of Hajj seats announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). The NAHCON has announced that the revised cost for the Northern zone now stands at N7,696,769.76, while pilgrims departing from the Southern zone will pay N7,991,141.73. The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, under the leadership of Ahmed Umar Labbo, has announced the immediate commencement of refunds to pilgrims who had already paid for their hajj seats across the state before the reduction. The Director General of the Board, Mr Labbo, announced on Saturday in Dutse that the refund process is a directive from the National Hajj Commission following the substantial reduction of the Hajj fare. To ensure a seamless and transparent disbursement of funds, Mr Labbo has directed all zonal officers attached to the Board to immediately begin collecting applications from eligible pilgrims. We urge all zonal officers to act swiftly in collecting the necessary applications along with valid bank account details from the pilgrims, he stated. Mr Labbo tasked the officials to ensure that the refund reaches the beneficiaries without delay. Meanwhile, Mr Labbo said that preparations for the 2026 Hajj operations are already in high gear, both within the state and in Saudi Arabia. The Board is working tirelessly to secure the best arrangements for the states contingent, as per the usual practices of the hajj exercise in the state. I appeal to all intending pilgrims to ensure they pay for their Hajj seats on or before December 24th adhering to this deadline is crucial to avoid any complications or potential disqualification from the exercise, he warned. Mr Labbo expressed profound gratitude to the Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi for his continuous support and unwavering commitment to the Board, which has been instrumental in ensuring the welfare and comfort of Jigawa State pilgrims. Suspected members of the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) have reportedly killed a police officer during an attack on a police outpost in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State. Sources in Geidam reported that the insurgents attacked the outpost late Wednesday night. The insurgents also stole one patrol vehicle and burned down another, Bashir Baba, a resident of the area, said. They came around 1:30 a.m. and headed directly to the police station. They were trying to steal the police patrol vehicles. When the automatic alarm sounded, a police officer came out to check, and the terrorists killed him, Mr Baba said. The Yobe State Government donated 22 patrol vehicles to the police in September, comprising 21 Hilux patrol vehicles for divisional police offices, and one for operations at the command headquarters. Mr Baba said that after the incident at the police station, the terrorists went to the police area command office in the local government, located a few kilometres away, possibly to steal another patrol vehicle. At the command, they met resistance from some police officers who fired tear gas, which dispersed the attackers, he added. Other sources said the terrorists opened the stations cells and stole another patrol vehicle. According to unofficial reports, ISWAP fighters were regrouping in the neighbouring Yunusari Local Government Area, specifically in Sukdu, Buhari, Mattati, and Bulabulin. Dungus Abdulkarim, spokesperson for the Yobe State Police Command, confirmed the incident. He said the attackers may have targeted the outpost to seize vehicles and that an investigation was ongoing. Nigeria faces a worsening security crisis. The insecurity continued on Monday when bandits invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Kebbi State, killing a staff member and abducting 25 students. Barely 48 hours later, gunmen raided a church in Kwara State, killing some worshippers and kidnapping others. Amid the escalating crisis, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed all security agencies to move to the highest alert level, as the government attempts to contain the crisis. Amidst a deteriorating security climate and a surge in coordinated attacks on educational institutions especially in Northern Nigeria, the Katsina and Plateau state governments have ordered the immediate closure of schools. The directives were issued Friday, hours after the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed that 227 pupils and teachers were abducted by terrorists from a Catholic school in Niger State. The closures also follow a similar directive by the federal government, which ordered the immediate shutdown of 47 Federal Unity Collegesmostly in the Northciting the safety of students. Katsina, Plateau shutdowns In Katsina, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, announced the closure of all boarding and day schools in the state. In a statement signed by the ministrys spokesperson, Sani Suleiman, the government described the move as a precautionary measure to safeguard students and staff. The safety of citizens remains the top priority of the government, the statement read, urging full compliance from proprietors of public, private, and community schools while security agencies monitor the situation. Similarly, the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board ordered the closure of all primary and junior secondary schools following intelligence reports of imminent attacks. As PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier, the boards spokesperson, Richard Jonah, directed Government Junior Model Secondary Schools to close from 22 November, while primary and day schools are to shut down by 24 November. 227 abducted in Niger The panic triggering these closures stems partly from a massive abduction in Niger State on Friday. Gunmen stormed St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, at about 2 a.m. While local officials initially gave conflicting figures, the Niger State Chapter of CAN has now confirmed the scale of the attack. In a statement Friday evening, the CAN chairperson in the state, Bulus Yohanna, said 227 persons, comprising 215 pupils and 12 teachers, were whisked away by the attackers. Mr Yohanna noted that while some students managed to escape during the invasion, the institution has been shut down indefinitely. From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists. It is worthy to note that, during the terrorist attack, some students escaped and parents have started coming to pick up their children as the school has to be shut down. I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful, and I also want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees. May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers, the CAN chairman prayed. School Ignored closure instruction However, the Niger State Government has pushed back against criticisms of security lapses, blaming the school management for the incident. The government stated that the Catholic school had reopened without clearance, ignoring an earlier advisory that directed the temporary shutdown of all boarding schools in the affected area. The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, explained that the closure directive was issued based on credible intelligence indicating a high probability of attacks in the axis. He added that despite this setback, security agencies, including police tactical teams and military units, are currently combing the forests in a search-and-rescue operation. Controversy in Kebbi: Troops withdrawn before attack The wave of violence began earlier in the week in Kebbi State, where armed men invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, abducting at least 25 students. During the attack, the schools vice principal, Hassan Makuku, was shot dead while trying to protect the students. In a revelation that has stirred national outrage, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, alleged that military personnel deployed to protect the school were withdrawn less than an hour before the terrorists struck. Speaking while receiving the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, Mr Idris expressed shock at the timing of the withdrawal. The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3 a.m., and by 3:45 a.m. the incident happened, Mr Idris said. He called for a thorough investigation into who authorised the withdrawal of troops despite the state government having provided intelligence about an impending attack. This looks more than a coincidence, Mr Ajaero noted during the visit, pledging the unions support in pushing for improved school security. READ ALSO: Police oppose planned protest over kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi FG steps up response In response to the Kebbi incident, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to the state to coordinate rescue efforts. Mr Matawalle arrived in Birnin Kebbi on Friday. His spokesperson, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, stated that the minister would remain on the ground to supervise joint operations ensuring the safe return of the students. The federal governments decision to close 47 Unity Colleges, conveyed in a circular by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Binta Abdulkadir, shows the administrations concern that the Safe School Initiative is faltering under the weight of renewed banditry. Security experts warn that the simultaneous shutdowns in Katsina, Plateau, and the federal colleges signal a widening security crisis that threatens to paralyze the education sector in Northern Nigeria. The police in Benue State have recovered some stolen motorcycles and arrested three women suspected of child trafficking. The details were contained in a statement issued on Friday by the police spokesperson in the state, Udeme Edet. Mr Edet said a patrol team responded to a distress call on Thursday after a stolen Bajaj motorcycle was traced to a compound along George Akume Way, Makurdi. He said officers arrived to find a crowd gathered at the location. A search of the premises led to the recovery of 11 suspected stolen motorcycles, 47 motorcycle seats, fuel tanks, charms, three mattresses, a single-barrel firearm and other items. According to the statement, two suspects attempted to flee but were caught by residents near the BIPC Company on the same road and lynched before police arrived. They were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Wadata, where doctors confirmed them dead. Their bodies were deposited in the mortuary, while the State Criminal Investigation Department took over the case. In a separate operation, officers on patrol intercepted a vehicle on the OrokamEnugu Road and arrested three women found travelling with six children. According to Mr Edet, the suspects were identified as Monica Okonkwo, 57, Nkiru Nwosu, 55, and Oyechele Francisca, 57, all from Dunukofia in Anambra State. The police said the children, aged between seven and nine, were taken from Divine Peace and Grace Orphanage in Jos under questionable circumstances. READ ALSO: Police oppose planned protest over kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi The police said the children had been rescued and placed under protective care, while the suspects were in custody as investigations continued at the State CID. Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari condemned the mob killing of the two motorcycle suspects, describing such acts as harmful to justice and dangerous to public safety. He urged residents to hand suspects over to law enforcement agencies rather than take matters into their own hands. The command stated that it remained committed to protecting lives and property in the state and would provide updates as the investigation progressed. Five persons have been confirmed dead in a road accident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday along the LapaiSuleja Road in Niger State. Thirty-four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving treatment at the Lapai General Hospital. The crash, which occurred around 4:30 a.m., involved a vehicle carrying passengers from Kano to Maiduguri en route to Lagos. Witnesses reported that the incident happened when the driver attempted to avoid a collision. A survivor told PREMIUM TIMES correspondent that the crash began when a container-laden truck suddenly swerved into their lane. He said the driver tried to manoeuvre the vehicle out of danger but lost control, resulting in the fatal crash. The truck driver was said to have fled the scene. READ ALSO: Man killed in Abuja road accident The Chairperson of the Hausa community in Lapai, Salisu Suleiman, described the accident as one of many frequent crashes that have been recorded on the route. He urged travellers to avoid night journeys and warned against using lorries for long-distance passenger transportation, saying such practices significantly increase the risk of fatal accidents. Medical personnel at Lapai General Hospital are continuing to provide emergency care for the injured. The Plateau State Police Command has moved to calm anxiety among parents and guardians following the state governments decision to shut all basic schools as a precaution against possible security threats. Police spokesperson Alfred Alabo, in a statement on Saturday, said the command was aware of concerns raised after the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) announced the temporary closure of Government Junior Model Secondary Schools, primary schools, and day schools across the state. The order takes effect between November 22 and 24. Mr Alabo said the police were working to protect school communities. In his words, The security of our students, staff and communities is our top priority. The temporary closure of schools is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the security of our educational institutions. He added that intelligence teams were operating round the clock to gather intelligence to nip potential security risks in the bud. The command stated that the Commissioner of Police had directed area commanders, divisional police officers, and tactical units to intensify patrols around schools, residential areas, and other strategic points. The statement also noted that a 24-hour surveillance plan had been activated under the police intelligence department. Residents were urged to report any suspicious activity to the police using emergency numbers provided in the release. The command stated that it was working with other security agencies and community stakeholders to prevent disruptions and ensure schools can resume normal activities once the threat level improves. Fridays announcement by PSUBEB followed a series of attacks on schools in other parts of the country. In Kebbi State, gunmen recently invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, abducting 25 students and killing the vice principal who tried to resist them. In Niger State, armed men also attacked St Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, and seized students and teachers during an early morning raid. Authorities say the temporary school closures in Plateau are part of broader efforts to prevent similar incidents and to strengthen early-warning systems around vulnerable communities. Lowe's shopping carts outside of store. Key Points Lowe's outperformed its competitors and is well-positioned for a strong 2026. Cash flow sustains a healthy capital return, including dividends and buybacks. Analysts and institutional activity point to a robust rebound and potential for new highs in 2026. Interested in Lowe's Companies, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. Lowes (NYSE: LOW) reported mixed results and tepid guidance, but it was enough to spark a price rebound and signal a buying opportunity for investors. While tepid, the results and outlook affirm analysts expectations, along with the companys cash flow and capital returns, which are driving its stock price. NVIDIAs 13F Reveals 2 Q3 WinnersAnd 1 Painful Miss The takeaway is that headwinds persist, but this retail company is sustaining growth, maintaining margins, and building value for investors. As a result, its stock price is likely to revert to the high end of the existing trading range and potentially set new highs in early to mid-2026. Symbotic Reanimates Market, Long-Term Targets Are Back In Focus Lowe's stock chart showing support at a critical level. Lowes Takes Share in Q3, Outperforms Competitor Lowes had a decent quarter in Q3 despite macroeconomic headwinds and the impact of 2025s less damaging hurricane season. The company reported $20.81 billion in revenue, up 3.2%, outpacing competitor Home Depot by approximately 45 basis points but falling slightly short of the consensus. NuScale's Shocking Q3 Was a Bullish Signal in Disguise The growth was underpinned by a 0.4% comparable sales (comps) increase, which was also better than Home Depot's, as well as by strength in the services and professional businesses. Services grew by double digits, while professional business is expected to accelerate from Q3s solid levels due to acquisitions. The margin news is mixed but favorable to shareholders. The company widened its gross margin but offset the gain with increased costs. However, the net result is better than expected, with the $3.06 in adjusted earnings up 5.6% compared to the 3.2% revenue growth and 11 cents better than MarketBeats reported consensus. The critical detail is that cash flow was sufficient to sustain balance sheet and capital returns in the face of its recent acquisition, setting the business up for strength in 2026. Guidance was also mixed but favorable to investors. Although guidance fell short of the consensus, the increases reflect managements improved confidence and align with the analysts' forecasts, easing market concerns for capital return payments. As of mid-November, the companys dividend yield stands at an attractive 2.75% annually, complemented by share buybacks that further boost returns. The number of children abducted on Friday from St Marys School in the Papiri area of Agwara Local Government in Niger State has risen to 303, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Twelve teachers were also taken. The Chairperson of the Niger State chapter of CAN, Bulus Yohanna, stated that the new figure resulted from a verification exercise and a final census conducted at the school. A total of 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were abducted, he said in a statement on Saturday. He added that another 88 students who tried to flee during the attack were also taken. The victims are between 10 and 18 years old. CAN officials visited the school on Friday. The facility remains deserted except for security personnel and a few community members who assisted in counting missing students. Mr Yohanna said the organisation was concerned about misinformation around the incident. He rejected the state governments claim that the school reopened in defiance of a security directive. We did not receive any circular. It must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame, he said. He urged families to remain calm and prayerful. The attack in Papiri took place days after 25 schoolchildren were seized in Maga town in Kebbi State, about 170 kilometres from the Niger school. No group has taken responsibility for either incident. Security officials said tactical teams had been deployed with local hunters to track the attackers. Authorities in Agwara said on Friday that the abductions happened between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. The rise in the number of missing students has renewed concern about the safety of schools across Nigeria. Last year, UNICEF reported that only 37 per cent of schools across 10 conflict-prone states had early warning systems to detect threats. Armed groups continue to target schools because of the publicity such attacks generate. Both Christian and Muslim communities have been affected. The earlier kidnapping in Kebbi happened in a Muslim majority town. Developments over the last two days suggest a broader national response. The federal government ordered the temporary closure of 47 unity schools on Thursday after receiving security advisories from defence and intelligence agencies. Officials said the measure was taken to protect students while military and police units reassessed security gaps. The Ministry of Education stated that the closures were expected to remain in place until the environment was deemed safe. In Abuja, senior security officials held emergency meetings following the Niger attack. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who has been in the United States for talks with American defence officials, received briefings from home. Defence authorities said more personnel had been placed on standby across the north-central states. The incidents have occurred during a renewed international focus on Nigerias security challenges. United States officials said they raised the issue of school safety during Mr Ribadus ongoing visit. In Nigeria, community leaders in Niger and Kebbi have continued to call for stronger early warning systems and faster deployments in rural areas where most of the recent attacks have occurred. Search and rescue operations in Agwara and neighbouring communities continued on Saturday. Authorities said all available resources were being used to locate the children and teachers. Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has ordered the closure of public and private schools in the state following the kidnapping of 300 pupils, students, and staff of St. Marys Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, when armed men invaded the school community and whisked away students, teachers and other staff members. The attackers were said to have operated for several hours, leaving families and residents in deep panic. The abduction has drawn widespread condemnation, with education stakeholders expressing worry over the rising trend of school-targeted attacks in the region. After the incident, the federal government shut down 47 Unity Schools across the country, while states such as Kwara, Plateau, Taraba, and Kebbi have announced the same measure. Mr Bago said the mass abduction in his state was a heartbreaking assault on our children and required urgent, far-reaching action. He said the shutdown of schools statewide was a precautionary measure taken to prevent further attacks while security agencies intensified rescue operations. This action underscores the governments highest priority, the safety of every child in Niger State, the governor said. We cannot afford additional vulnerabilities, and we will take every necessary measure to protect our students and education workers. READ ALSO: Number of children abducted in Niger school attack rises to 300 as security fears deepen nationwide The governor assured that security formations had been reinforced across vulnerable communities and that efforts to rescue the kidnapped victims were already underway. He urged residents to remain calm and assist security agencies with credible intelligence. The attack on St. Marys has once again highlighted the persistent security challenges confronting Niger State, reviving calls for stronger protection strategies for schools, especially in remote communities. The governments sweeping directive marks one of its most decisive steps yet as it races against time to secure the safe return of the abducted learners and staff. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, said the Nigerian Army is interrogating the soldiers who reportedly withdrew from their duty posts before Mondays abduction of 25 schoolgirls at the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area in Kebbi State. Mr Matawalle arrived in Birnin Kebbi on Friday on the directives of President Bola Tinubu to help secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls. The military didnt order their withdrawal; military authorities are investigating the incident, the minister said. I am confirming to you that soldiers who reportedly withdrew from the school before the attack are in military custody. If they are found wanting, they will face the military court martial, Mr Matawalle said. Earlier, Governor Nasir Idris had demanded explanations from military authorities over the alleged withdrawal of troops from the school. Mr Idris said the troops withdrew from the school about 45 minutes before the arrival of the bandits, despite prior intelligence provided by the State government, describing the scenario as a clear case of sabotage. As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting. The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school. The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3 a.m., and by 3:45 am, the incident happened, Mr Idris said. Mr Idris l demanded an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of the troops. Who authorised the military to withdraw? How did security personnel pull out at such a critical time? That is our concern. We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave that order, Mr Idris queried. Notwithstanding, the governor said both the state and federal governments were working to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls. Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that, he said. We thank President Bola Tinubu for directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima to visit us, and for ensuring that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi State. He said clerics had also been instructed to intensify prayers for the safe return of the victims and for lasting peace in the state. What is happening in this country shows that enemies are working against this government, Mr Idris said. Corroborating the governors claim, a teacher who survived the attack told reporters that heavily armed security personnel had spent Sunday night at the school, interacting and taking photographs with students. Sadly, for yet-to-be-determined reasons, they reportedly left the school before dawn, the teacher narrated. About 30 minutes after they withdrew, the kidnappers struck. READ ALSO: Ribadu meets US Secretary of War over alleged persecution of Christians Governor Idris has since constituted a special investigation panel, to be chaired by the State Director of the SSS, to probe the security failure and coordinate rescue efforts. Mass abductions of school children in the North-west region, plagued by insecurity, are common. Kebbi is among the states affected by the activities of terrorists and the kidnapping of school children. In June 2021, 11 students were abducted from the Federal Government College, Yauri, in the state by a terrorism kingpin, Dogo Gide, who released the students in batches after collecting ransom. No group has claimed responsibility for the latest abduction, and no demand for ransom has been reported. Nigerias Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu has called for calm over the life imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In an X post on Friday, Mrs Ojukwu, who is wife of Biafra war lord Odumegwu Ojukwu, said she only returned from Zanzibar, Tanzania, to hear of Mr Kanus conviction and sentencing. This is not the outcome we anticipated, nor prayed for, but a reality that is now upon us, she said of the conviction. Continuing, she said: There comes a time in the history of a people when there is a need for calm. I therefore advise Ndigbo, and Nigerians as a whole, that such a period is now! There is utmost need to exercise. The minister, who hails from the South-east as Mr Kanu, also called for dialogue as a way to engineer a political solution for the release of the IPOB leader. This situation requires careful reflection and constructive dialogue involving all Igbo stakeholders, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, clergy, traditional rulers, politicians and business people to engage with government authorities collectively, she said. The most effective path toward resolution of this crisis is dialogue. Resolution still possible Mrs Ojukwu appealed to all Igbo-speaking of the South-east and Nigerians in general to curtail all actions concerning Mr Kanus conviction which could escalate the situation at home or in the diaspora. The minister assured Nigerians that the resolution of Mr Kanus situation was still possible despite his conviction. I would like to reassure Ndigbo, Nigerians and our foreign partners that there are still prospects of resolving this impasse in a manner that reduces national anxiety and societal trauma, she said, emphasising the need for calm and patience. She then called for cooperation of South-east leaders in the quest for a political solution to the IPOB leaders conviction and imprisonment. Now is the time for us all in Ala Igbo (Igbo land) to put all hands on deck, and to have a joint engagement, sincerely, involving all the South-eastern states, to seek a political resolution to this matter, she added. Conviction, sentence PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Kanu was on Thursday convicted at the Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty on all the seven counts filed against him by the Nigerian government. The trial judge, James Omotosho, consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment for terrorism. Mr Omotosho also ordered that he be prevented from having access to mobile devices and broadcast equipment except under the watch of security operatives. On Friday, barely 24 hours after the ruling, Aloy Ejimakor, the former special counsel to Mr Kanu, announced that the IPOB leader had been moved from the facility of the State Security Service (SSS) to a prison facility in Sokoto State. The SSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, had neither denied the claim nor responded to an enquiry from PREMIUM TIMES on the development. Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has expressed his intentions to activate plans for the release of Nnamdi Kanu following his life imprisonment. Mr Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism, on Thursday, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The IPOB leader hails from Afara-Ukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of the Abia State, Nigerias South-east. Mr Otti, in a statement on Friday, acknowledged that the conviction of Mr Kanu has broken a lot of our people and created an atmosphere of shock and sorrow in Abia and beyond. The Abia governor recalled that he had appealed that dialogue should be the only solution to the trial after some Nigerian security forces invaded Mr Kanus family house in Afara-Ukwu in September 2017 which resulted in loss of lives. Eight days after that military onslaught at Afaraukwu Umuahia, specifically on September 25, 2017, I wrote a piece on my Thisday Column captioned Operation Python Dance: Killing a Fly With a Sledge Hammer. I condemned that invasion and the killings that followed once again, and offered extensively well-thought-out views and suggestions I felt could help de-escalate tension and unite the nation if the then federal government was willing to pay attention to those views, he said. Plans for resolution after conviction Mr Otti argued that the poor management of the IPOB issue at the incubation stage was responsible for the problem we have today, which he said motivated him to seek a solution. The governor said, from 22 December 2023 while the trial of Mr Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja lasted, he engaged Nigerian authorities at the highest level on alternative resolution strategy. I must state that some agreements were made which were dependent on quick dispensation of the matter at the federal high court. Unfortunately, the matter dragged until this time. I am confident that judgement having been delivered, the alternative resolution will now kick in. It is instructive that this strategy was explained to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu when I visited him while he was in the DSS (SSS) Custody earlier in the year, he stated. While Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free to appeal his conviction, Im happy to inform you that I have activated and will continue to work on the already agreed strategy until his freedom is secured. Open for collaboration Mr Otti expressed his willingness to collaborate with other Nigerians who genuinely want to contribute in securing Mr Kanus freedom through diplomacy and dialogue with President Bola Tinubu-led federal government. The governor stressed that although Mr Tinubu did not create the problem, the president can courageously and compassionately solve it and take the credit. Ill like to use this opportunity to appeal to our people to remain calm and refrain from utterances and actions capable of stoking fear, violence and insecurity and may negatively affect the outcome of the engagements we are already having. I have no doubt that with the assurances I have received from the federal government, a resolution is in sight and Mazi Kanu will receive his freedom, he assured. Dont play politics with Nnamdi Kanus travails Mr Otti warned politicians in Nigeria against using Mr Kanus issue to play politics. May I also caution politicians who have positioned themselves to play petty and dirty politics with the travails of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to jettison the idea, and rather work with us to secure his freedom, he said. The governor assured indigenes of Abia State and the South-east region of his commitment to genuinely solving this problem with wisdom, high level dialogue and diplomacy, to ensure return of peace in the region. Conviction, sentence PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Kanu was on Thursday convicted at the Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty on all the seven counts filed against him by the Nigerian government. The trial judge, Mr Omotosho, consequently sentenced him to life imprisonment for terrorism. Mr Omotosho also ordered that he be prevented from having access to mobile devices and broadcast equipment except under the watch of security operatives. On Friday, barely 24 hours after the ruling, Aloy Ejimakor, the former special counsel to Mr Kanu, announced that the IPOB leader had been moved from the facility of the State Security Service (SSS) to a prison facility in Sokoto State. The SSS spokesperson, Favour Dozie, had neither denied the claim nor responded to an enquiry from PREMIUM TIMES on the development. LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a heartfelt gesture of community support, the injury law firm of Adamson Ahdoot LLP will host a Thanksgiving "Turkey Giveaway" event to support families impacted by the Eaton Fire. The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 23 at 10:00 a.m. at New Horizon School Pasadena (651 Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103). The giveaway will run until 1:00 p.m. or while supplies last. Learn more at https://lp.aa.law/turkeygiveaway/. Attorneys Christopher Adamson, Alan Ahdoot and Uzair Saleem of Adamson Ahdoot LLP, will be onsite to meet community members, help coordinate the event, and offer support to firevictim families. The giveaway is open to Eaton Fire survivors, residents of Altadena, and other families in need. Priority will be given to those impacted by the fire. "We know how devastating the Eaton Fire was to so many families in our community," said Christopher Adamson. "This turkey giveaway is our way of giving back and hopefully giving families even a small reason to be thankful in the wake of unanticipated hardship." "Now is the time for us to come together and support the community that's been severely impacted by the Eaton Fire and offer them our full support," said partner Alan Ahdoot. Uzair Saleem added: "Our firm believes that serving the community means more than legal advocacy, it means rolling up our sleeves and being there when people need support most." Event Highlights: Free turkey per household (limited to one per household). Firstcome, firstserve distribution; event ends at 1:00 p.m. or when supplies run out. Hosted by Adamson Ahdoot LLP in partnership with local community organizations and volunteers. About Adamson Ahdoot LLP Adamson Ahdoot LLP is an awardwinning California personal injury law firm based in Los Angeles. The firm has recovered over $500 million for clients and maintains a 99% success rate. With over 100 years of collective legal experience, the firm specializes in personal injury matters, including auto cases, premises liability, product liability, wildfire, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death. The turkey giveaway underscores the firm's commitment to the Southern California communities it servesespecially families rebuilding after disasters like the Eaton Fire. SOURCE Adamson Ahdoot BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Children's Museum of Brownsville (CMB) announces the grand opening of its newest permanent exhibits, SpaceX Boca Chica to Mars and Adventures in the Sky: Amelia's Journey. The official unveiling will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM at the museum, and media representatives are invited to attend. Grand Opening Image The Children's Museum of Brownsville (CMB) proudly announces the unveiling of two extraordinary new exhibits representing more than $1 million in investment toward advancing informal STEM education and innovation in South Texas: SpaceX's Boca Chica to Mars exhibit and Adventures in the Sky: Amelia's Journey. Together, these landmark additions celebrate Brownsville's unique ties to both aviation history and the future of space exploration, offering visitors immersive, hands-on experiences designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young minds. The Boca Chica to Mars exhibit is an interactive experience that brings the excitement of modern space exploration to life. Developed in collaboration with families of Starbase and our partners at SpaceX, this exhibit invites visitors to step into the world of rocket science and imaginative play as we plan our interplanetary travel to Mars. Reflecting Brownsville's growing role as a gateway to the stars, this exhibit connects local pride with global ambition, showcasing how play and learning intersect to shape the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. "This exhibit represents the hard work and dedication of our community together to inspire young people of the Rio Grande Valley," said Jenna Petrzelka, Starbase City Commissioner. "Designed to spark curiosity about aerospace, the exhibit is a place where our kids and families can see themselves as part of humanity's journey to space. With Starship launches just miles away, it's a tangible place to explore the future taking shape right here at home." Adventures in the Sky: Amelia's Journey exhibit pays tribute to the pioneering aviator's deep connection to Brownsville, where she obtained her commercial pilot's license. Designed as an expansive multi-level climbing structure, the exhibit encourages children to explore, imagine, and challenge themselves as they learn about the courage, determination, and curiosity that defined Earhart's legacy. This exhibit stands as a vibrant symbol of Brownsville's aviation heritage and its continued commitment to empowering future generations through discovery. The project was made possible through the generous support of community partners and foundations, including Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation and the Moody Foundation. "The Amelia Earhart Exhibit embodies what BCIC strives for every day, projects that elevate Brownsville's quality of life by inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a shared sense of pride in our community," said Cori Pena, BCIC President and CEO. "These new exhibits are more than just play spaces; they are experiences that encourage exploration, inspire confidence, and open doors to the possibilities of science and discovery," said Felipe Pena, Executive Director. "Through these new exhibits, we're connecting Brownsville's remarkable history with its exciting future, creating opportunities for every child to dream, learn, and reach for their future." With the addition of these two groundbreaking exhibits, the Children's Museum of Brownsville continues its mission to provide exceptional informal education experiences that engage families and strengthen the region's role as a hub for innovation, exploration, and lifelong learning. Members of the media are invited to cover the event. Interview availability, photography, and video opportunities will be provided following the ceremony. About the Children's Museum of Brownsville: The Children's Museum of Brownsville (CMB) inspires learning through play for children and families across the Rio Grande Valley. Established in 2005 and located in the heart of Dean Porter Park, CMB serves more than 70,000 visitors annually through hands-on exhibits, innovative programs, and community partnerships. Dedicated to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child, the museum provides engaging informal learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). As a nonprofit organization, CMB is committed to building a brighter future for South Texas by making discovery and imagination accessible to all. Website: cmbkids.org Contact Felipe Pena Executive Director 956-547-6883 [email protected] SOURCE Children's Museum of Brownsville -Inspired by ancient Chinese timing to support modern decision-making- NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Julie Huang, writer and Chinese metaphysics practitioner, is partnering with Pearl River Mart this season to launch the Glow Up Golden 2026 Calendar, a culturally rooted timing tool based on classical Chinese wisdom. The calendar is available at Pearl River Mart's SoHo and Chelsea Market main concourse locations, as well as online at www.pearlriver.com. Inspired by the traditional Chinese Day Officer system, the Glow Up Golden 2026 calendar highlights daily energies to support decision-making with greater clarity and alignment. Each calendar includes a QR code that links to a personalized guide, where users can discover their 2026 windows for support (Nobleman), attraction (Peach Blossom), insight (Intelligence Star), and momentum, all drawn from their birth chart. A matching sticker sheet lets users highlight their timing windows directly on the calendar, turning planning into a more visual and intentional practice. "So much of glow-up culture is about changing yourself: your body, your habits, your image," said Julie Huang, creator of the Glow Up Golden Calendar. "This calendar doesn't ask you to change. It's rooted in traditional Chinese wisdom that honors timing, not transformation. You don't need a new version of yourself. You need the right moment. I'm grateful to partner with Pearl River Mart, a place that's always carried heritage forward with intention, heart, and creativity. It's the perfect home for this calendar." "We're always looking for ways to bring meaningful cultural traditions into everyday life, and Glow Up Golden does that beautifully," said Joanne Kwong, president of Pearl River Mart. "Wall calendars are especially nostalgic in the Asian American community, and this one is so much more it's a tool for connection, reflection, and planning with intention. We're proud to help Julie introduce her important work to the community this season." Availability and Events The Glow Up Golden 2026 Calendar will be featured online and at the Chelsea and SoHo Pearl River Mart locations. Julie Huang will also be on-site for scheduled meet-the-creator sessions at the SoHo location. In these informal one-on-one interactions, she'll guide interested visitors through personalized timing insights based on their birth data, helping them uncover supportive dates for the year ahead using traditional Chinese timing methods. Scheduled Pearl River Mart Appearances Date Time Location Timing Day Type Sun, Dec. 7 3-5 PM SoHo Open Day Sun, Jan. 4 1-3 PM SoHo Full Day About Glow Up Golden, a Brand of Kaimen Company Julie Huang is the creator of the Glow Up Golden Calendar, writer of Rupt & Rise on Substack, and the cultural organizer behind community movie takeovers and earlier editions of Chinatown Restaurant Week and Chinatown Jewelry Week. She has shared Lunar New Year traditions on television and has spent eight years studying Chinese metaphysics. Her community work also included producing Knicks viewing events in Chinatown during Linsanity and serving as New York chapter president of the National Association of Asian American Professionals. Glow Up Golden Calendar began as her search for a timing tool she wished existed. She now brings this calendar to Pearl River Mart to share traditional wisdom in a modern, accessible way. In addition to the Pearl River Mart launch, Julie will also appear at select cultural and community venues this season to share more on timing and intention. For more information, visit glowupgolden.com, and follow on TikTok and YouTube. About Pearl River Mart Pearl River Mart was founded as a "friendship store" in 1971. The iconic Asian emporium has locations in New York City's SoHo district; the popular Chelsea Market with both a retail outlet and Pearl River Mart Foods; and a pop-up in Macy's Herald Square until Jan. 4, 2026. From home furnishings to fashion to snacks and everything in between, the store features one-of-a-kind items imported from Asia, as well as innovative merchandise designed and created by Asian Americans. A beloved destination for people from all over the globe, Pearl River has become symbolic of the uniqueness, authenticity, and multiculturalism of New York City. Visit www.PearlRiver.com and follow on Instagram. Media Contact: Julie Huang mobile (678) 888-3682 [email protected] SOURCE Kaimen Company New York-metro deployment brings Apple Mac mini and Mac Studio cloud servers for CI/CD, creative workloads, and Al inference at significantly lower cost than major cloud providers SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MacWeb, a provider of Mac-based cloud infrastructure for AI inference and iOS application workloads, has launched its US East region cloud service in the New York metropolitan area. The new Class A data center presence plants MacWeb's flag in the US East region, complementing its existing US West (Silicon Valley) data center, and giving customers volume deployment of cloud Mac mini and Mac Studio cluster nodes in a facility just minutes from Manhattan and major network exchanges. MacWeb's current offerings include: Volume deployments of 50 to 500+ cloud Mac mini and Mac Studio nodes per customer, designed for production workloads 10G network ports for Ultimate M4 Pro cloud Mac mini and all cloud Mac Studio nodes Cold aisle containment and locked cages with open racks to improve airflow and cooling for dense Mac clusters. The US East deployment is designed for teams that need Mac production workloads in the cloud and at scaletypically 50 to 500 Mac mini or Mac Studio cluster nodes per customerincluding CI/CD farms for iOS and macOS, media and creative pipelines, and AI inference on Apple silicon. Located in Secaucus, New Jersey, MacWeb's clusters sit on a high-performance backbone with low-latency connectivity to New York City and onward to London, Boston, Montreal, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. This makes the region well-suited to hybrid architectures that span multiple clouds and to companies looking to diversify their cloud service providers. "Many application and AI engineers already develop on the Mac and want their cloud infrastructure to look and feel like what's on their desk," said Eric Bickford, CEO of MacWeb. "MacWeb gives them that environment in the cloud using clustered bare-metal Apple silicon hardware in a region that sits close to the hyperscalers they already use. The US East region is for teams that care about latency, cost, and getting into production quickly, not just experimenting." MacWeb's architecture is based on clustered, bare-metal Mac hardwarecurrently Mac mini and Mac Studiooperating as dedicated nodes for each customer. These Apple silicon machines offer high performance, robust security features, and large unified memory configurations at commodity hardware prices, which Bickford sees as a strong fit for AI inference and application runtimes rather than large-scale model training. "Traditional data centers are dominated by 1U and 2U servers that push hard on power and cooling," Bickford added. "A dense Mac mini cluster gives our customers the compute they need in a compact footprint with high performance per watt. For operators who are already thinking about grid constraints and capacity planning, that matters as much as raw speed." Key capabilities of MacWeb's US East and US West Regions include: Volume deployments of 50 to 500+ cloud Mac mini and Mac Studio nodes per customer, designed for production workloads rather than one-off servers. 10G network ports for Ultimate M4 Pro cloud Mac mini and all cloud Mac Studio nodes. Cold aisle containment and locked cages with open racks to improve airflow and cooling for dense Mac clusters. 24/7 security and support, aligned with enterprise expectations. Lower latency from cloud application servers and virtual remote desktops to edge devices and customers across the eastern region of the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Proximity to US East hyperscalers and big-tech cloud providers, supporting hybrid deployments and cloud diversification strategies. The company is targeting several overlapping customer segments in the New York metro area: AI and application developers, iOS and macOS engineering teams, and creative professionals in media, advertising, and design who already rely on Mac workflows. MacWeb's growth has been driven by startups that need to get workloads running quickly and cheaply and are less concerned with the brand signaling that comes from choosing a large hyperscale cloud provider. "Two things are driving our growth right now: fast cycle time to deployment and being a fraction of the cost of running equivalent Mac workloads elsewhere," Bickford said. "AWS is great for short-term, peak demand. Our customers tend to run steady workloads and want a long-term relationship. We can usually have a cluster online in days, not monthsand in a world where some teams are waiting a year for access to Nvidia GPUs, that's a real difference." Evocative, a digital infrastructure provider, is MacWebs data center partner. Evocatives New Yorkmetro Class A data center underpins MacWeb's new operations, providing the underlying power, cooling, and security envelope for the company's East Region services. It features 10 MW of total capacity, 4 x 1.4 MW UPS systems in N+1 configuration, advanced chilled-water cooling, biometric access controls, 24x7x365 on-site engineers, and adherence to PCI-DSS, HIPAA, HECVAT, SOC 2 Type II, and SOC 3 standards. "MacWeb has been a longstanding customer in Evocatives West Coast data centers and were excited to witness the growth of their business," said Derek Garnier, CEO at Evocative. "Their expansion into our New Yorkmetro facility illustrates our commitment to delivering on our customers rapidly evolving AI and application requirements. Evocative's highly redundant, mission critical data center facilities give enterprises and startups options as they explore AI development, hybrid cloud architectures, and infrastructure diversification." For many customers, MacWeb is intended to complementnot replaceexisting investments in AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure. By placing dedicated Mac hardware near major interconnects and exchange points in the New York metro area, the company aims to support hybrid deployments where latency and data path simplicity matter as much as raw compute. "Location isn't an afterthought anymore," Bickford said. "Our customers need access to cloud Mac compute services where their business already is: on both coasts, near their users, their data feeds, and the clouds they already rely on. Secaucus is our first step in building that footprint out." Interested teams can request capacity planning sessions and migration support at macweb.com or by contacting sales at [email protected]. About MacWeb MacWeb is a Silicon Valley-based cloud services company that provides high-performance, dedicated Mac cloud services for developers. Built by developers for developers, MacWeb offers a range of affordable and easy-to-use Mac-as-a-service solutions that empower developers and IT teams to build, test, and deploy applications in the cloud with speed and efficiency. With MacWeb handling the infrastructure, developers can focus on what they do best: creating innovative and world-changing software. MacWeb is committed to providing a highly available, secure, and scalable cloud environment that meets the needs of today's fast-growing businesses. For more information, visit macweb.com. SOURCE MacWeb OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Company ("Mauser") today announced the results as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 21, 2025 (the "Early Tender Time"), of its offers to exchange: (i) any and all $2,695.8 million of its outstanding principal amount of 7.875% Senior First Lien Notes due 2027 (the "Old First Lien Notes") for newly issued 7.875% Senior First Lien Notes due 2030 (the "New First Lien Notes") (such exchange offer, the "First Lien Note Exchange Offer") and (ii) any and all $1,343.5 million of its outstanding principal amount of 9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2027 (the "Old Second Lien Notes" and, together with the Old First Lien Notes, the "Old Notes") for newly issued 9.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the "New Second Lien Notes" and, together with the New First Lien Notes, the "New Notes") (such exchange offer, the "Second Lien Note Exchange Offer" and, together with the First Lien Note Exchange Offer, the "Exchange Offers"), each upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Confidential Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement dated November 7, 2025 (the "Offering Memorandum"). As of the Early Tender Time, a total of $2,636,050,000 principal amount of Old First Lien Notes and $1,298,646,000 principal amount of Old Second Lien Notes had been tendered in the Exchange Offers, representing approximately 97.78% of the outstanding Old First Lien Notes and 96.66% of the outstanding Old Second Lien Notes. Accordingly, Mauser has received consents sufficient to approve the proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the indenture governing the Old First Lien Notes and the indenture governing the Old Second Lien Notes (the "Consent Solicitations"). Mauser and the trustee and collateral agent for the Old Notes will enter into supplemental indentures relating to the Old Notes containing such Proposed Amendments, and the Proposed Amendments will become operative concurrent with the settlement of Old Notes accepted for tender as of the Early Tender Time. The Exchange Offers are conditioned upon, among other things, the valid tender by eligible holders representing at least 80% of the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Old Notes outstanding (the "Minimum Tender Condition"). The Minimum Tender Condition for each series of Old Notes has been met as of the Early Tender Time and initial settlement of the Exchange Offers is currently expected to take place on November 26, 2025. Mauser is also amending the Exchange Offers by offering the "Early Tender Premium" of $50 in principal amount of applicable New Notes in respect of all applicable Old Notes that are validly tendered by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 9, 2025 (the "Expiration Time"), and that are accepted for exchange, regardless of whether such Old Notes were tendered before or after the Early Tender Time. Accordingly, eligible holders who tender their Old Notes after the Early Tender Time but before the Expiration Time will be eligible to receive the applicable Total Consideration, which is $1,000 principal amount of applicable New Notes per $1,000 principal amount of applicable Old Notes. The Expiration Time of the Exchange Offers continues to be 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 9, 2025, unless extended. The withdrawal deadline has passed, and holders no longer have the right to withdraw any Old Notes previously tendered and will not have the right to withdraw any Old Notes tendered through the Expiration Time. The final settlement date for the Exchange Offers will occur promptly after the Expiration Time, and is currently expected to be December 11, 2025. Other than the extension of the Early Tender Premium, all other terms of the Exchange Offers remain unchanged. In connection with the Exchange Offers, Mauser expects to enter into an amendment (the "Cash Flow Agreement Amendment") to the credit agreement governing its existing term loan facility to refinance the existing term loan facility with a new $1,000.0 million term loan facility (the "New Term Loan Facility") maturing April 15, 2030 and to extend the maturity date of the cash flow revolver facility thereunder to January 14, 2030. Additionally, in connection with the Exchange Offers, Mauser expects to enter into an amendment (the "ABL Amendment") to, among other things, extend the maturity date of Mauser's asset-based revolving facility to January 14, 2030. The New Term Loan Facility, as amended by the Cash Flow Agreement Amendment, will equally and ratably share in the collateral with Mauser's current first lien debt. Available Documents and Other Details Documents relating to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations 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 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or not a "U.S. person" under Rule 902 under the Securities Act. Holders of Old Notes who desire to complete an eligibility form should either visit the website www.dfking.com/mauser for this purpose or request instructions by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or calling D. F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations, at (877) 297-1746 (U.S. Toll-free) or (646) 981-1289 (Collect). The New Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or any other applicable securities laws and, unless so registered, the New Notes may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred within the United States or to or for the account of any U.S. person, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements thereof. Accordingly, the New Notes are being offered and issued only to persons (i) reasonably believed to be "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) and (ii) who are not "U.S. persons" (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act). Non U.S.-persons may also be subject to additional eligibility criteria. The complete terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are set forth in the informational documents relating to the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations. This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. The Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations are only being made pursuant to the Offering Memorandum. The Exchange Offers are not being made to holders of Old 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains information that could constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding whether we will consummate the Exchange Offers and Consent Solicitations or enter into the Cash Flow Credit Agreement Amendment or the ABL Amendment, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "will," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "could" and words or expressions of similar meaning. Such forward-looking information is based on certain current assumptions and analysis made by Mauser in light of its experience and perception of current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to Mauser's expectations and predictions is subject to market conditions and a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from Mauser's expectations. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors detailed in the Offering Memorandum related to the Exchange Offers. Forward-looking statements only speak as of the date hereof and Mauser assumes no obligation to update any written or oral forward-looking statement made by Mauser or on its behalf as a result of new information, future events or other factors, except as required by law. About Mauser Mauser is a global supplier of rigid packaging products and services. Mauser currently operates manufacturing locations in over 20 countries serving industry-leading customers on an international basis. Contact: David Heber Phone: (765) 586-0757 SOURCE Mauser Packaging Solutions This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Amid slowing sales and demand in North America, Lululemon President of the Americas and Global Guest Innovation Celeste Burgoyne is leaving the retailer to become chief revenue officer of ski resort company Vail Resorts. She will remain at the activewear retailer through the end of the year to assist with a transition. In conjunction with her departure, Lululemon is consolidating its regional leadership under a new role. Andre Maestrini will oversee all regions, stores and digital channels globally as Lululemons president and chief commercial officer, effective immediately. He reports to CEO Calvin McDonald. Maestrini joined Lululemon in 2021 as executive vice president of international and currently oversees Lululemons operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and China Mainland. Dive Insight: In Burgoynes departure, Lululemon is losing a 20-year company veteran who heads up the brands most important region. Her exit comes just a year and a half after Chief Product Officer Sun Choe left the business. Many viewed these executives as two of the key architects to [Lululemons] ascendance, Needham analyst Tom Nikic said in emailed comments. The loss of both of these key executives, during a period of turbulence for the brand in North America, is not ideal. In a statement, McDonald thanked Burgoyne for her significant contributions to the business and called her instrumental in the growth of Lululemons store footprint in the Americas. She first joined Lululemon in 2006 and has been the brands president since 2020. A person in a cream sweater and beige pants sits in front of a light background. Maestrini, who will now have charge of North America, leads one of Lululemons core growth segments. International is expected to quadruple by 2026, a five-year growth target that came after the achievement of a previous long-term target to quadruple the business. In addition to his time at Lululemon, Maestrini also brings 14 years of experience at Adidas. McDonald praised the executives operational capabilities and brand-building expertise as he enters the new role. The loss of Burgoyne, though, also means the loss of a key source of stability for Lululemon, Nikic said. It comes as Lululemon is in the midst of overhauling product design and development processes to get back in touch with a consumer who increasingly has other options. All in, we think that Ms. Burgoyne's departure adds an additional layer of uncertainty to the North American turnaround, in addition to the challenging macro environment, increasingly intense competitive landscape, and potential athleisure fatigue by consumers, Nikic said. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Mark Cuban believes workers deserve to get rich alongside their CEOs. The billionaire investor and Shark Tank star responded to data showing billionaire wealth increased by $33 trillion since 2015 with a pointed question: why arent companies required to give employees the same percentage of company stock that CEOs receive? For You: 6 Wealth-Destroying Mistakes People Make Every Day Without Knowing It Trending Now: 6 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money You know who is funding the increase, particularly lately? Retail investors. 401ks [sic], Cuban wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The better question is, why are we not giving incentives to companies to require them to give shares in their companies to all employees, at the same percentage of cash earnings as the CEO? Cuban is worth $6 billion himself after selling Broadcast.com to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999. He knows how wealth creation works, and he thinks employees should benefit from it too. Here are five legitimate ways companies can make workers wealthy alongside executives right now with existing tools. Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) Many companies already offer ESPPs, though Cuban argues the caps are too restrictive. These programs work, but the contribution limits prevent employees from building significant wealth even when company stock soars. A $21,250 annual cap means even if stock doubles, youve only made $21,250 in gains that year. Nice, but not life-changing. Cubans proposal would remove these caps and tie employee stock grants to the same percentage CEOs receive, making wealth accumulation proportional across the company. Read Next: Are You Rich or Middle Class? 8 Ways To Tell That Go Beyond Your Paycheck Direct Stock Grants Companies can grant stock directly to employees without requiring purchase. This differs from ESPPs because workers receive equity as compensation rather than buying it at discount. Tech companies pioneered this approach with restricted stock units (RSUs) that vest over time, keeping employees invested in company success long-term. When Facebook went public, thousands of employees became millionaires through stock grants awarded years earlier. Cuban practiced this at Broadcast.com. He said 300 out of 330 employees became millionaires when he sold the company. Thats not from salary, its from equity ownership distributed broadly across the workforce. Profit-Sharing Bonuses According to Cuban, he has paid out bonuses to every employee whod been there for more than a year in every business hes sold. At his first company, MicroSolutions, he paid out 20% to 80 employees. At the Dallas Mavericks, CNBC reported, he distributed more than $35 million to staff. By Mike Scarcella WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Elon Musks social media platform X has ended its lawsuit against elite law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz that sought to recover most of a $90 million fee the firm received for defeating Musk's bid to walk away from his multibillion-dollar purchase of Twitter. X told a state court in California in a filing on Wednesday that it was dismissing its lawsuit with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled. The filing did not provide details about the reasons for the dismissal of the case, which was filed in 2023. Musk changed Twitter's name to X after he acquired the company in 2022. X and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Wachtell spokesperson in a statement said the firm is "pleased that X has dismissed its meritless lawsuit with prejudice. There was no settlement. Earlier, a judge ruled that the dispute must be considered in private arbitration. X and Wachtell were due to update the court at a hearing in early December. The lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court said Wachtell, which represented Twitter in the buyout battle, had received "an improper bonus payment in violation of its fiduciary and ethical obligations to its client." Musk said in the lawsuit that Twitter executives in the lead-up to the close of the company's sale "ran up the tab" by "designating tens of millions of dollars in handouts to the firms as 'success' or 'project' fees." Wachtell, known for its Wall Street deal work, denied any wrongdoing. In court, the firm countered that Twitter's board "determined and approved" the fee, which forced Musk to honor his merger agreement and ensure "billions in value for Twitter's stockholders." In a court filing, Wachtell said about its Twitter deal work that after three-and-a-half months of round-the-clock litigation, Wachtell Lipton achieved complete success. (Reporting by Mike Scarcella. Editing by David Bario and David Gregorio) The vibe across the sell-side was the same: Whatever you think about AI froth, the growth itself isnt imaginary. Inside the call, the subtext was louder. Nvidia reaffirmed that its next two years of supply are effectively spoken for. Chief financial officer Colette Kress pointed to a 63% sequential jump in supply commitments an absurd number in a normal hardware cycle, but a fitting one in an industry where every hyperscaler is fighting for floor space, power, and delivery windows. Analysts who cover the broader hardware stack signaled a clear read-through: TSMC stays full, component pricing stays tight, and the companies selling cables, optics, memory, and power infrastructure keep riding Nvidias slipstream. On paper, Nvidia delivered exactly what nervous AI investors needed: a monster quarter. Revenue jumped 62% year over year. Data-center sales the heart of the AI boom clocked in around $51.2 billion. Gross margins pushed toward 75%. Guidance landed $4 billion ahead of the Streets consensus expectation. No analyst seemed surprised by yet another beat-and-raise quarter from a company that keeps delivering nothing but. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives called it another monster quarter from the Godfather of AI,(aka Huang) raising his target to $230 and arguing that the $500 billion in Blackwell and Rubin revenue through 2026 now looks conservative. BNP Paribas lifted its earnings forecasts and said fears of an AI infrastructure bubble look overblown. Thursday afternoon came, and the mood snapped in half. Nvidia flipped from up big at the days open to down nearly 3% mid-afternoon, and the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average fell with it. Nvidia may have put up numbers that made any AI bubble talk sound unserious, but the market is still behaving like something beneath the surface hasnt been settled at all. On Wednesday afternoon, Jensen Huang looked straight at the markets favorite anxiety and waved it off. Theres been a lot of talk about an AI bubble. From our vantage point, we see something very different, the Nvidia CEO told analysts on the quarters earnings call as he walked through $57 billion in quarterly revenue, a $65 billion forecast, and sold-out cloud GPUs. By the time he hung up, the stock was up over 6% in after-hours trading, analyst blasts were landing in inboxes with subject lines such as AI Bubble Who? with notes that theyd raised their earnings forecast (again), and even the people paid to worry about excess for a living sounded oddly relieved to let Huang win the argument at least for one more quarter. Story Continues David Wagner, a portfolio manager and head of equities at Aptus Capital Advisors, said Nvidias earnings do more for the market than [they do] for the stock, because the past few weeks have been one long wobble tech rolling over, the hype cycle sagging under its own weight. Nvidias quarter didnt just beat numbers; it told him the AI capex boom is still barreling. Lets get real here, he said. There are good bubbles and bad bubbles. So could it be a pocket here? Absolutely. Is it anytime in the near term? Probably not. To him, this is a macro story, not a micro one, and this capex train is going to continue down the hill. Theres so much worry out there in this market, he said. Nvidia keeps proving the naysayers wrong. So: Bubble who, right? Its hard to say theres a bubble, said Motley Fool Senior Investment Analyst David Meier. But he also said nobody knows the true return on Nvidia-scaled AI investment yet. Anybody whos purchasing these chips needs to generate a return on that investment, right? And were not going to know. Right now, nobody is telling us how much incremental revenue theyre generating from AI. Still, the demand is real, he said, and the investment dollars are as real as they come. The trouble is that AI bubble means two very different things, and Nvidia may have only killed one of them. The version Huang swatted away the idea that demand is peaking or that revenue is illusory doesnt survive a quarter like this. The other version, the one that keeps investors flinching at every macro wobble, is about whether the buildout can sustain this pace: the power loads, the hyperscaler arms race, the financing loops, the handful of companies holding up the entire trade. By Thursday afternoon, all of the Nvidia-related thrill had somewhat faded, and the market largely gave back its early gains and slipped into the red. Leveraged ETFs that had lined up to ride Nvidias pop the champagne moment, as Wedbush put it, suddenly found themselves looking at volatility instead. Analysts from Direxion, which runs some of those funds, admitted as much, describing Nvidias earnings as hyped to a level that suggests the broad market hinges on their success, then turned around and reminded clients that its products can cut both ways if volatility stays high. So even after a monster, amazing, sensational or whatever other word for huge analysts want to use quarter, AI worries remain. The same notes and analysts who praised Nvidia also noted that valuations across the AI complex are still rich, the circular AI economy is a big concern, the Fed still sounds hawkish, and the rest of the economy is still showing late-cycle jitters. Nvidia may have bought the AI trade more time, but it clearly hasnt cured a nervous markets broader anxiety. What tomorrow depends on Nvidias today is solid, but that doesnt mean everyone stops worrying about tomorrow. It can be easy to forget how much of Nvidias future still depends on things it doesnt control. The clearest is electricity. Todays grid isnt built for what Nvidia, the hyperscalers, and the GPU-cloud providers are promising. Yvette Schmitter, co-founder & CEO of IT consulting firm Fusion Collective, noted that Nvidia is selling futures contracts backed by electricity that wont flow through transmission lines for another 37 years. Shes not wrong. Between permitting, substations, and transmission fights, the infrastructure running behind this boom is moving at political speed, not semiconductor speed. Kevin Cook, a senior stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research said, You cant keep scaling models without scaling electricity; thats the choke point. He added, The compute demand curve is vertical. The grid isnt. Still, he said that Nvidia gives investors the clearest read on AI demand anywhere, and that this stack is going to add hundreds of basis points to GDP. Huang isnt wrong when he says he sees something very different from an AI bubble. The demand he describes is real present tense. Hyperscalers are still increasing data-center capex. Networking and ancillary products are growing instead of dragging on results. China, once a major growth engine, remains largely off limits for leading-edge chips, and Nvidias sales everywhere else have roughly doubled without it. And the bubble talk lives in that gap: Everyone can see that Nvidias numbers are real, and everyone can see how fragile it is to have so much index-level performance riding on the same small circle of companies. Even in the cleanest version of this world, where AI demand keeps rising and adoption broadens, the fragilities sit in plain sight. Second-tier GPU lessors are borrowing to keep up with hyperscalers. Utilities are scrambling to greenlight massive industrial loads. Regulators are eyeing concentration in both cloud markets and chip pipelines. Power-hungry deployment schedules are stacked on networks that werent designed for it. None of these issues contradict Nvidias numbers. They sharpen them. Demand is so strong, so compressed, and so front-loaded that the weakest links not Nvidia will dictate how long this cycle can run at its current pace. And thats why the market loves and fears Nvidia at the same time. Its the star of the story, the strongest hand in the trade, and the signal that the entire index trades off. But its also the reminder that this era is built on infrastructure, cash flows, and physical constraints that dont care about hype cycles. Huang can wave away bubble questions because his quarter gave him the right to. Investors can agree with him because the numbers let them. Neither can guarantee that the world around those numbers holds up. Nvidias print didnt deflate the bubble argument. It just pushed it further out. For now, thats enough. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) OpenAI and Taiwan electronics giant Foxconn have agreed to a partnership to design and manufacture key equipment for artificial intelligence data centers in the U.S. as part of ambitious plans to fortify American AI infrastructure. Foxconn, which makes AI servers for Nvidia and assembles Apple products including the iPhone, will be co-designing and developing AI data center racks with OpenAI under the agreement, the companies said in separate statements on Thursday and Friday. The products Foxconn will manufacture in its U.S. facilities include cabling, networking and power systems for AI data centers, the companies said. OpenAI will have early access to evaluate and potentially to purchase them. Foxconn has factories in the U.S., including in Wisconsin, Ohio and Texas. The initial agreement does not include financial obligations or purchase commitments, the statements said. The Taiwan contract manufacturer, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., has been moving to diversify its business, developing electric vehicles and acquiring other electronics companies to build out its product offerings. A sleek Model A EV made by the group's automaking affiliate Foxtron was on display at Friday's event. This year, Model A. 'A',' for affordable," said Jun Seki, chief strategy officer for Foxconns EV business. The tie-up with OpenAI can also help Taiwan, a self-governed island claimed by China, to build up its own computing resources, said Alexis Bjorlin, a Nvidia vice president. This allows Taiwans domain knowledge and key technology data to remain local and ensure data security, she said. This partnership is a step toward ensuring the core technologies of the AI era are built here, Sam Altman, CEO of San Francisco-based OpenAI, said in the statement. We believe this work will strengthen U.S. leadership and help ensure the benefits of AI are widely shared. OpenAI has committed $1.4 trillion to building AI infrastructure. It recently entered into multi-billion partnerships with Nvidia and AMD to expand the extensive computing power needed to support its AI models and services. It is also partnering with US chipmaker Broadcom in designing and making its own AI chips. But its massive spending plans have worried investors, raising questions over its ability to recoup its investments and remain profitable. Altman said this month that OpenAI, a startup founded in 2015 and maker of ChatGPT, is expected to reach more than $20 billion in annualized revenue this year, growing to "hundreds of billions by 2030. Jonathan Bailey is happy to embrace the ebbs and flows of his career. Jonathan Bailey stars in the new Wicked movie The 37-year-old actor has enjoyed a great run of success in recent times, starring in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton and the Wicked film franchise, but Jonathan is conscious that the good times won't always last forever. The actor - who stars alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in the Wicked movies - told Esquire: "What I've realised is that you can't always just feel absolutely thrilled and relaxed and happy. "I think joy comes from a sense of safety and euphoria comes from support and connectivity and actually when there are big moments of change it might be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. But there will be pockets that are really great. Its about feeling it all." Jonathan recently revealed that he shed tears during the London premiere of Wicked: For Good. The 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 - who was recently named as People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive - 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." Jonathan recalled feeling proud and relieved at the premiere in London. The movie star said: "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." Page Trucking announced it has entered a deal to acquire fellow specialized bulk hauler Goulet Trucking. The deal creates a 500-truck fleet with 1,500 trailers and other pieces of equipment. The companies will operate under a new entity called Page GTC, Inc. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter. Weedsport, New York-based Page Trucking provides local, regional and long-haul transportation as well as warehousing and material management services. In addition to moving hazardous materials, it also serves the agricultural and industrial sectors. This partnership represents the next step in our ongoing effort to reinforce and expand our specialized bulk transportation capacity, said Page Trucking President Dan Titus in a news release. By combining our nationwide footprint with Goulets Northeast-leading hazardous and non-hazardous waste transportation capabilities, we are building a stronger, more resilient organization that will benefit customers across the bulk transportation industry. South Deerfield, Massachusetts-based Goulet Trucking serves the Northeast and parts of Canada with a fleet of dump and roll-off trailers. The two companies will merge leadership teams but maintain current personnel structures. This partnership gives us immediate access to additional equipment and driver capacity, expands our reach across North America, and elevates our expertise in the design and utilization of cutting-edge bulk transportation equipment, said Paul Jordan, co-owner of Goulet Trucking. More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden: The post Page Trucking acquires fellow Northeast bulk carrier appeared first on FreightWaves. When Pomelo Park homeowner Rob Headley put up a privacy wall along his property line last year he figured hed done everything by the book. The Phoenix resident filed the permits with the city before breaking ground on the project, which was part of a major overhaul of his house and backyard (1). Then his neighbors sounded the alarm. The new wall, they said, cuts off access to an irrigation standpipe reachable via Headleys backyard, which helps keep the area's lawns green in 110-degree heat. Must Read 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 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 Shane Abowitt, a resident of the area for more than four decades, told Arizona media group Arizonas Family, If you take out one standpipe, that could be a critical disruption to the whole water district. Headley pushed back, saying the standpipe isnt even on his land: Theres no need for folks to walk on our property to get to someone elses property (2). But while the standpipe may not be on his land, the pathway to reach it runs through a Public Utility Easement (PUE) that is on his property. And that easement legally limits what hes allowed to build there. Now the city is threatening to revoke his wall permit entirely. And for Headley, the situation highlights a hard truth most homeowners dont learn until its too late: you can own the land, pull a permit, and still not have the freedom to build what you want. What is an easement, and why does it trump a permit? An easement is a legal right that allows someone else (usually a city, utility company or irrigation district) to use part of your property for a specific purpose, even though you still own the land. In Headleys case, a Public Utility Easement (PUE) gives workers the right to cross his yard to reach shared water infrastructure. According to Phoenixs Planning and Development Department, if your property contains a critical area, such as a[n] easement, restrictions may be placed on where you can build a fence or wall (3). Easements are more commonplace than you might realize. Most real estate is subject to one form of an easement or another, write Arizona real estate attorney Bryan L. Eastin and licensed Real Estate Instructor and founder and Managing Partner of Provident Law, Christopher J. Charles. And in Arizona, easements run with the land, meaning they stay in place when the property changes hands, so a new homeowner like Headley is subject to the easement, no matter what his personal take might be. The two leaders also signalled their interest in strengthening people-to-people and commercial ties between the two countries through the announced expansion of the Canada-United Arab Emirates Air Transportation Agreement. The Canada-UAE- Joint Committee for Cooperation provides a key platform to enhance bilateral ties, assess progress, and align mutual priorities, while facilitating coordination between governments and encouraging private sector engagement. Building on this framework, the two leaders announced the signing of a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and expressed their shared commitment to launch negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). These agreements provide investor protections, as well as liberalization and facilitation of trade in goods and services, broadening mutually beneficial commercial opportunities for Canadian and UAE companies and reinforcing a long-term, strategic, and sustainable economic partnership. Canada and the UAE share strong and enduring economic relations, built on a robust foundation of mutual trust and shared commitment to deepen these ties. Bilateral merchandise trade reached CAD $3.4 billion in 2024, reflecting the depth and vitality of the partnership. The visit of Prime Minister Mark Carney underscores a deepening of this partnership, with a strong focus on trade diversification, and complementary engagement across strategic sectors, including energy, infrastructure, clean technology, food security, and innovation. The visit of Prime Minister Carney to the UAE marks a new era in Canada-UAE relations, one that will further elevate bilateral ties and promote investment as a driver of innovation, economic growth, and expanded business opportunities. Building on more than 50 years of bilateral relations, both leaders expressed a shared desire to further strengthen this partnership, advancing towards an ambitious roadmap to deepen cooperation across trade, investment, regional security, and people-to-people ties. Both countries recognize the capacity to leverage strategic strengths in AI and digital innovation, agri-food, water management and climate resilience, infrastructure, critical minerals, and energy to benefit both countries. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, met on November 20 in Abu Dhabi to advance bilateral ties and set clear priorities for trade and investment. This historic meeting the first at the leader level in over 40 years underscores a shared commitment to promoting prosperity, stability and security through concrete actions. Story Continues To further strengthen trade ties, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, will lead a high-level business delegation to the UAE in early 2026. This mission will support Canadian companies in building partnerships with UAE counterparts and investors across key sectors, including energy, AI, ICT, security, infrastructure, agri-food, and advanced technologies. Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a keynote address at the Investment Summit hosted by the CanadianUAE Business Council. His remarks culminated in a series of high-level discussions, highlighting the achievements realized to date and articulating a bold vision for expanding investment opportunities, strengthening strategic partnerships across sectors, and deepening cooperation between the two nations. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to sustained engagement and advancing a partnership that delivers tangible benefits for both countries. The two leaders commended the significant progress achieved in bringing the two countries closer. Canada and the UAE are connected by academic partnerships including joint research programs, the contributions of the growing Canadian community in the UAE, and cultural initiatives. The UAE is home to more than 66,000 Canadians and Canada is an outstanding education destination supporting Emiratis in their academic journey in fields such as medicine, engineering, and finance. Energy The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to energy security and to advancing a just and orderly energy transition. They agreed to deepen cooperation across LNG, nuclear energy, hydrogen, and responsible critical-minerals value-chain development, drawing on Canada's strengths in resources and technology and the UAE's global logistics and investment capabilities. The leaders welcomed the UAE's growing investment presence in Canada and expressed their intention to expand mutually beneficial opportunities for collaboration in the energy sector. Water Both countries recognized the central role of water in global climate and development discussions and noted the importance of innovation in addressing water scarcity, including initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative. The UN Water Conference to be co-hosted in 2026 by the UAE and Senegal stands to be a key multilateral platform for elevating the global water agenda and strengthening international engagement on water resilience and sustainable water management, and emphasizing water's importance for people, prosperity, peace, and the planet. Agri-Food Both countries recognize the importance of resilient and sustainable agri-food systems to global food security. Canada and the UAE have the complementary strengths of the UAE and Canada in agricultural innovation and the active economic and knowledge links already connecting both countries. Both countries are committed to exploring opportunities for collaboration that draw on these foundations and support modern, efficient, and climate-responsive agri-food systems. Cooperation in advanced sciences, space and innovation Canada and the UAE agreed to deepen collaboration in AI, digital innovation, FinTech, clean technology and sustainable energy, supported by continued dialogue among institutions and stakeholders to advance cooperation in research, commercialization, and responsible deployment. Both sides underscored the importance of building inclusive, secure, and sustainable industries that reinforce supply chain resilience, contribute to climate goals, and drive long- term economic growth. Regional stability and security Canada and the UAE also agreed to take concrete steps to promote peace, reinforce stability, and advance inclusive prosperity across the Middle East and beyond. Both countries underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement, humanitarian leadership, and multilateral cooperation in addressing regional and global geo-political challenges. Canada commended the UAE's constructive role in humanitarian response and mediation initiatives and both leaders highlighted the need for durable, just solutions grounded in international law, the rules-based order system; and inclusive political processes. They further affirmed their intent to continue working together to advance shared objectives of stability, development, and human dignity. The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, in accordance with international law and the relevant United Nations resolutions. Both sides welcomed the leadership of U.S. President Donald J. Trump and his Comprehensive Peace Plan to end the war in Gaza. The leaders also welcomed the adoption of resolution 2803 by the UN Security Council, which is a key instrument for implementing the plan, and charts a pathway toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood. They expressed appreciation for the substantial efforts undertaken by the U.S. and regional partners to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. They emphasized the importance of all parties adhering to the ceasefire in order to alleviate humanitarian suffering and support conditions conducive to lasting peace. Both countries are concerned by the spread of extremism and extremist ideologies that fuel terrorism and lead to conflict and are committed to addressing hate speech, extremism, and racism by promoting tolerance and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, in line with the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2686. In this regard, Canada and the UAE are firm in rejecting extremism in all its forms and manifestations. The leaders emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, and refraining from the use of force or threats. In this respect, they called for an end to the occupation of the three islands of the UAE - Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa - which constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of the UAE and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. On Sudan, the two leaders condemned attacks against civilians, by the Rapid Support Forces and by the Sudanese Armed Forces. They emphasized the need for both warring parties and their affiliates to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law including the rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Sudan. They further welcomed the ongoing efforts of the Quad (United States, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Egypt) and the need for an immediate ceasefire and an inclusive and transparent transition process that paves the way toward establishing an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability. They further stressed that Sudan's future cannot be dictated by extremist groups whose destabilizing influence has fueled violence and instability across the region. During the visit, Prime Minister Carney visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the largest in the UAE and among the largest in the world. There, he paid tribute to the legacy of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding President and father of the current President. At the conclusion of the visit, Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his sincere appreciation to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended throughout the visit. He highlighted his confidence in a future marked by even deeper cooperation and shared prosperity, strengthened by mutual trust, close friendship, and a common vision for advancing the partnership between Canada and the UAE. This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2025/22/c3472.html Johannesburg, Nov 22 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met with Brazil President Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg, highlighting the continuous momentum in India-Brazil ties. "It is always a delight to meet President Lula. India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people," PM Modi posted on X along with photographs of him with the Brazilian President. Prime Minister Modi and President Lula have repeatedly reaffirmed the momentum generated during PM Modias visit to Brazil earlier this year while underscoring the shared commitment to deepen the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. Both leaders last met in BrasAlia during PM Modi's State Visit to the country in July which took place following his participation in the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil had also conferred its highest honour, the 'Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross', on Prime Minister Modi during his State Visit to the country. The award was the 26th global honour for PM Modi. During the landmark visit, India and Brazil had agreed on a comprehensive framework to expand cooperation across key sectors, including trade, technology, energy, defence, agriculture, health, and people-to-people ties. As they work on taking bilateral partnership to new heights, both leaders have emphasised on having a "people-centric" approach to position India and Brazil as anchors of cooperation within the Global South. India and Brazil play influential roles in multilateral platforms such as BRICS, G20, and the UN with the strategic alignment carrying implications beyond bilateral ties, touching on global governance, climate action, and equitable development. President Lula, who has long championed South-South solidarity, has expressed interest in leveraging Brazilas agricultural and technological strengths to support mutual growth. India, meanwhile, sees Brazil as a key partner in diversifying energy sources, enhancing defence collaboration, and promoting inclusive health initiatives. Last month, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met the visiting Special Advisor to President of Brazil, Celso Luis Nunes Amorim in New Delhi as they discussed opportunities to deepen strategic cooperation between the two nations. Following their meeting, EAM Jaishankar in a post on X wrote, "A pleasure meeting Amb. Celso Amorim, Special Advisor to President of Brazil, today in New Delhi. Had a useful exchange on the current global scenario and on opportunities for deepening our strategic cooperation." Its easy to blame baby boomers for todays financial struggles like housing costs or student debt. But according to personal finance expert Rachel Cruze, the problems may run deeper than any single generation. Here are some examples of money struggles faced by younger generations, some of which may have been influenced by the baby boomer generation and some of which have nothing to do with them at all. Check Out: Gen X Is Hoping To Retire Like Boomers: Heres Why They Cant Read Next: 6 Clever Ways To Pocket an Extra $1K This Month Student Loan Debt Has Become a Popular Option Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 44% of high school grads born between 1960 to 1964 and approximately 73% of high school grads born from 1980 to 1984 obtained either a two-year or a four-year college degree, reported Cruze, showing a nearly 30% increase in college attendance over just 20 years which correlates with a huge increase in student loans. She went on to explain that some boomers may have even been the first in the family to get a college degree, and may have encouraged their millennial children to get a college degree as well. With student loans being readily available it was possible to go to college and figure out student loan debt later. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 22% of Americans feel the cost of a college degree is worth taking on a student loan. Even parents are willing to tackle loans for their childs college degree. To help cover rising college costs, the Department of Education offers Parent Plus loans for parents of dependent undergrads. Over the past decade, the amount borrowed through these loans has surged more than 75%, climbing from about $62 billion in 2014 to nearly $110 billion in 2024, according to the Institute of Education Sciences. See More: 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldnt Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance Self-Care Is Being Prioritized by Younger Americans Cruze noted that boomers historically have been less likely to participate in self-care, avoiding things like visiting the doctor and getting help with mental health issues. Comparatively, millennials are concerned with self-care physically and emotionally. The boomers poor habits could have caused the millennials and Gen Z to swing the other way, but Cruze remarked that she is not sure if they are to blame or not. McKinsey & Company estimates the U.S. wellness market at over $500 billion annually, with younger generations (including millennials) driving that spending. Relying On Debt Was Normalized by Boomers Even though borrowing money for consumer goods was thought to be irresponsible and immoral in the early 1900s, after the Great Depression, it was necessary and became an accepted option, shared Cruze. The boomer generation was among the first to take on credit card debt and car loans. Bitcoin was built for an apocalyptic world, but it still has disadvantages as a store of value when compared to gold, according to Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio. Anyone with an internet connection can safeguard the digital asset on their own. But those people are still reliant on others, including a global network of machines to process transactions, the billionaire investor signaled during a Thursday interview with CNBC. This year, the precious metals price has jumped to record highs on fears of currency debasement, which Dalio referenced in July when urging investors to hedge against macroeconomic risks around rising government debts, in the U.S. and abroad. At the time, Dalio expressed a preference for gold, and on Thursday, he reiterated his concerns toward the original cryptocurrency, as far as its ability to stand the test of time, or become used by central banks to facilitate international trade and stabilize economies. I think the problem with Bitcoin is [that] its not going to be a reserve currency for major countries because it can be tracked, and it could be, conceivably, with quantum computing, controlled, hacked, and so on, he said. Last week, the Czech National Bank unveiled its first investment in crypto, with $100 million spread across Bitcoin, stablecoins, and tokenized bank deposits. Officials said the test portfolio will help the central bank better understand how to handle digital assets. Although it may be years before quantum computers are strong enough to crack Bitcoins encryption, there have been growing calls for precautionary measures within the industry, as tech titans like Google and IBM tout breakthroughs. With transactions recorded on a public ledger for all to see, tracking someones Bitcoin is fairly straightforward once their identity is linked to a digital wallet, pending the use of coin mixers, which obfuscate the source and destination of flows by pooling funds. Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP Dive as Rate Cut Hopes Fade, Liquidations Near $1 Billion Dalio said a small percentage of his portfolio has comprised Bitcoin for a long time, but he estimated that it amounts to 1% of his overall wealth. In July, Dalio suggested that investors allocate at least 15% of their holdings to Bitcoin and the precious metal. Gold is advantageous as a store of value because it can be physically held, without relying on anyone to provide anything, Dalio said. Still, he views Bitcoin and gold as hard currencies because their value cant be debased by a government through money printing. Dalios debasement concerns are linked to rising levels of U.S. debt, but he said several countries are also facing mounting deficits, including in the UK and France that could lead to what he described months ago as a debt-fueled heart attack. i-80 Gold's Fair Value Estimate has seen a slight increase, moving from CA$2.56 to CA$2.56 per share. This minor adjustment comes alongside a modest uptick in the companys Discount Rate, which signals a more cautious market stance. Stay tuned to discover what is driving these valuation updates and how investors can keep pace with the evolving story around i-80 Gold stock. Stay updated as the Fair Value for i-80 Gold shifts by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on i-80 Gold. What Wall Street Has Been Saying Analyst commentary on i-80 Gold remains focused on the company's valuation and forward visibility, with recent updates reflecting both cautious optimism and recognition of potential near-term pressures. Bullish Takeaways Canaccord continues to assign a Speculative Buy rating to i-80 Gold, indicating some positive sentiment around the company's long-term fundamentals and potential for upside. The bank's ongoing coverage underscores confidence in the companys underlying execution and resource development, even as they make temporary price target adjustments. Bearish Takeaways Canaccord has recently lowered their price target for i-80 Gold from C$3.50 to C$3.25 per share, reflecting more tempered expectations for the stocks near-term performance. This adjustment suggests that recent market dynamics or company developments may limit upside in the immediate future. It also highlights some reservations around valuation and possible risks impacting investor outlook. Do your thoughts align with the Bull or Bear Analysts? Perhaps you think there's more to the story. Head to the Simply Wall St Community to discover more perspectives or begin writing your own Narrative! TSX:IAU Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 What's in the News It hasnt been easy to be a renter in the last five years. Rental prices surged in the aftermath of the pandemic, outstripping wage growth. But recently, renters have notched a small win: In much of the country, rents are falling. Median monthly rent on units with up to two bedrooms fell 1.7% year-over-year in October to $1,696, according to Realtor.com. Theyre now down about 3.6% from their 2022 peak. Those lower prices are a win for many renters, and in some cases, theyre an incentive to keep renting for longer. While rents are falling, the cost of homeownership has continued to climb. Mortgage rates above 6% and near-record high home prices have kept affordability strained, and the hidden costs of homeownership taxes, insurance, and maintenance are also growing. Learn more: Mortgage rate predictions over the next five years An analysis from Zillow and Thumbtack estimated hidden costs alone have climbed to nearly $16,000 a year on average, or an additional $1,325 a month on top of a mortgage. Its very difficult to leave your rental situation for homeownership, said Matt Vance, Americas Head of Multifamily Research for commercial real estate firm CBRE. Were seeing renewal rates rise as a result. A still-big buying premium CBRE calculates the current median premium to own a home at 108% versus renting in a multifamily building, meaning the monthly costs of a mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and maintenance are more than double the cost of renting, on average. Learn more: Is now a good time to buy a house? That premium has fallen slightly from its late 2023 peak, but returning to pre-pandemic norms will likely be a years-long process and require a combination of lower mortgage rates, falling home prices, higher incomes, and a jump in rents. In many metro areas, higher rents likely arent on the horizon anytime soon due to aggressive construction. Rents have dropped more than 5% in the last year in cities including Denver, Phoenix, Birmingham, Ala., and Jacksonville, Fla., all of which have added thousands of rental units in recent years. In Denver, a boom in apartment construction means many buildings compete to offer concessions, and sometimes outright rent cuts, to tenants new and old. Median rent in the Mile High City and its surrounding suburbs has dropped nearly 6% in the last year, one of the steepest declines in the nation. People have more than enough options to choose from, said Angie Navo, a real estate agent at Smart City, a Denver-based apartment locating company. Navo said that in her first few years in the leasing business, it was common to show clients a unit only for it to lease out to someone else by the end of the tour. Thats no longer the case. This January, Booker Prizewinning British author Julian Barnes will turn 80and hes marking the occasion by releasing his final book. The new novel, Departure(s), a hybrid of autobiography and fiction, will be published by Knopf the day after Barness birthday. In 2020, the author was diagnosed with a rare but treatable form of blood cancer, and he has spent the past few years reflecting on his career and the things he still wants to write. As you get older as a writer, you face the dilemma, what will be your last book? Barnes says over Zoom from his London home. And you dont know because you assume youre going to go on writing until the grim reaper cuts you down in your study. For a time, Barnes entertained writing a last book and putting it away in a drawer, while he continued to work on other projectsbut he didnt like the idea of having the book published posthumously. Having my last book published in my lifetime is more fun, he says. Ill be able to read my literary obituaries. But Barnes isnt abandoning writing completely. Im not putting the cover on my typewriter, he says. Im still going to write journalism and reviews. But in terms of writing complete books, this is it. You can always read the earlier ones. One of the most original writers of the last 50 years, Barnes is the author of 26 previous books that play with form and style and incorporate autobiography, criticism, history, philosophy, and fiction. His erudite and conversational works include Metroland, his 1980 debut; Flauberts Parrot; Nothing to Be Frightened Of; and The Sense of an Ending, which won the Booker Prize in 2011. He has received the Somerset Maugham Award, the Jerusalem Prize, and the Legion dhonneur, among other honors. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages, according to Knopf. Departure(s) centers on Julian, a widowed writer in his 70s, who relays the story of his two college friends, Stephen and Jean, who had a relationship in their 20s and then reunite in their 60s and get married. We follow Julian as he becomes the third wheel in their bumpy marriageboth their sounding board and reluctant confidante. Anxious Stephen loves sensible Jean (too zealously, perhaps) and puts up with her mean (and very funny) pet dog, while Jean feels increasingly smothered by Stephen. But both believe the relationship is their last chance at love, and so attempt to stick it out, compatibility be damned. The booka cross between a Nora Ephron comedy and a Machado De Assis novel, with nods to Marcel Proustplayfully engages the reader as it explores love and death, memory and identity, and the curious perils of second chance romance. Along the way, Barnes discusses, through Julian, living with blood cancer, which the author manages with medication and bloodletting treatments; facing mortality; and forging connections with readers. Gradually, as I wrote the book, I thought, this is the last one, Barnes says of Departure(s). Youve played your tunes, written the stuff you wanted to write. Asked if he might change his mind in the future and write another book, hes adamant: I dont feel I want to. I could probably write a bad or an insincere book, yes. Barness books have reached every corner of the globe, from Japan to Iran to Brazil. Ryan Roberts, Barness bibliographer and webmaster, works to document every printing of every edition of every book by Barnes, as well as books he has contributed writing to, and has meticulously cataloged and photographed more than 1,300 entries. My friendship with Julian is one of the most important of my life, says Roberts, whos known Barnes since 1998. When I read his books, I trust hes going to point things out about this world that I hadnt noticed before. Barnes grew up in the 1940s and 50s in suburban London. He was a sensitive boy, the son of French teachers, who sometimes felt overshadowed by his older brother. We were a sober English middle-class family, Barnes recalls. We didnt do discord or argument. After graduating from Oxford in 1968, where he studied modern languages, the authorwhos fluent in French and counts Gustave Flaubert among his influencesworked as a lexicographer at the Oxford English Dictionary supplement and as a journalist and critic for publications including the New Statesman and the Observer. He wrote Metroland over several years in the 70s. I was nervous, Barnes says. I didnt have anyone to show it to. Without an agent, he submitted it to U.K. publisher Jonathan Cape, and got it published after he agreed to do a few rounds of revisions. There was no history of writing in my family. My mother had a letter published once in the Evening Standard newspaper. In 1978, Barnes met Pat Kavanagh at a party, and the pair married a year later. Kavanagh, a literary agent, represented Barnes until her death at 68 from a brain tumor, which Barnes discusses in his devastating 2013 book Levels of Life. She was an ideal companion to a writer, he says. I dedicated all my books to her. I wanted her to be proud of me, and that made me write as well as I could. Sarah Ballard, Barness agent since his wifes death, appreciates the variety of Barness work and his ability to connect with readers. His contribution to literature is enormous, she says. He can absolutely hold you in the palm of his hand, whatever he writes. Barneswho rose to prominence alongside Martin Amis, Christopher Hitchens, Ian McEwan, and Salman Rushdiehas kept a journal for 50 years, which he sometimes consults for ideas. (The first volume is full of frustrations and enviousnessand what the hell am I doing with my life? he says.) He writes his books on an IBM 196c electric typewriter, and his former U.K. editor, Dan Franklin, who worked with Barnes for 27 years, says his work arrives perfectly typed, with corrections made in fountain pen. His manuscripts are very beautiful, Franklin notes. At 79, the stylish author is a great wit and profound storyteller whos still at the top of his game. He thinks about death every day, he admits, but thats nothing newhes been doing it for decades. You know, Michel de Montaigne said you should think about death every time a tile falls off a roof, Barnes says, explaining that its a good way to get comfortable with ones mortality. Reflecting on his career, Barnes is glad he never compromised his vision. I wrote my books, not versions of someone elses books, he says. He doesnt have deep thoughts on turning 80. I dont like it, but its better than the alternativebeing dead, he offers with a smile. Releasing his last book the day after his birthday will make for a nice mic drop moment. Ill have a double celebration. If one goes wrong, the other one might go right. Elaine Szewczyks writing has appeared in McSweeneys and other publications. Shes the author of the novel Im with Stupid. History Francisco de Saavedras American Revolutionary War James Giesler ASIN B0FKCYHXZL Author statement: This is the story of how the decisive American victory in the Revolutionary War, at the Battle of Yorktown in October 1781, was the result of French and Spanish cooperation in the Caribbean. A Sword over the Nile: A Brief History of the Copts Under Islamic Rule Adel Guindy ISBN 978-1-64378-761-9 Author statement: A Sword over the Nile was born from my desire to tell a story long silencedthe fate of Egypts indigenous Christians, the Copts, after the Arab-Islamic conquest. Unmasking the Humourist Brent L. Kendrick ASIN B0FNCCGGTH Author statement: Unmasking The Humourist is a literary investigation that solves one of Colonial Americas greatest mysterieswho wrote The Humourist essays published in The South Carolina Gazette in 17531754? Historical Fiction Death of a Cigarette: A Story of Survival, Memory, and Legacy Timothy Webber & Milo Grey ASIN B0FR55TBFT Author statement: Told through the voice of an unlit WWII cigarette named Chance, Death of a Cigarette is a historical novella about survival, memory, and legacy. The Irish Yankee Regan Walker ASIN B0FPQZ267W Author statement: With Americans about to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, it seemed to me timely to give readers a story that tells of Americas beginnings. One Ordinary Man: A Novel Based on the True Story of Harry Hopkins Steve Vesce ASIN B0FVMLBFV5 Author statement: One Ordinary Man is a historically accurate novel about the inspiring, surprising, and remarkable true story of Harry L. Hopkinsone ordinary man who grew from obscurity to play a leading and pivotal role in helping America overcome the Great Depression, defeat fascism, and win World War II. Fiction in translation famously comprises a small corner of the market, but if readers seem more interested in it these days, says Daniel Seton, editorial director at Pushkin Press, some of the credit may belong to a different medium entirely. People have begun to routinely watch foreign-made programs with subtitles, he explains. They dont see it as something weird or unusual. I think thats helped make people more open to translated fictionits no different from watching Squid Game or Shogun. Historically, translated works have been particularly successful in the mystery and thriller genres. (Looking at you, Lisbeth Salander.) Advocates for international crime fiction see these books not as something niche but, as Seton puts it, great stories that happen to have been written in another language. Target Acquired Pushkin Press launched Pushkin Vertigo, a home for crime fiction from around the globe, in 2015. Japan, Seton notes, has a rich history of crime fiction thats reminiscent of British and American traditionsEdgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle. Its recognizably familiar, but its also original and exciting, he says. Whats distinctive about Japanese crime fiction is the inventiveness of the plots. One of the first releases from Pushkin Vertigo was The Tokyo Zodiac Murders by Soji Shimada, translated from the Japanese by Ross and Shika Mackenzie. PWs review at the time said that the intriguing first novel blends metafiction with a locked-room mystery. More recently, The Man Who Died Seven Times by Yasuhiko Nishizawa, translated from the Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood, was a Barnes & Noble August mystery pick and a PW bestseller; the time-loop murder tale stitches elements from Clue, Groundhog Day, and Toshikazu Kawaguchis Before the Coffee Gets Cold into a mischievous tale that stands on its own two feet, per PWs review. HarperVias Japanese titles include artist and YouTuber Uketsus mystery-horror hybrids Strange Pictures and Strange Houses, both of which pubbed earlier this year and were translated by Jim Rion. PWs starred review of the first called it part police procedural and part Pictionary. Judith Curr, president and publisher of the HarperOne Group, says the books have clues and drawings that you have to decipher as you go through. You, the reader, become detective. You become involved in the book in a new way. Since HarperVia launched in 2018, the imprint, which focuses almost exclusively on fiction in translation, has published 167 titles from 30 countries and in 22 languages. We started with a map of the world, Curr says, and the imprint has been filling in the blanks ever since. We didnt have anything from Eastern Europe, so now we have The Lack of Light by Nino Haratischwili from Georgia, and Andrey Kurkov in Ukraine and his mystery series, Curr says. Its important for people not to think of translation as having its momentits actually years in the making. A forthcoming German-language translation from Soho Crime, Murder Mindfully (Apr. 2026), written by Karsten Dusse and translated by Florian Duijsens, has already been adapted as a Netflix series. A lot of the things were drawn to tend to be very cinematic, says Taz Urnov, an editor at Soho Press who acquires for Soho Crime. The book was a bestseller in Germany, and the Netflix adaptation already existed when the book was sold to Faber, which published Duijsenss translation in the U.K. in January. When an author is such a success in their home country, its interesting looking at how thats going to translate, no pun intended, to success in the United States, Urnov says. So with this shiny German Netflix adaptation in hand, were seeing how that adds to the books appeal in an American market. Soho Presss crime imprint, Soho Crime, debuted in 1991 and is dedicated to imports; the imprints first work in translation was Seicho Matsumotos Inspector Imanishi Investigates, translated from the Japanese by Beth Cary. (For more about Matsumoto, see Amor Towles on Seicho Matsumoto.) In the years since, Soho Crime has published works translated from languages including Catalan, Czech, Danish, and Italian, set in countries from Iceland to Argentina and beyond. If its a location thats unfamiliar to you, youll learn about it, Urnov says. If its a location thats familiar to you, youve never seen it like this. For instance, the tech thriller Jackson Alone by Jose Ando, translated from the Japanese by Kalau Almony (Soho Crime, Jan. 2026), centers on four gay, half-Black Japanese men in Tokyo. PWs review, though mixed, noted, Its hard not to admire the authors passionate rebuke of Japanese conformity or his tender depiction of queer camaraderie. Almony brought Andos novel to Soho Crime, and Urnov says it represents the kind of title the imprint is looking for: an audacious, boundary-pushing treatment of marginalized groups. The translators know what we do well, and they come to us with projects that they think well be excited about. Genre unconventions Catapult editor-in-chief Kendall Storey credits her imprints deep roster of books in translation in part to a trusted stable of translators who, she says, can be a books best advocate. Kira Josefsson, who translates between Swedish and English, suggested Hanna Johanssons 2024 debut, Antiquity, to the imprint; PWs review called it a moody exploration of loneliness and obsession. Josefsson also championed and translated Johanssons follow-up, Body Double (Catapult, Apr. 2026), a queer love story within whats billed as a Hitchcockian literary thriller: two women meet by chance in a cafe, accidentally exchange coats, and form a romantic attachment that takes on sinister undercurrents as one remakes herself in the others image. Catapult publishes literary fiction including books that play with genre and turn it on its head in some way, Storey says. Body Double is a thriller, but the mystery at its center is existential. Putnam recently released Menu of Happiness, the third volume in Hisashi Kashiwais Kamogawa Food Detectives culinary mystery series. In the books, which were translated from the Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood, a retired police detective and his daughter run a restaurant that helps patrons recover lost memories through food. Its an example of the Japanese healing fiction trendthink Well Prescribe You a Cat or Days at the Morisaki Bookshopwith a cozy mystery spin. Healing fiction doesnt have to take place in a bookstore, and it doesnt have to include a lot of cats, says Tara Singh Carlson, VP and executive editor at Putnam (notwithstanding the cat featured prominently on each Kamogawa cover). Its more about the feelingnothing really horrible is going to happen. Along those lines, Masateru Konishis debut, My Grandfather, the Master Detective (Putnam, Mar. 2026), translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai, is a cozy mystery that centers on a schoolteacher and her grandfather. He suffers from dementia, but as a former member of the Waseda Mystery Club, he retains a sharpness that helps the pair solve everyday mysteries. I was really interested in what the author was doing with the relationship, Singh Carlson says. Youre looking to find out what happens in the mystery, but the experience of it has that cozy, healing feel. She notes that while its satisfying to visit a bookstore and find a table dedicated to Asian fiction, Japanese translated fiction is very saturated at this point. Finding something that feels a little bit different is getting harder. With their recent and forthcoming mysteries and thrillers in translation, Singh Carlson and others PW spoke with are sharing novel discoveries. Elaine Aradillas is a journalist and author based in San Antonio, Tex. Read more from our Mysteries & Thrillers in Translation feature. Amor Towles on Seicho Matsumoto Translated Authors Branch Out with Crime Fiction Alstom has been awarded a contract worth around 470 million to supply 55 Traxx Hauler dual-voltage locomotives to Ukrainian Railways, which will be adapted to the specific requirements of Ukrainian Railways. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (300 million) and the World Bank ($190 million) will provide most of the finance. Alstom will design and construct the locomotives at its site at Belfort in France for delivery starting in 2027. Also included in the contract are training for train drivers, maintenance personnel, and some parts deliveries. The locomotives will be configured with four bogies in a Bo-Bo configuration, where each axle is powered by a separate traction motor. They will be suitable for operation from 3 kV DC and 25 kV AC traction systems, a power rating from 7.2 to 9.4 MW, and a maximum speed of 120 km/h. Security and communication systems for the locomotives will be made in Ukraine. Alstom has an engineering centre in Kharkiv, where highly skilled Ukrainian engineers develop modern railway signalling systems. In 2018, it opened an office in Ukraines capital, Kyiv, for rolling stock projects, including developing electric locomotives for both Ukraine and elsewhere. Traxx locomotive on test. // Credit: Alstom The first of Alstoms projects in Ukraine was the modernisation of a 123 km line between Krasnohrad and Lozova. Since then, as well as in Ukraine, it has designed, manufactured, installed, and maintained railway signalling systems in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Sweden. It has also supplied Traxx locomotives to Romania and Poland. Ken Khachigian, 81, of Orange County, California, was in the room with Reagan and Nixon. In the fall of 1967, Khachigian was a second-year law student at Columbia University when he wrote a letter to Richard Nixon at his New York law office to volunteer for his presidential campaign. He was hired by Patrick J. Buchanan as an aide and assistant before joining the Nixon White House as a junior speechwriter. After Nixons resignation in 1974, Khachigian followed the Old Man to his Western White House in San Clemente, where Khachigian helped Nixon compose RN: The Memoirs of Richard Nixon. In the summer of 1980, Khachigian transitioned from Nixons employ to join Ronald Reagans presidential campaign as chief speechwriter. He quickly adapted to Reagans speaking style and provided him with winning and quotable political language. He helped conceive the rhetorical question Are you better off today than you were four years ago? which Reagan delivered in his closing argument against Jimmy Carter during a pivotal, televised debate, just one week before the 1980 election. After a brief stint as chief speechwriter, Khachigian declined a permanent role in the Reagan White House, but continued to serve Reagan as speechwriter and go-to counsel. Following a career as a practicing attorney, Khachigian has published Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Reagan and Nixon (Post Hill Press, 2024). The memoir is rich with historical descriptions, contemporaneous notes from Khachigians journals, and direct quotations from both presidents. The authors close personal relationship with Reagan and Nixon provides depth and texture to his true stories of campaigning, strategizing, politicking, and writing for the two most consequential leaders of the final decades of the twentieth century. Khachigians book is a must-read for students of American political history and anyone interested in government or presidential politics. What follows is a lightly edited transcript of our conversation. Ken, Nixon said to you in the summer of 1990. [Reagan] grew in the presidency. What did he mean? First, Nixon thought that Reagan was not a deep-thinker in his years prior to the presidency, not in the way that Nixon viewed people like himself, people who studied and spent so much time reading and traveling and thinking. He viewed Reagans chopping wood and riding horses as not really serious activities. But then, as Reagan took on the presidency, Nixon got to see him in action and see him take on major issues economically and internationally. Second, he thought Reagan wasnt a gut-fighter, that he didnt have enough of a willingness to take on a fight in the way that Nixon would take on political fights. I suppose it was unfair but you have to look at the kind of era that Nixon came up in. His contemporaries were Jack Kennedy, Everett Dirksen, Hubert Humphrey, Eisenhower. These were really serious, strong, post-war men who were not quite like Reagan. Reagan didnt come out of that mold. I think Nixon was pleased to see how Reagan developed. All that said, Nixon had an extraordinary respect for Reagans communications skills and his political abilities. He saw that Reagan was tougher and more resilient and had those nascent character traits that emerged fully in the presidency. John Connally, whom Nixon had appointed as Treasury Secretary in 1971, was someone Nixon favored throughout the 1970s. Did Connally embody Nixons idea of a strong leader? Thats right. Connally could fill up a room with his personality, so maybe it was in the nature of his home-state culture, Texas culture; Lyndon Johnson was probably the same way. Nixon was taken aback by Connally and how persuasive he was, which was why Nixon brought him aboard in his administration. He felt that Connally had that mental and philosophical strength about him that would fit well in the presidency. But it turned out that Connally didnt fit like Reagan. Sometimes were great judges of what works privately but we mistake that for something that sells nationally. It's the way people are seeing Gavin Newsom right now. Democrats see him as the man in shining armor but its unclear how that will work across the country. What policy issue did Nixon seize upon that propelled him past his political competition? I think in the 1940s and early 1950s there was a proto-socialist movement in America. Nixons position was that post-war America could not stand by while a great, monumental force outside our borders Stalins Soviet Union and Maos China took advantage of our weak democratic instincts. This was symbolized by Nixons senate campaign in 1950 against California politician Helen Gahagan Douglas, and by Nixon pursuing and exposing Alger Hiss as a communist spy. Whether Nixon saw this crusade as his way to the top, I have no idea. But certainly, I think Nixon saw in his clear-eyed way that international issues were his strength, versus being a great spokesman for domestic matters or economics. And what about Ronald Reaganwhat issue propelled him past his political competition? I think Reagan was driven by economic issues. Remember that Reagan was an economics major in college. He wanted to educate the American people about economics and how an overpowering government posed a threat to the individual freedoms of Americans. He always talked about how we were one step away from tyranny. Reagan would tell a story about emceeing a Pillsbury bake-off. As soon as the lady who won the big check walked off the stage, he said, the IRS guy showed up to take his cut. The more Reagan campaigned across the country as a spokesman for General Electric in the 1950s, the more he saw that there was a need to protect the free enterprise system, and so he was a 1950s Democrat who became a 1960s Goldwater Republican as he crisscrossed the country and saw how government was eroding the lives of Americans. Through the subject of economics, Reagan argued that an overwhelming federal government was a huge threat to individual Americans and it resonated with people. Speechwriter Peter Robinson wrote that Reagans staff was divided between pragmatists and true believers. Do you think Reagan believed his own staff agreed with his policy positions, particularly on economics? No, he felt that his staff did not understand economics. He was a real crusader in this respect, and he became troubled later when his own staff didnt have the same crusading zeal. Jim Baker is quoted as saying he was ready to dump supply-side economics before he ever became chief of staff to Reagan, if you can believe that. David Gergen was a Bush guy who didnt believe in Reagans economic policy. Dick Darman never believed in it either. I tended to be a team player. Jim was the chief of staff running the shop and I felt that it was not my job to undercut him. I asserted myself some in 1984, but there were times when I felt like I didnt want to use up the energy to fight Baker on these issues. Hey, Khachigian if youre not willing to sacrifice and come to D.C. and be in the White House every day, then you dont get to call the shots here. That was kind of the attitude and I went along with it, but I should have asserted myself more in defense of Reagans beliefs. Actually, I didnt even realize the staff was undercutting him until I wrote this book. Tell me about your production process as Reagans speechwriter. Our process was really simple: I went into Reagans office and talked about ideas and came back with a draft. I had a special relationship with Reagan. The other speechwriters did not. Gergen and Darman exercised all sorts of control over my successors, which was not great. I remember I submitted an outline for the convention speech in 1984 but only because Baker and Darman ganged up on me; they were paranoid I was going to go off on some Right-wing tangent. But typically, Reagan and I collaborated one-on-one based on a conversation. Has speechwriting changed in a fundamental way since the 1960s? No. Good, persuasive messaging hasnt changed since the 1960s. I dont think I could write for President Trump because hes his own man and has his own style. He meanders. He goes off on his own tangents. I see they try to write some poetic prose for him but it doesnt fit with his voice, in my opinion. He would benefit from sticking to his scripts. He uses messaging off the cuff, so the next thing you know, when hes in the Oval Office, the reporters are firing questions and hes going off the cuff. I think that dilutes his message. Speechmaking shouldnt matter whether youre Teddy Roosevelt or Jack Kennedy or Donald Trump, so long as you have a good central message. Has the audience for political speeches changed since the 1960s? Yes, the audience has even less attention span now than ever before. You really do have to stick to something that goes directly to the point and resonates. If you cant get that through, then youre stuck. There was such a furor over Joe Bidens mental abilities. Two bestsellers chased that rabbit. Then it was the election rabbit. Then it was the affordability rabbit. By the time the next election comes around, youll need something that resonates with the voters and its more and more difficult to break through, especially with young people. Public speaking may not be what it once was. What effect is achieved with a great political speech? It wins elections. Remember when Reagan said: ask yourself: are you better off than you were four years ago? That resonated over a period of weeks. He used it to great effect on national television and it burrowed its way into the country. A good political speech will change the direction of peoples thinking. But its the same for good writingany good writing will change peoples minds. Its not easy. What is the one quality shared by all great speechwriters? The ability to reflect who theyre writing for. You become a great speechwriter by writing for great speech-givers. In Reagans case, it came down to me listening to him and paying attention to how he spoke and how he presented himself his illustrations and inflections, his use of symbols. A great speechwriter will take his bosss strengths and project them. I tried to take the essence of what made Reagan so good and put it on paper. I dont know if I was a great speechwriter. I was a good collaborator for Reagan, I think. We worked well together. We were a great team. Give a few words of advice to Trumps second-term speechwriters. Convince your boss not to top his own story, not to top his own message. Its like the preacher or Rabbi or priest you want people to leave remembering just one thing. If he goes off on a tangent, then you leave scratching your head. What was he talking about? The president is Americas teacher; he is our educator. Tell the president that you want the people to have learned one or maybe two things. Its harder than it sounds! John J. Waters is a lawyer and author of the postwar novel River City One (Simon and Schuster, 2023). He lives in Nebraska, where he was born. Iran is running out of water, and the alarms are no longer abstract. Masoud Pezeshkian, the president of the Islamic Republic, openly discusses the need for massive internal migration due to water shortages. Intensified by chronic mismanagement and a succession of scorching, rain-starved years, reservoirs have plunged to historic lows, many farm lands have withered into dust bowls, and an emblematic inland sea - Lake Urmia - has largely vanished. This is not a far-off climate parable or a future scenario for environmental modelers; it is a present-tense emergency with humanitarian, economic, and security consequences that are already beginning to spill beyond Irans borders. The international community must pay close attention: Irans trajectory, aggressive resource overuse and rigid governance colliding with climate anomalies, is a grim preview of the instability awaiting arid regions worldwide. The crisis is most visible and volatile in Tehran, a sprawling metropolis of over 10 million people. The capital relies on a delicate network of five large dams that have fallen to critical levels. Officials have acknowledged that at least one reservoir is effectively empty, while the Amir Kabir dam, a primary artery for the citys hydration, holds only a tiny fraction of its capacity. These numbers translate into weeks, not months, of safety margins. Tehran is now racing toward its own "Day Zero," a concept once associated with Cape Town, implying the moment when taps run dry and water distribution becomes a militarized operation. The city faces the specter of severe rationing, pressure reductions that cut off upper floors of high-rises, and the terrified imagination of neighborhood-scale evacuations should storage slip beneath operable intakes. Head east to Mashhad, Irans second-largest city, and the situation becomes even more precarious. As a major pilgrimage center hosting millions of visitors annually, Mashhads water consumption is immense, yet the dams feeding the city have dipped to single-digit capacity percentages. The city is now forced to lean heavily on aquifers that are already irreversibly stressed. The choices facing local officials are stark: deepen the drawdown of groundwater, accelerating land subsidence that is already cracking infrastructure, or impose immediate, crippling rationing on households and the jagged network of small businesses that support the pilgrimage economy. Then there is Lake Urmia. Once among the worlds largest saline lakes, it serves today as a cautionary salt flat ringed by toxic dust. Over recent decades, the lake has lost the vast majority of its surface area. This was not an accident of nature, but a man-made disaster. Dozens of dams on feeder rivers and diversions for thirsty crops upstream strangled the lake, while a hotter, drier climate evaporated what little inflow remained. The result is ecological collapse with a massive human toll: salt and dust storms that scorch crops and damage lungs, forcing communities to abandon their ancestral lands. This agricultural policy is at the heart of the water bankruptcy. Roughly 90 percent of all water withdrawn in Iran flows to farms, often via outdated flood irrigation methods. The state provided cheap electricity to pump groundwater and subsidized water rates to buy rural loyalty. But the bill has finally come due. As rivers dry and wells shrink, crop yields are falling, and rural incomes are collapsing. The social impacts are profound: hundreds of villages have been abandoned in the past two decades, driving a wave of internal migration to the margins of cities that are themselves running out of water. Technically, the solutions are clear: a national sprint to modernize irrigation, a hard stop on illegal well-drilling, and a shift to treating water as a scarce economic good. However, there is a fatal flaw in this prescription: meaningful water reform is impossible under the current Islamic Republic. The regime is structurally incapable of solving this crisis because it is the primary architect of it. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), through its construction conglomerate Khatam al-Anbiya, dominates the countrys water infrastructure. This "water mafia" profits immensely from the endless construction of dams and transfer tunnels, regardless of their ecological devastation. To implement conservation, which requires dismantling the current policy of building dams, drilling wells, would need the regime to dismantle its own patronage network and cut off a key revenue stream for its security apparatus. Furthermore, the regimes economic survival strategy relies on the ideological pillar of "food self-sufficiency" to resist international sanctions; although Iran is a semi-arid country, surprisingly, the destructive policy of self-sufficiency is rooted in the constitution of the Islamic Republic. Abandoning water-intensive wheat production for sustainable imports would require admitting that the "resistance economy" has failed, a political suicide the leadership cannot afford. Instead of empowering environmental experts, the state imprisons them. Instead of transparency, it treats water data as a state secret. The political system is built to extract, not to steward. Why should the world care? Because this water bankruptcy will not respect political boundaries. The hollowing out of Irans rural interior is creating a class of climate refugees who will not stay put. Internal displacement can easily metastasize into external migration, straining the borders of Turkey and causing friction with neighbors like Iraq and Afghanistan over shared watersheds. Furthermore, dust and salt storms from dried wetlands cross provinces and borders, degrading air quality and health across the Middle East. The clock is running, and water, once taken for granted, is now the only headline that matters. But as long as the current political order remains, the taps will continue to run dry. Mehdi Ketabchy is a water resources consultant in the private sector. He holds degrees in water resources engineering from Virginia Tech and Sharif University of Technology and is currently conducting research at the University of Maryland. Saeed Ghasseminejad is an economist and senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The overall median rent went up 7.1% to $4,600 from October 2024 to October 2025. The luxury market median rent saw a 20% increase in the same period, going up to $11,995. High earners were undeterred by Mamdani's wide lead in the general election polls through the summer and fall. After Mamdani became a household name following his primary win in June, Manhattan rental prices increased year-over-year at twice the rate of inflation. The rate of increase was even higher in the luxury rental market, according to Jonathan Miller, the president of Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants, and author of the Elliman report. Flint is not the only affluent person still betting on New York. People are out of their minds if they think they have to leave the city, Flint, 73, said. I agree with his policies, and I think that New York should be a place where all sorts of people can live and want to live. And that means that everybody has to pay their fair share. The chatter did not give Flint any pause before she signed on the dotted line. Facebook Moms' groups in the city's wealthiest enclaves like the Upper East Side are full of nervous posts about the city's fate. Would the rich flee? Would crime increase? Mamdanis victory in the June Democratic primary was a strong indication that he would prevail in the general election in the overwhelmingly Democratic city. Soon news reports quoted real estate agents in Florida and Connecticut claiming wealthy New Yorkers were looking to flee the metropolis. Mamdani, whom President Donald Trump has derided as a " Liddle Communist, " campaigned on the promise of raising taxes on corporations and those earning more $1 million per year to pay for free buses and universal childcare. He also previously advocated for defunding the police, which he abandoned during the mayoral campaign. Mamdani, who has pledged to protect Jewish New Yorkers against hate crimes, also drew criticism for his anti-Zionist views and history of pro-Palestinian activism. On Nov. 4, the day New York City elected a new mayor , Flint signed a contract to buy a two-bedroom apartment for $1.4 million in the same building she had called home as a Barnard student. Shed just enrolled at Barnard College, and for about four years, she shared an apartment with a classmate on the Upper West Side. While living in Manhattan, she went to law school and got married. She and her husband moved to the suburbs in the early 1990s. NEW YORK Margaret Flint was 18 when she first moved to Manhattan from her childhood home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in 1970. Story Continues The median sales price went up to $1.18 million, a 5.8% year-over-year increase in the third quarter, which is from July to September. In the luxury market, sales prices went up 2.8%. And inventory actually fell 16% in the luxury market from October 2024 to October 2025, indicating that there is no flood of New Yorkers selling their homes and leaving town. Sales are rising faster than supply which is why median prices went up 5.8%. If sales are rising faster than inventory, prices generally go up, said Miller. So if people were fleeing the city, prices would be falling. The reasons for the increase in sales can be attributed in large part to overall gains in the stock market, the expectations of big Wall Street bonuses and declining mortgage rates. Mortgage rates for the week ending Nov. 20 averaged 6.2% for a 30-year conventional, down from 6.8% during the same time last year, according to data from Freddie Mac. I look at evidence-based data as opposed to anecdotes because the plural of anecdotal is not data, it's just more anecdotes, he said, describing the exodus-from-New York plotline as a false narrative. After months of criticizing Mamdani, Trump, a second-generation real estate developer who owns several properties in New York, seemed eager to maintain his ties to the Big Apple after meeting the young politician in the White House on Nov. 21. During a joint appearance at the Oval Office, Trump was asked by a reporter if he'd be comfortable living in Mamdani's New York. "Yeah, I would, I really would, especially after the meeting," said Trump. "We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and well help him do a great job. A couple of weeks after the election, the tone of chatter on Facebook groups also changed, with most indicating they were not moving anywhere. 600 West 111 Street, New York Richest New Yorkers far less likely to leave than working and middle-class New Yorkers The data also supports the conclusions of a 2023 report from the Fiscal Policy Institute, which found that the richest New Yorkers are far less likely to move out of New York than working and middle-class New Yorkers in normal, non-pandemic years. Most high-earner migration during COVID-19 was due to city dwellers who could work from home and were looking for more space, rather than tax-related reasons. In fact, the report found that high earning New Yorkers move out of New York State at one-quarter the rate of the rest of the population during typical years. And when New Yorks high earners do move, they are more likely to move to other relatively high tax states such as New Jersey and Connecticut. Ann Cutbill Lenane Ann Cutbill Lenane, an agent for Douglas Elliman, who specializes in the luxury market, said discussions around the potential increase in taxes have cropped up here and there. They are talking about it, but they're not saying, 'oh my gosh, I'm not signing this contract,' said Lenane, who has 40 years of experience in Manhattan and has done $2 billion in sales. Trump tariffs a bigger factor in buyer hesitancy in New York City Lenane says she saw bigger buyer hesitancy around Trump's tariffs raising the cost of construction or renovation as raw materials like lumber are often imported. What we're having harder time with is apartments that need work because of tariffs and not really having a good sense of what a renovation is going to cost, she said. They are also worried about the timeframe and I'm finding that to be the biggest challenge. Matthew Bizzarro has sold apartments in New York city by more than 23 years Matthew Bizzarro, who has more than 23 years of experience selling homes in New York City, echoed Lenanes concern around tariffs. He said he lost five contracts the week that Trump announced global tariffs on all imports in April because of the uncertainty in the market. Did any contracts fall through during election week? Zero, he said. Bizzarro said hes seen an exodus before, but this isnt one. During COVID, he ended up opening an office in Westchester County as people began looking to decamp from the city. At one point, I had a hundred listings during COVID, from people just being like, just sell it, he said. None of that is happening now. We have 74 contracts right now, he said. From Nov. 1 to Nov. 15, his contract volume is up 32% compared to the same period last year, he said. Some people who might be sitting on the sidelines are investors who buy building with five to 10 units, he said. People who buy apartment buildings want to see if the rent freezes will go into effect, he said, referring to Mamdani's campaign pledge to freeze rents in rent-stabilized apartments. No one's going to buy a building if you can't make money on it. A concern about possible increase in crime and loss of services Jacob Goldman, a Manhattan-based realtor, said he has received a few calls from people concerned about Mamdani and who were thinking of selling. Jacob Goldman, a real estate agent in New York City But only very few people have done that. Theres not a mass exodus right now, he said. The thing to watch is how will people react to his economic policies. I think it's safe to assume that he's not attracting businesses to New York. Josie Lee, 59, the owner of a one-bedroom home on the Lower East Side said Mamdanis election was one of the many factors that played into her listing her apartment this summer. Josie Lee sold her apartment on the Lower East Side in the second week of November, 2025 She signed a contract on her 750-square-foot apartment just after the election. The buyer is a New Yorker in his 30s. Lee, who works in marketing and communications, said she is close to retirement and had been considering a move to a place that would have lush greenery and some more living space. But Mamdanis primary win persuaded her to speed up the process. She said she was worried about a possible increase in crime, especially given Mamdanis past rhetoric around defunding the police. She said she fears companies would move away, eroding the tax base and burdening the city residents. You keep doing that to the tax base of the city, then it's going run out of money, she said. Then it creates a cycle of we don't have enough money, let's cut services. Lee is now moving to Fishkill, a small city located on the Hudson River, about 90 minutes north of Manhattan. She said she can still easily go to the city to catch shows, visit museums and meet up with friends. New York is 'resilient': Buzz around an exodus is a 'lot of talk' Jill Prink, an urban landscape designer, who has lived in Manhattan for 25 years, will be closing on her first New York City apartment in the next few weeks. Jill Prink will be closing on an apartment in Manhattan in December, 2025 She said the election of the new mayor did not factor into her decision, adding that New York and New Yorkers are "resilient." Prink said she was excited about renovating her one-bedroom apartment and moving in. As far as the buzz about people looking to move, she said she is not convinced. I view it as a lot of talk, she said. It's very diverse and international here and people from all over come and live here. If there's some people who don't want, there will be others who do want to be in the city. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal (This story was updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rich aren't fleeing Zohran Mamdani's NYC. Price and demand are up. Indias market regulator is moving ahead to include real estate investment trusts (Reits) in benchmark indices in a phased manner, Sebi chief Tuhin Kanta Pandey said, while asserting that the regulator was working to strengthen the link between infrastructure building and the markets. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Sebi will work with all stakeholders to facilitate the inclusion of Reits in indices, through an appropriate glide path, Pandey said at the National Conclave on Reits and Invits in New Delhi on Friday. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairman also said that the National Monetisation Pipelines next tranche will be Rs 10 trillion over five years, higher than the Rs 6 trillion outlined for monetisation in the first five-year tranche. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and several state governments to accelerate public-asset monetisation. We are working with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), and Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to facilitate greater participation from their entities under their purview, Pandey said. The Sebi chief also said that a move was afoot to expand the pool of liquid mutual fund schemes, which would also help Reits and infrastructure investment trusts (Invits). The government is adopting different models for asset monetisation, including Invits and public-private partnerships (PPP). He described Reits and Invits as the central bridge between infrastructure and capital markets. Earlier this month, Sebi amended mutual fund regulations to explicitly classify Reit units as eligible equity investments, allowing MFs to diversify further by investing directly in them. Experts say this change also opens the door for Reits to enter equity indices. Inclusion in indices will enable index funds to invest in Reits which qualify into the indices thereby attracting passive flows into these instruments. "This is a very positive policy reform which will help Reits access passive money and better the liquidity in these instruments, said Preeti Chheda, executive committee member of the Indian REITs Association and chief financial officer of Mindspace Business Parks REIT. India currently has five listed Reits with market capitalisation ranging from Rs 21,000 crore to Rs 52,700 crore. According to analysts, Knowledge Realty Trust Reit, the largest of them, could soon qualify for inclusion in indices such as the Nifty Smallcap 100 or Nifty Real Estate. The regulator would also be open to the idea of under construction assets being included in a Reits portfolio, but that would have to be done with appropriate guardrails, possibly on a percentage share basis, the chairman said on the sidelines but did not elaborate further. Pandey added that the markets regulator was exploring whether private Invits too may invest in greenfield projects with adequate safeguards. Municipal bonds and state-level Invits naturally complement this ecosystem. "The recent announcement of the Maharashtra Government to create a Maharashtra Infrastructure Investment Trust is an important step in funding infrastructure at the state level, he said. He also highlighted the need for broader analyst coverage of Reits and Invits, which will flow into the larger goal of educating investors on participation in the instruments. On the primary market side, Sebi will continue to simplify capital raising through IPOs, rights issues, QIPs, and bonds, Pandey added. Pandey added that the regulator was already engaging with institutional investors to deepen the participation of institutional investors in REITs and Invits. We are coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and several state governments to accelerate public-asset monetisation. "We are working with Irdai, PFRDA, and EPFO to facilitate greater participation from their entities under their purview, Pandey added. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) is the insurance regulatory body under the ministry of finance, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) that regulates pension industry, while Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) administers pension schemes for employees in the organised workforce. The Sebi chairman said that the regulator was evaluating further ease-of-doing-business measures for Reits and Invits for which it was holding discussions with industry stakeholders, underscoring the need for the access to these instruments to be democratised, which will indirectly give unitholders access to high value assets and deliver real, cash returns. Our expectations are clear. Governance and investor interests will be non-negotiable. "Use your associations, your digital presence, and your networks to educate investors in multiple languages. "With stronger benchmarking and disclosures, you can offer investors the transparency they need to stay invested, Pandey added. As of October 2025, the combined assets under management of Reits, Invits, and SM Reits is estimated at around Rs 9.25 trillion of which Rs 7 trillion was in Invits, Rs 2.25 trillion in Reits and SM Reits. Highlighting that India will require massive investment across transport, energy, urban infrastructure, telecom, and aviation, Pandey said that Indias core sectors may require well over Rs 700 trillion in investment by 2047. After its big win in Bihar, the BJP is likely to push harder in Tamil Nadu, where the DMK government and the uneasy BJP-AIADMK alliance are preparing for a tense election filled with seat-sharing fights, changing alliances, and the unpredictable entry of Vijay's TVK party, predicts N Sathiya Moorthy. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Photograph: ANI Photo After a heart-warming victory in Bihar, the question is if a more confident and energetic Bharatiya Janata Party ruling the Centre would direct the new-found confidence at other poll-bound states like Tamil Nadu? In his early 'victory speech' on Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that he would now demolish the ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in next year's assembly polls in Bengal, but no one is sure that the BJP would spare DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu and CPI-M-headed Kerala, where too elections are due at the same time, alongside those in Assam and Puducherry. The BJP cadre morale was down but not out after the relatively poor showing in last year's Lok Sabha elections. Now, Bihar in the Hindi heartland has decisively proved otherwise. Hence BJP leaders in TN expect a similar assault on the ruling DMK on the official side and local alliance leader AIADMK in seat-sharing talks. On the face of it, the DMK is not worried. Historically and otherwise, their leaders have not surrendered to raid-linked pressures by the ruling party at the Centre. In the Emergency era, its present-day Congress ally was ruling at the Centre, and even present-day Chief Minister M K Stalin was not spared. The DMK does not hold any grudges, yes, but party men also point out how in recent times, then minister Senthil Balaji stayed in prison for 400 days without bail, but did not crumble under the psychological pressure. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah being felicitated by M K Stalin. Photograph: ANI Photo Hence, the BJP's focus will be increasingly on the AIADMK ally, whose leader Edappadi K Palaniswami has not exactly acknowledged the combined status in public. In the months since Union Home Minister and chief BJP strategist Amit Shah forced down an unpalatable alliance-revival in April, EPS' one-man campaign, already across 175 of 243 assembly constituencies, targeted the DMK but did not highlight the alliance and the BJP's role. Even where EPS makes pro-BJP statements as on the Election Commission's controversial SIR process, it reads less involved and convincing. For the state BJP, which had held back for the Bihar polls to pass, EPS cannot continue to play his double-game. They expect Shah, when he turns his attention back to the state, will 'fix' EPS on alliance-status and seat-sharing, the latter in particular. Before Bihar began dominating the BJP's national consciousness, its party leaders in Tamil Nadu were freely talking about a near-half share for the party and its non-AIADMK partners within the larger alliance -- that too constituencies of its choice. The hope then was for Shah to bring back the likes of sacked AIADMK leaders like three-time chief minister O Panneerselvam and breakaway AMMK founder T T V Dhinakaran. In 2024, both were allies of the BJP in the NDA after EPS had slashed ties, fearing further erosion of AIADMK vote-share. It was attributed to the BJP's Hindutva agenda over-shadowing the BJP's past performance in the government, since M G Ramachandran founded the party in 1972. Of the two, OPS has maintained stoic silence on returning to the NDA fold, but threw a hint or two that the rival DMK option was still open. TTV, on the other hand, refuses to work for EPS' chief ministerial candidature. It could become a difficult job for Amit Shah, but the problem is not insurmountable. IMAGE: Amit Shah at a Bharatiya Janata Party meeting in Madurai. State BJP President Nainar Nagendran, left, former state party president K Annamalai are also seen. Photograph: ANI Photo Shah's real problem -- or, whoever takes over from him as the BJP's strategist in Tamil Nadu, if he is going to focus more on West Bengal -- is to 'fix' actor-politician Vijay's infant TVK. The TVK has already reiterated its decision to go it alone in the assembly polls with Vijay as its chief ministerial candidate. Of course, the special general body meeting, as is wont in other regional parties, authorised Vijay, as the founder and president, to take whatever alliance decision that was required. Does the BJP want the TVK in the AIADMK-led BJP-NDA combine, to strengthen what still blatantly is said to be 'weak' compared to the 'solid' DMK alliance from 2019, 2021 and 2024? Or, does it want the TVK to go it alone, cutting into the DMK's vote-share among the youth, particularly Vijay's female fans, who otherwise have benefited immensely from Stalin's welfare measures? Opinion is divided on this score, not only in the BJP but also in the AIADMK, independent of the other's views. Senior leaders in both parties -- and also the DMK -- are unwilling to buy the media-marketed general perception that the TVK, for an infant party facing its maiden election, will garner 25 per cent or more of the votes. Now, after the Bihar polls, they point out how one-time psephologist par excellence Prasant Kishor's predictions of Vijay cornering 18 per cent vote-share had lost its value after his Jan Suraaj Party's failure in his native state, Bihar. EPS has been suitably embarrassed after the TVK's assertion of Vijay's chief ministerial ambitions, especially after his openly hinting at the possibility of a two-party combine (excluding the BJP?), in the weeks after the Karur stampede, where the infant party was at the receiving end over the 41 deaths. But there is clear assessment that the AIADMK will require allies even to be seen as having a fighting chance -- and it has to be much more than the BJP, even if they begin working together. Indications are that grassroots-level AIADMK cadres, as always, are willing to work with whichever ally the leadership chooses. The problem centres on EPS' personal and personalised strategy, focussed exclusively on his chief ministerial ambitions. IMAGE: Amit Shah is felicitated by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Edappadi K Palaniswami in New Delhi. Photograph: Edappadi K PalaniswamiX/ANI Photo Given the AIADMK's lowest-ever 20 per cent vote-share in last yeaR's Lok Sabha polls, it needs to retain those votes and also bring in another 15 to 20 per cent in a four-cornered contest, which includes the TVK and another actor-politician Seeman's NTK. The latter polled a respectable eight per cent vote-share last year, without an ally, and without a prime ministerial candidate. The TVK's electoral strength is yet to be proven, for any established political party to hold serious alliance negotiations on the party's terms. Yes, the NDA did poll a respectable 18.5 per cent vote-share in the Lok Sabha polls, but a section of the national media mischievously put it down to the BJP's exclusive account. Though the combination was different, it was the same as the NDA's; vote-share in 2014. However, the BJP's 2.86 per cent yield in the intervening 2016 assembly elections has to be considered as the party's committed vote-share -- as has always been in the past so many decades. This leaves the BJP and the AIADMK, too, with a double whammy, jointly and severally. If the AIADMK argues that the BJP's vote-share is less than three per cent, where is it going to get the 12 to 15 per cent for EPS to recapture the gaddi? Likewise, if the BJP claims it has 18.5 per cent vote-share or, say, 11.5 per cent, as calculated by some party-friendly analysts since 2024, is it not cheating itself by demanding more seats than it can win, even with whole-hearted AIADMK support? The reality is close to 15 per cent of the NDA's 18.5 per cent last year came from the allies, of whom OPS and TTK are now out. IMAGE: The AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami, third from right, meets Amit Shah in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo Even if OPS and/or TTV are cajoled or threatened to come back, their half-hearted support to the BJP in their common southern Mukkulathore community stronghold will not be available to EPS. In EPS' western region, where the BJP also has a stronghold, numbers still may not add up, if former BJP state chief K Annamalai and recently-sacked AIADMK veteran K A Sengottaiyan are not appropriately re-inducted, for them, too, to collectively work for the NDA's victory. Both belong to the dominant Vellalar Gounder community, like EPS. The latter's choice for CM ultimately after Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's death in December 2016 is not to the liking of the southern Mukkulathore, who embarrassed the AIADMK enough by causing the loss of security deposit in an unprecedented seven seats. It is another matter that the BJP, too, lost the security deposit in 11 of 39 seats. The NDA's other partners too lost the deposit in most seats they contested --- AMMK (1), DMDK (2), PMK (6) and TMC (3). The shadow of such a defeat still hangs over both the AIADMK and the BJP-NDA. This has also enthused the rival DMK leader of the Congress-inclusive INDIA combo enough. But there is no justification for the same, however. DMK supporters on social media add up figures from the past to argue that the alliance already is sitting on a comfortable 45-plus per cent vote-share. After the poor showing in Bihar, they claim that the Congress partner has lost its perceived bargaining capacity. It's only half true. However, after the Bihar results, Stalin congratulated counterpart Nitish Kumar, and also Opposition RJD boss and leader of the Mahagadhbandhan Tejashwi Yadav, the latter for his hard work. But he left out the Congress partner in the alliance, whose dilly-dallying and deliberate delaying tactic at seat-sharing, it is said, was a major contributory factor for their collective defeat. IMAGE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Founder Vijay. Photograph: ANI Photo It was a hidden message after over the past weeks, a section of Tamil nadu's Congress leaders began demanding a higher number of seats and power-sharing in the DMK combine. The Congress high command did nothing about it, as rumours (as always) also claimed that some party leaders, including strategists from Delhi, had met with TVK leaders and counterparts. While in the state recently, AICC in-charge for the TN unit, Girish Chodankar, went as far as to declare that the party could claim up to 117 seats -- half the total of 234, and would settle for 50. This was double the 25 seats that the Congress obtained in 2021, of which it won 18 with the DMK's cadre work. In the past, the Congress won only eight out of 41 in 2016 and five out of 63 in 2011, which election was mired in the 2G scam. The late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi blamed the Congress' poor conversion record for the alliance losing both elections to the AIADMK rival, under the more charismatic Jayalalithaa, now no more. There was some truth in it, especially in 2016, when the vote-share gap between the two combines was just one per cent -- 40.88 and 39.85 per cent, against a seat-share tally of 136 and 98. It was still the highest seat-share for the losing partner in assembly elections in the state. The Congress' stand-alone vote-share dates back to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, when the figure stood at 4.37 per cent (no seats). This is at the centre of the DMK cadre argument against allotting an unreasonably high number of seats to the Congress ally, for them (alone) to work and make them win (with little or no cooperation from the candidate, either). It may be factual, but that does not diminish the Congress' role in the DMK alliance. Instead, the unverifiable vote-contribution of the Congress, and the 'secular image' that it brings to the DMK combine, when the fight is against the Hindutva BJP at the Centre, which have become the party's bargaining chip. Added to that the Congress, some insiders believe, can point to the propagated the TVK's 'secular image' and unproven perceptions of Vijay's voter-charisma, especially among the young and women voters, is an argument that the DMK cannot ignore easily without risking the future. IMAGE: Vijay greets supporters during his party's political rally at Vikravandi. Photograph: ANI Photo In reality, while the DMK may not yield to any threats or unrealistic demands from the Congress, the Stalin leadership will not ignore the ally, out-of-turn, either. The effort thus will be for the DMK to contain the Congress seat-share to 25 from the previous poll of 2021 while the partner would also want that as the barest minimum, and actually want more. In his X post, in which he congratulated Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav, Stalin also broadly hinted at the DMK's existing allies to 'behave' if they are not to repeat Bihar in Tamil Nadu. Taking it positively and responding immediately, state Congress president K Selvaperunthagai declared without any nuances that the party would still stick to the DMK alliance, come what may. Whether it is the Congress in the DMK alliance or the BJP in the AIADMK combine, they need to remember a dated episode, which however is not outdated. Desperate to oust the MGR-led AIADMK, the DMK shared more than half the seats with the Congress, way back in 1980 -- 114 out of 234, retaining a lower 112, with another six going to the common Muslim League partner. Yet, in their over-anxiety to ensure lesser dependence on the Congress ally, DMK cadres cross-worked and possibly cross-worked in those constituencies. The Congress, which still possibly commanded a 25-per cent vote-share, did likewise, only to ensure the DMK's greater dependence on them -- and in a coalition dispensation. The results gave the AIADMK-plus 162 seats (48.92 per cent vote-share) and the DMK-Congress combine's 69 seats (44.43 per cent). This put paid to the perception that MGR won because of the 'sympathy wave' caused by his appeal for 'justice' after the post-Janata Party Indira Gandhi regime had dismissed his government with eight others. Today, the 'undecided' swing voters' numbers may have increased to 30-35 per cent, where it has been since the mid-nineties. That is a factor no poll strategist or psephologist seems to count. That is a factor that the TVK's Vijay will have to look at, but then, he would require strategists who know the business and are honest, and a second-level team that knows its work. Together, a better team could have avoided the Karur stampede. Together, they could have avoided the current embarrassment of the copy of the TVK's appeal to the Election Commission of India, landing on the table of the state Election Commission (in charge of panchayat polls), and not that of the state electoral officer, where it belonged. It is going to be tougher for the infant TVK, with an insulated leader and inexperienced commander, first during the ongoing SIR process, and then even in the filling up of nominations for the assembly polls, which requires a different kind of expertise and experience -- something they don't teach you in Harvard! N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff After Donald Trump became president of the United States, he unleashed economic weaponisation, upsetting the old world order, leading to much unrest. If that wasn't all, the threat of an imminent nuclear war was issued by the US, Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan. In today's fractious times, Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios would have made a dent, notes His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III. IMAGE: Pakistan's Shaheen II nuclear missile. Photograph: ANI Photo The world today is at the crossroads. Global peace and security are at risk more than ever before and peace seems a distant chimera. In the last few years, we have seen armed conflicts erupting -- between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, India and Pakistan and civil war in Yemen, to name just a few. We have also seen posturing of war from the United States, China, Taiwan and North Korea. After Donald Trump became president of the United States, he unleashed economic weaponisation through tariff threats and immigration regulations, upsetting the old world order and leading to much unhappiness and unrest. If that wasn't all, the threat of an imminent nuclear war was issued by the US, Russia, China, North Korea and Pakistan. Ironically, in this environment, the United Nations seems like a feeble bystander who is unable to play any major role in stemming the brewing unrest to bring about global peace and reconciliation. IMAGE: Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios. Against this backdrop, we miss the sage counsel and active participation of the late His Grace Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios of the Indian Orthodox Church (Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church) who passed away in 1996. He was one of the tallest leaders of the world and his thoughts, ideas and views would have acted as a salve in today's fractured world. A man of immense erudition and wisdom, he strived to have inter-faith dialogue with various leaders and communities. He was multi-lingual and proficient in English, French, German and Malayalam and easily mixed with ecumenical and political leaders, furthering the cause of world peace. Some of these famous personalities he hobnobbed with include Mikhail Gorbachev, then president of the Soviet Union; Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia; Raymond Edward Stewart, secretary, World Peace Council; then President K R Narayanan and Justice V R Krishna Iyer. He would have made a world of a difference today. And that is why in his remembrance the Indian Orthodox Church instituted the Paulos Mar Gregorios Award which honours those who have distinguished themselves in various fields. This year it will be given to Dr Tessy Thomas, popularly known as the Missile Woman of India, on November 30. Almost five decades back, almost prophetically, Bishop Gregorios spoke about the urgent need for nuclear disarmament. From 1975 till his passing away in 1996, he wrote a number of articles and books and gave many talks on this subject. IMAGE: Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios with His Holiness Dalai Lama. As far back as 1976, he had calculated that about $400 billion was being spent on 'useless armament' that was a 'colossal waste of human efforts and of the limited resources of our planet'. He argued that any major discussions on peace possibilities should not be just the plain vanilla peace in favour of imperialism, colonialism and economic exploitation of weaker nations, but that it should be 'peace with justice'. Two, he said that not too often do political leaders' faith have any significance in a global social and societal context. But he saw that then US president Ronald Reagan's nuclear policy was impacted by the Scriptures, particularly the Book of Revelations in the Bible. It spoke of the Armageddon and the end of the world. President Reagan's mentor was Reverend Jerry Falwell, the head of the religious group, Moral Majority. Third, he spoke of the need for the Asia-Pacific region to emerge strongly against western powers, especially Europe and the United States. One way to reach that goal is to be economically self-reliant and self-sufficient rather than open up markets to transnational corporations. IMAGE: Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios with Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie. Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios' views on these issues in the eighties and nineties now seem almost prophetic. When viewed against the happenings of today, he was not far from the truth. If he posited that global military spending was $400 billion then, today, according to the highly regarded Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the world military expenditure has reached $2,718 billion in 2024, an increase of 9.4 per cent in real terms from 2023 and the steepest year-on-year rise since at least the end of the cold war. Military spending increased in all world regions, with particularly rapid growth in both Europe and the Middle East. The top five military spenders -- the United States, China, Russia, Germany and India -- accounted for 60 per cent of the global total, with a combined spending of US$1635 billion, according to the latest data from SIPRI. I am not an expert on economic matters, but even a common man can understand what is happening today. I have been told that President Trump's new tariff regime has upset the entire global economy, including India. While the good news is that Indians in poverty declined from 531 million to 75 million by 2022, we still have a long way to go. IMAGE: His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III IMAGE: His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Estimates suggest that there are more than 2.5 billion Christians in the world today and the total Indian population (all religions) is about 1.4 billion. The present goal should to care for humanity for whom Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life. The vision of a 'just peace' envisaged by Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios over than three decades back is more relevant today than ever before. As Christ said, 'Behold I make all things new.' That new comes from Christ's love for all humanity and creation. His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III is the Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Two teachers-cum-Booth Level Officers (BLOs) tasked with conducting voter list survey for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) died of "illness" in Raisen and Damoh districts of Madhya Pradesh on Friday, officials said. IMAGE: Booth Level Officer (BLO) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) interact with residents during the house-to-house distribution of enumeration forms for the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls at Bijoygarh, in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo Relatives and friends of the deceased teachers-cum-BLOs, however, blamed heavy workload and pressure to meet enumeration targets as the reasons for the deaths. Separately, a BLO has been missing for the past six days in the Raisen district, and efforts are underway to trace him, officials said. The two BLOs who died on Friday late night were identified as Ramakant Pandey and Sitaram Gond (50). They were posted in Raisen and Damoh districts, respectively. "Ramakant Pandey, a teacher from the Satlapur area, was working on the voter list revision drive in Mandideep.. He died late Friday night due to some illness," sub-divisional officer (SDO) and electoral registration officer of Bhojpur Assembly constituency, Chandrashekhar Shrivastava, told PTI on Saturday. We are waiting for the postmortem report, he said when asked about the exact cause behind Pandey's death. Shrivastava said the missing BLO was identified as Narayan Das Soni, a teacher residing in Bhavya City. He has been missing for six days after leaving home without informing anyone. Police and family members of Soni are searching for him, the officer added. Meanwhile, deceased Pandey's wife, Rekha, and other family members told officials that he was posted at the primary school in Tilakhedi and assigned voter list duties.. They claimed he struggled with a heavy workload, which forced him to put in extra hours every night to finish assignments.. They claimed Pandey received constant instructions over the phone to meet deadlines. He feared suspension if targets were unmet and had not slept for the past four nights, Rekha Pandey claimed. "He (Ramakant Pandey) joined an online meeting around 9.30 PM on Thursday and collapsed soon after going to the bathroom. He was first taken to Noble Hospital in Bhopal and later shifted to AIIMS, where doctors declared him dead", they said.. SDO Shrivastava said Pandey's family members will receive assistance and a compassionate appointment as per rules. In Damoh district, Gond, a teacher working as BLO in Ranjra village, fell ill on Thursday evening while filling enumeration forms, District Education Officer S K Nema told PTI on Saturday. "He was taken to the district hospital in Damoh and referred to Jabalpur district for advanced health care in a critical condition, where he died during treatment on Friday night", the officer said. Gond's friends claimed he had been assigned enumerator duties in Ranjra and Kuda Kudan villages. He was under pressure as he was supposed to cover 1,319 voters, but could complete only 13 per cent of the work. Earlier, BLO Shyam Sundar Sharma was killed in a road accident in Tendukheda under the Jabera assembly segment of Damoh district. His family had alleged that he was under severe pressure due to SIR work and had been threatened with suspension. BLO found dead in Bengal's Nadia, family claims SIR work-related stress A woman working as a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal's Nadia district was found dead at her residence on Saturday morning, with her family members claiming that she had been under considerable SIR work-related stress and died by suicide, police said. The BLO, identified as Rinku Tarafdar, was found hanging from the ceiling of her room at her residence in the Bangaljhi area of Chapra in Krishnanagar, an officer said. "The family is claiming that she was under immense pressure due to her SIR workload. We have recovered a note from her room. The body has been sent for postmortem. A necessary probe is underway," the officer added. State minister Ujjal Biswas visited the residence of the deceased and spoke to her family members. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to halt the ongoing SIR in Bengal. On Thursday, she wrote to the CEC, asserting that the continuous "unplanned and coercive drive" would endanger more lives and also jeopardise the legitimacy of the exercise. On Wednesday, a booth-level officer in Jalpaiguri district was found hanging, with her family claiming that "unbearable SIR work pressure" was responsible for her death. PTI Ongoing probe has revealed that Al Falah University, which has come under the scanner following the busting of a 'white-collar terror module' and the blast near Red Fort, had long-standing links with terror operatives, sources said on Friday. IMAGE: Al Falah University in Faridabad. Photograph: ANI Photo They said fugitive Indian Mujahideen bomber Mirza Shadab Baig -- wanted for a series of explosions in 2008 -- was a former student of the Faridabad-based university, several of whose doctors were arrested in connection with the high-profile case. Baig, a key Indian Mujahideen (IM) operative accused in the Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi and Gorakhpur blasts, completed his B.Tech in electronics and instrumentation from the university in 2007, they said. He disappeared soon after, travelling on his genuine passport, and has been missing since September 19, 2008 -- the day of the Batla House encounter in the national capital, the sources said. Agencies believe Baig, a native of Raja Ka Qila Mohalla in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, has been living in Saudi Arabia and was last traced to Afghanistan in 2019. According to the sources, a team of Punjab police visited the campus, questioning staff members and students about a 45-year-old doctor detained from Pathankot recently. He had been teaching at a medical college in Pathankot for three years and had, before that, taught at Al Falah University for four years, they said. The doctor was still in contact with several of his fellow students at Al Falah University. The Punjab Police team also collected information about his relationship with Dr Umar-un-Nabi, who was driving the explosives-laden i20 that detonated outside the Red Fort, along with other accused, sources said. On Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took custody of three doctors and a preacher arrested in connection with the November 10 car blast outside the Red Fort in which 15 people were killed. 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 number of people booked in connection with a 'white collar' terror plot stands at six. Meanwhile, the NIA has again detained the cab driver linked to the case and is questioning him alongside Ganaie, brought from Jammu and Kashmir on a production warrant. The driver was first detained at Dhauj village, where Al Falah University is situated, on Wednesday night. Sources said officers recovered from the driver's house a grinding machine and another electric device, which were kept in his custody by Ganaie. They said Ganaie had provided SIM cards to some students and other associates through the cab driver. Efforts are underway to determine where the refined explosives found in Ganaie's room were manufactured. At least 10 people were killed and over a hundred injured as a massive earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolted Dhaka and parts of the country on Friday, damaging buildings, causing fires at several places and sending panic among residents. IMAGE: Residents stand in an alley after vacating their house next to a fallen scaffolding following an earthquake in Dhaka, Bangladesh, November 21, 2025. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters Officials said four of the victims died in the capital Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, the epicentre of the tremor, and one in suburban river port town of Narayanganj. Media reports suggested that in the industrial town on the outskirts of the capital Gazipur alone, at least 100 workers were injured at different units as they tried to rush out of buildings during the tremor. The Met office said the epicentre of the quake that struck at 10:38 am (local time) was located some 10 kilometres beneath the surface in Narsingdi, which is around 13 kilometres east of the seismic centre in Dhaka's Agargaon area. Dhaka's Deputy Police Commissioner Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami said, quoting the fire service, that at least three people were killed after a railing, bamboo scaffolding and debris of a five-storey building fell on them at Old Dhaka's Armanitola area. Sami confirmed that one of the deceased was a medical student who was there to buy meat along with his mother. She is critically wounded, requiring an emergency surgery, he added. One of the dead was an eight-year-old boy while the media quoting the family members said his wounded father also was declared dead later by doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The reports said among the dead in Dhaka was a 50-year-old private security guard who was killed after a portion of a building's wall collapsed on him during the earthquake. Narsingdi district administration in a statement said five people were killed and at least four, including a boy and his father, were critically injured. In suburban Narayanganj, a baby died and her mother was seriously wounder when a wall collapsed on them. In Sutrapur's Swamibagh area, also located in Old Dhaka, an eight-storey building was reported to have leaned against another structure following the earthquake, while at the Kalabagan area, a seven-storey building looked tilted, though fire officials reported it remained structurally sound. A fire broke out at a residence in Dhaka's posh Baridhara area soon after the tremor hit, but the firefighters could not immediately confirm if it was linked to the earthquake. Another fire at a residential building was reported from the Gazaria area of suburban Munshiganj, while the fire service responded immediately to douse the blaze. Reports of minor cracks appearing in some buildings have also been received from several areas in the capital and its surrounding areas, including Narsingdi. The reports suggested the quake also damaged buildings and caused fire in suburban Munshiganj, northwestern Rajshahi and southeastern Chattogram. Experts have long said the risk of major earthquakes was high in Bangladesh because of its location on active tectonic plate boundaries, with many of them saying a major earthquake is inevitable, though it could be decades away. The meteorology department officials said an earthquake of this magnitude so close to Dhaka has never happened before and feared if it had lasted just 5-7 seconds longer, the number of casualties and building collapses could have increased manifold. Earthquake expert Professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said a tremor with a magnitude of 6 could collapse most structures in the country. "This tremor (on Friday) is an alarm bell for Bangladesh," Ansary said. The Congress in Maharashtra appeared divided on allying with the MNS in the upcoming local body polls, with senior leader of the grand old party Vijay Wadettiwar favouring a united contest, while MP Varsha Gaikwad said it was firm on not aligning with the Raj Thackeray-led party in Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: MNS chief Raj Thackeray speaks during 'Satyacha Morcha' (march for truth) in Mumbai on November 01, 2025. Wadettiwar, however, suggested that the Congress wouldn't compromise on its ideology for forging alliances. He referred to NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar's statement underlining the importance of Opposition unity for defeating the BJP. "Ultimately, ideology matters. We are positive towards a united fight, including Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. Everyone must come together to defeat the BJP," the Congress Legislature Party leader told reporters on Saturday. He referred to the MNS's participation in the 'Satyacha Morcha' organised by the opposition MVA in Mumbai earlier this month against the alleged discrepancies in the voters' list. Wadettiwar's open support for MNS flies in the face of the Mumbai Congress unit, which had announced to go solo in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls. Reacting to Wadettiwar's remarks, Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad said he spoke about alliances at the state level, while the party's Mumbai unit has already made its stand clear that it will not align with the MNS for the BMC polls. She had earlier said that the Congress will never tie-up with those people who take the law into their hands and intimidate others. Elections to the 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats in the state will be held on December 2, while the civic corporation polls are expected to take place in January 2026. State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has reiterated that the party would never join hands with "those who indulge in violence". The growing proximity between Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT, a member of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, and MNS headed by his cousin Raj Thackeray, had apparently shaped the Congress's decision to contest elections independently. Wadettiwar, meanwhile, claimed that the BJP's internal surveys predicting significant gains for the party in the upcoming Mumbai civic polls were "fabricated". "It is a fictional narrative created by the BJP. This is a desperate attempt to influence public perception. Many new voter identity cards mysteriously appeared in Mumbai yesterday; perhaps the BJP wants to repeat what they did in Bihar. They want to end democracy," he alleged. Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticised the Congress for what he described as its "politically convenient" shift in stand over aligning with the MNS. Bawankule said the Congress had earlier firmly opposed any alliance with the MNS due to the latter's aggressive agitations against Hindi-speaking people. "The party leadership had adopted that stance, fearing a backlash from voters in the recently held Bihar assembly elections. Now the Congress is changing its stand for its own convenience ahead of civic polls in Maharashtra," he alleged. Meanwhile, reacting to MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande calling Congress an amoeba, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, "Science tells how an amoeba holds its ground. And politics tells how some change colours." "Rather than changing colours like a chameleon out of fear of challenges in every election, the Congress has the ability to hold its ground like an amoeba, facing every upcoming challenge," she said. In recent days, Roku expanded its content library by adding 12 new free channels to The Roku Channel, featuring shows from PBS, the BBC, and more, while also rolling out upgrades to its mobile app and extending international premium subscriptions. This push to enhance ad-supported and premium content demonstrates Roku's intent to diversify its streaming offering and attract a broader range of viewers globally. We'll explore how Roku's ongoing content expansion and wider channel mix could influence analyst expectations around its platform growth and future profitability. The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 25 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement. Roku Investment Narrative Recap To be a Roku shareholder, you need to believe the company can keep growing its active user base and monetizing through advertising and premium content, even as competition in streaming devices and smart TV operating systems remains fierce. The addition of 12 new free channels and mobile app upgrades could help support platform growth, but the effect on Rokus most important short-term catalyst, accelerating active account and engagement growth, may not be material in isolation, given broader market pressures. However, the risk of deepening hardware commoditization and increased competition remains top of mind for many investors. The recent launch of Premium Subscriptions in Mexico is especially relevant, as it marks Rokus first international premium content expansion. This move aligns with ongoing efforts to diversify revenue and strengthen the platforms value proposition, tying back to the catalyst of growing global user engagement and advertising share. But compared to these growth opportunities, one area that shouldnt be ignored is... Read the full narrative on Roku (it's free!) Roku's outlook anticipates $6.1 billion in revenue and $372.1 million in earnings by 2028. This is based on an expected annual revenue growth rate of 11.4% and an increase in earnings of $433.6 million from the current -$61.5 million. Uncover how Roku's forecasts yield a $110.67 fair value, a 19% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives ROKU Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 Eleven fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community for Roku range from US$84.40 to US$154.62, reflecting very different outlooks. While many anticipate platform growth as streaming accelerates, consider how hardware commoditization could weigh on future revenue and engagement, review more opinions to gain a fuller picture. Intelligence agencies investigating the November 10 Delhi terror attack involving a suicide car blast have uncovered fresh details pointing to a wider transnational terror network, a structured chain of handlers, and preparations for multiple coordinated attacks, official sources told ANI. IMAGE: 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), arrested by the NIA in connection with Delhi blast case, being brought to Patiala House Court, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Photo At least 15 people were killed and several others were injured in the car blast near the Red Fort in the national capital. Dr Umar Nabi, driving the car with explosives, committed the attack. The four other main accused, 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), have been taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to intelligence sources, the accused Muzammil, who was arrested after over 2500 kgs of ammonium nitrate were recovered in Faridabad, had purchased an AK-47 rifle for more than Rs 5 lakh, which was later recovered from Adeel's locker. This weapon purchase is a critical link. It reflects the level of preparation and financing behind the module, an intelligence agency source said. Sources further revealed that each accused in the module was reporting to a different handler. Muzammil's handler was separate, while blast-accused Umar was reporting to another. Two key handlers, Mansoor and Hashim, were operating under a senior handler believed to be supervising the module's overall activities. These handlers were operating in layers, an official said. Intelligence sources confirmed that in 2022, Muzammil, Adeel and another accused, Muzaffar Ahmad, travelled to Turkey on the instructions of an individual named Okasa, who is associated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). They were supposed to be routed to Afghanistan through a contact in Turkey. But after keeping them waiting for nearly a week, the handler backed out, a source said. Investigators found that Okasa communicated with Muzammil through a Telegram ID. Their communication intensified after Muzammil asked him about his handler. Intelligence officials said Umar had been studying bomb-making videos, manuals and open-source content online. He procured chemical ingredients from Nuh and electronic components from Bhagirath Palace and Faridabad's NIT Market. He also bought a deep freezer to store the chemicals and prepare the explosive mixture. The freezer was used to stabilise and process the compound, a source added. Investigators have confirmed a serious fight between Muzammil and Umar inside the Al-Falah University premises in Faridabad over money, an incident witnessed by several students. Following the confrontation, Umar handed over his red EcoSport car, which already contained explosive material, to Muzammil. According to intelligence agencies, the module was planning to store explosives at multiple locations and execute simultaneous attacks. All indicators point to a coordinated multi-location strike plan. The recovered material and digital footprint strongly support this assessment, a senior intelligence source told ANI. Further investigation is underway to trace the broader network, financial channels and international handlers involved in the conspiracy. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court on Friday refused to issue directions allowing Red Fort terror attack co-accused Jasir Bilal Wani to meet his lawyer at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters. Wani is currently in the NIA's custodial remand. Overwhelmed by rich tributes on his last working day, Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Friday said he was leaving the institution 'with a full sense of satisfaction and contentment' and as a 'student of justice' on concluding four decades of journey as a lawyer and a judge. IMAGE: Outgoing Chief Justice of India B R Gavai. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo In another farewell function held by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the evening, the 52nd CJI recalled the ire that he faced from his own community for one of his judgments in which it was held that the creamy layers among the Scheduled Castes (SCs) can also be denied the reservation benefits in admissions and jobs. "Being an ardent student of the Constitution, the virtues of equality, justice, liberty and fraternity were always close to my heart," he said. The CJI, who would demit office on November 23, a Sunday, justified his recent landmark verdict quashing key provisions of the 2021 Tribunals Reforms law saying independence of the judiciary is the basic structure of the Constitution and freedom of tribunals cannot be compromised. Recalling his journey from a humble background and lesser-known place at Amravati to the top court, CJI Gavai, the first Buddhist and second Dalit head of the Indian judiciary after K G Balakrishnan said that the Constitution and the values of his parents made it possible. "I am very satisfied with the journey which started 40 years ago," the CJI said, while recalling the incidents and cases which he dealt with in his career. "I made an example of how a son of a senior IAS officer studying in Delhi at a premier school can be made to compete with the son of an agriculturist. My law clerk, whose father is a senior IAS officer, said from now on he will not take any benefit given to the Scheduled Castes. That young boy understood what politicians fail to understand for reasons best known to him," he said. CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant will succeed Justice Gavai on November 24. Justice Surya Kant was effusive in his praise for the outgoing CJI and termed him 'more than a colleague' and 'brother'. "He was more than a colleague, he was my brother and a confidant, and a man of immense integrity," Justice Surya Kant said in the forenoon in the proceedings of the ceremonial bench. "He handled cases with patience and dignity. He encouraged young lawyers. His firmness was always laced with humour. Not a single day went by when he didn't threaten an insistent lawyer with costs but he never imposed one," he said. During the farewell proceedings in the forenoon before the ceremonial bench that also comprised CJI-designate Surya Kant and Justice K Vinod Chandran, the CJI said, "After listening to all of you, and particularly the poems of Attorney General (R Venkataramani) and Kapil Sibal and the warm sentiments expressed by all of you, my voice is choking with emotions." "When I leave this courtroom for the last time, I leave this court all with full sense of satisfaction, the full sense of contentment that I have done whatever which I could have done for this country. Thank you. Thank you very much," a visibly emotional Gavai said in the courtroom packed with law officers, senior advocates and young lawyers. The proceedings saw colleagues reminiscing the imprint Justice Gavai, the second Dalit after K G Balakrishnan and the first Buddhist CJI, left on the judiciary. "I always believe that everybody, every judge, every lawyer, is governed by the principles on which our Constitution works that is equality, justice, liberty and fraternity and I tried to discharge my duties within the four corners of the Constitution that is so dear to all of us," he said. Justice Gavai, who was sworn in on May 14 for over a six-month tenure as the CJI, would demit office on November 23, a Sunday, and Friday was his last working day. Reflecting on his journey, the CJI said, "When I joined the (legal) profession in 1985, I entered the school of law. Today, as I demit the office, I do so as a student of justice." He described his over 40-year journey, from a lawyer to a high court judge to a Supreme Court judge and finally the Chief Justice of India as 'deeply satisfying'. Every public office, he said, must be viewed not as one of power but as 'an opportunity to serve society and the nation'. Referring to his admiration for Dr B R Ambedkar and his father, a politician who was a close associate of the Constitution's chief architect, he said his judicial philosophy was shaped by Ambedkar's commitment to social, economic and political justice. "I always tried to balance fundamental rights with the Directive Principles of State Policy," he said, noting many of his judgments strived to harmonise constitutional freedom with the needs of sustainable development and environmental protection. Quoting the judicial principle that 'a judge must not alter the material but may iron out the creases', Gavai said it was a guiding philosophy throughout his tenure. He noted that environmental matters have been close to his heart and spoke about his long association with environmental, ecological and wildlife issues. "In all these years, I tried to protect the rights of citizens while ensuring that the environment and wildlife were preserved," he said. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta recalled meeting him as a puisne judge and said, "You never changed as a human being." Several shanties were gutted in a major fire that broke out in Dharavi slum area of Mumbai close to the Harbour line local train tracks on Saturday, leading to suspension of train services for three hours on the affected stretch, officials said. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: Smoke billows out after a major fire broke out in huts close to the Harbour line local train tracks in Mumbai's Dharavi. Nobody was injured in the blaze, but several blasts, apparently of cooking gas cylinders, could be heard when the fire was raging, emanating thick black smoke that could be seen from afar. The fire in the huts located inside the Navrang Compound on the 60-foot road broke out at 12.30 pm. "The fire started from a single storey shanty, which later spread to similar adjacent structures. After being informed, eight fire engines and 10 jetties, many other fire brigade vehicles and some senior officials reached the spot for a firefighting operation," a civic official said. "There is no report of any injuries to anyone," he added. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: Passengers walk on railway tracks as trains services were hit by the massive blaze. Several shanties were gutted in the fire, which was doused at 3.40 pm after more than three hours of efforts, he said. As the fire broke out close to the railway tracks, local train services between Bandra and Mahim on the Harbour line were suspended, railway officials said. "The electric supply to overhead equipment was disconnected as a safety measure due to the fire incident in the shanties adjacent to Up Harbour line on the east side between Mahim and Bandra", a Western Railway spokesperson said. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be ascertained. The local train services on the affected line, which was stopped due to the fire, resumed after three hours at 3.40 pm, the official said. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be ascertained. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday had an engaging exchange on different issues with multiple world leaders in Johannesburg on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit hosted by South Africa. The PM said they together reaffirmed shared commitment to global progress and prosperity. PM Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni share a light moment during the summit. Photograph: DD/ANI video grab South African President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomes Modi as they arrive at Expo Centre to attend the G20 Leaders Summit. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo Modi with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Photograph: @narendramodi/X Modi said he was delighted to meet French President Emmanuel Macron, with whom he had an engaging exchange on different issues. Photograph: @narendramodi/X Modi with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Photograph: @narendramodi/X Modi and Meloni at the summit. Photograph: DD/ANI video grab Modi announces new trilateral technology and innovation partnership with Australia, Canada after meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canada's Mark Carney. Photograph: @narendramodi/X Sharing a 'Family Photo' with fellow G20 leaders at the Johannesburg Summit, Modi said in a post on X: Together, we reaffirm our shared commitment to global progress and prosperity.. Photograph: @narendramodi/X This is the fourth peacetime crash of an IAF jet in 2025 so far. IMAGE: The LCA Tejas Mk 1A. Photograph: ANI Photo An Indian Air Force fighter pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, died during a demonstration of the Tejas jet he was flying on the last day of this year's Dubai Airshow on Friday. The IAF confirmed the crash and said it regretted the loss of life. A court of inquiry will study the incident, which the IAF has called an accident in its immediate social media post. IMAGE: (Combo Picture) Smoke billows out as the Tejas crashes at the Dubai airshow, November 21, 2025. Photograph: gulf_news/ANI Video Grab/ANI photo 'An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident,' the IAF said on X. 'A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.' Smoke appeared and an explosion was heard by the crowds in Dubai, according to Gulf News, which said that the airshow (held biennially since 1986) had temporarily halted on Friday. The United Arab Emirates authorities said in social media posts that emergency and firefighting teams responded rapidly to manage the situation in the aftermath of the crash. IMAGE: The pilot tragically died in the crash in Dubai. Photograph: gulf_news/ANI Video Grab/ANI photo This is the second-known peacetime incident, involving a Tejas, the 4.5-generation fighter jet manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The first crash was reported during an exercise in Rajasthan last year. The pilot was safe. The Tejas line has both one-seat and two-seat combat aircraft that are used by the IAF and the Indian Navy. The engine is provided by the US company General Electric. This is the fourth peacetime crash of an IAF jet in 2025 so far. The pilots managed to eject safely in the crashes in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh on March 7 and February 25, respectively. An IAF paratrooper from its skydiving team died after crash-landing during a demonstration in Uttar Pradesh on April 5. Three IAF fighter jets crashed during training earlier this year. One pilot died and another was injured in a two-seat Jaguar crash in Gujarat on April 2. IMAGE: Firefighting operations after the Tejas crashed. Photograph: @DXBMediaOffice X/ANI photo The one Mirage and two Jaguar crashes were categorised as most severe. Jet accidents or incidents are placed in categories, depending on the extent of damage. India has lost hundreds of military aircraft in peacetime crashes over the past 40 years. But the IAF's safety record has improved, defence analysts have said. The accident rate of fighter jets in India has declined from a peak of 0.93 (2000-2005) to 0.27 (2017-2022) and 0.20 (2020-2024), a 2024-25 report of the parliamentary standing committee on defence, shows. The rate is 0.20 for every 10,000 flying hours. Ageing aircraft, human error related to aircrew and maintenance, technical fault, and natural challenges in an operational environment were found as causes for accidents in the past. According to the committee's report, last year, the IAF had 238 basic, intermediate and advanced trainer aircraft, against a sanctioned strength of 368, which showed a deficiency of 130 aircraft. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday lauded the cordial meeting between United States President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, saying this is how democracy should work and hoped to see this happen in India. IMAGE: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani meets US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, November 21, 2025. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Seizing the opportunity, the Bharatiya Janata Party expressed hope that Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi would get the message. Reposting on X a video of the meeting between the US President and the New York City Mayor-elect, Tharoor said, "This is how democracy should work. Fight passionately for your point of view in elections, with no rhetorical holds barred. But once it's over, and the people have spoken, learn to cooperate with each other in the common interests of the nation you are both pledged to serve." "I would love to see more of this in India, and am trying to do my part," the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram said. Reacting to Tharoor's remarks, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla was all praise of Tharoor for his remarks and hoped Rahul Gandhi would get the message. "Once again, Shashi Tharoor reminds Congress to put India first, not Parivar. To behave democratically and not like sore losers. But will Rahul Gandhi get the message? One more Fatwa loading against Shashi?" Poonawala posed in a post on X. After months of vitriolic attacks against each other during the New York City mayoral election, Trump and Mamdani adopted a mutually warm tone during their first meeting at the White House in Washington DC, with the US president terming it "very productive". Trump also expressed confidence that Mamdani "can do a very good job". "We've just had a great meeting, a really good, very productive meeting. We have one thing in common, we want this city of ours that we love to do very well. "I wanted to congratulate the Mayor. He really ran an incredible race against a lot of smart people, starting with the early primaries, and he beat them easily," Trump said in the Oval Office, as Mamdani stood next to him. When asked if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under a Mamdani administration, Trump responded emphatically. "Yeah, I would, especially after the meeting. Absolutely". He added that they agreed on "a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and we'll help him do a great job. He may have different views. I would feel very, very comfortable being in New York, and I think much more so after the meeting." Mamdani "appreciated" the meeting with Trump, also describing it as a "productive", one focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City. 'I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. I think he can bring it back. I think he wants to make it greater than ever before, and if he can, we'll be out there cheering. I'll be cheering for him.' United States President Donald Trump said he had a 'very productive meeting' with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and expressed confidence 'he can do a very good job', as the two adopted a mutually warm tone after months of engaging in bitter rhetoric against each other. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani meet in the Oval Office at the White House, November 21, 2025. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Mamdani flew to Washington, DC for his first meeting with Trump in the White House Friday. Trump said he 'enjoyed' the meeting, which he described as 'great'. 'We've just had a great meeting, a really good, very productive meeting. We have one thing in common, we want this city of ours that we love to do very well. I wanted to congratulate the Mayor. He really ran an incredible race against a lot of smart people, starting with the early primaries, and he beat them easily,' Trump said in the Oval Office, as Mamdani stood next to him. When asked if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under a Mamdani administration, Trump responded emphatically, 'Yeah, I would, especially after the meeting. Absolutely.' Trump added that they agreed on 'a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and we'll help him do a great job. He may have different views... I would feel very, very comfortable being in New York, and I think much more so after the meeting.' Mamdani said he 'appreciated' the meeting with Trump, also describing it as a 'productive' one 'focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers -- the 8.5 million people who call our city their home, who are struggling to afford life in the most expensive city, in the US. Mamdani said the two spoke about issues such as rent, groceries, utilities, affordability, the cost of living crisis and housing. 'I appreciated the time with the President. I appreciate the conversation. I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability for New Yorkers,' he said. Trump said, 'We had a meeting today that actually surprised me. He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down, all things that I agree with.' 'Now we may disagree how we get there, I expect to be helping him, not hurting him, a big help because I want New York City to be great. I love New York City," he said, adding, "I think this mayor can do some things that are going to be really great.' The mutually warm and friendly tone of Trump and Mamdani was in stark contrast to their vitriolic attacks against each other during the NYC mayoral election campaign and after Mamdani emerged victorious on November 4, defeating Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo, who was officially endorsed by Trump just hours before the elections. Trump had been critical of Mamdani's policies, calling him a 'communist' and warning that his win will be a 'complete and total economic and social disaster' for New York City. In his fiery victory speech, Mamdani had challenged Trump, calling him a 'despot' and saying that 'if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him... So, Donald Trump, since I know you're watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up'. But in the Oval Office meeting, Trump praised Mamdani and said, 'I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am, and we're going to be helping him to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York.' Trump said he has been called much worse than a despot, 'so it's not that insulting. I think he'll change his mind after we get to working together'. Responding to questions about their bitter rhetoric against each other, Trump said that Mamdani has 'got views that are a little out there', and he could also change going forward. 'We all change. I changed a lot from when I first came to office. We had discussions on some things...but I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he's going to surprise some conservative people actually,' Trump said. When asked if he views Mamdani as the true leader of the Democratic party, Trump said, 'This is a man that, right now, I think, is focused on New York City. I really think he has a chance to do a great job. We're going to help him, but I really think he has a chance to do a great job.' On whether he will retract some of his remarks against Trump, Mamdani said, 'What I really appreciate about the President is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers.' Mamdani said that is something that could transform the lives of New Yorkers who are currently struggling under a cost-of-living crisis, with one in four living in poverty. 'And the meeting came back again and again to what it could look like to lift those New Yorkers out of struggle and start to deliver them a city that they could do more than just struggle to afford it but actually start to live in it.' At one point, when asked if he is affirming that Trump is a fascist, as Mamdani was about to respond, Trump said, 'That's ok. You can just say yes. It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind.' Mamdani said he is really looking forward to delivering for New Yorkers in partnership with the President on the affordability agenda. 'We had some interesting conversation, and some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have,'Trump said, adding that they discussed issues such as crime and housing. 'We discussed crime and he doesn't want to see crime, and I don't want to see crime, and I have very little doubt that we're not going to get along on that issue.' Trump described Mamdani as 'different' than 'your typical guy' and 'that can be in a very positive way'. 'He's different than your average candidate. He came out of nowhere, then all of a sudden, he wins the primary that nobody expected he was going to win. It's a great, great tribute. It's an amazing thing that he did.' To another question on why Mamdani flew to Washington, DC from New York instead of taking a train, Trump again jumped to his defence, saying flying is a lot quicker and it's a long drive between the two places. 'He's working very hard, that's a very long drive. I'll stick up for you.' To a question that US representative Elise Stefanik has called Mamdani a 'jihadist' and is he standing next to one in the Oval Office, Trump said, 'No, I don't. I met with a man who is a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.' 'I think he can bring it back. I think he wants to make it greater than ever before, and if he can, we'll be out there cheering. I'll be cheering for him.' Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued clear instructions to all district magistrates of the state to take prompt and strict action against illegal immigrants, an official statement said Saturday. IMAGE: ttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Photograph: @myogiadityanath/X He stated that law and order, national security, and social harmony are top priorities, and that any form of illegal activity will not be tolerated, it added. "The chief minister has directed that each district administration ensure the identification of illegal immigrants living in their area and initiate action as per the rules," the statement read. "The chief minister has also directed that temporary detention centres be established in each district to house infiltrators," it added. According to the brief statement, illegal immigrants with foreign citizenship will be housed in these centres and will be ensured there until the necessary verification process is completed. Adityanath said that illegal immigrants held in detention centres will be deported to their countries of origin as per the established procedures. Uttar Pradesh shares an open border with Nepal, allowing free movement of citizens of both countries but checks on residents of other nationalities. Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Imagine buying a home 30 years ago, working hard to pay off the mortgage and finally owning it outright only to find youre still far from off the hook. Property tax bills arrive every year and in many locations, theyve been climbing fast. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says hes had enough. "[People] have their homes paid off and they bought it 30 years ago for a certain amount. Now they're being told it's worth so much more and they have to pony up more and more money, DeSantis said in a video posted to X (1). Must Read It's almost like they have to pay rent to the government, just to be able to enjoy their property. That's wrong. We need to do something about it. For many Floridians, that pony up more and more money line hits close to home. According to a Redfin report, the Sunshine State is home to three of the five major U.S. metros where property tax bills have increased the most since 2019 (2). In Jacksonville, the median monthly property tax rose 59.6% to $228 between 2019 and 2024. Tampas increased 56.7% to $250, while Miamis climbed 48.1% to $367. DeSantis argues that the current system effectively treats homeowners like an ongoing source of revenue. You have a home, you're homesteaded. You should own it. You shouldn't be taxed it shouldn't be an ATM for the local government," DeSantis said (3). "Thats the vision we want to see. Hes also pushing to turn that vision into reality, saying a proposal to eliminate property taxes on homestead properties is coming to a ballot near you in November of 2026. DeSantis said 60% of Florida voters need to approve the constitutional amendment in order for it to pass (4). However, while DeSantis frames the issue as a matter of principle, experts point out that property taxes play a vital role in funding local government and public services. According to the Florida Policy Institute, the states tax on real property accounts for 18% of county revenue, 17% of municipal revenue and between 50% and 60% of school district revenue (5). Property taxes also help local governments address community needs, including police and fire protection, education and safety net programs. Parallel to Russias war on the ground in Ukraine, theres another battle: over history. Moscow claims that parts of southern and eastern Ukraine are historically Russian, but that ignores the centuries of conquest and tragedy Ukrainians endured, including one of the darkest chapters: a man-made famine known as the Holodomor. Afterward, the region underwent accelerated Russification. Tajikistan and Afghanistan's Taliban have engaged in a flurry of diplomacy in recent months to ease tensions and prevent armed clashes along their long, shared border. Tajik and Taliban officials have sought to deepen cooperation on energy and trade during talks. But despite inroads, there is still deep mistrust and irreconcilable differences on both sides, experts say. "I see the continuation of the current dynamic of 'cold cooperation,'" said Edward Lemon, a Central Asia expert at Texas A&M University. Lemon said he expects Dushanbe and Kabul to act pragmatically in areas of mutual benefit, including joint economic projects, but does not see the two countries resolving all of their disputes. Diplomatic Outreach On November 15, a delegation of senior diplomats and security officials from Tajikistan arrived in Kabul for talks with Taliban officials. The Taliban-run Bakhtar news agency said the sides discussed diplomatic and economic cooperation as well as regional security during the multiday visit. The talks came weeks after Mohammad Yousaf Wafa, the Taliban's governor of northern Balkh Province, which borders Tajikistan, visited Dushanbe. During his visit in late October, Wafa met with General Saimumin Yatimov, head of Tajikistan's secret service. The men discussed ways to prevent armed groups from crossing their countries' 1,357-kilometer border, according to Tajik media. The recent diplomacy coincided with clashes between Tajik and Taliban border forces. In the most recent incident, on October 25, the sides exchanged gunfire near a gold mining site along the Panj River that separates Afghanistan and Tajikistan. One Taliban fighter was killed in an earlier clash in August. Dispute Over Armed Groups Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, Dushanbe and Kabul have accused each other of harboring armed groups. Tajikistan was the only neighboring country to publicly oppose the Taliban's return to power, calling the militant group a threat to regional stability. There have also been reports that Dushanbe is hosting or in contact with some of the leaders of the National Resistance Front (NRF), an anti-Taliban resistance group largely made up of ethnic Tajiks from Afghanistan. Tajikistan has denied the claim. The Afghan Embassy in Dushanbe is run by an ambassador appointed by the ex-Afghan government who is believed to be sympathetic to the NRF. The Taliban, however, controls the Afghan consulate in the eastern Tajik city of Khorog. Meanwhile, Tajikistan accuses the Taliban of backing Jamaat Ansarullah, an Islamist militant group based in Afghanistan. Mainly comprising Tajik citizens, the group seeks to overthrow Tajikistan's secular government. In 2021, the Taliban deployed hundreds of Jamaat Ansarullah fighters along Afghanistan's border with Tajikistan after Dushanbe conducted joint military exercises with Russia near the frontier. Obaidullah Baheer, an Afghan academic based in Kabul, said the Taliban has demanded Tajikistan hand over control of the Afghan Embassy in Dushanbe. The Taliban has also demanded the closure of alleged NRF offices in Tajikistan, he said. The Status Quo Despite differences, Tajikistan and the Taliban are taking steps to boost cooperation. Afghanistan currently imports most of its electricity from Tajikistan as well as neighboring Uzbekistan. The sides are also discussing new economic projects and the loosening of visa restrictions. But there are limits to their cooperation, experts say. "These relations are unlikely to grow into handing over the Afghan Embassy in Dushanbe to the Taliban because it is a sensitive issue domestically for Tajikistan," Tajik political analyst Shirali Rezaian told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Lemon of Texas A&M University said Tajikistan's recognition of the Taliban government remains unlikely. Russia is the only country to formally recognize the group's rule in Afghanistan. "The Tajik side has few incentives to break from the status quo," he said. RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and Tajik Service contributed to this report. Iran has urgently requested international assistance to combat a devastating wildfire that has been raging for nearly three weeks in the ancient Hyrcanian Forests, which have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. The blaze, which began near the village of Elit in Mazandaran Province on October 31, has defied containment efforts and continues to threaten one of the worlds oldest and most biodiverse ecosystems. Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah, a deputy to Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian, announced on X on November 21 that arrangements had been made to quickly request assistance from friendly countries. While Qaempanah did not specify which nations, Shina Ansari, head of Irans Environment Department, later confirmed that Turkey would dispatch two specialized water bombers, a helicopter, and a team of eight people to help extinguish the fires. Ansari added that Iran may also seek help from Russia if necessary. Authorities claim the fire was initially brought under control after several days, but a second phase reignited last weekend. Environmental activists and local residents, however, insist the blaze has burned continuously for the past three weeks and has never been fully contained. The rugged terrain, unusually warm weather, and an accumulation of dry leaves and fallen trees have all contributed to the fires persistence and spread. Nighttime images circulating online reveal the scale of the devastation and the grueling efforts of emergency crews and volunteers battling the flames. Mehrdad Khazaei-Poul, head of Mazandarans Natural Resources Department, attributed the fire primarily to human negligence. Unfortunately, some individuals acted carelessly, causing the blaze, he said, emphasizing that natural factors were not the main cause. The Hyrcanian Forests -- about 660,000 hectares of which lie in Mazandaran Province -- are among the worlds oldest ecosystems and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stretching along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, these forests date back more than 40 million years and contain trees that are up to 500 years old, according to UNESCO. Ukraine marked Holodomor Remembrance Day on November 22 as Russia launched a massive overnight attack amid rising pressure on Kyiv to accept a US-proposed peace deal to end the war. On the fourth Saturday of November, Ukrainians honor the victims of the Holodomor, the man-made famine orchestrated by the Soviet government in the 1930s that led to the deaths of millions of Ukrainians. In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "we all know how and why" the famine happened. "And once again we are defending ourselves against Russia -- a Russia that has not changed and once again brings death," he added. Zelenskyy did not reference the US-drafted peace plan, but wrote, "We defended Ukraine, we defend it now, and we will always defend it. Because this is our only home. And in our home, Russia will never be the master." Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine with over 100 drones and a ballistic missile, striking a critical border crossing with Romania. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 89 of the 104 strike drones launched from multiple directions across Russia and occupied territories, the Ukrainian armed forces said on November 22. However, 13 drones hit 15 locations, and one Iskander-M ballistic missile struck its target. A Russian drone damaged infrastructure at the Orlivka checkpoint on the Ukraine-Romania border, forcing the ferry complex to suspend operations temporarily. Two people were injured, and 11 trucks were damaged along with administrative buildings, officials reported. The attacks come as US President Donald Trump pressures Ukraine to accept a 28-point peace plan by November 27, threatening to withdraw US support if Kyiv rejects the proposal. The plan requires Ukraine to cede more than 20 percent of its territory, reduce its military from 880,000 to 600,000 troops, and abandon NATO membership aspirations. A high-level Ukrainian delegation led by Zelenskyy's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, will travel to Switzerland "in the coming days" to discuss the peace plan with US officials. "Our representatives know how to protect Ukraine's national interests and what exactly is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out a third invasion, another blow to Ukraine," Zelenskyy said after approving the makeup of the delegation. "Real peace is always based on guaranteed security and justice." Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to welcome the US proposal, saying it could form the basis for a final peace settlement," his first public confirmation that Moscow received the plan. Putin warned that Russian forces would continue advancing if Ukraine rejects the deal. US Vice President JD Vance defended the framework in a post on X on November 22, outlining three requirements: stopping the killing while preserving Ukrainian sovereignty, acceptability to both sides, and maximizing chances the war doesn't restart. Vance dismissed critics as "living in a fantasy land," arguing it's unrealistic to believe "more money, more weapons, or more sanctions" would bring victory. "Every criticism of the peace framework the administration is working on either misunderstands the framework or misstates some critical reality on the ground," he wrote. Meanwhile, European leaders are scrambling to respond after being blindsided by the plan, which was developed without their input. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held an emergency call with Zelenskyy on November 21, affirming that "any agreement affecting European states requires approval of European partners". In a statement after meeting on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in South Africa, EU leaders expressed concern over the plan. They said the draft "includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace," but added that it "will require additional work." "We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to NATO would need the consent of EU and NATO members, respectively," they said. Later in the day, asked by reporters whether the US offer to end the war was a final one for Ukraine, Trump said "no." Eddie Murphy will be honoured with the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award. Eddie Murphy will be honoured by the AFI The American Film Institute (AFI) Board of Trustees have announced the Beverly Hills Cop star will receive the accolade at their Gala Tribute at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre on 18 April in recognition of his "trailblazing" work and cultural impact. Kathleen Kennedy, the board's chair, said in a statement: "Eddie Murphy is an American icon. A trailblazing force in the art forms of film, television and stand-up comedy, his versatility knows no bounds. Across five decades, his enduring impact on our culture has inspired artists and audiences alike. The accolade is considered the highest honour for a career in film and 64-year-old Eddie - who has had a string of movies gross over $100 million during the past four decades - follows in the footsteps of last year's honouree Francis Ford Coppola, and previous winners including Nicole Kidman, Dame Julie Andrews, Denzel Washington, George Clooney, Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, Jane Fonda. Orson Welles, Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, and George Lucas. The Shrek star recently insisted he doesn't "think about winning trophies" and chooses the projects he thinks will be "fun". The 64-year-old actor insists he isn't motivated by accolades and recognition, and Eddie claims that making "good stuff" is his top priority. Asked if awards recognition is still on his mind, Eddie told The Hollywood Reporter: "Whats on my mind is just doing good stuff and only doing stuff that Im going to have fun doing. "I dont think about winning trophies. I got a bunch of trophies. I got everything but an Oscar, and Im not like, 'This is going to get the Oscar.' " Eddie joked even if he's never recognised with an Academy Award for one specific piece of work, he's sure he'll get recognised at the ceremony eventually. He quipped: "The fact of the matter is, if I never win an Oscar, eventually theyll give me one of those honorary Oscars when Im 90 years old. If they made me wait that long, Im going to wear a sky blue tuxedo, and when they give me the Oscar, Im going to urinate on myself while Im giving a speech!" Russias largest oil producer just flashed a signal Moscow didnt want to see: Rosneft is recommending its smallest interim dividend since the pandemic year of 2020. For a company that has spent the past two decades styling itself as a reliable cash machine for the Kremlin, a 11.56-ruble per share payout is not just stingy, its a symptom. The timing is exquisite. The proposed dividend lands one day before the Trump administrations sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil formally hammer into place. Investors saw this coming. Rosnefts H1 numbers already showed Rosnefts net income collapsing 68% in the first half of 2025, even before the new sanctions, as a stronger ruble and deeply discounted Urals barrels chewed through margins. Weak crude oil benchmarks being thrown into that mix meant Rosneft has had to grind through a tougher year than it cared to admit. If you zoom out, the dividend cut tells a larger story about Russias post-Ukraine oil model. The Kremlin relies on Rosneft for over a third of national output and a fat slab of budget revenue. For 2021, Rosneft was giddy enough to recommend record payouts on soaring prices. Four years later, the same company is hoarding cash to survive sanctions that restrict shipping, trading, financing, and, importantly, its ability to move discounted barrels to buyers willing to risk a U.S. Treasury headache. The rubles strength has become a perverse contributor to the pain: every dollar Rosneft earns buys fewer rubles at home. CEO Igor Sechin has been openly griping for months that Russias monetary policy is kneecapping exporters while OPEC+ oversupply floods the market with cheap barrels. That glut may persist well into 2026, meaning Rosnefts margin squeeze isnt temporary. And yet, production itself hasnt imploded. Rosneft keeps pumping around 3.6 million bpd, pouring money into long-cycle projects like Vostok Oil, and presenting itself as the disciplined adult among Russian producers. But discipline doesnt create dividends; it preserves solvency. Lukoils own dividend recommendation arrives next, and Moscow will be watching nervously. If Russias two flagship producers both tighten their belts, the Kremlin may be forced to rethink how much pressure it can afford to apply to the industry that funds its war, its budget, and its political stability. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Denison Mines Corp (NYSE:DNN) is one of the best mid cap stocks to buy according to hedge funds. On November 11, Roth MKM analyst Joseph Reagor reiterated a Buy rating on Denison Mines Corp (NYSE:DNN) and set a $3 price target. This came after the company declared third-quarter results on November 6, which showed progress in uranium production. Roth MKM Asserts Buy Rating on Denison Mines Corp. (DNN) as Uranium Production Surge The company has continued to affirm its position as one of the biggest uranium producers. In the third quarter, it achieved 2,000 tons of high-grade ore, and over 85,000 lbs U3O8 were produced from the mill. The company has also entered the final stage of a multi-year permitting process at its flagship Wheeler property. Denison Mine had $720 million in total cash investments and uranium holdings as of the end of the third quarter. The companys balance sheet also received a boost on the completion of a $345 million convertible senior notes offering. Denison CEO David Cates said the companys long-term commitment to advancing Wheeler River through difficult uranium markets has positioned it to develop the first new large-scale uranium mine in the Athabasca Basin in nearly 20 years, just as near- and long-term uranium fundamentals show sustained improvement. Denison Mines Corp. (NYSE:DNN) is a uranium exploration, development, and mining company, primarily focused on projects in the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. It operates uranium mines, explores for new deposits, and manages closed mine sites. While we acknowledge the potential of DNN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 9 Best Gene-Editing Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds and 10 Best European Bank Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Aurivo Co-operative Society recently hosted a special celebration to recognise employees who have dedicated 25 years or more to the co-op. The event, held at the Sligo Park Hotel, brought together over 100 people from across Aurivos diverse business and geographical areas - including dairy, agri business, Homeland and marts. They were joined by CEO Donal Tierney, chairman Raymond Barlow, group head of HR Marilyn Phillips along with members of the executive team and organising committee. Speaking at the event, Donal Tierney, Aurivo CEO, paid tribute to the awardees. Our long-serving colleagues represent the heart and soul of Aurivo. Their commitment, hard work, and belief in what we do together as a co-operative make all the difference," he said. Marilyn Phillips, group head of HR also expressed her appreciation. It was a privilege to celebrate so many familiar faces who have contributed so much to our culture and growth. Their dedication embodies what Aurivo stands for. During their meeting, PM Albanese expressed solidarity over the recent terror attack in Delhi and the bus tragedy in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of several Indian citizens. File Photo. He highlighted three key sectorsdefence and security, nuclear energy, and trade. PM Modi Meets Australian PM Albanese at G20 Summit, Pledges Stronger Bilateral Ties Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, on the sidelines of the 20th G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday. According to a press release from Indias Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders expressed satisfaction for stronger bilateral ties with the deepening and diversification of cooperation between India and Australia in the last five years since their relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020. During their meeting, PM Albanese expressed solidarity over the recent terror attack in Delhi and the bus tragedy in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of several Indian citizens. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the global fight against terrorism. They underlined the shared responsibility of democracies in countering violent extremism. The prime ministers reviewed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, which included political and strategic ties, defence and security, energy, trade and investment, critical minerals, technology, mobility, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The discussions also encompassed regional and global matters of mutual concern, reflecting the increasingly multidimensional nature of India-Australia relations. Advertisement In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi described the meeting as very good. He noted that the five-year strategic partnership has delivered transformative outcomes. He highlighted three key sectorsdefence and security, nuclear energy, and tradewhere potential for further growth is immense, while also acknowledging the importance of education, cultural exchanges, and other collaborative areas. Both leaders observed that frequent high-level engagements have imparted significant momentum to the partnership. They also pledged to strengthen the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new heights. PM Albanese highlighted the strong economic, defence, and security ties, describing the relationship as forward-looking. PM Modi is attending the G20 Summit from November 21 to 23. He marks that this is the first summit that is being held on the African continent. He is going to discuss issues critical to India and the Global South, including inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and technological innovation. In Johannesburg, the Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for the Indian community. He highlighted the cultural and historical bonds between India and South Africa. Advertisement India and Australia continue to reinforce their strategic, economic, and cultural ties with this high-level engagement, signalling a future of deeper collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal described the proposed amendment as a betrayal and discrimination against brave Punjabis. File Photo. Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney was among the first to raise concerns against this move. Punjabs Capital at Stake: 131st Amendment Bill Could Shift Chandigarh to LG Rule The Union Government has listed the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, for introduction in the Parliaments upcoming winter session. This bill seeks to appoint a Lieutenant Governor for Chandigarh, which will bring the Union Territory under Article 240 of the Constitution in line with other Union Territories without legislatures, such as Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. Advertisement Punjab politicians and leaders have reacted sharply, and they see it as a direct threat to the states historical and administrative claim over its capital. Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney was among the first to raise concerns against this move. He urged all Punjab MPs, irrespective of party affiliation, to call upon Union Home Minister Amit Shah to oppose the Bill. Sahney said, Chandigarh is currently administered by the Punjab Governor. With the new law, it is likely to be administered by an independent administrator. Punjabs claims on Chandigarh have historical significance. He recalled that Chandigarh was made Punjabs capital after Partition when Lahore became part of Pakistan. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal described the proposed amendment as a betrayal and discrimination against brave Punjabis. He cautioned that the Bill seeks to permanently remove Chandigarh from Punjabs political and administrative domain; it undermines federalism and Punjabs constitutional and historical rights. He emphasised the Centres past commitments, including the RajivLongowal Accord, which promised the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab, and expressed frustration over decades of non-implementation. Badal also highlighted the administrative measures that he said diluted Punjabs influence, which include the appointment of AGMUT cadre officers in key positions, disregarding the 60:40 employee posting ratio between Punjab and Haryana, and reducing Punjabs sway over Panjab University. He added that Punjabis feel betrayed and discriminated against, as the Centre is ignoring Punjabs rightful claim over its capital and pushing a system that places Chandigarh solely under Union administration. Advertisement This controversy followed after a recent Central Governments withdrawal of a notification on Panjab Universitys governance structure a few days back that reflects ongoing tensions over Punjabs autonomy and control. The Bill has now set the stage for a heated debate, with political, historical, and constitutional implications that could shape Punjabs future relationship with its long-cherished capital. The advisory came in response to controversies arising from an April 8, 2025, two-judge SC judgement in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, which had imposed strict timelines and granted deemed assent to 10 bills after prolonged delays. File Photo. The Court outlined that a Governor has three constitutional options under Article 200. Supreme Court Advisory Clarifies Limits on Governors and Presidents Powers in Assenting to State Bills A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and comprising Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, P.S. Narasimha, and A.S. Chandurkar, gave an advisory opinion on the 16th Presidential Reference regarding the powers of Governors and the President under Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution on Thursday, 20th November, 2025. Advertisement The Bench clarified that governors and the president enjoy discretionary powers while assenting to bills, and they cannot be bound by fixed judicial timelines. The Court rejected the concept of deemed assent or the use of Article 142 to automatically deem a bill approved after a prescribed period. Such a usurpation of the gubernatorial function is antithetical to the spirit of the Constitution and the doctrine of separation of powers, the Bench noted. While the opinion reaffirmed the governors and presidents immunity under Article 361, it noted that prolonged, unexplained inaction on state bills could invite limited judicial scrutiny. Courts may issue directions requiring constitutional authorities to act within a reasonable time, but they cannot interfere with the merits of the discretion exercised. The Court outlined that a Governor has three constitutional options under Article 200: granting assent, withholding assent and returning the bill for reconsideration, or reserving it for the President. These functions are mostly independent of the advice of the Council of Ministers, though the Governor must provide reasons when reserving a bill. Similarly, the Presidents assent under Article 201 is also not subject to judicial review, and the President need not seek the Supreme Courts opinion on every reserved bill. Advertisement The advisory came in response to controversies arising from an April 8, 2025, two-judge SC judgement in the Tamil Nadu Governor case, which had imposed strict timelines and granted deemed assent to 10 bills after prolonged delays. Senior legal experts, including retired Madras High Court Judge Justice K. Chandru, also noted that the advisory is non-binding and largely supportive of state autonomy, providing guidance for the future rather than overturning existing judgements. Legal scholars and political analysts describe this ruling as a reaffirmation of cooperative federalism, ensuring that governors and presidents exercise constitutional discretion responsibly without obstructing the legislative process. This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Several senate Democrats called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Thursday to keep pursuing open banking rules that give consumers the ability to easily shift their personal data from one financial institution to another. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden and Richard Blumenthal pressed CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought in a letter to continue the federal agencys work in writing a rule under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that would further such consumer rights, without fees. The agency issued such a rule last year during the Biden administration, but bank trade groups sued over the regulation and it has been tied up in court. Under Voughts leadership, the agency stopped backing the Biden-era rule in the litigation, which a judge has stayed, pending the agencys decision to rewrite the rule. At the same time, Vought is aggressively shrinking the agency and threatening to shutter it, leaving the rules future in doubt. We are concerned that the Trump CFPBs policymaking seems to be more driven by the seesawing interests of big banks and other industry groups than with protecting consumers rights to their own data, as mandated by law, the senators said in their letter. The senators also issued a press release on Thursday, insisting Vought reinstate the prior Personal Financial Data Rights rule. In the absence of the rule, big banks have demonstrated that they intend to charge exorbitant fees for this data to choke off competition and concentrate this data in the hands of a few large incumbents, the senators wrote. The senators also contended that banks should not be allowed to charge for access to the data, saying it would be a violation of the law. Large financial institutions have a monopoly over large swaths of consumer data and thus have the potential to drive out competitors and start ups in the data sharing market, the letter said. The senators specifically called out JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, for imposing fees earlier this year on third party data aggregators, including the fintech Plaid. That banks fees were at rates high enough to paralyze the market, the letter said, noting that PayPal Holdings peer-to-peer payment tool Venmo and neobank Chime use Plaid to connect users bank accounts to their apps. Triton, a multi-award winning documentary The documentary "Triton", by Ana Lungu, recently released in Romanian cinemas, had its world premiere in France. The documentary "Triton", by Ana Lungu Corina Sabau, 22.11.2025, 14:00 The documentary Triton, by Ana Lungu, recently released in Romanian cinemas, had its world premiere in the International Competition of the FID Marseille Festival. The film received the Special Jury Prize for the valorization of private materials at the Archivio Aperto Bologna and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Transylvania International Film Festival, and was also nominated in the Semaine de la critique section of Montreal Canada and at the Astra Film Festival. Triton is a montage film, based exclusively on archival materials, rare amateur images filmed between WW2 and the 1989 Revolution. Triton is composed of three stories treated differently in terms of style, but linked together by a female narrative voice: a father who films his daughters childhood in Romania in the 1980s, a music teacher who documents the lives of family members and friends in the 1960s-1970s, and an aristocrat who captures images from the summer of 1942, when Romania was an ally of Nazi Germany. The collaboration with director Dane Komljen, born in Bosnia-Herzegovina and settled in Berlin, who also edited the film, was essential in the case of this project, says filmmaker Ana Lungu: The decision to have the film in three stylistically different parts came while I was already working alone. I worked alone for about a year on the editing of the film and since then I felt that it was more appropriate for the three parts to be separate and not forcibly connected through a fiction. I initially asked Dane Komljen to assist me on the voice-over part, because I had never worked with voice-over before, while Dane uses this medium in all his films. I already knew that Dane Komljen also has literary skills, he published poetry before he started making films and this aspect also mattered a lot in my choice. So I was very honored that he accepted this collaboration. Dane came up with this idea, that as long as we have three stylistically different parts, the voice-over should also be different. In the first part I chose to be in the first person, in the second part to be in the third person and in the last part to be in the second person. As I said before, this idea seemed very appropriate to me and I kept it. And in the middle part, in the story with the narrator, there is a small reference to the novel Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov. Nabokov and other literary references were somehow the basis of my collaboration with Dane. Andrei Tanasescu, festival selector and curator, identified, with Triton, a new stage in Ana Lungus filmography: Discovering these archives that she uses in Triton, Ana Lungu has inaugurated a stylistically and formally different cinematic language from the one she has approached so far in her fiction films. It should be noted, however, that the fiction films directed by Ana Lungu so far also used biographical elements of the actors and actresses that we found in the cast. Ana now works with found materials, found objects, meaning personal archives in this case, which already have an autonomy as cinematic or visual objects. And Ana offers them a space for expression, but also reinterprets them, and does this in an ethical way, a very important approach when working with archives. () Triton is, obviously, a very well-thought-out creative act and I am referring to the narrative and the tone it has. Triton is a rich film, which deserves repeated viewings, because the audience will find something different, something new every time. Or, why not, and this option is valid, every time the viewer will be confirmed or not a certain message or a certain perception towards the way the film is narrated or towards the archives themselves. I observe with great admiration, and I have said it before, that Romanian films or hybrid documentaries, are increasingly interested in archives. And Triton, in particular, gives us access to some rarely seen personal archives, whether we are talking about cinema or other media channels. Ana Lungu was born in 1978 and has so far made, independently, feature fiction films selected in international festivals such as the Locarno Festival (Whale Belly, 2010), the Rotterdam Festival (Self-Portrait of a Good Girl, 2015), the Sarajevo Festival (A Prince and a Half, 2018). It won the Best Film Award at the Crossing Europe Festival, Linz and the Audience Award at the European Film Festival, 2015. She has been a member of the European Film Academy since 2019. The producers of the film Triton are Adrian Sitaru and Ana Lungu. (EE) November 22, 2025 A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 22.11.2025, 13:55 UKRAINE The security of Romania and Europe as a whole depends on the terms of the peace in Ukraine and the subsequent arrangements, president Nicusor Dan said on Friday, emphasising that he is closely monitoring developments in the Russian Federations war against the neighbouring country. The Romanian head of state welcomed the US president Donald Trumps renewed efforts towards a sustainable truce and a formula for negotiated and lasting peace. He also said that he joins in the message of other European leaders who have assured Ukraine of their continued support. The circumstances prove more than ever the importance of an intense and honest transatlantic dialogue, in the spirit of solidarity between Allies and the complementarity of interests for the EU and NATO, Mr. Dan said. Today on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, EU leaders are holding an emergency meeting on the 28-point peace plan for Ukraine proposed by president Donald Trump, on which neither Kyiv nor the Europeans have been consulted. Donald Trump has given Kyiv until next Thursday to accept the plan. The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the plan and said he would not betray his country. News agencies report that under the US plan Ukraine would lose a considerable part of its territory, some of its army and a prospective NATO accession, although Kyiv is not the aggressor. In contrast, Russias president Vladimir Putin has described the US plan as a starting point for a definitive solution to the conflict. DRONES New drone strikes were reported last night in Ukraine, near the Romanian border on the Danube, the Romanian defence ministry announced. Two F-16 fighter jets took off to monitor the situation, and the locals were warned via Ro-Alert messages. No national airspace violations were detected. The defence ministry says that it stays alert at all times and ensures strict surveillance of Romanias air, maritime and land space. Contact with NATO Allies is also permanent. An announcement was made on Saturday that because of Friday nights strikes, Danube ferry crossing between the Romanian town of Isaccea and the Ukrainian village of Orlivka was suspended and traffic was rerouted. The two ferries that service the route are docked in Romania. DEFENCE The Romanian Presidency announced today that it has received notes on the draft National Defence Strategy for 2025-2030, currently under public review, both from civil society and from public institutions with responsibilities in defence, national security and foreign policy, and that several changes have been operated to clarify some provisions of the document. Other suggestions, while not integrated into the Strategy, will help substantiate the steps in its implementation plan, the Presidency also announced. President Nicusor Dan convened a meeting of the Supreme Defence Council on Monday, November 24, to discuss the Strategy among other things. The document, based on the concept of solidary independence, provides a strategic framework for the organisation and coordination of defence and national security. BY-ELECTION The campaign for the local by-elections of December 7 for the Bucharest City Hall began today, with 18 candidates in the race. The mayor general seat has been vacant since Nicusor Dan was elected president of Romania in May. Also on December 7, elections will be held for the Buzau County Council chief and the mayors of 12 localities. The interior ministry announced that it will ensure the smooth conduct of the campaign and the election, and added that measures have already been taken to ensure that they take place in safe conditions for candidates and citizens. COUNCIL of EUROPE The Republic of Moldova has taken over the chairmanship of the Council of Europes Committee of Ministers. According to Chisinau, a priority of its term will be to facilitate support for Ukraine and the need to hold Russia accountable for aggression. Moldova also aims to promote a new pact for democracy, to fight disinformation and foreign interference, as well as to strengthen democracy, human rights and the implementation of ECHR decisions. Based in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe is a European intergovernmental organisation that currently has 46 member states, after the Committee of Ministers decided to exclude the Russian Federation from the CoE in 2022. (AMP) While Honda has introduced practical, well-equipped EVs, their availability in just a few cities could be impacting overall sales potential Earlier this year in January, Honda had launched the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters, priced at Rs 1.17 lakh and Rs 90,000, respectively. Coming from Honda, it was expected that these scooters would emerge as popular options for folks looking for greener alternatives. However, data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) reveals that Honda has actually stopped production of these scooters since August 2025. Lets check out the details. Honda Activa e:, QC1 Low sales to blame? After the launch of Activa e: and QC1, production of these scooters was a total of 11,168 units between February and July 2025. SIAM data reveals that only 5,201 units have been dispatched to dealers. That means more than half of the manufactured units are currently lying as unsold inventory. This could be the reason why Honda may have chosen to pause production of the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters. When the scooters were launched, it was felt that Activa e: will be the one generating higher sales volumes. Not only does it have the Activa branding, but the scooter also comes with the advanced and user-friendly battery swapping tech. With battery swapping, consumer issues like range anxiety, battery maintenance and battery replacement are completely eliminated. Also, one does not have to wait for charging the battery pack. At a battery swapping station, the discharged battery can be replaced with a fully-charged one in just 1-2 minutes. Honda has also been taking steps to boost sales of the Activa e: electric scooter. For example, the battery rental prices were reduced earlier this year in June. It was also reported that Honda was thinking about introducing a home charging dock for the Activa e:. Hondas electric scooter performance has remained noticeably weak since launch earlier this year, especially when compared to the sharp growth seen across Indias EV two-wheeler market. While brands like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather Rizta are posting strong month-on-month gainshelping the overall EV industry grow over 38% in October 2025. QC1 sales higher than Activa e: Although Activa e: has many benefits, it is the QC1 that has seen higher dispatches to dealers. Of the 5,201 units dispatched to dealers, 4,461 units or 86% were QC1. The rest, only 740 units, were Activa e:. QC1 was offered at a lower price and came with a portable charger. This aligns with current consumer preferences in the electric two-wheeler segment. Most of the leading OEMs in the EV segment, such as Bajaj, TVS, Ather, Ola and Hero MotoCorp, have similar product offerings. Battery swapping is definitely advantageous, but it needs a well-developed infrastructure to succeed. As of now, Honda is the only major player to offer battery swapping tech with its Activa e: electric scooter. Limited availability could also be a reason why Hondas electric scooters may not have delivered desired results. For example, Activa e: is offered only in three cities Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. Honda QC1 is available in six cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Chandigarh). This is higher than that of Activa e:, which could be a reason for QC1s higher sales. However, 3 or 6 cities just cannot compare with the sales potential associated with a pan-India presence. It will be interesting to see how Honda handles this situation. A more aggressive network expansion for its EVs could be on the cards. Honda could also be looking to tweak its product offerings, in line with consumer preferences. At the ongoing Motoverse 2025 event in Goa, Royal Enfield has showcased two new motorcycles. First was Bullet 650 and then we saw the showcase of Flying Flea S6 and the launch of Himalayan 450 Mana Edition. Apart from the new motorcycles, Royal Enfield launched a new colour for its 350cc cruiser. Lets take a closer look at the just launched Meteor 350 Sundowner Orange. Meteor 350 Sundowner Orange Sitting at the top of Royal Enfields 350cc portfolio, we have Meteor 350. It is designed for long-distance cruising and it now gets a new special edition unveiled at the ongoing Motoverse 2025 event. Called Meteor 350 Sundowner Orange, Royal Enfield has just launched it for a price tag of Rs 2.19 lakh (Ex-sh). The base Fireball variant prices start from Rs 1.95 lakh (Ex-sh) after the GST 2.0 revisions and associated price cuts. Above Fireball, we have Stellar, Aurora and Supernova trim levels. The just launched Sundowner Orange is positioned on top-spec Supernova trim level and gets associated equipment. Starting with the new colour, it gets a rather nice shade of Orange complemented by some Beige to give it some contrast. This colourway aims to radiate the aura of a lovely evening ride along a beach. Like Aurora and Supernova trims, Sundowner Orange gets a healthy dosage of chrome for the retro appeal. Hardware equipment include a tall and transparent windscreen to protect rider from wind blasts, adjustable levers for optimum comfort, a Deluxe Touring Seat for long rides, rear pillion backrest and Royal Enfields Tripper screen for Bluetooth and turn-by-turn navigation. There is also a Type-C USB port which makes it future proof. Cross-Spoke Wheels The most notable element specific to Sundowner Orange is cross-spoke wheels compatible with tubeless tyres. This way, buyers will get the retro appeal of wire-spoke wheels and the reassurance of tubeless tyres. Other features include LED lighting, Sundowner Orange exclusive badges and other elements. Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is all about the highway touring and the overall riders triangle and comfort quotient matches this ethos. It allows for an upright posture and the handlebar provides a level of comfort that immediate rivals cannot match. It continues to be powered by the same 349cc J-Series engine. It is a simple and robust single-cylinder SOHC 2V/cyl air-cooled engine that is capable of generating 20.2 bhp of peak power and 27 Nm of peak torque, mated to a slip and assist clutch along with a 5-speed gearbox. Soybeans are down 6 to 9 cents across most contracts at midday. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is 9 1/2 cents lower at $10.53 1/4. Soymeal futures were back down $5.40, with Soy Oil futures 32 points lower. Soybean export bookings came in the middle of the trade range estimates of 0.6 to 1.6 MMT at 919,447 MT for the week of 10/2. That was a 3-week high but still down 8.6% from the same week last year. Soy meal sales were 328,300 MT, on the high side of between 150,000 and 350,000 MT estimates. Bean oil sales were net reductions of 11,800 MT. More News from Barchart USDA reported another 462,000 MT of soybeans sold to China via their daily announcement system on Wednesday morning. That followed the total 1.122 MMT so far this week and takes the total known sales to China to 1.812 MMT. Commitment of Traders data from the week of September 30 showed managed money increasing their net short in soybean futures and options by 9,410 contracts. That brough their net short to 38,712 contracts at the end of September. Jan 26 Soybeans are at $11.26 3/4, down 9 1/2 cents, Nearby Cash is at $10.53 1/4, down 9 1/2 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans are at $11.36 1/4, down 8 1/4 cents, May 26 Soybeans are at $11.45, down 7 1/2 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Last week, Disney (DIS) announced its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings, which were a mixed bag and led to a selloff in the stock. One of the key highlights of the report was the 50% hike in its dividend, following which the company will pay an annual dividend of $1.50 in the current fiscal year. Disney increased its dividends by 33% in December 2024, also. Since reinstating its dividends in late 2023, its semi-annual dividends have risen from $0.30 to $0.75 a 1.5-fold increase. On the face of it, the hike looks quite astonishing, but should you buy Disney for its dividends? Lets explore. More News from Barchart Disney Dividend History: The 50% Hike Is No Magic Disneys dividend hike is actually not as magical as it seems. The company suspended its dividends in 2020, like many other companies, and restored them only in late 2023. The three-year suspension was, however, much longer than other companies like Ford (F) and General Motors (GM), which resumed their dividends much sooner. Disney began with a semi-annual dividend of $0.30, which was much lower than the pre-pandemic levels. The baby step toward dividend restoration was understandable as the company was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and its streaming business was losing a lot of money. However, despite the 1.5X rise since 2023, the payout is below the $0.88 semi-annual dividend that the company paid before the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, even after the generous hike, Disneys forward dividend yield is just about 1.42% which is not much different from the average S&P 500 Index ($SPX) peer. Finally, I wont list Disney as a reliable dividend stock considering the elongated period it took to restore its dividends. Unlike high dividend payers, which typically include the likes of utilities, midstream companies, and REITs, dividends are a side story at best for Disney, and investors should expect the bulk of returns from capital appreciation, something the stock has failed to do for the last few years. DIS Has Been a Terrible Underperformer Disney has been a terrible underperformer and has fallen over 6% in the last 10 years, losing a lot of wealth for investors both on an absolute as well as relative basis, considering the over 3-fold rise in the S&P 500 Index over the period. The stock is in the red in 2025 also and is on track to underperform the S&P 500 Index this yearsomething it did in three of the last four years. Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But in any portfolio, there will be mixed results between individual stocks. So we wouldn't blame long term Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust Plc (LON:SERE) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 34% over a half decade. Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. During five years of share price growth, Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust moved from a loss to profitability. Most would consider that to be a good thing, so it's counter-intuitive to see the share price declining. Other metrics may better explain the share price move. The most recent dividend was actually lower than it was in the past, so that may have sent the share price lower. You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values). LSE:SERE Earnings and Revenue Growth November 22nd 2025 We know that Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust has improved its bottom line lately, but what does the future have in store? If you are thinking of buying or selling Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust stock, you should check out this free report showing analyst profit forecasts. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust the TSR over the last 5 years was 1.8%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective Investors in Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust had a tough year, with a total loss of 3.8% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 19%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Longer term investors wouldn't be so upset, since they would have made 0.4%, each year, over five years. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Schroder European Real Estate Investment Trust (1 is concerning) that you should be aware of. When Dutch authorities seized control of chipmaker Nexperia almost two months ago, it resulted in a clash between the head office in Nijmegen and the company's mainland China unit, which vowed to operate and meet orders as an independent enterprise. That dispute also exposed the vulnerability of global car supply chains, as any disruption in Nexperia's shipments of so-called legacy chips would affect nearly every major European carmaker, as well as those in Japan and the United States. Here are the milestones of the Nexperia crisis: 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. September 29 The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the US Department of Commerce extended export control restrictions to entities at least 50 per cent owned by companies on Washington's trade blacklist. Nexperia became subject to US sanctions because it was wholly owned by Wingtech Technology, which was added to the blacklist in December last year. September 30 The Netherlands' Ministry of Economic Affairs seized control of Nexperia, citing national security concerns and invoking an obscure 1952 law known as the Goods Availability Act. Nexperia was prohibited from relocating company assets without explicit permission from the Dutch government for a year. Chipmaker Nexperia's headquarters in Nijmegen, the biggest city in Gelderland, the Netherlands' largest province. Photo: AFP alt=Chipmaker Nexperia's headquarters in Nijmegen, the biggest city in Gelderland, the Netherlands' largest province. Photo: AFP> October 4 In retaliation, China's Ministry of Commerce issued an export control notice that prohibited Nexperia's China unit and its subcontractors from exporting specific finished components and sub-assemblies manufactured in the country. Nexperia's assembly and testing facility in Dongguan, in southern Guangdong province, is responsible for 70 per cent of the company's global output. October 7 Following an emergency hearing, the Dutch Enterprise Chamber issued a ruling that ousted Nexperia CEO Zhang Xuezheng, the founder of Wingtech. Substantially all voting rights on Nexperia shares, indirectly held by Wingtech, were placed under the management of an independent administrator appointed by the Enterprise Chamber. Nexperia later named chief financial officer Stefan Tilger as interim CEO. October 17 Nexperia's China unit informed customers it was notified by the Dutch head office that salary payments would cease and employees' access to company systems would be suspended. The unit said it faced "ruthless suppression". Amity launches the worlds first dedicated School of AI Program targets Indias growing AI skill gap, especially among non-technical professionals Courses focus on real-world AI applications without coding requirements Amity University has unveiled the School of AI, calling it the worlds first institution designed to make artificial intelligence education accessible and practical for professionals across sectors. The launch comes as AI reshapes industries and demand for AI skills grows rapidly. The India Skills Report 2026 shows that while Indias employability has climbed to 56.35%, only one in five young people has pursued AI-related training. With automation expanding across industries, Amity aims to upskill Indias largest untapped AI-ready group, non-technical professionals. India holds 16% of the global AI talent pool, and Amitys new initiative intends to translate that expertise into real outcomes for sectors such as healthcare, BFSI, HR, and education. The School of AI will help learners understand how AI improves productivity and decision-making in workplaces, classrooms, hospitals, and leadership roles. The school offers 11 short certificate programs designed for non-technical learners. Each course blends self-paced study with live sessions held every two weeks, led by AI practitioners and industry specialists. The curriculum focuses on practical applications instead of coding, teaching learners how to use AI tools in their own fields. Also Read: Samsung Unveils 'DigiArivu' to Boost Digital and STEM Learning in Tamil Nadu Ajit Chauhan, Chairman of Amity University Online, said AI is changing job roles, teaching methods, and workplace expectations. Through the School of AI, we want to humanize AI education and make it useful for teachers, doctors, HR teams, CEOs, and anyone who can benefit from intelligent tools, he said. Our goal is to make every learner fluent in AI, not as a technical language, but as a human one. By expanding access to AI skills, Amity hopes to democratize intelligent technologies and help professionals work smarter, think creatively, and reduce stress while keeping human learning at the center. Prakazrel Pras Michel, center, a member of the 1990s hip-hop group the Fugees, accompanied by defense lawyer David Kenner, right, arrives at federal court for his trial in an alleged campaign finance conspiracy, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Grammy-winning Fugees rapper Prakazrel Pras Michel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign funds to the 2012 reelection campaign of former President Barack Obama, according to several reports. Michel, 53, a Brooklyn native, was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Thursday following a trial in Washington, D.C., as reported by the Associated Press. Known professionally as Pras, the Brooklyn native formed the famous 90s hip-hop group The Fugees with Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. They landed a Grammy for Killing Me Softly With His Song, and Michel was nominated again as a solo artist for Ghetto Superstar. He has also worked as an actor, producer and filmmaker. The artist was convicted in April 2023 for orchestrating an unregistered, back-channel campaign beginning around 2017 in an effort to influence the then-administration of the President and the Department of Justice to cease the investigation of Jho Low and others for embezzlement and other offenses. As revealed by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2023, Michel conspired with Low Taek Jho, aka Jho Low, of Malaysia, and others to engage in undisclosed lobbying campaigns at the order of Low and the Vice Minister of Public Security for the Peoples Republic of China. As proven at trial, the defendant engaged in an extensive conspiracy to use millions of dollars in foreign funds to engage in illegal back-channel lobbying and make unlawful campaign contributions, said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, in April of 2023. Todays verdict demonstrates that anyone who engages in unlawful foreign-sponsored efforts to influence American officials, our elections, or the criminal justice system will be brought to justice. Michel was accused of funneling millions of dollars of Lows money into the 2012 U.S. presidential election as purportedly legitimate campaign contributions, both through personal contributions and about 20 straw donors. The rapper was ultimately convicted of conspiracy, concealment of material facts, making false entries in records, witness tampering and serving as an unregistered agent of a foreign power. Prosecutors had hoped to get a life sentence for Michel, while his defense recommended a three-year sentence, according to the Associated Press. Michels legal team plans to appeal his conviction and sentence, the New York Post reported. Low, who has been a resident of China, remains a fugitive but has maintained his innocence, the Associated Press reported. Honoree Vanessa Sullivan with her sons, from left, Aaron Sullivan Frank Sullivan, and Jaysen Sullivan, at the Golden Era Senior/Elders Dinner. (Courtesy/Brothers Care) Staten Island Advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Island seniors were afforded an evening of recognition, music, and community spirit at this years Golden Era Senior/Elders Dinner, hosted on Thursday at PS 18. The annual celebration in West Brighton organized by Brothers Care Inc., Beyond Educational Enrichment, and the Staten Island Center For Hope, welcomed more than 80 guests for a night dedicated to honoring our boroughs seniors. Guests were greeted with a hot buffet prepared by a team of Staten Island community chefs that offered a spread highlighting the generosity and talent of local culinary volunteers. Seniors enjoyed the Golden Era Senior/Elders Dinner. (Courtesy/Brothers Care) Staten Island Advance The atmosphere was further enhanced by classic Motown oldies but goodies provided by West Brightons DJ Murph (Eric Hines). At the Golden Era Senior/Elders Dinner. are Kenny Philips, in front, and from left, Michael Watson, Antuane Hawkins, Jaysen Sullivan, Paul Young, and Aaron Sullivan. (Courtesy/Brothers Care) Staten Island Advance Kenny Philips and Vanessa Sullivan, who were honored as this years award recipients, received a Gratitude and Appreciation Plaque, a City Council Citation presented by Council Member Kamillah Hanks, and a citation from Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton recognizing their service and dedication to Staten Island. Award Recipient Vanessa Sullivan with City Council Woman Kamillah Hanks. (Courtesy/Brothers Care) Staten Island Advance Every senior in attendance went home with a specially prepared Emergency First Aid Kit complete with a flashlight, heated blanket, and essential medical supplies an extra layer of security and care as the winter season approaches," said Frank Sullivan, president of Brothers Care. Jeri Alexanders stands at the Staten Island Center For Hope display that provided Emergency First Aid Kits. (Courtesy/Brothers Care) Staten Island Advance Sullivan added that the evening was especially meaningful for Jaimita Haskell, founder and CEO of Beyond Educational Enrichment, who explained that the event began as a vision two years ago. With the partnership and unwavering support of Brothers Care Inc. and Center For Hope, that vision has grown into what will now be an annual celebration honoring seniors and elders, she said. Vanessa Sullivan expressed gratitude for the evening, noting how wonderful it was to see family, friends, and community members come together in unity. Kenny Philips, who also offered thanks, noted he wouldnt have been able to attend the event without pivotal community members like Kevin Harris, who believed in him. Coming together as one and acknowledging our seniors and elders is needed as they paved the pathway for us, he said before reaffirming the organizations commitment to its motto: Unity in the Community, Sullivan said. Upcoming Brothers Care events Turkey Giveaway Monday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. while supplies last at PS 18, 221 Broadway,(Henderson Avenue entrance) Winter Wonderland Christmas Toy & Clothing Giveaway, Friday, Dec. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the PS 18 school yard. The success of the Golden Era Dinner reflects the power of collaboration and the deep respect Staten Island holds for its senior community, Sullivan continued. Residents are encouraged to stay connected and participate in the upcoming holiday events as Brothers Care Inc. continues its mission of unity, service, and community upliftment. As the city welcomes Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani into office, Staten Island stands ready to work with a new administration that listens, collaborates and delivers. This transition is a chance to address longstanding challenges and build a fairer, more connected future for every resident, regardless of party or background. Transportation remains one of the greatest daily struggles for Staten Islanders. The cost of getting to work, school or family across the bridge has become unbearable for many. Keeping the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge toll at $5.50 is possible because of Democratic leadership at the state level, and it gives us a foundation to build on. The next step is reducing the financial strain even more. Setting aside $5 million a year to bring that toll down to $3 would show a meaningful commitment to affordability and fairness. People shouldnt have to choose between paying bills and crossing a bridge to get to their jobs. Public transit must also be more accessible and affordable. Staten Islands express buses are lifelines for thousands of working people. A pilot program that cuts fares in half on select routes would ease commuting costs while reducing congestion. As part of that effort, the Bus Rapid Transit project is essential for modernizing our system. BRT brings faster, more reliable service through dedicated lanes and better roadway design, and it will only reach its full potential with coordinated support from the city. That partnership ensures Staten Island finally receives the level of service other boroughs already benefit from. Affordability goes beyond transportation. It shapes how we live, work and raise our families. Staten Island needs stronger investment in its local economy, small businesses and neighborhoods that have been overlooked for far too long. Vacant industrial properties can become hubs for jobs and innovation. Supporting small businesses that anchor our communities will strengthen our workforce and keep our neighborhoods vibrant. State Assemblyman Charles D. Fall lays out some of Staten Island's most pressing needs at the start of a new mayoral administration. STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE Public safety must remain a top priority. Staten Island continues to face gaps in police staffing that stretch local precincts thin and impact response times. We need more officers assigned to our borough so we maintain a visible and consistent presence that deters crime and supports community-based policing. Safety isnt partisan. Its a basic expectation for every resident. Housing remains a major concern as families and seniors are being priced out of the neighborhoods theyve called home for decades. The city should work closely with the state to ensure new developments include affordable options that reflect real household incomes, with community input guiding each decision. Quality of life ties everything together. That means safer streets, cleaner parks, stronger schools and shorter commutes. It means making sure our infrastructure, roads, transit hubs, waterfronts and resiliency systems keep pace with a growing population and a changing climate. It also means further reducing tolls, improving bus service and addressing everyday concerns that weigh on working families. The Mamdani administration has a chance to reset how City Hall views Staten Island. For too long, our borough has been treated as an afterthought. This is the moment to show that Staten Island matters as much as any other part of New York City. Reducing transportation costs, supporting housing and small business growth, improving public safety and investing in quality of life should be shared priorities that unite us all. Staten Islanders arent asking for special treatment. Were asking for equal attention, investment and respect. Mayor-Elect Mamdani has the opportunity to deliver that from day one, and I look forward to working with him to make that vision a reality. STATEN ISLAND, NY -- The Staten Island Economic Development Corporation hosted its 17th annual Health & Wellness Expo on Friday, bringing free health screenings, educational sessions and career development opportunities to the College of Staten Islands Center for the Arts. The event, which emphasized the connection between health and economic prosperity, was supported by presenting sponsors including City Councilmember David Carr, Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center. For 17 years, the SIEDC Health and Wellness Expo has stood as one of Staten Islands largest and most impactful wellness events devoted to supporting the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our community, said Ericker Onaga, executive director of Community Health Action of Staten Island at the event. The expo began with a kickoff breakfast and award ceremony at the schools library, which included a keynote address from Joseph Conte, the executive director of Staten Island Performing Provider System. Contes speech focused on his decades of experience dealing with the countrys emerging health issues. U.S. Healthcare does amazing at high-tech interventions, yet is woefully inadequate at the bread and butter, things like maternal health. The U.S. has four times the maternal mortality rate of the UK, six times that of Germany and so on. And it is even worse if youre a Black woman who have 250% greater risk of death in the postpartum period, he stated. If the U.S. has the best medical professionals, the best technology and the finest hospitals, what could be the root cause of this disparity? He also highlighted the economic impact of healthcare investments in the community. The Staten Island Performing Provider System has invested $400 million into the local economy over the past 10 years, he said. The Social Care Network for Richmond County will also receive $100 million in the next three years to support basic social needs, including meals, maternal care, housing support and employment training, he said. When those basics are lacking, people and families falter, health declines and despair sets in. These are vulnerable people that we are working with, he reminded the audience. They are not slackers or grifters, but the chronically ill, the high risk pregnant and postpartum women that I referred to earlier, developmentally disabled children with type one diabetes, asthmatics, mental health and substance use disorder. By supporting the social needs, we can move them towards a path to independence. Following the keynote speech, Carr, a Republican representing the Mid-Island, presented the first Health Heroes award of the day to Dr. Bari Fitzgerald Ceka of Tottenville Medical Pavilion PLLC. Its important that we create a culture of trust in health care institutions and health care practices, Carr said at the podium. I think Dr. Ceka is doing that for so many people, in particular, as a leader of the Albanian diaspora community here in Staten Island and our region. He has really become the definition of community leader who doesnt just confine himself to the four corners of his office, because we know health care is so much more than that. Ceka went on to share his love for his patients and his gratitude for their trust. Medicine, I believe, is built on trust, on relationships and our beliefs that every person deserves compassionate, informed access to the care they need. The award may have my name on it, but it truly belongs to all of those that have helped me throughout this journey, my colleagues, my staff, and, of course, my patients, he said. Dr. Keith Diaz, chief of the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at Richmond University Medical Center, was presented the next award. He was recognized for his pivotal work as a pulmonologist and critical care specialist, his deep involvement in training the next generation of physicians and his love for human connection. Being a physician, we see many diseases, many bad outcomes, and can be depressing at times, but receiving the gratitude from my patients and for my patients families really is what motivates me day to day and what keeps me coming back, Diaz said in his acceptance speech. Its those human connections that really motivate me and what Im grateful for. Its those human connections that I think connects me to people, what connects me to my community, and is the way that I can continue to contribute. The last award was presented to Dr. Nicole Berwald, the medical director of Northwells Staten Island University Hospital. She was recognized for her advocacy of womens health and her years of experience as a clinician, educator, friend and leader. Im especially proud of the progress our team has made in significantly reducing hospital acquired harms. Thats not the work of me or one person, Berwald shared. It is really our entire team thinking about every patient every day and what we can do to create the safest environment and the best outcomes for staff members. The boroughs free health event that followed the breakfast featured dozens of informative tables from a range of organizations, including Camelot Counseling, SI Behavioral Health Coalition and the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center of Staten Island. There was also a section devoted to providing private health screenings, including flu vaccines, EKGs, diabetes and pre-diabetes prevention, dental, vision and hearing exams. The FDNY led two interactive training sessions, teaching hands-only CPR and Stop the Bleed strategies, and a certified nutrition expert from Northwell Staten Island University Hospital shared practical guidance on balanced, wellness-based eating. Students were invited to participate in healthcare resume building and were provided insight into the skills and pathways needed for a successful career in healthcare. The annual free event closed with the Unsung Community Health Hero Awards and Battle of the Fittest Business Award ceremony, which highlighted Staten Islanders for their contributions to the well-being of the borough. This years Unsung Community Health Heroes were Joseph Conte; Arlene Egan and Davy Jones, who are part of the Therapy Animal Team at Richmond University Medical Center; and Nicole Piccirillo, director of Health Home Care Management at Seamens Society for Children and Families. The Battle of the Fittest Business award was presented to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island Wellness Care and Amazon. Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests Tokyo Electron may be overvalued by 74.6%. Discover 917 undervalued stocks or create your own screener to find better value opportunities. Using the DCF method, the intrinsic value for Tokyo Electrons stock is calculated at 17,288.41 per share. This model suggests the stock is currently trading at a 74.6% premium to its fair value, which implies it is significantly overvalued based on todays cash flow expectations. For Tokyo Electron, the current Free Cash Flow stands at 319.2 billion. Analysts have projected the company's Free Cash Flow to continue increasing, rising to 657.0 billion by 2030. It is important to note that while analyst projections are available for the next five years, further estimates beyond that are based on systematic extrapolation. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model estimates what a company is really worth by forecasting its future cash flows and discounting them back to todays value. In other words, it tries to answer the question: if you owned all of Tokyo Electrons upcoming cash generation for the long term, what would you pay for it now? Tokyo Electron scores just 2/6 on our valuation checks. See what other red flags we found in the full valuation breakdown . On our numerical valuation score, Tokyo Electron comes in at 2 out of 6, indicating there is plenty of room to dig deeper. Lets break down what this score and other valuation approaches really mean for you as an investor, and stick around for an even better way to see the full valuation story at the end of this article. Major headlines have spotlighted the ongoing global demand for semiconductor equipment and Tokyo Electron's role in supporting next-generation chip production. Recent news about further investment into advanced chipmaking technologies has only heightened market interest, fueling both excitement and speculation around the stock's future prospects. Tokyo Electron has delivered powerful returns, up 39.0% over the past year and a remarkable 190.7% over five years, even after a recent pullback of 5.2% this week and a modest dip of 1.8% in the last month. Ever wondered if Tokyo Electron's surging popularity means it is actually a good buy, or if the market is just chasing hype? You're not alone. Figuring out what the stock is really worth is on many investors' minds. Story Continues Approach 2: Tokyo Electron Price vs Earnings When assessing profitable companies like Tokyo Electron, the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is a reliable valuation metric because it reflects how much investors are willing to pay for each unit of current earnings. A normal or fair PE ratio depends not just on raw profits, but also on how quickly a companys earnings are likely to grow and the risks those future earnings face. Generally, higher growth rates or lower risks justify a higher PE, while lower growth or higher risks lead to a lower multiple. Tokyo Electron currently trades at about 25.5x earnings. This is higher than the broader semiconductor industry average PE of 19.9x, but below the peer group average of 31.6x. So, while not the highest in its space, investors are paying a sizable premium over the standard industry rate. To get a more tailored perspective, we look at Simply Wall Sts Fair Ratio. Unlike generic benchmarks, this incorporates Tokyo Electrons specific earnings growth prospects, profit margins, scale, risk profile, and place within the semiconductor sector. This results in a Fair PE Ratio of 34.0x, which is comfortably above the stocks current level. This suggests that, even after its strong run, Tokyo Electrons valuation by earnings is actually undemanding compared to where it merits trading based on fundamentals. Result: UNDERVALUED TSE:8035 PE Ratio as at Nov 2025 PE ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Discover 1422 companies where insiders are betting big on explosive growth. Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your Tokyo Electron Narrative Earlier we mentioned that there's an even better way to understand valuation, so let's introduce you to Narratives. A Narrative is a simple, powerful tool that lets you connect your view of Tokyo Electrons storywhat you expect for its future revenue, earnings, and marginsto your own fair value estimate. Instead of relying solely on ratios or past growth, Narratives let you shape a forecast based on your outlook and see how that plays out in fair value terms, making your investment thesis clear and actionable. Through Simply Wall Sts Community page (used by millions of investors), you can easily build or follow Narratives, which dynamically update their valuations and outlooks as news and earnings arrive. This gives you a practical, up-to-date way to compare Tokyo Electrons Fair Value to its current market price and decide when to buy, hold, or sell, anchored in the story you believe most. For example, some investors see aggressive growth and future AI demand driving fair values as high as 35,300, while more cautious voices put the number closer to 21,500. Your own Narrative makes you an active participant in the valuation, not just a bystander. Do you think there's more to the story for Tokyo Electron? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying! TSE:8035 Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include 8035.T. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com President Donald Trump may have shown what he really thinks of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (L) during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) Getty Images The two met in the Oval Office at the White House on Friday. Trump has called the democratic socialist Mamdani a communist and initially threatened to cut off federal aid to New York City if Mamdani was elected mayor. But Trump has since then softened his tone, saying that he might work with the new mayor. But Trump may have shown his true feelings about Mamdani during their Oval Office encounter. Photos taken of the pair show Trump remaining seated behind his desk while shaking hands with a standing Mamdani. Thats a big no-no, according to Emily Post Etiquette, widely acknowledged for more than a century as the final word on the social graces. The groups website has a section titled Etiquette for a Great Handshake. The section says that people should stand up while shaking hands. The Emily Post site says: When shaking hands, stand up if youre seated. This shows respect and creates a more equal interaction. In some, more traditional, social settings woman may choose to remain seated, but for the most part people are rising to shake. Other photos of the Oval Office meeting show Trump continuing to sit when speaking to the media while Mamdani stands next to him. The BBC reported that Trump called the encounter with Mamdani a great meeting. The president said he agrees a lot more than I would have thought with Mamdani. Trump on Friday called some of Mamdanis ideas a little out there, but said that the incoming mayor could even surprise come conservative people. Mamdani has called for raising taxes on the wealthy and has raised eyebrows with his pledges of free mass transit and city-run supermarkets. Major companies across industries are pouring billions into America. Apple has announced a sweeping $600 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and workforce training (4). Johnson & Johnson plans to put $55 billion into U.S. manufacturing, research and development and new technologies (5). And Hyundai is investing $21 billion in the U.S. to boost automotive production capacity, localize key components and accelerate work on future industries (6). And Toyota isnt the only multinational committing big money to the U.S. The investment is part of Toyotas broader plan to inject up to $10 billion into its U.S. operations over the next five years, as announced on Nov. 13 (3). The new funding will go to five Toyota manufacturing plants involved in hybrid vehicle production: the Buffalo plant in West Virginia, Georgetown plant in Kentucky, Blue Springs plant in Mississippi, Jackson plant in Tennessee and Troy plant in Missouri. Just two days after Toyodas MAGA appearance, Toyota announced a $912 million investment in the U.S (2). In September, Trump signed an executive order cutting tariffs on Japanese auto imports from 27.5% to 15%. Im not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad. Every national leader wants to protect their own auto industry, he said. We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. The people we want most to be winners are our customers. Toyota has long been the best-selling foreign automaker in America, which makes tariffs a high-stakes issue for the company. Toyoda used Sundays appearance to make his stance clear. 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 Toyoda appeared at a NASCAR event at Fuji Speedway on Sunday, where the crowd cheered and waved American flags. He didnt just sport a MAGA hat he also wore a TrumpVance 2024 T-shirt (1). The event was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Japan, George Glass. President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs have shaken foreign automakers, so it came as a surprise when Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda was spotted wearing a red Make America Great Again hat over the weekend. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story Continues Betting on America These massive commitments point to a broader reality: even as policies shift and even when theyre unpopular, with some of Trumps own supporters criticizing tariffs global companies still view the U.S. as one of the most reliable places to build and grow. Americas economic strength and long-term growth potential have made it a magnet for capital for decades. That optimism is shared by some of the worlds most successful investors, including Warren Buffett. America has been a terrific country for investors. All they have needed to do is sit quietly, listening to no one, Buffett wrote in his 2023 shareholder letter (7). Buffett has been remarkably consistent on this point. For 240 years, its been a terrible mistake to bet against America and now is no time to start. Americas golden goose of commerce and innovation will continue to lay more and larger eggs, he wrote in 2016 (8). His unwavering confidence in the country has paid off: U.S. equities have been a cornerstone of his wealth. I cant remember a period since March 11, 1942 the date of my first stock purchase that I have not had a majority of my net worth in equities, U.S.-based equities, he recalled (7). For those looking to follow in Buffetts footsteps, he has long championed a simple but effective strategy: investing in an S&P 500 index fund. In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund, Buffett has famously stated (9). This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of Americas largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading. The beauty of this tactic is its accessibility anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change. Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: Link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference your spare change into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 and, if you sign up today with a recurring monthly contribution, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey. Trending: Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year and he begs investors not to miss its explosion Invest in US real estate Beyond stocks, real estate has long been another cornerstone of wealth-building in America. In fact, Buffett often points to real estate when explaining what a productive, income-generating asset looks like. In 2022, Buffett stated that if you offered him 1% of all the apartment houses in the country for $25 billion, he would write you a check (10). Why? Because, regardless of whats happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live, and apartments can consistently produce rent money. Real estate also offers a built-in hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts with inflation. Of course, you dont need $25 billion or even to buy a single property outright to invest in real estate. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class. Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants. The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares youd like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment. Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord. With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to triple net leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns. Simply answer a few questions including how much you would like to invest to start browsing their full list of available properties. You May Also Like Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. Fox Business (1); Toyota (2, 3); Apple (4); Johnson&Johnson (5); Hyundai News (6); Berkshire Hathaway (7), (8); CNBC (9), (10) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. 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 23 edition of Sunday Life. See all 13 stories . When Dame Kristin Scott Thomas first watched herself playing spy boss Diana Taverner in Slow Horses, the Apple TV+ spy drama, she had a shock. I thought, Bloody hell, I get it. Now I see why people are so terrified of me. It was the coldness. Id had no idea before why I came across like that. It worries me to think it might seep out into real life. Indeed, throughout the 39 years Scott Thomas has been in the public eye shes been dogged by ice queen similes. For decades, headlines decreed her to be chilly, aloof, frosty. Its a perception that seems to derive from a notion she wasnt acting when she was repeatedly cast as stoically heartbroken aristos most memorably in Four Weddings and a Funeral and The English Patient. But the description, she says with one of her trademark withering eye-rolls, is very disappointing. Because Im not. Its true that, in person, Scott Thomas has presence, but she isnt cold at all. This isnt to give the impression the 65-year-olds a big softie. Shes exacting, with a reputation she doesnt deny for being stroppy, when necessary, on set. She has a very English horror of gushiness. Yet shes also confiding, self-deprecating and very entertaining, every line delivered for full effect, vowels elongated and accompanied by a kaleidoscope of facial expressions. Not least when shes bemoaning the ageing process, such as when she tells me, in mock despair, Someone called me dear in a shop the other day. Curled up opposite me, shes chic in grey pinstripe drawstring trousers (I bought them in New York. Where from? A shop), a Marc Jacobs Hooligan slogan T-shirt (Very old. I love it) under a sheepskin-lined leather car coat. Round her neck are a string of pearls, a small diamond crucifix and a dagger on what looks like a piece of rope. Its a dagger of infinite wisdom, a souvenir from a trip to Bhutan with a girlfriend. I lost mine, but my friend had bought two or three, so she gave me one. Whats clear is that Scott Thomas is happy. After 20 years of being mainly single following her 2005 divorce from Francois Olivennes, a French fertility specialist and the father of her three children, last year she married John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News, also divorced and with two adult children. The couple had been together for five years. The wedding took place in Rutland, where Micklethwaits family come from. It was so nice because it was just us and our children and siblings. No nephews and nieces. No cousins. Id recommend anyone whos thinking about marrying to do it with only your nearest and dearest. Wonderful! Just thinking about it makes my heart swell. Advertisement They ate coronation chicken, because we love old-fashioned things, and Scott Thomas wore a cream A-line Valentino dress with buttons up the front. Shed spotted it when shopping with her sister eight years ago, way before I met John. She said, Youve got to get that. I said, When am I going to wear a cream dress? Scott Thomas was rejected from a UK drama school by a teacher who thought she was talentless. Credit: Times Media Limited But it had my name written all over it, so I bought it and it sat in the cupboard with its tag still on, unworn. Then, when I got asked [she affects a regal tone] to marry, I thought, Oh bloody hell, now Ive got to look for a dress. Then [her voice rises to a shriek], Ive got it already! And I splashed out and got a very, very, very pretty hat made. Is remarrying at 64 what Oscar Wilde described as a triumph of hope over experience? Id say its a triumph of experience over hope. I dont know how to describe it without going mushy, but to have two hearts, two brains, two minds, two energies all striving for the same thing is fantastic. What youre looking for when youre in your 50s and 60s is very different from what youre looking for in your 20s, when you want to make babies and youve got the dream of a family. Ive worked out whats worth paying attention to, what the really important things in my life are, and Ive found someone who thinks the same. So its great. Shed been in relationships during her singleton years, notably with actor Tobias Menzies and French tycoon Arpad Busson. But I hadnt imagined getting married again. Not at all. I dont know what I imagined, but Id been living in Paris for 22 years and I never thought Id come back [to the UK] and marry an Englishman. Shed also previously said shed never act in a television series, telling a journalist, [A series] just goes on and on. I get terribly bored. But here she is, winning a whole new generation of fans with Slow Horses. Season five has just finished, season six is in the bag and season seven is said to be in preparation. Advertisement Scott Thomas grew up in Dorset, the oldest child of a navy pilot. When she was five, he was killed when his plane crashed. Her mother, who was 28 with four children, then married one of his colleagues. When Scott Thomas was 11, her stepfather died in exactly the same way. It was left to the housemistress at her boarding school to break the news. Believe me, Ive spent a lot of money and many, many hours dealing with all the stuff that goes with childhood catastrophe. It does make you who you are, having to deal with stuff like that when youre five and then again when youre 11. It gives you something to lug around your whole life. Scott Thomas as Lady Di (Diana Taverner) in Slow Horses. Credit: Jack English In 2023, she directed her first film (co-written with Micklethwait), My Mothers Wedding, in which she stars as a twice widowed mother of three daughters who marries for a third time at 66. Quite fun, she says. Its about how these events have affected the womens love lives. And how is that? Well, one daughter is an overachiever. One is desperate for affection. And one tries to do everything right. Which one is she? All of them. Id imagine such trauma contributed to the dont-mess-with-me vibe shes, however subconsciously, exuded ever since. She was riveted by her childrens close relationship with Olivennes. I thought, I really did miss out. Their father has been so influential in their lives. You think, How on earth did I manage to do it all with just my mum? Advertisement At 18, having been rejected from a drama course in London by a teacher who said she had no talent, Scott Thomas moved to Paris to become an au pair. There she won a place at drama school and met Olivennes, whom she married aged 26. By then shed starred with Prince in his film Under the Cherry Moon. While she was pregnant with her first child, Hannah (now 37, with two children aged eight and five), she was cast as callous toff Brenda Last in A Handful of Dust, the inspiration for her subsequent typecasting as tough, wicked bitches. Around the time her second child, Joseph, now 34, was born, the call came from Hollywood to star in Anthony Minghellas The English Patient, which won her an Oscar nomination. Flavour of the month, she was cast in Random Hearts with Harrison Ford and The Horse Whisperer with Robert Redford. They took six months to shoot and although her children were with her for some of it, I thought, I cant do this. I want to live in Europe. Scott Thomas in one of her breakthrough roles, in The English Patient. She went on to star in a string of French arthouse films Tell No One, Ive Loved You So Long but just over a decade ago declared shed had enough of hanging around film sets and was going to concentrate on theatre. By then she and Olivennes had split. She told the podcast Rosebud her divorce was traumatic but the relationship had run its course. Yet she and Olivennes are friends and whatever midlife hump she hit has vanished. A turning point in the way she was perceived came in 2019, when Phoebe Waller-Bridge cast her in Fleabag as Belinda, a businesswoman whose speech rhapsodising the menopause went viral. Women are born with pain built in, says Belinda. Its our physical destiny: period pains, sore boobs, childbirth We have pain on a cycle for years and years and years and then, just when you feel you are making peace with it all, what happens? The menopause comes, and it is the most wonderful f---ing thing in the world. Yes, your entire pelvic floor crumbles and you get f---ing hot and no one cares, but then youre free, no longer a slave, no longer a machine with parts. Youre just a person. Advertisement Says Scott Thomas, You know, when I went through meno She stops. This is very personal; Im not sure I want to talk about this. She collects herself. I found the passage from being a fertile, producing mother very difficult: What am I for? What do I do now? What is my purpose? I absolutely loved childbearing; that was my raison detre. When nature takes that away, youre a bit lost. Youre no longer of service. Id always thought of parenting as the ultimate creation. So the shock took a while, but you get used to it and find other outlets for your creativity. You think, This is who I am. I dont have to please anybody. I dont have to be attractive. I can just be. Loading You gain more energy, more stamina. Thats when I started doing theatre and being much braver in my choices. Youd have thought that would happen when youre young, but I was so frightened of everything then. She remembers another time she got very cross and sulked when a director told her she needed to be more attractive. It turned out hed meant something different but, at the time, I took it incredibly badly. I was very upset. Why should I be attractive? Why should I be sweet and kind? Since 50, my life has just got better and better. My 60s have been fantastic. Its once youve dealt with childbearing and having to seduce and be attractive that you can be adventurous. Slow Horses is on Apple TV+. The Times (UK) This was something Hope Clifford and her husband experienced. You cant help but blame yourself, she says. Then the banks and everyone else blame you as well. We spent more than $10,000 on legal fees trying to work out our rights because its such a grey area and hardly anyone knows how to help. Loading There is also an unjust stigma that can come with being the victim of fraud. As Brooks says: We dont blame people whose house gets broken into, or whose car gets stolen, but the complexity of this crime means we blame the victim. Because of this unfair application of blame, the impact of scams infects other areas of the victims lives and can be extremely harmful. Brooks said that complex PTSD is the most common diagnosis our victims tend to experience. Cliffords mental health was significantly affected, not just by the fraud itself but by the two-year legal battle to reclaim the lost money. Weve been told time and time again that its our fault, even though we found out later that there were many red flags that should have been picked up by professionals, she says. It absolutely brings you down. I now have anxiety and see a psychologist because our trust has been completely broken and our future is not what we thought it would be. For Canberra architect Harriet Spring, who was defrauded of $1.6 million, the emotional toll was severe. I spent three months in a very, very dark place, distraught and suicidal, she says. I was humiliated, personally and professionally. And though friends and family were unerringly kind, I carried deep shame. Harriet Spring started the Scam Victim Alliance after losing $1.6 million. In 2023, during what Spring describes as one of the hardest periods of her life, she unknowingly transferred the inheritance from the sale of her mothers home to a scammer posing as a representative of ING bank. My sisters and I placed Mum into care, then prepared to sell, she says. We spent a year packing up our family home of three generations while juggling jobs and families in cities located three hours away. In November 2023, after the house sold, I sought financial advice and was advised to place the $1.6 million proceeds into a fixed-term deposit. I began researching options, unfamiliar with how deposits over $1 million worked. Thats when I was contacted over the phone by someone I thought was an ING rep. Spring, who prided herself on her meticulous eye for detail and her ability to scrutinise contracts and manage finances, says George Thompson from ING came across as diligent and professional. He emailed me convincing ING-branded documents, says Spring. I did my due diligence and consulted my sisters: the rate offered was good but not implausible, so we decided to go ahead. I was instructed that the money had to be placed into a Client Segregated Allocated account with Westpac. Although odd, it sounded plausible for an international online bank and was backed up by convincing documentation. I provided ID, was given Westpac account details in my name, and transferred the funds through my mothers long-time bank, which missed obvious red flags. On the first of February, 2024, $1.6 million was sent to the scammers account. Spring says that when she discovered she had been the victim of fraud, she felt a mix of emotions. My first instinct was that this would all prove to be nothing, and it would be OK, that this couldnt possibly have happened. But then I contacted ING and they had no record of the account or the ING rep. They told me, If it sounds too good to be true It began to sink in. Spring says she felt an initial sense of hope, a belief that the bank would trace the money and get it back. But this was not the case. The bank but also other organisations she thought would provide support failed to help. The amount stolen, for example, was greater than the limit (a little over $1 million) that would have allowed it to be investigated by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. Loading Nobody cared not the government, not the police, not the complaint regulators, and least of all the banks, says Spring. Because our loss was so great, we exceeded the thresholds for help, and all we have against the banks deep pockets are legal options hardly a fair fight. On top of her familys money being stolen, imagining the uses it might be put to were devastating. It crushed me that our stolen money was now funding terrorism, human trafficking and other nefarious acts. Telling my sisters I called or drove to see all four, one by one utterly destroyed me, says. While Springs money is gone, she has turned her experience into something positive, co-founding a not-for-profit organisation, the Scam Victim Alliance. We try to work alongside government, regulators and law enforcement to provide a different kind of victim support and help end the scourge of scam fraud crime, she says. I can personally attest that taking positive action on the back of a heinous crime dramatically helps your healing journey. The year has seen a plethora of new products across the beauty sphere. These are the best of the best. November 23, 2025 by Stephanie Darling If that wasnt horrific enough, it was recommended that more than 1200 children who had attended one of the 20 centres the man had worked at over an eight-year period undergo testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Loading Late last year, Queensland childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith was sentenced to life for abusing 69 girls who had been in his care. In May, we learnt of a young Sydney girl who experienced such extreme neglect at daycare that she will probably require a kidney transplant when she is older. In October, an ABC investigation revealed it had identified almost 150 people who had been convicted, charged or accused of inappropriate conduct and sexual abuse and were actively working within the sector. As cliched as it sounds, these stories are every parents worst nightmare. And understandably for many parents, it doesnt matter how many brilliant daycare facilities or extraordinary childcare workers there are (and there are so, so many), the fear is all consuming and the risk feels too great. We know this is true because in September, research from the Minderoo Foundation indicated that one in 10 Australian parents had withdrawn their child from care, and 16 per cent of parents had cut back on their working hours specifically as a reaction to the growing number of allegations and horror stories. The drop in children in preschool care, combined with changes to workforce participation, bear this out. When parents have to choose between keeping their babies safe and working, we will, of course, choose our children every single time. Without major changes, the situation were in will only set more women back. Credit: iStock That its disproportionately women who cut down or drop out of the workforce isnt surprising, either, when you consider that women still earn 78 cents to every $1 earned by a man (an amount that works out to be an extra $28,425 on average a year). Or that we will earn roughly $1.5 million less over the course of our working lives and retire with less superannuation simply because we are women. If a woman is in a heterosexual relationship and a dual-income household, statistically, its likely that her male partner earns more than her. Those factors alone make it easy to see why working mums are cutting back. But the decision, in and of itself, comes with more than just a single dollar cost. There are the obvious and well-known downsides: a reduced chance of getting a promotion at work if you go to part-time, a loss of skills if you leave paid work altogether. Yet just because shes reducing her paid working hours doesnt mean shes reducing her work. Instead, her workload and working hours will probably increase but without any financial or workforce recognition attached. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency Australia (WGEA) has said that women represent 70 per cent of unpaid primary carers for children in Australia and 56.1 per cent of unpaid carers for people with a disability, long-term health condition or the elderly. With that comes increased emotional and mental labour, as well as the guilt experienced when trying to decide whats best for your family, which also goes unpaid. Moreover, we know thanks to this years Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey that women do almost 60 per cent of the unpaid domestic labour (18.4 hours, compared with mens 12.8). We also do the majority of household errands and, you guessed it, caring for children. But lets be clear men arent getting out of this scott free. The HILDA data shows that each week, men spend about 10 hours more at their jobs and more time commuting to and from work than women. Thats almost an entire day a week that could be spent with their children, gone. Loading Without major changes, the situation were in will only set back more women, the gender pay gap will go backwards, and men will face increased pressure to provide financially. That this will happen just because we want to protect our children feels impossibly unfair. For many people, the choice to work isnt a choice at all. The vast majority of parents work because they must. But whether you choose to work full-time, part-time or not at all, you shouldnt be financially penalised for deciding what is right for you and your family. It should be a choice. And that choice shouldnt be based on financial fear or, worse, fear for your childs safety. New NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane has been heckled during a visit to western Sydney as she signalled her intent to be an opposition leader for all people, no matter where your postcode is. In her first public outing in the new role, Sloane, the member for Vaucluse, made her pitch to Parramatta and Harris Park voters in the demographic and geographic heart of our city. In 18 months, she takes on Labor Premier Chris Minns in the next state election. Kellie Sloane visits Harris Park on her first full day as NSW Liberal leader. Credit: Flavio Brancaleone I want people to know that I want to be a premier, not just for the state, but one who is very, very focused on western Sydney as well, Sloane said. A first-term MP, Sloane was elected unopposed as Liberal leader on Friday after Mark Speakman said he would stand down following weeks of speculation. A woman has been jailed over an international spiritual blessing scam in which elderly victims are lured into believing their relatives are possessed by evil spirits and will die unless they take part in fake rituals. The sentence has brought police closer to dismantling the alleged multimillion-dollar international fraud which has robbed people of their entire life savings. Strike Force Sentinal has, since April, been investigating 89 Chinese blessing scams across Sydney. Yuee Ruan was arrested at Sydney Airport in July. Credit: NSW Police Yuee Ruan was sentenced in the local court to 14 months prison with a seven month non-parole period for a raft of fraud charges and for participating in a criminal group. One elderly woman was robbed of $130,000 she had saved for health issues. A police fact sheet obtained by this masthead revealed 63-year-old Ruan approached multiple elderly women in public spots across Sydney, before convincing them their family members were cursed and would die in a matter of days unless they took part in fake rituals. For example, an inspector in southern Sydney was found negligent for failing to find termites twice, yet agents continued to use the inspector, he said. Loading The problem is the home buyers weve seen countless cases where they dont have $30,000 or $50,000 to start legal action. Bartier Perry partners Sharon Levy and David Creais said no qualifications were required for a person to call themselves a building consultant for pre-purchase inspections. Its not subject to any kind of policing or checks, they said. You dont even have to have professional indemnity insurance, so that leads to obvious problems. Weve got a lot of aggrieved purchasers coming to us ... who had purchased on the assumption that their property was fine after looking at the vendors pre-purchase inspection report. On the flip side, weve heard of inspectors who are being prevented from inspecting properties because the agent is concerned theyre actually going to give a proper or a truthful report, and then potentially the agent loses that sale as a result. Theyve seen homes with significant water defects, structural integrity issues and undetected termites. It can be absolutely devastating, especially for first home buyers, a young family, moving into what they think is their dream house, finding out in some cases that its dangerous, its uninhabitable, Creais said. Lawyer Nick Pidcock said that when a buyer sues an uninsured inspector over a negligent report, the inspector can phoenix their company by placing it into liquidation and rebirthing it under a new name with new directors to avoid paying damages. Loading The rise in agents commissioning reports directly as a marketing tool was confirmed by a dozen inspectors and industry experts who say that fast, cheap and unreliable assessments prepared by unlicensed inspectors miss major defects. Increasing negligence cases have doubled some indemnity insurance excesses up to $15,000 for inspectors. Pidcock is working on a case testing the liability of an agent for engaging an inspector who provided a substandard report. However, most disputed cases dont go to trial because insurers settle or plaintiffs drop the case due to litigation costs. There are also concealment cases, where the vendor is aware of the damage and then takes steps to actively conceal it with the intention of deceiving the buyer, Pidcock says. David Hall, a past president of the Australian Society of Building Consultants, started doing inspections in 1986 but moved away about 2005 when real estate agents took control. David Halls inspections include thermal imaging and moisture testing. Some inspectors do visual-only assessments. Credit: Steven Siewert Most of my pre-purchase building-only reports are $850 or $1200; however, people are paying $450 to $600, and some of them include the pest inspection and are totally generic, he said. Online platforms such as Before You Buy (BYB) have distributed more than 680,000 pre-purchase inspections nationally. They list inspectors whose rates start from $420 for a combined building and pest inspection. Some franchised operators produce reports rendered worthless by the sheer number of disclaimers and exclusions, Pidcock said. BYB chief executive Rhys Rogers said about 200 NSW inspectors are listed on its platform and about 10 have been removed since launching in 2015. We only use inspectors that have the relevant insurance cover, Rogers said. About 70-80 per cent of inspection reports on the platform are initiated by vendors or real estate agents. Buyers agent Tiron Manning commissions independent reports for many of his clients because some vendor-initiated reports lack detail, and downplay or miss major defects. Real estate agents are using vendor reports as a tool to close deals quicker by encouraging people to go unconditional, Manning said. Recently, Manning compared an 11-page vendor report to an 82-page independent report, finding $300,000-$400,000 worth of issues not mentioned in the vendors version. He raised the significant discrepancies between reports with Fair Trading and the former building commissioner, but no action was taken. The issue was not under the building commissioners authority and Fair Trading didnt receive enough complaints to make it a priority, he said. Buyers agents have to have [indemnity] insurance; surely building inspectors should as well, just to reflect the scale of the advice they are providing. Since 2021, the Department of Customer Service said it received 26 complaints relating to pre-purchase inspections. All of these were either resolved, or consumers were advised to seek legal redress via the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal or obtain legal advice, a spokesman said. Ruth is concerned the new independent regulator Premier Jacinta Allan has promised to set up will not adequately address the raft of systemic failures she faced while seeking justice for her child. Expect this will be the system you will face if anything happens to your child, she says. Opposition education spokesperson Evan Mulholland said Lunas case was one of the most appalling examples of child safety failures in Victoria. I can only hope that the government kept this case front of mind when they drafted the belated legislation they have brought before parliament, he said. Greens MP Anasina Gray-Barberio is horrified by the case. Its quite clear that we are here because of years of neglect and a Labor government that has refused to take this crisis seriously, she said. This mastheads investigation is based on interviews with six government sources and others involved in the case not able to speak publicly, documents filed to the corporate regulator, correspondence from QARD and the Childrens Commission and court records. The offender, the wife and her employer cannot be named to protect the true identity of Luna, who began attending the family daycare when she was two years old, and often went there after school or sometimes overnight on weekends when her mother had to work. The daycare was registered with an approved family daycare business, the husband was a former nurse with a valid Working with Children Check, and they also had a daughter. Later, CCTV cameras were installed in the lounge room of the home where the children were cared for. Ruth said she liked that the daycare was run by a mother. They just looked like a really wholesome family, she said, describing how she got to know the wife and her family through the years and trusted them. In late November 2022, that trust was obliterated. Luna, after complaining of soreness around her genital area, was taken to the doctors. During the appointment, she told her mother that the daycare educators husband had been abusing her. That moment was just so surreal because I didnt want to hear it. I didnt want it to be true. I didnt want to be in the room, Ruth said. The abuse shattered their family. Ruths relationship with her partner fell apart, and Lunas older sister isolated herself from friends and fell into a depression. At just 11 years old, Luna began self-harming. I watch my child suffer every day, and though I try to be her anchor, I often feel like Im drowning, Ruth would later tell a court. After her initial disclosure, Luna was taken immediately to the Royal Childrens Hospital for a forensic assessment, while Victoria Police, and later QARD and the Commission for Children and Young People were alerted to the allegations. The little girl told police that while she was left alone in the loungeroom, the husband would pull her pants down and rape her. She felt scared and tricked when it happened. The husband would smile at her weirdly and asked if she liked it. Hed do it to me, like, every day I went there, she said. Luna told police other children who attended the daycare were scared of the husband, and she feared other children might have been abused. Soon after, the husband was arrested. At the same time, the wifes employer suspended her from running the daycare and QARD launched its own investigation. The regulator has powers to issue fines, substantiate allegations, shut down services, revoke approvals, and even prosecute those who breach laws. The agency told Ruth it would be investigating whether the wife or her employer had breached their duties. When I got off the phone, and they said they will investigate, I expected them to do their due diligence, she said. But she said was only contacted once during the investigation, a breach of the regulators own guidelines, which instructs its investigators to keep in regular contact with families. They never took a formal statement from Ruth, and she never met anyone in person. The QARD investigator did contact the police detective leading the case, who provided information about their ongoing investigation. The next time Ruth heard from QARD was in March 2023, about three months after the husbands arrest. The regulator informed her it was closing the investigation into the daycare after finding no wrongdoing. We cannot do anything because everythings compliant, Ruth recalls being told. This was gobsmacking to her and seemed so obviously incorrect. The daycare where her daughter was raped could not be compliant if it were, it wouldnt have happened. A letter informing Ruth of the outcome detailed the investigation was limited to a single visit to the family daycare service office that employed the wife, not the home where the rape occurred. Loading They didnt say to me, Listen, were going to keep a close eye on this, were going to touch base with you when it goes to court, it was just, Weve done our work. Theres nothing further. The regulator did gather enough evidence to ban daycare services from operating from the home in April 2023, but Ruth was never told about the ban, and QARD never published that it had taken the action which it is legally obliged to do. Meanwhile, the Commission for Children and Young People an independent state body that oversees organisations investigations into reported incidences was also alerted to an allegation that the wife was seriously negligent in her role as an educator. But instead of launching its own probe, the commission referred it back to the wifes employer to investigate, in what experts say is a disastrous conflict of interest. The wifes employer found there was insufficient evidence to suggest she had been leaving the little girl alone, despite a judge later finding that is when the abuse occurred. The commission accepted the employers finding, and did not use its powers to advise the Working With Children unit to review the wifes clearance. In response to questions from this masthead, the employer said the family daycare provider treats child safety with the utmost seriousness, and was assisting the regulator with its ongoing investigations. We took immediate action in accordance with our legal obligations and have cooperated fully with the relevant authorities, the employer said. The wife, through her lawyers, declined to respond to questions sent by this masthead. The basic premise of your questioning is not accepted, the lawyer said. It took two years from when the husband was arrested for him to finally be convicted, during which time he remained on bail. In that time, the wife was cleared of any wrongdoing, retained her Working With Children check, and was able to run an NDIS-approved care service. The NDIS Commission would not say whether QARD or the Commission for Children alerted the organisation to the allegations of serious negligence levelled against the wife, the charges laid against the husband, or the case in general. I watch my child suffer every day, and though I try to be her anchor, I often feel like Im drowning. Ruths evidence in court An NDIS Commission employee, who refused to be named, conceded that while information was shared across departments, cases can fall through the cracks. They said if the family wanted the case to be investigated, they should file a complaint. The employer, which has approval to hire up to 90 educators who all run daycares from their homes, also faced no action. What both investigations failed to uncover, and what was unknown to the Lunas mother, was that the daycare educator she trusted to care for her child had a history of leaving children alone. She had warning after warning, the wifes previous employer told this masthead, who requested anonymity over fears her business would suffer. The previous employer said that during a compliance visit on the woman in June 2020, while children were being cared for in the home, she didnt answer the door for a prolonged period. It was clear to the visiting officers that she was not in the presence of the children, and was dismissed from the family daycare business soon after. The breaches were not reported to the regulator or Childrens Commission, the former employer said, because they did not meet the threshold of reportable conduct. The next family daycare business to hire the wife never contacted the previous employer for a reference check. I was very surprised [they never called]. We didnt even know [who hired her], she said. Ruth said she was never informed about the sacking or the reasons the wife changed employers. The old employer said she has never been contacted by QARD; she first heard about the case after being contacted by a journalist in August. Lawyer Manny Carbone, of Carbone Lawyers, who is representing Ruth, said it was really horrific to learn that the educator was fired for child supervision worries and that it was never picked up by the regulator. One would think that any level of non-compliance in that area is something to be looked at. And sadly in this case, its all too late, he said. The husband was formally charged by police in January 2024 and faced a six-day trial in February 2025. The jury found him guilty on two charges of child rape. At his sentencing hearing in June, the courtroom was packed with the offenders supporters including his wife and daughter. You breached the trust of your victim and her family, Justice Robyn Harper told the man. He was found to have abused the girl on multiple occasions between February 2021 and August 2022. Harper described the offending as humiliating, demeaning and objectifying. It was abhorrent and opportunistic, committed on occasions when the wife had left the girl alone. She sentenced him to serve a maximum jail term of 15 years and six months. One of the first things Ruth did after the husband was found guilty in 2025 was contact the regulator. She thought a conviction had to trigger a new investigation. The regulator asked the mother to hand over evidence of his conviction, sentencing information, the name of the lead detective, and details of his charges. The body even asked her to provide her previous communications with QARD itself. Days went by, and then weeks. I didnt hear from [the regulator] for months, and then I had to call back again and ask them, Is anyone dealing with this case? My job should be to look after my children after this. My job is to focus on healing, so I can accommodate my children myself to move forward, but I had to do the job of the regulator. She was passed around the department. Again and again, Ruth was forced to re-tell the story of the horrific abuse her daughter was subjected to. It feels like youre getting exposed for nothing. Its like being bare naked in front of a crowd. Having to relive that blame that it was my fault that this happened to my child, feeling that shame, but also feeling this anger. She is convinced if she didnt chase QARD, it would have never reopened the case. It wasnt real until I proved it. The fact the department had asked me, Can you send us all the communications youve had with us previously? I [thought to myself], Im not in good hands. My children are not in good hands. Ruth learnt there was a two-year statute of limitations from when an offence occurred, so even if the ongoing investigation established wrongdoing by either the employer or the wife, they would be unable to prosecute. Ruth also contacted the Commission for Children after the sentencing in June. She remembers the employee telling her over the phone there was nothing they could do, but in a follow-up email, it said they would make inquiries. She did not hear back from the commission until last week the same day it received questions from this masthead about the case. The commission sent an email apologising for the delay and informing her it had reopened the investigation. We have now obtained more information relevant to the court proceedings which was not available when the investigation was first conducted, the email said. I acknowledge that the time this has taken must be frustrating. A spokesperson for QARD gave conflicting reasons for not pursuing action against either the provider or the educator when asked by this masthead. Victorias early childhood regulator acted immediately to protect childrens safety, a spokesperson said. The Commission for Children, the Working with Children Check Unit, QARD and the NDIS Commission all refused to answer questions, citing privacy reasons. Their silence is not a surprise to Ruth. If youre not getting answers, youre getting an insight to what families have to go through, she said. The husband has appealed against his conviction, which will be considered next year. Ruth is dismayed by the states government delayed response to the childcare crisis, and has serious questions about the legislation being pushed through parliament without consultation from families. I ask that we get it right this time. Weve had years of children being abused and neglected. I want to be able to regain faith. For support, call Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 Omar Said isnt just convinced, he is adamant that western Sydney is home to the worlds best manoush. We have the best ingredients in the world here, and the innovation to build on what we know. Together, its made Sydney the manoush capital of the world, he says. DMC Bakery owners Omar Said (left) and Mohamad Semawy (left) with some of their most popular dishes on the menu. Credit: Kate Geraghty The co-owner of DMC manoush bakery and cafe in Greenacre knows his way around the Lebanese breakfast pizza. Like many families that arrived from Lebanon in the 1980s and 90s, the Said clan grew up with manoush, a flatbread recipe traditionally topped with Zaatar, cheese or meat that goes back thousands of years and has become a fixture of the Australian-Lebanese community. Downsizers have secured their own piece of a trendy inner-city suburb, picking up a petite, pretty terrace for $1,735,000. The couple purchased the impeccably refurbished 17 Amy Street in Erskineville under the hammer. It had been guided at $1.6 million during the campaign. The final offer leapfrogged the $1.69 million reserve during a speedy exchange of bids, in which two young professional couples were runners-up. The home last sold for $956,000 in 2022, public records show. The US Bitcoin community erupted on Thursday after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made an unannounced stop at the grand opening of Pubkey DC, a new Bitcoin-themed bar in Washington. Key Takeaways: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents surprise visit to Pubkey DC was widely seen as a symbolic boost for Bitcoins growing visibility. Industry figures praised the appearance, citing Bessents pro-crypto stance. Some traders cautioned that the moment may be overinterpreted in a weak market. The unexpected appearance of one of the most influential figures in US economic policy quickly ricocheted across X, with many in the industry interpreting it as a symbolic moment for Bitcoins political and cultural ascent. Having the Secretary of the Treasury at the Pubkey DC launch seems like a moment Ill look back on and say, wow, it was all so obvious, wrote Ben Werkman, CIO of Bitcoin treasury firm Strive. Lubka Calls Bessents Pubkey Visit The Sign Youve Been Waiting For Steven Lubka, vice president of investor relations at Nakamoto, went even further, calling Bessents presence the sign you have been waiting for. Bessent has long been viewed as one of the most crypto-friendly officials in the current administration. His Treasury nomination in late 2024 was hailed by many in the digital asset sector, and he has since voiced support for turning the US into a global hub for crypto innovation. He has also backed several pro-crypto bills this year, including the GENIUS Act, and in August confirmed that the Treasury was exploring budget-neutral mechanisms for purchasing Bitcoin for a potential Strategic Bitcoin Reserve. That backdrop helped explain why Bitcoiners reacted so strongly to a casual appearance at a bar opening. Figures including analyst Fred Krueger, Gemini executive Jeff Tiller, podcaster Natalie Brunell, and Bitcoin Policy Institute co-founder David Zell all framed the moment as an unmistakable signal of institutional acceptance. Some traders, however, warned against reading too much into it. In this type of market, signals like this dont matter muchuntil later, when everyone realizes they did, trader MacroScope commented. Pubkey DC opens on the back of strong attention garnered by its New York sister location, launched in late 2022, which became a cultural hotspot for Bitcoin enthusiasts. The bar entered national headlines in September 2024 when then-presidential contender Donald Trump made a campaign stop there. Bitcoin Traders Split as Price Drops to $85K Amid Volatile Sentiment The timing of Bessents appearance added another layer of intrigue. Bitcoin has been struggling through a downturn since its all-time high of $125,100 on Oct. 5. Had Essendon been amenable to trading Zach Merrett, the first draft choice on offer from the Hawks was the pick the Bombers later used to recruit South Australian Dyson Sharp. That same pick was in the sights of the Crows, who rated Sharp highly enough to have multiple stabs at acquiring that fateful pick originally No.9, which travelled from Hawthorn to Carlton like a Melbourne University law student, before landing at Essendon. Essendons 2025 first-round selections (from left), Jacob Farrow, Sullivan Robey and Dyson Sharp. Credit: Justin McManus So, whatever comes of the Merrett non-trade and it will be debated for as long as Zach kicks left foot at least the Bombers can say that they ended up with the same pick and likely drafted the same player if theyd granted Merrett his wish (though Hawthorn swapped that pick No.9 for No.10 on the penultimate day of trading). Mindful that the top 10 of this draft was compromised with academy prospects and one gun father-son (Carlton-bound Harry Dean), and dubious about the depth of talent, some clubs either avoided the draft or were minimal investors. Perth: This was shaping as Joe Roots best chance for a breakthrough Test century on Australian soil. He left with all duck and no dinner. Root arrived at the crease at 10:59 am, much sooner than he would have hoped when Ben Stokes won the toss just over an hour earlier. Ten minutes later, he was trudging back to the dressing room with world crickets most famous hoodoo alive and well. Seven balls, two hits, zero runs. Joe Root scored a seven-ball duck. Credit: AP This knock was so brief Root could comfortably give a ball-by-ball description without referring to notes, though it would be one hed like to forget in a hurry. If I wasnt confident I wouldnt have done [gone inside], I wasnt going to say anything to anyone ... Youve got it back your judgement, he said. Still, I was worried at the 100. I still thought, you havent put them away, but I hadnt really gone for him either, so I was pretty confident. Hes such a good horse and I really love that. Maher said Gringotts, which missed two runs this preparation because of illness, would next target the $2 million The Ingham, a race he failed in last year. I know hes won a [George] Ryder, but I reckon hes in better form this preparation, he said. He was dominant last start and he was quite dominant today. And because we missed a couple of races early in the prep, hes still very much on the up, so hes in a different spot this year. Coyle catches the glory After almost scratching Catch The Glory at every turn, Warwick Farm trainer Jason Coyle joked that he wasnt sure he had made the right decision to run in The Warra, even after winning the $300,000 group 3 on Saturday at Kembla. Jason Collett took the four-year-old mare down the outside fence in the heavy 8 conditions to edge out The Black Cloud in the 1000m feature. Coyle was eyeing the listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) with Catch The Glory next week at Rosehill but accepted for the Warra after only 10 accepted. He was then close to scratching on Saturday morning because of predicted showers and then again midway through the program as the track deteriorated from a soft 5. The late scratching of favourite Zealously convinced Coyle to go ahead. I still dont reckon I made the right decision, Coyle said. Jason Collett rides Catch The Glory to victory. Credit: Getty Images Next week it will be a five-horse field and she would have drawn two or something, but as long as she comes through it unharmed and shes well, we obviously made the right decision. Shes a stakes winner and thats what we were here to do. At 7.28am I was still 50-50 on whether I pull the pin or stick with my original 1100 at Rosehill, but the smaller the field got, and obviously when Peter [Snowden] pulled out [Zealously] I know she tries hard and even if she didnt let down as good as she could, I knew she would still run a race. He said Catch The Glory would go for a break before being aimed at more stakes races. In the autumn I feel like shes got another level to give, he said. Irish import breaks through Top trainer Ciaron Maher believes Irish jockey Adam Farragher has a bright future after riding his first nice one, Spywire, perfectly to grab a maiden Australian victory at Kembla. Farragher had gone 16 rides without a win since joining Maher from William Haggas English stable and had his first opportunities at city level on Saturday. His opening chance was on Spywire in the third, and he urged him to the line to overhaul Hawker Hall by three-quarters of a length. The 25-year-old said it was great to get a nice winner to kick-start his time in Australia, which he hopes to make his home. Maher gave Farragher a start after meeting with him while in the UK this year. He said it was a brilliant ride on Spywire, which is headed to the $1 million Magic Millions Snippets on the Gold Coast. I had a few beers with him, and hes a good friend of a good friend of mine, Jamie Spencer, and he said he was interested in coming out, Maher said. I thought there was a spot for him and weve made him earn it. Hes ridden a few slow ones and this is his first nice one and he rode it perfect. Hes a strong jockey, he can ride any weight, his feedback is very good and hes very good to work with, so hopefully he goes the right way. Super result for Day Jockey Louise Day was grateful to trainer Ron Quinton for another chance with Super Nui after the mare gave her a rare Saturday city winner in the Midway Handicap at Kembla. Day led on Super Nui last start at Rosehill when the four-year-old finished eighth in a 1300m Midway. Up to 1400m in the same grade on Saturday, Super Nui raced in the one-one before taking over at the 200m and grinding out a one-length win. Louise Day after winning on Super Nui. Credit: Getty Images Im just thankful to Ron for running her here again, but letting me stay with her, Day said. Obviously she probably did too much the other day in front and she capitulated, but I set her straight for today and the track rode a lot softer than it walked, which was great for her. The Irishwoman had regular Saturday success when based in Sydney during the COVID period but has had just one NSW city win, at midweek level, over the previous two seasons. Ive ridden plenty of Saturday winners but not for a while, not since my apprentice days, she said. Sharp prospect aims up again Warwick Farm trainer Joe Pride hopes Weeping Woman can add to his growing list of stakes race wins this season at her next start after scoring back-to-back Saturday city victories. Weeping Woman, a five-year-old Lonhro mare, followed an 1100m benchmark 78 handicap win against her own sex at Rosehill with another over 1200m in the same grade at Kembla, edging out Jellicious over the last 200m. Johannesburg: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should give evidence to the US Congress over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested. The former Duke of York has been summoned by congresspeople to give evidence about his relationship with the late paedophile financier, ahead of the publication of the Epstein files. Starmer has largely avoided commenting on Mountbatten-Windsors involvement with Epstein, following protocol that the government does not criticise the royal family. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured in 2021, has been summoned by members of the US Congress to give evidence about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Credit: AP But following the former princes decision to renounce his remaining titles last month, the prime minister suggested that he should now go public with his knowledge of Epsteins contacts and behaviour. Sydney: Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former US president John F. Kennedy, has terminal cancer and less than a year to live, the 35-year-old has revealed. In an essay in The New Yorker on Saturday, Schlossberg disclosed that she had acute myeloid leukaemia, a diagnosis she received shortly after giving birth to her second child with husband George Moran in May last year. Tatiana Schlossbergs essay that revealed her cancer diagnosis was published on the 62nd anniversary of her grandfathers assassination. Credit: AP Doctors noticed after delivery that she had an abnormally high white blood cell count. It could just be something related to pregnancy and delivery, the doctor said, or it could be leukaemia, she wrote. Greene said her last day would be January 5, 2026. Her resignation will narrow the Republican majority in the House to 218 members over the Democrats 213. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Loading The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Conservative influencer Laura Loomer said Greenes departure from Congress would hamper Trumps agenda ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. She wants the Democrats to win, Loomer said on the social platform X. Greene was one of the most vocal and visible supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again politics, and she embraced some of his unapologetic political style. Her break with him was a notable fissure in his grip over conservatives, particularly his most ardent base. But her decision to step down in the face of his opposition put her on the same track as many of the more moderate establishment Republicans before her who went crosswise with Trump. The congresswoman, who recorded the video announcing her resignation while sitting in her living room wearing a cross necklace and with a Christmas tree and a peace lily plant behind her, said, My life is filled with happiness, and my true convictions remain unchanged, because my self-worth is not defined by a man, but instead by God. Greene had been closely tied to the Republican president since she launched her political career in 2020. In her video, she underscored her longtime loyalty to Trump except on a few issues, and said it was unfair and wrong that he attacked her for disagreeing. Loyalty should be a two-way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our districts interest, because our job title is literally representative, she said. Greene swept to office at the forefront of Trumps MAGA movement and swiftly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill for her often beyond-mainstream views. In her video, Greene said she had always been despised in Washington and just never fit in. Greene speaking ahead of then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at a campaign event in Atlanta in late 2024. Credit: AP As she embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and appeared with white supremacists, Greene was opposed by party leaders but welcomed by Trump. He called her a real WINNER! Yet over time she proved a deft legislator, having aligned herself with then-Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, who would go on to become House speaker. She was a trusted voice on the right flank, until McCarthy was ousted in 2023. While there has been an onslaught of lawmakers from both parties heading for the exits ahead of next years midterm elections, as the House struggles through an often chaotic session, Greenes announced retirement will ripple throughout the ranks and raise questions about her next moves. She was first elected to the House in 2020. She initially planned to run in a competitive district in northern Atlantas suburbs, but relocated to the much more conservative 14th District in Georgias northwest corner. Greene at a rally with Trump in 2021. Credit: AP The opening in her district means Republican Governor Brian Kemp will have to set a special election date within 10 days of Greenes resignation. Such a special election would include party primaries and a general election to fill out the remainder of Greenes term through January 2027. Those elections could take place before the party primaries in May for the next two-year term. Even before her election, Greene showed a penchant for harsh rhetoric and conspiracy theories, suggesting a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas was a coordinated attack to spur support for new gun restrictions. In 2018, she endorsed the idea that the US government perpetrated the attacks on September 11, 2001, and mused that a so-called plane had hit the Pentagon. She was once a sympathiser with QAnon, an online network that believes a global cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals, including US government leaders, operates a child sex-trafficking ring. She eventually distanced herself, saying she got sucked into some of the things I had seen on the internet. When Trump was out of power between his first and second terms, Greene was often a surrogate for his views and brash style in Washington. Greene before Trump addressed a joint session of Congress in March. Credit: AP While then-president Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address in 2022, Greene stood up and began chanting build the wall, referring to the U.S.-Mexico border wall that Trump began in his first term. Last year, when Biden gave his last State of the Union address, Greene again drew attention as she confronted him over border security and the killing of a nursing student from Georgia by an immigrant in the country illegally. Greene, wearing a red MAGA hat and a T-shirt about Riley, handed the president a button that said Say Her Name. The congresswoman then shouted that at the president midway through his speech. But this year, her first serving with Trump in the White House, cracks began to appear slowly in her steadfast support before it broke wide open. Greenes discontent dates back at least to May, when she announced she wouldnt run for the Senate against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, while attacking Republican donors and consultants who feared she couldnt win. Greene took the side of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, much to the chagrin of Trump. Credit: AP Greenes restlessness only intensified in July, when she announced she wouldnt run for Georgia governor, either. She was also frustrated with the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, which worked in lockstep with the president. Greene said in her video that the legislature has been mostly sidelined since Republicans took unified control of Washington in January and her bills just sit collecting dust. Thats how it is for most members of Congress bills, she said. The speaker never brings them to the floor for a vote. Republicans will likely lose the midterms elections next year, Greene said, and then shed be expected to defend the president against impeachment after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me. Its all so absurd and completely unserious, she said. Press Release from Business Wire: COP16 Riyadh (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 BELEM, Nov 22, 2025 (BSW) - At the high-level event Bridging Action Agendas from COP16 to COP30: Strengthening Synergies Across Land, Climate, and Nature, the UNCCD COP16 Presidency and UNFCCC COP30 Presidency convened leaders from government, international organisations, science, youth, cities, Indigenous Peoples and civil society. The five Presidencies of the Rio Conventions, including the UNFCCC COP30, CBD COP16, CBD COP17, UNCCD COP16 and UNCCD COP17, issued a joint call for deeper cooperation, building on the momentum of the Global Climate Action Agenda, the Riyadh Action Agenda, and the initiatives launched at CBD COP16 in Cali. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251122795622/en/ Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, H.E. Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, at COP30 High Level Event: Bridging Action Agendas from COP16 to COP30: Strengthening Synergies Across Land, Climate, and Nature. (Photo: AETOSWire) The Presidencies emphasised that land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected challenges that demand integrated responses, delivered through aligned action across the global initiatives and platforms driving the Rio Conventions' implementation. A central outcome of the session was the presentation of the Belem Joint Statement on Action Agendas, the first of its kind from the Action Agenda community. The statement reinforces shared efforts to restore degraded landscapes, protect ecosystems, strengthen drought and climate resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods through synergy-driven implementation tools such as the Synergies Collaboration Platform (SCP) and the Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PAS), alongside initiatives including the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership, Business for Land, and RAIZ. Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and advisor to the UNCCD COP16 Presidency, H.E. Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqeeha, said: "Synergies across the Rio Conventions are essential. Land degradation continues to rise at alarming levels, cutting across both biodiversity and climate agendas. After new negotiations, the world must now translate ambition into aligned, on-the-ground action. When land, climate and nature efforts move together, ecosystems recover faster and communities become more resilient." The CBD COP16 Presidency highlighted how aligning Action Agendas across the Conventions enhances the impact of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while the COP30 Presidency welcomed the strengthened momentum ahead of the Amazon COP, noting that synergy-driven implementation will be critical to delivering the goals of COP30 and beyond. Youth representatives, scientific institutions and city leaders stressed the importance of innovation, inclusive partnerships and locally grounded solutions. Indigenous representatives reaffirmed that rights-based approaches and traditional knowledge must remain at the heart of implementation efforts. The event concluded with a collective recognition that synergy-driven implementation-supported by Action Agenda initiatives, cross-Convention platforms and whole-of-society engagement-will be central to accelerating progress toward 2030. The UNCCD COP16 Presidency reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cooperation across land, climate and nature agendas, as the world prepares for the first Global Stocktake on Land, to be delivered at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar next year. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251122795622/en/ Contact Abdulaziz S. Al Wosifer, Advisor to the Deputy Minister, COP16Riyadh[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. Controversy resurfaced this week after a viral post alleged that a Chinese sasaeng plans to release new "evidence" claiming BTS's Jimin and actress Song Da Eun are in a secret relationship. The rumor continues to gain traction among some online communities, despite previous denials and fans calling such claims baseless. According to Koreaboo, the speculation emerged after an online poster (OP) on Nate Pann claimed a sasaeng was threatening to reveal additional proof, allegedly including videos of Jimin and Song Da Eun's dog a pet frequently visible on the actress's social media accounts. The Nate Pann post was widely shared, and, once again, users commented on a range of those posts, questioning the authenticity of the OP's images and videos. Then, given the prominence of the OP's post, many quotes from netizens on whether the content had been altered. One commenter expressed strong skepticism. "Where did you run some low-grade AI that leaves out the tattoo under the ear, lol. Sometimes the dog's hind legs are there, sometimes not, lol. Look at the IDs, they're all Jungkook akgaes, right? Don't deny it. You call everything about your fave AI, so why are you bringing something this obviously made with a low-grade app? It's embarrassing. Can't you read Korean? Stop harassing people.." Another Nate Pann user reacted with disbelief over the rumored pairing. The commenter stated, "It really is a combination I never could've imagined." The same user expressed frustration with what they viewed as escalating fan drama. The commenter added, "Doesn't matter if it's a sasaeng or whatever the woman herself posted a video of the house to prove it, lolololol." "Tell them to go to a hospital first." "Hey, knock it off." "Seriously, someone else's post that a real sasaeng uploaded is making the OP suffer a lot. The pain of creation." As the discussion continued on Nate Pann, many fans insisted the alleged "evidence" appeared AI-generated, while others argued that the OP merely highlighted publicly posted material. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between celebrity privacy, fan speculation, and the rapid spread of unverified claims on social platforms. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is not afraid to speak his mind boldly, even if it means taking occasional jabs at competitors. During a recent podcast appearance, Kirby pulled no punches regarding American Airlines, one of United's competitors in the U.S. market. According to One Mile At A Time's Ben Schlappig, Kirby implied that American, which has gone through well-publicized struggles lately and previously filed for bankruptcy once before, in 2011, is on its way out. United and Delta the 'Big Two,' says Kirby Kirby has been CEO at United since 2020 after serving as president starting in 2016. He was also the president at American Airlines from 2013-16. During Kirby's appearance on the Nov. 19 episode of the "Airlines Confidential" podcast, host Scott McCartney asked what he envisioned the airline industry would look like in five or 10 years. Per Schlappig, Kirby said he expects to see "two large, revenue diverse, full service, brand loyal airlines," a not-so-subtle exclusion of American. When McCartney asked him to confirm he meant two and not three, Kirby responded theres two today, and there will only be two, and that everyone else is sort of competing for spill traffic. "He also had some direct comments about Americans struggles in Chicago, as United has continued to gain market share there," Schlappig wrote. "He said he 'wouldnt want to play Americans hand' in Chicago, and he 'knows when to hold em, and knows when to fold em.'" Kirby not backing down This isn't the first time Kirby has publicly challenged American about Chicago in particular. Back in September, he claimed the company was losing $800 million at Chicago O'Hare Airport and boasted that United was going to force American out of the major hub. American CEO Robert Isom fired back at Kirby's assertion last month, saying that "of course" there's enough room in Chicago for two major hub carriers. "It's been doing it forever. American has served Chicago now for almost 100 years, and we're looking to serve it well into the future," Isom said. It's going to be our third largest hub. There aren't many 500 departure hubs out there." What does this mean for American? Well, as we said, Kirby has a tendency to think and talk big, but that doesn't mean he's right that American is doomed. Still, there's no denying the airline is in trouble and needs some type of major course correction in order to endure long-term. Will we see it soon? This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Nov 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Gaza civil defence says 21 killed in Israeli strikes Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Gaza's civil defence agency said 21 people were killed and dozens more wounded in multiple Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian territory on Saturday, further straining the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas. Both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, which came into effect on October 10. The Israeli military said an "armed terrorist" had crossed the so-called Yellow Line boundary within the Gaza Strip, behind which Israeli troops have withdrawn, and fired at soldiers, in a "blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement". The Israeli military said that in response to the incident in southern Gaza, on a route used for humanitarian aid deliveries in the territory, it "began striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip". Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency which operates under Hamas authority, told AFP there were "21 martyrs this evening in five separate Israeli air strikes, in a clear violation of the ceasefire in Gaza". AFP has sought a comment from the Israeli military on Saturday's air strikes. The first reported strike targeted a vehicle in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood in western Gaza City. An AFP photographer at the scene witnessed the burned-out car. Passers-by approached the wreckage, with children appearing to be trying to salvage food from inside. Israel and Hamas agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect last month after more than two years of war. On Wednesday, Gaza saw one of its deadliest days since the truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect, with officials reporting 27 fatalities. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza on Thursday, 312 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took hold. 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 69,733 people, according to figures from the health ministry that the UN considers reliable. Thousands march in France to demand action on violence against women Paris, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Thousands of protesters across France braved the cold on Saturday to express their anger over the persistence of violence against women and demand more public action and funds to combat the scourge. In Paris, crowds of demonstrators -- 50,000 according to organisers, though official figures were not yet available -- waved signs, chanted, danced and sang as they moved through the capital in the protests organised by the Greve feministe (Feminist Strike) collective of some 60 organisations. "A man kills a woman every 2.5 days in France," read one placard distributed by the feminist collective NousToutes (All of us Women). "Nine out of 10 victims know their rapist," read another. "It's 2025, is it still normal to count our dead women?" said Sylvaine Grevin, president of the national femicide victims' federation, who lost her sister in 2017, ahead of the start of the Paris demonstration. Hundreds of protesters also gathered in the cold in other cities, creating crowds awash in purple -- a colour linked to feminism. "We have the right to be loved without being abused," said 20-year-old student Juliette in Lille in northern France. The associations behind the protests are calling for the adoption of a comprehensive framework law against violence, along with a three billion euro budget ($3.5 billion) to implement it. They are also calling for improved education and funding for groups that support victims of violence. According to official figures published Thursday by MIPROF, a government organisation tasked with protecting women from violence and fighting human trafficking, the number of intimate partner femicides rose by 11 percent between 2023 and 2024, with 107 women killed by their partner or ex-partner. A woman is a victim of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault every two minutes, and every 23 seconds of sexual harassment, indecent exposure, or the unsolicited sending of sexual content, according to MIPROF. The Women's Foundation women's rights group estimates the minimum annual budget the government should allocate to protecting victims of domestic, gender-based and sexual violence in France is 2.6 billion euros -- equivalent to 0.5 percent of the state budget. mep-kal-ldf-lby/sw/giv Gaza civil defence says 21 killed in Israeli strikes Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Gaza's civil defence agency said 21 people were killed and dozens more wounded in multiple Israeli air strikes on Saturday, as Hamas and Israel again traded allegations of violating the fragile ceasefire. Saturday was one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10, after two years of war. The Israeli military said an "armed terrorist" had crossed the so-called Yellow Line within the Gaza Strip, behind which Israeli forces have withdrawn, and fired at Israeli soldiers. In response to the incident in southern Gaza, which it said was on a route used for humanitarian aid deliveries in the territory, the Israeli military said it "began striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip". Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency which operates under Hamas authority, told AFP there were "21 martyrs this evening in five separate Israeli air strikes, in a clear violation of the ceasefire in Gaza". They included seven killed and more than 16 injured in a strike on a house in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, and four killed and several injured in an air strike on a residential apartment in the Al-Nasr district, west of Gaza City, he said. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, as of Thursday, 312 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire since the truce took hold. - Children carried into hospital - Bassal said one strike hit a house in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. At Al-Aqsa hospital in Deir el-Balah, AFP witnessed children being brought to the hospital in ambulances and carried inside. Some casualties were taken in on stretchers. Health ministry spokesman Khalil al-Daqran said "more than 20 injured" had been brought to the hospital, "most of them women and children". "Among the injuries, there are many severe wounds to the head and chest," he told AFP. The first reported strike targeted a vehicle in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood in western Gaza City. Five people were killed and several injured, said Bassal. An AFP photographer at the scene witnessed passers-by approaching the wreckage of the burnt-out car, with children appearing to be trying to salvage food from inside. -Truce violation claims - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office accused Hamas of breaching the truce agreement. "Hamas violated the ceasefire again, sending a terrorist into Israel held territory to attack IDF soldiers," it said on X. "In response, Israel eliminated five senior Hamas terrorists." "Israel has fully honoured the ceasefire, Hamas has not. We again call on the mediators to insist that Hamas fulfil its side of the ceasefire." In a statement, Hamas said the "escalation" of Israeli violations were "attempts to undermine the ceasefire". "We call on the mediators to intervene urgently and exert pressure to stop these violations immediately." The Palestinian foreign ministry, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, condemned the strikes. It urged the international community to put "immediate pressure" on Israel in order to "stop the massacres". - Ceasefire 'pointless' - The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said the ceasefire scale-up of aid deliveries into Gaza "is still being held back by restrictions affecting visas and import approvals, too few crossing points operating" and other impediments. Jihad Abed Al-Aziz, who was displaced to Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, was at a food distribution point where dozens of people jostled for a pan of rice. "A ceasefire is pointless," the 55-year-old told AFP. "The crossings do not bring in enough to give us food, supplies, or even the basics of life. "We have lost our jobs, our homes, and everything in our lives. Life itself has no meaning any more." 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 69,733 people, according to figures from the health ministry that the UN considers reliable. 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. 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) Fellow London restaurateur Soren Jessen, owner of 1 Lombard Street opposite the Bank of England, is another experienced operator who says that while he is doing well in terms of sales growth profitability is so fragile that he cannot risk taking on more staff. We have seen like-to-like top line growth of 10 per cent but we need that just to keep up with the bills, he says. Its really quite stressful if you have to chase sales and still cant make a profit. And were in the City of London, were in the best position any restaurant can be. I dread to think what its like out in the countryside. The court was also told that in 2018, Purkiss had allegedly responded with a smiling face emoji after a colleague posted a picture of himself outside the hotel in the town of Nanyuki with the comment if you know you know, while also referencing the septic tank. Kevin Eltife, chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, speaks duiring the University of Texas at Austins university-wide Commencement Ceremony. Eltife and fellow regents voted this week to extend a free tuition promise program to undergraduate students at health institutions. Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman Last year, University of Texas regents stunned Texas with a commitment to cover the tuition needs of Texas students from households with a combined income of $100,000 or less but only for undergraduate students at its nine academic institutions. On Thursday, regents approved a measure to extend the same promise to undergraduate students at its health institutions, expanding access to affordable education in high-need fields across the state. Advertisement Article continues below this ad UT Health School of Nursing students Deodane Moreno, left, and Alyssa Martinez, right, check on a simulated patient in the clinical performance lab July 13, 2018 in Houston. Michael Ciaglo/Houston Chronicle By extending Promise Plus to UT health institutions, we are investing in the states healthcare workforce, said University of Texas System Chairman Kevin Eltife in a statement. We are proud of the leading role that UT institutions play in this area of critical need. The goal is for the Promise Plus scholarship program to fill gaps not met by federal, state or private aid for students from households with annual gross combined income of $100,000 or less subject to the institution having sufficient funds to achieve the goal, per the agenda item. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The students must be full-time students and Texas residents with unmet need to qualify. The existing Promise Plus program will fund the expansion with help from the institutions themselves. Regents created the Promise Plus Endowment with a $300 million investment in 2022 and added $35 million more from the system's Available University Fund last year when it pledged to serve more students. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The University of Texas System Board of Regents listens to a presentation about an internal audit during a meeting at the University of Texas System building in Downtown Austin, Nov. 20, 2024. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman/Austin American-Statesman UT System, the largest university system in the state, has more than 254,000 students total. The demands on health care are the highest theyve ever been, according to the Texas Hospital Association. There arent enough health care professionals to meet the needs of the growing population. University of Texas institutions educate more than half of Texass future health professionals and its facilities treat more than 2.4 million Texans each year, Eltife said. UT System has five health institutions: UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT Medical Branch at Galveston, UT Health Science Center at Houston, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad UT Academic Medical Center Eltife also announced at the board meeting that regents are looking for a larger site for the UT Academic Medical Center. They are considering an alternate site on UT land north of downtown by the Domain after initially saying the build would happen on the Erwin Center site. No decision has been made yet. The new UT Academic Medical Center, a $2.5 billion project will be "one of the biggest projects of this generation," Eltife said, further cementing UT's leadership in the health space. The facility will include an MD Anderson Cancer Center and a UT hospital. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were not just building an integrated academic medical center, Eltife said. Were building a district for the future. LaToya Forbins raises a fist as activists protest against mid-decade redistricting at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday night temporarily restored Texas GOP-heavy congressional map after a lower court found the redistricting plan was likely racially gerrymandered. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday night temporarily restored Texas GOP-heavy congressional map after a lower court found the redistricting plan was likely racially gerrymandered. The order from Justice Samuel Alito temporarily protects a map that delivers five additional winnable U.S. House seats to the GOP while the justices consider a more permanent ruling. It came down an hour after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton formally appealed to the high court, asking for a ruling by Dec. 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As is customary for temporary orders, Alito did not outline his reasoning. He asked the plaintiffs, a coalition of civil rights groups, to file a response to Paxtons petition by 5 p.m. Monday. Congressional candidates in the state began filing for office earlier this month and have until Dec. 8 just over two weeks from now to declare for the March 3 primaries. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Texas Republicans, at the behest of President Donald Trump, undertook the unusual step of redrawing the state's map mid-decade as a means to minimize any Republican losses in the closely divided U.S. House. Republicans hold a slender majority, and national Democrats see an opportunity to wrest control after the elections. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lower courts order had found the new map likely violated the U.S. Constitution because it was drawn based on race, rather than purely for partisan gain. Texas leaders have insisted that their aim in redistricting is to pick up new GOP seats. But Gov. Greg Abbott and others also cited a letter from the Trump administration ahead of the effort that called for a redraw to fix past racially based decisions. By noting the document, the lower court found that Abbott explicitly directed the Legislature to redistrict based on race. The Supreme Court justices did not weigh in on that argument in its decision Friday. The uncertainty from the legal case is reminiscent of what unfolded in late 2011 when the Republican-friendly congressional map drawn by the Legislature was declared unconstitutional. At that time the first new map drafted by a three-judge panel was set aside. A second court-drawn map was finally put in place, but it came so late in the process that the 2012 primaries had to be delayed. Packages being processed for shipping Image by Canva The U.S. Postal Service announced that it will increase prices for most shipping services beginning January 18, 2026, pending regulatory approval, as the self-funded agency works to narrow persistent financial losses. The changes, already approved by the USPS Board of Governors, would raise Priority Mail rates by about 6.6%, Priority Mail Express by 5.1%, USPS Ground Advantage by 7.8%, and Parcel Select by 6%. Prices for mailing services, including the cost of a First-Class stamp, will remain unchanged in January. The move follows the release of fiscal 2025 results showing a $9 billion net loss, slightly better than the $9.5 billion the prior year. Operating revenue rose 1.2% to $80.5 billion, helped by growth in the Ground Advantage service and earlier price adjustments. Postmaster General David Steiner said the agency must explore new revenue opportunities and public policy changes to improve our business model to correct ongoing financial imbalances, Newsweek reported. Chief financial officer Luke Grossmann described the results as reflecting the difficulties of our mandated cost structure and the continued decline in volume, partially offset by cost-control efforts and use of pricing authority, according to Newsweek. Unlike most federal agencies, the Postal Service receives no taxpayer funding for operations and depends almost entirely on revenue from postage and shipping. At a USPS Board of Governors meeting last week, Steiner noted that customers send about 110 billion fewer pieces through the U.S. mail annually than 18 years ago, representing over $85 billion in lost revenue. No business could overcome that magnitude of a revenue drop. So, it is not surprising that the Postal Service has struggled, Steiner said. Even though the cost of mailing letters and packages in the U.S. has increased over the years, it is still relatively inexpensive compared to other countries. We deliver at a uniform price, at a speed and reliability unmatched when compared to the world. The fact that you can mail a letter from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Fairbanks, Alaska a distance of about 3,900 miles for just 78 cents is astonishing, Steiner said. Especially when in Italy, for example, a country 33 times smaller than the United States, the price of a stamp is about $3. In France, the price is $1.60, and the longest distance that letter will travel in France is about 600 miles. And in Estonia, a country 210 times smaller than the United States, the price of a stamp is over $2, Steiner said, adding that We deliver at a uniform price, at a speed and reliability unmatched when compared to the world. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code With a market cap of $19.4 billion, Corpay, Inc. (CPAY) is a global corporate payments leader that helps businesses and consumers manage expenses efficiently through modern payment solutions. With over 800,000 clients worldwide, Corpay simplifies vehicle, travel, and vendor payments, driving time and cost savings across industries. The fuel card and payment products provider's shares have lagged behind the broader market over the past 52 weeks. CPAY stock has decreased 24.9% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied 10.5%. Moreover, shares of the company are down 18.1% on a YTD basis, compared to SPXs 11.2% return. More News from Barchart In addition, shares of the Atlanta, Georgia-based company have also underperformed the Financial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLF) 3.2% rise over the past 52 weeks and a 5.8% YTD gain. www.barchart.com Shares of CPAY climbed 6.2% following its Q3 2025 results on Nov. 5. The company delivered stronger-than-expected adjusted EPS of $5.70 and revenue rising 14% to $1.17 billion, in line with forecasts. Investors were encouraged by 11% organic revenue growth, driven by 17% growth in the Corporate Payments segment, along with a 14% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $676.7 million. Also, the management raised its full-year 2025 outlook, which includes adjusted net income of $1.50 billion - $1.52 billion and adjusted EPS of $21.14 - $21.34, supported by recent acquisitions and investments. For the fiscal year ending in December 2025, analysts expect Corpays EPS to grow 13.8% year-over-year to $20.18. The companys earnings surprise history is promising. It beat the consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters while missing on another occasion. Among the 16 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a Moderate Buy. Thats based on eight Strong Buy ratings, two Moderate Buys, and six Holds. www.barchart.com On Nov. 6, JPMorgan cut its price target on Corpay to $350, while maintaining an Overweight rating. The mean price target of $353.54 represents a 27.5% premium to CPAYs current price levels. The Street-high price target of $440 suggests a 58.7% potential upside. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal 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 Wheat is leaking lower on Friday morning, with contracts down across the three markets. The wheat complex continued this weeks pullback on Thursday, as weakness was felt across the three exchanges. Chicago SRW futures were mostly 8 to 10 cents lower on Thursday. Preliminary open interest was down 1,445 contracts, with a bulk of that out of December, down 7,850 contracts. KC HRW futures were down 7 to 10 cents on the day. Open interest was down 7,056 contracts on Thursday, with 6,805 contracts leaving December. MPLS spring wheat futures closed with losses of 3 to 8 cents. USDA reported a private export sale of 132,000 MT of white wheat to China on Thursday morning. More News from Barchart Export Sales from Thursday for the week of 10/2 showed 887,864 MT in wheat sales, exceeding analysts estimates of 350,000 and 600,000 MT. That was a marketing year high for wheat. Saudi Arabia issued a tender to buy 300,000 MT of wheat with offers due on Friday. SovEcon estimates the 2026 Russian wheat crop at 83.8 MMT, down from their 2025 crop estimate at 88.6 MMT. FranceAgriMer data showed 98% of the countrys soft wheat crop in good/excellent condition, with 95% of the crop planted. Monthly International Grains Council data was updated today, with world wheat production up 3 MMT. Consumption was down 1 MMT, with stocks unchanged at 275 MMT. Dec 25 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.27, down 9 3/4 cents, currently down 1 1/2 cents Mar 26 CBOT Wheat closed at $5.40 3/4, down 8 3/4 cents, currently down 2 1/4 cents Dec 25 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.06 1/4, down 9 1/4 cents, currently up 1/4 cents Mar 26 KCBT Wheat closed at $5.23 3/4, down 8 cents, currently down 1 1/2 cents Dec 25 MGEX Wheat closed at $5.73 3/4, down 8 1/2 cents, currently down 2 1/4 cents Mar 26 MGEX Wheat closed at $5.81 1/2, down 5 1/4 cents, currently down 1 1/4 cents On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com A training drone produced by Michigan-based AG3 Labs on display during the Operation Flytrap 4.5 exercise at the Putlos Training Area in Germany. Company representatives said they received invitations to participate in several events in Europe next year. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) PUTLOS TRAINING AREA, Germany The Armys hunt for cost-effective ways to counter drones brought industry and NATO countries together this week in Germany, where troops tested various items and visiting allies got to do some window-shopping. Project Flytrap 4.5, which ended Friday, was the first such event to combine specialized Army counter-drone training with a competition intended to get emerging technology into the hands of soldiers more quickly, organizers said. The roughly two-week training built on previous iterations of Project Flytrap, a series of U.S.-led military exercises focused on experimenting with and improving the technology and tactics used to combat unmanned aircraft. However, this one differed from previous editions by allowing about a dozen companies to test their technology with soldiers out in the field and vie for a cash prize. The presence of acquisition, contracting and testing authorities on the training field also fundamentally changed the event, shifting it toward moving promising systems directly into rapid prototyping and potential fielding, Army officials said. As we move forward, not only here in Europe but in the Pacific and everywhere that were going to take this process, at the back end, theres an opportunity for a contract hard, fast dollars, said Col. Chris Hill, who was recently selected to lead the Armys new Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate. Integrating industry into real training events also will encourage greater private-sector investment, Hill said. An Italian military representative examines a counter-drone device during the Project Flytrap 4.5 exercise at Putlos Training Area, Germany, Nov. 21, 2025. The event combined regular Army counter-drone training with an industry competition intended to get emerging technology into the hands of NATO troops more quickly. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) U.S.-based Swarm Defense Technologies was one of about a dozen companies that worked with American troops during Project Flytrap 4.5, which wrapped up Nov. 21, 2025. The event brought Army acquisition, contracting and testing officials into the field in Europe, a shift aimed at shortening the path from demonstration to fielding of new counter-drone systems. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Army Sgt. Jarran Sanner of the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment shoots at a drone swarm during Project Flytrap 4.5 at the Putlos Training Area in Germany on Nov. 21, 2025. A system made by the company ZeroMark was installed on Sanners weapon that allowed him to improve his aim in firing on small drones. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A simulated drone swarm flies above the Putlos Training Area in northern Germany on Nov. 21, 2025, during the exercise Project Flytrap 4.5. The training was combined with an industry competition intended to get emerging technology into the hands of soldiers more quickly. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Flytrap 4.5 supported NATOs Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, a unified air-defense plan developed in light of the Russia-Ukraine wars exposure of gaps in the alliances ability to detect, track and defeat large numbers of drones and missiles. The concept envisions manned and robotic forces linked by a shared data network that uses cheap, easily replaceable hardware and software to feed live targeting information to frontline robotic platforms. The robots can strike drones and ground forces while absorbing initial attacks. Officials from across NATO attended the event, and organizers said a central goal was introducing member countries to emerging solutions for a problem that has grown more pressing of late. Since September, a wave of drone incursions, often blamed on Russia, have forced NATO to scramble costly fighter jets, sharpening the need for practical, low-cost countermeasures. Everyone asks, How do I, said Col. Hailey Bairu, commander of the 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, alluding to the search for ways to fend off drones like the ones that have recently put Europe on edge. Our answer is, This is how you do it. Western inventors, they have it solved, Bairu added. We just need to refine the procurement process. More than 200 U.S. and international firms applied to participate in Flytrap 4.5, and a dozen were selected for their potential contribution to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line. Soldiers from the Germany-based 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment worked directly with the companies and their systems during the event. Armaments Research Co. was one of four firms that the soldiers chose to receive a $350,000 prize. It demonstrated a passive sensor that fits inside a rifles pistol grip and collects such data as where the weapon is pointed, when it is fired and how many rounds are used. The data can trigger automated resupply, alert tactical operations centers when units are low on ammunition or under drone attack, and cue active-defeat systems. Youre not reducing lethality by having to have a soldier drop his weapon (and) pick up his radio to call for more ammo, said Kevin Kolego, the companys vice president of growth. Every single soldier that has a rifle is now a data node. Another winner, MatrixSpace, produces a smartphone-sized radar that can be set up by soldiers in minutes and provides coverage within drone flying range up to 2,000 feet from the ground, where traditional radars have struggled. They can put these out and blanket an entire area, said Matthew Kling, the companys vice president and general manager for artificial intelligence systems. Ukraines experience with mass drone attacks shows why large numbers of inexpensive sensors are necessary, Kling added. Airspace incursions around Europe have prompted a determined search for countermeasures. For example, Poland and Romania just purchased the U.S.-made Merops system. In a number of instances, NATO air forces scrambled advanced fighter jets, which cost tens of thousands of dollars per flight hour, to respond to drones that are often much cheaper. Affordability is a central aim of the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, which seeks systems that cost less than the threats they are designed to defeat. MatrixSpace officials said their portable radars cost about $40,000 each. Vendors at Flytrap 4.5 said prices are likely to fall as orders increase. The exercises industry component proved fruitful, as several companies reported immediate interest from European partners. Fortem Technologies, which makes an autonomous drone that hunts other drones using its own radar and fires a net, said it is in talks with Italian and Estonian officials. A representative of Michigan-based AG3 Labs, which produces $1,200 training drones capable of flying in swarms, said several countries approached the firm during Flytrap. Weve already been asked to come to four events next year, company adviser Nick Smock said. So we better get used to Europe. I think well be over here a lot more. Naval Academy Class of 2026 members pose in their team jerseys. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments this week, and then they suited up. But the uniforms on display were not the standard for Navy or Marine Corps: This year, the midshipmen sported team jerseys, representing their branch and their specific specialty. U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte celebrates with members of the Class of 2026 after they received their service assignments in Bancroft Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Kenneth D. Aston Jr./U.S. Navy) U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte celebrates with members of the Class of 2026 after they received their service assignments in Bancroft Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Kenneth D. Aston Jr./U.S. Navy) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Sarah M. Thielen/U.S. Navy) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte celebrates with members of the Class of 2026 after they received their service assignments in Bancroft Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Kenneth D. Aston/U.S. Navy) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) Members of the Naval Academys Class of 2026 received their service assignments on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (U.S. Naval Academy/Facebook) They had selected from 22 different career choices in the Navy and Marine Corps and submitted up to six of their service assignment preferences in late August this year. The Class of 2026 has 1,063 assignments, 796 in the Navy and 267 in the Marine Corps assignments. The breakdown by community: Aviation Maintenance Duty Officer: 1 Civil Engineer Corps: 7 Cryptologic Warfare: 8 Cyber Warfare Engineer: 6 Explosive Ordnance Disposal: 18 Information Professional: 6 Intelligence: 5 Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer: 8 Medical Corps: 4 Naval Flight Officer: 64 Naval Special Warfare: 30 Oceanography: 3 Pilot: 237 Submarines: 132 Supply Corps: 7 Surface Warfare (SWO): 201 SWO (Engineering Duty Officer): 13 SWO (Nuclear): 41 SWO (Oceanography Option): 5 USMC Cyber: 8 USMC Ground: 178 USMC Pilot: 81 According the academy, about 79% of midshipmen in the Class of 2026 received their first choice, and a combined 94% received their first or second choice. Midshipmen who will commission as Surface Warfare Officers will select their first ships during the annual Ship Selection Night in February. Marseilles National Guard Training Center in Marseilles, Ill., Nov. 20, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune/TNS) Some 300 Illinois National Guard members, activated by the Trump administration as part of the Operation Midway Blitz deportation raids and over the objections of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, have spent more than a month housed not at a federal installation but at a state-owned National Guard training site an arrangement that comes as determining precise costs for the Guard deployments in Illinois and across the nation remains a moving target. Despite Pritzkers opposition to the deployments as a whole, hes allowed the federalized Illinois National Guard troops to be stationed at the Illinois Army National Guard training area in Marseilles, about 75 miles southwest of Chicago. Republican President Donald Trump activated the troops earlier in the fall to ostensibly assist and protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents while they carried out immigration raids in the Chicago region. Unlike the Illinois troops, about 200 Texas National Guard troops that Trump federalized and sent to Illinois were stationed at the federal U.S. Army Reserve training center in Elwood near Joliet. Other than for a single day in October, all of the troops stayed on the sidelines amid numerous court battles and judicial rulings. The troops from Texas left Illinois last week, but the Illinois troops remain at Marseilles, state officials confirmed to the Tribune. The lack of any substantive work by Guard troops on the streets of Illinois has ramped up criticism that the Trump deployments in Illinois were a waste of money. But determining how much has been spent remains elusive. In addition to deploying troops to Illinois, Trump also claimed he needed to federalize Guard troops in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, and Memphis, Tennessee, to assist with immigration raids, crack down on protests or assist in deterring crime. The costs for all those deployments were estimated at about $473 million by the progressive-leaning Institute for Policy Studies, which derived its figures from public records and the news website The Intercept. Most of that came from spending in L.A. and Washington, but the portion spent for Illinois and Texas Guard member deployments to the Chicago area was estimated to cost $12.8 million which includes $8.15 million for the 300 Illinois troops from Oct. 4 through Nov. 15 and about $4.66 million for the 200 Texas troops from Oct. 10 through Nov. 15, according to the study. Citing figures from the Army, Democratic Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbins office said the expected operations, maintenance and personnel costs for federalizing all 500 National Guard soldiers in Illinois for a full two months was $19.4 million, which works out to $323,333 per day. At an unrelated news conference in Chicago on Friday, Durbin said the Trump administration has thrown money away with its National Guard deployments, considering a very small percentage of the people arrested by immigration officers during Operation Midway Blitz had criminal histories. Ninety-eight percent of that money was wasted, wasted to create a reign of fear and terror in this Chicago community, Durbin said. If you want to help and reduce crime, and we all do, invest in law enforcement that is in the community and effective and it shows results. This moving National Guardsmen from Texas and other states is a waste of money for taxpayers. I dont want to take anything away from the National Guard. Theyre wonderful people. I work with them all the time. And they responded as they were required to do under law, he said. But when it came to actual results to justify the money spent, Im sorry, it just wasnt there. David Harris, who once served as the Illinois National Guards adjutant general, questioned the purpose of having state Guard members activated by the federal government. The frustrating thing in my mind as the former adjutant general is the fact that theyve been taken away from their families, theyve been taken away from their jobs and put in a situation where theyre just sitting and doing routine training operations that really didnt need to occur, said Harris, who is now director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. If I were still the adjutant general, I would generate a bill to send to the federal government, saying you, the federal government, are using one of my state facilities and I need to be reimbursed for the additional expense. Spokespeople for the White House, Pentagon, Texas National Guard and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office either did not respond to inquiries about National Guard costs or could not provide any figures. Pritzker, a chief Trump rival and potential 2028 White House contender, vehemently opposed the deployment of all Guard troops, calling it unnecessary and part of a Trump political stunt to force Guard members to work as essentially police officers. I refuse to stay silent about this and let the slow encroachment of our freedoms and liberties continue unabated, Pritzker said days before the Trump administration formally deployed the Guard in early October. The state of Illinois and all of us will continue to fight this with everything we have. Pritzker, days later, even helped spearhead a state lawsuit to prevent Guard troops from being deployed onto the streets. Nevertheless, after the Illinois National Guard troops were federalized, the governor allowed them to use the state facility in Marseilles. In a statement last week, a Pritzker spokesperson said the use of the Marseilles training ground ensured the federalized Illinois troops had enough room to be accommodated, allowed them to stay close to home, and provided them access to appropriate facilities, which included functioning showers, internet access and a small United Service Organization center for recreational activities. Governor Pritzker has always prioritized the wellbeing of Illinois soldiers and their families, and has long advocated for President Trump to stop using the brave men and women of our military as political pawns, Pritzkers office said in the statement. These service members may be under federal orders, but they are still Illinoisians, and the Governor is committed to making sure they are treated with dignity. The governors office added that the use of the Marseilles site and other associated costs, such as meals and lodging, are either directly paid by the federal government or 100 percent federally reimbursed. The Illinois Army National Guard and U.S. Army North are responsible for coordinating the payment and reimbursement process. The Illinois National Guard members were called up after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo on Oct. 4 announcing their deployment for at least 60 days to protect ICE agents and other federal government personnel at locations where violent demonstrations would take place in the Chicago area against the administrations efforts to deport en masse immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission. The Texas Guard members were called up around the same time but they were deployed for only 41 of those days before being sent home. The Trump administration is still overseeing the federalized Illinois Guard troops. Despite often tense clashes between federal immigration enforcement officers and protesters, including during regular protests outside an ICE processing facility in west suburban Broadview, the Illinois National Guard members were never deployed to Broadview or the other locations of protests, as they were kept off the streets due to the ongoing legal dispute between the state of Illinois and the Trump administration, which is now before the U.S. Supreme Court. While the National Guard has at times been called out against the wishes of a governor, such as during the civil rights clashes of the 1960s, this is the first time in history that the National Guard has been called to Illinois against the wishes of its governor, a former commander of the Illinois National Guard said. The effort to deploy the National Guard with federal immigration agents puts soldiers in a sticky situation, said retired Maj. Gen. Richard Hayes Jr., who commanded the Illinois National Guard under Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner from 2015 to 2019. Politics is not a matter for the military, Hayes said. Soldiers didnt sign up to be in the middle of the politics of this, I guarantee you. Soldiers love to serve, he said, as when the Guard responded to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Hayes said Guard members are trained to respond to local disasters such as flooding, foreign deployments for war, and civil disturbances. Most are not trained in law enforcement, he said. Despite the court order temporarily prohibiting deployment of the National Guard in Illinois, state Guard members continue to serve worldwide, he said. Some 800 soldiers were deployed this fall, carrying out security missions, making infrastructure improvements and handling logistics from the Middle East to Poland and Africa. At any time, Guard members may be training as snipers, combat medics, safely containing explosive substances, serving on a counterdrug task force, or training with foreign allies, and running a quasi-military camp for at-risk high school-age kids. All this from a force that is more than 80% part time, serving one weekend a month and two weeks a year. But the deployment of the Texas National Guard in Illinois was another matter. I call you up, we ship you to (near) Joliet, you sleep in a construction trailer away from your job and family thats not what I would like, Hayes said. At a news conference this fall with Pritzker, former Illinois National Guard commander Maj. Gen. William Enyart spoke out against the deployments. Enyart served some 35 years in the military and led the Guards deployment against Mississippi River flooding in 2011 before becoming a one-term Democratic downstate congressman in 2013. He is also a member of the nonprofit, nonpartisan National Security Leaders for America, which opposed recent National Guard deployments and condemned Trumps call to use cities as training grounds for troops. Enyart called it offensive for immigration enforcement officers to be dressed and armed like soldiers while arresting detainees, arguing it confuses the publics distinction between police and the military. They signed up to be part-time soldiers, not part-time policemen, Enyart said of the Guard troops. Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella contributed. 2025 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Swimmers swim away from the La Jolla Cove just after the start of a race during the La Jolla Cove Swim in La Jolla on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV for The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS) (Tribune News Service) San Diego is paying out $750,000 to a Naval Academy student from Rancho Santa Fe for injuries she suffered when a city lifeguard ran over her with a personal watercraft, more commonly known by the brand name Jet Ski. The case made waves last year because it painted the citys lifeguard division as hypocritical for continually blaming reckless personal-watercraft activity on illegal rental companies not providing users safety instructions. The lawsuit filed by Ali Polidori and her family, which sought $3 million in damages, says lifeguards themselves are a key part of the problem, based on the behavior of one guard in December 2023 at La Jolla Cove. The suit says the lifeguard ripped open Polidoris head while going more than 20 mph on a watercraft in La Jolla Coves swimming area, where all vessels are banned except those driven by lifeguards. The lawsuit says the lifeguard, who was responding to an emergency call of another swimmer in distress, was traveling unreasonably and dangerously fast and wasnt exercising due caution. A spokesperson for City Attorney Heather Ferbert declined Monday to comment on the settlement, which the City Council is scheduled to approve Tuesday in open session. It was approved in closed session in September. While Lifeguard Chief James Gartland has focused on illegal rentals as the key to problems with personal watercraft, he has never said they are the only problem related to the devices. Gartland has stressed that crashes are more common when people rent from illegal operators, which typically focus less on explaining safety protocols and how to avoid hazards in the bay. Lifeguards receive extensive training on how to operate the devices, city officials say. The Polidori lawsuit is at least the second the city is facing over such watercraft. The family of a 12-year-old paddleboarder killed in July 2023 on Mission Bay, Savannah Peterson, has sued the city for damages, contending officials knew of the dangers and didnt do enough to keep people safe. Peterson was killed by 18-year-old Arsanyous Refat Ghaly, who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced last fall to 230 days in custody and two years of probation. No trial date has been scheduled in the Peterson civil case. Polidori, 20, survived her December 2023 crash but suffered a 5-inch laceration on the back of her head that required seven staples and put her in intensive care for multiple nights. Her lawsuit says she has suffered a loss of confidence and deteriorating mental health. A former triathlete and diver who graduated from Torrey Pines High School, Polidori was a shell of her former student-athlete self when she returned to the U.S. Naval Academy after the crash, the lawsuit says. She is slated to graduate from the academy in June. A key question raised by the lawsuit is whether the lifeguard was justified in driving so quickly through a swimming area where swimmers dont expect there to be fast-moving devices of any kind. The police report appears inconsistent on this issue. It says traveling at 20 to 25 mph does not appear to represent reckless or negligent operation, adding that the speed was within the act of operating within due regard for the public. But the report also says the lifeguard appears to have violated international navigation rules, particularly by operating the 800-pound device at a speed too fast to be able to avoid collision and by failing to use a proper lookout. 2025 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Flanked by President Donald Trump and Gen. Dan Caine, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters inside the Oval Office in September. (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post) President Donald Trump and his top White House aides pushed for lethal strikes on Western Hemisphere drug traffickers almost as soon as they took office in January, and in the past 10 months have repeatedly steamrolled or sidestepped government lawyers who questioned whether the provocative policy was legal, according to multiple current and former officials familiar with the debates. As Trump weighs what could be imminent military action against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolas Maduro, while striking at alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, new details are emerging about the evolution of a strategy that involves unprecedented U.S. military force against the narcotics trade and, critics say, outsize legal risk. The deadly attacks on small boats are being carried out by the Pentagon, which at Trumps orders has amassed a vast array of warships, aircraft and troops in the region, including the largest U.S. aircraft carrier. But early on, according to two people familiar with the matter, the administration proposed having the CIA use its unique covert authorities to conduct the lethal strikes on drug traffickers that Trump and Stephen Miller, his powerful homeland security adviser, wanted. The spy agency, under Director John Ratcliffe, was rapidly ramping up its counternarcotics arm, consciously modeling the effort to mirror the post-9/11 U.S. war against terrorists. White House officials initiated proposals that envisioned the CIA taking the lead, and work began on drafting a presidential authorization for covert action, known as a finding. Lawyers at the spy agency and elsewhere in the government were skeptical. Was killing civilian drug traffickers defensible under domestic law, they asked, if the cartels do not actually seek to attack Americans, even if the product they smuggle might lead to deaths in the United States? Was it legal to kill drug traffickers, many of them apparently low-level, without knowing their identities? There is no actual threat justifying self defense there are not organized armed groups seeking to kill Americans, said one person familiar with the legal debate, who like others interviewed for this report spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution and because of the matters sensitivity. Though the hand behind covert actions is supposed to be hidden, Miller and his team wanted to publicize any strikes on what Trump has deemed narcoterrorists, including through videos of drug labs or boats being blown up, one person familiar with the matter said. Amid pushback on CIA action from lawyers in the late spring, the administration forged ahead with an alternative plan that was already under discussion: to use the U.S. military. And it came up with a legal justification that national security law experts inside and out of government have said does not stand up to facts: that the country was in a non-international armed conflict with designated terrorist organizations. This account of the evolution of the Trump administrations lethal counter-drug strategy is based on interviews with almost 20 current and former officials and other people familiar with aspects of the discussions. President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding in to our country and to bring those responsible to justice, a senior administration official said in an email in response to questions from The Washington Post, noting that operations have been given careful legal scrutiny and were deemed lawful. By midsummer, the administration was considering boat strikes and a second set of Venezuela-focused options, which included the seizure of oil fields and a snatch and grab of Maduro, said one former official. President Trump has been clear in his message to Maduro: Stop sending drugs and criminals to our country, said the senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matters sensitivity. The CIA declined to comment on deliberations about the lethal strikes. In the ongoing mission the Pentagon recently dubbed Operation Southern Spear, U.S. military forces have killed more than 80 people in 21 strikes on boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Democratic and some Republican lawmakers have decried the strikes, which have roiled U.S. relations with several Latin American powers. The president ultimately gave the CIA power to use lethal force. Trump acknowledged in October that he had authorized the agency to take covert action in support of his war on narcotraffickers. The details of the finding that Trump signed in October are classified. But several people familiar with it have said it is broad in scope, aggressive and aimed at countering transnational criminal organizations, including through lethal force. As far as is known, the CIA and other spy agencies are supplying intelligence to support the Pentagon strikes, but not choosing targets or launching weapons. Speeding past legal guardrails By late spring and early summer, as the White House was busy on multiple fronts planning an operation to bomb Irans nuclear facilities, mediating a peace deal for Gaza it seemed, temporarily at least, that the appetite for action had diminished. But Miller, who has overseen Trumps hard-line agenda on drugs and immigration, and other top advisers never lost sight of crushing the cartels. And in pursuing this goal they were aided in part by a personnel restructuring that removed potential obstacles. Many of the lawyers and other career officials at the White House National Security Council, Pentagon and Justice Department who had over the preceding months raised concerns about using lethal force against narcotraffickers had either left government or were reassigned or removed. Proposed findings are typically reviewed by lawyers at the CIA and other agencies, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Justice, State and Defense departments. Then an interagency review is conducted, usually overseen by the NSCs legal adviser. But by summer, the NSCs entire full-time legal staff of about half a dozen was gone. Some left when their details ended and others including the shops top lawyer, former Pentagon general counsel Paul Ney v were let go in a May staff shake-up, three former officials said. Ney had been among the lawyers who had raised concerns about the legality of lethal strikes, the former officials said. A senior administration official said that Ney left because the original NSC legal versus White House Counsels Office structure never worked, and praised the moves as achieving efficiency that gives the president more visibility into his foreign policy agenda. There are actually more lawyers working on the NSC portfolio than prior to the restructuring, the official said, referring to lawyers in the White House Counsels Office, who may also have other duties. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal NSC processes. The NSC legal adviser vacancy in particular is significant, said Carrie Cordero, a national security lawyer in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, who is now a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. The absence of a seasoned national security lawyer serving in that role means that the principals in the White House are not getting the best national security legal advice that they can. Meanwhile, career civilian lawyers at the Defense Department had largely been cut out of cartel strike discussions by the political leadership. In the summer, the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel produced a classified opinion that asserted a legal foundation for the strikes. The memo, which runs several dozen pages, is said to argue that the U.S. is in an armed conflict with narcoterrorists, and that using lethal force against them advances an important national interest while not rising to a level of war that constitutionally would require congressional authorization. The opinion memorialized a decision taken by a restricted interagency lawyers group made up of four career lawyers, including two uniformed military attorneys, and four political appointees, the senior administration official said. The group unanimously concluded that ongoing actions are a legally available option for the president, the official said. The Defense Department declined to address questions about internal legal discussions about the strikes or worries among some personnel that the strikes could be unlawful. The Defense 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, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement, referring to Southern Command, which is responsible for operations in the region. 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, Parnell added. In August, the administrations determination that the U.S. was in an armed conflict with drug cartels was conveyed to military officials, according to people familiar with the matter. Soon after, in early September, military special operators struck an alleged drug boat that Trump said was carrying Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists operating under the control of Nicolas Maduro. Two family members of the 11 killed did not deny they had been taking marijuana and cocaine from Venezuela to Trinidad, but denied they had worked for the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. U.S. intelligence agencies have determined that the Venezuelan government does not direct the group. Two days later, on Sept. 4, Trump notified Congress of the strike. Getting the CIA on board At the end of September, the CIAs Ratcliffe appointed his deputy, Michael Ellis, as temporary general counsel an unusual dual role. Besides serving as deputy, helping run the agency, he would be acting as the agencys top lawyer until a permanent general counsel, Josh Simmons, was confirmed. The confirmation is expected to happen early next month. Ellis, a former NSC lawyer and intelligence aide in the first Trump administration, took over from a career CIA lawyer who was serving as acting general counsel. That lawyer, who is still in the general counsels office, was among those who had raised questions about the legality of the agencys use of lethal force, according to people familiar with the matter. After taking up the new role, Ellis gave his support to the proposed finding authorizing covert CIA action against alleged cartels, according to two people familiar with the matter. Asked why Ratcliffe named Ellis acting general counsel, CIA spokeswoman Liz Lyons said: The director asked Michael Ellis to serve as the acting general counsel given his reputation as one of the finest national security lawyers in the nation. Neither Elliss nor Ratcliffes sign-off was technically necessary, but it is highly unlikely that the president would have authorized the finding without support at the agencys highest levels, former senior intelligence officials said. In October, Trump acknowledged he had approved a covert action authorization, an extraordinary disclosure in that such activities are supposed to remain secret and deniable. Is it legal just to kill the guy? At the CIA, some operational personnel are worried about a potential repeat of episodes where the agencys covert operations prompted legal and political blowback, such as the 1980s Iran-contra scandal and the rendition and interrogation of terrorist suspects after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, according to three former officials. The question is, is it legal just to kill the guy if hes not threatening to kill you and youre outside an armed conflict? There are people who are simply uncomfortable with the president just declaring were at war with drug traffickers, said a former senior official familiar with the debate. Internally, a lot of people are treating this like the rendition program, the former official said. Its one thing to get rid of [Iraqi dictator] Saddam Hussein or [Libyan autocrat] Moammar Gaddafi for counterterrorism reasons. This is different. A big objection has been that theres no evidence these small boats qualify as legitimate operational targets, said the former official, noting that in past counterterrorism strikes the CIA would distinguish between support and operational personnel, placing a much higher bar on targeting low-level couriers than, say, bombmakers. He noted that the CIA has taken part in lethal operations against the heads of drug cartels. Concerns extend to the Americas and Counternarcotics Mission Center, according to current and former officials. Theres just so much nervousness in the office, said a second former official. The mood is, we dont even know if what were doing is legal. One mission center lawyer who questioned the use of lethal force against drug traffickers has been reassigned and replaced with a career CIA lawyer, people familiar with the matter said, though the reason for the persons reassignment was not clear. That concern is coming as the agency has surged personnel to that mission center, earlier reassigning more than two dozen analysts from other centers, including those that handle Europe and Eurasia and counterproliferation, according to another person familiar with the matter. The former official noted that the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel asserted that the use of lethal force against suspected drug cartels would be legal. Theres no evidence of illegality just a lot of hand-wringing from people who dont want to do the mission or are nervous about it, the former official said. I get the nerves, but that doesnt make the activity illegal. Still, in the military as at the agency, nerves are jangling. The justification for directing the military to kill suspected drug traffickers triggered profound legal and ethical questions among troops. Some have drawn distinctions between the traffickers and terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and have struggled to accept that alleged criminals meet the same threshold for lethal strikes. In recent weeks, junior officers in the military, fearing potential legal exposure, asked military lawyers, known as judge advocates general, for written sign-off before taking part in strikes, said two people familiar with the matter. It does not appear that such memos were furnished. Some personnel are worried they might need attorneys in the future, said some current and former officials, describing concerns that a new administration and lawmakers might scrutinize the operation. In the past week or so, some career civilian lawyers at the Pentagon have been included in strike discussions, and they are raising concerns about the use of lethal force, said people familiar with the matter. On Tuesday, six Democratic lawmakers who served in the military or intelligence community released a video that went viral. You can refuse illegal orders, they said, speaking directly to service members and intelligence professionals. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution. On Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the lawmakers comments were dangerous to our country. An hour later, he put up another post, accusing the group of SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! Dan Lamothe, Aaron Schaffer and Noah Robertson contributed to this report. Investing.com -- Chinas economy, which Yardeni Research says has been surprisingly resilient this year in the face of external headwinds, is now confronting simultaneous pressures that raise deeper questions about its trajectory heading into 2026. The firm argued in a note this week that the greatest threats are internal, warning that its internal headwinds that pose the greater threat to GDP growth and President Xis policies are perpetuating them. Yardeni notes that China is suddenly taking hits from all sides, pointing to weakening exports, factory orders, retail sales and auto purchases, alongside the weakest fixed-asset investment in more than five years. Real retail sales growth fell to 3.1 percent year over year, far below the 20022018 average of around 10 percent. The report argues that Chinas problems stem heavily from domestic policy choices. Despite the economy being the worlds second largest at $19 trillion, Yardeni says its not the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump that might widen the gap but those of Chinas own leader, Xi Jinping. It highlights manufacturing weakness, a fourth year of deflation, and Beijings reluctance to ease monetary policy more aggressively. Deflation risks, in particular, are said to be front and center. The firm points to Chinas PPI falling 2.1 percent in October and CPI barely above zero, while warning that the property crisis is fueling fears of a Japan-like lost decade. Confidence is further dented by what Yardeni calls Xis draconian tech crackdown, which continues to unsettle investors. New regulatory moves targeting Internet platforms overlook the real problem: unfair subsidies to inefficient state-owned enterprises. Yardeni Research also notes that although Xi and President Donald Trump agreed to a one-year tariff ceasefire, it remains unclear whether Beijing will use the window to accelerate reforms. After 12 years of Xis leadership, Yardeni concludes that Chinas economy wont be overtaking the US economy in size anytime soon. Related articles Why is the Chinese economy suddenly taking hits from all sides Silver's Bullish Pattern Points Higher Keep an Eye on $52 Resistance Zone Gold: $4K Breakout Faces First Real Test as Stocks and Sentiment Rise Together Lenovo Group Limited recently reported record second quarter and six-month results for fiscal 2025/26, with group revenue reaching an all-time high of US$20.45 billion for the quarter and significant year-on-year growth across all business groups, particularly in AI-driven offerings. AI-related revenue accounted for 30% of total revenue this quarter, underlining how investments in both Personal AI and Enterprise AI are increasingly shaping Lenovos operational mix, while an interim dividend was declared reflecting confidence in ongoing performance. Well now examine how the surge in AI-driven revenues and record sales influence Lenovos investment narrative and future outlook. We've found 17 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. Lenovo Group Investment Narrative Recap To own Lenovo Group stock, investors need to believe its transformation into an AI-driven solutions leader can outpace margin pressures stemming from hardware commoditization and rising production costs outside China. The latest results, driven by a surge in AI-related revenues, add positive momentum to the story, even as short-term earnings growth remains sensitive to cyclical trends and cost pressures; the impact of this earnings report on the most important risks and catalysts appears material, as sustained top-line growth helps offset current margin headwinds. Among Lenovos recent announcements, the declared interim dividend of 8.50 HK cents per share stands out in context; such distributions can signal managements confidence in long-term cash flows, and give shareholders some reassurance despite ongoing investments in AI infrastructure and product innovation, both of which are crucial to maintaining growth amid industry shifts. However, while AI momentum is promising, investors should keep in mind the ongoing risk posed by Lenovos heavy reliance on China-based manufacturing, as a shift in global trade policy or supply chain strategy could mean ... Read the full narrative on Lenovo Group (it's free!) Lenovo Group's outlook forecasts $88.5 billion in revenue and $2.1 billion in earnings by 2028. This is based on analysts projecting a 6.9% annual revenue growth rate and an increase in earnings of $0.5 billion from the current $1.6 billion. Uncover how Lenovo Group's forecasts yield a HK$13.56 fair value, a 40% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives SEHK:992 Community Fair Values as at Nov 2025 Simply Wall St Community members shared five fair value estimates for Lenovo ranging from HK$10.03 to HK$25.54 per share. With AI adoption accelerating, your outlook on Lenovo may hinge on whether emerging risks like production cost shifts will tip future earnings. LOS ANGELES Tom Cruise, at 63 still the biggest movie star in a room full of them, finally got to hold his own Oscar on a Hollywood stage on Sunday night. Making movies is not what I do, its who I am, said Cruise. He was composed as always, but at moments seemed near tears as he spoke, grasping the gold honorary statuette that celebrated his more than 40 years at the apex of the industry at the film academys annual Governors Awards. In that theater we laugh together, we feel together, we hope together, he said after a two-minute ovation. Production designer Wynn Thomas and choreographer and actor Debbie Allen were also selected by the academys board of governors to be honored for their storied careers, and an absent Dolly Parton was honored for a lifetime of philanthropy at the ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles. A competitive Oscar has eluded Cruise, whos been nominated four times: as an actor for 1989s Born on the Fourth of July, 1996s Jerry Maguire and 1999s Magnolia, and as a producer for 2022s Top Gun: Maverick. Before he took the stage, the audience saw a long montage of clips from those and his other films loaded with death-defying stunts he often did himself from 1981s Taps through this years Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning. It was fitting that the Governors Awards arent televised. Tom Cruise doesnt do TV, and hes been among the biggest champions of the theatergoing experience over streaming. I will always do everything I can to help this art form, Cruise said. To support and champion new voices, to protect what makes cinema powerful. Hopefully without too many more broken bones. Oscar-winning director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu presented Cruise the award. The two have spent several months shooting a film in London set for release in 2026. The collaboration suggests that Cruise, who has stuck to blockbuster franchise fare in recent years, might not be done trying to win an Academy Award the old-fashioned way. This may be his first Oscar, Inarritu said, but from what I have seen and experienced, this will not be the last. Born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV in Syracuse, N.Y. on July 3, 1962, he was Hollywoods highest-paid actor in 2012. AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Chinese semiconductor company Wingtech has appealed to the Dutch government to rescind its decision to take control of its Netherlands-based computer chip subsidiary Nexperia, documents seen by Reuters show. Wingtech first challenged the decision on October 21 and broadened its complaints on November 10, the documents showed. In the appeal, lawyers for Wingtech urged the Ministry of Economic Affairs to revoke the order, which they said was an unprecedented and disproportionate "deprivation of property" that lacked a legal basis. The Dutch government suspended its intervention at Nexperia on Wednesday, after what it said were constructive talks with China over a dispute which has led to shortages of chips needed by car manufacturers. But it did not revoke the September 30 decision, a move it said had been necessary to prevent the company's former CEO from moving European operations to China from its current base in the Netherlands. China's commerce ministry said the Dutch move fell short of fully ending its intervention as it had demanded. Wingtech and Beijing have also called on the Dutch government to withdraw from a separate court case alleging mismanagement at Nexperia. Other documents seen by Reuters show that Dutch Economy Minister Vincent Karremans shortly after his intervention had urged the court to act swiftly to prevent Nexperia assets being moved to China. In a letter to the court, lawyers for the state said there was a considerable risk Wingtech would not adhere to the government's intervention. The court in October ordered the removal of ex-Nexperia CEO and Wingtech founder Zhang Xuezheng for mismanagement. (Reporting by Toby Sterling and Bart Meijer; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Mexico, N.Y. A Fulton man was arrested Friday after a juvenile girl reported she had been sexually assaulted in the town of Mexico, police said. Troopers said a family member realized the girl had left her home early Friday morning, so they began checking an area she was known to frequent, according to a news release from State Police. The family member found a vehicle parked nearby and approached it while calling out for the girl, police said. The vehicle sped off. Moments later, the girl was found and told the family member she had been sexually assaulted. A license plate number provided to troopers led police to the suspects vehicle, troopers said. Oswego County sheriffs deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver refused to pull over and continued to a residence in Fulton, according to troopers. The driver briefly ran from the home before he was taken into custody. Emmanuel J. Dunbar, 39, of Fulton, was charged with first-and second-degree rape, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of criminal possession of a narcotic drug and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Dunbar is being held without bail at the Oswego County Jail because he has two prior felony convictions, troopers said. In 2011, Dunbar was charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child (a 13-year-old girl), according to court records. He pleaded guilty to the burglary charge and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The girl was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for a forensic exam and has since been discharged. Durhamville, N.Y. The former treasurer of the Durhamville Fire Department was sentenced Friday to one to three years in state prison for stealing $92,000 from the volunteer department over seven years, officials said. Kimberly Simchik, 62, of Durhamville, was also ordered to pay $92,000 in restitution, according to a news release from the state Comptrollers Office and the State Police. Investigators said Simchik used the departments debit card and checks for personal expenses, including plane tickets, spa and nail salon visits, a movie channel subscription and payments at local casinos. She also deposited checks meant for the department into her personal bank account, officials said. The theft was discovered when a fire department member tried to make a deposit but was told the account had been closed because of a negative balance, officials said. Simchik was arrested in November 2024 on charges of larceny and corrupting the government. She pleaded guilty in September to stealing more than $90,000 from the department. The investigation was conducted by the State Police and the comptrollers office. She was sentenced in Oneida County Court by Judge Michael R. Nolan. Syracuse, N.Y. A Syracuse police officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was accused of stealing more than $4,000 in merchandise from Lowes, according to State Police. Shaquille B. Muhammad, 32, of Syracuse, turned himself in to State Police on Thursday and was charged with third-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records, according to a news release Friday from Jennifer Jiron, a spokesperson for State Police. Troopers said Muhammad used his Lowes credit card to buy more than $4,000 in contractor-type merchandise over several days in January. He then contacted the bank to falsely claim the purchases were unauthorized, prompting the bank to refund the full amount to his account, troopers said. According to court documents, the purchases included: Jan. 16: lumber and other contractor merchandise valued at $2,094.26 Jan. 17: merchandise valued at $209.96 Jan. 17: merchandise valued at $135.05 Jan. 18: merchandise valued at $1,483.23 Jan. 18: merchandise valued at $117.10 The total value was $4,039.60, troopers said. Muhammad was arraigned in Onondaga County CAP Court and released on his own recognizance. Muhammad made $100,876 in 2024 working for the police department, according to an online payroll database, See Through New York. The Syracuse Police Department said Muhammad has been placed on administrative leave and that a parallel internal investigation is underway. We take all allegations of criminal conduct seriously, said Sgt. Thomas Blake, a spokesperson for Syracuse Police. The Syracuse Police Department remains committed to accountability, transparency and maintaining the trust of the community we serve. It was blowing rain and getting dark in Otisco when R.J. Shaver, of Apulia Station, gave a few bleats on his doe call. With a great crashing sound, a big 8-pointer burst through the thick brush about 50 yards away. He put on quite a show, grunting, scraping, and shreddding a tree with his antlers. I never once saw that buck on my cameras, Shaver said. He was just passing through at the right time for me. Shaver waited until the buck was 35 yards away before letting his arrow fly. The buck disappeared in the brush. It was raining so hard Shaver worried it would wash away the blood trail. But when he shined a flashlight, the buck was just 40 yards from where Shaver had shot him. The buck dressed out at a hefty 220 pounds. First thing Shaver did was call his dad, who doesnt get out in the woods as much as he used to. Hes been a huge part of my life and taught me how to hunt, Shaver said. Bob Wojtecki, of East Syracuse, recently arrowed this big buck on private land in Marcellus. It weighed 175 pounds, and its 9-point rack had a 20-inch spread. Bob Wojtecki, Bob Wojtecki, of East Syracuse, was hunting private land in Marcellus in early November when he arrowed a bulldozer of a buck at 15-yards. The 9-pointer dwarfed the other 9-pointer hed shot last year. Wojtecki had to call his boss, who was watching the Bills game, to help him drag the 175-pound deer out of the woods. Deer of a lifetime, Wojtecki said. You have to love Central NY deer hunting! Gregory Drummond, of Brewerton, got his first buck, a 150-pound (dressed) 8-pointer, while hunting with his grandpa in Michigan. Andrea DiFrancesco Gregory Drummond, of Brewerton, got his first buck, a 150-pound (dressed) 8-pointer, while hunting with his grandpa in Michigan. It was his second day afield, and he got the shot off with only 15 minutes to spare before the cutoff. He made it his mission to get a buck this year, said Gregorys mom, Andrea DiFrancesco, and he made it happen! Dave Maneri, of Tivoli, recently dropped this 11-point buck in Dutchess County on opening day of gun season with two shots from his 20-guage shotgun. Dave Maneri Dave Maneri, of Tivoli, didnt think he could top last seasons buck, but a big 11-pointer appeared on his trail camera right before gun season. On opening day, Maneri locked eyes with the big boy at about 100 yards. I took two shots through hardwoods yards with my 20-gauge shotgun, which wasnt an easy feat! Maneri said. A discouraging lack of blood caused Maneri to think hed missed, but he found the buck piled up about 30 yards away. Later, he noticed something sticking out of the bucks sideManeris broadhead from two years earlier. What a tough animal, Maneri said. Im truly blessed to have harvested this beast! Send us your big game pics! Email them to sfeatherstone@syracuse.com 1) Hunter needs to be in the photo. 2) Name and hometown of hunter. 3) General location of where and how the animal was shot (bow, firearm, etc.). 4) Any measurements (weight/points/spread). 5) Add interesting detailswe all love a good hunting story! Google is aware that viral social media posts and even online reports can be "misleading." With the AI wave, everything can be associated with data training. The tech giant is not spared from this allegation. There's an article claiming the company changed its policies to use Gmail messages and attachments to train AI models. Those claims also say that one can only opt out by disabling "smart features" like spell check. Google says that's simply not true. Google Denies Reports on Gmail Data and AI Training A Google spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, made it clear to The Verge that the rumors are misrepresenting the company's policies. According to Thomson, Google has not changed any privacy settings, and most importantly, does not use Gmail content to train its Gemini AI model. She further emphasized that Gmail's smart features have existed for years, and recent reports, including this Malwarebytes article, are conflating unrelated policies. Still, given the confusion, Google suggests you double-check your settings--and particularly because one employee at The Verge discovered they had once turned some smart features off and then learned those features had been toggled back on. The reason behind the oversight is that Google released an update in January that lets users manage smart features for Google Workspace differently from smart features for other products, like the famous navigation tool, Maps. What Smart Features Actually Do Smart features in Gmail make everyday tasks easier. If you enable them, they power conveniences like: Spell check and grammar suggestions. Package and order tracking directly inside Gmail. Automatically detect flights and add trips to your Google Calendar. But that's not quite the same as consent for AI training. Google says that smart personalization in Workspace, when enabled, allows the platform to use your Workspace activity in order to personalize your experience, not to feed email content into AI models. As Google's settings page explains, opting in to Gmail's smart features means you "agree to let Google Workspace use your Workspace content and activity to personalize your experience across Workspace." This wording refers to in-product enhancements, not AI data harvesting. Why Users Should Revisit Gmail Privacy Settings Although Google continues to insist that no policy change has been made regarding the use of Gmail content for training AI, this latest update to personalization settings might have turned some features back on for certain users. Gmail users will want to double-check their Workspace and smart feature preferences to stay fully in control. Thaishutter_2528 - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Heres what youll learn when you read this story: After over a year of work, the Dadonggou gold mine has yielded more gold than any other in China, with nearly a million gleaming pounds of the precious metal being unearthed. Tectonic activity beneath the landmass, which involves intense heat and pressure, is behind the formation of such large veins of gold. Several organizations are now planning to fund an industrial complex to process all that gold, which could potentially push Chinas gold industry past rivals Russia and Australia. The mythical city of El Dorado may still elude us, but there is somewhere in the world where an entire dragons hoard of gold could literally be buried beneath your feet. The sprawling Dadonggou gold mine, which lies under the Liaoning province of northeast China, would easily lure Smaug out of his lair. Searching for a glimpse of precious metal, workers unearthed a deposit of about 2.9 billion tons of ore containing over 498 tons (996,000 pounds) of pure gold. With the recent upsurge in gold prices that shows no signs of slowing down, this motherlode could be worth at least $192 billionnot quite as much as Elon Musk, but close enough. Gold surfaced in droves after nearly a thousand government employees explored and drilled for 15 months as part of a project meant to develop the mine. After previously forming a development partnership, China National Gold Group, Liaoning Mineral Geology Group, and the Yingkou Municipal Government now plan to invest about $2.82 billion (20 billion yuan) into boosting the local gold industry by building a massive industrial complex. Funding will cover every phase of this endeavor through 2027, from exploration and mining to facilities for storage, processing, smelting and producing gold jewelry. Why are so many veins of gold running through China? Its vast land mass rests on several tectonic plates. Geological activity creates conditions ideal for the formation of the element known as aurum in Latin, which is what gives gold its abbreviation Au. Volcanic activity or magma in Earths mantle heats subsurface water, which will then dissolve traces of gold from deep in the crust. Fluid will then seep through fractures in the crust. Exposed to changes in pressure and temperature, dissolved gold will become unstable and crystallize. It will precipitate out of the solution and solidify, accumulating into a solid deposit. Many gold veins are millions to billions of years old. (Corrects paragraph 9 to show its second-largest derivative settlement involving allegations that directors failed in their oversight duty in paragraph nine. Prior version said it was the second-largest derivative settlement.) By Tom Hals WILMINGTON, Delaware, (Reuters) -Mark Zuckerberg and current and former leaders of Meta Platforms agreed to pay the company $190 million to resolve shareholder allegations that they damaged Meta by violating Facebook users' privacy, according to a settlement unveiled on Thursday. The company's board also agreed to policy changes governing directors' conduct, insider trading and whistleblower protections. The deal ended litigation by shareholders who accused the Facebook co-founder and other defendants of saddling the company with billions of dollars in fines and legal costs stemming from violating privacy regulations. SHAREHOLDERS ONCE SOUGHT $8 BILLION The agreement fleshes out a deal announced in court on July 17 that ended a scheduled eight-day trial on its second day. Shareholders were seeking $8 billion from Zuckerberg and 10 current and former directors and officers for allegedly allowing Facebook users' personal information to be accessed without their consent. The defendants had denied all allegations. The settlement dramatically cut short the trial before a string of high-profile witnesses took the stand, including Zuckerberg, billionaire investor and Meta board member Marc Andreessen, former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, and former Facebook board members Peter Thiel, the co-founder of Palantir Technologies, and Reed Hastings, the co-founder of Netflix. Facebook in 2021 changed its name to Meta, which is also the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp. The company was not a defendant. Derivative lawsuits recover money from directors and executives, which is paid to the company and therefore benefits shareholders indirectly. California State Teachers Retirement System, one of the shareholders who brought the case, said it was the second-largest settlement ever of a derivative case in Delaware that alleged board members failed in their duty to oversee the company. CRITICISM OF DELAWARE Companies, including Meta, have left or considered ditching Delaware as their legal home after Elon Musk had his $56 billion pay package from Tesla voided by the Delaware court, fueling criticism that the court was overly favorable toward shareholder lawsuits. When we leverage our voice and use tools such as litigation effectively, it benefits both companies and shareholders long-term, said CalSTRS board Chair Denise Bradford in a statement. UN climate summit pushes into overtime as nations clash over fossil fuels Belem, Brazil, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2025 Negotiators pushed into overtime Friday to salvage UN climate talks in Brazil as a bitter fight over whether to mention fossil fuels threatened to derail a final agreement. At stake at COP30 is securing a deal that paves the way for faster cuts to planet-warming emissions that are driving ever more extreme weather -- and proving that international cooperation can still function in a fractured world. After nearly two weeks of negotiations in the Amazonian city of Belem, a new draft agreement unveiled by COP30 host Brazil made no mention of "fossil fuels" or the word "roadmap" that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had himself publicly supported. European Union climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said the text was "unacceptable" and that the summit risked ending without an agreement. "I am saying it with a heavy heart, but what is now on the table is clearly no deal," Hoekstra told reporters as negotiators huddled again in efforts to reach a compromise. - Consensus required - Thirty-six countries -- including wealthy nations, emerging economies and small island states -- had warned in a letter to Brazil that they would reject any deal that did not include a plan to move away from fossil fuels. France's ecological transition minister, Monique Barbut, told AFP that oil-rich Russia and Saudi Arabia, along with coal producer India and "many" emerging countries, were blocking a deal on fossil fuels. Arunabha Ghosh, a special envoy for South Asia at the talks, shot back against "finger pointing." "To assume that one side cares about the planet and the other side, because they are unhappy with the formulation, does not care about the planet does grievous harm to the spirit of negotiations," he told AFP. Ghosh also defended the exclusion of the fossil fuel phaseout roadmap, arguing developing countries needed to ensure energy security for their countries and a transition for workers dependent on the sector. Consensus is needed among the nearly 200 nations to land an agreement at the UN climate conference, which this year is taking place without the United States as President Donald Trump shunned the event. The head of COP30, Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago, said ruefully that those who doubt that cooperation is the best way forward for climate change "are going to be absolutely delighted to see that we cannot reach an agreement between us." The conference, which was disrupted for several hours by a fire at the site on Thursday, was supposed to end on Friday evening at 6:00 pm (2100 GMT) -- a time that came and went, as is often the case at such summits. - Money fight - The push for a phaseout of oil, coal and gas -- the main drivers of global warming -- grew out of frustration over a lack of follow-through on the COP28 agreement in Dubai in 2023 to transition away from fossil fuels. Divisions also remain over trade measures and finance for poorer nations to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as floods and droughts, and move to a low-carbon future. The rejected draft said there was a need for a "manyfold increase" in financial support for developing countries. It also called for "efforts to triple adaptation finance" by 2030 compared to 2025 levels. "The EU is stuck with a much earlier tripling of adaptation finance than they're comfortable with and in exchange they got nothing," said Jake Schmidt, senior strategic director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group. "It's a tough pill to swallow," Schmidt told AFP. Hoekstra said the EU was "willing to be ambitious on adaptation" but that "any language on finance should squarely be within the commitment reached last year" at COP29 in Baku, where developed nations agreed to provide $300 billion in annual climate finance by 2035. The EU is also fighting resistance led by China and India to its "carbon tax" on imports such as steel, aluminum, cement and fertilizers -- measures Britain and Canada are also preparing to adopt. Northern Australia braces for tropical cyclone Sydney, Nov 21 (AFP) Nov 21, 2025 Tropical Cyclone Fina intensified into a category 3 storm on Saturday as it made its way towards Australia's Northern Territory, whipped by winds of around 120 kilometres per hour. The state was on high alert as authorities expected the worst of the storm to strike on Saturday. "It is going to get very wet and it is going to get very windy," Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angus Hines said Saturday. "The worst of the wind is still building and not expected to come until later today or overnight". Forecasters expect the cyclone to remain over the ocean -- although it will sweep close to land -- meaning cities will avoid the worst of it. But this will likely prolong the system, as land interaction can weaken storms. At the Northern Territory's Salvation Army, homeless shelter the Red Shield House 49 has stocked enough food for a week. "A lot of our most vulnerable come through here. This is a great facility and the team are really well-trained to look after them," Peter Sampson of the Salvation Army told national broadcaster ABC. There are also concerns for the Tiwi Islands -- a sparsely populated archipelago about 80 kilometres (50 miles) off the coast of Darwin -- which are experiencing the full force of the cyclone with winds up to 185 kilometres per hour. Northern Territory Police Force Superintendent Kirsten Engels said people should be "moving to shelters or hunkering down at home and avoiding any unnecessary travel". "The situation is really serious. We have been planning for this, you don't need to panic," she told the ABC. Some areas of Darwin could receive 200 millimetres (eight inches) of rain, which would heighten the risk of flash flooding. While Fina was initially expected to make landfall as a category 2 tropical cyclone, weather forecasters upgraded it as it intensified Saturday morning. Wind speeds were estimated to be about 120 kilometres per hour around the core of the system. Researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones. Australia and Turkey reach hosting deal over climate summit: text Belem, Brazil, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Australia and Turkey finalised a deal Friday to share responsibilities for hosting next year's UN climate summit, resolving a long-running standoff over the event, according to the agreement seen by AFP. The unusual compromise -- in which Turkey hosts the conference but Australia oversees the formal negotiations -- is expected to be formally approved by consensus at the COP30 summit in Brazil. The deal was brokered in the rainforest city of Belem after days of closed-door negotiation between Australia and Turkey to end the stalemate. Both countries sought to host COP31 in November 2026 and neither would back down, sparking a bidding war rarely seen for the annual climate talks. Australia enjoyed greater support than Turkey but the deadlock prevented a host from being chosen by consensus as required under United Nations rules. A compromise was reached: Turkey would host the two-week summit in the Mediterranean resort city of of Antalya, and retain the formal COP31 presidency. Australia would serve as vice president and chair the negotiations that strive to broker agreements between nearly 200 nations to collectively tackle climate change. The "pre COP" -- technical consultations that usually occur about a month before the main summit -- would take place in a Pacific Island nation, in a nod to Australia's original intention to co-host with its neighbours. - 'Better than nothing' - The proposal was endorsed unanimously by the Western European and Other States Group, the first step required before adoption by consensus at the COP30 summit. UN climate summits rotate among five regional blocs, with responsibility falling in 2026 to the group of mostly European nations, along with Australia and Turkey, among others. Australia had the backing of a large majority of the bloc but without a consensus, COP31 would have defaulted to Germany, home to the UN Climate Change secretariat. The outcome was a major disappointment for Australia and the Pacific, which is home to small island nation states threatened by rising sea levels and increasingly violent storms, rainfall and floods. But Pacific nations would still have input into the negotiations and setting the agenda, Vanuatu's Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu told AFP in Belem. "So for us, that is a much better outcome than not having anything at all," he said. COP31 will be Turkey's first time hosting a UN climate summit. The country ratified the Paris Agreement only in late 2021, and analysts are sharply critical of its climate pledges. For President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, securing the summit is seen as a diplomatic win that showcases Turkey's increasingly assertive foreign policy. Northern Australia braces for tropical cyclone Sydney, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 A category 3 tropical cyclone swept across Australia's Northern Territory on Saturday, leaving thousands of residents sheltering from destructive winds of around 140 kilometres per hour. Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina loomed off the coast of the Northern Territory for several days before rapidly intensifying to a category 3 storm on Saturday morning. Authorities warned conditions are expected to worsen quickly and impact the busy city of Darwin Saturday evening. "As the sun goes down, conditions will deteriorate significantly," Bureau of Meteorology Northern Territory hazard preparedness manager Shenagh Gamble said. "It will be a long night," Gamble warned. Social media footage showed bare supermarket shelves as people stockpiled supplies for the coming days, while Darwin airport cancelled all flights Saturday. Forecasters expect the cyclone to remain over the ocean -- although it will sweep close to land -- meaning cities will avoid the worst of it. But this will likely prolong the system, as land interaction can weaken storms. At the Northern Territory's Salvation Army, homeless shelter the Red Shield House 49 has stocked enough food for a week. "A lot of our most vulnerable come through here. This is a great facility and the team are really well-trained to look after them," Peter Sampson of the Salvation Army told national broadcaster ABC. There are also concerns for the Tiwi Islands -- a sparsely populated archipelago about 80 kilometres (50 miles) off the coast of Darwin -- which are experiencing the full force of the cyclone with winds up to 185 kilometres per hour. Northern Territory Police Force Superintendent Kirsten Engels said people should be "moving to shelters or hunkering down at home and avoiding any unnecessary travel". "The situation is really serious. We have been planning for this, you don't need to panic," she told the ABC. Some areas of Darwin could receive 200 millimetres (eight inches) of rain, which would heighten the risk of flash flooding. Among those not too bothered about the cyclone are the crocodiles at Darwin aquarium, Crocosaurus Cove. Animals and operations manager Charlotte Leyshon said the scaly beasts are very familiar with these types of weather events. "Our crocodiles live in the tropics, they've got a couple of hundred million years into evolution to survive conditions like this," she told the national broadcaster ABC. "With the previous cyclone, we noticed our big crocs particularly just hunkered down in the bottom of the pens, it's got nice deep water. "They just rode it out as they have done for millions of years." While Fina was initially expected to make landfall as a category 2 tropical cyclone, weather forecasters upgraded it as it intensified Saturday morning. Wind speeds are estimated to be about 140 kilometres per hour around the core of the system. The cyclone is expected to strengthen to a category 4 as it moves offshore in the following days. Researchers have repeatedly warned that climate change amplifies the risk of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and cyclones. Aftershock rocks Bangladesh as quake death toll rises to 10 Dhaka, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 A low-magnitude tremor hit Bangladesh on Saturday, the national meterological service said, a day after a powerful earthquake struck outside the capital Dhaka and killed at least 10 people. Updating earlier tolls from Friday's 5.5-magnitude quake, disaster management official Ishtiaqe Ahmed told AFP that "the number of casualties has reached 10, while a few hundreds were injured." The first earthquake was felt in Dhaka and neighbouring districts, causing widespread destruction. Omar Faruq of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said another minor jolt was recorded on Saturday at 10:36 am (0436 GMT). The epicentre of the 3.3-magnitude tremor was in Ashulia, just north of the capital, the meteorologist told AFP. Aftershocks such as this are common after major earthquakes, but for some in Bangladesh it has added to fears of an even greater disaster. "I don't feel safe yet, as there was another jolt this morning in Ashulia. Maybe we are next," said Shahnaj Parvin. The 44-year-old, who lives near the epicentre of Friday's earthquake, told AFP she had never experienced such a tremor. Cracks have developed in dozens of houses in her area, she said. "I was hanging my children's clothes on the washing line when the tremor struck," added Parvin. "I held onto a mahogany tree, and when I returned home, I found my glassware broken." The government has activated Bangladesh's emergency operation centre to assess the scale of the damage and to coordinate relief and rescue operations. Rubayet Kabir of the Meteorological Department's Earthquake Observation and Research Center said that Bangladesh's geography makes the country of 170 million people prone to quakes. "That's why we experience earthquakes quite frequently, though they are not as strong as the one" on Friday, he told AFP. "Some small tremors are expected after any major earthquake," Kabir said. "There has been no massive earthquake in the last 100 years or more, but Bangladesh has been vulnerable for quite some time." Iran seeks help with fire threatening UNESCO-listed forests Tehran, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Iran has requested foreign assistance in extinguishing a large fire that has ravaged UNESCO World Heritage-listed forests in the north of the country for several days, local media reported on Saturday. The Hyrcanian forests stretch for about 1,000 kilometres along the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea and into neighbouring Azerbaijan. UNESCO recognised the forests as a World Heritage Site in 2019, deeming them unique for both their age -- between 25 and 50 million years old -- and their varied biodiversity, as home to more than 3,200 species of plants. A fire that broke out in the area in early November and was initially quelled reignited on November 15, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported. Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, deputy to Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, wrote Friday on X that "faced with the impossibility of containing the fire", Iran had "requested urgent assistance from friendly countries". "Two specialised water bomber planes, a helicopter, and eight people will be dispatched from Turkey," Shina Ansari, head of the Iranian Environmental Protection Organisation, said on Saturday. "If necessary, we will also seek assistance from Russia," she added on state television. According to the Tasnim news agency, the fire was allegedly started by hunters in the rocky area of Elit in the province of Mazandaran, in northern Iran. The country is currently facing one of its most severe droughts since records began six decades ago. The director general of crisis management for Mazandaran province, Hossein Ali Mohammadi, described the operation to extinguish the fire as "one of the most complex in recent years". UNESCO says on its website the Hyrcanian forests contain "a large number of rare and endemic tree species" and are home to "many relic and endangered plant species". "Iranians are losing a natural heritage that is older than Persian civilization," Kaveh Madani, a UN scientist and former Iranian environmental official, wrote on X. ap/sbr/csp/smw Bolsonaro detained: the fall of Brazil's polarizing firebrand Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Jair Bolsonaro swore he would never go to prison. This trademark defiance has crumbled as the man who rose from fringe firebrand to president and reshaped Brazilian politics was detained Saturday as a preventative measure. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, once electrified supporters with his gloves-off style while drawing criticism for vitriolic comments slamming gays, demeaning women and praising Brazil's dictatorship years. In recent months the 70-year-old has cut a more subdued figure, with regular visits to hospital, violent bouts of hiccups, and reports in the media about his fragile mental health while under house arrest. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison in September after being convicted of plotting to prevent leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking power in early 2023. One appeal has already been rejected, and as his lawyers plan further last-ditch efforts to overturn the conviction, the Supreme Court ruled he was a flight risk, with intelligence pointing to a planned escape during a vigil by supporters outside his home. He was taken into custody without handcuffs or media exposure as he awaits further appeals, or the looming start of a three-decade-long sentence. The coup charges against Bolsonaro included plans to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Alexandre de Moraes -- who led the trial against him. Judges found that the coup plot only failed because it did not have enough support from military top brass. Bolsonaro claims he is the victim of political persecution. When he ran for office in 2022, Bolsonaro said there were three potential outcomes for his future: "Prison, death or victory." The prison option however, "does not exist," he said. "By God who is in heaven, I will never be imprisoned," he said that same year. - 'Bibles, bullets and beef' - Bolsonaro was a longtime congressman known for inflammatory statements when he managed to seize a crucial political moment in Brazil: wide-ranging disgust over a series of corruption scandals that had engulfed leftist governments. His diatribes against the "rotten" left and fiery remarks about homosexuality and the role of women won him the support of Brazil's powerful so-called "Bibles, bullets and beef" electorate -- evangelical Christians, security hardliners and the agribusiness industry. Bolsonaro's brash style also earned him the moniker "Trump of the Tropics," when he was elected in 2018. He and his family forged close ties with the US President Donald Trump, who called the trial against his ally a "witch hunt" and punished Brazil with sanctions and trade tariffs. On the campaign trail, Bolsonaro survived a knife attack that left him with severe abdominal wounds that continue to plague him to this day. His lawyers on Friday filed a petition for him to serve his sentence under house arrest, citing his "deeply debilitated" health, with many issues linked to the stab wound. - Amazon fires and Covid denial- Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served in the army before launching his political career in the late 1980s as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor. In 1991, he was elected to Congress. He quickly became known for his incendiary comments, claiming he was in favor of dictatorship and defending torture. In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay. Three years later, he said a left-wing lawmaker was "not worth raping" because she was "too ugly." Bolsonaro drew international criticism as fires and deforestation in the Amazon rainforest spiked under his leadership and he weakened environmental agencies. When Covid-19 hit, he downplayed it as a "little flu". He expressed skepticism about vaccines -- joking those who took it might "turn into a crocodile" -- and promoting unproven treatments. The virus claimed more than 700,000 lives in Brazil, second only to the United States. Twice divorced, Bolsonaro married his current wife Michelle, a fervent Evangelical Christian 27 years his junior, in 2007. He reversed a vasectomy to have a child with Michelle and once described fathering his daughter Laura as a "moment of weakness" after having sired four sons in previous marriages. Three of his sons are politicians. One of them, federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, has been charged over his lobbying for US sanctions in a bid to sway the outcome of the coup trial against his father. bur-fb/bjt/dw Erdogan 'pleased' Turkey to host COP31 summit, hails deal with Australia Johannesburg, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Saturday hailed a deal to share responsibility with Australia for next year's UN climate summit, which will see Ankara host while Canberra oversees the formal negotiations. "We are pleased to host COP31 in Turkey next November," the Turkish president said in an address to leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, hours after the two countries finalised a deal following a long-running standoff over the event. The unusual compromise was laid out in a document seen by AFP which is to be formally approved by consensus at the COP30 summit in Brazil. "I believe the consensus we established together with Australia is of high importance," Erdogan said. Both countries sought to host COP31 in November 2026 and neither would back down, sparking a bidding war rarely seen for the annual climate talks. Australia enjoyed greater support than Turkey but the deadlock prevented a host from being chosen by consensus as required under United Nations rules. Under the compromise, Turkey will host the two-week summit in the southern resort city of Antalya and retain the formal COP31 presidency, while Australia would serve as vice president and chair the negotiations. The "pre-COP" -- technical consultations that usually occur about a month before the main summit -- are to take place in a Pacific Island nation, in a nod to Australia's original intention to co-host with its neighbours. burs-hmw/giv Amazon summit seals climate deal without fossil fuel plan Belem, Brazil, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Nations sealed a modest deal at the UN climate summit in the Amazon Saturday, as Europe and others dropped their demands for a plan to phase out fossil fuels after fraught negotiations with oil-producing countries and emerging economies. Nearly 200 countries approved the deal by consensus after two weeks of COP30 talks in the Brazilian city of Belem, with the notable absence of the United States as President Donald Trump shunned the event. Applause rang out in the plenary session after the head of COP30, Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago, slammed a gavel signalling its approval following several sleepless nights of negotiations. The EU and other nations had pushed for a deal that would call for a "roadmap" to phase out fossil fuels, but the words do not appear in the text. Instead, the agreement calls on countries to voluntarily "accelerate" their climate action and recalls the consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai. That 2023 deal called for the world to transition away from fossil fuels. The EU, which had warned that the summit could end without a deal if fossil fuels were not addressed, accepted the watered-down language. "We're not going to hide the fact that we would have preferred to have more, to have more ambition on everything," EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra told reporters. "It is not perfect, but it is a hugely important step in the right direction," he said. More than 30 countries including European nations, emerging economies and small island states had signed a letter warning Brazil they would reject any deal without a plan to move away from oil, gas and coal. But a member of an EU delegation told AFP that the 27-nation bloc was "isolated" and cast as the "villains" at the talks. The push to phase out oil, coal and gas -- the main drivers of global warming -- grew out of frustration over a lack of follow-through on the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. French ecological transition minister Monique Barbut had accused oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Russia, along with coal producer India and "many" other emerging countries, of refusing language on a fossil-fuel phaseout. Correa do Lago acknowledged the disappointment. "We know some of you had greater ambitions for some of the issues at hand," he told COP30 delegates. The diplomat said he would launch "roadmaps" to halt deforestation and transition away from fossil fuels, and hold high-level meetings on the issues. The deal caps a chaotic two weeks in Belem, with Indigenous protesters breaching the venue and blocking its entrance last week and a fire erupting inside the compound on Thursday, forcing a mass evacuation. - Money and trade - Finishing without a deal would have been a black eye for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who had staked political capital in the success of what he called the "COP of truth." It was also a major test for international cooperation when Trump decided to skip COP30. "At the COP of truth, science prevailed. Multilateralism won," Lula said at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, which was also taking place Saturday. The head of China's delegation at COP30, Li Gao, told AFP that the summit will go down as a success. "I'm happy with the outcome," Li said. "We achieved this success in a very difficult situation, so it shows that the international community would like to show solidarity and make joint efforts to address climate change." Developing nations, for their part, had pushed the EU and other developed economies to pledge more money to help them adapt to the impact of climate change, such as floods and droughts, and move toward a low-carbon future. The EU had resisted such appeals but the deal calls for efforts to "at least triple" adaptation finance by 2035. "Intergovernmental negotiations work on a minimum common denominator, but our fight will continue," a negotiator from Bangladesh told AFP in a muted reception of the terms. Barbut, the French minister, said the EU accepted the Belem deal "because of the accusation against Europeans -- that one of the reasons we opposed the text was that we didn't want to give money to the poorest countries." The EU had also rejected language on trade in the text, as demanded by China and other emerging countries. The final deal calls for "dialogue" on trade issues. Ani Dasgupta, president of the World Resources Institute think tank, said some of the breakthroughs achieved in Belem show that "even against a challenging geopolitical backdrop, international climate cooperation can still deliver results." "But many will leave Belem disappointed that negotiators couldn't agree to develop a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels," Dasgupta said. Floods hit Albania, leave one dead Tirana, Albania, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 One woman has died and hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes as several Albanian regions were hit by floods following days of torrential rains, officials said Saturday. The body of a 75-year-old woman was found on Saturday in Devoll, a municipality in the country's southeast, after a several-hour search, a police statement said. The woman, reported missing on Friday, was carried away by the floodwaters, it added. At least 200 families have been evacuated since Thursday due to flooding that has damaged dozens of homes, a minister said. "More than 1,500 hectares (3,706 acres) of agricultural land were submerged on Saturday in the south of the country," Defence Minister Pirro Vengu told journalists. The losses of livestock and poultry that drowned are considerable, he added. Also, around twenty bridges have been damaged, some requiring full reconstruction, the minister said. Army units were engaged to help rescue and evacuate people at risk, distribute food as well as reinforce dams and embankments. On Saturday, several hundred households were without electricity after numerous power poles were swept away by landslides, local media reported. Some dozen roads have been flooded or blocked by landslides, according to media reports. Brazil's Bolsonaro detained for trying to break ankle bracelet and flee Brasilia, Nov 22 (AFP) Nov 22, 2025 Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro was taken from house arrest into detention on Saturday after the Supreme Court accused him of trying to break his ankle bracelet and plot an escape. The far-right firebrand was sentenced to 27 years in prison over a scheme to stop leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office after the 2022 elections -- a ruling he is still appealing. Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes said Bolsonaro's detention was a preventive measure as final appeals play out, as he is a "high flight risk." Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was placed under house arrest in August and has been confined to an upscale condominium in the capital Brasilia. In his ruling, Moraes said that a planned vigil outside the condominium called by the former leader's eldest son Flavio Bolsonaro on Saturday could cause turmoil that would "create an environment conducive to his escape." Flavio had urged Bolsonaro supporters to "fight for your country." The judge said there had been an "attempt to break" Bolsonaro's ankle bracelet early Saturday as part of a plan to "ensure the success of his escape, facilitated by the confusion caused by the demonstration called by his son." Moraes also highlighted the proximity of Bolsonaro's home to the US embassy, raising the risk of him seeking political asylum. Bolsonaro is an ally of US President Donald Trump, who said his trial was a "witch hunt" and imposed punitive tariffs and sanctions against Brazil. - Celebrations and anger - Bolsonaro has been taken to a federal police complex in Brasilia where prisoners undergo medical examinations before being sent to jail, according to a source close to the case. Another source sent a video to AFP showing the small room where Bolsonaro will be held for now, with a television, air conditioning and a mini-fridge. That same source said Bolsonaro's ankle monitor had been sent for "forensic examination." A group of women gathered outside the police headquarters and uncorked a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate Bolsonaro's imprisonment. Ana Denise Sousa, 47, a high school philosophy teacher, told AFP she was overjoyed. "The biggest scoundrel, the worst guy...who screwed everyone over, who (attempted) a coup, who never felt pity for anyone -- and now he's going to pay." Meanwhile supporters arrived draped in Brazil's green and yellow flag. "This is all political persecution," said Alessandro Goncalves de Almeida, a 53-year-old rideshare driver. Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas said Bolsonaro's detention "violates the principle of human dignity" and vowed to fight to rectify the "injustice". Bolsonaro's legal woes have left Brazil's large conservative electorate without a champion heading into 2026 presidential elections, in which Lula, 80, has said he will seek a fourth term. Bolsonaro's defense team said they would appeal the detention which "could put his life at risk" due to his alleged frail health. Flavio Bolsonaro maintained his call for a demonstration in support of his father on Saturday. "I don't know what's going on inside the Federal Police now. If something happens to my father, Alexandre de Moraes, if my father dies in there, it's your fault," Flavio said in a live video broadcast. - Time running out - Jair Bolsonaro, a former army captain, is adored by many for his conservative values and gloves-off style. Critics point to his vitriolic comments about gays and women and defense of Brazil's dictatorship years. During his presidency he was praised for his handling of the economy, but slammed for overseeing record Amazon deforestation and dismissing Covid-19 as a "little flu". Bolsonaro was convicted in September of leading a criminal organization that conspired to ensure his "authoritarian hold on power." The plot involved a plan to assassinate Lula, his vice president Geraldo Alckmin, and Moraes. An appeal of his sentence was rejected last week. On Friday, Bolsonaro's lawyers said they would file further appeals before a Monday deadline. However, they requested he be allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest due to ill health. Moraes rejected this petition Saturday due to the change in events. Bolsonaro, 70, suffers ongoing consequences of a stab wound to the abdomen received during a knife attack on the campaign trail in 2018 and has required several follow up surgeries. He has also suffered persistent bouts of violent hiccups which cause fainting, according to his doctors. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Netflix phenomenon, "KPop Demon Hunters," has taken a significant step towards potential Oscar glory, securing eligibility for the animated feature film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The film is among 35 features now vying for the prestigious prize. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially released its comprehensive lists of eligible films across animated, documentary, and international feature categories on Friday, setting the stage for next year's awards ceremony. Despite its primary home on Netflix, "KPop Demon Hunters" fulfilled the Academy's stringent criteria for Oscar consideration through a qualifying theatrical release in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco this past June. Curiously, however, its UK cinema run did not meet the requirements for BAFTA qualification. Other animated titles that qualified for the Oscars animated feature category were Neons Arco, Disneys Elio and Zootopia 2, GKids Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, Netflixs In Your Dreams and Crunchyroll/Sonys Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc. Notably, the Chinese blockbuster Ne Zha 2 was not among the 35 titles listed. open image in gallery Film Oscars ( 2017 Invision ) KPop Demon Hunters, which Netflix has said is its most watched film of all time, has amassed more than 541 million hours viewed worldwide. Its the highest charting soundtrack of 2025 with eight of its songs landing on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made a splash in theaters in August where it was estimated to have made around $18 million (which would have topped the charts if Netflix released theatrical earnings) and got a subsequent release over Halloween weekend. Netflix won their first animated feature Oscar in 2022 for Guillermo del Toros Pinocchio. There are also 201 documentaries and 86 international features eligible, including Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirat (Spain), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia) and My Fathers Shadow (United Kingdom). 2000 Meters to Andriivka, a co-production between the AP and PBS Frontline, is eligible in both categories. Both documentary and international titles will be winnowed to a 10-film shortlist that will be revealed on Dec. 16. KPop Demon Hunters fans will have to wait for nomination morning on Jan. 22 to hear whether or not they made the cut for animated feature. It's largely expected to be a player in the original song category as well, where Golden is among the songs being submitted. The 98th Oscars will air live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET. Theres an almost unbearable heaviness to Ivo van Hoves powerful revival of All My Sons, staged with a crushing gravity underneath a giant glowing sun. Bryan Cranston has an undeniable pull as its wily American patriarch, oppressed by the knowledge that hes betrayed everyone he loves just to make a quick buck. But the pain that resonates most strongly is portrayed by Paapa Essiedu as his optimistic son, crushed under the colossal weight of his fathers moral failings. Arthur Millers play is nominally set in the ordinary backyard of a house in small-town, postwar Ohio. Characteristically, Van Hove strips away the physical trappings of midcentury America here just as he did in his other landmark Miller revival, 2015s A View From A Bridge but its a rich, evocative kind of minimalism. Above the stage, a giant round aperture is made to glow with rich sunset hues, thanks to Jan Versweyvelds mesmeric lighting design, which frames the actors who appear in it like theyre messengers from another world. A fallen cherry tree crowds the bare stage, its stumpy limbs disconcertingly human. Wealthy couple Joe and Kate planted it in memory of their pilot son Larry, who went missing in action in the Second World War three years ago. As successful factory owner Joe, Cranston faces his grief with a statesmanlike pragmatism hes too aware of his image in the neighbourhood to let the mask slip. His wife sees no reason to pretend. Marianne Jean-Baptiste has profound depths as this mother whos unable to face reality shes fragile, but never weak, as she tells everyone that her lost boy will soon step back into the shoes shes kept nicely polished. Her other son, Chris, isnt so sure. Essiedu delivers a characteristically stellar performance as a younger brother whos high on the drug of righteous optimism. The past is in the past, he reckons. And now, in the present, theres no reason why he shouldnt marry Larrys former girlfriend Annie whos given a sturdy, appealing positivity by Hayley Squires. Essiedu might be 35 but theres something so brilliantly adolescent about his performance here. When Annie kisses him, he visibly looks to one side to process this unexpected new piece of information before deciding hes happy about it. When his money-obsessed father asks him despairingly if intellectual fulfilment is so important (You have to be inspired?), he answers with a fantastically sarcastic Yuh, and the two crash into a hug thats dangerously close to a paternal throttling. This Chris has so much youthful buoyancy that you can totally believe hes been taken in by his shadier father. Hes an idealist, not a hypocrite. And that makes it even more tragic when he sinks, dragged down by this plays ugly revelations about the bleak side of American profiteering. Annies brother George (Tom Glynn-Carney) crashes belatedly into the story to tell the truth; hes like a force from a dark fable, bringing a horror story energy to this suburban backyard. Van Hove manages something ingenious here, creating a version of suburban American thats abstract and epic while still humming with the sense of a local community that bustles into the backyard for tense little exchanges or leisurely card games. When this storys tragedy reaches its full force, that thrum of gossip becomes a nightmarish mosquito whine. Joe hasnt just displeased his community; hes angered the old gods, and his downfall is absolute. All My Sons is playing at Wyndhams Theatre until 7 March 2026; tickets here Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice YouTuber Angryginge has been crowned the winner of Im a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here 2025. Celebs Go Dating host Tom Read Wilson finished second while former EastEnders actor Shona McGarty finished third. In his exit interview Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, said Im a Celebrity was harder than he expected. Nobody warned me, he said. No one said it was going to be that hard. Im so glad I done it though. open image in gallery YouTuber Angryginge has been crowned the winner of the show ( ITV ) During McGartys exit interview, the 34-year-old said she saw herself as an older sister to fellow campmate Aitch. The actor sensed his vulnerability despite his rapper thing persona. To be completely honest, when he came in, this rapper thing coming on, mega and all that, underneath it all, I could tell he was quite scared of the whole experience, she explained. Hes normal, hes down to earth, weve had a similar upbringing. I felt like an older sister and I wanted to protect him. The former EastEnders star also addressed her brief reign as camp leader, ended by the butter scandal. She sniggered when Ant and Dec mentioned her very brief tenure. I saw my opportunity and I took it, she admitted. Asked if losing her throne was worth it, she replied: It was. She then hinted at others culpability: No, I thought maybe it was Alex and she forgot to tell me there was butter in the trunk. She had salt, pepper... Ginge, he got away with murder. open image in gallery Tom and Ginge during the Im a Celebrity final ( ITV ) During Sundays episode, the three remaining stars successfully navigated their final unique Bushtucker Trial, securing a lavish 12-star banquet for their campmates. Shona was first, tackling Rat Race. Strapped into a tight, confined box, she had eight minutes to retrieve four stars using only her mouth while surrounded by rats and insects. Next, Tom faced Bushtucker Bonanza, a culinary ordeal. Seated at a huge dining table, he had to consume four bizarre dishes for three main courses and a drink. His first, a fermented duck egg and scorpion, saw him make a show first by ingesting the entire egg. A stunned Ant exclaimed, Oh! Weve never had that! 25 years and no ones ever popped it in whole. He then consumed a camels brain, a pigs vagina, and a huntsman spider, successfully completing the challenge. Finally, Ginge braved Helmets of Hell. He encountered mealworms and toads; crickets, cockroaches and lizards; scorpions and snakes; and finally, rats and, to his declared horror, spiders. Ginge triumphed, securing all four stars and winning desserts and a drink for the camp. That evening, the three celebrities indulged in their lavish meals. Shona opted for a Diet Coke, Ginge a regular Coke, and Tom selected a coupe of champagne to accompany their meal. For starters, Shona chose prawns pil pil, while Ginge went for a double cheeseburger and chips. Tom, meanwhile, began his dining experience with smoked salmon. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. open image in gallery Actor Shona came in third place ( ITV ) For their main courses, Shona enjoyed boiled bacon and cabbage, Ginge opted for a substantial pepperoni pizza alongside chicken tenders, and Tom savoured venison served with a rich red wine jus, dauphinoise potatoes, and broad beans. The meal concluded with dessert, where Shona and Tom both selected chocolate fudge cake, with Shonas served with double cream. Ginge, however, preferred a generous slice of carrot cake to finish his banquet. Saturday saw rapper Aitch, an early favourite to win, surprisingly eliminated from the show. I love Shona to death, he said. If she gets it, she more than deserves it. Same with Tom, what a legend he is. But that crown needs to be taken back to my hometown [Manchester], so I pick Ginge. Get the Well Enough newsletter by Emilie Lavinia and make sense of the wild world of wellness Get our wellbeing editor's newsletter: Well Enough by Emilie Lavinia Get the Well Enough email by Emilie Lavinia Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice While it can be difficult to sometimes sit still and not do anything to occupy yourself, some experts claim it might be beneficial to be bored. Social media has recently introduced the do nothing challenge, where participants film themselves as they sit and experience boredom, while deliberately choosing not to look at any kind of screen or even a book. According to Niro Feliciano, a psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, there can be benefits to taking a break from the constant sea of information people are exposed to with the presence of technology. Our minds are constantly going, Feliciano said in an interview with Today.com. So I think this challenge is great because its really forcing people to train their minds to be still. And we know that a lot happens in the brain and in the body when we find that place of stillness. She explained that constant new information from checking notifications provides our brains with a boost of dopamine, or the feel-good hormone, which reinforces a craving for more every time it is used. Although the challenge is usually filmed, a psychotherapist has suggested performing the challenge without a phone around ( Getty Images ) We get these high levels of dopamine from constant new information, whether it's social media or text notifications or checking our email, Feliciano continued. Whatever it is, that gives us a hit of dopamine because we can not tolerate stillness. We almost go into withdrawal without the dopamine. The trend helps to reduce anxiety by eliminating social media, which reduces FOMO, or the fear of missing out. To see the biggest benefits from the challenge, Feliciano suggests choosing not to film yourself participating or posting the video for the sake of being fully away from your phone. For those who may struggle with the concept of sitting and doing nothing, it is suggested that people start out by taking a few minutes to stare out the window or taking a longer shower than usual. Feliciano added that she would encourage people to daydream and let your mind wander. If keeping your phone around is absolutely necessary, whether that be for school or work, you can still receive the benefits of the do nothing challenge by silencing phone notifications, turning on greyscale mode, making the screen black and white to avoid becoming attracted to the colorful screen, and keeping your phone away from your bed while sleeping. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Miss Universe contestant is still in hospital days after suffering a fall during the pageant, with her family saying she isnt doing as well as hoped. Miss Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, had to be carried away in a stretcher after she fell off the stage on Wednesday (19 November) during the preliminary evening gown round of the international major beauty pageant held in Thailand. In an update from the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation released on her Instagram Story on Friday (21 November), it was explained that Henrys sister, Dr Phylicia Henry-Samuels, is currently with Henry and their mother, Maureen Henry, at the hospital where she is being treated. According to Dr Henry Samuels, however, Gabby isnt doing as well as we would have hoped, but the hospital continues to treat her accordingly. The pageant star will be remain in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a minimum of seven days as doctors continue their close monitoring and specialised care, reads the statement. Elsewhere in the update, the organisation asked for Jamaicans at home and across the diaspora to continue keeping Gabrielle in their prayers during this profoundly difficult time. We respectfully ask the public and social media users to avoid sharing negative comments, misinformation, or speculation that may cause further distress to the family, the statement continued. Our primary focus remains on Gabrielles recovery and the well-being of her loved ones. We kindly request continued compassion, sensitivity, and privacy as the family navigates this challenging period. ( Miss Universe Jamaica Instagram ) The Independent has contacted a representative of the Miss Universe organisation for comment. In footage of the incident circulated online, Henry could be seen posing at the front of the stage in an orange bejewelled gown and high heels when she abruptly falls to the ground. Hours later, the Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation issued a statement on Instagram informing fans that she had been rushed to Paolo Rangsit hospital near Bangkok where medical professionals are attending to her care and have advised that she is not suffering from any life-threatening injuries. Miss Universe Organisation President Raul Rocha also wrote on Instagram that he had been to visit the hospital where Henry is being treated, stating that thankfully there are no broken bones and she is under good care. This years competition came to an end this week with Mexicos Fatima Bosch being crowned the winner. The 25-year-old from Tabasco was crowned by last years winner Victoria Kjr Theilvig from Denmark. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy, has criticized her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s policies as health secretary as she disclosed she has terminal cancer. In a poignant essay, A Battle with My Blood, written for The New Yorker, the 35-year-old daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg revealed she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, with a rare mutation called Inversion 3. I could not be cured by a standard course of treatment, Schlossberg said, listing the extensive treatment she would have to undergo, including a few months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, followed by more regular chemo to try and prevent the cancer from returning. As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly a half billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines, technology that could be used against certain cancers, she added, criticizing RFK Jr.s decision to slash important vaccine funding. Schlossberg ultimately underwent initial rounds of chemo before receiving a stem cell transplant from her older sister, Rose, who was a match. The transplant was a success and put her in remission, but she soon relapsed. Her doctor told her that her rare form of cancer liked to come back. open image in gallery Tatiana Schlossberg has been diagnosed with terminal cancer ( Getty Images for goop ) open image in gallery Prince William, left, meets siblings Jack and Tatiana Schlossberg and their mother, Caroline Kennedy, in 2022 ( AFP via Getty Images ) She entered several different clinical trials. However, during the latest clinical trial, my doctor told me that he could keep me alive for a year, maybe, she wrote. Schlossberg received the diagnosis in May 2024, after the birth of her second child with husband George Moran. The couple, who have been married since 2017, also have a three-year-old son. My doctor noticed that my blood count looked strange. A normal white-blood-cell count is around four to eleven thousand cells per microlitre. Mine was a hundred and thirty-one thousand cells per microlitre, she said. It could just be something related to pregnancy and delivery, the doctor said, or it could be leukemia. Schlossberg added that her immediate family has been extremely supportive through her cancer treatment. My parents and my brother and sister, too, have been raising my children and sitting in my various hospital rooms almost every day for the last year and a half, she said. They have held my hand unflinchingly while I have suffered, trying not to show their pain and sadness in order to protect me from it. This has been a great gift, even though I feel their pain every day. As well as her sister Rose, 37, Schlossberg has a brother, Jack, 32 JFKs only grandson who recently announced his intention to run for New Yorks 12th congressional district. The Kennedy family has been hit with a series of tragedies over the past 70 years. Schlossbergs article in The New Yorker was published on the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather, President John F. Kennedy, being assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His brother, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968 while campaigning for the White House. JFKs son John F. Kennedy Jr. was killed in a plane crash in 1999 along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette. Mary Richardson Kennedy, wife of RFK Jr., died from suicide in 2016; Saoirse Kennedy Hill, RFKs granddaughter, died of a drug overdose in 2019; and Maeve Kennedy McKean, another granddaughter of RFK, died with her eight-year-old son Gideon during a canoeing trip in 2020. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Four prison guards have been jailed for their roles in the brutal beating death of Robert Brooks, an incarcerated Black man, at an upstate New York facility last year. The incident, captured on body-cam videos, sparked widespread outrage and calls for reform. Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina, who initially faced murder charges, each received 22-year terms after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter. Michael Mashaw was sentenced to three to nine years, and David Walters to two years, four months to seven years, both for second-degree manslaughter. The sentences, handed down Friday, followed guilty pleas in September, just two weeks before a trial was due for guards implicated in the 9 December assault on 43-year-old Mr Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. Brooks had been serving a 12-year sentence for first-degree assault since 2017 and was transferred to Marcy from a nearby lockup on the night he was beaten. The videos show Brooks being struck in the chest with a shoe, lifted by his neck and then dropped. During the hearing, prosecutors read statements from Brooks' relatives, including his brother, Jared Ricks, who wrote that he hopes the welcoming committee shows the four defendants more grace when they arrive in state prison as incarcerated people than they showed his brother, Syracuse.com reported. The victim's son, Robert Brooks Jr., wrote that watching the video of his fathers fatal beating was like watching a horror movie. I pray this case teaches others that they cant treat incarcerated people like animals, he wrote. Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick, the special prosecutor in the case, said the two men were not allowed to read their statements themselves due to objections from all four defense attorneys after Fitzpatrick failed to file the required paperwork. open image in gallery Correctional officer Christopher Walrath, center, appears in Oneida County Court, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Utica, N.Y., to enter a guilty plea for manslaughter in the December 2024 death of inmate Robert Brooks. (AP Photo/Michael Hill, file) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The first plea in the case came last May, when a guard charged with murder pleaded guilty to manslaughter under a deal with prosecutors. Christopher Walrath, who resigned, was sentenced in August to 15 years in prison. Another guard pleaded guilty later in May to attempted tampering with physical evidence and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. The trial of three other guards charged with murder and first-degree manslaughter concluded last month with a jury convicting David Kingsley on both counts but acquitting the other two, Mathew Galliher and Nicholas Kieffer. Kingsley faces a potential life term when he's sentenced, while the last guard, Michael Fisher, is scheduled to stand trial in January on a second-degree manslaughter charge. Fitzpatrick is also prosecuting guards in the March 1 fatal beating of Messiah Nantwi at another Marcy lockup, the Mid-State Correctional Facility. Eight guards have reached plea deals in the case, while five others are scheduled to stand trial in March, including two who are charged with murder. Both prisons are about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Italian speedboat captain has been sentenced for a crash that killed a Bloomsbury USA publishing executive. Elio Perisco, 32, was sentenced on Friday to four years and nine months in jail by an Italian court. He was facing manslaughter and negligent injury charges after he piloted his speedboat while drunk and high on cocaine. Adrienne Vaughan, the President of Bloomsbury USA, was on Perisco's boat, sunbathing on its front deck, when the sailor smashed it into a larger ship in August 2023. Bloomsbury USA is the company that published the Harry Potter novels. Vaughan, 45, was tossed from the front of the ship and was then hit by the speedboat's propeller, which killed her. Her daughter was also thrown into the water, but she did not sustain any injuries, according to PEOPLE. "The vessel was going straight, and so was the hull, Pietro Iuzzolino, a bartender aboard the ship that Perisco hit, told Italian newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno at the time. Then suddenly it turned 180 degrees: there was a collision, and I heard a very loud bang. I saw the woman in the water, supported by her children and husband ... It was terrible." Adrienne Vaughan, president of Bloomsbury USA, was killed in Italy in 2023 after captain Elio Perisco crashed into a larger ship. Perisco was charged with involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to almost five years in prison ( Bloomsbury Publishing Inc. ) Iuzzolino told the paper he believed Perisco was drunk after watching the captain vomit following the crash. A passenger on the larger ship the Tortuga were filming an on-board wedding part when the crash occurred. As partiers were dancing to a Backstreet Boys song, the video records the sound of an impact in the distance. In the footage, a woman asks what happened, after which a man says a boat had collided with the Tortuga. Vaughan was pulled from the water and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Associated Press. Perisco sustained injuries to his ribs and pelvis. A drug test after the crash revealed that he had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of the crash. Authorities did not reveal Perisco's level of intoxication. Mike White, Vaughan's husband, was also on the boat and sustained an injury that required collarbone surgery. He told the Italian paper Il Messaggero that Perisco was constantly distracted by his phone during their outing. He was always on the phone, White said. The boat was scheduled to visit Positano on the day of the crash, but never made it to the island. Vaughan and her family were in Italy on a family vacation. None of the passengers on the Tortuga were injured Bloomsbury's leadership issued a press statement at the time of the incident confirming Vaughan's death and praising her work, calling her a leader of dazzling talent and infectious passion" [Vaughan] had a deep commitment to authors and readers," the statement said. "Most of all she was an extraordinary human being, and those of us who had the opportunity to work with her will be forever fortunate. White told the New York Post that losing Vaughan has "devastated" his family. Adriennes death has devastated our family. She was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, niece, and dear friend and colleague to many, he told the paper. Her absence from our lives and the terrible circumstances of her death are impossible to comprehend. This photo shows a 20-foot-long cypress board that was harvested from a tree believed to be more than 1,000 years old. The board used to hang in the halls of the Louisiana State Capitol, but has since gone missing. A manhunt is underway after arsonists torched three cars in a brazen firebombing on a suburban Sydney street on Friday night, threatening nearby homes and alarming residents. Emergency services were called to Evans Street at San Souci around 10.45pm on Friday following reports three vehicles had been set alight in a suspicious fire. Officers attached to St George Police Area Command attended the scene and Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the blazes. Sans Souci resident John Leondis was in the front yard of his home when he heard a great thud, before a fireball exploded over his neighbours roof. Eastern suburbs residents have launched a campaign of resistance against a proposed $78 million development that seeks to leverage the state governments housing incentives to replace an older residential block with luxury apartments. Sydney-based developer Toohey Miller wants to bulldoze a three-storey block of 27 studio apartments and several townhouses to make way for an eight-storey block of about 40 units on Oxford Street, opposite the heritage-listed Victoria Barracks military base, in Paddington. An indicative artists impression of the proposed development at 160 Oxford Street in Paddington. Credit: Toohey Miller About 10 of the new homes would be affordable housing units offered at below-market rent for 15 years. A concept proposal includes shops and a four-level underground car park for 78 vehicles. Woollahra independent councillor Harriet Price is among critics who say the proposal makes a mockery of the Minns governments affordable rental housing bonus scheme, which is designed to boost supply by giving developers extra height and floor space if they include affordable homes. A person has died and four others are fighting for their lives after a massive house fire north of Brisbane on Sunday morning. Fire crews rushed to Darcy Way, Lawnton, in the Moreton Bay region, at 5.45am to find the house engulfed in flames and the roof collapsed. Four people were on the front lawn when emergency services arrived, with another found dead inside the house. Two teenagers a boy and a girl and a man and woman in their 30s were treated by 18 paramedics before being rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital in life-threatening conditions. How to slash reputation The State Library of Victoria is housed in a beautiful historic building with a wonderful collection of books. However, one of its significant treasures is its team of professional and dedicated staff. Their detailed knowledge has helped many students, writers and professional historians over the years and any reduction in their numbers would seriously damage Melbournes reputation as a centre of culture and learning ( State Library to slash staff, services , 22/11). Sandra Torpey, Hawthorn Commodity training Re the article Thousands of carers to lose their qualifications (22/11), 10 years ago, my research identified the problem of vocational providers delivering aged-care courses that did not meet national standards. More recently, the royal commission highlighted concerns about the quality of some vocational training providers, suggesting a need for better regulation. In some vocational colleges, training is treated as a commodity. Is this the inevitable consequence of governments funding the private sector to deliver a public good? Sarah Russell, director, Aged Care Matters, Mount Martha To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au . Please include your home address and telephone number. No attachments, please include your letter in the body of the email. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Support the CSIRO Knowledge is Power is a catch-cry which we all know, and the curiosity which it engenders resulting in research and subsequently development, empowers societies, and what better society to empower than ours, of late, a lighthouse of humanity, amid the current global storms of disinformation, extremism and intolerance To rectify decades of incompetence in managing our undersea capability, the AUKUS deal gives billions to other countries. A mere fraction of this would fund and advance the CSIRO, our premier research facility which has allowed us to punch well above our weight in the world. This screams of disproportionality, and it should be obvious to all except some myopic thinkers in government. Research is often viewed as dilettantism, when it is in fact the key driver for the advancement of humanity. There should be much more support for the CSIRO, not less. Dr Mano Thevathasan, Carlton Not trustworthy Would a Ukrainian trust Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump to deliver a just or sustained peace? The current Peace plan calls for Ukraine to cede territory and capitulate was drafted in Moscow and delivered by Washington. Vera Lubczenko, Geelong West The four values The values that shape this country is something I came to understand after migrating from India in 1983, to build a life with my Australian wife. I have narrowed it down to four values which I now offer to the LNP to assist them design their Australian values test for migrants: 1. We give people a fair go, which means we offer them an equal chance to succeed or be heard. Fairness, decency and equal treatment matter to us. 2. We are an egalitarian society so our political and other institutions are structured to ensure they are fair, accessible, and not dominated by class. 3. We believe in national unity and ensure that we do nothing to divide our workplaces or communities. 4. Finally, we have a healthy disrespect for authority. When a politician ignores the values above, the proper response is to shake your head, take a sip of something cold, and say what a wanker. Prabha Kutty, Colac Please, a definition Would somebody please give me a list of values that are uniquely Australian? I have lived here all my life and have no idea what they are, so how can new arrivals espouse them? Cheryl Day, Beaumaris Whats up with this? With the upcoming social media ban, and the apparent push to use WhatsApp as a solution, I wonder if people realise you cannot hide your phone number even if it is unlisted within WhatsApp. Now anyone added to a group setup by kids for kids, we better hope they are all kids as all their phone numbers are exposed to be used directly via SMS or a direct phone call. As far as I know there are no privacy settings in WhatsApp to hide these numbers. What happens to young children when adults call them directly at any time? Dave Callander, Bentleigh East AW: Well, I had to go the post office to rescind my New Zealand citizenship in order to run in Australia. As I stood in the queue with my newborn baby, Jacinda Ardern was on TV, announcing that she was pregnant as the 38-year-old prime minister of NZ. That was a really formative moment for me. It was possible to do all these things, for New Zealand was already doing it. Fitz: And before long after being elected in 2019, and leaving your job as a lawyer your baby girl would be joined by your twin sons in 2020. Would I be right in saying that if I ask how you cope as a senior cabinet minister with three young children, youd bite my bloody head off for my outrageous presumption because no male cabinet minister, bloody well gets asked that question, and I should naff off until further notice? Labor MPs Anika Wells with her twins, Kate Thwaites and Alicia Payne with their babies return to parliament from maternity leave in 2021. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen AW: [Laughing lightly, I think.] No, I dont mind at all. When Ros Kelly had her baby back in the 1990s the first federal MP to have one while in office her boss, [then prime minister] Paul Keating, was very supportive. But essentially, she had to keep it a secret, and act like she hadnt had a baby. And my contribution to the feminism road is that having had the twins in office I have tried to do that visibly. Because seeing twins and a twin pram on the floor of the House, seeing me holding the twins at a press conference with the then opposition leader, Anthony Albanese, who held one for me helps other women have discussions in their workplaces about juggling their responsibilities. Fitz: [Emboldened.] All right then, how DID you cope? AW: Its been hard, but when you know you can cope with breastfeeding twins on no sleep, whilst defending a 0.65 per cent [electoral] margin in your first term whilst waiting to run to a division in the House of Representatives, you know its all possible. But it was the Labor women who were so essential to making my way through. Some people say to you, Oh, let us know if you need anything. And some people actually turn up with a lasagne, and they just walk into your kitchen and they put it in the fridge, and then they make themselves a cup of tea, and they make you a cup of tea as well. Fitz: Name them and fame them. AW: Katy Gallagher, Penny Wong and Tanya Plibersek were particularly wonderful. Fitz: What about Liberal women? AW: What Liberal and National Party women? In the House we have more ALP women whose first name starts with A than there are Liberal and National Party women in total. Fitz: OK, moving onto the social media ban for the under-16-year-olds that comes in on December 10. Can you sum up the plan in a pithy paragraph? An example message from Meta when the ban comes into force on December 10. AW: Firstly, its a social media delay. Were giving kids 36 more months to build resilience, digital literacy and real-world connections before they log online. And I think were trying to give back to kids their childhoods, and give parents back some peace of mind. This is a delay to the harmful and predatory design features of social media. Were all very clever, but we cant out-parent an algorithm, and kids cant outwit an algorithm. So were giving parents another weapon in their arsenal, in what is a daily fight in many households across Australia. Fitz: OK, did you inherit the plan when you took over as minister for communications, or was it your own fourth baby? AW: I would categorise it as, I inherited it from the prime minister. When he offered me the role of minister for communications, he said: Ive chosen you to do this because I believe that youre a good communicator and you can get this done for the government. This will be such a big legacy piece for us. Fitz: Yes, but dyb, dyb, dyb, dob, dob, dob, hand on your heart and hope to die do you honestly, believe in it? Loading AW: I genuinely, honestly, think that we are saving a generation. I think that this will look really untidy for the next couple of months because all big reforms do, and this is a really big reform, but we are saving Generation Alpha [those born between 2010 and 2024], who will grow up in Australia before ever going online or ever going onto social media logins. We are giving them three years [of childhood] back. Fitz: So what happens to the 350,000 Australians now on Facebook, who are younger than 16? Will they wake up on the morning of December 10 to find their accounts are closed? How will it work? AW: In the regulatory guidance that weve given to the nine platforms affected Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc they have to tell their users ahead of December 10 that this is coming, and that theirs has been identified as an under-16 account. They have to use kind and empathetic language when theyre doing so because this is going to be a rough change for our 13 to 16 cohort who are having something taken away. They also have to have an appeals process, so that if someone over 16 gets caught up in it, they can appeal to say, You got it wrong. Fitz: And what of the rest of us? My daughter tells me that I should be on something called BookTok, which I think is in turn the step-daughter once removed of TikTok. If, after December 10, I apply to get a TikTok account, will I, in some manner, have to prove that Im over 16 and hand over my personal ID? Loading AK: No. It should be the case that TikTok already has easily enough data about you that you will not have to prove your age. But if, for some reason, that is unclear enough that they do ask, you absolutely do not have to provide your ID. It is in the law that the platform must offer you alternatives to prove your identity other than uploading your government ID. Fitz: Lets just say a 15-year-old is found to have put up a false account, or whatever. What will be the penalty, and does it fall on the child or the parents? AW: No penalty for the child, no penalty for the parent. The onus is on the platforms to get it right. So that would be [a mark against] the platform for not working out thats an underage account. But the penalties for platforms are for systemic breaches, not for individual breaches. Fitz: What penalties do you envision? These multinational, multibillion-dollar tech companies are infamous for doing what they damn well please. How hard will you smack them for breaches? AW: For systemic breaches it is [a fine] of up $49.5 million. Fitz: And yet as I am sure you are aware, critics have said this is unworkable, that savvy young ones will have lined up false accounts for themselves before your tech enforcement officers have got their shoes on, to get out the door on the first morning? AW: But its not tech enforcement officers. It is the smartest, richest companies in the world, the social media platforms, who must detect and deactivate these accounts to comply with the law. They have this technology already to harvest our data, sell it for advertising, etc. They know with deadly precision who you are, what you do, when you do it, who you do it with, because of all the data we voluntarily give them. All we are asking is that they use that same technology they have developed for their own purposes, to keep our kids safer online. Fitz: And yet more than 140 academics in the field have signed an open letter calling this legislation a blunt instrument, that prioritises restrictions over rights. What do you say to that? Loading AW: That we are completely unapologetic about doing our best to keep kids safer online. The stats out there about the harms kids are suffering online are so alarming that we just have to have a crack at this, and I dont resile from the fact that this will look untidy as we work through it. Thats one of the reasons why weve got a two-year study that the eSafety Commissioner is going to run from December 10 about how this has worked, where it has worked and not worked, what we need to do to improve it. But when seven out of 10 kids are seeing harm online and [an available] answer is to do tangible measures like this to delay the start of social media usage from 13 to 16 then the prime minister and I feel its too important not to have a crack. Fitz: But despite parliaments own committee noting an unclear causal link, between social media and youth mental health harms, the law proceeded without robust trials? AW: I think the four mental health peak bodies, Kids Helpline, BeyondBlue, ReachOut and headspace, who consulted with the eSafety Commissioner forming up this legislation, would beg to disagree. Fitz: OK. If this is too personal, Im equally standing by to be smacked, but all of us have familial reference points for many of the decisions we make. In the realms of social media bans, are you guided by what you want for your own three children? AW: Yes, but as a grassroots local MP who still door knocks despite the fact Im a cabinet minister I have been struck by how much parents feel helpless against the absolute Wild West frontier that is kids on the internet. And when the prime minister and I announced the new rules in July, alongside some bereaved parents [whod lost their children to social media], I was taken aback by how many positive responses I got from so many parents who went out of their way to say, thank you so much for having a go. Like we say, this is not a cure. But its at least another weapon in the parental arsenal, in a space where people have felt very helpless. Fitz: In your family, do you have a screen time policy with your kids? AW: Well, obviously none of them are on social media because theyre too young. And despite the fact I would prefer my eight-year-old not to be on an iPad, she has to have one for school these days. So, like so many families, whatever your own preferences are, it prompts this dynamic where all of a sudden youve got to start arguing about screen time, and what apps are allowed. I guess the personal reflection Id give you is that while Im sad Im not there every night to monitor the usage to get into what apps are and arent allowed and thats one of the sacrifices of my job, my contribution is that I am driving the law that will create cultural change for Generation Alpha. Fitz: So, youve now ushered in two serious legacy reforms, with what you did with aged care in your last portfolio and now social media. What about another that would be of inestimable value to under-16s? What about banning wall-to-wall gambling advertising? AW: Youre right this is an important issue and Im continuing to have meetings with harm reduction advocates and broadcasters and sporting bodies about it. This issue matters to us which is why we have implemented some of the strongest harm reduction measures of any government. Fitz: I think that will have to be for another robust discussion ... Meantime, I note that Treasurer Jim Chalmers has called you future leader material. Every now and then, when youre at The Lodge, do you idly think, I reckon the curtains would look better with a creamy colour? AK: [Laughing merrily.] When you say that, I immediately think of Peter Dutton before the last election [talking of his plans for Kirribilli House], and how well that went for him. So, no! Fitz: Thank you for your time. Peter FitzSimons is a columnist and author. 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 Gold is booming and rare earths are on the minds of every politician in Washington DC and Canberra, but whats making Goldfields miners beam with the most pride right now isnt what theyre pulling out of the ground; its what theyre extracting from the sky. While the Coalition has been tearing itself apart over the push to net zero, Goldfields miners have been toiling away in the desert, building massive renewables projects that could power small towns. Lynas Mt Weld mine. Credit: Trevor Collens. And theyre not just doing it out of the goodness of their own hearts it is just cold, hard economics. Its a good investment. Its good cheap power, it serves our purpose and the huge bonus that comes with it is that carbon footprint reduction, so, win, win, win, Northern Stars KCGM growth general manager Nick Strong said. Northern Stars plans to construct one of the largest behind-the-grid renewable power stations in the country are now open for comment by the environmental regulator. The plan includes the construction of up to 32 massive wind turbines pumping out 256 megawatts of power and a 120 megawatt solar farm to provide power for the Kalgoorlie Super Pit and its current $1.5 billion expansion of its operating plant. Advertisement The Bluewaters coal-fired power station in Collie produces 416 megawatts. The project will be firmed up by a new 120 megawatt gas power station and a 300 megawatt hour battery system, which could power up to 240,000 homes for about two hours. The project will produce so much power in the right conditions Northern Star plans to sell some of it back into the WA power grid. While the cost for the project is still publicly unknown, Strong said it would provide the company cheaper power than the grid was offering. Yes, were doing it for the carbon reduction, but the economics of it make sense to us, the cost of the power, the price per kilowatt hour is a lot lower than what were buying it off the grid, he said. Northern Star general manager of KCGM growth Nick Strong. Credit: Trevor Collens South African miner Gold Fields is also investing heavily in renewables at its St Ives mine near Kambalda, with a $296 million wind and solar project planned to power about 70 per cent of the operation. Advertisement About 225 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie at its Granny Smith gold mine Gold Fields recently switched on a hybrid power grid made up of a 19 megawatt solar farm, 11 megawatt battery, 40 megawatt gas plant backed up with a 5 megawatt diesel generator. Granny Smith general manager Mark Glazebrook said the project could power about 40 per cent of the operation on a sunny day. It does decouple us somewhat from the rising fuel prices and gas prices, he said. A few kilometres from Granny Smith, rare earths miner Lynas is starting to commission four massive wind turbines which, coupled with the existing 7 megawatt solar farm and 12 megawatt battery, could power 100 per cent of its operations in the right conditions. Lynas said once completed, 70 per cent of the electrons generated would come from renewables per annum. Despite the Coalitions decision to dump net zero in favour of gradual emissions reduction, prioritising electricity cost, no listed miner in WA has publicly abandoned its net zero by 2050 commitments. Mining and farming magnate Gina Rinehart is one of net zeros biggest opponents due to the impact wind and solar farms could have on agricultural areas. Advertisement She railed against it again this week during a speech on the National Mining and Related Industries Day she founded in 2013, saying shareholder dividends at major companies like Rio Tinto and BHP were being sacrificed at the green altar. The WA Nationals have abandoned their net zero commitment, while WA Opposition and Liberal Leader Basil Zempilas have said he supports where his federal colleagues landed. Back in Kalgoorlie, Strong said he believed the debate in the political sphere was confused. Granny Smith gold mine general manager Mark Glazebrook. Credit: Trevor Collens I guess the politicians, and especially I guess the ones that are abandoning the net zero need to be a lot clearer in their communications, I think, as to whether they are abandoning net zero or theyre just protesting the fact of the infrastructure and the impact its having on regional communities, he said. I think theyre two very different things, and I think the politics at the moment is sounding very confusing. Are you denying climate change, or are you just objecting to the on the ground impact to your constituents in terms of wind farms and power lines and stuff? Advertisement Be clearer about what youre concerned about would be my first message to them. Northern Stars plans expand across an area about the size of Kalgoorlie town itself, but Strong said residents would not be able to see anything. Our wind farms and our renewables cant be seen from any residential property, you have to drive out of town a couple kilometres in order to actually see them. So its out of sight, out of mind, he said. Loading Power costs and reliability are whats driving miners to spend big bucks on behind-the-grid renewables. Rising costs of gas and coal are the biggest drivers of cost increases in WA electricity prices, as well as the huge expansion of the power grid to deal with all the new renewables projects planned. In their pre-state budget submission, Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA said the doubling of power costs for industrial customers connected to the South West power grid since 2020 as a major roadblock in further investment in the sector. Advertisement It all started at the dinner table one night when my 17-year-old son Gavin said, You know what? I never burp. Never? I asked. He shook his head. Nope. Never. Also Read: When Straight Women Find Out I'm Bisexual, There's 1 Big Misconception I Often Have To Clear Up Of course you do, I nearly replied. Everyone burps... dont they? I thought. Instead, I asked, Well, does that bother you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sort of, he said, shrugging. Also Read: I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking. We returned to our dinner, but his comment remained in the back of my mind. Is it even possible that a person just cant burp? I wondered. And, if so, does it even matter? Im not usually a worrier, and I have been guilty of trying to wait things out rather than take my kids to the doctor, not always with good results. One child turned out to have terrible strep and another one was experiencing a bad bout of pneumonia. But, in this case, because it was such an unusual comment, my mom instincts instantly kicked in. I wanted to know if this was a serious issue and, if so, what could be done to fix it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I decided to see what Google had to say on the subject, and it turns out that yes, it is possible that people cant burp, and yes, it most definitely matters. The author with Gavin at his college graduation in 2025. Courtesy of Gretchen Scherer According to Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the medical name for the inability to burp is retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD), which is informally known as no-burp syndrome. The diagnosis did not exist before 2019, and instead sufferers were often incorrectly diagnosed with acid reflux, irritable bowel disease or other digestive problems. When most people need to let a buildup of air escape from their stomach, the cricopharyngeus muscle relaxes and allows the air to vacate. For reasons that are still somewhat mysterious, some individuals cricopharyngeus muscle stays tensed, so they never burp. Also Read: My Swim Coach Assaulted Me At 14. When My Daughter Joined The Team, Fear Took Over. The more I thought about it, the more I realized all of the ways in which Gavins inability to burp had impacted him throughout his life. He was a terrible spitter-upper as a baby, and he was always more of a snacker than an eater. When he was older, he rarely drank soda, especially out of a can. He also had a reputation in our family for being able to clear a room with his farts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was the smallest of our three boys, and even at the peak of his growth spurt, while he was logging endless miles as a cross-country runner, he only ever ate a small amount of food at each sitting. It was common to hear Gavin say he was full after eating only half his meal. No matter how much he loved cheeseburgers, half of it would sit on his plate uneaten. Then, two hours later, he would ask me for another dinner. If Im being honest, I didnt always hide my frustration with those requests. But, luckily for both of us, I was always willing to at least make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (otherwise I would be wracked with guilt right now). Also Read: I Had My Fallopian Tubes Removed To End My Marriage. My Then-Husband's Reaction Shocked Me. Although no-burp syndrome is considered relatively rare, people who suffer from it often deal with significant symptoms. Severe bloating, throat gurgling, and terrible flatulence are some of the persistent issues, and they often become worse as a person gets older. The side effects of R-CPD can cause social anxiety and significantly impact quality of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few weeks after Gavin made that offhanded comment at dinner, he had his annual checkup with his pediatrician. I made sure he raised the burping issue, and Gavin described his symptoms. Unfortunately, his doctor said hed never heard of R-CPD. Since Gavin was leaving for college the next week, we let it go. However, when Gavin came home at Christmas several months later, he brought it up again. The coping methods he had used before frequently eating small portions and avoiding carbonated beverages werent as easy to maintain at college. Along with experiencing severe bloating, he now found himself occasionally throwing up. He wanted the problem solved, and I was becoming increasingly concerned about how R-CPD could impact him as he got older, so I kept researching. If you google the condition today, an AI overview will tell you everything you need to know. But even just a few years ago, it was incredibly difficult to find a solution, and some of the articles and videos I did find made me worry that it could be doing severe damage to Gavins health. Also Read: My 2-Week-Old Baby Received A Scary Diagnosis. Then Her Doctor Left Us With An Ominous Warning. Luckily, a friend of Gavins told us about a clinic near Chicago that had pioneered an experimental treatment designed to treat R-CPD by injecting Botox into the throat. We learned that the drug releases the cricopharyngeal sphincter and allows the patient to retrain the sphincter as the injectable slowly wears off. The success rate for a single procedure, which involves three shots, is over 80%, with nearly 20% needing a second procedure in order to be cured. Advertisement Advertisement Armed with that information, I wasted no time trying to find a doctor in Minneapolis that could perform the procedure. Before Gavin returned to the University of Wisconsin for his second semester, I had found a local physician trained to do the throat injections, and I was able to get him evaluated. The doctor numbed Gavins throat and performed an endoscopy. Based on that and an evaluation of Gavins symptoms, the doctor determined that Gavin most likely did have R-CPD and would be a great candidate for the Botox procedure. Gavin headed back to college, and we began the process of getting the injections approved by the insurance company. Our hope was to have the procedure done in Minneapolis, but our insurance rejected the request because the FDA has not approved Botox for this purpose. I made many calls over the next several months to our insurance company, the Minneapolis clinic, and the clinic in Chicago. I finally found a workaround by paying out-of-pocket for the Botox (around $600), so it wasnt submitted as part of our insurance claim. The rest of the procedure was approved, and, in our case, was 80% covered. Two days after finishing his spring exams, Gavin was on his way to the clinic in Chicago because they could see him almost immediately. Once he was there, Gavin underwent another endoscopy, watched a video that explained the procedure, and consulted with a doctor. The next morning, Gavin was put under with general anesthesia and was given three injections of Botox in his throat. Everything went smoothly, and Gavin and his dad were on their way home by 11:30 a.m. that day. The author's son, Gavin, chugging orange soda. Courtesy of Gretchen Scherer The worst side effect from the treatment was some temporary discomfort. For the first couple of months, the esophageal sphincter is completely open, and Gavin initially described the feeling in his throat as a little weird. Within 24 hours, he started experiencing micro burps, which is the first step in retraining the cricopharyngeal sphincter. Some people also experience occasional regurgitation as they practice burping during that first week. Advertisement Advertisement Patients are encouraged to burp as much as possible, so we gave Gavin full permission to burp anytime, anywhere. For most of that summer, burping was his new party trick for friends and family. Three years after the procedure, Gavin is still burping strong, although he hasnt quite mastered the alphabet yet. His sphincter is now completely retrained. Gavin said the procedure has been life-changing. Almost immediately, he was able to wolf down entire cheeseburgers for the first time, and the ability to drink carbonated beverages at college parties is a definite plus. I notice that he is happier in general and more energetic because he is not distracted by the discomfort that often came with eating. I am relieved that we were able to find a solution. My Google searches had turned up stories of the extreme discomfort that some people have to live with on a daily basis. Fortunately, Gavins symptoms fell more on the mild to medium side of the spectrum. The more I tell people about Gavins story, the less rare R-CPD seems. In fact, it may be more common than originally thought; at least two of my sons friends have the same issue and one also had the procedure in Chicago. However, very few doctors are familiar with the condition and may not know enough to ask the questions that could lead to a diagnosis. Parents may not even notice that a child who burped fine as a baby stopped burping as they got older. Advertisement Advertisement This journey has reminded me of several important truths about being a parent. First, dont ignore complaints your kids make about their health even those that seem small or nonchalant. I could have easily shrugged off Gavins initial comment, and Im so glad I didnt. Second, doctors dont know everything. Gavins pediatrician is fantastic, but he was even less familiar with no-burp syndrome than I was. I felt a little sheepish questioning him about it, but Im really glad I kept looking for information and pushing for an answer. Finally, dont automatically take no for an answer from your insurance company. It took time and persistence to get an approval for (most of) Gavins procedure, but it was absolutely worth it in the end. There are a lot of things Ive gotten wrong as a parent, but thankfully, this is one of the times I got things absolutely right and Gavin would love nothing more than to take a big swig of beer and show you himself. Advertisement Advertisement Gretchen Scherer is a mother, English teacher, and sometimes writer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her essays and travel articles have appeared in Salon.com, The St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Monthly Magazine, and a few anthologies. Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Crime Against Women Soars: 35 cases of rape and molestation registered in one and a half months Staff Reporter : Incidents of molestation and rape against minors and women in the State capital continue unabated. According to police records, a total of 35 serious cases of rape and molestation have been registered in just one and a half months, from the beginning of October to November 16. These cases include 27 counts of molestation and 8 counts of rape. A deeply concerning factor is that 9 minor girls are among the victims. A closer look at the figures reveals that 16 new cases were reported between November 1 and 16, meaning that on average, one woman or minor is becoming a victim of such crimes every day. In October, 15 molestation and 4 rape cases were registered, while the first half of November (Nov 1-16) saw 12 molestation and 4 rape incidents. Known acquaintances and social media identified as key factors: Police records indicate that in the majority of the cases, the accused were known acquaintances of the victim. Furthermore, in several incidents, young women were lured into relationships, often through friendships started on social media, particularly Instagram, which subsequently led to acts of rape. Record analysis shows that the highest number of cases, four each, were registered in the Habibganj, Kolar, and Piplani police station areas. Additionally, 2 to 3 incidents were registered in police stations like Aishbagh, Ratibad, Gandhi Nagar, rural Itkhedi, and Bilkhiria, suggesting that the crime graph has surged across all parts of the city. ED raids coal mafia in Jkhand, WB RANCHI : KOLKATA : THE Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted a mega search operation in Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of a money laundering probe against the coal mafia in the two neighbouring States and seized more than Rs 10 crore worth of cash and gold, officials said. More than 40 premises were covered in the raids that were launched around 6 am, with almost 100 officials and staff of the federal probe agency participating. Cash and gold worth Rs 8 crore have been seized from West Bengal, while cash of about Rs 2.2 crore was recovered during the searches in Jharkhand. About 120 land deeds have also been seized from the premises covered in Jharkhand, officials said. Teams of central security forces provided security to the ED teams, which searched residences and offices apart from toll collection booths and check posts. The raids were continuing till evening. The action is being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In Jharkhand, the agency is covering about 18 locations as part of the investigation related to coal theft and smuggling. According to the sources, the locations of entities named Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, L B Singh, and Amar Mandal are being covered. The collective scale of the case involves significant coal pilferage and theft, resulting in a massive financial loss to the Government worth hundreds of crores of rupees, officials said. In West Bengal, about 24 premises in Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata districts are being covered as part of an investigation into alleged illegal mining, transportation and storage of coal, they said. The people whose premises are being covered include Narendra Kharka, Yudhistar Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal, Chinmayi Mondal, Rajkoshore Yadav and others, they said. Godrej Properties acquires 75 acres in Nagpur, eyes Rs 755 cr revenue from sale of housing plots Realty firm Godrej Properties has acquired 75 acre land in Nagpur to develop a housing project with an estimated revenue of Rs 755 crore. The company will mainly sell housing plots in this upcoming project. In a regulatory filing on Friday, the company informed that it has surpassed Rs 20,000 crore annual target of new business development for this fiscal year after the latest purchase of 75 acres in Nagpur, Maharashtra. In the real estate sector, the new business development means acquisition of land parcels, through outright purchases or tie-ups with land owners, to build projects in future. Listed real estate developers generally disclose the estimated saleable area and revenue potential of land parcels they acquire. Godrej Properties noted that this is the third land acquisition in the city over the past four years. The upcoming project in Nagpur will have an estimated saleable area of around 1.7 million sq ft, with a revenue potential of about Rs 755 crore. Gaurav Pandey, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, said, Nagpur continues to strengthen its position as an important centre for infrastructure and industrial development, supported by improving connectivity and rising residential demand. On Thursday, Godrej Properties announced that it has acquired 30-acre land in South Bengaluru to develop a township with an estimated revenue of about Rs 3,500 crore. Godrej Properties is one of the leading real estate developers in the country. The company sold properties, primarily housing, worth Rs 29,444 crore in 2024-25. Its pre-sales or sales bookings grew 13 per cent to Rs 15,587 crore in the first six months of this fiscal year from Rs 13,835 crore in the year-ago period. Godrej Properties is confident of achieving the sales bookings target of Rs 32,500 crore for this fiscal year. Miss Mexico Fatima crowned Miss Universe BANGKOK : FATIMA Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, a dramatic victory for a 25-year-old at the centre of the turbulent 74th staging of the popular beauty pageant in Bangkok who stood up to public bullying from one of the hosts. The first runner-up was 29-year old Praveenar Singh of Thailand and 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser of Venezuela placed third. Rounding up the finishers were Ahtisa Manalo, 28, of the Philippines, and 27-year-old Olivia Yace of Ivory Coast who came fifth. The bad vibes at this years event sprang from a sharp-tongued scolding of the Mexican contestant, Bosch, which sparked a controversy marked by a walkout, feminist solidarity and a teary melodramatic apology from the local organiser who set it all off. At the livestreamed sashing ceremony for virtually all 130 contestants on November 4, Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil hectored Bosch for allegedly not following his guidelines for taking part in local promotional activities. He called security when she spoke up to defend herself. Bosch walked out of the room, joined by several others in a show of solidarity, including Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjr Theilvig of Denmark. What your director did is not respectful: he called me dumb, an unbowed Bosch told Thai reporters. If it takes away your dignity, you need to go. The Miss Universe organisation president, Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu, released a statement condemning Nawats conduct as public aggression and serious abuse. Even Mexicos first woman President, Claudia Sheinbaum, piled on, saying at a news conference in her countrys capital that she wanted to give recognition to Miss Mexico for voicing her disagreement in a dignified way. It seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices, Sheinbaum said. Sheinbaum recalled being told in the past a common phrase that women look more beautiful when they keep quiet. We women look more beautiful when we raise our voice and participate, because that has to do with the recognition of our rights, she said. Nawat later made apologies for his actions, appearing both tearful and defiant at the same time . If anyone (was) affected and not comfortable it happened, I am so sorry, he said in front of the contestants. He then turned to them and said Its passed. OK? Are you happy? Boschs official Miss Universe biography says she studied fashion in Mexico and Italy and has focused on creating sustainable designs and working with discarded materials. It says she has volunteered with sick children, promoted environmental awareness, and engaged in supported migrants and mental health issues. This years competition also saw a report that two judges had quit, with one of them suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. The allegation was denied. Separately, Thai police investigated the alleged illegal promotion of online casinos as part of the events publicity, a turn of events that may have been connected with the organisers feud. Mishaps and controversies are not rare for the pageant. The 2021 event attracted criticism because it was held in Israel, to the dismay of supporters of the Palestinian cause. An example of a minor misstep literally occurred Wednesday when Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, fell off the stage during the evening gown competition. Rs 252 crore Allotted for acquisition of properties on Old Bhandara Rd Staff Reporter : SDO issues notices to 523 property owners, allotting them specific date to appear for final hearing relating to distribution of compensation as per final award Property owners on Old Bhandara Road will be getting compensation out of Rs 252 crore allotted for land acquisition. Sub Divisional Officer, Nagpur City, has issued notices to property owners directing them to attend the final hearing on scheduled dates, from November 24 to December 2. The proceedings relate to completing acquisition of properties for widening Old Bhandara Road from Mayo Hospital T-point till Sunil Hotel as it enters the last leg, as administration is keen to wrap-up yet another major land acquisition work. The proceedings relating to completing the acquisition for widening of Old Bhandara Road has now gathered pace with Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) asking property owners to submit ownership records plus bank details to help complete the ongoing process of disbursal of compensation. SDO Suresh Bagle has published the schedule for dispensation of compensation and set the final date as December 2, 2025. The district administration is starting the procedure of noting down the final details as per sheet numbers, starting from November 24 onwards. SDO Suresh Bagle stated that final award regarding acquisition of 523 properties has been passed and individual property owners have been notified about the same on November 17 itself. As per Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, each of the property owner is eligible for compensation as per sub-section 37 (2) of Rule 2013. The respective property owners have to submit Aadhar card, PAN card, Bank passbook, property documents (sale deed), property card (Akhiv Patrika), and submit the same to office of SDO, Nagpur City, near District Superintendent of Police office, adjacent to Providence Girl School, Civil Lines. As is known, the road stretch from Mayo Hospital T-point to Old Bhandara Road Motor Stand is to be widened to 30 meters and thereafter from Bagdadiya Square to Sunil Hotel to 18 meters. The Old Bhandara Road bisects through the busy wholesale market area of city. As these markets are located in old city area, the roads are narrow and with passage of time, the markets have become congested, that troubles the citizens and shoppers alike. When the IRDP scheme was floated, Old Bhandara Road was also proposed to be widened but since the ground work relating to acquisition was not taken up, the work could not take off while other road listed during the same time were completed. Frustrated with inordinate delay, Madhya Nagpur Vikas Aghadi went to Bombay High Courts Nagpur Bench seeking judicial direction for administration to start road widening work on Old Bhandara Road. A petition was filed by Bhushan Dadwe and Ravindra Paigwar following which Court directed administration act fast and complete the process. However the land acquisition being tedious and complicated one, the administration took its own time to complete the ground work. Only post push on part of MLA Pravin Datke, the process gathered pace and now has reached the last leg. Earlier, the SDO released the list of properties identified post joint measurement for acquisition. It is comprehensive document mentioning sheet no. plus names of property owners, total land on Old Bhandara Road and one that is to be acquired, and the compensation amount finalised. A substantial amount to property owners is interest that has accumulated since passing of award due to delay in completing the process. Will present Indias view at G20: PM JOHANNESBURG : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he was looking forward to productive discussions with world leaders on key global issues as he arrived here to attend the G20 Leaders Summit being hosted by South Africa. Ahead of his departure from Delhi, Modi said he will present Indias perspective at the summit in line with its vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and One Earth, One Family and One Future. Modi arrived at Waterkloof Air Force Base (AFB) in Gauteng, where he was accorded a warm and ceremonial welcome. He was greeted with a red-carpet salute from the South African Air Force. The Prime Minister was received by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, South Africas Minister in the Presidency, at the airport. A cultural performance troupe greeted him with traditional dances and songs. Landed in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit related engagements. Look forward to productive discussions with world leaders on key global issues, Modi said in a social media post. This is the first G20 Summit being held in Africa. The African Union became a member of the G20 during Indias presidency in 2023. Our focus will be on strengthening cooperation, advancing development priorities and ensuring a better future for all, the Prime Minister said. When Modi arrived at the hotel, a group of children recited a prayer to welcome him. Local artists performed traditional dances, displaying the cultural heritage of states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Prime Minister also interacted with children who recited Vedic Mantras. He was seen clapping to the tunes of musical performances. He shook hands and interacted with the members of the Indian community as they chanted Modi-Modi. Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Johannesburg. This affection reflects the enduring bond between India and South Africa. These ties, rooted in history and strengthened by shared values, continue to grow even stronger! Modi said. He said that the cultural connect between India and South Africa is truly heartwarming and timeless. In Johannesburg, my young friends sang the Ganapati Prarthana, Shanti Mantra and other divine prayers with great devotion. Such moments reaffirm the enduring bonds between our people, he added. On the margins of the summit, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with some of the leaders present in Johannesburg. He will also attend the 6th Summit of IBSA - a trilateral grouping of India, Brazil and South Africa. The summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. The theme of this years G20 has been Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, by which South Africa has carried forward the outcomes from the previous Summits held in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he added. I look forward to my interactions with leaders of the partner countries, and participation in the 6th IBSA Summit scheduled on the sidelines of the Summit, Modi said. He also said that he was looking forward to his interaction with the Indian diaspora in South Africa, which is one of the largest outside India. Prime Minister Modi is expected to speak in all three sessions of the G20 Summit. The three sessions of the summit include Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind: Building our economies, the role of trade, financing for development and the debt burden. The other two sessions are A Resilient World the G20s Contribution: Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Just Energy Transitions, Food Systems; and A Fair and a Just Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence. This will be the fourth consecutive summit of the grouping that will be held in the Global South. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are not attending the summit. Youths involvement in social media is just a transition phase Staff Reporter : Literature Festival inaugurated with release of books by Dr Nilesh Oak and Chandrachur Ghose Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sunil Ambekar believes that involvement of todays youth in social media is not spoiling their life. Rather, the youth are going through a transition phase which is normal in every generation. Our generation witnessed the invention of television when every youth got addicted to it. Now, the same thing is going on with the current generation and this time it is social media, said Ambekar while inaugurating the 7th Orange City Literature Festival (OCLF) conducted by SGR Knowledge Foundation in association with Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines on Friday. Everyone is worried about the influence of social media over the youth but I want to assure that todays youth are more hungry to gather knowledge and this transition phase will also vanish soon like ours, said Ambekar. Advocating about current generation, the chief guest said, Todays youth are more patriotic and sensitive about their religion and culture. It is good that the construction of Ayodhya Ram Mandir took place in the era of social media when Indian youth experienced it by their own. Ram Mandir is not just a temple. It is the physical evidence of Lord Ram who is an eternal part of our culture and religion. Similarly, the recently held absconding accused, Suraj alias Musa Ramesh Varankar (25), who was wanted after a raid at his Chankapur residence in April 2025, during which a pistol was recovered. During interrogation, he revealed that he had purchased the weapon from Ravi alias Jagga Ashok Yadav (20) of Kavads, Patansawangi tehsil. Jagga, who had been absconding since then, was arrested on Thursday evening and produced in court. Police said further investigation is underway. Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (NYSE:PAGS Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 26,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $255,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PAGS. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 7,831,041 shares of the companys stock valued at $75,445,000 after acquiring an additional 485,575 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in PagSeguro Digital in the 1st quarter worth approximately $59,603,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio lifted its position in PagSeguro Digital by 2.9% in the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 496,655 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,788,000 after purchasing an additional 13,963 shares during the last quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of PagSeguro Digital by 2.3% during the second quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 395,530 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,813,000 after purchasing an additional 8,787 shares during the period. Finally, Voya Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of PagSeguro Digital by 13.2% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 367,328 shares of the companys stock worth $2,803,000 after purchasing an additional 42,862 shares during the last quarter. 45.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get PagSeguro Digital alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently commented on PAGS. Susquehanna upped their price target on shares of PagSeguro Digital from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of PagSeguro Digital from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, October 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $9.00 target price (down from $12.00) on shares of PagSeguro Digital in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of PagSeguro Digital in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered PagSeguro Digital from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, PagSeguro Digital presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $11.50. PagSeguro Digital Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:PAGS opened at $9.69 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.19 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.51, a P/E/G ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.59. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $9.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.13. PagSeguro Digital Ltd. has a 52-week low of $6.11 and a 52-week high of $11.16. PagSeguro Digital (NYSE:PAGS Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The company reported $0.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.35 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $937.15 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $971.30 million. PagSeguro Digital had a return on equity of 15.39% and a net margin of 11.00%. On average, equities analysts forecast that PagSeguro Digital Ltd. will post 1.17 EPS for the current fiscal year. PagSeguro Digital Cuts Dividend The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 6th were given a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 6th. PagSeguro Digitals dividend payout ratio is currently 10.85%. PagSeguro Digital Company Profile (Free Report) PagSeguro Digital Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides financial technology solutions and services for consumers, individual entrepreneurs, micro-merchants, and small and medium-sized companies in Brazil and internationally. The company's products and services include PagSeguro Ecosystem, a digital ecosystem that operates as a closed loop where its clients are able to address their primary day to day financial needs, including receiving and spending funds, and managing and growing their businesses; PagBank digital account, which offers payment and banking services through the PagBank mobile app, as well as centralizes various cash-in options, functionalities, services, and cash-out options in a single ecosystem; and PlugPag, a tool for medium-sized and larger merchants that enables them to connect their point of sale (POS) device directly to their enterprise resource planning software or sales automation system through Bluetooth. Read More Receive News & Ratings for PagSeguro Digital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PagSeguro Digital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at William Blair to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued on Thursday,Zacks.com reports. A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on ABT. Raymond James Financial upped their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $147.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $146.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $159.00 to $162.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $147.00. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Abbott Laboratories Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 3.2% NYSE ABT opened at $127.97 on Thursday. The firms 50 day moving average price is $129.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $131.22. The stock has a market cap of $222.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.04, 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 debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.82. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.30. The business had revenue of $11.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.78% and a net margin of 31.88%.Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.21 earnings per share. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,026,180,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth $1,658,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,056,934 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $823,804,000 after purchasing an additional 6,011,891 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 51.0% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 13,951,907 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $1,868,718,000 after buying an additional 4,713,135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 29.2% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 15,985,797 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,120,516,000 after buying an additional 3,616,471 shares in the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Abbott Laboratories (Get 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE:AM Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the five brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $18.8333. Several analysts recently commented on AM shares. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of Antero Midstream in a report on Wednesday. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Antero Midstream from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Antero Midstream from $15.50 to $17.50 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Antero Midstream from $19.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on Antero Midstream from $17.00 to $19.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, August 1st. Get Antero Midstream alerts: Get Our Latest Report on Antero Midstream Antero Midstream Stock Up 0.1% NYSE:AM opened at $17.72 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $18.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $18.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.08 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. Antero Midstream has a 1-year low of $14.22 and a 1-year high of $19.82. Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The pipeline company reported $0.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.25 by $0.02. Antero Midstream had a return on equity of 22.53% and a net margin of 40.07%.The firm had revenue of $294.82 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $287.30 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.21 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Antero Midstream will post 0.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Antero Midstream Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 5th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 22nd were issued a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 22nd. Antero Midstreams payout ratio is currently 91.84%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Antero Midstream A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AM. Richardson Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of Antero Midstream by 330.2% during the 3rd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,295 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 994 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Antero Midstream in the third quarter worth $25,000. Quent Capital LLC acquired a new position in Antero Midstream during the third quarter worth $28,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its holdings in Antero Midstream by 33.3% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 2,263 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 565 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Antero Midstream by 58.8% in the second quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,700 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $51,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.97% of the companys stock. About Antero Midstream (Get Free Report) Antero Midstream Corporation owns, operates, and develops midstream energy assets in the Appalachian Basin. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Water Handling. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collects and processes production from Antero Resources' wells in West Virginia and Ohio. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Antero Midstream Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Antero Midstream and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. decreased its stake in Ares Management Corporation (NYSE:ARES Free Report) by 31.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 9,584 shares of the asset managers stock after selling 4,335 shares during the quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.s holdings in Ares Management were worth $1,675,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Ares Management during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new stake in shares of Ares Management in the first quarter worth approximately $39,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Ares Management in the second quarter worth approximately $43,000. SouthState Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Ares Management during the first quarter worth approximately $48,000. Finally, Westpac Banking Corp raised its stake in Ares Management by 33.1% in the 1st quarter. Westpac Banking Corp now owns 442 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.03% of the companys stock. Get Ares Management alerts: Ares Management Stock Up 2.4% Shares of NYSE ARES opened at $147.76 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $48.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 85.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.08. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $154.85 and a 200-day simple moving average of $168.45. Ares Management Corporation has a 1 year low of $110.63 and a 1 year high of $200.49. Ares Management Cuts Dividend Ares Management ( NYSE:ARES Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The asset manager reported $1.19 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $1.66 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.03 billion. Ares Management had a return on equity of 15.81% and a net margin of 9.47%.During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.55 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts predict that Ares Management Corporation will post 5.28 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.8438 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 17th. This represents a $3.38 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Ares Managements dividend payout ratio is currently 192.27%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ARES shares. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Ares Management in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Ares Management in a research report on Monday. Oppenheimer set a $190.00 price objective on shares of Ares Management and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. JMP Securities raised their target price on shares of Ares Management from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Ares Management from $175.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Ares Management currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $187.46. Read Our Latest Research Report on ARES Insider Activity In related news, Chairman Antony P. Ressler sold 128,837 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.30, for a total value of $22,971,637.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Over the last three months, insiders sold 1,778,017 shares of company stock worth $316,832,014. 36.86% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Ares Management Profile (Free Report) Ares Management Corporation operates as an alternative asset manager in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The company's Tradable Credit Group segment manages various types of investment funds, such as commingled and separately managed accounts for institutional investors, and publicly traded vehicles and sub-advised funds for retail investors in the tradable and non-investment grade corporate credit markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ares Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ares Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Hawaii Corporation (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the six brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $73.20. Several equities analysts recently issued reports on BOH shares. Piper Sandler started coverage on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. They set a neutral rating and a $71.00 price target on the stock. Stephens cut their price objective on Bank of Hawaii from $78.00 to $76.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, July 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a research report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded Bank of Hawaii from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $70.00 price target on shares of Bank of Hawaii in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Get Bank of Hawaii alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on BOH Bank of Hawaii Trading Up 2.2% BOH traded up $1.40 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $65.10. 491,958 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 421,280. Bank of Hawaii has a 52 week low of $57.44 and a 52 week high of $82.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $64.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $66.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.95, a P/E/G ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.88. Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The bank reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.07. Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 17.41% and a return on equity of 13.33%. The business had revenue of $182.64 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $180.95 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.93 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Bank of Hawaii will post 3.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of Hawaii Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Bank of Hawaiis dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 68.63%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of Hawaii Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 150.0% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 450 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its position in Bank of Hawaii by 1,497.2% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 575 shares of the banks stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 539 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in Bank of Hawaii in the first quarter worth approximately $41,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Bank of Hawaii by 461.3% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 623 shares of the banks stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares during the period. Finally, State of Wyoming grew its position in Bank of Hawaii by 8,220.0% in the 2nd quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 832 shares of the banks stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 822 shares during the period. 82.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Bank of Hawaii Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, overdraft lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, as well as high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Hawaii Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Hawaii and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tamarack Valley Energy (TSE:TVE Free Report) had its price objective increased by BMO Capital Markets from C$9.00 to C$11.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday morning,BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on TVE. ATB Capital increased their price objective on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$7.00 to C$7.25 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their target price on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$6.00 to C$7.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Canaccord Genuity Group downgraded shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$7.50 to C$8.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of Tamarack Valley Energy from C$7.25 to C$8.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$7.58. Get Tamarack Valley Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Tamarack Valley Energy Tamarack Valley Energy Stock Performance Shares of TVE stock traded up C$0.25 on Friday, reaching C$7.60. The stock had a trading volume of 3,017,096 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,965,158. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.61, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a current ratio of 0.73. Tamarack Valley Energy has a 1 year low of C$3.10 and a 1 year high of C$7.63. The stock has a market cap of C$3.74 billion, a P/E ratio of -44.71 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$6.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$5.42. Tamarack Valley Energy (TSE:TVE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported C($0.50) EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$406.32 million for the quarter. Tamarack Valley Energy had a net margin of 13.48% and a return on equity of 9.89%. Equities research analysts expect that Tamarack Valley Energy will post 0.1386527 EPS for the current year. Tamarack Valley Energy Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $0.0127 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 31st. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Tamarack Valley Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -89.85%. Insider Activity at Tamarack Valley Energy In related news, Director Shannon Joseph bought 16,129 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$6.32 per share, for a total transaction of C$101,935.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 38,328 shares in the company, valued at C$242,232.96. The trade was a 72.66% increase in their ownership of the stock. Company insiders own 1.32% of the companys stock. Tamarack Valley Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd. engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the Western Canadian sedimentary basin. It primarily holds interests in Cardium light oil plays in Wilson Creek/Alder Flats/Pembina, and Garrington and Lochend areas in Alberta; Viking light oil resource plays in Redwater and Westlock in Alberta, as well as in the Consort area of southeast Alberta and Hoosier area of southwest Saskatchewan; Barons Sands light oil plays located in the Penny area of Southern Alberta; and heavy oil properties located in Hatton area of Saskatchewan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Tamarack Valley Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tamarack Valley Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Cinemark Holdings Inc (NYSE:CNK Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twelve research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $35.30. CNK has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of Cinemark from $35.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research upgraded Cinemark from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen raised Cinemark from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Cinemark in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Barrington Research reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $36.00 target price on shares of Cinemark in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Get Cinemark alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on CNK Cinemark Stock Performance CNK stock opened at $29.47 on Wednesday. Cinemark has a twelve month low of $23.12 and a twelve month high of $36.28. The firm has a market cap of $3.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.10, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.69. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $27.84 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $28.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.32. Cinemark (NYSE:CNK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $857.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $851.47 million. Cinemark had a net margin of 9.13% and a return on equity of 59.16%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.19 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Cinemark will post 1.93 earnings per share for the current year. Cinemark Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.09 dividend. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.2%. This is a boost from Cinemarks previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Cinemarks payout ratio is currently 34.62%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CNK. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Cinemark by 12.9% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 9,346,856 shares of the companys stock worth $232,643,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066,225 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in Cinemark by 758.9% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 4,497,305 shares of the companys stock valued at $135,729,000 after buying an additional 3,973,689 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in Cinemark by 106.9% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 2,589,372 shares of the companys stock worth $78,147,000 after buying an additional 1,338,153 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its holdings in Cinemark by 119.9% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 2,180,513 shares of the companys stock worth $65,808,000 after buying an additional 1,188,709 shares during the period. Finally, Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its holdings in Cinemark by 2.8% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 2,069,188 shares of the companys stock worth $57,979,000 after buying an additional 56,275 shares during the period. About Cinemark (Get Free Report) Cinemark Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the motion picture exhibition business. As of February 16, 2024, it operated 501 theatres with 5,719 screens in 42 states and 13 countries in South and Central America. Cinemark Holdings, Inc was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cinemark Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cinemark and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pentair plc (NYSE:PNR Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the seventeen brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation, eleven have assigned a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $120.2143. A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Pentair from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Pentair from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, July 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Pentair from $116.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on Pentair from $121.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $130.00 target price on Pentair in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Get Pentair alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Pentair Insider Buying and Selling at Pentair Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pentair In related news, CFO Robert P. Fishman sold 7,786 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $105.42, for a total value of $820,800.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 63,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,658,748.88. This trade represents a 10.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PNR. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in Pentair by 19.1% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 4,129,805 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $361,275,000 after purchasing an additional 661,154 shares in the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pentair in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $336,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its stake in shares of Pentair by 52.4% during the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,037,084 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $106,146,000 after acquiring an additional 356,775 shares in the last quarter. LBP AM SA lifted its position in Pentair by 10.7% during the second quarter. LBP AM SA now owns 79,301 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $8,141,000 after acquiring an additional 7,647 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Pentair in the second quarter valued at approximately $5,057,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.37% of the companys stock. Pentair Trading Up 3.4% Shares of PNR stock opened at $104.89 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.46. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $108.55 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $104.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.16 billion, a PE ratio of 26.62, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.14. Pentair has a 52-week low of $74.25 and a 52-week high of $113.95. Pentair (NYSE:PNR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.18 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $1.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1 billion. Pentair had a return on equity of 21.83% and a net margin of 15.84%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.09 earnings per share. Pentair has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.110-1.160 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 4.850-4.900 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Pentair will post 4.77 EPS for the current fiscal year. Pentair Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. Pentairs dividend payout ratio is 25.38%. About Pentair (Get Free Report) Pentair plc provides various water solutions in the United States, Western Europe, China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, and Japan. The company operates through three segments: Flow, Water Solutions, and Pool. The Flow segment designs, manufactures, and sells fluid treatment and pump products and systems, including pressure vessels, gas recovery solutions, membrane bioreactors, wastewater reuse systems and advanced membrane filtration, separation systems, water disposal pumps, water supply pumps, fluid transfer pumps, turbine pumps, solid handling pumps, and agricultural spray nozzles for fluid delivery, ion exchange, desalination, food and beverage, separation technologies in the oil and gas industry, residential and municipal wells, water treatment, wastewater solids handling, pressure boosting, circulation and transfer, fire suppression, flood control, agricultural irrigation, and crop spray in residential, commercial, and industrial markets. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Pentair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pentair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cabot (NYSE:CBT Get Free Report) and Air Liquide (OTCMKTS:AIQUY Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends and risk. Insider and Institutional Ownership 93.2% of Cabot shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Air Liquide shares are owned by institutional investors. 3.0% of Cabot 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. Get Cabot alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Cabot and Air Liquide, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cabot 2 2 1 0 1.80 Air Liquide 0 3 2 1 2.67 Profitability Cabot currently has a consensus target price of $74.00, suggesting a potential upside of 19.78%. Given Cabots higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Cabot is more favorable than Air Liquide. This table compares Cabot and Air Liquides net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cabot 11.14% 25.68% 10.92% Air Liquide N/A N/A N/A Dividends Cabot pays an annual dividend of $1.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.9%. Air Liquide pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.3%. Cabot pays out 30.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cabot has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Cabot is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Cabot and Air Liquides top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cabot $3.71 billion 0.89 $380.00 million $6.01 10.28 Air Liquide $29.28 billion 3.78 $3.58 billion N/A N/A Air Liquide has higher revenue and earnings than Cabot. Risk & Volatility Cabot has a beta of 0.9, indicating that its share price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Air Liquide has a beta of 0.85, indicating that its share price is 15% less volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Cabot beats Air Liquide on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Cabot (Get Free Report) Cabot Corporation operates as a specialty chemicals and performance materials company. The company operates through two segments, Reinforcement Materials and Performance Chemicals. It offers reinforcing carbons that are used in tires as a rubber reinforcing agent and performance additive, as well as in industrial products, such as hoses, belts, extruded profiles, and molded goods; and engineered elastomer composites solutions. The company also provides specialty carbons for use in inks, coatings, plastics, adhesives, toners, batteries, and displays; conductive additives and fumed alumina used in lead acid and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles; fumed silica used in adhesives, sealants, cosmetics, batteries, inks, toners, silicone elastomers, coatings, polishing slurries, and pharmaceuticals; and fumed alumina for use in various products, including inkjet media, lighting, coatings, cosmetics, and polishing slurries. In addition, it offers aerogel, a hydrophobic, silica-based particle to use in various thermal insulation and specialty chemical applications; masterbatch and conductive compound products that are used in automotive, industrial, packaging, infrastructure, agriculture, consumer products, and electronics industries; and inkjet colorants for inkjet printing applications. The company sells its products through distributors and sales representatives in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Cabot Corporation was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. About Air Liquide (Get Free Report) L'Air Liquide S.A. provides gases, technologies, and services for the industrial and health sectors in Europe, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates in Gas & Services, Engineering & Construction, and Global Markets & Technologies segments. The Gas & Services segment comprises large industries business, which offers gas and energy solutions including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, as well as operates cogeneration plants to supply steam and electricity to metals, chemicals, refining, and energy industries; and industrial merchant business line provides industrial gases, equipment, hardgoods, and associated services to materials and energy, automotive and manufacturing, food and pharmaceuticals, technology and research, and craftsmen and retail sectors. This segment also includes healthcare business, which provides medical gases, home healthcare services, medical equipment, and specialty ingredient to patients, healthcare professionals, and hospitals; and electronic business supply carrier gases, electronic specialty and advanced materials, equipment and installation, and service to semiconductor, flat panel, and photovoltaic markets. The Engineering & Construction segment designs, develops, and builds industrial gas production plants to third parties; and design and manufacture plants in traditional, renewable and alternative energy sectors. The Global Markets & Technologies segment delivers technological solutions, such as molecules, equipment, and services to energy transition and deep technology. This segment also invests in and operates biomethane production units; designs hydrogen refueling stations; and supplies gases for the offshore oil and gas platforms, offshore wind turbines, and cryogenic transportation by sea. L'Air Liquide S.A. was incorporated in 1902 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Receive News & Ratings for Cabot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cabot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dominos Pizza Enterprises Limited (OTCMKTS:DMZPY Get Free Report) was up 14.5% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $6.96 and last traded at $6.96. Approximately 790 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 23% from the average daily volume of 1,025 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.08. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Dominos Pizza Enterprises from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Hold. Get Domino's Pizza Enterprises alerts: View Our Latest Report on DMZPY Dominos Pizza Enterprises Trading Down 10.9% Dominos Pizza Enterprises Announces Dividend The business has a 50-day moving average price of $5.20 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.10. The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 9th were paid a dividend of $0.0477 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 8th. This represents a yield of 289.0%. About Dominos Pizza Enterprises (Get Free Report) Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited operates retail food outlets. The company holds franchise rights for the Domino's brand in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Cambodia, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It operates various stores. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Domino's Pizza Enterprises and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Empowered Funds LLC decreased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 37.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,389 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 5,605 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $3,948,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Motorola Solutions during the second quarter worth $25,000. Saudi Central Bank bought a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Motorola Solutions by 289.5% during the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 74 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Rossby Financial LCC raised its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 148.6% in the 2nd quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 87 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Finally, Cape Investment Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Motorola Solutions by 3,300.0% in the 1st quarter. Cape Investment Advisory Inc. now owns 102 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 84.17% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MSI shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $465.00 target price (down from $495.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, October 31st. UBS Group increased their price target on Motorola Solutions from $490.00 to $510.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Evercore ISI raised their price target on Motorola Solutions from $500.00 to $525.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price objective 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. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Motorola Solutions presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $506.43. Motorola Solutions Stock Up 0.4% MSI opened at $368.43 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $432.68 and a 200-day moving average of $433.26. The company has a market capitalization of $61.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.96. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $365.75 and a fifty-two week high of $503.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.86, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.73. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.85 by $0.21. Motorola Solutions had a net margin of 19.08% and a return on equity of 134.30%. The business had revenue of $3.01 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.99 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.74 earnings per share. Motorola Solutionss revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 EPS for the current year. Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $1.21 dividend. This represents a $4.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. This is an increase from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is presently 34.99%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Motorola Solutions 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 transaction of $24,175,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 46,936 shares in the company, valued at $22,693,556. This trade represents a 51.58% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP James A. Niewiara sold 1,700 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $485.43, for a total value of $825,231.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 14,542 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,059,123.06. The trade was a 10.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 110,614 shares of company stock valued at $53,085,917 over the last 90 days. 1.44% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Motorola Solutions (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. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras SA (NYSE:EBR Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 24,199 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $180,000. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of EBR. Wealthquest Corp bought a new stake in shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras by 59.3% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 7,318 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 2,723 shares during the last quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras in the 2nd quarter valued at $74,000. Drive Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras in the 2nd quarter valued at $75,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras by 957.9% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 12,198 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $91,000 after purchasing an additional 11,045 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.64% of the companys stock. Get Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras alerts: Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras Stock Performance Shares of EBR opened at $11.10 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $10.12 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.43. Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras SA has a 52 week low of $5.45 and a 52 week high of $11.27. The company has a market capitalization of $24.97 billion, a PE ratio of 21.34 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 1.86. Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.3525 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. Centrais Eltricas Brasileirass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 123.08%. A number of analysts have commented on EBR shares. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras from a hold (c) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Our Latest Report on Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras About Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras (Free Report) Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA Eletrobras, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and commercialization of electricity in Brazil. The company generates electricity through hydroelectric, thermoelectric, nuclear, wind, and solar plants. As of December 31, 2023, it owned and operated 44 hydroelectric plants with a total capacity of 42,293.5 megawatt (MW); 5 thermal plants, including coal and gas power generation units with a total installed capacity of 1,632 MW; and two nuclear power plants comprising Angra 1 with an installed capacity of 657 MW and Angra 2 with an installed capacity of 1350 MW. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras SA (NYSE:EBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centrais Eltricas Brasileiras and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 3,157 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $224,000. Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new position in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in the 1st quarter worth about $32,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce during the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 1,177.8% in the 2nd quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,035 shares of the banks stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 954 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce by 576.9% in the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,638 shares of the banks stock worth $92,000 after buying an additional 1,396 shares in the last quarter. 49.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have issued reports on CM shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $107.50. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Stock Up 1.3% NYSE CM opened at $84.02 on Friday. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has a 12 month low of $53.62 and a 12 month high of $87.37. The company has a market capitalization of $78.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.19, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.03. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $82.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $75.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Get Free Report) (TSE:CM) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 28th. The bank reported $1.57 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.43 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $5.24 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.12 billion. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce had a net margin of 12.94% and a return on equity of 14.67%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.93 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce will post 5.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 28th. Investors of record on Monday, September 29th were issued a $0.97 dividend. This represents a $3.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 29th. This is a positive change from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces previous quarterly dividend of $0.70. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerces payout ratio is presently 47.64%. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Profile (Free Report) Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (NYSE:CM Free Report) (TSE:CM). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Grupo Cibest S.A. Sponsored ADR (NYSE:CIB Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, two have issued a hold recommendation, three have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $48.00. CIB has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Grupo Cibest in a report on Monday, October 20th. Bank of America reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Grupo Cibest in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Grupo Cibest from $48.00 to $65.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Grupo Cibest in a report on Monday. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Grupo Cibest from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Get Grupo Cibest alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on CIB Grupo Cibest Stock Performance Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grupo Cibest Shares of NYSE CIB opened at $60.71 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firms 50-day moving average price is $56.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $49.14. Grupo Cibest has a 52-week low of $31.19 and a 52-week high of $65.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 0.95. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Affirmative Financial Network increased its position in Grupo Cibest by 15.9% in the 3rd quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 6,901 shares of the banks stock valued at $358,000 after acquiring an additional 948 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Grupo Cibest by 95.9% during the third quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 10,524 shares of the banks stock valued at $547,000 after purchasing an additional 5,152 shares during the period. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its stake in shares of Grupo Cibest by 40.4% during the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 357,066 shares of the banks stock valued at $18,546,000 after purchasing an additional 102,779 shares in the last quarter. Mariner LLC lifted its holdings in Grupo Cibest by 20.3% in the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 8,854 shares of the banks stock worth $460,000 after purchasing an additional 1,494 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its position in Grupo Cibest by 64.1% in the 3rd quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 470,215 shares of the banks stock valued at $24,423,000 after buying an additional 183,595 shares in the last quarter. Grupo Cibest Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bancolombia SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services in Colombia and internationally. The company operates through nine segments: Banking Colombia, Banking Panama, Banking El Salvador, Banking Guatemala, Trust, Investment Banking, Brokerage, International Banking, and All Other. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Cibest Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Cibest and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Micron Solutions and Covalon Technologiess revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Micron Solutions $22.57 million 0.00 -$1.29 million ($0.36) 0.00 Covalon Technologies $22.91 million 1.63 $1.96 million $0.05 27.00 Get Micron Solutions alerts: Covalon Technologies has higher revenue and earnings than Micron Solutions. Micron Solutions is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Covalon Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Volatility and Risk Profitability Micron Solutions has a beta of 0.4, meaning that its stock price is 60% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Covalon Technologies has a beta of 0.53, meaning that its stock price is 47% less volatile than the S&P 500. This table compares Micron Solutions and Covalon Technologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Micron Solutions N/A N/A N/A Covalon Technologies 7.00% 7.77% 6.75% Summary Covalon Technologies beats Micron Solutions on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Micron Solutions (Get Free Report) Micron Solutions, Inc. operates as a contract manufacturer for the medical device, defense, and life sciences markets. It offers precision machining, thermoplastic injection molding, mold making products; sensors; orthopedic implants and devices; and diagnostic test kits. The company provides solutions for medical, orthopedics, consumer, and automotive industries. Micron Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is based in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. About Covalon Technologies (Get Free Report) Covalon Technologies Ltd. engages in the research, development, manufacturing, and marketing of medical products in infection management, advanced wound care, and surgical procedure areas in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and internationally. The companys platform technologies comprise collagen matrix platform that is used to manufacture a family of products to treat chronic and infected wounds, including diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, donor and graft sites, traumatic wounds healing by secondary intention, dehisced surgical wounds, and first and second degree burns; and antimicrobial silicone adhesive platform, which is used for family of pre and post-surgical, and vascular access products that are designed to kill bacteria or yeast that comes into contact with the antimicrobial silicone providing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. It also offers medical coating platform, a process that utilizes photo-polymerization to create active grafting sites where new polymer chains are initiated and propagated from the surface of an existing medical device. In addition, the company provides wound care dressings; surgical and peri-operative; and infection management products. It offers its products under the Covalon brand name through third-party distribution networks and companys direct sales force. The company serves hospitals, wound care centers, burn centers, extended/alternate care and acute care facilities, home health care agencies, and physicians offices. Covalon Technologies Ltd. is headquartered in Mississauga, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Micron Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Micron Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AXA (OTCMKTS:AXAHY Get Free Report) and MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, profitability, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations and valuation. Profitability This table compares AXA and MGIC Investments net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get AXA alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets AXA N/A N/A N/A MGIC Investment 61.96% 14.63% 11.53% Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings for AXA and MGIC Investment, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score AXA 0 0 2 1 3.33 MGIC Investment 2 3 0 1 2.00 Dividends MGIC Investment has a consensus price target of $26.80, suggesting a potential downside of 5.33%. Given MGIC Investments higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe MGIC Investment is more favorable than AXA. AXA pays an annual dividend of $1.77 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. MGIC Investment pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. MGIC Investment pays out 19.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. MGIC Investment has increased its dividend for 6 consecutive years. Risk & Volatility AXA has a beta of 0.97, meaning that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, MGIC Investment has a beta of 0.92, meaning that its share price is 8% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation & Earnings This table compares AXA and MGIC Investments gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio AXA $78.03 billion 1.25 $8.53 billion N/A N/A MGIC Investment $1.22 billion 5.21 $762.99 million $3.11 9.10 AXA has higher revenue and earnings than MGIC Investment. Insider & Institutional Ownership 0.1% of AXA shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.6% of MGIC Investment shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of MGIC Investment shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary MGIC Investment beats AXA on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About AXA (Get Free Report) AXA SA, through its subsidiaries, provides insurance, asset management, and banking services worldwide. The company operates through six segments: France; Europe; AXA XL; Asia, Africa & EME-LATAM; AXA Investment Managers; and Transversal & Other segments It offers life and savings insurance products, such as savings and retirement, other health, and personal protection products. The company also provides property and casualty insurance products, including car, home, and personal or professional liability to individual and business clients; international insurance for large corporate clients in Europe; and marine and aviation insurance services, as well as property and casualty reinsurance products. In addition, it offers asset management services in the areas of various asset classes, including equities, bonds, hedge funds, private equity, and real estate for the groups insurance companies and their clients, and retail and institutional clients. Further, the company provides motor, household, property and general liability, health, term life, whole life, universal life, endowment, deferred and immediate annuities, and other investment-based products for personal/individual and commercial/ group customers. AXA SA was founded in 1852 and is headquartered in Paris, France. About MGIC Investment (Get 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. It also provides pool insurance for secondary market mortgage transactions; and contract underwriting services, as well as reinsurance. The company serves originators of residential mortgage loans, including savings institutions, commercial banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, mortgage bankers, and other lenders. MGIC Investment Corporation was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Receive News & Ratings for AXA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AXA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lessened its holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (NYSE:BLX Free Report) by 9.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 117,264 shares of the banks stock after selling 11,900 shares during the quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior were worth $4,726,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in BLX. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 21.9% in the 2nd quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 3,485 shares of the banks stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 626 shares during the last quarter. EMC Capital Management purchased a new stake in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior during the 2nd quarter valued at about $273,000. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 20.3% during the 2nd quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 35,718 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,439,000 after acquiring an additional 6,020 shares during the period. Finally, LSV Asset Management grew its position in Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,185,460 shares of the banks stock worth $43,388,000 after acquiring an additional 27,285 shares during the last quarter. 19.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior alerts: Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Stock Performance NYSE BLX opened at $44.69 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $1.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.44 and a beta of 0.90. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. has a fifty-two week low of $31.14 and a fifty-two week high of $48.38. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $45.12 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $43.41. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Announces Dividend Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior ( NYSE:BLX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The bank reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $82.78 million for the quarter. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior had a return on equity of 16.18% and a net margin of 26.58%. Sell-side analysts predict that Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. will post 4.6 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 10th will be given a dividend of $0.625 per share. This represents a $2.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exteriors payout ratio is presently 41.60%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have weighed in on BLX shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (a-) rating on shares of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy. View Our Latest Report on Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior About Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior (Free Report) Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S. A., a multinational bank, primarily engages in the financing of foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean. The company operates in two segments, Commercial and Treasury. It offers bilateral loans; structured loans including syndicated and clubbed, such as acquisition and pre-export financing, A/B loan financing, bridge loans, and liability management; and project financing. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BLX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (NYSE:BLX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Hippo Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the seven ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $35.50. A number of analysts have recently issued reports on HIPO shares. Citigroup reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Hippo in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. JMP Securities set a $45.00 price target on Hippo and gave the company a market outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Hippo from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Zacks Research raised shares of Hippo from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Hippo in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Get Hippo alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Hippo Hippo Stock Performance Shares of HIPO stock opened at $32.22 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $35.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.49. Hippo has a one year low of $19.92 and a one year high of $38.98. The stock has a market cap of $816.17 million, a P/E ratio of 8.90 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.94. Hippo (NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.66. Hippo had a net margin of 21.30% and a negative return on equity of 5.89%. The company had revenue of $120.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $117.75 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that Hippo will post -3.63 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CFO Guy Zeltser sold 1,819 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.16, for a total transaction of $58,499.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 68,860 shares in the company, valued at $2,214,537.60. The trade was a 2.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Richard Mccathron sold 2,725 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $34.12, for a total value of $92,977.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 470,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $16,049,638.56. This trade represents a 0.58% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 9,721 shares of company stock valued at $345,510. Corporate insiders own 10.80% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Hippo A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of HIPO. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hippo in the third quarter valued at about $5,842,000. Voleon Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Hippo during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,048,000. Westerly Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Hippo by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Westerly Capital Management LLC now owns 338,000 shares of the companys stock worth $12,222,000 after purchasing an additional 12,000 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new position in shares of Hippo during the third quarter worth approximately $125,000. Finally, Millennium Management LLC raised its position in shares of Hippo by 111.3% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 45,185 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,634,000 after buying an additional 23,804 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 43.01% of the companys stock. Hippo Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hippo Holdings Inc provides property and casualty insurance products to individuals and business customers primarily in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Services, Insurance-as-a-Service, and Hippo Home Insurance Program. Its insurance products include homeowners' insurance against risks of fire, wind, and theft, as well as other personal lines policies from third party carriers; and personal and commercial, as well as home, auto, cyber, small business, life, specialty lines, and other insurance products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Hippo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hippo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sfmg LLC increased its position in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHQ Free Report) by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,630,713 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 10,641 shares during the quarter. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF makes up approximately 8.7% of Sfmg LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. Sfmg LLC owned about 0.80% of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF worth $116,205,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 10.6% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 278,848 shares of the companys stock worth $19,871,000 after purchasing an additional 26,711 shares in the last quarter. Prudential PLC lifted its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 70.5% in the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 37,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,672,000 after buying an additional 15,500 shares during the last quarter. Wisconsin Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 171.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wisconsin Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 31,217 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,225,000 after acquiring an additional 19,721 shares during the period. Lionshead Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 17.2% in the second quarter. Lionshead Wealth Management LLC now owns 60,227 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,292,000 after acquiring an additional 8,831 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Weaver Consulting Group grew its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF by 137.0% during the second quarter. Weaver Consulting Group now owns 58,426 shares of the companys stock worth $4,163,000 after acquiring an additional 33,775 shares during the period. Get Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Trading Up 1.7% Shares of Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF stock opened at $72.83 on Friday. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF has a 12-month low of $57.67 and a 12-month high of $75.03. The company has a 50-day moving average of $73.48 and a two-hundred day moving average of $71.92. The stock has a market cap of $14.84 billion, a PE ratio of 25.36 and a beta of 0.92. Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Company Profile The Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF (SPHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by return on equity, changes in net operating assets and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors, scaled by market cap. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Howe & Rusling Inc. lessened its position in shares of Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (NYSEARCA:PBW Free Report) by 35.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 4,060 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,239 shares during the quarter. Howe & Rusling Inc.s holdings in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF were worth $81,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PBW. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in shares of Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 357.8% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 2,115 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,653 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 1,095.9% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,746 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 1,600 shares in the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF by 19.7% during the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 3,568 shares of the companys stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 586 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $88,000. Finally, Tradition Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $199,000. Get Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF alerts: Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF Price Performance Shares of PBW stock opened at $28.72 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $515.81 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.77. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $31.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.92. Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF has a 1-year low of $13.19 and a 1-year high of $36.52. Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF Profile The Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (PBW) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the The WilderHill Clean Energy (AMEX) index. The fund tracks a modified equal-weighted index of companies involved in cleaner energy sources or energy conservation. PBW was launched on Mar 3, 2005 and is managed by Invesco. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PBW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (NYSEARCA:PBW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sfmg LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SGOV Free Report) by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 164,381 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,043 shares during the quarter. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF comprises approximately 1.2% of Sfmg LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Sfmg LLCs holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF were worth $16,551,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Polen Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 318.4% in the 1st quarter. Polen Capital Management LLC now owns 23,299 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,346,000 after buying an additional 17,730 shares during the period. Adaptive Financial Consulting LLC lifted its holdings in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 218.5% in the second quarter. Adaptive Financial Consulting LLC now owns 21,938 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,209,000 after acquiring an additional 15,050 shares during the last quarter. Avos Capital Management LLC grew its position in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 23.8% in the first quarter. Avos Capital Management LLC now owns 653,140 shares of the companys stock worth $65,752,000 after acquiring an additional 125,521 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its position in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 5.0% in the second quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 88,931 shares of the companys stock worth $8,955,000 after acquiring an additional 4,218 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC increased its stake in iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF by 170.0% during the second quarter. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC now owns 31,394 shares of the companys stock worth $3,161,000 after acquiring an additional 19,766 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF alerts: iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Stock Up 0.0% Shares of iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF stock opened at $100.60 on Friday. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF has a 52 week low of $100.15 and a 52 week high of $100.74. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $100.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.54. iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Company Profile Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SGOV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:SGOV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:SMMV Get Free Report)s share price rose 1.7% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $41.7370 and last traded at $42.16. Approximately 34,025 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 61% from the average daily volume of 86,510 shares. The stock had previously closed at $41.44. iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Performance The business has a fifty day moving average of $42.62 and a two-hundred day moving average of $42.33. The firm has a market cap of $323.87 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.24 and a beta of 0.69. Get iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 207,254 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,708,000 after acquiring an additional 21,534 shares during the last quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 2,632.3% during the 2nd quarter. Nova Wealth Management Inc. now owns 7,951 shares of the companys stock worth $334,000 after acquiring an additional 7,660 shares in the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF in the second quarter worth approximately $311,000. Rossby Financial LCC grew its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 317.8% during the second quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 8,940 shares of the companys stock valued at $376,000 after buying an additional 6,800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF by 2,874.8% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $147,000 after buying an additional 3,306 shares during the period. About iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF The iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF (SMMV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in small-cap stocks. The fund tracks an index of US-listed small capitalization stocks selected and weighted to create a low volatility portfolio, subject to constraints. SMMV was launched on Sep 7, 2016 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Small-Cap Min Vol Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc lowered its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 9.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,913,111 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 392,385 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc owned 0.73% of Aflac worth $412,677,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of AFL. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in Aflac during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Aflac during the second quarter worth $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its position in Aflac by 1,526.7% in the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in Aflac during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Hilltop National Bank purchased a new position in Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors own 67.44% of the companys stock. Get Aflac alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently weighed in on AFL. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Aflac from $100.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Aflac from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Aflac from $113.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler set a $125.00 price target on Aflac and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $111.00. Aflac Trading Up 0.4% Shares of AFL opened at $110.97 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $110.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $106.11. The company has a quick ratio of 0.11, a current ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Aflac Incorporated has a twelve month low of $96.95 and a twelve month high of $115.83. The stock has a market cap of $58.16 billion, a PE ratio of 25.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.83. Aflac (NYSE:AFL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Aflac had a return on equity of 15.08% and a net margin of 15.32%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. Aflac Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be given a dividend of $0.61 per share. This is an increase from Aflacs previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Aflacs dividend payout ratio is 31.85%. Aflac declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock 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 purchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually an indication that the companys management believes its stock is undervalued. Insider Transactions at Aflac In other Aflac news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 786 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.75, for a total transaction of $89,407.50. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 24,829 shares in the company, valued at $2,824,298.75. This trade represents a 3.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 15,862 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.00, for a total transaction of $1,776,544.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 230,688 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,837,056. The trade was a 6.43% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 22,822 shares of company stock valued at $2,571,002. Insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock. Aflac Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legal & General Group Plc trimmed its position in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 8.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 5,727,964 shares of the banks stock after selling 517,533 shares during the quarter. Legal & General Group Plcs holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $521,875,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 78.9% during the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 288 shares of the banks stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Bank of New York Mellon in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the second quarter valued at about $32,000. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, GFG Capital LLC bought a new position in Bank of New York Mellon in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $36,000. 85.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have weighed in on BK shares. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a report on Wednesday. TD Cowen upped their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup raised their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $92.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of Bank of New York Mellon from $91.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $111.29. Bank of New York Mellon Price Performance BK stock opened at $106.54 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 0.70. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $107.91 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $99.89. The company has a market capitalization of $74.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.13. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a 52-week low of $70.46 and a 52-week high of $113.74. Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE:BK Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 26th. The bank reported $1.30 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $4.38 billion during the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.03% and a net margin of 12.86%. Research analysts expect that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bank of New York Mellon Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Monday, October 27th were issued a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 27th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio is currently 30.59%. Bank of New York Mellon Profile (Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LSV Asset Management acquired a new stake in Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:UBER Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,260 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock, valued at approximately $211,000. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UBER. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC increased its position in Uber Technologies by 0.7% during the second quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 18,883 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $1,762,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares during the last quarter. Sierra Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Uber Technologies in the second quarter valued at $579,000. Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Uber Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,203,000. Western Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Uber Technologies by 74.0% during the 2nd quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 25,516 shares of the ride-sharing companys stock worth $2,381,000 after purchasing an additional 10,854 shares during the period. Finally, Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Uber Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth about $7,193,000. 80.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Uber Technologies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Uber Technologies news, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sold 300,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $95.37, for a total transaction of $28,611,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 1,132,544 shares in the company, valued at $108,010,721.28. The trade was a 20.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Prashanth Mahendra-Rajah sold 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $94.41, for a total transaction of $519,255.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 20,330 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,919,355.30. This represents a 21.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 570,750 shares of company stock worth $55,682,535 over the last 90 days. 3.84% of the stock is owned by insiders. Uber Technologies Price Performance Shares of NYSE UBER opened at $83.81 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The company has a market cap of $174.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.77 and a beta of 1.46. The stocks 50-day moving average is $94.81 and its two-hundred day moving average is $91.85. Uber Technologies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $59.33 and a 1-year high of $101.99. Uber Technologies (NYSE:UBER Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The ride-sharing company reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $2.44. Uber Technologies had a return on equity of 68.17% and a net margin of 33.54%.The business had revenue of $13.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.25 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.20 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 20.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts forecast that Uber Technologies, Inc. will post 2.54 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have commented on UBER. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on shares of Uber Technologies from $125.00 to $120.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Uber Technologies from $96.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Uber Technologies from $110.00 to $107.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Uber Technologies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Uber Technologies in a research note on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $108.26. View Our Latest Analysis on Uber Technologies About Uber Technologies (Free Report) Uber Technologies, Inc develops and operates proprietary technology applications in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia excluding China and Southeast Asia. It operates through three segments: Mobility, Delivery, and Freight. The Mobility segment connects consumers with a range of transportation modalities, such as ridesharing, carsharing, micromobility, rentals, public transit, taxis, and other modalities; and offers riders in a variety of vehicle types, as well as financial partnerships products and advertising services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Uber Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Uber Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd grew its position in shares of Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR Free Report) by 140.9% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 126,990 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 74,274 shares during the quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd owned 0.11% of Builders FirstSource worth $14,859,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BLDR. Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in Builders FirstSource by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 3,032 shares of the companys stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Builders FirstSource by 21.0% during the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 627 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after buying an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC increased its holdings in Builders FirstSource by 5.5% in the 1st quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 2,205 shares of the companys stock worth $275,000 after buying an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC raised its position in Builders FirstSource by 22.8% in the 1st quarter. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC now owns 640 shares of the companys stock worth $80,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey lifted its stake in Builders FirstSource by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 16,858 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,967,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. 95.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Builders FirstSource alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages recently issued reports on BLDR. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Builders FirstSource from $147.00 to $146.00 in a report on Friday, October 31st. KeyCorp set a $145.00 price target on Builders FirstSource in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Zacks Research upgraded Builders FirstSource from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Baird R W downgraded Builders FirstSource from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Benchmark upped their target price on shares of Builders FirstSource from $138.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $136.92. Builders FirstSource Price Performance Shares of Builders FirstSource stock opened at $101.42 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.39, a PEG ratio of 12.90 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $118.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $122.80. Builders FirstSource, Inc. has a 52 week low of $94.35 and a 52 week high of $194.36. Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.88 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.69 by $0.19. Builders FirstSource had a return on equity of 24.61% and a net margin of 4.74%.The company had revenue of $3.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.86 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.07 EPS. The firms revenue was down 6.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Builders FirstSource has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Builders FirstSource, Inc. will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Builders FirstSource (Free Report) Builders FirstSource, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and supplies building materials, manufactured components, and construction services to professional homebuilders, sub-contractors, remodelers, and consumers in the United States. It offers lumber and lumber sheet goods comprising dimensional lumber, plywood, and oriented strand board products that are used in on-site house framing; manufactured products, such as wood floor and roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels, stairs, and engineered wood products; and windows, and interior and exterior door units, as well as interior trims and custom products comprising intricate mouldings, stair parts, and columns under the Synboard brand name. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Builders FirstSource Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Builders FirstSource and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Modine Manufacturing Company (NYSE:MOD Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the six research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $182.00. A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Modine Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 29th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Modine Manufacturing in a report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer raised their target price on Modine Manufacturing from $145.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. UBS Group assumed coverage on Modine Manufacturing in a report on Thursday. They issued a buy rating and a $173.00 price target for the company. Finally, DA Davidson reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $200.00 price objective on shares of Modine Manufacturing in a research note on Wednesday. Get Modine Manufacturing alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Modine Manufacturing Modine Manufacturing Stock Performance Shares of NYSE MOD traded up $3.63 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $142.64. The stock had a trading volume of 1,305,022 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,126,089. The firm has a market cap of $7.51 billion, a PE ratio of 41.23, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 2.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 2.06. The company has a 50 day moving average of $149.34 and a two-hundred day moving average of $124.45. Modine Manufacturing has a twelve month low of $64.79 and a twelve month high of $166.94. Modine Manufacturing (NYSE:MOD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The auto parts company reported $1.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.97 by $0.09. Modine Manufacturing had a net margin of 6.93% and a return on equity of 23.99%. The company had revenue of $738.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $699.91 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.97 EPS. Modine Manufacturings quarterly revenue was up 12.3% on a year-over-year basis. Modine Manufacturing has set its FY 2026 guidance at EPS. Research analysts predict that Modine Manufacturing will post 3.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Modine Manufacturing A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of MOD. First Horizon Corp acquired a new position in Modine Manufacturing in the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Modine Manufacturing in the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in shares of Modine Manufacturing during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $43,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp purchased a new position in shares of Modine Manufacturing during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $57,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its stake in Modine Manufacturing by 2,025.0% in the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 425 shares of the auto parts companys stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares during the period. 95.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Modine Manufacturing (Get Free Report) Modine Manufacturing Company provides thermal management products and solutions in the United States, Italy, Hungary, China, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Climate Solutions and Performance Technologies segments. The company offers heat transfer coils, including heat recovery and round tube plate fin coils; gas-fired, hydronic, electric and oilfired unit heaters; roof-mounted direct- and indirect-fired makeup air units; duct furnaces; infrared units; perimeter heating products; single packaged unit ventilators; modular chillers; air handler and condensing units; ceiling cassettes; evaporator unit coolers, remote condensers, fluid coolers, gas coolers, and dry and brine coolers; and motor and generator cooling coils, transformer oil coolers, radiators, dryers, and industrial heat exchangers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Modine Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Modine Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. raised its position in Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 24.4% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 37,332 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,332 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,189,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in Altria Group by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 17,702 shares of the companys stock worth $926,000 after acquiring an additional 6,954 shares during the period. PFG Advisors boosted its position in shares of Altria Group by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 6,809 shares of the companys stock valued at $409,000 after purchasing an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Altria Group by 11.0% during the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 7,017 shares of the companys stock worth $421,000 after purchasing an additional 697 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its holdings in Altria Group by 6.4% in the first quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 52,006 shares of the companys stock worth $3,121,000 after purchasing an additional 3,122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Carnegie Investment Counsel increased its holdings in Altria Group by 3.3% in the first quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 52,661 shares of the companys stock worth $2,938,000 after purchasing an additional 1,664 shares in the last quarter. 57.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Altria Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Bank of America increased their price target on Altria Group from $64.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Altria Group from $65.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $68.00 to $61.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Altria Group from $57.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Altria Group from $49.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $62.33. Altria Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE MO opened at $58.16 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $62.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $61.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $97.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.25, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.51. 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 posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $1.45 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.31 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 295.26% and a net margin of 37.24%.The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.38 earnings per share. Altria Group has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.370-5.45 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 5.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Altria Group declared that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, October 30th that allows the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 1.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 25.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 34,497 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 6,974 shares during the quarter. Philip Morris International comprises 0.5% of Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $6,283,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Traub Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Abound Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 566.7% during the second quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 160 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 136 shares during the period. Kelly Lawrence W & Associates Inc. CA acquired a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Briaud Financial Planning Inc boosted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 266.7% in the second quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc now owns 165 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 120 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.63% of the companys stock. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have commented on PM. Wall Street Zen upgraded Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, September 4th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, KGI Securities began coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Monday, August 4th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $189.56. Philip Morris International Stock Performance PM stock opened at $155.24 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $241.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.12, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $156.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $167.34. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $116.12 and a 52-week high of $186.69. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share for the quarter. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 122.14% and a net margin of 9.33%.The business had revenue of $8.12 billion during the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 3rd were paid a $1.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 3rd. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. This is an increase from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 106.52%. Philip Morris International Company Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neo Ivy Capital Management purchased a new stake in shares of Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 32,867 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock, valued at approximately $581,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Independence Realty Trust by 44.2% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 4,876,816 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $103,535,000 after purchasing an additional 1,495,132 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Independence Realty Trust in the first quarter worth about $29,149,000. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC lifted its position in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 120.0% in the first quarter. Cbre Investment Management Listed Real Assets LLC now owns 2,233,851 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $47,425,000 after buying an additional 1,218,559 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP bought a new stake in shares of Independence Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth about $23,829,000. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC increased its holdings in shares of Independence Realty Trust by 12.9% during the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 6,926,454 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $122,529,000 after acquiring an additional 789,515 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.25% of the companys stock. Get Independence Realty Trust alerts: Independence Realty Trust Trading Up 1.3% Shares of Independence Realty Trust stock opened at $16.97 on Friday. Independence Realty Trust, Inc. has a 1 year low of $15.06 and a 1 year high of $22.26. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $16.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.35. The company has a market cap of $4.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 169.67, a PEG ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.98. Independence Realty Trust Dividend Announcement Independence Realty Trust ( NYSE:IRT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.30 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $167.14 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $168.31 million. Independence Realty Trust had a net margin of 3.42% and a return on equity of 0.62%. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.29 earnings per share. Independence Realty Trust has set its FY 2025 guidance at 1.200-1.210 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Independence Realty Trust, Inc. will post 1.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. This represents a $0.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.0%. Independence Realty Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 680.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently weighed in on IRT. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Independence Realty Trust from $24.00 to $20.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 27th. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $22.00 to $20.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Independence Realty Trust from $21.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Independence Realty Trust in a report on Thursday. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Independence Realty Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Independence Realty Trust presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $22.00. View Our Latest Research Report on IRT About Independence Realty Trust (Free Report) Independence Realty Trust, Inc (NYSE: IRT) is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates multifamily communities, across non-gateway U.S. markets including Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, Raleigh-Durham, NC, Oklahoma City, OK, Nashville, TN, Houston, TX, and Tampa, FL. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:IRT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Independence Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Independence Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neo Ivy Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 8,475 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $408,000. Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TAP. Clearstead Trust LLC raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 952.8% in the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 558 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares during the period. Elequin Capital LP acquired a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage in the first quarter valued at $30,000. Eastern Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage by 32.9% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 800 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 198 shares during the period. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd lifted its stake in Molson Coors Beverage by 735.5% during the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,153 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after acquiring an additional 1,015 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.46% of the companys stock. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: Molson Coors Beverage Price Performance Shares of TAP opened at $46.09 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.09, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.65. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $45.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $49.28. Molson Coors Beverage Company has a twelve month low of $42.94 and a twelve month high of $64.66. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Molson Coors Beverage Dividend Announcement Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.72 by ($0.05). Molson Coors Beverage had a net margin of 7.81% and a return on equity of 8.61%. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion during 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 forecast that Molson Coors Beverage Company will post 6.35 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.47 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.1%. Molson Coors Beverages dividend payout ratio is presently -17.60%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $50.00 target price (down from $53.00) on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Wednesday. Sanford C. Bernstein dropped their price objective on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $54.00 to $50.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $52.00 to $50.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Friday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d) rating on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a report on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $58.00 to $53.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Molson Coors Beverage has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.24. View Our Latest Research Report on TAP Insider Activity In other Molson Coors Beverage news, Director David S. Coors bought 2,245 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $44.47 per share, with a total value of $99,835.15. Following the transaction, the director owned 30,586 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,360,159.42. The trade was a 7.92% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Andrew Thomas Molson purchased 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $46.79 per share, with a total value of $350,925.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 22,654 shares of the companys stock, valued at $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. 2.71% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund (NYSE:JCE Get Free Report) traded down 0.5% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $15.30 and last traded at $15.44. 37,040 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 13% from the average session volume of 32,836 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.52. Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund Trading Up 1.0% The stocks fifty day moving average is $15.67 and its 200 day moving average is $15.43. Get Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund alerts: Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th were issued a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 15th. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund About Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of JCE. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 2.6% in the third quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 30,972 shares of the companys stock worth $487,000 after buying an additional 790 shares during the period. Sowell Financial Services LLC raised its stake in Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund by 8.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 11,961 shares of the companys stock worth $185,000 after acquiring an additional 954 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund in the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Eastern Bank bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund in the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. (Get Free Report) Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, and INTECH Investment Management. It invests in the public equity markets of the United States. The fund also invests some portion of its portfolio in derivatives using futures and options. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Core Equity Alpha Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential PLC lifted its position in Pentair plc (NYSE:PNR Free Report) by 21.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 62,422 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 10,858 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLCs holdings in Pentair were worth $6,408,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Portside Wealth Group LLC lifted its holdings in Pentair by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Portside Wealth Group LLC now owns 3,644 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $374,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its stake in Pentair by 0.5% during the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 19,965 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,050,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Pentair by 4.8% during the first quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 2,372 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $207,000 after buying an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its stake in shares of Pentair by 14.8% in the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 847 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leavell Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Pentair by 2.8% in the second quarter. Leavell Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,088 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $420,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.37% of the companys stock. Get Pentair alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CFO Robert P. Fishman sold 7,786 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.42, for a total value of $820,800.12. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 63,164 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,658,748.88. This represents a 10.97% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently commented on PNR. Barclays increased their price target on Pentair from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird set a $130.00 target price on Pentair in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Pentair from $116.00 to $126.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of Pentair from $126.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, Bank of America lowered shares of Pentair from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $106.00 to $100.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.21. Read Our Latest Report on PNR Pentair Stock Performance Shares of Pentair stock opened at $104.89 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $108.55 and a two-hundred day moving average of $104.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.62, a PEG ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.14. Pentair plc has a 52 week low of $74.25 and a 52 week high of $113.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.46. Pentair (NYSE:PNR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.18 by $0.06. Pentair had a return on equity of 21.83% and a net margin of 15.84%.The business had revenue of $1.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.09 EPS. The firms revenue was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. Pentair has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.110-1.160 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 4.850-4.900 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Pentair plc will post 4.77 EPS for the current year. Pentair Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Pentairs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.38%. Pentair Profile (Free Report) Pentair plc provides various water solutions in the United States, Western Europe, China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada, and Japan. The company operates through three segments: Flow, Water Solutions, and Pool. The Flow segment designs, manufactures, and sells fluid treatment and pump products and systems, including pressure vessels, gas recovery solutions, membrane bioreactors, wastewater reuse systems and advanced membrane filtration, separation systems, water disposal pumps, water supply pumps, fluid transfer pumps, turbine pumps, solid handling pumps, and agricultural spray nozzles for fluid delivery, ion exchange, desalination, food and beverage, separation technologies in the oil and gas industry, residential and municipal wells, water treatment, wastewater solids handling, pressure boosting, circulation and transfer, fire suppression, flood control, agricultural irrigation, and crop spray in residential, commercial, and industrial markets. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Pentair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pentair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nineteen research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $196.3125. Several equities analysts recently commented on DGX shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Quest Diagnostics from $195.00 to $205.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Leerink Partners upped their target price on Quest Diagnostics from $203.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Morgan Stanley set a $207.00 price target on Quest Diagnostics and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Robert W. Baird restated a neutral rating and set a $194.00 price objective on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a report on Monday, August 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Quest Diagnostics in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Get Quest Diagnostics alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on DGX Quest Diagnostics Stock Performance NYSE:DGX opened at $191.10 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.26 billion, a PE ratio of 22.43, a PEG ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.58. The stocks fifty day moving average is $183.46 and its 200 day moving average is $178.56. Quest Diagnostics has a fifty-two week low of $148.70 and a fifty-two week high of $197.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.13. Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The medical research company reported $2.60 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by $0.09. Quest Diagnostics had a net margin of 8.91% and a return on equity of 15.47%. The business had revenue of $2.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.73 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.30 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 13.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Quest Diagnostics has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.760-9.840 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Quest Diagnostics will post 9.7 earnings per share for the current year. Quest Diagnostics Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 13th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 13th. Quest Diagnosticss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 37.56%. Insider Buying and Selling at Quest Diagnostics In related news, SVP Mark E. Delaney sold 7,946 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.35, for a total value of $1,488,683.10. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 7,530 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,410,745.50. The trade was a 51.34% 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. Also, Director Gary M. Pfeiffer sold 1,482 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.40, for a total value of $270,316.80. Following the transaction, the director owned 29,431 shares in the company, valued at $5,368,214.40. The trade was a 4.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 38,118 shares of company stock valued at $7,127,684 in the last three months. Company insiders own 8.16% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Quest Diagnostics Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Boston Partners purchased a new stake in Quest Diagnostics in the first quarter worth about $388,724,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics in the 2nd quarter valued at about $238,122,000. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 66,757.0% in the 3rd quarter. EdgePoint Investment Group Inc. now owns 849,752 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $161,946,000 after purchasing an additional 848,481 shares during the period. M&G PLC boosted its stake in shares of Quest Diagnostics by 256.5% during the second quarter. M&G PLC now owns 1,072,721 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $193,090,000 after purchasing an additional 771,824 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in Quest Diagnostics by 9.0% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 5,984,238 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,012,534,000 after buying an additional 493,960 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 88.06% of the companys stock. About Quest Diagnostics (Get Free Report) Quest Diagnostics Incorporated provides diagnostic testing and services in the United States and internationally. The company develops and delivers diagnostic information services, such as routine, non-routine and advanced clinical testing, anatomic pathology testing, and other diagnostic information services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Quest Diagnostics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quest Diagnostics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers cut its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report) by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 2,445,571 shares of the companys stock after selling 61,345 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $445,412,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WCM Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 24,968.0% during the second quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 11,275,606 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,041,223,000 after buying an additional 11,230,626 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter worth about $1,712,994,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in 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 period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in Philip Morris International by 57.5% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,794,530 shares of the companys stock worth $1,554,686,000 after acquiring an additional 3,575,158 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted 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 acquiring an additional 2,235,380 shares in the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Philip Morris International alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on PM shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. KGI Securities initiated coverage on Philip Morris International in a research report on Monday, August 4th. They set an outperform rating for the company. UBS Group dropped their target price on Philip Morris International from $177.00 to $166.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price target on Philip Morris International and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $189.56. Philip Morris International Stock Performance PM opened at $155.24 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $241.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 0.43. The firms fifty day moving average is $156.42 and its 200 day moving average is $167.34. Philip Morris International Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $116.12 and a fifty-two week high of $186.69. Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, March 28th. The company reported $1.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. 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. On average, equities research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 earnings per share for the current year. Philip Morris International Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 20th. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd were issued a dividend of $1.47 per share. This represents a $5.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 3rd. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.35. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 106.52%. Philip Morris International Profile (Free Report) Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Philip Morris International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Philip Morris International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC increased its stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP Free Report) by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 45,386 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,258 shares during the period. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF accounts for 3.0% of Richard W. Paul & Associates LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLCs holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF were worth $8,249,000 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 RSP. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 219.6% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 9,102,168 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,576,769,000 after acquiring an additional 6,254,609 shares during the last quarter. Japan Science & Technology Agency purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $656,908,000. Phoenix Financial Ltd. acquired a new position in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $269,253,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 12.0% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 11,189,061 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,938,281,000 after purchasing an additional 1,195,627 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS lifted its holdings in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF by 119.1% in the 2nd quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 2,027,552 shares of the companys stock valued at $368,487,000 after purchasing an additional 1,102,322 shares in the last quarter. 61.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF alerts: Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Stock Up 2.0% Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF stock opened at $185.76 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $188.43 and a 200-day simple moving average of $184.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $71.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.10 and a beta of 0.99. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF has a 52-week low of $150.35 and a 52-week high of $192.33. Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Company Profile Guggenheim S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, formerly Rydex S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF, seeks to replicate as closely as possible, the daily performance of the S&P 500 Equal Weight Index (the Index). The Index is a capitalization-weighted index covering 500 industrial, utility, transportation and financial companies of the United States markets (mostly NYSE Euronext issues). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RSP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSEARCA:RSP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in shares of Ryan Specialty Holdings Inc. (NYSE:RYAN Free Report) by 8.7% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 27,658 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,225 shares during the quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYSs holdings in Ryan Specialty were worth $1,880,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its stake in Ryan Specialty by 14.4% in the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 4,182 shares of the companys stock valued at $309,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Ryan Specialty during the 1st quarter valued at about $467,000. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in shares of Ryan Specialty in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $490,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new stake in shares of Ryan Specialty in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,927,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG increased its holdings in Ryan Specialty by 11.5% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 12,055 shares of the companys stock worth $891,000 after buying an additional 1,241 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.82% of the companys stock. Get Ryan Specialty alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have commented on RYAN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Ryan Specialty from $64.00 to $63.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on shares of Ryan Specialty in a research note on Thursday. They issued a neutral rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on shares of Ryan Specialty from $70.00 to $66.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Ryan Specialty from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, August 3rd. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Ryan Specialty from $70.00 to $65.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $67.71. Insider Activity at Ryan Specialty In other news, Chairman Patrick G. Ryan bought 276,634 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $51.84 per share, with a total value of $14,340,706.56. Following the acquisition, the chairman owned 13,699,959 shares in the company, valued at $710,205,874.56. This trade represents a 2.06% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 52.21% of the companys stock. Ryan Specialty Stock Up 1.0% Shares of RYAN opened at $57.31 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.00, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.72. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $54.99 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $60.81. The stock has a market cap of $15.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 124.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.62. Ryan Specialty Holdings Inc. has a 12 month low of $50.08 and a 12 month high of $77.16. Ryan Specialty (NYSE:RYAN Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.47. The business had revenue of $754.58 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $742.35 million. Ryan Specialty had a return on equity of 47.93% and a net margin of 7.61%.Ryan Specialtys quarterly revenue was up 24.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.41 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Ryan Specialty Holdings Inc. will post 2.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ryan Specialty Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.12 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 10th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Ryan Specialtys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 104.35%. About Ryan Specialty (Free Report) Ryan Specialty Holdings, Inc operates as a service provider of specialty products and solutions for insurance brokers, agents, and carriers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Singapore. It offers distribution, underwriting, product development, administration, and risk management services by acting as a wholesale broker and a managing underwriter. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RYAN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ryan Specialty Holdings Inc. (NYSE:RYAN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ryan Specialty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ryan Specialty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seeds Investor LLC raised its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Free Report) by 24.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,447 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 885 shares during the quarter. Seeds Investor LLCs holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF were worth $371,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp raised its position in shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 198.2% during the 1st quarter. Alaska Permanent Fund Corp now owns 7,583,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $596,895,000 after purchasing an additional 5,040,373 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp boosted its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 40.1% in the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 15,245,913 shares of the companys stock worth $1,272,729,000 after buying an additional 4,362,206 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 10.1% in the 2nd 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 in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI raised its holdings in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF by 308.9% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,509,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $265,438,000 after acquiring an additional 2,651,047 shares during the period. Finally, Symphony Financial Ltd. Co. raised its holdings in 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 acquiring an additional 2,182,159 shares during the period. Get iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF alerts: iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Up 23.7% Shares of iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF stock opened at $86.35 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $147.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.18 and a beta of 0.84. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $87.74 and its 200-day simple moving average is $84.91. iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has a 52 week low of $66.95 and a 52 week high of $87.36. About iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IEFA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:IEFA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential Financial (NYSE:PRU Get Free Report) and SiriusPoint (NYSE:SPNT Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, profitability, valuation, earnings and institutional ownership. Risk and Volatility Prudential Financial has a beta of 1.05, indicating that its stock price is 5% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SiriusPoint has a beta of 0.81, indicating that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Prudential Financial alerts: Profitability This table compares Prudential Financial and SiriusPoints net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Prudential Financial 4.65% 16.98% 0.68% SiriusPoint 6.97% 11.31% 1.71% Institutional & Insider Ownership Analyst Ratings 56.8% of Prudential Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.8% of SiriusPoint shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Prudential Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 11.7% of SiriusPoint shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Prudential Financial and SiriusPoint, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Prudential Financial 1 11 1 0 2.00 SiriusPoint 0 1 2 2 3.20 Prudential Financial currently has a consensus target price of $120.73, indicating a potential upside of 13.01%. SiriusPoint has a consensus target price of $25.00, indicating a potential upside of 22.43%. Given SiriusPoints stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe SiriusPoint is more favorable than Prudential Financial. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Prudential Financial and SiriusPoints top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Prudential Financial $57.93 billion 0.65 $2.73 billion $7.28 14.67 SiriusPoint $2.84 billion 0.84 $199.90 million $1.59 12.84 Prudential Financial has higher revenue and earnings than SiriusPoint. SiriusPoint is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Prudential Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary SiriusPoint beats Prudential Financial on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Prudential Financial (Get Free Report) Prudential Financial, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Life, and International Businesses segments. The PGIM segment offers investment management services and solutions related to public fixed income, public equity, real estate debt and equity, private credit and other alternatives, and multi-asset class strategies to institutional and retail clients, as well as its general account. The Retirement Strategies segment provides a range of retirement investment, and income products and services to retirement plan sponsors in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors; develops and distributes individual variable and fixed annuity products. The Group Insurance segment offers various group life, and long-term and short-term group disability, as well as group corporate-, bank-, and trust-owned life insurance in the United States primarily for institutional clients for use in connection with employee and membership benefits plans; sells accidental death and dismemberment, and other supplemental health solutions; and plan administration services in connection with its insurance coverages. The Individual Life segment develops and distributes variable life, universal life, and term life insurance products. The International Businesses segment develops and distributes life insurance, retirement products, investment products, and certain accident and health products; and advisory services. The company provides its products and services to individual and institutional customers through its proprietary and third-party distribution networks. Prudential Financial, Inc. was founded in 1875 and is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. About SiriusPoint (Get Free Report) SiriusPoint Ltd. provides multi-line insurance and reinsurance products and services worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Reinsurance, and Insurance & Services. The Reinsurance segment provides aviation and space, accident and health, casualty, credit, marine and energy, property to insurance and reinsurance companies, government entities, and other risk bearing vehicles. This segment offers medical insurance products, trip cancellation programs, medical management services, and 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance services. The Insurance & Services segment provides accident and health, marine and energy, property and casualty, mortgage, environmental, workers' compensation, commercial auto lines, professional liability, and other lines of business. The company was formerly known as Third Point Reinsurance Ltd. and changed its name to SiriusPoint Ltd. in February 2021. SiriusPoint Ltd. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sse Plc (OTCMKTS:SSEZY Get Free Report) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 317,146 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 111% from the previous sessions volume of 150,295 shares.The stock last traded at $29.13 and had previously closed at $29.65. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently weighed in on SSEZY. Citigroup downgraded shares of SSE from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of SSE in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Zacks Research lowered SSE from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of SSE in a research note on Friday, November 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, SSE has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Get SSE alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on SSEZY SSE Stock Performance About SSE The businesss fifty day moving average is $25.17 and its 200 day moving average is $24.66. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. (Get Free Report) SSE plc engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, and supply of electricity. It generates electricity from water, gas, coal, oil, and multi fuel. The company distributes electricity to approximately 3.8 million homes and businesses across the north of the central belt of Scotland and central southern England; and owns, operates, and develops high voltage electricity transmission system in the north of Scotland and remote islands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for SSE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SSE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its stake in Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL Free Report) by 209.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 52,691 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 35,654 shares during the period. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.s holdings in Unilever were worth $3,238,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in UL. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 13.9% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 28,100,442 shares of the companys stock worth $1,673,381,000 after buying an additional 3,421,054 shares during the period. Clark Capital Management Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Unilever in the first quarter valued at $45,413,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in Unilever by 764.5% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 775,561 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,185,000 after acquiring an additional 685,848 shares during the period. Cheviot Value Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Unilever during the 1st quarter worth approximately $24,374,000. Finally, Sustainable Growth Advisers LP lifted its holdings in shares of Unilever by 164.2% during the second quarter. Sustainable Growth Advisers LP now owns 440,108 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,921,000 after acquiring an additional 273,554 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.67% of the companys stock. Get Unilever alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently issued reports on UL. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated an underperform rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Unilever in a research report on Wednesday. CICC Research initiated coverage on Unilever in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Zacks Research cut Unilever from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Unilever presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $73.00. Unilever Trading Up 1.9% NYSE:UL opened at $60.39 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $60.61 and its 200-day simple moving average is $61.51. Unilever PLC has a fifty-two week low of $54.32 and a fifty-two week high of $65.66. Unilever Profile (Free Report) Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through five segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream. The Beauty & Wellbeing segment engages in the sale of hair care products, such as shampoo, conditioner, and styling; skin care products including face, hand, and body moisturizer; and prestige beauty and health & wellbeing products consist of the vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Unilever Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unilever and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom S.A. (NYSE:TEO Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Friday, January 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 24th will be given a dividend of 0.0452 per share by the utilities provider on Wednesday, December 3rd. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 1.0%per year over the last three years. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom has a dividend payout ratio of 193.3% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities research analysts expect Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom to earn ($1.36) per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $0.29 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of -21.3%. Get Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom alerts: Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom Price Performance Shares of NYSE:TEO opened at $11.90 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $9.30 and a 200-day moving average price of $9.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.43 and a quick ratio of 0.39. The company has a market capitalization of $5.12 billion, a PE ratio of -396.37 and a beta of 1.35. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom has a 1-year low of $6.43 and a 1-year high of $15.53. Institutional Trading of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom ( NYSE:TEO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The utilities provider reported ($0.36) earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.49) by $0.13. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom had a negative net margin of 0.28% and a negative return on equity of 0.26%. The business had revenue of $1.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. As a group, equities analysts expect that Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom will post 1.28 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. RWC Asset Management LLP grew its position in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP now owns 669,828 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $4,870,000 after acquiring an additional 2,383 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom by 21.3% during the second quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 26,872 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 4,714 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp purchased a new stake in Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom in the third quarter worth about $43,000. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom by 19.8% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 56,029 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $571,000 after buying an additional 9,243 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new position in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom in the first quarter worth about $119,000. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom Company Profile (Get Free Report) Telecom Argentina SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services. The company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd boosted its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 134.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 25,341 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 14,514 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $17,506,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GS. Seeds Investor LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 22.2% in the 2nd quarter. Seeds Investor LLC now owns 578 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $409,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the period. Archvest Wealth Advisors Inc. grew its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 5.4% in the 2nd quarter. Archvest Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 429 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $304,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Marvin & Palmer Associates Inc. increased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 26.3% in the second quarter. Marvin & Palmer Associates Inc. now owns 7,086 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $5,015,000 after purchasing an additional 1,474 shares during the period. Prudential PLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 38.4% during the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 47,350 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $33,512,000 after buying an additional 13,129 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Catalyst Funds Management Pty Ltd acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth approximately $1,840,000. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance GS stock opened at $774.74 on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a one year low of $439.38 and a one year high of $841.28. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $786.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of $717.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $232.37 billion, a PE ratio of 15.74, 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 Dividend Announcement The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The firm had revenue of $15.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $8.40 EPS. The companys revenue was up 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is 32.50%. Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,244 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $750.11, for a total value of $6,934,016.84. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 115,268 shares in the company, valued at approximately $86,463,679.48. This represents a 7.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.55% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have weighed in on GS. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $843.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $720.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $785.00 to $855.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $786.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equities research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of TopBuild (NYSE:BLD Get Free Report) in a note issued to investors on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage set a sector perform rating and a $410.00 price target on the construction companys stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential downside of 4.82% from the stocks current price. A number of other analysts have also recently issued reports on BLD. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of TopBuild from $449.00 to $448.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Benchmark upped their price objective on TopBuild from $444.00 to $515.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Vertical Research began coverage on TopBuild in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. They set a buy rating and a $517.96 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on TopBuild in a research note on Monday, November 17th. They issued an overweight rating and a $500.00 price target for the company. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of TopBuild from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $430.00. Get TopBuild alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on BLD TopBuild Stock Performance NYSE:BLD opened at $430.76 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 2.45 and a current ratio of 2.90. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $419.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $377.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.09 billion, a PE ratio of 21.87, a P/E/G ratio of 6.79 and a beta of 1.64. TopBuild has a 52-week low of $266.26 and a 52-week high of $461.49. TopBuild (NYSE:BLD Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The construction company reported $5.36 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.22 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $1.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.38 billion. TopBuild had a return on equity of 27.10% and a net margin of 10.84%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $5.68 EPS. TopBuild has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Analysts forecast that TopBuild will post 20.97 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TopBuild Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of TopBuild in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in TopBuild during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of TopBuild in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. bought a new position in shares of TopBuild during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, MAI Capital Management increased its position in shares of TopBuild by 28.3% during the 2nd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 118 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.67% of the companys stock. TopBuild Company Profile (Get Free Report) TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, garage doors, fireplaces, roofing materials, closet shelving, and other products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TopBuild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TopBuild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD Free Report) (NYSE:TD) had its price target boosted by CIBC from C$112.00 to C$122.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. TD has been the topic of several other research reports. National Bankshares set a C$100.00 price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, September 22nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$102.00 to C$107.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$104.00 to C$114.00 in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$120.00 to C$124.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upped their price objective on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$113.00 to C$119.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$107.17. Get Toronto-Dominion Bank alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Toronto-Dominion Bank Toronto-Dominion Bank Stock Up 0.8% Toronto-Dominion Bank Announces Dividend Toronto-Dominion Bank stock opened at C$115.59 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$197.34 billion, a PE ratio of 9.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a 50 day moving average of C$112.31 and a 200-day moving average of C$103.43. Toronto-Dominion Bank has a twelve month low of C$73.22 and a twelve month high of C$116.49. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Friday, October 31st were given a dividend of $1.05 per share. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 35.70%. Insider Transactions at Toronto-Dominion Bank In other Toronto-Dominion Bank news, Director Nathalie Palladitcheff acquired 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 6th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of C$112.64 per share, with a total value of C$112,640.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 3,292 shares in the company, valued at C$370,810.88. This trade represents a 43.63% increase in their ownership of the stock. Also, insider Ajai Bambawale sold 7,328 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$112.07, for a total transaction of C$821,248.96. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 800 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$89,656. This represents a 90.16% decrease in their position. Insiders have sold 84,384 shares of company stock valued at $9,456,915 in the last 90 days. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) Toronto-Dominion is one of Canadas two largest banks and operates three business segments: Canadian retail banking, U.S. retail banking, and wholesale banking. The banks U.S. operations span from Maine to Florida, with a strong presence in the Northeast. It also has a 13% ownership stake in Charles Schwab. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Toronto-Dominion Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG Get Free Report) Director Kevin Stein sold 7,191 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,361.57, for a total transaction of $9,791,049.87. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,158 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,107,688.06. The trade was a 46.85% 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. Transdigm Group Stock Performance Shares of NYSE TDG opened at $1,348.27 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $75.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.75, a PEG ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.02. Transdigm Group Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $1,183.60 and a fifty-two week high of $1,623.82. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1,302.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1,399.31. Get Transdigm Group alerts: Transdigm Group (NYSE:TDG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The aerospace company reported $10.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $10.33 by $0.49. Transdigm Group had a negative return on equity of 35.27% and a net margin of 20.98%.The company had revenue of $2.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.40 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $9.83 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Transdigm Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 36.490-38.530 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Transdigm Group Incorporated will post 35.13 EPS for the current year. Analyst Ratings Changes TDG has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,730.00 to $1,647.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Transdigm Group in a research report on Tuesday. They set an outperform rating and a $1,775.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their target price on Transdigm Group from $1,650.00 to $1,490.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. KeyCorp cut their price objective on Transdigm Group from $1,700.00 to $1,600.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Transdigm Group from $1,405.00 to $1,435.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Transdigm Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,576.29. Get Our Latest Report on Transdigm Group Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Transdigm Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $10,238,000. Blue Fin Capital Inc. raised its holdings in Transdigm Group by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Fin Capital Inc. now owns 1,509 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $1,988,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in Transdigm Group by 10.8% during the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 2,194 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $2,891,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S purchased a new stake in shares of Transdigm Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $93,706,000. Finally, Laurion Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Transdigm Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $228,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 95.78% of the companys stock. About Transdigm Group (Get Free Report) TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Transdigm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transdigm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TXNM Energy, Inc. (NYSE:TXNM Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of Hold from the nine ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $57.6429. Several research firms recently issued reports on TXNM. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of TXNM Energy in a research report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded TXNM Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $58.00 to $61.25 in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of TXNM Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. They issued a neutral rating and a $61.25 price target on the stock. Get TXNM Energy alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on TXNM Energy Insider Buying and Selling Hedge Funds Weigh In On TXNM Energy In other TXNM Energy news, Director Vicky A. Bailey sold 1,800 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.74, for a total transaction of $103,932.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,725 shares in the company, valued at $503,781.50. This represents a 17.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 1.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of TXNM Energy by 344.9% in the third quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 4,042,301 shares of the companys stock valued at $228,592,000 after acquiring an additional 3,133,794 shares in the last quarter. Reaves W H & Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in TXNM Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $161,678,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of TXNM Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $99,354,000. BROOKFIELD Corp ON acquired a new position in shares of TXNM Energy during the first quarter worth about $94,216,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in shares of TXNM Energy by 16.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 11,568,926 shares of the companys stock worth $654,223,000 after buying an additional 1,598,954 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.68% of the companys stock. TXNM Energy Trading Up 0.5% NYSE TXNM traded up $0.32 on Friday, reaching $58.11. 1,148,177 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,144,606. The company has a current ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $57.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $56.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.13. TXNM Energy has a fifty-two week low of $45.71 and a fifty-two week high of $58.25. TXNM Energy (NYSE:TXNM Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.11). The company had revenue of $647.16 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $608.65 million. TXNM Energy had a return on equity of 7.34% and a net margin of 8.75%.During the same period last year, the business earned $1.43 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that TXNM Energy will post 2.73 earnings per share for the current year. TXNM Energy Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a $0.4075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $1.63 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. TXNM Energys payout ratio is presently 95.32%. About TXNM Energy (Get Free Report) TXNM Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TXNM Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TXNM Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. decreased its position in Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report) by 2.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 66,162,033 shares of the airlines stock after selling 1,983,333 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned about 12.60% of Southwest Airlines worth $2,146,296,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. purchased a new stake in shares of Southwest Airlines in the first quarter valued at $56,244,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Southwest Airlines during the first quarter valued at $50,433,000. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its position in Southwest Airlines by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 49,688,308 shares of the airlines stock worth $1,668,533,000 after acquiring an additional 788,255 shares during the period. Mizuho Markets Americas LLC purchased a new position in Southwest Airlines during the 2nd quarter valued at about $24,330,000. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new position in Southwest Airlines during the 1st quarter valued at about $18,163,000. 80.82% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Southwest Airlines Trading Up 5.3% Southwest Airlines stock opened at $32.81 on Friday. Southwest Airlines Co. has a one year low of $23.82 and a one year high of $37.96. The companys fifty day moving average price is $32.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.49 and a quick ratio of 0.42. The company has a market capitalization of $16.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.48, a PEG ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 1.23. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend Southwest Airlines ( NYSE:LUV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 6th. The airline reported ($0.38) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $6.17 billion for the quarter. Southwest Airlines had a return on equity of 6.39% and a net margin of 1.38%. On average, analysts forecast that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be issued a dividend of $0.18 per share. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 26th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 110.77%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $34.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Southwest Airlines from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. Susquehanna boosted their price target on shares of Southwest Airlines from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $21.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $33.80. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines Profile (Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC lessened its stake in JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BATS:BBJP Free Report) by 20.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,913 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,495 shares during the quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF were worth $612,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of BBJP. Cerity Partners LLC lifted its stake in JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF by 25.6% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 11,764 shares of the companys stock worth $660,000 after purchasing an additional 2,395 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its holdings in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF by 8.5% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 13,936 shares of the companys stock worth $782,000 after purchasing an additional 1,095 shares during the last quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA lifted its position in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF by 107.0% in the first quarter. ABC Arbitrage SA now owns 68,592 shares of the companys stock worth $3,850,000 after buying an additional 35,461 shares in the last quarter. Acima Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in shares of JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF by 1.9% in the first quarter. Acima Private Wealth LLC now owns 55,094 shares of the companys stock worth $3,092,000 after buying an additional 1,012 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF by 10.7% during the first quarter. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 48,034 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,696,000 after buying an additional 4,636 shares during the last quarter. Get JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF alerts: JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF Price Performance BATS:BBJP opened at $67.15 on Friday. JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF has a 1 year low of $49.03 and a 1 year high of $63.72. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $67.63 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $63.84. The company has a market cap of $14.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.47 and a beta of 0.65. About JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF The JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF (BBJP) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of Japanese large- and mid-cap stocks. BBJP was launched on Jun 15, 2018 and is managed by JPMorgan Chase. See Also Receive News & Ratings for JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for JPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC cut its position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report) by 17.6% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,556 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 1,823 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $669,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Econ Financial Services Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences during the second quarter worth $889,000. Pacific Capital Partners Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the second quarter worth about $1,760,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors acquired a new position in Edwards Lifesciences during the second quarter worth about $300,000. Randolph Co Inc purchased a new stake in Edwards Lifesciences during the 2nd quarter valued at about $301,000. Finally, Mirova US LLC raised its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 56.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mirova US LLC now owns 2,931,297 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $229,257,000 after acquiring an additional 1,054,301 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.46% of the companys stock. Get Edwards Lifesciences alerts: Edwards Lifesciences Trading Up 1.1% Shares of EW stock opened at $85.02 on Friday. Edwards Lifesciences Corporation has a 1-year low of $65.94 and a 1-year high of $87.21. The firm has a market cap of $49.34 billion, a PE ratio of 12.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a 50-day moving average of $78.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $78.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 4.68 and a quick ratio of 3.87. Insider Buying and Selling at Edwards Lifesciences Edwards Lifesciences ( NYSE:EW Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The medical research company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.08. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 72.96% and a return on equity of 15.01%. The firm had revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.49 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.67 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Edwards Lifesciences has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.560-2.620 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.580-0.640 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Edwards Lifesciences Corporation will post 2.45 EPS for the current year. In related news, VP Daniel J. Lippis sold 1,020 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.55, for a total transaction of $84,201.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 22,002 shares in the company, valued at $1,816,265.10. This trade represents a 4.43% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 13,000 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.08, for a total value of $1,080,040.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 39,898 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,314,725.84. This represents a 24.58% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently weighed in on EW. Jefferies Financial Group set a $98.00 target price on Edwards Lifesciences and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Canaccord Genuity Group restated a hold rating and issued a $84.00 target price (up from $81.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Piper Sandler reissued an overweight rating and set a $95.00 price target (up previously from $90.00) on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Edwards Lifesciences from $87.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered shares of Edwards Lifesciences from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating, ten have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $91.39. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Edwards Lifesciences Edwards Lifesciences Profile (Free Report) Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for the minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL PRECISION and Cardioband names. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE:EW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Edwards Lifesciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Edwards Lifesciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Youdao, Inc. Unsponsored ADR (NYSE:DAO Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $9.75, but opened at $9.20. Youdao shares last traded at $9.3050, with a volume of 19,338 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently weighed in on DAO. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Youdao in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Youdao from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce. Get Youdao alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Youdao Youdao Stock Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows The stock has a 50 day moving average of $10.16 and a 200 day moving average of $9.33. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.53 and a beta of 0.36. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Walleye Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of Youdao by 226.1% during the first quarter. Walleye Capital LLC now owns 176,599 shares of the companys stock worth $1,347,000 after buying an additional 122,450 shares during the period. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Youdao by 83.5% during the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 137,456 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,049,000 after purchasing an additional 62,568 shares in the last quarter. Vident Advisory LLC increased its stake in Youdao by 190.2% during the 1st quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 57,192 shares of the companys stock valued at $436,000 after buying an additional 37,485 shares during the period. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in shares of Youdao by 35.9% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 29,286 shares of the companys stock worth $291,000 after buying an additional 7,729 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Walleye Trading LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Youdao in the 1st quarter worth approximately $115,000. Institutional investors own 21.91% of the companys stock. About Youdao (Get Free Report) Youdao, Inc, an internet technology company, provides online services in the field of content, community, communication, and commerce in China. It operates through three segments: Learning Services, Smart Devices, and Online Marketing Services. The company provides various learning content, applications, and solutions, which cover topics and target people from various age groups for their learning needs through its websites and mobile applications. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Youdao Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Youdao and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sangai Festival : Debates with merit Ugly fallout over the standoff | The PR administration has gone ahead with the Sangai Festival and while not all roads will lead to the festival venue, this has not stopped intense debates from cir-culating in the social media. Some are interesting while others are downright unpalatable and the opposition to the festival may perhaps be seen in the dust that has been kicked up after the office of the Rajya Sabha MP lodged a complaint against IGP Themthing Ngashangva. True to the character of Manipur, the stand off between the office of the Rajya Sabha MP and the IGP threatened to go off track, with many key board warriors and arm chair activists jumping into the fray and give it a communal colour. In the process all conveniently forgot to stick by the fact that the stand off should be seen as one between the Rajya Sabha MP and a senior police officer, an IGP to boot. Manipur or at least The Sangai Express however woke up to the contrary for seen on the social media were statements, accusations and insinuations along communal line or ethnic divide and this is what is unacceptable. Any stand against the complaint lodged by the office of the Rajya Sabha MP should be dealt without the baggage of identifying the complaint as a Meitei complaint against a senior Tang-khul IPS officer. Likewise any action that the IPS officer had taken should be seen as a police officer discharging his duty. It is not the job of individuals much less organisations which claim to serve the interest of any particular community to jump in and give it a communal tinge. This is what is unacceptable and Manipur does not need this at all. If people do not come to their senses, the issue can snowball from a standoff between a police officer and an MP, to a sort of a standoff between two communities. Certainly Mani- pur can live without this baggage. If the said officer exceeded his brief then let the higher authority deal with it but in the process no efforts should be made to give it a communal colour. Likewise there was nothing communal in the complaint lodged by the office of the Rajya Sabha MP and this should not be twisted to suit ones agenda or narrative. If the complaint was bereft of merit or deserves to be looked into then let the authority decide it. It is a matter that cannot and should not be decided by some pen pushers, key board warriors or trouble makers who come in the form of social activists. Manipur too should take extra care to ensure that the matter is not politicised. A fallout of the decision of the PR administration to go ahead with the Sangai Festival or a fallout of the intense opposition raised against the stand of the Government ? Either way it is Manipur which has already lost. As noted in an earlier commentary here, no one will emerge winner from the standoff and whether the Sangai Festival is held successfully or not, the National Highways will remain off limits to the Meiteis and there is no guarantee that the displaced folks can return to the place they once called home anytime. And this cuts both ways, for there are many Kuki-Zo people who have left Imphal. This is the reality and even as the Government has gone ahead and inaugurated the Sangai Festival, debates or exchange of ideas have been doing the round in the social media. As noted, some hold merit while others may fall in the category of illogical bordering more on venom spewing exercises. Of particular interest is one input from a user who shared, The Shirui Lily Festival was held in a grand manner with many from the valley participating including CSO leaders, the Rath Yatra organised by Govindajee Temple Board was held successfully, CSO leaders from Imphal went to Ukhrul when NSCN (IM) leader Th Muivah visited, Ningol Chakkouba was held peacefully and so too was Diwali. During these, the IDPs were still there at the relief centres, no Meiteis could travel on the National Highways and the crisis in Manipur has been dragging on for more than 30 months. Now why oppose Sangai Festival ? Food for thought here, yet at the same time there is the other line of argument or reasoning put in by some who holds that the Kukis have not been observing Kut Festival since 2023, then why should the Sangai Festival be held ? The festival is not about celebrating culture, but is about weaving a false narrative that normalcy has returned, is the line held. Both sides have their merits and demerits, and while healthy debates may continue, it is a tragedy to see that an unfortunate incident has been given the communal colour. This should stop. Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the morning. High around 15F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 50%. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Overcast. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Ever since the Bigbaskets and the Zeptos joined the ranks of the Zomatos and the Swiggys, Indias unorganised gig economy has grown exponentially. The Code on Social Security 2020 brings them together under a formal safety umbrella. Now, the lakhs and lakhs of gig workers ( delivery agents) and platform workers will be formally recognised. According to the new regulations, the Centre is mandated to frame suitable schemes, covering life, disability, health, and maternity benefits, specifically for these workers. A dedicated National Social Security Fund is set to fund this, according to the regulation. Every gig or platform worker will have to register on a national portal and receive a portable, Aadhaar-verified Unique Identification Number, ensuring that welfare benefits follow them across state lines, regardless of migration. Moreover, aggregators like Uber and Swiggy will now have to contribute 12 per cent of the annual turnover, capped at 5 per cent of the amount paid/payable to gig and platform workers. Social security revolution The Code on Social Security 2020 consolidated nine old labour welfare laws and came into effect on November 21, 2025. At the core of this regulation is India accepting its contract and gig workers as employees, on par with the permanent staff. It is a welcome change for many. "I had no job guarantee while running for Swiggy. Now they say the new law will protect us. I am happy, and my parents can now be less worried," said Vinesh J, a 21-year-old gig worker in Kochi. The social security code also tackles a key issuecommute accidents. Any accident that happens while commuting from your residence to the place of employment and vice versa will now be considered as having occurred "in the course of employment." This means you and your family could be eligible for compensation or ESIC benefits if an injury or accident occurs during your daily travel. Another major change is that the geographical restrictions on Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) coverage are now removed. But who all are eligible? Companies had earlier denied short-term contract or fixed-term employees (FTE) key employment benefits. But the latest reforms fix this. FTEs to receive all benefits equal to permanent workers, including leave, medical, and social security. Eligibility for gratuity is now just over one year, instead of five. This means equal wages as the permanent staff, increasing income, and protection. "One-year contracts are anxiety-inducing. You have minimal benefits and no way of knowing you will be retained," added Rajesh N, 38, a content editor from Chennai, "This new labour law is a welcome change. At least, we get gratuity." The social security code brought in a universal safety net, ensuring protection for all workers, whether they are salaried employees, daily wage earners, or independent gig workers. However, this is just a start. On Friday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the country suffered a great loss, and India's defence export ambitions faced a temporary setback when a home-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas crashed while performing a complex, low-altitude barrel roll during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show, resulting in the death of the fighter pilot. Even as a court of inquiry is being constituted by the IAF to ascertain the cause of the accident, and the nation mourned the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, there have been many who were quick to jump to conclusions and even come up with conspiracy theories. "The reasons could be mechanical. The reason could be the malfunction of the fly-by-wire or any control surface. The sabotage angle would also be looked at by the court of inquiry team," said Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd), and warned the armchair experts that "At this stage, to speculate and to say what could have gone wrong is incorrect, and to have lost a brother in arms is very sad..." Initiated in the 1980s by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet of the IAF, the Tejas fighter jet was formally declared fit to fly in 2011. The first version of this tailless fighter with a composite airframe was inducted into the IAF in 2016. Since its induction, the IAF raised two squadrons of Tejas fighter jets: No. 45 Squadron 'Flying Daggers' and No. 18 Squadron 'Flying Bullets', both based out of Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu. The IAF will induct more Tejas jets in the coming years as the defence ministry has signed two major contracts for the aircraft in recent years in 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk1A jets and in September 2025 for an additional 97 Tejas Mk1A jets (68 fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers). When fighters fail Can a crash redefine the success of an aircraft project? Detractors have been quick to judge and dismiss LCA Tejas and HALwhich can arguably be blamed for slow, delayed delivery of the fighter jets to the force even as IAF has been facing a severe shortage of fighter jetsforgetting that even the best of systems fail, and the best of men, even those with years of training and experience, can make mistakes. Aviation aerobatics operate at the razor's edge and require extreme skill, courage, and precision. These manoeuvres are not mere stunts, but acts of mastery performed by highly skilled and experienced pilots who take immense personal risks. Wing Commander Syal was one such brave pilot; he had extensive experience flying MiG-21 and Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft prior to moving on to master Tejas. READ MORE: OPINION | Challenges in modernising Indias military Media reports suggest that HAL Tejas has clocked over 10,000 flying hours, with just two crashes since its first flight in 2011. The first accident involving the Tejas occurred in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan in March 2024. The aircraft had crashed near a residential colony in Jaisalmer while returning from a tri-services military exercise, 'Bharat Shakti', in the Pokhran desert on March 12, 2024. The pilot ejected safely then. With over 10,000 flying hours and just two accidents in over two decades, Tejas still remains a resilient fighter jet. It is important to understand that the best of systems are still prone to error, and the best of people still have bad days. In the past seven years, there have been as many as 12 US F-35 fighter crashes. Multiple variants of the F-35, including the F-35A, B, and C, built by American defence major Lockheed Martin, have crashed due to various reasons ranging from technical faults and pilot error to ice-contaminated hydraulic fluid. In 2019, Russia's most advanced aircraft, the Su-57, crashed in the Far East Khabarovsk Krai region during a test flight. These are some of the instances of the most advanced fighters still facing operational setbacks. Social media handles from Pakistan had been in overdrive ever since the Tejas fighters landed in Dubai for the airshow. Initially, it was claims of "oil leakage" which the Indian side refuted. After the tragedy involving Tejas unfolded, many social media handles continued to spew venom, perhaps forgetting that the JF-17 Thunder fighter jet of Pakistan, which it co-developed with China, has faced at least five confirmed crashes since its introduction into service. Lesson from Sukhoi-30MKI In 1999, at the prestigious Paris Air Show, a Sukhoi-30MKI multirole fighter crashed during the flight display. According to a report in Jamestown, the crew members ejected safely as the tail section of the aircraft burst into flames. India, which had signed a deal for 40 multirole aircraft in 1996, received eight basic Su-30 aircraft in 1998, and the Su-30MKI being showcased in Paris was an upgraded variant. Despite the accident at the Paris Air Show, the IAF began inducting the Sukhoi Su-30MKI in 2002, and the aircraft has been the mainstay of the IAF's combat fleet ever since. While such high-profile accidents, such as the one involving LCA Tejas, may raise concerns about the safety and reliability of the aircraft, they do not automatically derail export ambitions, as evidenced by the export orders for US F-35, or the most recent export of Su-75 to a mystery client. The transparency in the investigation into the incident, technical fixes, and continued demonstration of the aircrafts capabilities will ensure that LCA Tejas will still be seen by prospective international buyers as a cost-effective, modern 4.5-generation light combat aircraft. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Christy Morrill, 72, who lost decades of memories to autoimmune encephalitis, holds up a viewfinder with a slide film of himself as a college student, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, at his home in San Carlos, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman "My year of unraveling" is how a despairing Christy Morrill described nightmarish months when his immune system hijacked his brain. What's called autoimmune encephalitis attacks the organ that makes us "us," and it can appear out of the blue. Morrill went for a bike ride with friends along the California coast, stopping for lunch, and they noticed nothing wrong. Neither did Morrill until his wife asked how it wentand he'd forgotten. Morrill would get worse before he got better. "Unhinged" and "fighting to see light," he wrote as delusions set in and holes in his memory grew. Of all the ways our immune system can run amok and damage the body instead of protecting it, autoimmune encephalitis is one of the most unfathomable. Seemingly healthy people abruptly spiral with confusion, memory loss, seizures, even psychosis. But doctors are getting better at identifying it, thanks to discoveries of a growing list of the rogue antibodies responsible that, if found in blood and spinal fluid, aid diagnosis. Every year new culprit antibodies are being uncovered, said Dr. Sam Horng, a neurologist at Mount Sinai Health System in New York who has cared for patients with multiple forms of this mysterious disease. And while treatment today involves general ways to fight the inflammation, two major clinical trials are underway aiming for more targeted therapy. Still, it's tricky. Symptoms can be mistaken for psychiatric or other neurologic disorders, delaying proper treatment. Christy Morrill, 72, who lost decades of memories to autoimmune encephalitis, poses for a photo at his home, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in San Carlos, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman "When someone's having new changes in their mental status, they're worsening and if there's sort of like a bizarre quality to it, that's something that kind of tips our suspicion," Horng said. "It's important not to miss a treatable condition." With early diagnosis and care, some patients fully recover. Others like Morrill recover normal daily functioning but grapple with some lasting damagein his case, lost decades of "autobiographical" memories. This 72-year-old literature major can still spout facts and figures learned long ago, and he makes new memories every day. But even family photos can't help him recall pivotal moments in his own life. "I remember 'Ulysses' is published in Paris in 1922 at Sylvia Beach's bookstore. Why do I remember that, which is of no use to me anymore, and yet I can't remember my son's wedding?" Morrill wonders. Inflaming the brain Encephalitis means the brain is inflamed and symptoms can vary from mild to life-threatening. Infections are a common cause, typically requiring treatment of the underlying virus or bacteria. But when that's ruled out, an autoimmune cause has to be considered, Horng said, especially when symptoms arise suddenly. The umbrella term autoimmune encephalitis covers a group of diseases with weird-sounding names based on the antibody fueling it, such as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. While they're not new diseases, that one got a name in 2007 when Dr. Josep Dalmau, then at the University of Pennsylvania, discovered the first culprit antibody, sparking a hunt for more. Christy Morrill, 72, left, who lost decades of memories to autoimmune encephalitis, looks over family photo albums with, from left, his wife Karen, daughter Caitlin and grandson Colter, at his home, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in San Carlos, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman That anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis tends to strike younger women and, one of the bizarre factors, it's sometimes triggered by an ovarian "dermoid" cyst. How? That type of cyst has similarities to some brain tissue, Horng explained. The immune system can develop antibodies recognizing certain proteins from the growth. If those antibodies get into the brain, they can mistakenly target NMDA receptors on healthy brain cells, sparking personality and behavior changes that can include hallucinations. Different antibodies create different problems depending if they mostly hit memory and mood areas in the brain, or sensory and movement regions. Altogether, "facets of personhood seem to be impaired," Horng said. Therapies include filtering harmful antibodies out of patients' blood, infusing healthy ones, and high-dose steroids to calm inflammation. Stealth attack on the brain Those cyst-related antibodies stealthily attacked Kiara Alexander in Charlotte, North Carolina, who'd never heard of the brain illness. She'd brushed off some odditiesa little forgetfulness, zoning out a few minutesuntil she found herself in an ambulance because of a seizure. Christy Morrill, 72, who lost decades of memories to autoimmune encephalitis, looks over a photo album of his son's wedding, at his home, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in San Carlos, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman Maybe dehydration, the first hospital concluded. At a second hospital after a second seizure, a doctor recognized the possible signs, ordering a spinal tap that found the culprit antibodies. As Alexander's treatment began, other symptoms ramped up. She has little clear memory of the monthlong hospital stay: "They said I would just wake up screaming. What I could remember, it was like a nightmare, like the devil trying to catch me." Later Alexander would ask about her 9-year-old daughter and when she could go homeonly to forget the answer and ask again. Alexander feels lucky she was diagnosed quickly, and she got the ovarian cyst removed. But it took over a year to fully recover and return to work full time. What could cause memories to vanish? In San Carlos, California, in early 2020, it was taking months to determine what caused Morrill's sudden memory problem. He remembered facts and spoke eloquently but was losing recall of personal events, a weird combination that prompted Dr. Michael Cohen, a neurologist at Sutter Health, to send him for more specialized testing. "It's very unusual, I mean extremely unusual, to just complain of a problem with autobiographical memory," Cohen said. "One has to think about unusual disorders." Kiara Alexander, who was hospitalized with autoimmune encephalitis, poses for a photo at her home, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman Meanwhile Morrill's wife, Karen, thought she'd detected subtle seizuresand one finally happened in front of another doctor, helping spur a spinal tap and diagnosis of LGI1-antibody encephalitis. It's a type most common in men over age 50. Those rogue antibodies disrupt how neurons signal each other, and MRI scans showed they'd targeted a key memory center. By then Morrill, who'd spent retirement guiding kayak tours, could no longer safely get on the water. He'd quit reading and as his treatments changed, he'd get agitated with scary delusions. "I lost total mental capacity and fell apart," Morrill describes it. He used haiku to make sense of the incomprehensible, and months into treatment finally wondered if the "meds coursing through me" really were "dousing the fire. Rays of hope?" A growing list of culprits The nonprofit patient advocacy group Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance lists about two dozen antibodiesand countingknown to play a role in these brain illnesses so far. Kiara Alexander, left, who was hospitalized with autoimmune encephalitis, leaves a grocery store with her daughter Kennedi, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. Credit: AP Photo/David Goldman Clinical trials, offered at major medical centers around the country, are testing two drugs now used for other autoimmune diseases to see if tamping down antibody production can ease encephalitis. More awareness of these rare diseases is critical, said North Carolina's Alexander, who sought out fellow patients. "That's a terrible feeling, feeling like you're alone." As for Morrill, five years later he still grieves decades of lost memories: family gatherings, a year spent studying in Scotland, the travel with his wife. But he's making new memories with grandkids, is back outdoorsand leads an AE Alliance support group, using his haiku to illustrate the journey from his "unraveling" to "the present is what I have, daybreaks and sunsets" to, finally, "I can sustain hope." "I'm reentering some real time of fun, joy," Morrill said. "I wasn't shooting for that. I just wanted to be alive." 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Blue Ruin and Rebel Ridge director Jeremy Saulnier is gearing up to direct a series for Netflix titled Trigger Point, marking another collaboration with actor Joel Edgerton (The Gift, Train Dreams). Touted as an action drama, it is penned by Harrison Query, who will serve as showrunner, while Saulnier serves as an executive producer and handles directing duties on the eight-episode series. The story follows an FBI agent tracking a Special Forces team that secretly sells its services to criminal organizations, using a private military contract firm as a cover. While the FBI agent has not yet been cast, Edgerton will play a former Special Forces operator. The project is produced by acclaimed production house A24. Additional executive producers include Joe Hipps (House of Cards, Ozark) and Patrick Macdonald. Meanwhile, Saulnier has also set up his next feature-length directorial, a horror-action thriller titled October, with actor Cory Michael Smith confirmed to headline the project. Interestingly, it is also backed by A24, with whom he previously collaborated on the thriller Famous, starring Zac Efron. Saulnier has earlier worked with the studio in Green Room, which starred Patrick Stewart and Anton Yelchin. Aside from Trigger Point, Edgerton has completed filming for the second season of Apple TV's Dark Matter, co-starring Jennifer Connelly. Also a filmmaker, Edgerton made his directorial debut in 2015 with The Gift, in which he also starred as a man with a dark past who stalks a husband and wife (Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall). He made his second directorial, Boy Erased, in 2018. The film starred Lucas Hedges as a homosexual boy forced to undergo conversion therapy. Edgerton played the therapist heading the program. Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman played the boys parents. In a move that could significantly upgrade Mumbais public healthcare system, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing to introduce component blood banks across six major civic hospitals. The initiative, currently moving through the scrutiny stage, will allow these hospitals to separate donated blood into life-saving components such as plasma, platelets, and red cells, ensuring more efficient and targeted treatment for patients. At present, most peripheral BMC hospitals rely on conventional blood banks that primarily collect, test and store whole blood. But medical protocols have evolved. Today, doctors rarely need whole blood; they require specific components based on the patients condition. "With component blood banks, were finally giving patients exactly what their body needs. Instead of transfusing whole blood unnecessarily, we can use the right component for the right condition. Its safer for the patient and far more efficient for the hospital, a resident doctor from KEM hospital, a BMC-run civic hospital in Mumbai, tells THE WEEK. A component blood bank allows a single blood donation to benefit multiple patients, which is a crucial advantage in high-burden hospitals where demand often outstrips supply. For instance, dengue patients might only need platelets, trauma patients may require red blood cells, while someone with liver disease may benefit most from plasma. Separating these components ensures every unit of donated blood is used optimally, reducing wastage and expanding access. List of hospitals According to officials familiar with the tender process, hospitals that have been allocated space to set up component blood bank facilities include Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar General Hospital, Kandivli, Seth V.C. Gandhi & M.A. Vora Municipal General Hospital, Ghatkopar, Kurla Bhabha Hospital, Kherwadi Bandra Bhabha Hospital, Shri Harilal Bhagwati Hospital, Borivli, Smt M.T. Agarwal Municipal General Hospital, Mulund. Each centre has been allotted anywhere between 160sqm and 367sqm to house specialised infrastructure, including refrigerators, centrifuges, storage units, dedicated staff, and quality-control systems mandated by FDA guidelines. Officials confirmed that nine bidders have shown interest so far. Their submissions are currently being vetted. The planned service contract is for 10 years, with an option to extend to 30 years based on performance. A senior BMC official said the shift was long overdue, as the city continues to see high caseloads of dengue, trauma injuries, cancer treatments, and chronic illnesses that require precise blood components. "Mumbais public hospitals see a high volume of trauma, dengue, cancer and obstetric emergencies. Relying only on whole blood is no longer practical. Component blood banks allow us to meet this demand more responsibly and ensure patients get exactly what they require, without delay. Medical experts argue that the shift to component-based transfusions is not just scientifically sound but essential in a city where seasonal spikes in dengue or malaria strain blood supplies. Instead of giving a patient whole blood, an outdated practice in most modern hospitals, separating the blood ensures safer and more effective treatment. It also prevents complications: for example, giving whole blood to a patient who needs only platelets may overload the heart or cause unnecessary stress on already weakened systems. Once approvals are finalised, these hospitals are expected to begin setting up specialised labs and cold-storage units. Officials said the project could be a major step toward decentralising blood services in Mumbai, reducing the load on centralised facilities and improving turnaround time for life-saving transfusions. Every November, Delhi slips into the familiar dystopia. The air smells ashy, tastes metallic, and a dense grey settles over the city. But even as pollution becomes impossible to ignore, the numbers meant to quantify this crisis adds to the confusion. Indias air quality index (AQI), whether published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or displayed on government-backed trackers like SAFAR, never goes beyond 500! Private trackers, such as the Swiss air monitoring firm IQAir, show the number shooting past 500 and even hitting 700-800. So which number reflects the reality? And why does Indias AQI hit the threshold before the pollution does? India caps AQI at 500 India launched its National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAQI) in 2014 when the then environment minister Prakash Javadekar outlined the AQI as One Number - One Colour - One Description. It was for the common man to easily understand the air quality in his/her vicinity. The system takes data from eight pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, converts their concentrations into a single value, and assigns a colour-coded category. An AQI of 050 is good, 51100 satisfactory, 101200 moderately polluted, 201300 poor, 301400 very poor, and 401500 is severe. And thats where the scale ends at 500, no matter how much higher the actual pollutant concentrations go. At the time, such extreme pollution levels in India were less common, and the scale was designed accordingly, says Arindam Datta, senior fellow at The Energy and Research Institute (TERI), explaining the reason behind the decision. At the same time, Some experts and officials argue that health impacts largely plateau once AQI reaches > 400 level, hence in the last 10 years nobody cares to revise it. Explaining the reason why CPCB and international trackers show different AQI readings, Manoj Kumar N., analyst at Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), explains: Its because they use different methodologies. While CPCB uses the Beta Attenuation Monitoring (BAM) method, IQAir does the same using sensors, and hence, showing different readings. Hidden gaps in Indias AQI system The issue isnt just that India caps its AQI at 500, but the standards set, too, are lenient. For instance, India labels PM2.5 levels up to 60 g/m as satisfactory, a limit four times higher than the World Health Organisations (WHO) recommended 15 g/m. The location of monitors matters too. In densely populated areas, readings are naturally higher; place a monitor in a sparsely populated or peripheral area and the numbers drop, says Kumar, pointing to another flaw in Indias air-quality monitoring system. He further highlights that while Delhi has 39 operational air monitoring stations, some cities and towns only have one, often not enough. Take Perundurai in Tamil Nadu. It routinely ranks among the cleanest cities despite being highly industrialised, he says. Does Indias AQI system need a revamp? While India outlined its National Ambient Air Quality Index in 2014, the WHO revised its air quality standards in 2021. Our standards are outdated. And it would be good practice to measure air quality beyond 500, because pollutants like PM2.5 cause health impacts even at low concentrations, says Kumar. Datta adds that India may finally be rethinking its approach. Now with increasing pressure from international AQI measurements, India is also thinking about revising its AQI with no cap, similar to the US and China. The question now is not whether the change is needed, but how soon it will come. Chief Justice of India-designate Justice Surya Kant has made it clear that his tenure will open with a single-minded priorityclearing the mountain of arrears clogging the Supreme Court and High Courts. In an informal interaction, the incoming Chief Justice spoke candidly about the challenges before the judiciary and the reforms he intends to institutionalise from Day One. Arrears are my priority, over 90,000 cases here, and arrears pan-India, he emphasised, calling the growing backlog the most urgent institutional challenge. Justice Surya Kant said thousands of cases remain pending or kept in abeyance across courts, including matters locked in the Supreme Court because substantial questions of law are yet to be decided. We have identified hundreds at the Supreme Court level, and we are also asking the High Courts to flag cases that cannot progress because a point of law is pending here, he said. He indicated his plan is to target such matters that have ripple effects on hundreds of other cases, thereby bringing a systemic reduction in pendency, rather than just numerical disposal. The incoming CJI underlined that constitution benches will become more frequent, and that multiple constitution benches will sit simultaneously. More constitution benches is my priority, he asserted, adding that long-pending matters of constitutional interpretation require closure. Justice Surya Kant acknowledged that the filing rate in the Supreme Court has jumped dramatically in recent years, at times outpacing disposals. A large part of this, he said, stems from a cultural perception that the Supreme Court is the forum of first approach for grievances. People are directly approaching the Supreme Court. We have to sensitise citizens that High Courts are equally competent to dispose of cases, he noted. The judiciary, he said, must reinforce the pyramid structure, rather than allow it to collapse into a funnel. He also spoke extensively about mediation, calling it the next major priority of his tenure. With the Mediation Act now in force, Justice Surya Kant believes mediation culture must deepen, widen, and embed as a natural part of dispute resolution architecture. According to him, major private companies and multinational corporations have already reached out to the judiciary, seeking training for their in-house teams so they can develop internal mediation frameworks. Government departments, too, he said, must undergo this shift. The Prime Minister has also encouraged this. Mediation has picked up momentum, he said. The CJI-designate said that the judiciary is examining the use of artificial intelligence with cautious optimism. While he agrees the technology is vital to modernising judicial systems, he accepts the anxieties and fears surrounding AI use. There are issues and challenges and there is fear and apprehension also. People want that matters should be decided by a judge, he acknowledged. The judicial system, he said, must figure out the boundaries of AI carefully. There are loopholes and apprehensions. We will take a holistic view, a lot of deliberation is needed, and Bar support is essential, he noted. He also emphasised that the judiciary must work towards evolving a uniform pattern of AI usage instead of scattered pilots. On pending vacancies, Justice Surya Kant said he intends to fill all the vacancies that will arise in the Supreme Court during his tenure at the earliest, calling it essential to achieve his disposal targets. Addressing the question of whether the Supreme Court itself must share responsibility for pendency, the CJI-designate did not shy away. The Supreme Court is partly responsible for this. This is all part of judicial process, he said, noting that pendency is linked to complexity, volume, and litigation behaviour. There is always a finality, he remarked, indicating that judicial closure was an organic, layered process. The CJI-designate also noted that the judiciary must not become hostage to online commentary or digital outrage. The Office of the Chief Justice, he insisted, should remain immune from the distortions of social media echo chambers. The CJI shouldnt come under social media pressure. What else do you require when you are the CJI? he remarked. He also hinted at improving judicial infrastructure, though he acknowledged the constraints of federal responsibility. Its a big challenge. The state governments also have a role, he said. Justice Surya Kant said his approach is to treat the judicial system with the urgency and triage of a public health system. Its time courts should work as hospitals, he said, prioritising the most urgent and most impactful cases first. He expressed optimism that Indian courts would significantly reduce pendency if systemic interventions aligned across institutions. I am very optimistic, he said, noting that identifying cases with cascading impact will reduce backlog across jurisdictions. Touching on global judicial collaboration, he said the Indian judiciary enjoys immense respect internationally. Kenya, he said, is keen on technological cooperation, and more Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are under consideration with judicial academies and other nations. As Constitution Day approaches, he revealed there will be a large-scale celebration with foreign judicial delegations visiting Indiamarking the beginning of what he hopes will be a reform-driven tenure guided by efficiency, prudence, and institutional mindfulness. The Delhi police crime branch has busted a transnational smuggling racket with links to Pakistan-linked Inter-Services Intelligence. Four key traffickers were also arrested. The unit seized arms along with foreign-made pistols which were being smuggled in through the India-Pakistan border and distributed across he country by interstate arms smugglers. Delhi | Delhi Crime Branch arrested four accused in an international arms smuggling ring linked to the Pakistani ISI: Ajay, Mandeep, Dalvinder and Rohan. This gang was supplying high-end pistols made in Turkey and China to India via Pakistan. The weapons were dropped in Punjab pic.twitter.com/ZFhzwnGvud ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2025 The operations were conducted by a Delhi Crime Branch Unit team led by DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. Police said that the weapons were smuggled into the country from Pakistan using drones in a highly modern cross-border infiltration method. According to special CP Crime Devesh Srivasta, 10 high-end foreign-made semi-automatic pistols, along with 92 live cartridges, were found. Delhi: The Crime Branch has busted a major international arms trafficking network linked to Pakistans ISI. The gang was supplying high-end Turkey- and China-made pistols into India through Pakistan, using drones to drop weapons in Punjab. Four key members have been arrested, and pic.twitter.com/QoCg1sa1Zb IANS (@ians_india) November 22, 2025 A Turkiye-made PX-5.7 pistol, a high-end weapon known to be used exclusively by special forces, was also found, creating concern. A Chinese-made PX-3 pistol was also found, which showed that the smuggled weapons being channelled by the ISI group were from diverse international origins. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, called for a profound rethink of the global development parameters and proposed the setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team. Speaking at the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Johannesburg, the PM proposed the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 to preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living. Modi told the session that now is the right moment to revisit the development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. "India's civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism, offer a way forward," Modi told the session. The prime minister said to overcome the challenge of drug trafficking, especially the spread of extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl, India proposes a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus. Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy, he said. "I proposed a few actionables to realise our dream of all-round growth. First among them is the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and well-being," Modi said in a tweet. He said Africa's progress was vital for global progress and proposed the G20Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative. India has always stood in solidarity with Africa. I am proud of the fact that it was during India's G20 Presidency that the African Union became a permanent G20 member, he said. Our collective goal should be to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade, he added. Further, he also proposed the setting up of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team. "We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters. Our effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts from fellow G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in case of any emergencies," he said. A pall of gloom has descended on the Patiyalkar village in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh after news reports emerged about the crashing of a Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who hails from the village, lost his life in the accident that cast a tragic shadow on the last day of the event. Namansh (34) is survived by his wife, six-year-old daughter and his parents. "We received information about the crash around 5 pm, when his father called me and told me to watch the news. People of the village have gathered here, and all are very sad, Joginder Nath Syal, his uncle, told ANI news agency. According to reports, Namanshs wife, Afsaan, is also an Indian Air Force officer, while his father, Jagan Nath Syal, is a retired Army officer who later served as a school principal in Kangra. Both Jagan Nath and his wife Veena Syal are currently at Namans house in Coimbatore. The single-engine lightweight aircraft crashed around 3.40 pm (IST) on Friday after the pilot had flown across the site of the prestigious air show during the demonstration flight. The IAF has ordered a court of enquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the manufacturer of the aircraft, said it was deeply saddened by the loss of life of the "courageous IAF pilot". In a heartbreaking revelation, it has been reported that the father of Wing Commander Namansh Syal learnt about the tragedy while scrolling through YouTube for videos of his son in action Jagan Nath Syal, the father of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a retired school principal from Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, said he panicked when he saw news scrolls of an LCA Tejas having crashed at Dubai Airshow 2025. His immediate reaction was to try and get in touch with his daughter-in-law via phone, he told a daily. While he could not get her on the line, a bunch of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel showed up at his doorsteps and he knew it was bad news, he added. It was the late Wing Commander himself who had asked his father how and when to catch him in action. The senior citizen said that Namansh had called him in the morning and asked him to tune into television or YouTube around 4 in the evening. He did sit down to watch the performance but the search results threw up news of the Indian fighter jet crashing in Dubai instead. ALSO READ | Tejas aircraft crash: Pall of gloom descends on Namansh Syal's native village in Himachal Jagan Nath Syal and Veena Syal are reportedly spending their retirement life in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. He asked the IAF officers how long it will take to bring his late son home. While they did not have an exact answer, they said it will be not more than two days, Jagan Nath Syal was quoted as saying by the Indian Express. His wife is grieving and is not in a mental state to meet the press or make statements, he added. LCA Tejas crashes in Dubai WC Namansh Syal (34) was reportedly attempting a vertical take-off when the fighter jet crashed. The exact cause of the accident will be revealed only after an official Court of Inquiry. "An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A Court of Inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident," an IAF spokesperson said. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the maker of Tejas, said it is deeply saddened by Syal's death and expressed heartfelt condolences to his family. ALSO READ | Tejas crash: HAL in spot, IAF hopes take a plunge after Dubai air show accident Jogindernath Syal, Namansh's uncle, told PTI Videos that the mortal remains of the Wing Commander reached the Sulur Air Force station near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu around 9 am on Saturday, from where they will be flown to the Gaggal airport in Kangra on Sunday. Namansh is survived by his father, mother, wife, who is also serving in the Air Force, and their six-year-old daughter. Namansh and his wife met during their first posting in Pathankot, and later got married in 2014. Israeli forces killed five Hamas operatives on Friday after they emerged from tunnels in eastern Rafah, in southern Gaza, an area currently under Israeli control. According to the Israel Defense Forces, about 15 operatives came out through two tunnel exits situated east of the Yellow Line, the boundary separating IDF-held territory from areas still under Hamas control. Once identified near the ceasefire demarcation point, they were targeted by the Israeli Air Force using information passed on by troops on the ground. Six operatives were killed, while five others surrendered to soldiers of the Nahal Brigade and were subsequently taken for interrogation by the Shin Bet security agency. IDF sources described the gunmen as posing an immediate threat to forces deployed in southern Gaza. Army Radio reported that the operatives belonged to a dwindling group of around 200 fighters trapped inside what the military calls a terror pocket a section of Hamass tunnel network in eastern Rafah that remains behind Israeli lines after months of operations. The area near the Jenina neighbourhood, where yesterdays incident took place, is believed to be the centre of this isolated underground enclave. As the IDF continues to destroy tunnel routes and seal off remaining exits, more Hamas operatives are compelled to emerge in recent weeks; many have been intercepted or killed as they attempt to flee. Earlier this month, Israeli troops shot four operatives who crossed the Yellow Line during tunnel-clearing operations, killing three. Senior commanders, including Major General Yaniv Asor of the Southern Command and Brigadier General Barak Hiram of the Gaza Division, conducted an on-site assessment following Fridays events and approved follow-up operational plans. Two IDF brigades continue to maintain control of the area while conducting extensive searches for remaining operatives. Despite an October ceasefire agreement, this week has seen an uptick in violence, with mediators such as Qatar warning that renewed clashes risk destabilising the already fragile truce. The IDF recently uncovered what it described as one of the most significant Hamas tunnel systems found to date. The underground complex, discovered in Rafah beneath a densely populated neighbourhood, was identified as the place where the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin had been held since he was killed during an ambush in the 2014 Gaza war. Earlier this month, Israel recovered his remains. The tunnel, which is more than seven kilometres long and descending 25 metres underground, contained some 80 rooms used by Hamas commanders for prolonged stays, the storage of weapons and the planning of operations. Parts of the network extended beneath a UNRWA compound as well as mosques, clinics and nursery schools. The IDF said the Yahalom combat engineering unit, working with the Shayetet 13 naval commando force, uncovered rooms functioning as command posts for senior Hamas leaders, including Muhammad Shabana, who was killed in May along with Mohammed Sinwar. The military also reported the arrest of Marwan al-Hams, who was allegedly involved in determining Goldins death and who played a role within Hamass operational infrastructure. Further north in the Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes this week killed Abdallah Abu Shamala, the chief of Hamass naval forces, and Fadi Abu Mustafa, an operative involved both in holding Israeli hostages and in tunnel construction for Hamass Khan Younis Brigade. Their deaths were announced jointly by the IDF and the Shin Bet following a series of strikes launched in response to gunfire directed at Israeli troops stationed in the Khan Younis area. While no Israeli soldiers were injured in the initial attack, the military said the subsequent aerial response targeted Hamas infrastructure and operatives responsible for recent assaults. Five additional casualties were reported in those strikes. The IDF described Abu Shamala as a senior commander with decades of involvement in Hamass naval operations, including the groups maritime infiltration at Zikim during the 2014 war and its preparations for the large-scale assault of October 7, 2023. Abu Mustafa was identified as both a captor of Israeli hostages and an expert in tunnel construction. Amid these developments, Israels security cabinet voted yesterday to form a ministerial team tasked with overseeing the second stage of the ceasefire agreement. The group will include Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, though Smotrich and Ben Gvir opposed the deal in the initial vote. The next phase of the agreement is intended to begin once all living hostages have been released; Hamas continues to hold the bodies of three deceased captives. While no timeline has yet been set for the plans implementation, the United States is working with regional partners to assemble an international security force made up of troops from Arab and Muslim states. Recently, when US President Donald Trump hosted a high-profile black-tie dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, even Elon Musk attended, despite having avoided public visits to the White House since his feud with Trump earlier this summer and his removal from DOGEs leadership. That alone signalled how the US government, along with some of the most influential figures in tech, especially in AI, now sees Saudi Arabia as integral to their plans. Soon after the dinner, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US had authorised the export of advanced AI chipsthe equivalent of up to 35,000 Nvidia Blackwell unitsto the Saudi-government-backed AI venture Humain. Humain and Musks xAI also plan to jointly develop data centres in Saudi Arabia, including a 500-megawatt facility. With these moves, Washington expects Saudi sovereign AI to become dependent on US hardware and software, giving it long-term leverage. The US decision is driven by a mix of economic, geopolitical, and strategic interestsnot charity. Saudi Arabia faced severe criticism in the West after the 2018 Khashoggi murder and the Yemen war, but under Trump, realpolitik and the race for AI dominance have eclipsed human-rights rhetoric. Similarly, the US is supplying AI chips to the UAEs state-backed sovereign AI companythe same firm in which Microsoft has invested $1.5 billion for an equity stake and a board seat. Saudi Arabia and the UAE had previously hedged with Chinese tech, and the current US measures aim to prevent Gulf oil wealth from accelerating Chinas AI rise. Riyadh has now committed roughly $600 billion to over $1 trillion in U.S.-linked deals, including AI data centres on American soil, tech partnerships, and broader investments. Beyond collaborating with xAI, Humain is planning joint projects with Nvidia, AMD, and other major players. This redirection of oil capital into US-aligned AI infrastructure is exactly what Washington wants. Like the UAE, Saudi Arabia is also strategically positioned, with abundant energy, rapid infrastructure development, and strong connectivity across the Middle East and Global Southqualities that make it especially attractive to the US American tech giants have also pushed for loosening restrictions, arguing that the Gulf offers cheap land for hyperscale data centerssomething the US lacks at scalealong with vast, reliable energy. With Saudi Arabia becoming a major non-NATO ally in the Gulf and receiving full US export licenses for cutting-edge AI chips, Washington is pulling Riyadh further from Beijing in the USChina tech rivalry. The goal is a US-aligned AI hub in the Gulf, countering Chinas ambitions in the region. Chinese companies such as Huawei, Alibaba, and Tencent had expanded aggressively in the Gulf before 2025, offering unrestricted access to their AI chips. Now, with US hardware flowing into the regions most powerful economies, Washington can ensure that Middle Eastern data centres run on Nvidia or AMD chips and rely on Microsoft Azure, AWS, or other US-aligned software stacksmaking any future switch to Chinese systems costly and difficult. As Saudi Arabias Humain and the UAEs G42 become major players in the US AI arena, India remains constrained by stricter, quantity-capped licensing rules. This underscores a tiered US approach to AI technology diffusion. India may be a talent hub, but the recent moves show that Washington is prioritising countries capable of delivering massive reciprocal investments and clear strategic alignment against China. At the same time, Saudi Arabia and the UAEs full alignment with the US AI ecosystem has the potential to create a mixed but ultimately positive dynamic, accelerating the emerging India-Gulf innovation corridor, where Gulf capital and US technology meet Indian talent. Kathmandu, Nov 22 (PTI) Forty-two glacial lakes in Nepal have been identified as being at critical risk of bursting, according to experts. A potential glacial lake outburst flood could result in massive loss of life and severe damage to infrastructure, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) expert Sharad Prasad Joshi warned on Friday during a discussion held in Khandbari, the headquarters of Sankhuwasabha district. A glacial lake is a body of water that originates from a glacier. It typically forms at the foot of a glacier, but may form on, in, or under it. Joshi said an ICIMOD report titled 'Risks Arising From Rapid Changes in Nepal's Glaciers and Glacial Lakes' had classified 42 of the 2,069 glacial lakes across the country as "highly at risk", all located in the Koshi province. In Sankhuwasabha, four glacial lakes, including those in the Bhotkhola and Makalu areas, have been listed as high risk, he said. The Tallopokhari glacial lake in the lower Barun area has been identified as the most vulnerable. The lake is about three kilometres long and around 206 metres deep, with surrounding depths ranging from 15 to 25 metres. ICIMOD, in collaboration with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and UNDP Nepal, is developing risk-reduction measures for the four high-risk lakes, Joshi said, underscoring the need for greater vigilance and preparedness. A large pond in the lower Barun area has also been included in the mitigation initiative. Joshi warned that a lake burst could endanger several settlements and infrastructure in the Arun Valley. In addition, 13 glacial lakes originating in Tibet could pose threats to the provinces northern areas, he noted. Speaking at the event, another ICIMOD expert, Neera Shrestha Pradhan, said women, children, and the elderly are often the most affected during disasters. She said the organisation is implementing programmes to raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of these vulnerable groups. The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) Director Amy Lane sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. This represents a 2.20% 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. TJX Companies Stock Performance TJX traded up $3.39 during trading on Friday, reaching $151.46. The companys stock had a trading volume of 10,085,740 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,277,420. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.17. The companys fifty day moving average price is $142.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $133.94. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $112.10 and a 52-week high of $152.58. The company has a market capitalization of $168.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. Get TJX Companies alerts: TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.63% and a net margin of 8.59%.The business had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.80 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. 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, equities analysts forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. TJX Companies Dividend Announcement Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is 38.72%. Several analysts recently commented on TJX shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TJX Companies from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, August 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed a market perform rating and issued a $145.00 target price (up from $140.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday. Evercore ISI upped their price target on TJX Companies from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on TJX Companies from $162.00 to $167.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, TJX Companies has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $158.90. Read Our Latest Analysis on TJX Institutional Trading of TJX Companies Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Lavaca Capital LLC purchased a new position in TJX Companies during the second quarter worth $25,000. TCTC Holdings LLC boosted its stake 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 acquiring an additional 145 shares during the last quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC increased its position in TJX Companies by 102.2% during the 3rd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 182 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. GGM Financials LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. 91.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Griffon (NYSE: GFF) in the last few weeks: 11/17/2025 Griffon had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/11/2025 Griffon had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/5/2025 Griffon had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/4/2025 Griffon was upgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong sell rating to a hold rating. 10/14/2025 Griffon had its hold (c) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 10/6/2025 Griffon was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong sell rating. 9/27/2025 Griffon had its hold (c-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. Griffon Increases Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This is a positive change from Griffons previous quarterly dividend of $0.18. Griffons dividend payout ratio is 53.73%. Griffon Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides consumer and professional, and home and building products in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Home and Building Products, and Consumer and Professional Products. The Home and Building Products segment manufactures and markets residential and commercial sectional garage doors, rolling steel service doors, fire doors, shutters, steel security grilles, and room dividers for the use in commercial construction and repair, and home remodeling applications. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Griffon Corporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Griffon Corporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE:TPB Get Free Report) Director Stephen Usher sold 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.00, for a total transaction of $101,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 5,175 shares in the company, valued at approximately $522,675. The trade was a 16.19% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Turning Point Brands Stock Performance TPB stock traded down $0.37 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $97.56. 460,763 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 301,596. Turning Point Brands, Inc. has a twelve month low of $51.48 and a twelve month high of $110.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.35 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 3.98, a current ratio of 5.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $95.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of $86.67. Get Turning Point Brands alerts: Turning Point Brands (NYSE:TPB Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.46. The business had revenue of $118.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.42 million. Turning Point Brands had a net margin of 12.02% and a return on equity of 24.44%. Turning Point Brandss quarterly revenue was up 12.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.68 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Turning Point Brands, Inc. will post 2.59 earnings per share for the current year. Turning Point Brands Announces Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 19th will be issued a $0.075 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 19th. This represents a $0.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Turning Point Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.56%. A number of brokerages have recently commented on TPB. Needham & Company LLC started coverage on Turning Point Brands in a report on Friday, August 1st. They set a hold rating for the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Turning Point Brands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Turning Point Brands in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on Turning Point Brands from $110.00 to $120.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Zacks Research raised Turning Point Brands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $97.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Turning Point Brands Institutional Investors Weigh In On Turning Point Brands A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Arizona State Retirement System grew its holdings in shares of Turning Point Brands by 2.2% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 5,297 shares of the companys stock worth $524,000 after buying an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Turning Point Brands by 90.7% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 328 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P lifted its position in Turning Point Brands by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 26,370 shares of the companys stock worth $1,567,000 after buying an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Turning Point Brands by 54.9% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 457 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners grew its holdings in shares of Turning Point Brands by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 13,712 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,356,000 after acquiring an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the companys stock. Turning Point Brands Company Profile (Get Free Report) Turning Point Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes branded consumer products. The company operates through three segments: Zig-Zag Products, Stokers Products, and Creative Distribution Solutions. Zig-Zag Products segment markets and distributes rolling papers, tubes, finished cigars, make-your-own cigar wraps, and related products, as well as lighters and other accessories under the Zig-Zag brand. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Turning Point Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Turning Point Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Molson Coors Beverage (NYSE:TAP Get Free Report) and Aristocrat Group (OTCMKTS:ASCC Get Free Report) are both consumer staples companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, earnings, profitability and analyst recommendations. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and Aristocrat Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Get Molson Coors Beverage alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Molson Coors Beverage 2 11 5 0 2.17 Aristocrat Group 0 0 0 0 0.00 Molson Coors Beverage presently has a consensus price target of $54.24, suggesting a potential upside of 17.69%. Given Molson Coors Beverages stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Molson Coors Beverage is more favorable than Aristocrat Group. Risk and Volatility Profitability Molson Coors Beverage has a beta of 0.65, meaning that its share price is 35% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Aristocrat Group has a beta of 0.31, meaning that its share price is 69% less volatile than the S&P 500. This table compares Molson Coors Beverage and Aristocrat Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Molson Coors Beverage 7.81% 8.61% 4.39% Aristocrat Group N/A N/A N/A Insider and Institutional Ownership 78.5% of Molson Coors Beverage shares are held by institutional investors. 2.7% of Molson Coors Beverage shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Molson Coors Beverage and Aristocrat Groups gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Molson Coors Beverage $11.21 billion 0.81 $1.12 billion ($10.68) -4.32 Aristocrat Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Molson Coors Beverage has higher revenue and earnings than Aristocrat Group. Summary Molson Coors Beverage beats Aristocrat Group on 10 of the 10 factors compared between the two stocks. About Molson Coors Beverage (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. It provides its products under Aspall Cider, Blue Moon, Coors Original, Five Trail, Hop Valley brands, Leinenkugels, Madri, Miller Genuine Draft, Molson Ultra, Sharps, Staropramen, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer above premier brands; Bergenbier, Borsodi, Carling, Coors Banquet, Coors Light, Jelen, Kamenitza, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, and Niksicko, Ozujsko under the premium brands; and Branik, Icehouse, Keystone, Miller High Life, Milwaukees Best, and Steel Reserve under the economy brands. The company was formerly known as Molson Coors Brewing Company and changed its name to Molson Coors Beverage Company in January 2020. Molson Coors Beverage Company was founded in 1774 and is based in Golden, Colorado. About Aristocrat Group (Get Free Report) Aristocrat Group Corp. through its subsidiary, Top Shelf Distributing, LLC, focuses on developing distilled spirits line of business. The company markets and sells RWB Ultra Premium Handcrafted Vodka to retailers in North America. Aristocrat Group Corp. was founded in 2011 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ithaca Energy plc (LON:ITH Get Free Report)s share price traded down 13.1% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as GBX 200 and last traded at GBX 203. 12,338,506 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 502% from the average session volume of 2,047,964 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 233.50. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ITH has been the topic of a number of research reports. Shore Capital reissued a no recommendation rating on shares of Ithaca Energy in a research note on Tuesday, September 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Ithaca Energy to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from GBX 145 to GBX 220 in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Peel Hunt restated a buy rating and set a GBX 200 price objective on shares of Ithaca Energy in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of GBX 210. Get Ithaca Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Ithaca Energy Ithaca Energy Stock Performance Ithaca Energy Company Profile The stock has a market cap of 3.34 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -19.15. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is GBX 204.87 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 179.70. (Get Free Report) Ithaca Energy is a leading UK independent exploration and production company focused on the UK North Sea with a strong track record of material value creation. In recent years, the Company has been focused on growing its portfolio of assets through both organic investment programmes and acquisitions and has seen a period of significant M&A driven growth centred upon two transformational acquisitions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ithaca Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ithaca Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report)s share price rose 1.7% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $284.55 and last traded at $282.5260. Approximately 10,678,711 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 14,393,783 shares. The stock had previously closed at $277.91. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently weighed in on TSM. Weiss Ratings raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Barclays boosted their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a buy rating and issued a $360.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $371.67. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance The stocks 50-day moving average is $287.83 and its 200 day moving average is $245.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 2.37 and a quick ratio of 2.15. The company has a market cap of $1.43 trillion, a PE ratio of 28.21, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. The firm had revenue of $32.36 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.06% and a net margin of 43.72%.The firms revenue was up 40.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.94 EPS. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 17th will be given a dividend of $0.9678 per share. 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 is Tuesday, March 17th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.97%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TSM. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 16,500.0% during the 1st quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 6,707,064 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,113,373,000 after buying an additional 6,666,660 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 55.6% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 17,306,108 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,872,814,000 after acquiring an additional 6,180,445 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter worth $482,676,000. Jennison Associates LLC increased its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 26.7% in the 2nd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 12,046,792 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,728,478,000 after acquiring an additional 2,537,760 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 31.5% during the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 8,864,014 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,471,426,000 after acquiring an additional 2,121,758 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Get Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. For thousands of Parels daily commuters, the demolition of the century-old Elphinstone Bridge has transformed routine travel into an ordeal. Narrowed lanes, debris, barricades, and increased crowds have created hazardous, crush-like conditions. This situation has brought back painful memories of the 2017 Elphinstone Road stampede, which killed 22 and injured nearly 40. Residents now fear that another disaster is imminent. Locals say the congestion, collapsing crowd flow and lack of planning have turned the area into a high-risk zone. With no proper alternative routes put in place before the demolition began, locals and commuters both are battling injuries from exposed stones, worsening mosquito-borne illnesses from stagnant waste and the daily stress of navigating through a tightly packed, shrinking corridor. Rush hour nightmare Kalyani Wakkar, a Sahakar Bhavan resident and regular commuter, said the once-reliable service road has become a nightmare. Ever since the bridge demolition began, the service road, once the main route for commuters, has turned into a dangerous stretch, she said. There is mud slush everywhere with large stones lying openly. Many people have already been injured while rushing to work. Hawkers fully occupy one side of the road, while the other is piled with waste and debris, leaving barely any space to walk. To reach KEM or Parel, we are forced to walk through a narrow single lane. Only a line of about 12-15 people can pass at a time. Many commuters now avoid getting down at Parel because of this. She said the situation has only gotten worse. At first, half the pathway was blocked by construction equipment and old British-era stones from the demolished bridge, which made the lane extremely narrow. Now, with more of the bridge taken down, even the crossing under the ROB has been barricaded. This forces even more people into the same cramped lane, making the crowding unbearable. Residents and commuters now have to walk through the same narrow passage in opposite directions, raising fears of stampede-like conditions, she said. Nikhil Wakkar, a photographer and frequent commuter, said the scene is terrifying. This has become a daily scenario. When trains arrive, hundreds pour out at once, and people cannot even walk properly, he said. I travel often and have to go through this mess. I fear that someday, a situation similar to the 2017 stampede might occur again. That tragedy happened in the morning peak hours because of overcrowding and sudden rain. Mounting health concerns Munaf Thakur, Secretary of Haji Noorani Chawl, blasted officials for ignoring repeated warnings about the dangers of proceeding without a safe alternative route. We have been telling the officials that there has to be an alternative before demolishing, but no one heard us, he said. He pointed to a spike in mosquitoes and malaria cases caused by exposed mud, open digging sites and clogged spots of stagnant water. Residents say the constant vibration from the demolition work has also become a daily menace, shaking their homes and raising fresh worries about structural damage. Thakur warned that the community is now living in fear. He said the overcrowded, hazardous conditions could spark a stampede similar to the deadly 2017 tragedy, which cost multiple lives and remains etched in the citys memory. Efforts by Mirror to contact the BMC ward officer went unanswered. Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd. (CVE:CYF Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.01 and last traded at C$0.01, with a volume of 8000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02. Canyon Creek Food Stock Performance The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$0.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$0.01. The stock has a market cap of C$351,490.00, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.13 and a beta of 0.34. Canyon Creek Food Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canyon Creek Food Company Ltd. operates as a food processing company in Canada and the United States. The company engages in the provision of fresh soups, sauces, gravies, side dishes, and other prepared food products. It offers its products to grocery retailers and various food service establishments, as well as involved in the provision of freight services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Canyon Creek Food Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canyon Creek Food and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) declared that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 19th, RTT News reports. The company plans to buyback $475.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to repurchase up to 5.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are often an indication that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. Primerica Stock Up 0.5% Shares of Primerica stock opened at $262.79 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $8.39 billion, a PE ratio of 12.08 and a beta of 0.96. Primerica has a 52 week low of $230.98 and a 52 week high of $307.91. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $265.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $266.95. Get Primerica alerts: Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $6.33 earnings per share (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 analyst estimates of $817.81 million. Primerica had a net margin of 22.36% and a return on equity of 31.75%. Primericas revenue was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $4.83 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Primerica will post 20.6 earnings per share for the current year. Primerica Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st will be paid a dividend of $1.04 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 21st. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Primericas dividend payout ratio is presently 19.12%. Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Primerica from $306.00 to $301.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Primerica in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Primerica from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Primerica from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $292.00 to $318.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered 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 report on Tuesday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $309.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on PRI Insider Transactions at Primerica In other news, President Peter W. Schneider sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.30, for a total transaction of $510,600.00. Following the sale, the president owned 7,301 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,863,945.30. This represents a 21.50% 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, CEO Glenn J. Williams sold 2,500 shares of Primerica stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $259.65, for a total transaction of $649,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 33,892 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,800,057.80. This trade represents a 6.87% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock. Primerica Company Profile Get Free Report) Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Primerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ActiveOps Plc (LON:AOM Get Free Report) insider Richard John Jeffery bought 60 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 250 per share, with a total value of 150. Richard John Jeffery also recently made the following trade(s): Get ActiveOps alerts: On Friday, October 17th, Richard John Jeffery purchased 67 shares of ActiveOps stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 223 per share, for a total transaction of 149.41. On Wednesday, September 17th, Richard John Jeffery acquired 81 shares of ActiveOps stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 183 per share, with a total value of 148.23. ActiveOps Trading Down 1.3% LON AOM opened at GBX 235.90 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of 168.38 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 160.48 and a beta of 0.40. The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 206.52 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 169.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.50, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a current ratio of 1.17. ActiveOps Plc has a 52 week low of GBX 79.50 and a 52 week high of GBX 261.50. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, Canaccord Genuity Group boosted their price objective on shares of ActiveOps from GBX 280 to GBX 355 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, ActiveOps currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of GBX 355. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AOM About ActiveOps (Get Free Report) ActiveOps offerings provide predictive and prescriptive insight to help service operations make better decisions faster. The Companys AI-powered SaaS solutions are underpinned by 15+ years of operational data and its AOM methodology thats proven to drive cross department decision-making. With Decision Intelligence, ActiveOps customers deliver MORE release 20%+ capacity within the first 12 months and boost productivity by 30%+ leading to MORE business impact. Read More Receive News & Ratings for ActiveOps Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ActiveOps and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Medtronic PLC (NYSE:MDT Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twenty-six analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Twelve investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, thirteen have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $109.7222. Several equities research analysts have commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Medtronic from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Medtronic in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Argus increased their price target on Medtronic from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Leerink Partners set a $120.00 price target on Medtronic and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a hold rating on shares of Medtronic in a research note on Thursday, August 14th. Get Medtronic alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on MDT Medtronic Trading Up 1.8% NYSE:MDT opened at $101.16 on Wednesday. Medtronic has a twelve month low of $79.29 and a twelve month high of $102.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $95.04 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $90.88. The company has a market cap of $129.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 0.77. Medtronic (NYSE:MDT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 18th. The medical technology company reported $1.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.31 by $0.05. Medtronic had a net margin of 13.63% and a return on equity of 14.61%. The company had revenue of $8.96 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.86 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.26 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Medtronic has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.620-5.660 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Medtronic will post 5.46 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Medtronic In other news, Director William R. Jellison purchased 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, August 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $92.37 per share, with a total value of $230,925.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 5,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $461,850. The trade was a 100.00% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Harry Skip Kiil sold 8,605 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.58, for a total transaction of $788,045.90. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 35,615 shares in the company, valued at $3,261,621.70. This represents a 19.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Medtronic A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Medtronic in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,432,698,000. Boston Partners increased its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 122.8% in the first quarter. Boston Partners now owns 6,912,055 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $619,460,000 after purchasing an additional 3,809,450 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC increased its holdings in shares of Medtronic by 104.6% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 6,831,203 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $650,604,000 after purchasing an additional 3,492,192 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of Medtronic by 28.8% in the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 15,481,028 shares of the medical technology companys stock valued at $1,391,141,000 after purchasing an additional 3,461,221 shares during the period. Finally, Schroder Investment Management Group lifted its stake in shares of Medtronic by 78.3% during the 3rd quarter. Schroder Investment Management Group now owns 7,529,849 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $717,143,000 after buying an additional 3,307,211 shares during the last quarter. 82.06% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Medtronic Company Profile (Get Free Report) Medtronic plc develops, manufactures, and sells device-based medical therapies to healthcare systems, physicians, clinicians, and patients worldwide. Its Cardiovascular Portfolio segment offers implantable cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices; cardiac ablation products; insertable cardiac monitor systems; TYRX products; and remote monitoring and patient-centered software. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Medtronic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medtronic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lessened its stake in First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP Free Report) by 81.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,461 shares of the banks stock after selling 53,463 shares during the quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd.s holdings in First BanCorp. were worth $260,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in FBP. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC lifted its position in First BanCorp. by 13.6% in the 2nd quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 109,919 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,290,000 after acquiring an additional 13,172 shares in the last quarter. Savant Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of First BanCorp. in the 2nd quarter valued at about $204,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in shares of First BanCorp. by 0.3% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 1,845,708 shares of the banks stock valued at $38,446,000 after purchasing an additional 6,006 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of First BanCorp. by 288.6% in the second quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 79,485 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,656,000 after purchasing an additional 59,033 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of First BanCorp. by 14.8% during the second quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 12,505 shares of the banks stock worth $260,000 after buying an additional 1,615 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.91% of the companys stock. Get First BanCorp. alerts: First BanCorp. Stock Performance NYSE FBP opened at $20.13 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The firms fifty day moving average price is $20.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $20.96. First BanCorp. has a 1 year low of $16.40 and a 1 year high of $22.60. First BanCorp. Cuts Dividend First BanCorp. ( NYSE:FBP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The bank reported $0.51 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $30.79 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $256.25 million. First BanCorp. had a net margin of 26.73% and a return on equity of 17.45%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.45 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that First BanCorp. will post 1.85 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.18 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 28th. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. First BanCorp.s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.95%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have weighed in on FBP. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of First BanCorp. in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods restated a market perform rating and set a $24.00 target price (down previously from $26.00) on shares of First BanCorp. in a report on Monday, October 27th. UBS Group set a $25.00 target price on shares of First BanCorp. in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $23.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Truist Financial reduced their price objective on shares of First BanCorp. from $25.00 to $24.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $24.00. Read Our Latest Report on First BanCorp. First BanCorp. Profile (Free Report) First BanCorp. operates as a bank holding company for FirstBank Puerto Rico that provides a range of financial products and services to consumers and commercial customers. The company operates through six segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Mortgage Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FBP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First BanCorp. (NYSE:FBP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for First BanCorp. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First BanCorp. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Banco Santander Brasil SA (NYSE:BSBR Free Report) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund purchased 12,759 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $70,000. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio raised its position in Banco Santander Brasil by 48.9% during the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 11,617 shares of the banks stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 3,813 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in shares of Banco Santander Brasil by 27.5% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 20,256 shares of the banks stock valued at $110,000 after purchasing an additional 4,372 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Banco Santander Brasil by 553.9% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,997 shares of the banks stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 5,927 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd lifted its position in shares of Banco Santander Brasil by 37.6% during the 1st quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 24,590 shares of the banks stock worth $116,000 after buying an additional 6,720 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in Banco Santander Brasil in the first quarter valued at about $46,000. 14.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Banco Santander Brasil alerts: Banco Santander Brasil Trading Up 1.2% Shares of NYSE BSBR opened at $6.14 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $5.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $5.33. Banco Santander Brasil SA has a 1 year low of $3.75 and a 1 year high of $6.43. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28. Banco Santander Brasil Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.0983 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 23rd. This is an increase from Banco Santander Brasils previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.39 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.4%. Several brokerages have commented on BSBR. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Banco Santander Brasil in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Banco Santander Brasil from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of Banco Santander Brasil from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. 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 companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $5.35. Get Our Latest Analysis on Banco Santander Brasil About Banco Santander Brasil (Free Report) Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking segments. It offers local loans, commercial financing options, development bank funds, and cash management services; export and import financing, guarantees, structuring of asset services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSBR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Banco Santander Brasil SA (NYSE:BSBR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc. lifted its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) by 17.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 40,612 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,095 shares during the period. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc.s holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City were worth $3,219,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 17,654 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,399,000 after buying an additional 139 shares during the period. Redmond Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.5% in the first quarter. Redmond Asset Management LLC now owns 31,617 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,220,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 1.3% in the second quarter. Accretive Wealth Partners LLC now owns 11,806 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $936,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 9.0% during the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 2,153 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $171,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its holdings in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 28,857 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,282,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares in the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays set a $90.00 price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. National Bankshares reissued an outperform rating on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.69. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Performance Shares of CP stock opened at $69.93 on Friday. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 12-month low of $66.49 and a 12-month high of $83.65. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $73.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $76.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The company has a market cap of $62.74 billion, a PE ratio of 21.32, a PEG ratio of 1.61 and a beta of 1.08. Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP Get Free Report) (TSE:CP) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The transportation company reported $0.80 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.81 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $2.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.71 billion. Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a return on equity of 8.79% and a net margin of 28.41%.During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.99 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 3.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a $0.228 dividend. This is a boost from Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys previous quarterly dividend of $0.17. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys payout ratio is presently 19.51%. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Company Profile (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; merchandise freight, such as forest products, energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals, consumer products, and automotive; and intermodal traffic comprising retail goods in overseas containers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc. boosted its position in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 414,280 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 8,220 shares during the quarter. Bowen Hanes & Co. Inc.s holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $44,498,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in BSX. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its holdings in Boston Scientific by 14,391.8% in the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 2,919,801 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $313,618,000 after buying an additional 2,899,653 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 1.9% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 137,134,110 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $14,729,575,000 after purchasing an additional 2,545,381 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 18.6% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,610,487 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,070,387,000 after purchasing an additional 1,664,108 shares during the period. Swedbank AB lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 114.5% in the second quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,819,249 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $302,816,000 after purchasing an additional 1,505,019 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in Boston Scientific by 10.8% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 14,143,332 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,426,779,000 after buying an additional 1,383,524 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Boston Scientific Trading Up 0.2% Shares of BSX opened at $96.77 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $98.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $102.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $143.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.58. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 1-year low of $85.98 and a 1-year high of $109.50. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Boston Scientific ( NYSE:BSX Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.74%. The company had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.97 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.63 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. Analysts expect that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $124.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $132.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Oppenheimer upgraded Boston Scientific from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $118.00 to $125.00 in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Barclays lifted their target price on Boston Scientific from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, UBS Group upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Scientific currently has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $123.77. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Boston Scientific Insider Activity at Boston Scientific In other news, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total transaction of $1,266,927.48. Following the transaction, the director owned 24,134 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,371,889.52. The trade was a 34.82% 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, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.47, for a total value of $4,923,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 178,342 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,561,336.74. This represents a 21.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 175,782 shares of company stock worth $17,742,314. Corporate insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Sage Group (LON:SGE Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 1,350 to GBX 1,250 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft currently has a hold rating on the stock. Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on SGE. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued an overweight rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research note on Thursday, September 11th. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a hold rating and issued a GBX 1,100 price objective on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group upped their target price on shares of The Sage Group from GBX 1,320 to GBX 1,350 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday. Panmure Gordon reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 1,300 price target on shares of The Sage Group in a report on Thursday. Finally, Shore Capital reissued a hold rating on shares of The Sage Group in a research report on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, The Sage Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of GBX 1,300. Get The Sage Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on The Sage Group The Sage Group Price Performance Shares of LON SGE opened at GBX 1,064.43 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.00, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 1,117.46 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,172.11. The stock has a market capitalization of 10.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.96, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.53. The Sage Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,034.50 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 1,349. The Sage Group (LON:SGE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The company reported GBX 43.20 EPS for the quarter. The Sage Group had a return on equity of 24.48% and a net margin of 11.87%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that The Sage Group will post 42.1496095 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The Sage Group announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, November 19th that authorizes the company to buyback 0 shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. The Sage Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for The Sage Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Sage Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norwegian Cruise Line (NYSE:NCLH Get Free Report) and Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (NYSE:PRSU Get Free Report) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations. Profitability This table compares Norwegian Cruise Line and Pursuit Attractions and Hospitalitys net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Norwegian Cruise Line alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Norwegian Cruise Line 7.52% 59.88% 4.02% Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality 51.67% 21.30% 11.41% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Norwegian Cruise Line 0 8 12 3 2.78 Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality 0 1 3 0 2.75 Valuation and Earnings Norwegian Cruise Line presently has a consensus target price of $28.37, suggesting a potential upside of 55.87%. Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality has a consensus target price of $33.67, suggesting a potential upside of 0.55%. Given Norwegian Cruise Lines stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Norwegian Cruise Line is more favorable than Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality. This table compares Norwegian Cruise Line and Pursuit Attractions and Hospitalitys top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Norwegian Cruise Line $9.69 billion 0.85 $910.26 million $1.36 13.38 Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality $441.14 million 2.15 $368.54 million $12.50 2.68 Norwegian Cruise Line has higher revenue and earnings than Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality. Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Norwegian Cruise Line, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional & Insider Ownership 69.6% of Norwegian Cruise Line shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.9% of Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Norwegian Cruise Line shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Risk and Volatility Norwegian Cruise Line has a beta of 2.22, meaning that its stock price is 122% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality has a beta of 1.76, meaning that its stock price is 76% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Norwegian Cruise Line beats Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality on 9 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Norwegian Cruise Line (Get Free Report) Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates through the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various ports, including Scandinavia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. It distributes its products through retail/travel advisor and onboard cruise sales channels, as well as meetings, incentives, and charters. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. was founded in 1966 and is based in Miami, Florida. About Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (Get Free Report) Pursuit Attractions & Hospitality, Inc. engages in the provision of hospitality and leisure activities, experiential marketing, and live events. It operates through the following segments: Pursuit, Spiro, and GES Exhibitions. The Pursuit segment provides travel experiences that include recreational attractions, unique hotels and lodges, food and beverage, retail, sightseeing, and ground transportation services. The Spiro segment is an experiential marketing agency that partners with brands around the world to manage and elevate their global experiential marketing activities. The GES Exhibitions segment is a global exhibition services company that partners with exhibition and conference organizers as a full-service provider of strategic and logistics solutions to manage the complexity of their shows. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Denver, CO. Receive News & Ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Norwegian Cruise Line and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Two Indians who were trafficked to Myanmar and forced to commit cybercrimes have revealed that they were betrayed by our own people Indians working on behalf of Chinese mafias. Gautam Shaw and Vishal Gholap were among 112 Indians who were rescued by Myanmar authorities earlier this month. They returned to India on November 19. Shaw and Gholap, who left the country in March, told Mumbai Mirror that they were lured by Indian agents who promised them lucrative jobs in Thailand. I was promised a job in Thailand was told that I would be paid around Rs 1 lakh per month. But to my shock, the Chinese mafia took us to Myanmar at gunpoint, said Shaw, a resident of Dombivli. When the victims reached KK Park a major hub of cybercrimes located in Myawaddy Township in Myanmar the Chinese mafia forced them to sign a contract, Shaw said. They [the mafia] threatened us if we did not comply, we would have to pay a fine of $3,500, said Shaw. We signed a one-year contract. There were constant threats, that the Chinese authorities would leave us on the border and not pay us for the work we did. The victims were given targets and were punished if they didnt meet them. We were told to trap people from the United States, Canada and other nations. Our job was simply to make fake profiles of Asian women on social media apps and then lure clients, especially senior citizens, and force them to invest in cryptocurrency, Gholap, a resident of Pune, told Mumbai Mirror. If we didnt lure three clients a day, we were made to run or duck walk. Those who were not in the good books of the managers or disobeyed them were forced to duck walk to set an example, he added. According to Gholap, the people dispensing the punishment were often Indians. An Indian, Piyush Patel, who introduced himself as the human resources manager of the company, asked Shaw for names of potential candidates. I told him I wouldnt refer anyone, so he got offended and threatened to leave me at the border, Shaw said. I felt so betrayed. He was an Indian, scamming other Indians. He continues to live in Myawaddy. In October Myanmars junta captured and cleared KK Park, located on the MyanmarThailand border. The Myanmar military has launched a massive demolition drive in areas where such crime syndicates are located. Military personnel rescued us [Indians]. We were in military camps until all of us were identified. On November 19, we were rescued from Myanmar, Shaw said. We were taken to Thailand, and the documentation process was completed. Our electronic devices were confiscated, and we had to pay money, Gholap said. An Indian Air Force plane then flew the Indians to Andaman, where they were given food and accommodation. From there they were brought to Delhi, Gholap said. In Delhi Indian agencies questioned the victims. They wanted to know what happened, how we reached there, Shaw said. Shaw and Gholap urged Indians who want to work abroad to check the credentials of agents and companies. Once you sign the contract, you are a slave of the company, Gholap said. KBC Group NV lessened its position in Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE:SKY Free Report) by 34.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,758 shares of the companys stock after selling 924 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NVs holdings in Champion Homes were worth $110,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its position in shares of Champion Homes by 10,171.4% in the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 719 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares during the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Champion Homes during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in Champion Homes by 49.8% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 900 shares of the companys stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 299 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC grew its holdings in Champion Homes by 1,231.3% in the 1st quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 852 shares of the companys stock valued at $81,000 after buying an additional 788 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its position in Champion Homes by 2,030.8% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 2,770 shares of the companys stock worth $173,000 after buying an additional 2,640 shares during the period. Get Champion Homes alerts: Champion Homes Stock Performance Shares of NYSE SKY opened at $81.56 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.69 and a beta of 1.14. Champion Homes, Inc. has a one year low of $59.44 and a one year high of $116.49. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $74.37 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.27. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. Analyst Ratings Changes Champion Homes ( NYSE:SKY Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.20. Champion Homes had a net margin of 8.50% and a return on equity of 14.35%. The firm had revenue of $684.43 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $636.96 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.93 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Champion Homes, Inc. will post 3.63 EPS for the current year. Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Champion Homes from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the company from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Champion Homes in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Champion Homes from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Champion Homes from $74.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Champion Homes from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $85.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on SKY Champion Homes Company Profile (Free Report) Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SKY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE:SKY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Champion Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Champion Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd (NYSE:SHG Free Report) by 19.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 20,704 shares of the banks stock after purchasing an additional 3,373 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.s holdings in Shinhan Financial Group were worth $935,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Shinhan Financial Group by 1.1% during the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 27,509 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,243,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares during the last quarter. AMG National Trust Bank raised its position in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 52,300 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,363,000 after buying an additional 455 shares in the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Shinhan Financial Group by 4.1% during the 2nd quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 14,232 shares of the banks stock worth $643,000 after acquiring an additional 561 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Shinhan Financial Group by 1.7% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 39,492 shares of the banks stock worth $1,267,000 after acquiring an additional 649 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Shinhan Financial Group by 8.2% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 8,994 shares of the banks stock valued at $289,000 after acquiring an additional 682 shares during the last quarter. 7.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Shinhan Financial Group alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on SHG shares. Zacks Research lowered Shinhan Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Shinhan Financial Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Shinhan Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Shinhan Financial Group Trading Up 2.0% Shares of SHG stock opened at $52.75 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $51.54 and a 200 day moving average of $47.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd has a 1-year low of $28.76 and a 1-year high of $56.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $25.61 billion, a PE ratio of 5.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 1.00. Shinhan Financial Group (NYSE:SHG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 14th. The bank reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $2.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.79 billion. Shinhan Financial Group had a return on equity of 12.27% and a net margin of 21.21%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Shinhan Financial Group Co Ltd will post 5.97 earnings per share for the current year. About Shinhan Financial Group (Free Report) Shinhan Financial Group Co, Ltd. provides financial products and services in South Korea and internationally. The company operates through six segments: Banking, Credit Card, Securities, Insurance, Credit, and Others. It offers retail banking services, including demand, savings, and fixed deposit-taking; checking accounts; mortgage and home equity, and retail lending; electronic banking and automatic teller machines (ATM); and bill paying, payroll and check-cashing, currency exchange, and wire fund transfer services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shinhan Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shinhan Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey lifted its stake in NewJersey Resources Corporation (NYSE:NJR Free Report) by 8.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 23,037 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,828 shares during the quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jerseys holdings in NewJersey Resources were worth $1,033,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of NJR. Jacobi Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of NewJersey Resources by 1.0% in the first quarter. Jacobi Capital Management LLC now owns 28,505 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,398,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of NewJersey Resources by 23.1% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,504 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $67,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in NewJersey Resources by 2.9% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 11,553 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $524,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the period. Choreo LLC grew its position in NewJersey Resources by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 9,404 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $465,000 after purchasing an additional 372 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. grew its position in NewJersey Resources by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 10,093 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $495,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the companys stock. Get NewJersey Resources alerts: NewJersey Resources Price Performance NJR opened at $48.90 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $46.32 and a 200 day moving average price of $46.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. NewJersey Resources Corporation has a 1 year low of $43.46 and a 1 year high of $51.94. The stock has a market cap of $4.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.96 and a beta of 0.67. NewJersey Resources Dividend Announcement NewJersey Resources ( NYSE:NJR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The utilities provider reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $336.08 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $307.30 million. NewJersey Resources had a return on equity of 17.08% and a net margin of 19.64%.The businesss quarterly revenue was down 15.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.89 EPS. NewJersey Resources has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.030-3.180 EPS. Analysts forecast that NewJersey Resources Corporation will post 3.15 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a $0.475 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.9%. NewJersey Resourcess payout ratio is currently 46.45%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have recently issued reports on NJR shares. Wall Street Zen lowered NewJersey Resources from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of NewJersey Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and set a $53.00 price objective on shares of NewJersey Resources in a research report on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $51.86. Read Our Latest Stock Report on NewJersey Resources NewJersey Resources Company Profile (Free Report) New Jersey Resources Corporation, an energy services holding company, distributes natural gas. The company operates through four segments: Natural Gas Distribution, Clean Energy Ventures, Energy Services, and Storage and Transportation. The Natural Gas Distribution segment offers regulated natural gas utility services to approximately 576,000 customers in Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, and Sussex counties in New Jersey; provides capacity and storage management services; and participates in the off-system sales and capacity release markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for NewJersey Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NewJersey Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC cut its stake in shares of OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF Free Report) by 22.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,519 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,017 shares during the quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLCs holdings in OneMain were worth $201,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in OMF. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new stake in shares of OneMain during the second quarter worth $611,102,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in OneMain during the 1st quarter worth about $48,282,000. Cooperman Leon G grew its holdings in OneMain by 187.7% during the 1st quarter. Cooperman Leon G now owns 889,000 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $43,454,000 after acquiring an additional 580,000 shares during the period. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI raised its position in shares of OneMain by 21.8% in the 1st quarter. Fiduciary Management Inc. WI now owns 2,647,875 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $129,428,000 after acquiring an additional 474,161 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Certuity LLC lifted its stake in shares of OneMain by 86.0% in the 1st quarter. Certuity LLC now owns 930,012 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,459,000 after purchasing an additional 430,011 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.82% of the companys stock. Get OneMain alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades OMF has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on OneMain from $68.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. JMP Securities set a $70.00 price target on OneMain in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of OneMain from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of OneMain in a research report on Monday, August 25th. They set an equal weight rating on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of OneMain in a research note on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $63.13. OneMain Trading Up 3.5% OneMain stock opened at $59.82 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.37. The firms fifty day moving average price is $57.79 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $56.71. OneMain Holdings, Inc. has a 1-year low of $38.00 and a 1-year high of $63.24. OneMain (NYSE:OMF Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The financial services provider reported $1.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.32. OneMain had a net margin of 12.63% and a return on equity of 20.65%. The company had revenue of $747.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.24 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.31 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that OneMain Holdings, Inc. will post 6.46 EPS for the current year. OneMain Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 10th were paid a $1.05 dividend. This represents a $4.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.0%. This is a boost from OneMains previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 10th. OneMains dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 71.19%. Insider Buying and Selling In other OneMain news, COO Micah R. Conrad sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.20, for a total transaction of $296,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 88,221 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,222,683.20. This trade represents a 5.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Douglas H. Shulman sold 35,000 shares of OneMain stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.54, for a total transaction of $2,083,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 231,600 shares in the company, valued at $13,789,464. This represents a 13.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About OneMain (Free Report) OneMain Holdings, Inc, a financial service holding company, engages in the consumer finance and insurance businesses in the United States. It originates, underwrites, and services personal loans secured by automobiles, other titled collateral, or unsecured. The company also offers credit cards; optional credit insurance products, including life, disability, and involuntary unemployment insurance; optional non-credit insurance; guaranteed asset protection coverage as a waiver product or insurance; and membership plans. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for OneMain Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for OneMain and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SG Americas Securities LLC increased its stake in Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ Free Report) by 587.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 77,463 shares of the asset managers stock after purchasing an additional 66,197 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLCs holdings in Invesco were worth $1,222,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Invesco by 81.1% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 283,699 shares of the asset managers stock worth $4,304,000 after purchasing an additional 127,008 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky grew its holdings in shares of Invesco by 10.1% during the first quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 34,660 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $525,000 after buying an additional 3,189 shares during the last quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in shares of Invesco by 16.8% in the first quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,073,314 shares of the asset managers stock worth $16,282,000 after acquiring an additional 154,003 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH grew its stake in shares of Invesco by 48.1% during the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 279,388 shares of the asset managers stock worth $4,238,000 after purchasing an additional 90,794 shares during the period. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco in the first quarter valued at approximately $738,000. Institutional investors own 66.09% of the companys stock. Get Invesco alerts: Invesco Trading Up 2.2% Shares of NYSE:IVZ opened at $23.21 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $23.17 and its 200-day moving average is $19.79. Invesco Ltd. has a 52-week low of $11.60 and a 52-week high of $24.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.30. The company has a market cap of $10.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.72. Invesco Dividend Announcement Invesco ( NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The asset manager reported $0.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.17. Invesco had a return on equity of 8.52% and a net margin of 14.15%.The firm had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.44 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Invesco Ltd. will post 1.87 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. Invescos dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.14%. Insider Activity at Invesco In other news, Director Douglas J. Sharp sold 160,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.56, for a total transaction of $3,769,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 192 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,523.52. This trade represents a 99.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Stephanie Butcher sold 103,192 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.12, for a total value of $2,282,607.04. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 29,855 shares of the companys stock, valued at $660,392.60. This trade represents a 77.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 1.21% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth IVZ has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Invesco in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Barclays raised their target price on Invesco from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on Invesco from $24.00 to $26.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Invesco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Invesco from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have given a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $23.70. View Our Latest Research Report on IVZ Invesco Profile (Free Report) Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 12,188 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $537,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Bell Investment Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Kinetik during the first quarter valued at $41,000. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC purchased a new stake in Kinetik during the 2nd quarter valued at about $56,000. Comerica Bank increased its holdings in shares of Kinetik by 91.5% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 1,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 732 shares during the period. Rossby Financial LCC raised its stake in shares of Kinetik by 33.5% in the second quarter. Rossby Financial LCC now owns 2,006 shares of the companys stock worth $88,000 after purchasing an additional 503 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Kinetik during the first quarter worth about $93,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 21.11% of the companys stock. Get Kinetik alerts: Kinetik Stock Performance KNTK stock opened at $32.59 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $5.27 billion, a PE ratio of 77.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 3.07. The firms fifty day moving average is $38.43 and its 200 day moving average is $41.27. Kinetik Holdings Inc. has a one year low of $31.33 and a one year high of $67.60. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Kinetik ( NYSE:KNTK Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by ($0.20). Kinetik had a negative return on equity of 5.74% and a net margin of 6.70%.The firm had revenue of $463.97 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $604.57 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.35 EPS. The companys revenue was up 17.1% on a year-over-year basis. Several equities analysts recently weighed in on KNTK shares. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Kinetik from $43.00 to $40.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Kinetik in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Mizuho set a $48.00 target price on shares of Kinetik in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Kinetik from $52.00 to $46.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Scotiabank cut their price target on Kinetik from $51.00 to $45.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.90. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Kinetik Insider Transactions at Kinetik In other Kinetik news, insider Jamie Welch purchased 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 10th. The shares were bought at an average price of $34.57 per share, for a total transaction of $276,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 3,687,791 shares of the companys stock, valued at $127,486,934.87. This trade represents a 0.22% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 3.83% of the companys stock. Kinetik Profile (Free Report) Kinetik Holdings Inc operates as a midstream company in the Texas Delaware Basin. It provides gathering, transportation, compression, processing, and treating services for companies that produce natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and water. The company is headquartered in Midland, Texas. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KNTK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Kinetik Holdings Inc. (NYSE:KNTK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kinetik Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kinetik and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lowered its stake in Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG Free Report) by 56.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,076,545 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 1,368,466 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Lloyds Banking Group were worth $4,575,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Lloyds Banking Group by 10,836.3% during the 2nd quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 9,952 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 9,861 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group during the second quarter worth about $42,000. Institutional investors own 2.15% of the companys stock. Get Lloyds Banking Group alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Lloyds Banking Group from an underweight rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research note on Monday, September 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, Kepler Capital Markets upgraded shares of Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lloyds Banking Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy. Lloyds Banking Group Stock Up 2.0% Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at $4.61 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $68.17 billion, a PE ratio of 13.17, a PEG ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.05. The firms fifty day moving average is $4.61 and its 200 day moving average is $4.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94. Lloyds Banking Group PLC has a 12-month low of $2.56 and a 12-month high of $5.05. Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.12 by ($0.07). The business had revenue of $6.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.02 billion. Lloyds Banking Group had a net margin of 18.04% and a return on equity of 8.38%. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Lloyds Banking Group PLC will post 0.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Lloyds Banking Group (Free Report) Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates in three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal customers. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LYG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE:LYG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lloyds Banking Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lloyds Banking Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. reduced its stake in shares of Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP Free Report) by 22.5% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 27,532 shares of the pipeline companys stock after selling 8,007 shares during the quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Targa Resources were worth $4,793,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Machina Capital S.A.S. purchased a new position in shares of Targa Resources in the first quarter worth approximately $597,000. Brookwood Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in Targa Resources in the first quarter valued at $551,000. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in Targa Resources by 14.4% during the 1st quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 10,549 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $2,115,000 after acquiring an additional 1,328 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Targa Resources by 15.0% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 40,714 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $8,162,000 after purchasing an additional 5,314 shares during the period. Finally, TD Asset Management Inc grew its holdings in Targa Resources by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 1,018,951 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $204,269,000 after acquiring an additional 48,578 shares during the period. 92.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Targa Resources alerts: Insider Activity at Targa Resources In related news, insider D. Scott Pryor sold 20,000 shares of Targa Resources stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.21, for a total transaction of $3,444,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 22,139 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,812,557.19. This trade represents a 47.46% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 1.34% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently issued reports on TRGP shares. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Targa Resources from $185.00 to $196.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $205.00 price objective (up from $198.00) on shares of Targa Resources in a report on Friday, August 8th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on Targa Resources from $199.00 to $198.00 and set a sector outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Targa Resources from $214.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price objective on Targa Resources from $212.00 to $207.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $210.21. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Targa Resources Targa Resources Stock Performance NYSE TRGP opened at $170.36 on Friday. Targa Resources, Inc. has a 12-month low of $144.14 and a 12-month high of $218.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.69, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.93. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $162.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $164.73. The company has a market cap of $36.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.10, a PEG ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 1.16. Targa Resources (NYSE:TRGP Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The pipeline company reported $2.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.22 by ($0.02). Targa Resources had a return on equity of 43.35% and a net margin of 8.99%.The business had revenue of $4.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.70 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Targa Resources, Inc. will post 8.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Targa Resources Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, October 31st were paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 31st. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Targa Resourcess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.19%. Targa Resources Company Profile (Free Report) Targa Resources Corp., together with its subsidiary, Targa Resources Partners LP, owns, operates, acquires, and develops a portfolio of complementary domestic midstream infrastructure assets in North America. It operates in two segments, Gathering and Processing, and Logistics and Transportation. The company is involved in gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, and selling natural gas liquids (NGL) and NGL products, including services to liquefied petroleum gas exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, purchasing, and selling crude oil. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRGP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Targa Resources, Inc. (NYSE:TRGP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Targa Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Targa Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. lessened its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEARCA:EWU Free Report) by 10.0% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 108,061 shares of the companys stock after selling 11,954 shares during the quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P.s holdings in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF were worth $4,292,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 6.2% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 8,775,328 shares of the companys stock worth $328,812,000 after buying an additional 513,125 shares during the period. Flow Traders U.S. LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC now owns 1,815,910 shares of the companys stock valued at $68,042,000 after acquiring an additional 4,748 shares during the last quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 6,770.7% during the first quarter. New Vernon Capital Holdings II LLC now owns 1,723,320 shares of the companys stock valued at $64,573,000 after purchasing an additional 1,698,238 shares during the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 62.2% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,597,495 shares of the companys stock worth $59,858,000 after acquiring an additional 612,672 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 467,703 shares of the companys stock worth $18,577,000 after purchasing an additional 21,457 shares during the period. 58.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF alerts: iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Trading Up 1.7% iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF stock opened at $42.06 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.68 billion, a PE ratio of 15.42 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $42.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $40.93. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF has a 12-month low of $32.76 and a 12-month high of $43.72. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI United Kingdom index. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted index of British companies. It covers the top 85% of British companies by market cap. EWU was launched on Mar 12, 1996 and is managed by BlackRock. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEARCA:EWU Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prudential PLC lessened its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report) by 79.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 62,454 shares of the companys stock after selling 243,704 shares during the quarter. Prudential PLCs holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF were worth $3,477,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of INDA. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in iShares MSCI India ETF during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Centricity Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. WealthShield Partners LLC lifted its holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF by 278.7% in the second quarter. WealthShield Partners LLC now owns 693 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 510 shares during the last quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Bradley & Co. Private Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI India ETF during the second quarter worth about $53,000. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: iShares MSCI India ETF Stock Performance BATS:INDA opened at $54.21 on Friday. iShares MSCI India ETF has a fifty-two week low of $47.60 and a fifty-two week high of $59.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $53.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.20 and a beta of 0.48. About iShares MSCI India ETF 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Delhi High Court heard arguments in the battle over Sunjay Kapurs will for the fourth day on Friday, with the defence stating that his widow Priya Kapur had repeatedly invited Karisma Kapoor to Delhi for the prayer meeting after the industrialists death, but Karisma declined every time. Sources close to Karisma dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting she was never taken into confidence or provided any details of the Will at any stage. In fact, the children had to move the court to get a copy of the will, they said. The will was read out to Karisma and her children with Sunjay daughter Samaira and son Kiaan in the presence of lawyers at the Taj Mansingh in Delhi on July 30, the defence said. According to the defence, Karismas only concern that day was the Rs 2,465-crore trust share. She asked for some corporate legal documents, exchanged cordial WhatsApp messages thanking Priya for sharing those documents, but did not request a copy of the will for 22 days. The suit, the defence stressed, was filed the very next day after Priya informed her that the childrens beneficial interest in the trust had been secured raising questions about how Karismas current allegations aligned with her earlier conduct. Senior advocates Rajiv Nayar (for Priya) and Akhil Sibal (for Azarias Kapur, Priyas son with Sunjay) jointly argued that the suit was a construct of speculation, shifting goal posts and afterthoughts. Nayar emphasised that the validity of a will depends on proper execution, not on the plaintiffs assumptions about timing. He noted that Priya had handed the original will to the executor on June 24, a fact the plaintiffs themselves admitted. He argued that every email, message and digital trace reflected Karismas interest in the trust alone, describing her conduct as that of a wealthy Oliver Twist, who wants more. Nayar also addressed the criticism over typographical errors, saying the will had been drafted using Sunjays mother Rani Kapurs 2024 will as a template, which explained identical spellings, formatting and even the use of the word Testatrix. Nothing, he said, was suspicious when seen alongside the digital record. Plaintiffs counter The plaintiffs countered that this defence amounted to little more than justification, not explanation. They argued that for the second day in a row, the defence had failed to address the core irregularities in Sunjays alleged will including misspellings, incorrect genders, wrong addresses, selective beneficiaries and the absence of an asset inventory. They questioned why a billionaire would rely on his elderly mothers will as a template and still fail to correct basic details about his children, assets and even his own gender. They noted that Rani Kapurs will was notarised and procedurally sound, whereas Sunjays which governed far greater assets was neither notarised nor registered. The plaintiffs further argued that the defence had not produced any email, instruction or message connecting Sunjay to the drafting of the will. Instead, they said, the digital trail suggested the document originated from a device with no link to him. They also accused Priyas side of conflating two unrelated issues: Routine payments under divorce consent terms and the far larger valuation of the RK Family Trust. Despite claims of a Rs 2,000-crore benefit, they argued that the children had not received a single rupee. Priya helped Samaira, Karisma filed the suit Sibal said that the plaintiffs were misusing an interim-relief hearing to conduct what amounted to a mini-trial. He pointed out that Karisma filed the suit while Priya was helping her daughter Samaira shift to a new apartment. Good faith was met with litigation, he remarked, insisting that every factual thread supported a validly executed will and that challenges emerged only after the Rs 2,465-crore benefit was secured. Two narratives, one question Across both days of hearings, the plaintiffs maintained that the defence had not answered the key concerns: Delayed disclosure of the Will, the request for signatures before sharing it, factual mistakes in the document, and the absence of proof of Sunjays involvement. By the end of Fridays session, the courtroom was left weighing two sharply opposed narratives one portraying the suit as baseless suspicion and shifting motives, the other asserting that the will itself was so irregular that it defied credibility. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC cut its stake in Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 22.9% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 5,193 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 1,542 shares during the period. Kingsview Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $558,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BSX. Cornerstone Advisors LLC grew its stake in Boston Scientific by 21.6% in the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC now owns 87,136 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $9,359,000 after acquiring an additional 15,500 shares in the last quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI raised its stake in shares of Boston Scientific by 35.1% during the second quarter. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI now owns 14,160 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,521,000 after acquiring an additional 3,675 shares in the last quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 16.7% in the second quarter. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. now owns 49,719 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $5,340,000 after purchasing an additional 7,103 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Boston Scientific by 2.7% in the second quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 392,601 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $42,169,000 after purchasing an additional 10,436 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV purchased a new position in Boston Scientific during the 2nd quarter worth $204,000. 89.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Barclays boosted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Boston Scientific from $123.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 1st. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Boston Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $123.77. Boston Scientific Price Performance NYSE:BSX opened at $96.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The firm has a market cap of $143.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $98.97 and a 200-day moving average price of $102.38. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 1-year low of $85.98 and a 1-year high of $109.50. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.74%. The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.63 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 20.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific In related news, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total value of $1,266,927.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 24,134 shares in the company, valued at $2,371,889.52. The trade was a 34.82% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.47, for a total value of $4,973,500.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 178,342 shares in the company, valued at $17,739,678.74. This represents a 21.90% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 175,782 shares of company stock worth $17,742,314 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seeds Investor LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 680 shares of the payment services companys stock, valued at approximately $217,000. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Express by 24.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,481 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,924,000 after buying an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in American Express during the first quarter valued at $1,180,000. Carnegie Investment Counsel increased its position in American Express by 146.6% during the first quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 5,295 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,350,000 after acquiring an additional 3,148 shares during the last quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in American Express by 3.2% in the first quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 3,468 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $933,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Finally, Brookwood Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in American Express in the first quarter worth about $501,000. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: American Express Stock Performance AXP opened at $352.95 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $345.41 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $320.09. 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 firm has a market cap of $243.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.69, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $220.43 and a 1-year high of $377.23. American Express Announces Dividend American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 17th. The payment services company reported $4.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.98 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $17.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.03 billion. American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The companys revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.49 EPS. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed 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 of this dividend was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is 22.01%. Insider Transactions at American Express In related news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the 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 completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise Pickett sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $350.73, for a total value of $1,753,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,726 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,709,739.98. This represents a 39.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 193,292 shares of company stock valued at $65,363,878. 0.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $365.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of American Express from $277.00 to $307.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday. Compass Point reissued a neutral rating and set a $324.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on American Express from $311.00 to $362.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $332.65. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AXP American Express Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as integrated payments company in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, Canada, the Caribbean, and Internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Consumer Services, Commercial Services, International Card Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seeds Investor LLC bought a new stake in Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 2,298 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $414,000. A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Concord Wealth Partners acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in Brinker International by 105.8% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 142 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc acquired a new position in shares of Brinker International in the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Brinker International by 52.1% in the second quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 219 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in shares of Brinker International by 227.3% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 252 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares in the last quarter. Get Brinker International alerts: Brinker International Stock Up 6.3% EAT stock opened at $135.15 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $6.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.02, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.38. Brinker International, Inc. has a twelve month low of $100.30 and a twelve month high of $192.21. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $124.88 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $149.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53. Insider Transactions at Brinker International Brinker International ( NYSE:EAT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.17. Brinker International had a return on equity of 164.66% and a net margin of 7.94%.The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.32 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.95 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 18.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Brinker International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.900-10.50 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Brinker International, Inc. will post 8.3 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, COO Douglas N. Comings sold 16,000 shares of Brinker International stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.48, for a total transaction of $2,503,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 12,951 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,026,572.48. This trade represents a 55.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Kevin Hochman sold 44,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $157.82, for a total value of $6,944,080.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 212,867 shares in the company, valued at $33,594,669.94. This represents a 17.13% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 1.43% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms recently commented on EAT. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Brinker International from $156.00 to $144.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Mizuho started coverage on Brinker International in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. They issued an outperform rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group reduced their price objective on Brinker International from $165.00 to $144.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Brinker International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Piper Sandler lifted their target price on Brinker International from $155.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Brinker International currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $165.67. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Brinker International Brinker International Company Profile (Free Report) 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Brinker International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brinker International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Neo Ivy Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Free Report) by 38.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 2,251 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 627 shares during the quarter. Neo Ivy Capital Managements holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. were worth $721,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 38.3% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,372,745 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,997,767,000 after acquiring an additional 4,815,007 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 2.5% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,411,264 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,499,185,000 after acquiring an additional 739,130 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. during the first quarter worth about $240,665,000. 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 3,142.2% in the first quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 640,911 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $221,268,000 after purchasing an additional 621,143 shares during the period. Finally, DSM Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $136,565,000. 85.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on AJG shares. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Thursday. They set an outperform rating and a $291.00 target price for the company. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $330.00 to $277.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on shares of 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. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $315.00 to $275.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $316.33. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Trading Up 1.6% NYSE:AJG opened at $251.29 on Friday. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a 52-week low of $239.47 and a 52-week high of $351.23. 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 fifty day simple moving average of $280.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $302.39. The company has a market capitalization of $64.53 billion, a PE ratio of 35.69 and a beta of 0.71. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.51 by ($0.19). The business had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.34 billion. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a net margin of 14.54% and a return on equity of 13.17%. The businesss revenue was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.26 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is currently 38.86%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Michael Robert Pesch acquired 4,000 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $247.12 per share, for a total transaction of $988,480.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CAO Richard C. Cary sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $261.00, for a total value of $1,566,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 50,668 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,224,348. The trade was a 10.59% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 35,855 shares of company stock worth $10,482,928 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AJG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 0.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,075,234 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 14,534 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned about 1.62% of Parker-Hannifin worth $1,449,496,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in PH. Swiss National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 7.4% in the second quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 389,700 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $272,194,000 after buying an additional 26,700 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB raised its holdings in Parker-Hannifin by 108.5% in the 2nd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 9,958 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $6,955,000 after acquiring an additional 5,182 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich bought a new stake in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the 2nd quarter valued at $733,000. Prudential PLC grew its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 20.4% during the 2nd quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 2,869 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,004,000 after purchasing an additional 486 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 6.2% in the second quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 23,993 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $16,758,000 after purchasing an additional 1,406 shares during the period. 82.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes PH has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $726.00 to $723.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of Parker-Hannifin from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $809.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Thursday, September 4th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $785.00 to $906.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $735.00 to $845.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Argus restated a buy rating and set a $900.00 target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $860.71. Insider Activity In related news, VP Rachid Bendali sold 1,437 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $852.99, for a total value of $1,225,746.63. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 2,714 shares in the company, valued at $2,315,014.86. This trade represents a 34.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Joseph R. Leonti sold 4,625 shares of Parker-Hannifin stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.84, for a total transaction of $3,472,635.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 13,878 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,420,157.52. This represents a 25.00% 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 have sold 9,569 shares of company stock valued at $7,730,464. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Parker-Hannifin Price Performance PH stock opened at $839.98 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $105.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.97, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $773.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $728.78. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a 1 year low of $488.45 and a 1 year high of $869.36. Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a net margin of 17.79% and a return on equity of 26.80%. The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.94 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $6.20 earnings per share. The companys 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. Research analysts anticipate that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 EPS for the current fiscal year. Parker-Hannifin Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be given a $1.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $7.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 25.65%. 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered its stake in Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report) by 7.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,235,819 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,509,220 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 4.59% of Ingersoll Rand worth $1,516,863,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 28.8% in the 1st quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 17,826,488 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,426,654,000 after buying an additional 3,989,643 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the first quarter valued at about $211,408,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 10.7% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 19,198,593 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,536,464,000 after acquiring an additional 1,849,030 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in Ingersoll Rand by 8,153.0% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,614,212 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $137,692,000 after purchasing an additional 1,594,653 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Ingersoll Rand by 1.9% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 47,128,533 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $3,920,151,000 after purchasing an additional 859,062 shares during the period. 95.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. 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. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $78.00 to $79.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Ingersoll Rand from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Ingersoll Rand from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ingersoll Rand presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $93.90. Ingersoll Rand Stock Performance Shares of IR opened at $78.63 on Friday. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 12-month low of $65.61 and a 12-month high of $106.03. The stock has a market cap of $31.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 58.25, a PEG ratio of 4.81 and a beta of 1.43. 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 50-day moving average of $78.81 and a two-hundred day moving average of $80.99. Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.01). Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 7.31%.The business 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 revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. Ingersoll Rand has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.310 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Ingersoll Rand Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $0.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.1%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.93%. Ingersoll Rand 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Arlo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ARLO Free Report) by 31.9% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 338,082 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 81,800 shares during the quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. owned 0.32% of Arlo Technologies worth $5,734,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in Arlo Technologies by 11.9% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 55,639 shares of the companys stock worth $549,000 after purchasing an additional 5,928 shares during the period. CWM LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Arlo Technologies by 185.6% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 12,826 shares of the companys stock worth $127,000 after purchasing an additional 8,335 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH purchased a new position in Arlo Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at about $150,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH bought a new position in Arlo Technologies during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $661,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its holdings in Arlo Technologies by 16.1% in the 1st quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 33,325 shares of the companys stock worth $329,000 after buying an additional 4,627 shares during the period. 83.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Arlo Technologies alerts: Arlo Technologies Stock Performance ARLO stock opened at $13.32 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $17.06 and its two-hundred day moving average is $16.40. The company has a market cap of $1.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 444.15 and a beta of 1.69. Arlo Technologies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $7.84 and a fifty-two week high of $19.94. Insider Activity Arlo Technologies ( NYSE:ARLO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.01. Arlo Technologies had a return on equity of 2.00% and a net margin of 0.84%.The firm had revenue of $139.53 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $138.69 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.11 EPS. Arlo Technologiess revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. Arlo Technologies has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.130-0.190 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Arlo Technologies, Inc. will post -0.29 earnings per share for the current year. In other Arlo Technologies news, General Counsel Brian Busse sold 149,521 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.37, for a total value of $2,148,616.77. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel directly owned 519,855 shares in the company, valued at $7,470,316.35. This represents a 22.34% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Matthew Blake Mcrae sold 95,430 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.99, for a total transaction of $1,621,355.70. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,747,591 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,691,571.09. This trade represents a 5.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 541,369 shares of company stock worth $8,855,742 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 5.20% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts recently commented on ARLO shares. Zacks Research upgraded Arlo Technologies from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $22.00 price objective (up from $15.00) on shares of Arlo Technologies in a report on Friday, August 8th. Craig Hallum lifted their target price on shares of Arlo Technologies from $17.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. BWS Financial reiterated a buy rating and set a $26.00 price target on shares of Arlo Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Arlo Technologies from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, October 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $23.00. Get Our Latest Stock Report on Arlo Technologies Arlo Technologies Profile (Free Report) Arlo Technologies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a cloud-based platform in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company offers Arlo Essential Cameras and Doorbells (2nd Generation) delivers smart home protection, including automated privacy shield, 180-degree field of view, and 2K video resolution; Arlo Home Security System, an all-in-one multi-sensor that provides access to security experts for monitoring and responding to emergency situations; Arlo Pro 5S, a wireless 2K video resolution security camera; Arlo Go 2, a camera for monitoring remote areas, large properties, construction sites, vacation homes, boat or RV slips, and hard-to-access areas; Arlo Ultra 2 provides 4K video with HDR, an ultra-wide, 180-degree field of view, auto zoom and tracking on moving objects, and color night vision; and Arlo Floodlight Camera, a wire-free floodlight camera. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arlo Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ARLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arlo Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arlo Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MAI Capital Management boosted its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 33,629 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 499 shares during the period. MAI Capital Managements holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $8,173,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 625,899 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $152,113,000 after buying an additional 8,184 shares during the last quarter. DNB Asset Management AS raised its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.7% during the second quarter. DNB Asset Management AS now owns 26,311 shares of the business services providers stock worth $6,394,000 after acquiring an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions during the second quarter worth $1,118,000. Swiss National Bank grew its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 7.4% in the 2nd quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 354,200 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $86,081,000 after acquiring an additional 24,500 shares during the period. Finally, Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 27.4% in the 2nd quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 47,113 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $11,450,000 after acquiring an additional 10,133 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.03% of the companys stock. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BR has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $280.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Needham & Company LLC upped their price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from $300.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $261.00 to $256.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Monday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $259.83. Insider Activity In other news, President Christopher John Perry sold 3,984 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.00, for a total value of $900,384.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 44,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,131,354. This represents a 8.16% 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, CEO Timothy C. Gokey sold 5,674 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $258.37, for a total transaction of $1,465,991.38. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 143,285 shares in the company, valued at $37,020,545.45. This trade represents a 3.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Broadridge Financial Solutions Price Performance Shares of NYSE BR opened at $228.34 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.65 billion, a PE ratio of 29.24 and a beta of 0.96. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $212.33 and a fifty-two week high of $271.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.93. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $231.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $240.98. Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 3rd. The business services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 13.11% and a return on equity of 43.28%. The company had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter. As a group, equities analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a $0.975 dividend. This represents a $3.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is currently 49.94%. About Broadridge Financial Solutions (Free Report) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd boosted its position in shares of Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Free Report) by 11.5% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,050 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 3,623 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Trane Technologies were worth $15,152,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of TT. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in Trane Technologies during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in Trane Technologies by 1,016.7% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 67 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank bought a new stake in Trane Technologies during the first quarter worth approximately $30,000. Dagco Inc. purchased a new stake in Trane Technologies during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC lifted its stake in shares of Trane Technologies by 23.4% in the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 137 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. 82.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Trane Technologies alerts: Trane Technologies Stock Up 2.6% Shares of Trane Technologies stock opened at $410.64 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $419.41 and its two-hundred day moving average is $425.53. Trane Technologies plc has a 1 year low of $298.15 and a 1 year high of $476.18. The stock has a market cap of $91.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.56, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Trane Technologies Announces Dividend Trane Technologies ( NYSE:TT Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $3.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.80 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.80 billion. Trane Technologies had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 36.61%. Trane Technologiess revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.37 earnings per share. Trane Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 12.950-13.050 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that Trane Technologies plc will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.94 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Trane Technologiess payout ratio is currently 28.92%. Insider Activity In other news, CAO Elizabeth A. Elwell sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $440.00, for a total value of $264,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,148 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,145,120. This trade represents a 7.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO David S. Regnery sold 22,497 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total transaction of $9,223,770.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 123,713 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $50,722,330. This trade represents a 15.39% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 0.14% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup boosted their target price on Trane Technologies from $494.00 to $513.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $445.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. HSBC cut shares of Trane Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $415.00 to $460.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $500.00 to $544.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Trane Technologies from $407.00 to $434.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $470.07. Get Our Latest Research Report on Trane Technologies Trane Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Trane Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trane Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. decreased its position in Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI) by 48.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,429 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 22,659 shares during the quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Thomson Reuters were worth $4,916,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of TRI. TD Asset Management Inc boosted its position in shares of Thomson Reuters by 3.0% during the second quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 5,681,469 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,140,208,000 after buying an additional 166,977 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Thomson Reuters by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,617,231 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,129,591,000 after acquiring an additional 140,631 shares in the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. boosted its position in Thomson Reuters by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 2,537,660 shares of the business services providers stock worth $437,985,000 after acquiring an additional 44,898 shares during the last quarter. Fiera Capital Corp grew its stake in shares of Thomson Reuters by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 2,518,855 shares of the business services providers stock worth $506,211,000 after acquiring an additional 26,588 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Thomson Reuters by 13.7% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,997,516 shares of the business services providers stock worth $405,266,000 after acquiring an additional 240,062 shares in the last quarter. 17.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently commented on TRI shares. Morgan Stanley set a $172.00 target price on shares of Thomson Reuters in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $186.00 price target on shares of Thomson Reuters and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. TD Securities upgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $275.00 to $285.00 in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Thomson Reuters from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the company from $187.00 to $212.00 in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group set a $174.00 price target on Thomson Reuters and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $195.27. Thomson Reuters Price Performance NYSE:TRI opened at $135.00 on Friday. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12-month low of $131.11 and a 12-month high of $218.42. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.61, a P/E/G ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 0.74. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $152.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $177.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.04. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 30.45%.The business had revenue of $1.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.78 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.80 EPS. The firms revenue was up 3.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Thomson Reuters has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.89 earnings per share for the current year. Thomson Reuters Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th will be given a $0.595 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 18th. This represents a $2.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Thomson Reuterss dividend payout ratio is presently 61.18%. Thomson Reuters Profile (Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI). Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A debate over how certain hydration drinks are labelled has escalated into one of the years most heated consumer-health controversies. At the centre is a term with a precise medical meaning ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) a formulation that has saved millions of lives globally, particularly of children with diarrhoea. In India, where diarrhoea still causes nearly 13 per cent of under-five deaths and the country bears one of the worlds highest diarrhoeal burdens, the accuracy of ORS labelling directly affects child survival. Yet over the years, ORS has appeared on a range of sweetened, flavoured beverages that do not match WHO standards, creating widespread confusion in homes, pharmacies, supermarkets, e-commerce platforms, and even hospitals. Paediatricians say this confusion is dangerous because many such products resemble medical ORS sachets and are often placed beside them. The courts intervention The latest flashpoint came on November 12, when the Delhi High Court refused to grant more time to JNTL Consumer Health India Pvt Ltd to clear its existing stock of electrolyte drinks under the brand ORSL. Petitions estimate the value of this stock at Rs 100180 crore. The company argued that ORSL had been sold for nearly 20 years without reported harm and should be allowed to move through the market despite new regulatory restrictions. It also offered to re-label the product if permitted. A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela rejected the request, stressing that the core issue was misbranding, not toxicity. The Bench noted that parents actively seek ORS during paediatric diarrhoea and that branding overlaps could easily mislead vulnerable families. Sorry, we cant permit it. Please recall it. The matter relates to public health concern, the court said, emphasising the risk of misleading consumers because the product also carried the word electrolytes. The judges pointed out that in rural areas, families depend heavily on ORS to treat diarrhoea, and mislabelled drinks could prove dangerous. The Bench issued notices to the Centre and FSSAI on the companys petition challenging the regulators October 14 and 15 orders, listing the matter for December 9. Why FSSAI banned ORS-style branding On October 14, the FSSAI withdrew prior permissions that allowed food and beverage makers to use the term ORS unless their composition matched the exact WHO-approved formula. The next day, the regulator clarified that using ORS as part of trademarks with prefixes or suffixes had become false, deceptive, ambiguous and erroneous, and was misleading customers. It said doctors and parents had complained that children deteriorated after being given products labelled as ORS but purchased from supermarkets and pharmacies. The regulator cited misleading packaging, medical-style visual cues, and disclaimers that consumers rarely read. The move marked a complete reversal of FSSAIs earlier stance. In April 2022, it had restricted ORS substitutes, but in July 2024 it allowed the use of ORS with a disclaimer that the product was not a WHO-recommended ORS formula. By late 2025, the regulator concluded that disclaimers did not prevent misuse or confusion, prompting the sweeping ban. Why accuracy matters True ORS is a precise medical formulation, not a general hydration drink. The WHO-approved recipe per litre is: 2.6 g sodium chloride 1.5 g potassium chloride 2.9 g sodium citrate 13.5 g dextrose The balance enables rapid water absorption through the sodiumglucose co-transport mechanism, credited with drastically reducing global childhood mortality. Most commercial hydration drinks are categorised as food products, not pharmaceuticals. Independent evaluations have found some ORS-labelled drinks contain 110120 g of sugar per litre nearly ten times the WHO norm. The resulting osmolarity makes them unsuitable for treating dehydration. Doctors warn that such drinks may worsen diarrhoea, deepen dehydration, spike blood sugar in diabetics, and mislead parents into delaying proper treatment. A paediatricians eight-year fight One of the strongest voices against misleading ORS labelling has been Hyderabad-based paediatrician Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, who began campaigning nearly a decade ago after noticing that children given flavoured ORS beverages often worsened. She told The New Indian Express: I noticed children consuming ORS drinks were getting worse, not better these contained 910 times more sugar than the WHO formula. Instead of rehydrating, the excess sugar caused diarrhoea. She said these drinks were widely available in pharmacies, hospitals, schools and supermarkets, and that their packaging made them appear medical-grade. The consequences are severe, she said: Of every 100 deaths among under-five children, 13 are due to diarrhoea. Parents misled by marketing end up buying drinks that worsen dehydration and could even cause death. Diabetic patients, too, are at risk. Her campaign began with letters to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in 2021. The drug regulator redirected her to the FSSAI because these drinks were classified as food products. She then wrote to FSSAI and the Health Ministry. In April 2022, FSSAI restricted ORS-style labels, but reversed the move in July 2024. Since most people dont read disclaimers, this was deceptive, she said.Dr Santosh filed a PIL in 2024 and continued rallying support. The Endocrine Society of India and the Women Paediatricians Forum backed her, but the Indian Academy of Paediatrics did not endorse the campaign and continued accepting sponsorships from electrolyte-drink makers. It was a lonely battle, she said. But every obstacle strengthened my resolve. After the international cough syrup controversy sharpened scrutiny of Indian regulation, she renewed her appeals to the Health Ministry and the PMO, supported by field evidence from doctors and parents. On October 15, they finally issued an order, she said. She added that misuse could continue unless enforcement is strict, and expressed concern that manufacturers may still attempt to legally move existing stock. What next Despite FSSAIs directive, ORS-style drinks remain widely available online and in some stores in Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai. Manufacturers argue they had operated within earlier regulations and that the sudden ban has saddled them with unsellable inventory. Meanwhile, FDC Ltd maker of Electral, Indias first WHO-approved ORS since 1972 and the countrys top-selling ORS (IQVIA MAT Sep 2025) welcomed the crackdown as essential to preserving scientific accuracy and patient safety. With the matter set to return to court on December 9, the central question remains: Will India draw a firm boundary around the term ORS, reserving it only for WHO-standard medical formulations? Inputs by Rajesh Sharma and Jairaj Singh Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Ltd boosted its holdings in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 589.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 20,701 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 17,698 shares during the quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management Services Ltds holdings in Pfizer were worth $482,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer in the first quarter valued at about $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Pfizer by 36,600.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 1,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 1,098 shares in the last quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, Evelyn Partners Asset Management Ltd purchased a new position in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $33,000. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Price Performance Shares of NYSE:PFE opened at $25.02 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $142.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.54. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.84 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.47. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $20.92 and a 52 week high of $27.69. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by $0.08. Pfizer had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 21.42%. The company had revenue of $16.65 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.94 billion. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have weighed in on PFE shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pfizer in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 target price for the company. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a market perform rating and issued a $30.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on Pfizer from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given 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, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $28.28. View Our Latest Research Report on PFE About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Management Group Inc. cut its stake in shares of Seaboard Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:SEB Free Report) by 0.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 10,095 shares of the companys stock after selling 16 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc. owned about 1.05% of Seaboard worth $28,884,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rhumbline Advisers increased its position in Seaboard by 94.8% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 1,837 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,256,000 after acquiring an additional 894 shares during the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc grew its stake in shares of Seaboard by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 376 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,076,000 after purchasing an additional 19 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of Seaboard by 97.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 465 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,330,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning lifted its stake in shares of Seaboard by 19.4% in the 2nd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 899 shares of the companys stock worth $2,572,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Finally, Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in shares of Seaboard in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. 22.57% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Seaboard alerts: Seaboard Stock Performance Shares of NYSEAMERICAN SEB opened at $4,284.98 on Friday. Seaboard Corporation has a 12-month low of $2,365.00 and a 12-month high of $4,318.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.44 and a beta of 0.22. The company has a current ratio of 2.44, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $3,643.15 and a 200 day moving average of $3,292.79. Seaboard Announces Dividend Seaboard Company Profile The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were paid a $2.25 dividend. This represents a $9.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 7th. Seaboards dividend payout ratio is 9.93%. (Free Report) Seaboard Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an agricultural and ocean transportation company worldwide. It operates through six segments: Pork, Commodity Trading and Milling (CT&M), Marine, Sugar and Alcohol, Power, and Turkey. The Pork segment produces and sells pork products to further processors, food service operators, grocery stores, and distributors; hogs; and biodiesel. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SEB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Seaboard Corporation (NYSEAMERICAN:SEB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Seaboard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Seaboard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. boosted its position in Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH Free Report) by 24.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,832 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 553 shares during the quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Parker-Hannifin were worth $1,978,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Wealth Preservation Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in Parker-Hannifin in the first quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Interchange Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in Parker-Hannifin in the second quarter worth $31,000. Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Parker-Hannifin during the first quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Parker-Hannifin by 421.4% during the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 73 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. 82.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Parker-Hannifin alerts: Insider Activity at Parker-Hannifin In other news, EVP Joseph R. Leonti sold 4,625 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $750.84, for a total value of $3,472,635.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 13,878 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,420,157.52. The trade was a 25.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Rachid Bendali sold 1,437 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $852.99, for a total value of $1,225,746.63. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 2,714 shares in the company, valued at $2,315,014.86. The trade was a 34.62% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 9,569 shares of company stock worth $7,730,464 over the last three months. Company insiders own 0.32% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades PH has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Robert W. Baird raised their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $930.00 to $960.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Parker-Hannifin from $831.00 to $874.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Susquehanna restated a positive rating and set a $1,000.00 price objective on shares of Parker-Hannifin in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Parker-Hannifin from $840.00 to $925.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $860.71. Get Our Latest Stock Report on PH Parker-Hannifin Trading Up 2.5% Shares of NYSE:PH opened at $839.98 on Friday. Parker-Hannifin Corporation has a 52-week low of $488.45 and a 52-week high of $869.36. The stock has a market cap of $105.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.97, a PEG ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $773.71 and a 200-day moving average price of $728.78. Parker-Hannifin (NYSE:PH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The industrial products company reported $7.22 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.62 by $0.60. Parker-Hannifin had a return on equity of 26.80% and a net margin of 17.79%.The firm had revenue of $5.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.94 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $6.20 earnings per share. Parker-Hannifins revenue for the quarter 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. Equities analysts predict that Parker-Hannifin Corporation will post 26.71 EPS for the current year. Parker-Hannifin Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th will be paid a $1.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 7th. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Parker-Hannifins dividend payout ratio is presently 25.65%. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Parker-Hannifin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Parker-Hannifin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ Get Free Report)s share price gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $234.79, but opened at $253.82. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN shares last traded at $251.7630, with a volume of 111,004 shares trading hands. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Stock Up 0.6% The stock has a fifty day moving average of $271.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $205.94. The stock has a market cap of $1.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.09 and a beta of 4.45. MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Company Profile (Get Free Report) The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. RD Lewis Holdings Inc. lessened its stake in Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR Free Report) by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 11,951 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 421 shares during the quarter. Extra Space Storage comprises about 1.7% of RD Lewis Holdings Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 25th largest holding. RD Lewis Holdings Inc.s holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $1,653,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EXR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 205.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 4,094,555 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $608,001,000 after acquiring an additional 2,755,265 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the first quarter valued at about $257,917,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Extra Space Storage by 570.3% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,124,206 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $166,180,000 after purchasing an additional 956,500 shares during the last quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd increased its position in Extra Space Storage by 259.1% during the first quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd now owns 902,157 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $133,961,000 after purchasing an additional 650,957 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Extra Space Storage by 18.7% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,056,384 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $453,843,000 after purchasing an additional 480,642 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.11% of the companys stock. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Extra Space Storage news, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $141.41, for a total value of $1,060,575.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 19,760 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,794,261.60. This trade represents a 27.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.96% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets EXR has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price target on shares of Extra Space Storage from $148.00 to $146.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Barclays cut their target price on Extra Space Storage from $178.00 to $169.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Extra Space Storage from $166.00 to $162.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Evercore ISI restated a cautious rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $148.36. View Our Latest Report on EXR Extra Space Storage Price Performance EXR stock opened at $131.45 on Friday. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $140.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $144.09. Extra Space Storage Inc has a 12-month low of $121.03 and a 12-month high of $175.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. The company has a market capitalization of $27.90 billion, a PE ratio of 29.34, a P/E/G ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 1.14. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.06 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $858.46 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $736.26 million. Extra Space Storage had a return on equity of 6.53% and a net margin of 28.40%.Extra Space Storages revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.07 EPS. Extra Space Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.120-8.20 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Extra Space Storage Inc will post 8.1 EPS for the current year. Extra Space Storage Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio is 144.64%. Extra Space Storage Profile (Free Report) Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC reduced its position in Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report) by 24.3% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 9,860 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 3,170 shares during the period. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $557,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in D. Westside Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 123.3% in the 2nd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 469 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 259 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC purchased a new position in shares of Dominion Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Dagco Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Dominion Energy in the first quarter worth about $31,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Dominion Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new stake in Dominion Energy in the 2nd quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.04% of the companys stock. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Dominion Energy Price Performance Shares of D opened at $61.46 on Friday. Dominion Energy Inc. has a twelve month low of $48.07 and a twelve month high of $62.52. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35. The stocks 50 day moving average is $60.60 and its two-hundred day moving average is $58.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.49 billion, a PE ratio of 21.19, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.63. Dominion Energy Dividend Announcement Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $1.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.02 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.71 billion. Dominion Energy had a return on equity of 9.68% and a net margin of 16.45%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 14.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.98 EPS. Dominion Energy has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.330-3.480 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Dominion Energy Inc. will post 3.39 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. Dominion Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 90.82%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently commented on D shares. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Dominion Energy in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. They issued an in-line rating and a $67.00 price objective for the company. Barclays lifted their target price on Dominion Energy from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and issued a $70.00 target price on shares of Dominion Energy in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $56.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, BTIG Research initiated coverage on Dominion Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. They set a neutral rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $64.22. View Our Latest Stock Report on Dominion Energy Insider Transactions at Dominion Energy In other Dominion Energy news, CEO Robert M. Blue bought 4,152 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $60.35 per share, with a total value of $250,573.20. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer owned 161,237 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,730,652.95. The trade was a 2.64% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.11% of the companys stock. Dominion Energy Profile (Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding D? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE:D Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers reduced its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 1.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,557,371 shares of the credit services providers stock after selling 28,291 shares during the quarter. Mastercard makes up about 0.7% of Rhumbline Advisers holdings, making the stock its 15th largest position. Rhumbline Advisers owned about 0.17% of Mastercard worth $875,149,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC purchased a new stake in Mastercard in the 2nd quarter worth about $11,421,213,000. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Mastercard during the first quarter worth about $4,238,764,000. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in Mastercard by 38.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 13,526,118 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $7,413,936,000 after purchasing an additional 3,765,378 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in shares of Mastercard by 25.6% in the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,372,404 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $3,580,909,000 after purchasing an additional 1,299,977 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $44,098,695,000 after purchasing an additional 931,132 shares during the period. 97.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Mastercard alerts: Mastercard Trading Up 2.4% Mastercard stock opened at $540.42 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.41, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a current ratio of 1.16. Mastercard Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $465.59 and a fifty-two week high of $601.77. The stock has a market cap of $485.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.44, a PEG ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 0.92. The firms fifty day moving average price is $563.32 and its 200-day moving average price is $569.09. Mastercard Announces Dividend Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.31 by $0.07. Mastercard had a return on equity of 200.01% and a net margin of 44.93%.The company had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.53 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $3.89 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 9th were issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 9th. This represents a $3.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 19.44%. Insider Activity at Mastercard In related news, CFO J. Mehra Sachin sold 17,263 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $591.00, for a total value of $10,202,433.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 31,234 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,459,294. This represents a 35.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. KeyCorp reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $665.00 price objective on shares of Mastercard in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Citigroup raised Mastercard to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. TD Cowen reiterated a buy rating and issued a $645.00 price target on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Mastercard from $638.00 to $630.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Compass Point set a $620.00 target price on Mastercard and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $652.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on MA Mastercard Profile (Free Report) Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP acquired a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm acquired 5,995 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $414,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. First Hawaiian Bank lifted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 22,401 shares of the companys stock worth $1,556,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 1.1% in the first quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 13,597 shares of the companys stock worth $944,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 3.8% in the first quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 4,526 shares of the companys stock worth $319,000 after buying an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management raised its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 4.1% in the second quarter. Werba Rubin Papier Wealth Management now owns 4,378 shares of the companys stock worth $302,000 after buying an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Atwood & Palmer Inc. boosted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 31.8% during the second quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 737 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the companys stock. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Novo Nordisk A/S Price Performance Shares of NYSE:NVO opened at $47.65 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market cap of $212.76 billion, a PE ratio of 13.09, a PEG ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.65. The companys fifty day moving average is $53.92 and its 200 day moving average is $60.38. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52 week low of $45.05 and a 52 week high of $112.52. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Novo Nordisk A/S ( NYSE:NVO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $11.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 78.64% and a net margin of 35.60%. Novo Nordisk A/S has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year. A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays restated an equal weight rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Morgan Stanley lowered Novo Nordisk A/S from an overweight rating to an underweight rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $59.00 to $47.00 in a report on Monday, September 29th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, August 2nd. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $59.20. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Novo Nordisk A/S Novo Nordisk A/S 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. increased its stake in Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,117 shares of the conglomerates stock after acquiring an additional 2,788 shares during the quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in Danaher were worth $2,789,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Red Tortoise LLC raised its stake in Danaher by 175.0% in the 2nd quarter. Red Tortoise LLC now owns 154 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in Danaher during the first quarter worth $41,000. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC raised its holdings in Danaher by 81.4% in the 1st quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 254 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the period. Finally, Saudi Central Bank acquired a new position in shares of Danaher in the 1st quarter worth approximately $52,000. 79.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Danaher alerts: Danaher Stock Up 2.3% DHR stock opened at $227.34 on Friday. Danaher Corporation has a one year low of $171.00 and a one year high of $258.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $160.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.88, a PEG ratio of 3.28 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $208.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $201.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.52. Danaher Announces Dividend Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.72 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6 billion. Danaher had a return on equity of 10.92% and a net margin of 14.44%.The businesss revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.71 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Danaher Corporation will post 7.63 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 26th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 26th. Danahers dividend payout ratio is presently 26.39%. Insider Activity at Danaher In other news, SVP Georgeann Couchara sold 5,174 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $210.42, for a total value of $1,088,713.08. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 2,625 shares in the company, valued at $552,352.50. This trade represents a 66.34% decrease in their position. The transaction 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 businesss 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 sale, 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. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 30,248 shares of company stock worth $6,609,663. 11.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently issued reports on DHR shares. Evercore ISI increased their target price on Danaher from $226.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. TD Cowen boosted their price target on Danaher from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Rothschild Redb downgraded shares of Danaher from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Danaher from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of Danaher in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Eighteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Danaher presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $243.39. Read Our Latest Research Report on Danaher 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Unifirst Corporation (NYSE:UNF Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the six analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation and three have given a hold recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $174.75. UNF has been the subject of several recent research reports. UBS Group set a $182.00 price objective on Unifirst in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Unifirst in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Unifirst from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Unifirst from $152.00 to $145.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Get Unifirst alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on UNF Unifirst Stock Up 1.9% Shares of NYSE:UNF traded up $3.08 on Friday, hitting $162.94. The company had a trading volume of 127,691 shares, compared to its average volume of 132,978. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $162.28 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $173.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.42 and a beta of 0.81. Unifirst has a 1 year low of $147.66 and a 1 year high of $243.70. Unifirst (NYSE:UNF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The textile maker reported $2.28 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.13. Unifirst had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 7.11%. The business had revenue of $614.45 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $607.02 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.39 earnings per share. Unifirsts quarterly revenue was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Unifirst has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.580-6.980 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Unifirst will post 7.71 EPS for the current year. Unifirst Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be given a dividend of $0.365 per share. This is a positive change from Unifirsts previous quarterly dividend of $0.35. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $1.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. Unifirsts payout ratio is currently 18.30%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in shares of Unifirst by 285.7% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 135 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Unifirst in the second quarter worth $25,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Unifirst by 474.1% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 155 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Unifirst by 378.1% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 153 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Danske Bank A S bought a new stake in Unifirst in the 3rd quarter worth about $33,000. Institutional investors own 78.17% of the companys stock. Unifirst Company Profile (Get Free Report) UniFirst Corporation provides workplace uniforms and protective work wear clothing in the United States, Europe, and Canada. The company operates through U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing, Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning, and First Aid segments. It designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers, and sells a range of uniforms and protective clothing, including shirts, pants, jackets, coveralls, lab coats, smocks, and aprons; and specialized protective wear, such as flame resistant and high visibility garments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Unifirst Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Unifirst and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A storm of outrage erupted along Marine Drive as the MMRDA plans to drop a massive Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) underground without consulting locals, sparking fears that the drill could spell disaster for the areas fragile, 80-year-old heritage buildings. The lowering of the TBM near Orange Gate at the southern end of the Eastern Express Highway created panic among residents of the UNESCO-listed stretch, who fear their decades-old structures could face damage once tunnelling reaches the reclaimed land. Marine Drive Citizens Association Vice President Ashok Gupta told Mirror, Marine Drive isnt just another stretch of asphalt; its a UNESCO-recognised heritage zone and a vibrant neighbourhood of families, senior citizens, schools, and hospitals. The proposed tunnel exit at D Road threatens to rip apart the very character of this iconic precinct. He said most buildings on Marine Drive are more than eight decades old, built on reclaimed, gravelly soil. If the TBM moves under these buildings, it will cause significant damage, Gupta said. How can the MMRDA proceed without taking Marine Drive residents into confidence? Residents have written to the MMRDA urging a meeting. The letter, in possession of Mirror, states: On behalf of the residents of Marine Drive, the Marine Drive Citizens Association registered its strong opposition to the proposed EastWest Corridor tunnel exit at D Road. While we appreciate the governments objective of improving connectivity to Atal Setu and beyond, the current plan will irreparably damage the heritage precinct, disrupt lives, and jeopardise the safety of South Mumbais oldest communities. The letter warns that the TBM will drill directly under several 80-plus-year-old buildings and that the project, slated to last three to five years, will bring vibrations, excavation, cracks, and structural risks to heritage and residential properties. Gupta said, We are not opposing the project, but whats stopping the MMRDA from taking our suggestions? We have been living here and know how to help ease traffic woes. He added that residents, hospitals, schools, and businesses will face continuous noise, dust, pollution, and diversions for years. Senior citizenswho form a large section of the Marine Drive communitywill be hit hardest. Gupta also argued that the tunnel design is flawed. Vehicles exiting onto Marine Drive would be forced to drive to Nariman Point to take a U-turn before heading toward Chowpatty, Princess Street, or nearby areas. With both Marine Drive and Nariman Point already congested, residents fear the plan will worsen traffic. They warn the project could turn Marine Drive into a danger zone, choking the area with pollution and slowing emergency services, putting lives at risk during construction and after. Residents say if the government is investing crores into the project, it should at least build it correctly. They are demanding a safer, straighter tunnel from Orange Gate to Chowpatty and a cloverleaf flyover at Chowpatty. They also want the plan redrawn to avoid deep digging beneath the Coastal Road and Metro tunnels. Earlier, Larsen and Toubro sought NOCs for pre-construction surveys. They said they will install machines and devices in the buildings, but they conducted only a visual survey, Gupta said. MMRDA Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee did not respond till press time. Shares of Banco Santander Brasil SA (NYSE:BSBR Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of Hold from the five brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $5.35. A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Banco Santander Brasil from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Banco Santander Brasil in a report on Wednesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded Banco Santander Brasil from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Get Banco Santander Brasil alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Banco Santander Brasil Institutional Trading of Banco Santander Brasil Banco Santander Brasil Stock Performance A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in Banco Santander Brasil by 553.9% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 6,997 shares of the banks stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 5,927 shares during the last quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in shares of Banco Santander Brasil in the first quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Vident Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Banco Santander Brasil in the first quarter worth approximately $50,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its stake in shares of Banco Santander Brasil by 48.9% in the second quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 11,617 shares of the banks stock worth $63,000 after acquiring an additional 3,813 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Banco Santander Brasil during the second quarter worth approximately $70,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 14.53% of the companys stock. Shares of BSBR traded up $0.07 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $6.14. The stock had a trading volume of 411,855 shares, compared to its average volume of 627,622. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $5.63 and a 200 day moving average price of $5.33. Banco Santander Brasil has a fifty-two week low of $3.75 and a fifty-two week high of $6.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.28, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a current ratio of 1.37. Banco Santander Brasil Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 23rd were given a dividend of $0.0983 per share. This is a boost from Banco Santander Brasils previous quarterly dividend of $0.07. This represents a $0.39 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 23rd. Banco Santander Brasil Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco Santander (Brasil) SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services to individuals, small and medium enterprises, and corporate customers in Brazil and internationally. The company operates through Commercial Banking and Global Wholesale Banking segments. It offers local loans, commercial financing options, development bank funds, and cash management services; export and import financing, guarantees, structuring of asset services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander Brasil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander Brasil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers lowered its stake in shares of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP Free Report) by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,053,715 shares of the payment services companys stock after selling 28,052 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers owned 0.15% of American Express worth $336,114,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in American Express in the first quarter valued at approximately $509,000. Nordea Investment Management AB increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 2.2% in the 2nd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 2,267,377 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $721,525,000 after buying an additional 49,593 shares during the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in shares of American Express by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 60,634 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $16,314,000 after buying an additional 3,776 shares in the last quarter. Dempze Nancy E increased its stake in American Express by 210.2% in the second quarter. Dempze Nancy E now owns 3,459 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $1,103,000 after acquiring an additional 2,344 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Reliant Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in American Express by 1.9% during the second quarter. Reliant Investment Management LLC now owns 26,189 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $8,354,000 after purchasing an additional 480 shares during the last quarter. 84.33% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get American Express alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on AXP. Evercore ISI boosted their price objective on shares of American Express from $330.00 to $365.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Tuesday, September 30th. BTIG Research raised their price objective on American Express from $277.00 to $307.00 and gave the company a sell rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. UBS Group increased their target price on American Express from $330.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. HSBC set a $295.00 price target on shares of American Express and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Compass Point reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $324.00 price objective on shares of American Express in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $332.65. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total value of $894,359.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 2,515 shares in the company, valued at $894,359.15. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total value of $18,010,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief marketing officer directly owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at $30,825,691.17. This trade represents a 36.88% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 193,292 shares of company stock valued at $65,363,878. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. American Express Stock Up 2.7% AXP stock opened at $352.95 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $345.41 and a 200 day moving average of $320.09. The firm has a market cap of $243.13 billion, a PE ratio of 23.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.27. American Express Company has a twelve month low of $220.43 and a twelve month high of $377.23. The company has a quick ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last released its 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. The business had revenue of $17.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.03 billion. American Express had a return on equity of 33.41% and a net margin of 14.97%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.49 earnings per share. American Express has set its FY 2025 guidance at 15.200-15.500 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Express Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were paid a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.01%. 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Frontline (NYSE:FRO Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The shipping company reported $0.19 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.23 by ($0.04), Zacks reports. Frontline had a return on equity of 10.27% and a net margin of 12.94%.The business had revenue of $257.04 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $265.23 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.34 EPS. Frontline Stock Performance Shares of FRO traded up $0.89 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $25.88. The stock had a trading volume of 4,478,118 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,879,981. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.76 billion, a PE ratio of 24.19 and a beta of 0.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 1.88 and a quick ratio of 1.88. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $23.72 and a 200 day moving average price of $20.56. Frontline has a 12 month low of $12.40 and a 12 month high of $26.00. Get Frontline alerts: Frontline Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be paid a $0.19 dividend. This represents a $0.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. Frontlines dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 134.58%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on FRO shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Frontline in a research note on Monday. Evercore ISI raised their price objective on shares of Frontline from $22.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Wall Street Zen raised Frontline from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on Frontline from $28.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Finally, BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of Frontline from $25.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $24.62. Get Our Latest Research Report on Frontline Hedge Funds Weigh In On Frontline Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Royal Bank of Canada increased its stake in shares of Frontline by 32.3% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 26,342 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $392,000 after purchasing an additional 6,424 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Frontline during the 1st quarter valued at about $7,587,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its position in shares of Frontline by 12.4% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 185,226 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $2,751,000 after purchasing an additional 20,370 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in Frontline by 93.6% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 72,539 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $1,190,000 after buying an additional 35,078 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Frontline by 215.8% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 91,039 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,494,000 after purchasing an additional 62,210 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 22.70% of the companys stock. Frontline Company Profile (Get Free Report) Frontline plc, a shipping company, engages in the seaborne transportation of crude oil and oil products worldwide. It owns and operates oil and product tankers. As of December 31, 2022, the company operated a fleet of 70 vessels. It is also involved in the charter, purchase, and sale of vessels. The company was founded in 1985 and is based in Limassol, Cyprus. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Frontline Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Frontline and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom S.A. (NYSE:TEO Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Friday, January 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th will be paid a dividend of 0.0452 per share by the utilities provider on Wednesday, December 3rd. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 24th. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 1.0%annually over the last three years. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom has a payout ratio of 193.3% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Analysts expect Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom to earn ($1.36) per share next year, which means the company may not be able to cover its $0.29 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of -21.3%. Get Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom alerts: Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom Stock Down 1.2% NYSE:TEO traded down $0.15 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $11.90. The stock had a trading volume of 96,409 shares, compared to its average volume of 246,211. The company has a current ratio of 0.43, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom has a 1-year low of $6.43 and a 1-year high of $15.53. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $9.30 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.35. The company has a market cap of $5.12 billion, a PE ratio of -396.37 and a beta of 1.35. Institutional Trading of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom ( NYSE:TEO Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The utilities provider reported ($0.36) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.49) by $0.13. The company had revenue of $1.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.50 billion. Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom had a negative net margin of 0.28% and a negative return on equity of 0.26%. Analysts predict that Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom will post 1.28 EPS for the current year. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom in the 1st quarter valued at about $271,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom by 19.8% in the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 56,029 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $571,000 after acquiring an additional 9,243 shares during the period. Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new position in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom during the first quarter valued at approximately $119,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom during the 1st quarter worth approximately $329,000. Finally, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom by 6.6% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 2,479,872 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $25,270,000 after purchasing an additional 152,837 shares during the last quarter. About Telecom Argentina Stet France Telecom (Get Free Report) Telecom Argentina SA, together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services. The company offers mobile telecommunications services, including voice communications, high-speed mobile Internet content and applications download, online streaming, and other services; and sells mobile communication devices, such as handsets, Modems MiFi and wingles, and smart watches. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Telecom Argentina Stet - France Telecom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers cut its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE:MMC Free Report) by 4.2% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 948,045 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 41,917 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers owned about 0.19% of Marsh & McLennan Companies worth $207,280,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in MMC. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.8% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 46,158,562 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $10,092,108,000 after acquiring an additional 837,117 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 54.2% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 12,814,788 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,127,193,000 after purchasing an additional 4,505,548 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,684,210 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,762,513,000 after purchasing an additional 196,475 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies by 8.5% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,345,211 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,060,362,000 after purchasing an additional 340,907 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in Marsh & McLennan Companies during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,038,594,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.99% of the companys stock. Get Marsh & McLennan Companies alerts: Insider Transactions at Marsh & McLennan Companies In other Marsh & McLennan Companies news, CEO John Q. Doyle sold 21,079 shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.65, for a total transaction of $4,334,896.35. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 87,681 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $18,031,597.65. The trade was a 19.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.35% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In MMC has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Marsh & McLennan Companies from an underperform rating to a market perform rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $209.00 to $191.00 in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued an overweight rating and a $256.00 target price for the company. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from $258.00 to $257.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays upgraded shares of Marsh & McLennan Companies from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $221.00 to $206.00 in a research note on Thursday. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Marsh & McLennan Companies presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $227.69. View Our Latest Stock Report on Marsh & McLennan Companies Marsh & McLennan Companies Price Performance Shares of NYSE MMC opened at $181.08 on Friday. Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $174.18 and a fifty-two week high of $248.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company has a market cap of $88.71 billion, a PE ratio of 21.71, a P/E/G ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 0.78. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $190.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $206.46. Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.34 billion. Marsh & McLennan Companies had a net margin of 15.60% and a return on equity of 31.79%. Marsh & McLennan Companiess revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.63 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. will post 9.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. Marsh & McLennan Companies Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, October 2nd were given a $0.90 dividend. This represents a $3.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 2nd. Marsh & McLennan Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 43.17%. About Marsh & McLennan Companies (Free Report) Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc is a professional services firm, which engages in offering clients advice and solutions in risk, strategy, and people. It operates through the Risk and Insurance Services, and Consulting segments. The Risk and Insurance Services segment is involved in risk management activities, as well as insurance and reinsurance broking and services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Marsh & McLennan Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Marsh & McLennan Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Hold by the five brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $38.6250. A number of brokerages recently issued reports on SPR. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Spirit Aerosystems from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Spirit Aerosystems in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Spirit Aerosystems from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 9th. Get Spirit Aerosystems alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Spirit Aerosystems Hedge Funds Weigh In On Spirit Aerosystems Spirit Aerosystems Trading Down 1.3% Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Spirit Aerosystems during the second quarter worth approximately $95,804,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its stake in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 25.7% in the 2nd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 6,502,847 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $248,084,000 after acquiring an additional 1,328,419 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its holdings in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 108.1% in the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,071,178 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $79,947,000 after acquiring an additional 1,076,029 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in Spirit Aerosystems by 32.1% in the second quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 3,643,692 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $139,007,000 after purchasing an additional 884,788 shares during the period. Finally, Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 51.9% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,545,611 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $87,722,000 after buying an additional 870,263 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.59% of the companys stock. SPR traded down $0.46 on Friday, hitting $34.80. 1,230,880 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,153,651. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $37.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $38.59. Spirit Aerosystems has a twelve month low of $27.00 and a twelve month high of $42.33. The company has a market cap of $4.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.74 and a beta of 1.70. Spirit Aerosystems (NYSE:SPR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The aerospace company reported ($4.87) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.37) by ($4.50). The firm had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.92 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($3.03) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Spirit Aerosystems will post -11.88 EPS for the current year. About Spirit Aerosystems (Get Free Report) Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Spirit Aerosystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spirit Aerosystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. increased its holdings in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) by 24.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 24,745 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after purchasing an additional 4,846 shares during the quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc.s holdings in TJX Companies were worth $3,056,000 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. TCTC Holdings LLC grew its holdings in shares of TJX Companies by 210.1% in the 1st quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 214 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 145 shares in the last quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in TJX Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new position in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in shares of TJX Companies by 121.1% during the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 272 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Activest Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of 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. 91.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get TJX Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at TJX Companies In related news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total value of $4,464,300.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 535,143 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,634,629.83. This represents a 5.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of TJX Companies stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total transaction of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. This trade represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 54,863 shares of company stock worth $8,226,366 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TJX has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $162.00 target price (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $170.00 price objective (up previously from $155.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Wednesday. Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a $168.00 price objective (up from $155.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday. Erste Group Bank initiated coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Friday, September 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on TJX Companies from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-three have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $158.90. Get Our Latest Report on TJX Companies TJX Companies Stock Up 2.3% Shares of TJX opened at $151.46 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $168.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 0.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 1.17. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $112.10 and a 52 week high of $152.58. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $143.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.10. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.59% and a return on equity of 58.63%. The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 forecast that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year. TJX Companies Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th will be issued a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 13th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 38.72%. TJX Companies Company Profile (Free Report) The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SoundHound AI, BigBear.ai, Tempus AI, Hut 8, Upstart, SentinelOne, and Iveda Solutions are the seven Artificial Intelligence stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Artificial intelligence stocks are shares of publicly traded companies that develop, sell, or heavily rely on AI technologies such as machine learning software, data and analytics platforms, AI-driven services, or specialized hardware like AI chips. For investors, these stocks offer exposure to the growth potential of the AI sector but typically come with higher volatility and specific risks (technical competition, data and regulatory issues), so evaluation focuses on technology leadership, data assets, revenue exposure to AI, and valuation. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Artificial Intelligence stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: SoundHound AI (SOUN) SoundHound AI, Inc. develops independent voice artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enables businesses across automotive, TV, and IoT, and to customer service industries to deliver high-quality conversational experiences to their customers. Its products include Houndify platform that offers a suite of Houndify tools to help brands build conversational voice assistants, such as Application Programming Interfaces (API) for text and voice queries, support for custom commands, extensive library of content domains, inclusive software development kit platforms, collaboration capabilities, diagnostic tools, and built-in analytics; SoundHound Chat AI that integrates with knowledge domains, pulling real-time data like weather, sports, stocks, flight status, and restaurants; and SoundHound Smart Answering is built to offer customer establishments custom AI-powered voice assistant. BigBear.ai (BBAI) BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. provides artificial intelligence-powered decision intelligence solutions. It offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions. The company also provides data ingestion, data enrichment, data processing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, and predictive visualization solutions and services. Read Our Latest Research Report on BBAI Tempus AI (TEM) Tempus AI Inc. is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence principally in healthcare. The company provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. Read Our Latest Research Report on TEM Hut 8 (HUT) Hut 8 Corp., together with its subsidiaries, acquires, builds, manages, and operates data centers for digital assets mining, computing, and artificial intelligence in the United States. It operates in four segments: Digital Assets Mining, Managed Services, High Performance Computing Colocation and Cloud, and Other. Read Our Latest Research Report on HUT Upstart (UPST) Upstart Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform in the United States. Its platform includes personal loans, automotive retail and refinance loans, home equity lines of credit, and small dollar loans that connects consumer demand for loans to its to bank and credit unions. Read Our Latest Research Report on UPST SentinelOne (S) SentinelOne, Inc. operates as a cybersecurity provider in the United States and internationally. Its Singularity Platform delivers an artificial intelligence-powered autonomous threat prevention, detection, and response capabilities across an organization's endpoints, cloud workloads, and identify credentials, which enables seamless and autonomous protection against a spectrum of cyber threats. Read Our Latest Research Report on S Iveda Solutions (IVDA) Iveda Solutions, Inc. provides artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation technologies in the United States and Taiwan. The company offers IvedaAI, a deep-learning video analytics software and Sentir Video, a video surveillance solution for various kinds of applications. It also provides Cerebro IoT Platform, a software technology platform that integrates a multitude of disparate systems for central access and management of applications, subsystems, and devices, and IvedaSPS, a smart power solution utilizing in Cerebro IoT platform, and IvedaXpress, a system for pre-existing IP cameras and AI analytics for servers and IT department. Read Our Latest Research Report on IVDA Further Reading Shares of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE:IIPR Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Reduce from the nine ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $78.50. Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on IIPR shares. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Innovative Industrial Properties from $43.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of Innovative Industrial Properties in a research report on Monday. Get Innovative Industrial Properties alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on IIPR Insider Buying and Selling at Innovative Industrial Properties Institutional Trading of Innovative Industrial Properties In related news, Chairman Alan D. Gold acquired 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $46.26 per share, for a total transaction of $46,260.00. Following the purchase, the chairman owned 57,500 shares in the company, valued at $2,659,950. The trade was a 1.77% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, CFO David Jon Smith bought 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $45.90 per share, for a total transaction of $27,540.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer owned 600 shares in the company, valued at $27,540. This trade represents a ? increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure . 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Innovative Industrial Properties in the 2nd quarter worth $11,576,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. raised its stake in Innovative Industrial Properties by 229.6% during the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 288,056 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,906,000 after purchasing an additional 200,652 shares during the period. Edgestream Partners L.P. purchased a new position in Innovative Industrial Properties in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $8,099,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its stake in Innovative Industrial Properties by 1,131.0% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 157,509 shares of the companys stock worth $8,520,000 after purchasing an additional 144,714 shares during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Innovative Industrial Properties by 40.5% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 382,133 shares of the companys stock worth $21,101,000 after purchasing an additional 110,236 shares during the period. 70.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Innovative Industrial Properties Stock Performance Shares of IIPR stock traded up $3.51 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $48.09. The company had a trading volume of 429,653 shares, compared to its average volume of 305,321. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a quick ratio of 2.75 and a current ratio of 2.75. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $52.83 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.23. Innovative Industrial Properties has a one year low of $44.58 and a one year high of $112.82. The firm has a market cap of $1.35 billion, a PE ratio of 11.40 and a beta of 1.64. Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.71 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.02). Innovative Industrial Properties had a return on equity of 6.77% and a net margin of 45.80%.The firm had revenue of $64.69 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $63.72 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $2.25 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 15.4% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Innovative Industrial Properties will post 8.28 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Innovative Industrial Properties Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th were issued a $1.90 dividend. This represents a $7.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 15.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 30th. Innovative Industrial Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 180.09%. Innovative Industrial Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc is a self-advised Maryland corporation focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated cannabis facilities. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, commencing with the year ended December 31, 2017. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Innovative Industrial Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Innovative Industrial Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Tokuyama Corporation (OTCMKTS:TKYMY Get Free Report) rose 1.8% on Thursday . The company traded as high as $11.95 and last traded at $11.95. Approximately 100 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 508 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.74. Tokuyama Price Performance The stocks 50 day moving average is $11.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $10.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.72 billion, a PE ratio of 10.77 and a beta of 0.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 2.72 and a quick ratio of 1.93. Get Tokuyama alerts: Tokuyama (OTCMKTS:TKYMY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter. Tokuyama had a net margin of 7.00% and a return on equity of 9.68%. The company had revenue of $555.60 million during the quarter. Tokuyama Company Profile Tokuyama Corporation produces and sells various chemical products in Japan. The company operates through six segments: Chemicals, Cement, Electronics and Advanced Materials, Life Science, Eco Business, and Others. The Chemicals segment offers caustic soda, soda ash, calcium chloride, sodium silicate cullet, sodium bicarbonate, purified, vinyl chloride monomer, polyvinyl chloride resin, propylene oxide, methylene chloride, and chloroform. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Tokuyama Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tokuyama and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A Texas A&M committee agreed that the university was wrong to fire a professor earlier this year after a controversy over a classroom video that showed a student objecting to a childrens literature lesson about gender identity. The internal committee ruled that the university didnt follow proper procedures and didnt prove there was good cause to fire Melissa McCoul, who was a senior lecturer in the English department with over a decade of teaching experience. Republican lawmakers, including Gov. Greg Abbott, had called for her termination after seeing the video. The committee unanimously voted earlier this week that the summary dismissal of Dr. McCoul was not justified. The university said in a statement that interim President Tommy Williams has received the committees nonbinding recommendation and will make a decision in the coming days or weeks after reviewing it. McCouls lawyer, Amanda Reichek, said this dispute seems destined to wind up in court because the university appears to plan to continue fighting and the interim president is facing the same political pressure. Dr. McCoul asserts that the flimsy reasons proffered by A&M for her termination are a pretext for the Universitys true motivation: capitulation to Governor Abbotts demands, Reichek said in a statement. The video showing a student questioning whether the class discussion was legal under President Trumps executive order on gender roiled the campus and led to sharp criticism of university president Mark Welsh, who later resigned, but he didnt offer a reason and never mentioned the video in his resignation announcement. The opening of the video posted by state Rep. Brian Harrison showed a slide titled Gender Unicorn that highlighted different gender identities and expressions. Students in the class told the Texas Tribune that they were discussing a book called Jude Saves the World about a middle schooler who is coming out as nonbinary. That was just one of several books included in the course that highlights LGBTQ+ issues. After a brief back-and-forth discussion about the legality of teaching those lessons, McCoul asked the student to leave the class. Harrison posted other recordings of the students meeting with Welsh that show the university president defending McCouls teaching. The Tribune reported that McCoul had taught the same course at A&M at least 12 times since 2018. University officials decided to end this particular summer class early after the confrontation, but McCoul returned to teach in the fall until after the videos were published online. Welsh had said when McCoul was fired that he learned she had continued teaching content in a childrens literature course that did not align with any reasonable expectation of standard curriculum for the course. He also said that the course content was not matching its catalog descriptions. But her lawyer disputed that, and said McCoul was never instructed to change her course content in any way, shape or form. Earlier this month, the Texas A&M Regents decided that professors now need to receive approval from the school president to discuss some race and gender topics. The new policy states that no academic course will advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity unless approved in advance by a campus president. Various universities and their presidents around the country, including Harvard and Columbia have come under scrutiny from conservative critics and President Donald Trump administration over diversity, equity and inclusion practices and their responses to campus protests. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. A group of Armenian civil society representatives visited Azerbaijan on November 2122, 2025, as part of the "Peace Bridge" Initiative, Trend reports. The Armenian delegation Areg Kochinyan, Boris Navasardyan, Naira Sultanyan, Narek Minasyan, and Samvel Meliksetyan met with their Azerbaijani counterparts Farhad Mamedov, Rusif Huseynov, Kamalya Mamedova, Ramil Iskanderli, and Fuad Abdullayev. Discussions focused on the dynamics of the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the role of civil society in promoting dialogue, and joint projects planned for the near future. The sides also addressed issues of mutual interest to Azerbaijani and Armenian societies regarding ongoing peace efforts. The parties agreed to intensify joint activities in the media sphere, establish direct contacts between expert groups, and further involve both countries civil societies in advancing the peace process. They also agreed to maintain working-level contacts and plan future visits to Azerbaijan and Armenia within the framework of the "Peace Bridge" Initiative. During the visit, the delegation met with Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration. The discussion covered steps taken by Azerbaijan and Armenia since the Washington summit to strengthen their peace agenda. Hajiyev also responded to questions from the Initiatives representatives. Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of a pharmaceutical production facility owned by Scandens Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd in the Hokmali settlement of the Absheron district, Trend reports. Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Director General Kamran Hasanov briefed the head of state on the facility. Designed in accordance with international standards, the facility is equipped with advanced technologies and equipment from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. The enterprise will annually produce approximately 800 million tablets and capsules across various therapeutic areas, including antibiotics, diabetology, hepatology, cardiology, andrology, allergology, and gastroenterology. The products will supply the domestic market and are planned for export in the future. A total of 120 jobs have been created at the facility. The 74-million-manat project was implemented through private investment. With the investment promotion document issued by the Ministry of Economy, the company received 6.5 million manats in concessions for imported equipment. The launch of the facility marks a new stage in the development of Azerbaijans pharmaceutical industry. All stages of medicine production from raw materials to finished products will be carried out locally. The new enterprise will contribute to strengthening the pharmaceutical sector, supporting local production, and increasing Azerbaijans export potential by manufacturing competitive products that meet domestic and international standards. The facility will also serve as a training base for professional personnel in the pharmaceutical field. Under the quadrilateral Memorandum signed between Scandens Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Azerbaijan Medical University, Hungarys University of Pecs, and the Pannon Pharma company, short- and long-term training and internship programs for pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical specialties will be implemented. President Ilham Aliyev launched the facility. A total of 710 solar panels with a combined capacity of 450 kW/h have been installed on the roof of the facility, enabling it to meet approximately 40 percent of its energy consumption through renewable sources. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. COP29, widely regarded as a symbol of success, stands in stark contrast to COP30, which is up against a wall with a slew of logistical, financial, and coordination headaches. While the Baku-hosted summit earned global recognition for its scale, strong organization, and high-impact decisions, COP30 has so far been overshadowed by delays, political frictions, and operational setbacks, a disparity that raises serious questions about the future reliability and effectiveness of global climate negotiations. Political expert Shahla Jalilzadeh told Trend that COP29 in Baku will go down in the books as a real feather in the cap for climate conferences, a shining example that will be hard to top. She emphasized that the summit delivered the long-awaited breakthroughs the world had been anticipating for a decade, marking a decisive step toward the global transition to a green economy. "The long-delayed breakthrough on Paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, finally arrived in Baku, where they were fully agreed upon and ratified 9 years later. For the first time in 15 years, a new global climate finance target of $300 billion was set, replacing the $100 billion goal adopted in 2009 and officially reached in 2022. Another major milestone was the announcement of the next post-2035 climate finance target of $1.3 trillion, one of the most significant outcomes of the summit. Baku also hosted an intergovernmental agreement to operationalize highly integrated global carbon markets, while the Loss and Damage Fund was fully institutionalized. Several key documents were signed, and major commitments were made: the United Kingdom pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 81 percent from 1990 levels by 2035, and Australia announced it would allocate $32.5 million to the global Loss and Damage Fund to support the most vulnerable communities affected by climate change. Together with the creation of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap, these achievements mark a decisive turning point in the global fight against climate change. And although COP30 did not deliver significant progress, the establishment of a Tropical Forest Protection Fund and new emissions-reduction commitments from 11 countries remain noteworthy developments," she noted. Jalilzadeh pointed out that COP29 was a shining beacon of organization, a far cry from the COP event in Brazil, which ended up with fire. The COP26 summit in Glasgow, United Kingdom, was marked by protests involving more than 100,000 people. COP21 in Paris, France, was overshadowed by a terrorist attack and a state of emergency, while COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, became known for the mass arrest of over 900 climate activists. COP24 in Poland struggled with severe weather that created serious logistical disruptions. Yet during COP29 in Baku, even officials and media representatives from openly anti-Azerbaijani circles could not point to a single organizational flaw, she said. The political expert emphasized that the decisions adopted at COP29, crucial for the future of humanity, also showcased Azerbaijans strong leadership, effective management, and rising international credibility. The unanimous decision by all parties to formally express gratitude to Azerbaijan for the high-level organization of COP29 speaks for itself. Former U.S. President Joe Biden called the agreement reached at the summit a historic result and congratulated both the Azerbaijani COP29 presidency and participating parties. COP29 further reinforced Azerbaijans image as a safe, peace-driven, and results-oriented negotiation platform. It was precisely this effective diplomacy that paved the way for brotherly Turkiye to be chosen as the host of the next COP, he added. Political expert Kazim Kazimov told Trend that COP29, hosted in Baku, etched its name in golden letters into the history of global climate action, and that the striking contrast with COP30 across every parameter is now evident to the entire world. COP29, held in Baku one year ago, set a benchmark for organization, participation, and the weight of its decisions. Its official priority, rapid and sustained emission reductions, clearly shaped the tone of global climate diplomacy. The most important achievement was that, after intense negotiations, COP29 succeeded in securing a concrete annual financing commitment of at least $300 billion for developing countries. This was the first time that long-debated financial responsibility in the climate process was finally tied to a specific, measurable figure, he said. Kazimov added that another key achievement of the Baku summit was the adoption of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement as a binding decision, fully operationalizing international carbon markets. This decision not only advanced climate policy but also opened a fresh pathway for global investment flows, he noted. He made it clear that COP29 was a shining example of wide-ranging, inclusive participation, bringing together everyone from governments and investor groups to cities and civil society organizations, which really raised the bar for coordination quality. For this reason, I describe COP29 as a summit that was result-driven, systematic, and built diplomatic trust. Unfortunately, COP30 presented an entirely different picture, he said. According to Kazimov, the COP30 meeting in Belem, Brazil, was a real can of worms, plagued by logistical and organizational hiccups that threw a wrench in the works and seriously derailed the overall process. "Many delegates voiced frustration over soaring accommodation costs, with some hotel prices surpassing $1,000 per night, a level that not only strains budgets but also limits meaningful diplomatic participation. Alongside financial concerns, security issues grabbed global headlines when a fire forced the evacuation of the summit venue, abruptly halting discussions and breaking the momentum of negotiations. The biggest deadlock, however, remains climate finance: at least $300 billion in annual funding secured at COP29 has yet to materialize at COP30, leaving nearly half of the talks stuck in limbo. With many countries failing to submit updated national climate commitments, the space for coordination and consensus has narrowed even further," he said. Kazimov pointed out that while the COP30 agenda is as broad as the ocean and ambitious as a mountain climber, trying to tackle such a wide array of issues without a clear roadmap could throw a wrench in the works of its implementation. COP29 marked a high point in global climate diplomacy, whereas COP30 is unfolding as a difficult stress test, challenged by logistics, finance, infrastructure, and strained diplomatic negotiations, Kazimov explained. Kazimov pointed out that while COP29 laid the groundwork for trust among nations, COP30 is finding it tough to keep that ball rolling. Its too early to deliver a final verdict before the summit concludes. But the facts indicate that if COP30 aims to deliver concrete outcomes, it must reinforce the foundation laid by COP29 with real, workable mechanisms, especially on finance, carbon markets, and the fulfillment of commitments. At this stage, there are still more questions than answers, he concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 21. The trial of Armenian citizen Ruben Vardanyan, who is 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 November 21, Trend reports. An open court session was held at the Baku Military Court 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) as well as a state-funded defense lawyer. Judge Zeynal Agayev introduced the panel of judges, the prosecutors upholding the state accusation, the interpreters, and others to the victims and legal successors of victims who were participating in the hearing for the first time and explained their rights and obligations as provided for by law. The court then proceeded to hear the statements of the victims. The next court hearing has been scheduled for November 24. 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). The preliminary investigation into the criminal case against Armenian national Ruben Vardanyan, who is accused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism, financing terrorism, and other offenses under the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, has been carried out by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Azerbaijan is preparing to raise the need-assessment threshold used for allocating state social assistance (TSSA), Trend reports. The proposal is reflected in the draft law On the Need-Assessment Threshold in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026, discussed today at the joint meeting of the parliament committees on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship, and Labour and Social Policy. The document lays out the need-assessment threshold for TSSA at 300 manat ($176.4) for the year 2026. For comparison, the threshold approved for 2025 was 285 manat ($167.6), meaning the suggested figure for 2026 is set to rise by 15 manat ($8.82), which is about five percent, give or take. If passed, the proposed legislation is slated to be operational commencing January 1, 2026. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, and Alena Aliyeva, toured the Veterinary Clinic established under Lankaran State University, Trend reports. They were informed about the conditions created at the newly commissioned clinic, including medical rooms, laboratories, and state-of-the-art equipment designed for the examination and treatment of animals. The clinic contributes to protecting the health of both domestic and wild animals and supports the development of practical skills among students of the universitys Faculty of Veterinary Science. Leyla Aliyeva met with the academic staff and students of the faculty and was briefed on personnel training in the relevant field. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of the IDEA Public Union, Arzu Aliyeva, Head of the Baku Media Center, and Alena Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the Citrus Valley farming enterprise in Lankaran, Trend reports. Raftara Shukurova, the owner of the facility, noted that Citrus Valley, one of Azerbaijans first agro-gastro-ecotourism destinations, received more than 15,000 tourists in 2024. Visitors have the opportunity to observe agricultural processes, including fruit harvesting, taste local cuisine, and participate in master classes. Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva, and Alena Aliyeva viewed the conditions at the facility, examined the products on display, met with staff members, and wished them success in their activities. BELEM, Brazil (AP) United Nations climate talks in Brazil reached a subdued agreement Saturday that pledged more funding for countries to adapt to the wrath of extreme weather. But the catch-all agreement doesnt include explicit details to phase out fossil fuels or strengthen countries inadequate emissions cutting plans, which dozens of nations demanded. The Brazilian hosts of the conference said theyd eventually come up with a road map to get away from fossil fuels working with hard-line Colombia, but it wont have the same force as something approved at the conference called COP30. Colombia responded angrily to the deal after it was approved, citing the absence of wording on fossil fuels. The deal, which was approved after negotiators blew past a Friday deadline, was crafted after hours of late night and early morning meetings. After the deal was approved, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago said the tough discussions started in Belem will continue under Brazils leadership until the next annual conference even if they are not reflected in this text we just approved. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the deal shows that nations can still come together to confront the defining challenges no country can solve alone. But he added: I cannot pretend that COP30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide. Deal gets mix of lukewarm praise and complaints Many gave the deal lukewarm praise as the best that could be achieved in trying times, while others complained about the package or the process that led to its approval. Given the circumstances of geopolitics today, were actually quite pleased with the bounds of the package that came out, said Palau Ambassador Ilana Seid, who chaired the coalition of small island nations. The alternative is that we dont get a decision and that would have been a worse alternative. This deal isnt perfect and is far from what science requires, said former Ireland President Mary Robinson, a fierce climate advocate for the ex-leaders group The Elders. But at a time when multilateralism is being tested, it is significant that countries continue to move forward together. Absent from the talks was the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. This year there has been a lot of attention on one country stepping back, U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell said, referring to the United States withdrawal from the landmark 2015 Paris agreement. But amid the gale-force political headwinds, 194 countries stood firm in solidarity rock-solid in support of climate cooperation. Some countries said they got enough out of the deal. COP30 has not delivered everything Africa asked for, but it has moved the needle, said Jiwoh Abdulai, Sierra Leones environment minister. What really matters, he said, is how quickly these words turn into real projects that protect lives and livelihoods. U.K. Energy Minister Ed Miliband said the agreement was an important step forward, but that he would have preferred it to be more ambitious. He added: These are difficult, strenuous, tiring, frustrating negotiations. Swift final push prompts complaints The deal was approved minutes into a plenary meeting open Saturday to all nations that were present. After the main package was approved to applause by many delegates angry nations took the floor to complain about other parts of the package and about being ignored as do Lago moved quickly toward approval. The objections were so strong that do Lago temporarily halted the session to try to calm things down. Colombias Daniela Duran Gonzalez blasted the conferences president for ignoring her, saying: The COP of the truth cannot support an outcome that ignores science. An area that usually gets less attention became a big point of contention. The approved deal established 59 indicators for the world to judge how nations are adapting to climate change. Before the Belem conference, experts crafted 100 precisely worded indicators, but negotiators changed the wording and cut the total. The European Union, several Latin American countries and Canada said they had severe problems with it, calling it unclear and unworkable. They complained that they tried to object but were ignored. Do Lago apologized. How major issues were handled A handful of major issues dominated the talk. Those included coming up with a road map to wean the world from fossil fuels, telling countries that their national plans to curb emissions were inadequate, tripling financial aid for developing nations to adapt to extreme weather and reducing climate restrictions on trade. COP30 gave us some baby steps in the right direction, but considering the scale of the climate crisis, it has failed to rise to the occasion, said Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa. Critics complained there was not much to the deal. Strip away the outcome text and you see it plainly: The emperor has no clothes, said former Philippine negotiator Jasper Inventor, now at Greenpeace International. Panama negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez railed against the deal. A climate decision that cannot even say fossil fuels is not neutrality, it is complicity. And what is happening here transcends incompetence, Monterrey Gomez said. Science has been deleted from COP30 because it offends the polluters. Many nations and advocates wanted something stronger because the world will not come close to limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since the mid 1800s, which was the goal the 2015 Paris agreement set. The financial aid for adapting to climate change was tripled to a goal of $120 billion a year, but the goal was pushed back five years. It was one of several tough issues to dominate the late stage of talks. Vulnerable nations have pressed the wealthier countries most responsible for climate change to help out with money to rebuild from damaging extreme weather and to adapt to more of it in the future. Pushing back the goal leaves vulnerable countries without support to match the escalating needs, Adow said. After the main deal was approved, tempers flared as the open meeting stretched on. Russias ambassador at large, Sergei Kononuchenko, lectured Latin American delegates who were objecting frequently that they were behaving like children who want to get your hands on all the sweets, and arent prepared to share them with everyone. An angry Eliana Ester Saissac of Argentina said Latin Americans are in no way behaving like spoiled children who want to stuff our mouths full of sweets to a roar of cheers and applause. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. ___ This story was produced as part of the 2025 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship organized by Internews Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. By SETH BORENSTEIN, MELINA WALLING and ANTON L. DELGADO Associated Press Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Georgia has signed a declaration to begin negotiations on the CAREC Partnership Agreement on Trade and Investment Facilitation (CARTIF), the Ministry of Economy said, Trend reports. Deputy Economy Minister Gennady Arveladze signed the declaration in Bishkek during the 24th Ministerial Conference of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program. The agreement aims to promote trade in goods and services across the CAREC region, cut non-tariff barriers and advance digital trade. Negotiations on CARTIF are expected to start by 2026. Arveladze said Georgia sees the launch of the talks as a positive step toward expanding export opportunities. One of the governments priorities is diversifying export markets and concluding free trade agreements so Georgian products and services can enter as many countries as possible under preferential regimes, he said. We currently have FTAs with only part of the CAREC countries. Cooperation under CARTIF will make it significantly easier for Georgian producers to export to more markets. He said the initiative is intended to simplify trade among participating states, attract investment and create a more competitive regional market. On the sidelines of the conference, CAREC members also signed a memorandum of understanding on developing regional tourism, aimed at deepening cooperation and positioning the region as an integrated, high-value destination. The CAREC ministerial meeting is held annually and brings together senior officials to endorse strategic plans, review financing mechanisms and discuss priorities across regional programs. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Kyrgyzstan views its participation in the 2nd meeting of the Ministers of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), held on October 2324, 2025, in Baku, as a platform for the comprehensive development of industrial potential, technological integration, and scientific cooperation, a source from the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyzystan told Trend. "Kyrgyzstan is pursuing comprehensive development, ranging from the fortification of its domestic industrial base to the establishment of a unified technological space within the OTS, where member countries can collaboratively develop modern production facilities and facilitate knowledge exchange," the source stated. The ministry's official underscored strategic objectives in economic and investment cooperation, alongside the advancement of transport and logistics connectivity. "The development of transport and logistics connectivity is one of the key directions. Kyrgyzstan supports the accelerated implementation of joint transport projects - railway and road corridors connecting Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkiye, the development of EastWest and NorthSouth transit corridors, the construction of modern logistics hubs, and the introduction of digital solutions in customs procedures. We see that this will have a tangible effect for all OTS countries," the ministry added. ''Digital economy and technological integration were also listed among the priorities. "And, undoubtedly, the future belongs to the digital economy. Kyrgyzstan proposes developing a unified digital space within the OTS - from e-commerce and fintech to cybersecurity and e-government. We want startups, IT companies, and young specialists from Turkic countries to interact freely, exchange experiences, and jointly bring technological solutions to the market," the representative noted. The development of tourism and the creative economy is considered one of the key areas of cooperation. "A major area of importance is the development of tourism and the creative economy. Kyrgyzstan sees tourism as one of the most promising sectors for expanding cooperation among the countries of the Organization of Turkic States," the ministry emphasized. The ministry also highlighted the creation of a techno-hub and the development of an innovation ecosystem. "On October 10, the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Central Asia Capital Fund signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, laying the foundation for the countrys first techno-hub. The creation of the techno-hub will become a center of attraction for growing companies. We see this project as an important step toward forming a new technological ecosystem in Kyrgyzstan. Its goal is to create conditions under which engineering talent and innovative ideas can develop and be implemented within the country, strengthening our national potential," the ministry added. Finally, the ministry identified economic security and industrial diplomacy as strategic priorities. "Economic security and industrial diplomacy are separate strategic areas. Kyrgyzstan considers these issues to be key to sustainable development and stability in the region," the ministry emphasized. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. A draft law regulating virtual assets will be one of the central items on the agenda when Turkmenistans parliament convenes on November 22, Trend reports via the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. The announcement was made during the discussions at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Parliament Speaker Dunyagozel Gulmanova reported that preparations are underway for the parliamentary session, where lawmakers will review the proposed On Virtual Assets lawan initiative aimed at updating Turkmenistans legal framework to keep pace with global digital-economy developments. The bill is expected to define the legal status of virtual assets, outline rules for their circulation, and establish regulatory mechanisms for digital financial activities in the country. In addition to the virtual-assets legislation, the session will also examine the draft 2026 State Budget, a revised law on scientific intellectual property, and a protocol amending an international convention. Lawmakers will further review amendments to existing legal acts and discuss the execution of the 2024 State Budget. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Turkmenistan is moving toward creating a regulated digital-assets sector, as the government reviewed a draft Roadmap for the Regulation of Virtual Assets and the Implementation of Mining Technologies for 2026-2030, Trend reports via the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers. The announcement was made at a cabinet meeting chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Hojamyrat Geldimyradov presented the draft document, which was prepared on presidential instruction and in line with recommendations from Hero-Arkadag Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. According to the report, the roadmap outlines the legal, technological, and organizational foundations needed to establish a functioning virtual-assets market in Turkmenistan. It includes measures with defined timelines and responsible institutions aimed at shaping the regulatory environment and supporting the development of digital-asset activities, including mining. The plan lays its cards on the table, shining a spotlight on key areas like diving into international best practices, crafting legislation tailored to specific sectors, building up energy and telecommunications infrastructure, reeling in investments, and kicking off pilot projects. It also places emphasis on cybersecurity, energy-efficiency standards, and the training of specialized personnel. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Turkmenistan is gearing up for a new round of upgrades to its gas-pipeline network, Trend reports via the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Batyr Amanov briefed President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on ongoing modernization efforts carried out by the State Concern Turkmengaz at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. According to the report, enterprises under the concern are working to reinforce the material and technical base of production facilities and improve the condition of key gas-transport infrastructure. The measures are aimed at increasing the reliability of natural gas deliveries both within the country and to export markets. Amanov presented a proposal outlining the next steps in the modernization program. After reviewing the report, President Berdimuhamedov stressed that maintaining a stable domestic gas supply and ensuring dependable export flows remain national priorities. He approved the proposal and instructed the deputy prime minister to proceed with the necessary work. Turkmenistan's gas pipeline network includes key domestic and international systems transporting natural gas to China, Russia, and Iran. The main export route is the Central AsiaChina Pipeline (Lines A, B, and C), with a capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year, set to expand with Line D. The Central AsiaCenter Pipeline System connects to Russia, and exports resumed in 2019, albeit at lower volumes. Two pipelines serve Iran: the KorpejeKurtkui pipeline (8 bcma capacity) and the DauletabadSarahsHangeran pipeline (12.5 bcma capacity), including a gas swap agreement that facilitates Turkmen gas delivery to Azerbaijan via Iran. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Turkmenistan is preparing additional steps to raise the production capacity of enterprises under the State Concern Turkmenhimiya, Trend reports via the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers. The announcement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Batyr Annamamedov at the meeting of the cabinet chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. According to the report, work is underway to reinforce the material and technical base of the Ahal natural-gas-to-gasoline plant, one of the sectors strategic facilities. The government is also expanding cooperation with major international companies to improve the reliability and efficiency of the plants technological systems. Annamamedov presented a proposal outlining measures to support the plants operation and boost output across the concern. After reviewing the report, President Berdimuhamedov stressed the importance of bringing Turkmenhimiya enterprises to full design capacity. He approved the proposal and instructed the deputy prime minister to move forward with the planned measures. The Ahal natural-gas-to-gasoline (GTG) plant is a large-scale facility dedicated to converting natural gas into high-grade gasoline, situated in Ahal, Turkmenistan. It commenced operations in June 2019 and employs Haldor Topsoe's TIGAS technology to generate approximately 600,000 tons of ECO-93 gasoline each year, in addition to liquefied gas and diesel fuel. The undertaking was a collaborative endeavor involving the Turkmengaz State Concern, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Ronesans Endustri Tesisleri. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Turkmenistan is taking another step to enhance its role in international air cargo logistics, as Turkmenistan Airlines has obtained active member status and an official certificate from the International Cargo Association (TIACA), Trend reports via the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Mammetkhan Chakyev announced this during the meeting of the cabinet chaired by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The upgrade is part of broader efforts to expand the countrys logistics capabilities and strengthen its position in global air freight networks. Chakyev submitted a proposal outlining next steps for cooperation with foreign carriers and development of cargo transit potential. President Berdimuhamedov, after reviewing the report, emphasized that aviation logistics remains a strategic priority for Turkmenistan and highlighted ongoing efforts to build international partnerships. He approved the proposal and instructed the deputy prime minister to keep on working towards building up cooperation with foreign airlines. The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) was founded in 1990. It is an international, non-profit trade organization that encompasses all sectors of the air cargo industry, including airlines, airports, freight forwarders, and ground handlers. Its mission is to unify the industry, enhance efficiency and security, and influence policies to encourage growth and innovation, with a vision of a secure, profitable, and modern air cargo sector that underpins global trade and development. Its working secretariat is located in Miami, Florida, USA. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Turkmenistan and South Korea have ramped up their preparations for the 2026 Central Asia-Republic of Korea Summit, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA. The discussions were held during the meeting between Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Joo Hyun-baek, the Special Envoy of the Korean Foreign Minister. In addition the parties discussed broader bilateral agenda, including political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, as well as cultural and humanitarian exchanges. Both sides noted that high-level contacts continue to serve as the basis for expanding Turkmenistan-Korea relations. Central AsiaRepublic of Korea Summit is expected to outline new areas of regional cooperation in connectivity, energy, digital development, and human capital. The summit, to be hosted by Korea, will bring together leaders of all Central Asian states and is considered a platform for shaping long-term partnership priorities between the participating countries. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 22. Uzbekistan and China have discussed joint initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, expanding local production, and developing investment projects, Trend reports via the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry of Uzbekistan. The parties explored opportunities to increase the turnover of pharmaceutical products and raw materials as part of efforts to deepen industry-level collaboration. The discussions took place during a meeting between representatives of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry and a delegation from the Xinjiang Pharmaceutical Administration of the Peoples Republic of China, led by its Director General, Sui Yang. Both sides expressed readiness to continue cooperation and further develop an active dialogue to implement the agreed initiatives. Founded in 2017, the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Industry (Pharm Agency) is a government institution in Uzbekistan tasked with enhancing the nation's pharmaceutical industry. Its primary objectives encompass formulating and executing strategies to promote industry growth, enhancing the accessibility of affordable, high-quality pharmaceuticals and medical products, and overseeing their production, importation, and distribution. Meanwhile, bilateral trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $14 billion last year, and since the beginning of 2025, it has grown by 23 percent. This steady upward trend underscores the strengthening of economic ties and reaffirms Chinas role as one of Uzbekistans key and reliable partners. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Individuals named Aanjay typically exhibit remarkable resilience and inner strength that becomes apparent in challenging situations. They possess an innate determination that allows them to overcome obstacles that might deter others, often displaying quiet confidence rather than overt aggression. Their 'unconquerable' nature manifests as emotional fortitude and the ability to maintain composure under pressure. These women are often natural leaders who inspire others through their steadfastness and moral courage. They tend to be deeply principled individuals who stand firm in their convictions, yet they balance this strength with compassion and empathy. Aanjays are known for their loyalty and protective nature toward loved ones, creating strong bonds built on mutual respect and trust. Their combination of inner strength and emotional intelligence makes them effective problem-solvers and reliable companions in both personal and professional contexts. While they may appear gentle on the surface, they possess a core of steel that emerges when principles are at stake or when defending those they care about. This duality of gentle strength and fierce protection makes Aanjays particularly effective in roles requiring both compassion and firmness, such as teaching, counseling, or leadership positions where ethical guidance is paramount. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 22. Kyrgyzstan is moving forward with plans to create a modern bonded warehouse at Manas International Airport, Trend reports via the airport. This was announced during the meeting between Chinese delegation from ZTO Cloud Warehouse Science and Technology Co., Ltd. and a delegation from Airports of Kyrgyzstan JSC. The discussions focused on on-site implementation and the use of intelligent logistics solutions to improve air cargo and customs operations. The meeting follows a Kyrgyz delegations trip to China earlier this month, which aimed to exchange experience in intelligent logistics and cross-border e-commerce. The bonded warehouse project is part of a joint initiative involving JSC State Customs Infrastructure, Airports of Kyrgyzstan, and Kyrgyz Post, aimed at creating a dedicated bonded zone at Manas International Airport. Officials said the visit signals that cooperation with ZTO Cloud Warehouse Science and Technology Co., Ltd. is entering a practical phase, with technical proposals now being considered for immediate application. The bonded warehouse is expected to strengthen Kyrgyzstans capacity in international trade, modernize airport logistics infrastructure, and support the development of e-commerce and cross-border cargo handling. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, November 22. Tajikistan and China discussed plans to expand economic, technological, and security cooperation, Trend reports via the Tajik president's office. The discussions were held during a meeting between President Emomali Rahmon and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Palace of the Nation in Ashgabat. The two sides highlighted the growth of bilateral trade, which surpassed $2 billion in the first ten months of 2025, and explored cooperation in strategic sectors including industry, transport, energy, and agriculture. Tajikistan articulated its strategic intent to amplify agricultural exports to China, as both nations engaged in dialogue regarding synergistic development in the realms of digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green technologies. Security coordination also featured in the talks, with plans for continued collaboration against terrorism, extremism, cybercrime, and drug trafficking. Educational and cultural exchanges were discussed, including expanding opportunities for Tajik students in Chinese universities. Additionally, the officials reviewed cooperation within regional frameworks, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Central AsiaChina format, and reaffirmed support for initiatives such as the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Representatives of Turkmen and Romanian companies discussed prospects for cooperation in transport and logistics at a meeting held on November 21 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan (CCIT), Trend reports via CCIT. The Romanian company FAN was represented by CEO Maria Staicu, who met with Turkmen enterprises Eminli Maslahat, Halkara Turkmen Logistik, Zehinli Yoldas, and Dowerbap Ulag Merkezi. These companies are active in the transport and logistics sector and maintain cooperation with European partners. The meeting also included members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. At the conclusion, both sides expressed confidence that the event would contribute to expanding bilateral cooperation in the sector. The transport and logistics partnership between Romania and Turkmenistan is formalized through several specific bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. Key to this cooperation is the development of the Caspian SeaBlack Sea International Transport Corridor project, initiated in 2012, which connects the ports of Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and Constanta (Romania), with transit through Azerbaijan and Georgia. The operational framework for this route is continually pushed forward by the Joint Turkmen-Romanian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and the Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, November 22. Officials in Kyrgyzstan and a KOICA delegation discussed the implementation of a grant project to establish an agroprocessing center in Zhany-Zher village, Sokuluk District, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture. The meeting brought together representatives of Kyrgyz Agroholding JSC, the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, and KOICA, led by the Deputy Director of its local office. The project, funded by KOICA grants with a total budget of $5-6 million, sets its sights on boosting the agricultural value chain, increasing farmers' incomes, and widening the export horizons of the region. During the meeting, participants reviewed preparatory steps, including land allocation, development of a feasibility study, and the project work schedule. The KOICA delegation highlighted that the center is expected to become a model facility for Kyrgyzstans agricultural sector, while officials emphasized its socioeconomic significance for the Chui Region. Both parties reached a consensus on collaborative initiatives and a synergistic framework to facilitate prompt and efficient execution of the project. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 22. Turkmenistan has suggested developing new trade formats with Tatarstan, including e-commerce, during a meeting of the joint Turkmen-Tatarstan working group on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation held in Ashgabat on November 20-21, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA. Maksat Kutlymyradov, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations at Turkmenistans Ministry of Finance and Economy, announced during the meeting that modern trade formats and interaction models are essential for driving economic integration between Turkmenistan and Tatarstan. Turkmenistans foreign trade turnover with Tatarstan in 2024 totaled around $40 million, with exports from Turkmenistan at $9.9 million and imports over $25 million. While overall trade decreased by 24 percent compared to 2023, Turkmen exports to Tatarstan grew more than sixfold, from $1.6 million to $9.9 million. Similar trends have been reported for the first half of 2025. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are taking another confident step toward becoming Central Asias main energy tandem. Against the backdrop of growing interest from global players, the two countries are increasingly relying on their own resources and on each other shaping the regional agenda in ways that best serve their interests. During President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs recent visit to Tashkent, bilateral energy cooperation received new momentum. One of the key outcomes of the visit was an agreement between KazMunayGas and Uzbekneftegaz, a document that effectively opens a new era of interaction between the two companies. This is not a one-off project but a comprehensive platform: joint geological exploration, technical data exchange, development of the oil and gas chemical industry, and the establishment of a unified information space. In essence, the two states are proposing to unite not only efforts, but also technologies, infrastructure and their long-term visions for the sector. Joint initiatives in the oil and gas sector create a foundation for major investment projects. The exchange of geological and technical data increases transparency, reduces risks, and paves the way for attracting significant capital to the industry. And board-level meetings between KMG and UNG are already focused on practical initiativesthis sends a clear signal to the market about the seriousness of their intentions, Uzbek expert Ranokhon Tursunova told Trend. These agreements open the door not only to joint drilling, but also to the construction of new processing facilities and entry into international markets with larger volumes of products. Kazakhstan brings infrastructure; Uzbekistan brings its rapidly developing petrochemical hubs. Together, they are forming an investment magnet the region has simply not had before. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also share common interests and ambitions in the gas sector. According to President Tokayev, the countries intend to further develop the RussiaKazakhstanUzbekistan project, which has already become an important element of the regional energy balance. The Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan gas project is delivering successful results. Together, we plan to increase the volume of gas transit. In addition, there are good prospects for expanding cooperation in the oil sector and the nuclear industry, Tokayev said at a press briefing in Tashkent. Gas cooperation is already producing tangible results. In the first seven months of 2025, Kazakhstan transited 921.7 million cubic meters of gas through Uzbekistan, and deliveries of Russian gas along this route are expected to rise to 11 billion cubic meters per year. Our partnership with Uzbekistan is strategic. Our countries are key elements of a unified energy architecture of Central Asia, noted Kazakhstans Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkhenzhenov. Electricity is another area where both countries act in sync. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed on supplies of nearly 900 million kWh of electricity in 2026. For Kazakhstan, this is a way to withstand peak winter loads; for Uzbekistan, it is an opportunity to manage its energy system more flexibly, especially during the commissioning of new solar, wind and gas power plants. This protocol reduces the risks of energy shortages, particularly during power plant maintenance and peak demand periods. It is a step toward creating a more predictable energy model for the region, explains Professor Tursunova. Water resources represent a separate level of cooperation. Amid climate fluctuations, falling reservoir levels in Kyrgyzstan, and pressure on the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are strengthening coordination of water flows. This is no longer merely technical work: energy, agriculture and regional security directly depend on coordinated water releases. In the green sector, the two countries are also moving in parallel. Kazakhstan aims to increase the share of renewables to 15 percent by 2030, while Uzbekistans target is 40 percent. Their participation in the Green Energy Corridor across the Caspian Sea together with Azerbaijan is becoming one of the key directions. The establishment of the joint venture Yasil Dhliz Birliyi on July 1, 2025, marked another practical step toward exporting clean energy to Europe. The regions largest hydropower initiative, the Kambarata HPP-1, which Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are ready to develop with support from the World Bank - also remains high on the agenda. This is a long-term contribution to the sustainability of the regional energy balance. Today, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are not merely developing separate projects, they are building the framework of Central Asias future energy system. Within this structure, oil, gas, water, electricity and green technologies become interconnected elements. And the more closely Astana and Tashkent align their cooperation, the more stable the entire region becomes. The two largest countries in Central Asia are not only strengthening their own positions but also shaping a new center of energy power, where decisions are made not outside the region, but within it. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian has signed a decree on implementing the law on the denomination of the country's currency (rial), Trend reports via the Iranian Presidential Administration. The Iranian President signed a decree on the implementation of the law of the Central Bank of Iran on the denomination of the currency (deletion of four zeros from the national currency), adopted by the Iranian Parliament on November 2 and approved by the Iranian Constitutional Council on November 5. To note, the law on the denomination of the currency in the Central Bank of Iran's (CBI) code notes that the current 10,000 rials will be equal to one rial and 100 girans. Since it's in parallel during the transition period, the Iranian currency will be called "rial" and "current rial". The process will continue in this form for a maximum of three years. The process of collecting banknotes and coins will be carried out. After the end of the mentioned three years, the Iranian currency will bear the name "rial". The CBI will take the necessary steps to initiate a transitional period for the entry into force of this law within two years. It will make an official announcement regarding the entry into force of the law. The regulations regarding the entry into force of this law shall be prepared by the CBI within three months. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. Exactly one year ago, on November 23, 2024, President Ilham Aliyevs Decree No. 235 transferred the responsibilities for energy production and transmission in Nakhchivan from the State Energy Service to Azerenergy OJSC, marking a pivotal moment in the regions energy transformation, Trend reports, citing Azerenergy. Over the past year, extensive measures have been implemented to upgrade and modernize Nakhchivans energy infrastructure. A novel corporate entity, Nakhchivan Energy LLC, has been instantiated, accompanied by the formulation of a contemporary organizational framework, resulting in the engagement of more than 400 local professionals. In addition, Azerenergy developed the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plan for Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 20252027 under the Electroenergetics Strategy of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Several substations critical to the regions energy supply, including the 110 kV Nakhchivan, 154/110/10 kV Babek, and 110/35/10 kV Cheshmebasar substations, are being reconstructed using modern engineering solutions and international safety standards. Significantly, the 110/35/10 kV Nakhchivan substation is poised to emerge as the autonomous republics inaugural enclosed facility, thereby markedly augmenting infrastructure security and optimizing operational oversight. Preparatory activities are currently reaching their culmination at the 132/110/35/10 kV Yeni Julfa substation. Digitalization of energy management is another priority. Construction of the administrative building for Nakhchivan Energy LLC, along with the Regional Digital Management and SCADA Center, is progressing rapidly. Substantial structural concrete operations have reached completion, and the implementation of steel reinforcement systems is currently in progress, with anticipated finalization by year-end. At the same time, the regions transmission network is getting a complete facelift. Overhead power lines dating back to the 1950s are being rebuilt in phases. Initial work includes a 69-kilometer dual-circuit 110 kV line connecting Julfa and Ordubad, with old poles replaced by modern anchors and intermediate supports, and new aerial lines installed with advanced insulation and protection systems. These projects go the extra mile, paving the way for the regions socio-economic growth. Nearly 200 residents have found employment on construction sites, while hundreds of engineers, technical personnel, and logistics experts are involved, creating both temporary and permanent job opportunities for Nakhchivan residents. Looking ahead, Azerenergy plans to build a 400/330/110/35/10 kV Converter substation (a converter station that converts electricity between Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC)), which will enable a dual-circuit 400 kV power transmission line from Nakhchivan to Turkiye and create a direct connection to European energy markets via the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe energy hub. Surveying and engineering works have also been carried out along the 100-kilometer and 67-kilometer stretches of the Jabrayil-Nakhchivan and Nakhchivan-Turkiye lines, respectively. In addition, a 5.2 km segment of the 110 kV "Nakhchivan-1," "Nakhchivan-2," "Nakhchivan-3," and "Sementzavod-2" overhead lines passing through populated areas will be replaced with underground cables, improving safety and providing a more organized, sustainable urban infrastructure. The designation of Nakhchivan as a Green Energy zone has added strategic significance to the ongoing projects. Currently, five hydroelectric, three solar, one wind, and one hybrid wind-solar station operate under Nakhchivan Energy LLC, with renewable sources accounting for roughly 50 percent of the regions electricity production. Azerenergys modernization and reconstruction initiatives are not only strengthening existing energy infrastructure but also setting the trajectory for Nakhchivans future development. These measures demonstrate the tangible results of President Ilham Aliyevs decree, signaling a new phase in the autonomous republics energy sector. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Cultural & Historical Significance Abdalrahman holds profound significance in Islamic culture as one of the most revered names combining 'Abd' (servant) with 'Al-Rahman' (The Most Merciful), one of Allah's 99 names. Historically, this name has been borne by prominent Islamic rulers and scholars, particularly during the Golden Age of Islam in Al-Andalus where Abd al-Rahman I and III established flourishing civilizations in Spain that became centers of learning, science, and culture. The name embodies the core Islamic principle of servitude to God's mercy and reflects the deep spiritual connection Muslims seek with the Divine attributes. Throughout Islamic history, bearers of this name have often been associated with leadership, scholarship, and cultural advancement, making it a name that carries both religious devotion and historical prestige. The name serves as a constant reminder of the Islamic values of compassion, mercy, and devotion to God, while also connecting modern bearers to a rich historical legacy of Islamic civilization. France multiplies oil imports from Azerbaijan in 9M2025 In JanuaryOctober 2025, Azerbaijan supplied 281,100 tons of crude oil and petroleum products to France, totaling $143.1 million. Compared to the same period last year, the export value grew by $86 million and the volume increased by 191,400 tons. Over the reporting period, France placed 12th among Azerbaijans largest oil importers. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing up to 800 million to support Edisons investment plan aimed at promoting Italys energy transition, Trend reports via the EIB. The funding will be structured through several loan agreements, with the first 200 million agreement signed today at Palazzo Edison during a meeting between EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and Edison CEO Nicola Monti. The financing will support Edisons development in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and public lighting. Thanks to the significant contribution of the projects to REPowerEU objectives, the EIB will cover up to 75% of project costs, exceeding the standard 50% threshold under its Energy Lending Policy. The investments align with Edisons strategy as a responsible operator and Italys national energy and climate plan. In 2023, Edison formalised its commitment to ensure 75% of its investments comply with the EU taxonomy by 2030. In 2024, over half of Edisons EBITDA came from renewables, flexibility instruments, customer solutions, and services. The favorable financial terms of the EIB loans, supported by the Banks AAA credit rating, will underpin Edisons sustainable growth and energy transition ambitions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 22. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Commerzbank have agreed on a new cooperation to support 1.2 billion of energy investments in Germany, Trend reports via the Bank. The program is designed to accelerate local energy projects, address pressing sector needs, and advance the countrys energy transition. This financing initiative marks the first in Europe under the Growth for Energy (G4E) initiative, which aims to facilitate local investment in clean energy. It will primarily back smaller municipal energy schemes, covering projects with total investments below 80 million. Under the agreement, the EIB will cover up to 50% of Commerzbanks risk exposure for loans to eligible municipal energy projects on a line-by-line basis. This risk-sharing mechanism allows Commerzbank to allocate less capital per loan, significantly increasing its lending capacity. As a result, financing can be distributed more quickly and widely to projects in electricity generation, district heating, and grid expansionmodernizing infrastructure, lowering energy costs, and supporting Germanys climate objectives. The G4E initiative targets investments at the local and regional levels, empowering municipal utilities to implement key projects that underpin the clean energy transition and strengthen regional economic resilience. By leveraging EIBs guarantee, Commerzbank can expand access to long-term finance for renewable electricity generation, grid reinforcement, and modern district heating systems. The partnership is expected to serve as a model for similar interventions across the EU. Over the last five years, the EIB has provided more than 5.5 billion for energy investments across Germany. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 22. Kazakhstan has been admitted to the Far East regional group of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Trend reports via the countrys Foreign Ministry. The ministry noted that joining the regional group is an important step toward restoring the sovereign equality of states within the IAEA, in line with the organizations Statute and Kazakhstans resolution GC(67)/RES/15 adopted by the IAEA General Conference on 29 September 2023. This also reaffirms Astanas commitment to supporting peace and global security, strengthening the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We highly appreciate member states efforts to restore sovereign equality in the IAEA and thank the countries of the Far East group for their support and trust, the ministry said. The decision grants Kazakhstan full participation in the IAEAs governing bodies. The Foreign Ministry said the country will contribute constructively to the development of peaceful nuclear energy, the responsible use of nuclear technologies, and the strengthening of international mechanisms of trust and transparency. The IAEA is an international organization established in 1957. It is part of the UN system and is responsible for promoting cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23. The 31st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) is scheduled to take place in Turkiye in November 2026, Trend reports. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced this during one of the sessions of the G20 summit in Johannesburg. According to Erdogan, the agreement with Australia to co-organize COP31 is especially significant given the current weakening of global consensus platforms. The president outlined Turkiyes plans for energy sector development, highlighting a strong focus on renewable energy sources. He stated that the countrys solar and wind power capacity is expected to quadruple by 2035. By 2025, the share of renewable energy in national electricity generation will surpass 60 percent. Erdogan also emphasized Turkiyes internationally recognized Zero Waste initiative, implemented with UN support. Earlier, it was reported that Turkiye and Australia had agreed to host COP31 in Antalya. The name Abraham carries expectations of strength, wisdom, and reliability. Those bearing this name are often perceived as natural leaders who combine traditional values with progressive visionmuch like the biblical Abraham who maintained ancient traditions while embarking on revolutionary spiritual journeys. Abrahams typically exhibit strong moral conviction and the courage to stand by their principles, even when facing opposition or uncertainty. They tend to be patient, deliberate decision-makers who consider long-term consequences rather than seeking immediate gratification. The paternal aspect of the name suggests individuals who naturally assume caretaking roles, whether in family, professional, or community contexts. At the same time, Abrahams often demonstrate adaptability and willingness to embrace new directions when convinced of their merit, reflecting the biblical Abraham's journey into unknown territory. They typically value knowledge, heritage, and meaningful relationships, often serving as bridges between different generations or cultural perspectives. While serious and responsible, many Abrahams also possess dry wit and the ability to find humor in life's complexities. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Watch: Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, berated publicly, is now Miss Universe Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, who has been publicly berated by the event organisers forcing her to walkout, has been crowned the new Miss Universe Friday November 21, 2025 [Image shared on X by Fatima Bosch via @fatimaboschfdz] Bangkok: Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, who has been publicly berated by the event organisers forcing her to walkout, has been crowned the new Miss Universe Friday November 21, 2025. With this ended one of the most scandalous pageant season held in Thailand. Controversies Surrounding Miss Universe 2025 The 25-year-old contestant had earlier in November walked out of a pageant event after an official publicly berated her in front of dozens of contestants and threatened to disqualify those who supported her, according to BBC. Fatima Bosch staged the dramatic walkout two weeks ago still in her evening gown and high heels, after she was publicly criticised by Miss Universe host Nawat Itsaragrisil. Nawat in a livestream of the session, singled out Miss Mexico and called her a dumbhead while arguing over her alleged failure to post required promotional content on social media. He has since denied using the word. Esto es por y para ustedes, MEXICO#MissUniverse VIVA MEXICO pic.twitter.com/cYXLce7bpn Fatima Bosch (@fatimaboschfdz) November 21, 2025 A beseeched Bosch left the room, flanked by Miss Iraq in a bejewelled, floor-length robe. What your director did is not respectful he called me dumb, Bosch told reporters. The world needs to see this because we are empowered women, and this is a platform for our voice. A week after, two judges resigned, with one of them accusing organisers of rigging the competition. Miss Universe 2025 Final Round The pageant saw Thailand's Praveenar Singh place second while the rest of the top five included Venezuela, the Philippines and Cote d'Ivoire. Winner: Mexico Mexico First runner up: Praveenar Singh, Thailand Praveenar Singh, Thailand Second runner up: Stephany Abasali, Venezuela Stephany Abasali, Venezuela Third runner up: Ahtisa Manalo, Philippines Ahtisa Manalo, Philippines Fourth runner up: Olivia Yace, Cote d'Ivoire Miss Universe India 2025, Manika Vishwakarma, represented India at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant. She advanced to the top 30 but didn't make it to the top 12. "A Star is Born" Congratulating Fatima Bosch, the Miss Universe 2025 organisers praised her grace, strength, and radiant spirit. "Congratulations to our new Miss Universe. Tonight, a star was born. Her grace, strength, and radiant spirit captured the hearts of the world, and we couldnt be more thrilled to welcome her as our new queen. The universe shines a little brighter with her leading the way," wrote the Miss Universe Org in a tweet. The Miss Universe Organization has not officially revealed the Prize Money for this years winner. However, reports indicate it is expected to be around $250,000 the same amount awarded to the 2024 titleholder, Victoria Kjr. The winner also receives a monthly stipend of $50,000 to cover travel, appearances and other brand-related commitments. But the perks extend well beyond the Miss Universe Prize Money. The winner is given a luxurious residence in the heart of New York City, one of the worlds most expensive destinations. She also gets to wear the Miss Universe Crown, valued at about $5 million. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Is Trump Fascist, Mamdani is asked as POTUS watches. This happened next New York Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani called on U.S. President Donald Trump Friday at the Oval Office in White House, and some funny moments of the meeting between the two have set social media on fire Washington: New York Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani called on U.S. President Donald Trump Friday at the Oval Office in White House, and some funny moments of the meeting between the two have set social media on fire. In one of such moments captured on camera, a reporter asked Zohran Mamdani if he affirmed Donald Trump was a fascist. Mamdani, standing in the Oval Office next to Donald Trump, tried to answer the question. Trump, however, stopped him and said no need to explain. Just say YES, and its easier. Viral Video Funniest. President. EVER! REPORTER TO ZOHRAN MAMDANI: "Are you affirming you think President Trump is a FASCIST?" MAMDANI: "I've-" PRESIDENT TRUMP: "-that's OK. You can just say YES. It's easier than explaining it, I don't mind." Pats Mamdani on the back* OMGpic.twitter.com/vBnM9dMi8k Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 21, 2025 Trump and Zohran Mamdani were at the loggerhead during the New York City Mayor Election campaign. Their rivalry, if it was indeed a rivalry, was so bitter that at one point Trump even threatened to stop grants for New York if Zohran Mamdani was elected. Trump also called Zohran Mamdani 100% Communist Lunatic. Despite all the hue and cry, Zohran Mamdani registered a thumping victory and will be the new Mayor of the New York City. Key takeaways from Trump, Mamdani meeting U.S. President Donald Trump hosted New York Mayor Elect at the Oval Office, White House Friday November 21, 2025. Interestingly, talking to reporters, Trump said he and Mamdani are on the same page on a number of issues. We agree on a lot more than I would have thought, Trump said, his occasional scowl replaced with a wide smile as he praised Mamdani, referred to him as Mr. Mayor, according to Reuters. Some of his ideas are the same ideas I have, said Trump, who opined that some of his supporters voted for Mamdani. The reporters present to cover the meeting were also surprised. If there's one thing to take away from today's meeting between Trump and Mamdani, it's that the pair were unexpectedly friendly, almost buddy-buddy, with each other, BBC reporter at the White House said. After meeting Zohran Mamdani, Trump, who is also a New Yorker, said the two discussed on a number of issues, including illegal immigration and promised to provide all help to Mamdani to make New York Great. I expect to be helping him, not hurting him... because I want NYC to be great. Look, I love NYC. That's where I come from, Trump said. Talking to reporters after meeting Trump, Mamdani reiterated that the US is funding Israels genocide. In reply to a question that he was accusing that the US was funding Israeli genocide in Gaza while Trump was working on peace, Mamdani said, Ive spoken about the Israeli government committing genocide and Ive spoken about our government funding it. And, I shared with the President in our meeting about the concerns that many New Yorkers have of wanting their tax dollars to go towards the benefits of New Yorkers and their ability to afford basic dignity, he said. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Individuals named Adalwine are typically perceived as possessing a natural nobility and dignity in their character. They tend to be loyal, dependable friends who value deep, meaningful relationships over casual acquaintances. Their 'noble friend' essence often manifests as protective instincts toward those they care about, combined with a strong sense of honor and responsibility. They are usually seen as pillars of their communitiesreliable, principled, and committed to their values. Adalwines often exhibit leadership qualities tempered by empathy and consideration for others. They tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who weigh consequences carefully and maintain their composure under pressure. While they can be traditional in their approach to life, they're also known for their steadfastness and ability to form lasting bonds. Their combination of aristocratic bearing and genuine friendship makes them both respected and beloved figures in their social circles, often serving as mediators or trusted advisors. Individuals named Adelbert are typically perceived as intelligent, principled, and possessing natural leadership qualities. The name's noble connotations often translate to expectations of dignity, strong moral character, and a sense of responsibility. Adelberts are thought to be analytical thinkers with a bright, insightful naturetrue to the name's meaning of 'noble and bright.' They often exhibit a balanced combination of traditional values and intellectual curiosity, making them respected figures in their communities. These individuals tend to be methodical in their approach to problems and demonstrate reliability in both personal and professional relationships. The historical weight of the name may also influence bearers to develop a strong sense of identity and purpose, often driving them toward achievements that benefit others or contribute to knowledge and culture. While some might perceive Adelberts as somewhat formal or reserved initially, they typically reveal warmth and loyalty to those who know them well, embodying the ideal of noble character combined with intellectual depth. Troubled Liverpool's woeful season hit a new low with a shocking 3-0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest, while Newcastle dented Manchester City's Premier League title challenge as Harvey Barnes' brace sealed a controversial 2-1 victory on Saturday. The spluttering champions fell behind in the 33rd minute when Murillo's fierce strike punished their failure to deal with Elliot Anderson's corner. Reds boss Arne Slot was fuming that the goal was allowed despite Forest's Dan Ndoye appearing to obstruct Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker -- an offence that led Virgil van Dijk's equaliser to be disallowed in the 3-0 loss at Manchester City before the international break. Sean Dyche's side doubled their lead after 46 minutes when Nicolo Savona slotted home from Neco Williams' cut-back. With Liverpool's defence in disarray, Morgan Gibbs-White scored Forest's third from the rebound after Omari Hutchinson's shot was saved in the 78th minute. Beaten by Forest at Anfield for a second successive season, Liverpool have lost eight of their last 11 games in all competitions, including six of their last seven in the top flight. It is the first time Liverpool have lost consecutive league games by a three-goal margin since 1965. Once again Liverpool were devoid of inspiration and energy in another lethargic display that left them languishing in 11th place, eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Liverpool's stunning decline comes after a summer spending spree of over 400 million ($523 million). Alexander Isak was hauled off in the second half of his fourth league start for Liverpool following a British record move from Newcastle that has failed to live up to the hype. Sweden striker Isak has yet to score for the Reds in the top flight. "Another big disappointment. We started off quite well but we conceded the 1-0 and weren't able to play the way we did in the first half hour," Slot said. "If things go well or things go bad, it's my responsibility. We weren't able to create enough. I tried to adjust a few things, but it didn't work out. We are in a very bad spell." - Man City rocked - At St James' Park, Manchester City trailed to Barnes' 63rd-minute drive from the edge of the area before Ruben Dias equalised with a deflected strike five minutes later. Two minutes after Dias levelled, Barnes bagged Newcastle's contentious second goal with a fierce volley, which was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR check for a potential offside against Bruno Guimaraes, whose header had cannoned back off the bar. Guardiola was also aggrieved over a rejected first-half penalty claim by Phil Foden. City's fourth league defeat this season left them in third place, four points behind Arsenal, who host Tottenham on Sunday. Guardiola stormed onto the pitch at full-time to confront referee Sam Barrott, but later insisted "everything is fine" when asked about the incident. "It happened in the Bournemouth game and it happened today again. It is what it is after VAR decided. They know perfectly," he said of Newcastle's second goal. "It was entertaining game, we both had chances and then there was a momentum shift and ultimately we couldn't win." Chelsea moved up to second place with a 2-0 win at Burnley. Pedro Neto's diving header put Chelsea ahead just before the interval and Enzo Fernandez netted in the closing stages. Enzo Maresca's side, who sit three points behind Arsenal, have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, making it a memorable 50th Premier League game in charge for the Italian. It was the ideal warm-up for Chelsea ahead of a crucial week featuring home games against Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Arsenal in the Premier League on November 30. New Wolves manager Rob Edwards suffered a 2-0 debut defeat against fourth-placed Crystal Palace at Molineux. Brighton came from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1 at the Amex Stadium. Raul Jimenez's 84th-minute goal gave Fulham a 1-0 victory against Sunderland at Craven Cottage. West Ham blew a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth. smg/ea Cultural & Historical Significance The name Adolf has undergone one of the most dramatic cultural transformations in modern naming history. Originally derived from Old High German 'Adalwulf', meaning 'noble wolf', it was a respected name among Germanic peoples and European royalty for centuries, symbolizing strength, leadership, and nobility. Many European monarchs and aristocrats bore this name, including several Swedish kings and German nobles, reflecting its prestigious status in pre-20th century Europe. The name's cultural significance was irrevocably altered following World War II due to its association with Adolf Hitler. Since the 1940s, the name has become almost exclusively associated with the Nazi regime and the atrocities committed during that period. This association has led to the name being largely abandoned in German-speaking countries and much of the Western world, making it one of the most stigmatized names in modern history. The cultural legacy of the name now serves as a powerful example of how historical events can permanently transform the perception and usage of personal names. Individuals named Agamemnon are typically perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities, ambition, and strategic thinking. They often exhibit natural authority and the ability to command respect, much like their mythological namesake who united the Greek city-states against Troy. These individuals tend to be decisive, goal-oriented, and willing to make difficult choices for what they perceive as the greater good, though they may sometimes struggle with balancing personal desires against collective responsibilities. However, the name also carries connotations of potential flaws that mirror the mythological character's complexities. There may be tendencies toward stubbornness, pride, or occasional inflexibility when challenged. The weight of such a historically significant name might inspire either exceptional leadership or an overwhelming sense of expectation. Those bearing this name often develop a strong sense of duty and responsibility, but must guard against the hubris that famously plagued their namesake in Greek tragedy. Spectators in shock after witnessing tragic circus accident near Naples. A motorcyclist stuntman died after a daring stunt went wrong during a circus show, in front of a shocked audience, at a town near Naples in southern Italy on Friday evening. The fatal incident occurred while three professional motorcyclists were riding inside a steel sphere, part of the 'Globe of Death' acrobatic performance staged by the Imperial Royal Circus at Sant'Anastasia, located about 13 km northeast of Naples. The three men - a 26-year-old Chilean, a 43-year-old Mexican and a Colombian of the same age - performed the hypnotic show in darkness, illuminated only the LED lights on their costumes. According to an initial reconstruction of events, the Chilean motorcyclist lost control and fell suddenly into the centre of the cage. The other two tried to avoid him by slowing down, but the space was too cramped and they collided in a violent impact that stopped the show. When the lights came back on, the situation was already dire, newspaper Corriere della Sera reports, and the 26-year-old Chilean died moments later. The Mexican stuntman was rushed to the Ospedale del Mare hospital in critical condition while the Colombian motorcyclist was relatively unharmed. The tragic accident occurred in front of spectators, many of whom were children, with many people filming the performance on their cell phones. In one of the videos circulating on social media, the circus announcer - likely unaware of the gravity of the situation - can be heard saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, these things happen. It's a live show." Police have been collecting amateur video footage recorded by circusgoers as part of their investigation into the dynamics of the incident which was described by the town's mayor Domenico Esposito as "devastating". "I know that many children were present, who witnessed this tragedy" - Esposito said - "We join in the grief of the families affected by this tragic event". Carabinieri police said on Friday night that they did not immediately release the names of those involved because their relatives are living abroad and were still unaware of the tragedy. The Imperial Royal Circus, a historic company run by the Dell'Acqua family since the early 1900s, has suspended its performances. Photo Il Gazzettino Dr Morgan McMonagle, a trauma surgeon at UHW, gave a talk at SETU last week about his recent trip to Gaza where he worked in a tent hospital. The event was part of Science Week at SETU. He began his presentation with a brief history of trauma medicine apparently the first fatality from a car accident happened in Ireland as well as his own journey. Dr McMonagle worked in Australia, Birmingham (where he operated on soldiers who were injured in the Iraq war), and Philadelphia (in the hospital where he worked, there was an average of six to eight gunshot wounds per night). He was on duty during the 2017 London terrorist attacks, and also when a block of London apartments went on fire. There has been a 20% increase in global conflict in the last five years. He also worked in Ukraine six months after the war started. As you can probably tell, he is not a man phased by much. But when describing his experience of being a trauma surgeon in Gaza, it was clear that it was an entirely different level. Dr McMonagle said that he could hear constant drones all the time, it could drive you mad, but its the drones you dont hear that you need to worry about. The camera doesnt do justice. The devastation in Gaza is impossible to get across. Just how awful the situation is, it is horrific. The building the doctors were supposed to be staying in had been bombed the day before they arrived, due to an error. Bombs went off every single night. If the windows rattled, that was fine, but if the whole wall rattled, it meant they were quite close. At one stage during the talk, Dr McMonagle went slightly off topic and started talking about what an amazing engineering feat the Apache helicopter was. He spoke about how accurate the attack of the aircraft could be, originally intended to save citizens' lives, because soldiers could be so precise with who they were targeting. I was slightly bewildered as to why he would praise military equipment after all he's seen. But it quickly became clear that it was a kind of gallows irony. He told us about Malik, a 13-year-old girl, the last person he operated on before he left last March. She had been running from an Apache helicopter with her family. Her two younger siblings, who were four and five, were killed. She was shot in her arms and legs. "The world's most sophisticated machine has managed to hit the target in four different spots without any fatal injury. You have to know what you're doing to be able to do that," he said. Dr McMonagle does not know if Malik is still alive, but if she is, she only has one limb. There are only five pediatric ventilators in the Gaza Strip. Israel wont allow ventilators in. They said it can be reshaped into an explosive device. You can make any arbitrary excuse you want. Dr McMonagle knows of nine children who have died of hypothermia. It's impossible for parents to keep their children warm in tents. Theres no heating, theres no sanitation, theres no running water, theres no sewage [treatment], theres no garbage collection. And so the horror stories continued. Dr McMonagle told the audience about how the Israeli forces took over the newest wing of Nassar hospital for a few weeks and when they were finished, they burnt the entire wing down, just because they can. He told us that after the hospital had been bombed, dead bodies were in the courtyard. Nobody could go out to save them or to help them or to give them a proper burial". It was so common that you would have one surviving child and nobody else. He said he treated, "Five-year-old children with shrapnel in their brains, livers, legs." What you can see is a nation of severely disabled children. The first time I went over, I saw a lot of child amputees, but when I went back, I saw none. They cant go outside. There are no more wheelchairs or prostheses and all the roads are destroyed. At the end of the talk, the audience gave Dr McMonagle a standing ovation, which Eoin Gill from Calmast said had never happened at a Science Week event at the college before. Mr. Gill also encouraged the audience to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians, the charity that organised for Dr McMonagle to go to Gaza. You can donate through this link. Three vacant Garda barracks located in Kill, Lemybrien and Rathgormack are unable to be renovated because theyre still classed as operational Garda facilities. Fine Gael Councillor Liam Brazil raised the issue in a Comeragh district council meeting, claiming the three sites have sat vacant for decades. Waterford City and County Councils Director of Services for Housing, Seamus De Faoite, received correspondence from the OPW outlining their inability to develop because of the operational status of the facilities. Reading from an OPW statement, Mr. De Faoite said: As An Gardai Siochana have not advised the OPW that any of these properties are surplus to requirements, the OPW is not in a position to plan for the conversion or reuse of the properties listed. He said hed communicate with An Gardai Siochana to examine the path forward into developing the vacant properties. Theres an old barracks in Lemybrien, its a fine two-storey building. Its been lying idle for the past 15 years, Cllr. Brazil told the Waterford News & Star. The OPW had previously completed works in the Lemybrien Garda Station in 2022, repainting the exterior. No further work has been carried out since. Cllr. Brazil said no indication was given by the OPW on why they had discontinued the work, branding it a scandal. An Gardai Siochana had not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing. A response received by the Waterford News & Star from the OPW stated: "An Garda Siochana (AGS) has not advised OPW that the garda stations at Kill, Lemybrien and Rathgormack are surplus to requirements and therefore remain under the management of AGS. Until advised by AGS that these properties are surplus to requirements, the OPW is not in a position to plan for their future use." Cllr Brazil said: I hope something could be done with them, not lying idleTheyre costing the state money, where we could have people inside them. We need everyone pulling together, the real problem is every department is doing their own thing and theres no one doing fecking nothing behind it all. Cllr. Brazil said developing the vacant properties were a simple means to easing housing demand. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme David Raleigh A young woman was fighting for her life in a Cork hospital after she was struck by a truck and seriously injured at a road in Limerick, Saturday. The 19-year-old student was struck by the truck at a pedestrian crossing on the R463, at Corbally Road, around 12.30 pm. The injured teen was initially taken from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick. She was later transferred to Cork University Hospital with serious head injuries. Cork is recognised as having a major trauma centre and neurosurgery unit that provides treatment for patients requiring emergency head trauma support. A statement released by the gardai appealed for witnesses and road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and who were travelling on the Corbally Road in Limerick city between 11:45am and 12:45pm, 22nd November 2025. Gardai asked that dash cam footage or any other type of video footage be sent to investigating Gardai. Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the collision involving a truck and a pedestrian on the Corbally Road that occurred shortly before 12:30pm, the Garda statement read. The female pedestrian was brought to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of serious injuries. No other injuries were reported. The driver of the truck was treated at the scene for shock. Gardai closed the road to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination of the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Advertisement PoliticsNSWWater safety Australia has an $8 billion public pool problem. Is this the solution? Julie Power November 22, 2025 6:30am 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 About 40 per cent of Australias ageing public swimming pools will be obsolete by 2030; a looming crisis compounded by climate change, increased demand and a rising drowning rate. The cost to replace them? Eight billion dollars, including $2.7 billion in NSW and $3 billion in Victoria and that doesnt include the cost of building entirely new pools as the population grows. Thats scary, Royal Life Saving NSW chief Michael Ilinsky told a meeting at NSW Parliament House on Friday, where he pitched modular prefabricated pools as a potential solution to cut costs. It could cost as much as $8 billion to upgrade Australias ageing public pools. Janie Barrett Inspired by the NSW governments pattern book of designs to fast-track low to medium density housing, the 130-year-old organisation has worked with global architects Cox Architecture on a pattern book of modular designs called the Future of Swimming Pools. Advertisement The average 25-metre pool with change sheds costs about $10 million. A report on aquatic infrastructure by Royal Life Saving Australia found that price was beyond the reach of a third of local governments, particularly those in less affluent areas where new facilities were needed most. The average public pool is nearly 60 years old, and many facilities are energy-inefficient, costly to maintain, or no longer meet community needs. Related Article Water safety The charts that show how we died in the worst year on record for drowning Cox Architecture director Alastair Richardson said, in contrast, a modular pool, developed offsite, could be delivered in about eight months and would cost about $5.5 million. Councils would be able to choose the length of pool (50 or 25 metres), the number of lanes (five to eight), pool depth (suitable for learn to swim, competition or recreation), and the types of on-site amenities, such as cafes, gyms and offices. The modular design meant councils could add elements later to suit their needs and budgets. In future, a council could even put a roof over its pool, for instance. Advertisement Richardson said the practice had successfully used modular construction for student housing and build-to-rent projects in Sydney of up to 40 storeys. Modularisation allowed us to do multiples, which brings the cost down, he said. It allows us to create solutions that can be transported around the country. So were not necessarily dependent on local trades So it really creates a whole bunch of opportunities. Were finding that the unit cost of modular housing is achieving savings of between 10 per cent to 30 per cent, and it gets higher and higher as we go beyond the pilot process. An artists impression of an aquatic centre designed using a pattern book approach. Cox Architecture Across Australia, prefabricated and modular pools have been used in remote communities and on other sites, but they are yet to be rolled out at a larger scale. Advertisement Roy Butler, the member for NSWs largest electorate, Barwon in the states north-west, said all five councils in Barwon had pools. Many, like Walgetts, needed replacing, but councils could only afford to patch them up. Getting tradies in the far west was also difficult. Having it off site and brought in ... makes this faster, easier and cheaper as well, Butler said. Cox Architecture, with Royal Life Saving NSW, is proposing a pattern book of pools for use by local governments to reduce costs and increase speed of delivery. Cox Architecture Ilinsky said, in the lead-up to the state election, Royal Life Saving NSW would seek state government support for a trial of the modular plan for pool construction. We are imagining a future where aquatic facilities can be delivered faster, smarter and more affordably than ever before without sacrificing quality, safety or community value, he said. Advertisement RJ Houston, Royal Life Saving Australias national general manager for capability and industry, said the cycle of disadvantage was entrenched when it came to pool access. The councils that most needed new facilities often didnt have funds even to develop a plan, he said. All the grants are tied to shovel-ready projects, those in which council has a feasibility and master plan, that have already detailed designs and are just waiting for funding, Houston said. He advocates funding initial planning grants, followed by construction grants. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A cliche about Japan is its obsession with perfection and Tokyo in high summer truly perfects the urban heat island effect, as 2200 square kilometres of concrete, asphalt and glass reflect and absorb the rays of a searing sun. One way to beat the heat is to do as the locals do and head for the hills or in this case, to Kamikochi in Honshus Hida Mountains, about 250 kilometres west of Tokyo. Officially designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, Kamikochi the place where the gods descend is one of Japans natural jewels, an outdoors wonderland that draws comparisons to Californias famed Yosemite, in that its a glacial valley with a relatively flat floor (about 1500 metres above sea level) surrounded by majestic, rocky peaks. Domestic visitors flock here in autumn to see the blaze of red, orange and yellow as the trees on the lower slopes change colour, and during the summer green season to enjoy the cool mountain air and escape the wilting heat of Japans megalopolises. Kappa Bridge in Kamikochi. iStock Japans spectacular Hotaka mountain range. iStock My wife and I do the same, leaving behind a 35-degree urban oven after catching the limited express Azusa train from Tokyos Shinjuku station. Advertisement Less than three hours later, we arrive in Matsumoto, a charming regional city with a beautifully preserved 16th-century castle, delicious soba noodles and a modern art museum featuring the work of Yayoi Dot Lady Kusama, who grew up here. After an overnight stay, we pick up our hire car for the one-hour drive to Kamikochi. Theres only one narrow road into the valley, which park authorities wisely decided to close to private vehicles in 1975, so we park at nearby Sawando bus terminal and catch one of the shuttles that depart for Kamikochi roughly every half hour. Art in Matsumoto. iStock Thirty minutes later, when our bus emerges from the Kama Tunnel, the valley of Kamikochi reveals itself. Taking in the greens of the lower mountains transitioning to the grey and brown of sheer mountain faces, the blue skies, the puffy white clouds, all reflecting off Taisho Pond theres something of a Shangri-La, hidden valley vibe to the place. Or there would be, if not for the hundreds of tourists milling about as we pull into the bus terminal with its attendant information centre, souvenir stores and cafeteria. Things are just as hectic at nearby Kappa Bridge, which spans the opal-blue waters of the Asuza River. Day trippers queue for the obligatory selfie, with the soaring 3190-metre peak of Hotakadake Japans third-highest mountain as a backdrop. Hikers on a ridgetop. iStock Advertisement But weve done our research and have a plan to escape the crowds. Kamikochi features a network of wide, easy-to-amble trails along the valley floor, as well as more challenging tracks that lead to the higher peaks, nestled within which is a network of mountain huts and lodges. By climbing higher up the valley, the crowds should thin out, and well find a bit more of that natural solitude were seeking. So we set off on the five-hour, 12.5-kilometre hike to Yarisawa Lodge, our destination for the night. We follow the Asuza River through lush, sun-dappled forests and past moss-covered rocks, bright orange fungi and stately trees that make us feel as if were walking through a Studio Ghibli anime come to life. Passing Tokusawa Lodge, we come across a troupe of nonchalant Japanese macaques (aka snow monkeys) on the path, but there is no sign of the black bears that supposedly also call the valley home. When we stop for a rest at Yokoo Sanso Lodge, about 10 kilometres from Kappa Bridge, many of our fellow hikers peel off across a bridge and head up the trails leading to the popular Karasawa Cirque. We carry on north, and our path narrows into a single track winding up through the verdant forest. A macaque, or snow monkey, in Kamikochi. iStock From time to time, our progress is slowed by clusters of hardy pensioners, plodding along at their own pace, or groups of high school students getting an outdoor education beneath their enormous packs. With all that gear, they must be camping out. We, on the other hand, have opted to travel light and stay in the relative luxury of Yarisawa Lodge, which includes three square meals and bedding. Weve left most of our luggage in the hire car and distilled the necessities we need for our overnight stay snacks, water, rain gear into two small daypacks. Advertisement We chose Yarisawa because it is one of the few mountain huts in Kamikochi that you can book ahead online. Most can only be booked via telephone, which would have been a stretch given our utter lack of Japanese. Having said that, there is plenty of spare room when we arrive just after 5pm. By Japanese hiking standards, thats late the dinner service has already started, and we, the only gaijin (foreign) guests, are the last to arrive. We dump our gear and head to the dining room for a filling meal of karaage chicken, rice, pumpkin, miso soup, salad and a cold Asahi beer from the vending machine in the foyer. Yarisawa is more of a lodge than a simple hut, and this is the case with most of the high mountain accommodation in Japan. The layout over two floors is simple and spartan it can sleep up to 150 people on tatami mats, and there are even basic bathing facilities to hot-soak away the strain of the day. Fed, watered and washed, we exchange pleasantries in broken Japlish with our roommates, a thirty-something couple from Kanazawa, and hit the futons just before lights-out at 8pm. Why so early? Because our hot breakfast will be served at the ungodly hour of 5am. (No wonder Japan is known as the land of the rising sun.) After breakfast, most of our fellow guests continue up the trail for the four-hour climb to Yarigatake. At 3180 metres, its Japans fifth-highest mountain, famed for its spear-like tip thrusting to the sky like a north Asian Matterhorn. There are two large huts near the base of the peak, and if we had the time (and lets be honest, the energy) it would be a tempting proposition to climb. The spectacular Yarigatake, or Mount Yari. iStock Instead, we retrace our steps along the river valley back to Yokoo Sanso, where we take a 40-minute side trip to Yarimidai lookout, midway up Mount Chogotake. Here, we take in the views of Yarigatake and the Hotakadake range, and eat a tasty lunch prepared by the cooks back at Yarisawa Lodge rice, egg, lotus root and fish, all neatly wrapped up in bamboo bark. Advertisement By the time we rejoin the trail to Kappa Bridge and the bus terminal, the mornings humidity turns into a barely perceptible smattering of precipitation. At these first atoms of moisture, other wayfarers immediately pull over and hurriedly don snazzy rainwear and stretch elasticated, waterproof covers over their packs. Related Article Japan More than a photo op: Making the most of Fuji (without breaking a sweat) Japanese hikers tend to be gear junkies its not uncommon to see them wearing climbing helmets and knee-high gaiters on the most benign lower trails, as well as the ubiquitous small bells to warn off bears so I put this down to the need to indulge in some trekker cosplay to justify the expense of all that fancy kit. I continue smugly apace, enjoying the gentle pock-pock-pock of drizzle on my hat until the heavens open up, the rain streams down, and I scramble for my jacket and the pack cover that is buried somewhere in the depths of my rucksack. Oh, well. We came here to escape the city heat, and getting soaked in a sudden mountain rainstorm is a perfect way to tick that box. The details Train + bus The limited express Azusa train service departs regularly for Matsumoto from Tokyos Shinjuku station. Seats for the 2-hour journey start from 6620 ($66) and must be reserved beforehand. Make sure you pick up a beautifully wrapped ekiben railway bento box for the trip from one of the many stalls in Shinjuku station. See jreast.co.jp From Matsumoto, Kamikochi is about an hour by hire car, or 90 minutes by local train and bus. Advertisement Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Marjorie Taylor Greene to quit US Congress after fallout with Trump Michelle L. Price , Lisa Mascaro and Jeff Amy Updated November 22, 2025 10:45am ,first published November 22, 2025 9:41am 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: Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a loyal supporter-turned-critic of US President Donald Trump who faced his political retribution if she sought re-election, said she is resigning from Congress. In a 10-minute video posted online on Saturday (AEDT), Greene said she didnt want her sweet congressional district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better, she said. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Bloomberg Trump said Greenes announcement that she was quitting was great news for the country, Americas ABC News reported. Advertisement I think its great news for the country. Its great, ABC News quoted Trump as saying in an interview. Nah, it doesnt matter, you know but I think its great. I think she should be happy, Trump said when asked if Greene had given him a heads-up. Greenes resignation followed a recent public fallout with the US president, as the congresswoman criticised the presidents foreign policy focus and his reluctance to release more documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. View post on X Trump branded her a traitor and wacky and said he would endorse a challenger against her when she ran for re-election next year. Advertisement Greene said her last day would be January 5, 2026. Her resignation will narrow the Republican majority in the House to 218 members over the Democrats 213. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Related Article Trump's America Dont be stupid: How Trump is losing his grip on MAGA The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Conservative influencer Laura Loomer said Greenes departure from Congress would hamper Trumps agenda ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. She wants the Democrats to win, Loomer said on the social platform X. Greene was one of the most vocal and visible supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again politics, and she embraced some of his unapologetic political style. Advertisement Her break with him was a notable fissure in his grip over conservatives, particularly his most ardent base. But her decision to step down in the face of his opposition put her on the same track as many of the more moderate establishment Republicans before her who went crosswise with Trump. The congresswoman, who recorded the video announcing her resignation while sitting in her living room wearing a cross necklace and with a Christmas tree and a peace lily plant behind her, said, My life is filled with happiness, and my true convictions remain unchanged, because my self-worth is not defined by a man, but instead by God. Loading Greene had been closely tied to the Republican president since she launched her political career in 2020. In her video, she underscored her longtime loyalty to Trump except on a few issues, and said it was unfair and wrong that he attacked her for disagreeing. Advertisement Loyalty should be a two-way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our districts interest, because our job title is literally representative, she said. Greene swept to office at the forefront of Trumps MAGA movement and swiftly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill for her often beyond-mainstream views. In her video, Greene said she had always been despised in Washington and just never fit in. Greene speaking ahead of then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at a campaign event in Atlanta in late 2024. AP As she embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and appeared with white supremacists, Greene was opposed by party leaders but welcomed by Trump. He called her a real WINNER! Yet over time she proved a deft legislator, having aligned herself with then-Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, who would go on to become House speaker. She was a trusted voice on the right flank, until McCarthy was ousted in 2023. Advertisement While there has been an onslaught of lawmakers from both parties heading for the exits ahead of next years midterm elections, as the House struggles through an often chaotic session, Greenes announced retirement will ripple throughout the ranks and raise questions about her next moves. She was first elected to the House in 2020. She initially planned to run in a competitive district in northern Atlantas suburbs, but relocated to the much more conservative 14th District in Georgias northwest corner. Greene at a rally with Trump in 2021. AP The opening in her district means Republican Governor Brian Kemp will have to set a special election date within 10 days of Greenes resignation. Such a special election would include party primaries and a general election to fill out the remainder of Greenes term through January 2027. Those elections could take place before the party primaries in May for the next two-year term. Even before her election, Greene showed a penchant for harsh rhetoric and conspiracy theories, suggesting a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas was a coordinated attack to spur support for new gun restrictions. In 2018, she endorsed the idea that the US government perpetrated the attacks on September 11, 2001, and mused that a so-called plane had hit the Pentagon. Advertisement She was once a sympathiser with QAnon, an online network that believes a global cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals, including US government leaders, operates a child sex-trafficking ring. She eventually distanced herself, saying she got sucked into some of the things I had seen on the internet. When Trump was out of power between his first and second terms, Greene was often a surrogate for his views and brash style in Washington. Greene before Trump addressed a joint session of Congress in March. AP While then-president Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address in 2022, Greene stood up and began chanting build the wall, referring to the U.S.-Mexico border wall that Trump began in his first term. Last year, when Biden gave his last State of the Union address, Greene again drew attention as she confronted him over border security and the killing of a nursing student from Georgia by an immigrant in the country illegally. Advertisement Greene, wearing a red MAGA hat and a T-shirt about Riley, handed the president a button that said Say Her Name. The congresswoman then shouted that at the president midway through his speech. But this year, her first serving with Trump in the White House, cracks began to appear slowly in her steadfast support before it broke wide open. Greenes discontent dates back at least to May, when she announced she wouldnt run for the Senate against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, while attacking Republican donors and consultants who feared she couldnt win. Greene took the side of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, much to the chagrin of Trump. AP Greenes restlessness only intensified in July, when she announced she wouldnt run for Georgia governor, either. Advertisement She was also frustrated with the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, which worked in lockstep with the president. Greene said in her video that the legislature has been mostly sidelined since Republicans took unified control of Washington in January and her bills just sit collecting dust. Thats how it is for most members of Congress bills, she said. The speaker never brings them to the floor for a vote. Republicans will likely lose the midterms elections next year, Greene said, and then shed be expected to defend the president against impeachment after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me. Its all so absurd and completely unserious, she said. Advertisement AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaAnimal attacks So close he felt its fur: Grizzly bear mauls schoolchildren in Canada Maiya Keidan November 22, 2025 8:46am 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 Toronto: A grizzly bear attacked a group of primary school students on a walking trail in Canada, seriously injuring three children and a teacher. The attack happened in the town of Bella Coola about 700 kilometres northwest of Vancouver on the central coast of the western province of British Columbia. Students and teachers were walking along a trail when a grizzly bear burst out of the forest and attacked them. Alamy Officers were still searching for the animal on Saturday (AEDT), and residents had been told to remain indoors until further notice. The group of about 20 students and teachers had stopped along a trail near the river when the grizzly burst out of the forest and attacked, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) said. Advertisement Several teachers intervened, using bear spray and a bear banger a loud, exploding device used to deter wildlife to drive the bear away. Parent Veronica Schooner said her 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was among the children from the years 4-5 class who were attacked while they were on a walk. Teachers tried desperately to drive the grizzly away from the pupils. Eleven people were hurt. ABC America/Mike James He was so close to the animal he even felt its fur, she said. He was running for his life, she told The Canadian Press. He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else. Advertisement Schooner said a lot of people tried to halt the attack but one male teacher got the whole brunt of it and was among the people taken by helicopter from the scene. She said some children were hit with bear spray as the teachers fought off the bear. I want to thank the teachers for their heroism, B.C. Premier David Eby said at a press conference on Friday. I want to send my heart out to the parents and kids and loved ones and everyone who has been injured and is in hospital right now, and I hope for their quick recovery. Advertisement Schooner said Alvarez was limping and that his shoes were muddy from running for safety. While her son was traumatised, she said his thoughts were with his classmates. He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends, she said. Loading Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to four patients and took them to hospital, the Provincial Health Services Authority told Reuters by email. Two patients were in a critical condition and two in a serious condition. A further seven people were cared for at the scene but did not require transportation to hospital. Advertisement Related Article Animal attacks Japans going on a bear hunt. Its hoping to catch a big one Corporal Madonna Saunderson, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, described the victims injuries as very serious at the very least, The Canadian Press reported. Authorities have not yet disclosed the ages or genders of the pupils. The group was from the Acwsalcta School, run by the Indigenous Nuxalk Nation, which was closed on Friday. Its hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students, the school said in a Facebook post, adding that counselling services had been made available. The Nuxalk Nation chief and council said in a statement on Friday that the bear attack had affected children and so many loved ones. Advertisement We remain in close contact with the families, and we understand that those who were injured are receiving the highest level of care, it said. BCCOS said the bear had not yet been captured. Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway, Nuxalk Nation said in a social media post. BCCOS inspector Kevin Van Damme told The New York Times it was extremely rare for any bear to attack a large group of people. I really need to stress how dangerous this situation is with this bear at large, Van Damme said. Advertisement Reuters, 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. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Animal attacks Canada Cultural & Historical Significance Ahern is an ancient Irish surname of significant historical importance, derived from the Gaelic O hEachthairn, meaning 'descendant of Eachthairn.' The name originates from the Dalcassian tribe of County Clare and has strong connections to the Kingdom of Thomond in western Ireland. Historically, the Ahern clan were hereditary historians and poets to the O'Brien kings, holding positions of intellectual and cultural importance in Gaelic society. During the Norman invasion and subsequent English colonization, many Aherns maintained their cultural traditions and Irish language usage, particularly in their ancestral homeland. The name represents a direct link to pre-Norman Ireland and the sophisticated Gaelic social structure that valued learned families who preserved history, genealogy, and cultural knowledge. Throughout Irish history, bearers of this name have been noted for their resilience and commitment to preserving Irish identity during periods of cultural suppression. The Aherns were part of the Gaelic aristocracy that maintained Irish customs and language despite political pressures to assimilate. Their role as keepers of tradition made them important figures in the cultural survival of Irish heritage. In modern times, the name continues to symbolize Irish cultural endurance and the intellectual traditions of Gaelic Ireland, serving as a reminder of the sophisticated social structures that existed before English domination. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Ail holds deep roots in Scottish heritage, particularly in the Highlands where stone has been both a practical building material and a symbolic element of permanence. In Scottish culture, names derived from geographical features like 'stony places' often reflected the family's connection to specific lands or the character of their ancestral territories. The name appears in various clan histories and Gaelic traditions, representing strength, endurance, and connection to the rugged Scottish landscape that has shaped the nation's identity. Throughout Scottish history, names like Ail have served as markers of regional identity and family lineage, with the 'stony place' connotation reflecting the challenging yet beautiful environment that has defined Scottish resilience. The name carries echoes of ancient Celtic traditions where natural features were often incorporated into personal names to honor the land and its spiritual significance. This practice connected individuals to their ancestral homes and the enduring qualities of the Scottish terrain that has witnessed centuries of history, from clan battles to cultural preservation. Women named Alonsa are typically perceived as possessing a natural nobility and grace combined with practical readiness for life's challenges. They often exhibit strong leadership qualities, confidence, and a dignified presence that commands respect. Alonsas are frequently described as decisive individuals who approach situations with both wisdom and courage, embodying the name's meaning of being 'ready' for whatever life presents while maintaining their inherent nobility in character and actions. In interpersonal relationships, Alonsas tend to be loyal, protective, and deeply committed to their loved ones. They often display a blend of traditional values and modern independence, making them both reliable and progressive. Their personality typically includes a strong sense of justice, honesty, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. Many Alonsas are known for their determination and resilience, approaching obstacles with strategic thinking and unwavering resolve while maintaining their inherent elegance and grace. This combination of traits makes them natural leaders and trusted confidantes. An 18-year-old Leaving Certificate student was killed instantly when his motorcycle left the road and hit a crash barrier on the old Westport to Castlebar road at Cloonkeen, Castlebar, last year, an inquest has been told. Kacper Swierkowski, 43 Knockaphunta Park, Castlebar, formerly of Jedrzejow, Poland, died after losing control of the Honda CDR 500 vehicle on the evening of March 13, 2024, while driving from Westport in the direction of Castlebar. Coroner Dr Eleanor Fitzgerald conducted an inquest into the tragic death of the youngster who at the time of his passing was a student at Davitt College, Castlebar. The cause of death was given by consultant pathologist Dr Fadel Bennani as severe brain and spinal cord injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. Gda Sgt Gabriel McLoughlin, PSV Inspector, said vehicle had been roadworthy and there were no defects that could have contributed to the collision. The inquest heard that the bike veered across the road at a bend into a crash barrier and the victim was thrown over the barrier, sustaining injuries which caused instantaneous death. Evidence from gardai, first responders and motorists who helped at the crash scene was heard at Thursdays inquest at Ballina Courthouse. One of the first on the scene, Maria Moran, who is a member of Westport Order of Malta, helped administer first aid. I am so sorry for the family. I did everything I possibly could for this man, Ms Moran outlined in a statement. Responding to questions from the coroner, Ms Moran agreed the scene was quite horrific. A further witness, Cathy OMalley, who is attached to Castlebar Primary Care Centre, said she came on the accident while travelling home from work and kept talking to the victim saying keep with it, the ambulance is coming. In a statement which was read to the inquest, Robert Swierkowski, father of the victim, said that on the afternoon of the accident he had collected his sons, Kacper and Patryk, from their schools, Davitt College and St Geralds College respectively. Mr Swierkowski said after they got home Kacper put on his motorcycle gear, got on his bike and drove in the direction of Westport. He explained that about an hour later he got a phone call from Patryk who told him gardai were at the house and there had been an accident. Mr Swierkowski said that on the following day he accompanied his wife, Jolanta, to Mayo University Hospital where they identified their sons remains. Sgt John Horkan, forensic collision investigator with An Garda Siochana, gave evidence that the Honda motorbike was negotiating a bend when it left the road and impacted with a crash barrier. Sgt Horkan described the 500 CC bike as powerful, capable of doing 200km per hour. He said it was difficult to estimate the speed of the bike at the time of the impact and explained the accident could be due to a lack of driver experience. It could be a number of issues, he noted. Returning a verdict of accidental death, Dr Fitzgerald noted that Kacper had been keen to own his bike and replaced a smaller bike with a more powerful one. Referring to the high number of motorbike accidents each year resulting in fatalities and serious injuries, she noted that motorbikes afford less protection than other road vehicles. The coroner commented the victim, just 18, might not have been aware of the dangers involved. She went on to speak of the goodness and kindness of the first responders and others who attempted to revive the young student but whose injuries were so serious that nothing could be done. The coroner expressed sympathy with Jacpers parents Robert and Jolanta and brother Patryk. She said it was tragic for Kacper to have died in such an awful way. Sgt Noel Crinnegan, on behalf of An Garda Siochana, joined in the expressions of sympathy. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Partly sunny, windy, and cold with wind chills in the teens and 20s all day. West winds will gust 25-35mph. A few lake-effect snow showers are possible north of I-78 in the afternoon and evening, especially in the Poconos. . Tonight Partly cloudy, cold, and brisk. Wind chills in the teens overnight. Individuals named Amold typically exhibit characteristics that reflect the name's meaning of 'eagle power.' They are often natural leaders with strong willpower, clear vision, and the ability to make decisive judgments. Like the eagle that soars high above the landscape, Amolds tend to have excellent perspective on situations and can see opportunities and challenges that others might miss. They combine intellectual sharpness with practical action, making them effective in both planning and execution. Their personality often includes a protective nature toward family and community, showing loyalty and commitment to those they care about. While they can appear reserved or serious, this usually stems from their thoughtful nature and high standards rather than aloofness. Amolds typically value integrity and tradition, but they also possess the courage to innovate when necessary. They handle responsibility well and often find themselves in positions of trust or authority. Their strength of character is balanced by a capacity for deep reflection, making them both action-oriented and contemplative individuals who lead by example rather than mere command. Individuals named Amoux are typically characterized by a unique blend of leadership qualities and protective instincts. They often exhibit the eagle's traits of vision, ambition, and the ability to see situations from a broader perspective, combined with the wolf's loyalty, strong family values, and pack mentality. This combination creates individuals who are strategic thinkers yet deeply connected to their communities and loved ones. Amoux bearers tend to be natural leaders who balance independence with strong social bonds, often taking on protective roles within their families or professional circles. These individuals typically demonstrate courage in facing challenges, drawing strength from both their individual capabilities and their connections to others. The dual nature of their name's meaning often manifests as people who can be both solitary in their pursuits and intensely social in their relationships, creating a dynamic personality that adapts well to various social situations while maintaining a strong sense of personal identity and purpose. They are often perceived as reliable, insightful, and fiercely protective of those they care about, embodying the best qualities of both the eagle's visionary nature and the wolf's communal spirit. Women named Anichka are often perceived as possessing a natural grace and elegance that extends beyond mere physical appearance to encompass their interactions with others. They typically exhibit emotional intelligence and empathy, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidantes. This inherent graciousness is complemented by a quiet strength and resilience, allowing them to navigate challenges with dignity and poise. Anichkas tend to be creative souls with an appreciation for beauty in all its forms, whether in art, nature, or human relationships. They often demonstrate remarkable patience and nurturing qualities, making them natural caregivers and community builders. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their depth of character, subtle wit, and unwavering loyalty to loved ones. Their combination of gentle demeanor and inner fortitude makes them particularly effective in roles requiring diplomacy, teaching, or healing professions, where their natural grace becomes a source of comfort and inspiration to others. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Archere holds significant cultural importance within Christian tradition, particularly during medieval times when archery was not only a military skill but also carried spiritual symbolism. In Christian iconography, the bow and arrow often represented divine judgment, precision in faith, and the ability to hit spiritual targets. Many medieval Christian communities valued archers for both defense and hunting, making the occupational name one of respect and skill. Throughout European Christian history, the name Archere appears in religious manuscripts and church records, often associated with individuals who served as protectors of religious communities or as skilled craftsmen. The name's connection to precision and targeting made it metaphorically appropriate for those seen as 'aiming true' in their faith. During the Crusades and subsequent religious conflicts, the practical skill of archery became intertwined with spiritual warfare imagery, further cementing the name's cultural significance in Christian contexts. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney in London, England, Monday March 17, 2025. [AP Photo/Jordan Pettitt] Prime Minister Mark Carneys minority Liberal government pushed its first budget through the House of Commons last Tuesday in a politically stage-managed vote that demonstrated the unanimous support of all sections of the ruling class for sweeping austerity and massive rearmament in preparation for global war. Carneys Canada Strong budget slashes public services while funnelling tens of billions into the military and corporate coffers. The budget and the government prevailed in Tuesdays parliamentary confidence vote only because of the calculated intervention of the social democratic New Democratic Party (NDP), their sponsors in the trade union bureaucracy, and the Green Party. The role of these forces, representing privileged layers of the upper middle class, in securing the budgets passage confirms their function as props of a right-wing big business government committed to restructuring class relations in the interests of Canadian capitalism at a time of rapidly deepening social and economic crisis. The Liberals entered the week two seats shy of a majority, facing the possibility of defeat on a confidence vote that would have triggered a federal election. However, no faction of the bourgeoisie wanted such an outcome while trade war with the United States intensifies, fiscal strains mount and polls show that neither the Liberals nor the Conservativesthe ruling classs two traditional parties of national governmenthave a clear path to securing a stable parliamentary majority little more than six months after the last election. That the budget ultimately passed 170 to 168 was the product of cross-party abstentions and backroom agreements designed to keep the former banker Carney in office, while the ruling class tests both him and far-right Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre as instruments for ratcheting up the exploitation of the working class at home to improve Canadian imperialisms competitiveness and pay for rearmament. The budgets attacks on public services and federal workers underscore how Canadas ruling class is determined to offload the cost of the ongoing trade war with the US and preparations to participate in a third world war onto the working class. Tens of thousands of jobs have been lost over recent months in the auto, steel, lumber and other industries impacted by steep US tariffs. Behind the bogus Team Canada rhetoric, the Carney government has made clear that it stands on the side of Canadian big business in its drive to slash workers rights and augment profits. It has virtually criminalized the right to strike, as shown by its aggressive interventions into labour disputes at Canada Post and Air Canada. In this it has relied both on the draconian powers that it has arrogated through a bogus reinterpretation of a section of the Canada Labour Code and the trade union bureaucracy to smother rank-and-file militancy. All of the parties in parliament participated in cynical maneuvers to ensure that Carneys class war policies continue. Two NDP MPs, Gord Johns and Lori Idlout, abstained rather than vote against the budget. Two Conservative MPs, including Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux, who is soon to resign, also did not vote. The Liberals also benefitted earlier in the month from the floor crossing of Conservative MP Chris dEntremont, which reduced the number of opposition votes needed to pass the budget. Also revealing was the Yes vote cast by Elizabeth May, the Greens lone MP. May had spent days posturing as an opponent of the budget but announced her support after Carney declared during Question Period that his government remained committed to Canadas climate targets. Without what I heard from the Prime Minister today, I would have voted no, she said. That the Greens could countenance voting for a budget that guts environmental regulation, expands oil and gas development through national project designations and shifts billions into defence procurement exposes once again their role as a loyal ally of the ruling class and the Liberal Party. Critical to the passage of the budget were the public interventions of provincial leaders across parties who made clear that it must not fail. Ontarios hard-right Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford declared Monday that he hoped the federal budget would pass, calling on all parties to act in the best interest of the country. Ford praised the First Ministers Meeting that preceded the vote as proof that governments across party lines were working as Team Canada. Asked whether his endorsement might trouble federal Conservatives, Ford shrugged, Thats up to them. Were the Ontario PC party. Ford was not alone. British Columbia NDP Premier David Eby echoed his call for the budget to be adopted, while Manitobas NDP Premier Wab Kinew held a joint press event with Carney on the eve of the budget vote to announce a major agreement to build a stronger, more competitive and prosperous economy. Canadas premiers, regardless of party label, lined up behind the budget because it is aligned with the needs of Canadian capitalism as a whole. Their united front is yet more evidence that the trade union-sponsored NDP and Liberals are tools of the financial oligarchy, advocating its program of imperialist war abroad, and the gutting of workers democratic and social rights at home. Inside Parliament, Poilievre, as leader of the opposition, made his expected bloviations, denouncing the budget as reckless and fiscally irresponsible. He cited a recent report by interim Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques showing the Liberals are unlikely to meet their own deficit targets. The Prime Ministers costly deficit gambles our future on the national credit card, Poilievre said. The Tory leader combined this attack with hypocritical criticisms of the government for its failure to advance any meaningful measures to address the affordability crisis facing working people. Poilievre and the faction of the ruling class he represents demand even deeper cuts, faster implementation of military expansion and a more aggressive stance against China and Russia. While the Conservatives, exploiting the NDP and unions role in propping up a right-wing Liberal government that has presided over mounting socio-economic distress for working people, try to posture as defenders of working Joes, their real complaint is that Carneys attacks on the working class are not harsh enough. Behind the parliamentary theatre lies the real content of the 2025 Canada Strong budget. As the WSWS has previously analysed, it marks a decisive shift to the right. The government is slashing operational spending across federal departments and pushing real-term reductions in health, education and social transfers to the provinces. It aims to eliminate 40,000 public sector jobs by 2028, while stripping back environmental oversight, weakening immigration services and shrinking capacity in transport, fisheries, workplace safety and science. The tax dollars freed up by these cuts are being directed toward corporate tax incentives, a massive rearmament program, and subsidies for big business infrastructure projects and expanding Canadas military-industrial base. The budget also intensifies a brutal anti-immigrant offensive. Temporary resident admissions will be almost halved from 2024. Asylum seekers will face new copays for medicines, vision care and other basic services. Restrictions on refugee applications are being tightened under Bill C-12 while border enforcement is strengthened. These attacks mirror the xenophobic agenda of Trump and far-right forces internationally and serve the same purpose: dividing workers and creating scapegoats while social services are dismantled. Postal workers picketing outside the Albert Jackson Processing Centre, in east end Toronto, during last fall's month-long strike. When the Liberal government illegalized it, using a trumped-up "reinterpretation" of an obscure section of the Canada Labour Code, the CUPW leadership unilaterally ordered workers to submit to the back-to-work order despite mass rank-and-file sentiment for defiance. In the weeks leading up to the budget, the Carney government used Canada Post as a proving ground for its broader agenda. The Liberals ordered the Crown corporation to deliver a restructuring plan that will end daily and home mail delivery and destroy tens of thousands of full-time jobs over the next decade. Canada Post CEO Doug Ettinger in remarks this week openly boasted that as many as 30,000 positions out of a current workforce of 68,000 will be eliminated through attrition over the next decade, with no clarity on what will remain of the public post office or how many of the surviving jobs will be part time and precarious. The Liberals have promoted the attack on postal workers as evidence of their willingness to make tough choices in pursuit of what they call fiscal sustainability. By targeting postal workers, historically one of the most militant sections of the working class, the Liberals have signalled that every public service and every worker is now on the chopping block as they restructure the state to fund war and enrich corporate Canada. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and the broader trade union bureaucracy have responded to the Liberals austerity budget with a mixture of mild criticism and enthusiastic collaboration. The CLC urged the NDP to work with the Carney government to improve the budget rather than defeat it. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), which has 165,000 members in the federal public service, responded to the announced job cuts by meekly pledging to pressure the government to follow collective agreements. It remained silent on the question of mobilizing workers in defence of jobs and public services, which the union bureaucracy bitterly opposes. The unions role is to manage the anger of workers as layoffs begin and living standards fall, while upholding a collective bargaining system rigged in favour of the state and employers. Through their abstentions and last-minute theatrics, the NDPwhich propped up the hated Trudeau government as it imposed post-pandemic austerity, hiked military spending, supported the US-NATO war on Russia and backed Israels genocidal assault on the Palestinianshas once again saved a Liberal government committed to an agenda they claim to oppose. The capitalist press describes this as a tactical maneuver driven by the NDPs weakened finances and absence of a leader. In reality, their actions reflect the deeper truth that the NDP is an essential instrument of bourgeois rule. It props up governments of austerity and war, providing a false left cover for attacks on the working class. The Globe and Mails response to the budget is a clear expression of ruling-class expectations. In a recent editorial urging the government to restore Canadas fiscal stability, the paper scolded Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne for failing to match the brutal austerity imposed by Liberal Finance Minister Paul Martin in the mid-1990s. The editorial hailed the 1995 budget which initiated a massive years-long assault on public services and social supports, at both the federal and provincial levels, and eliminated tens of thousands of public sector jobs as a model for today. The Globes warnings about credit ratings, debt servicing costs and generational inequity are not neutral financial observations, but ideological cudgels used to justify a far deeper offensive against workers and retirees. Behind the handwringing over aging populations and unsustainable benefits lies a demand that the state claw back pensions from working class retirees while protecting corporate tax cuts and expanding military spending. What the newspaper that is the traditional voice of the Bay Street banks and investment houses calls milquetoast is in reality the most right-wing budget in decades. Its insistence on even sharper cuts and a thorough dismantling of public services reveals the intense pressure being exerted on the Carney government from Canadas financial elite: the Liberals must move faster, hit harder and drive down social spending more rapidly to free up resources for war and profits. The Canada Strong budget must be understood in the context of the global capitalist crisis. Across North America and Europe, ruling classes are dismantling social protections to fund military buildup. Governments are expanding police powers to repress strikes and protests. The political establishments in all the major countries are legitimizing far-right forces and incorporating them into governance. The Carney budget is the Canadian expression of this worldwide turn toward authoritarianism and imperialist conflict. The working class faces a stark choice. It cannot defend its democratic rights, jobs and future through the NDP, the Greens or the pro-capitalist trade union apparatuses. These forces serve the ruling class and collaborate in its assault. What is required is the building of new organizations of class struggle to mobilize its social power and arm it with a revolutionary socialist program and strategyrank-and-file committees, independent of the unions and rooted in workplaces and working class neighbourhoods, and the Socialist Equality Party. These are the essential means whereby the growing opposition to jobs cuts, war and the gutting of workers social and democratic rights can be systematically mobilized; workers struggles across Canada and internationally linked together and an industrial and political offensive developed for a workers government that will place human needs before capitalist profit. President Donald Trump speaks during a dinner with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Washington, as first lady Melania Trump watches at right. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] On Thursday, US President Donald Trump reposted and endorsed comments calling for the arrest, prosecution and even death penalty for Democratic members of Congressseveral of them former military and intelligence officersfor releasing a short, anodyne video reminding service members that they are legally required to refuse unlawful orders. Trump calling for Democratic politicians to be put on trial for reminding soldiers/intelligence officers to follow "lawful" orders. In posts on his social media platform, Trump described the short video as seditious behavior, seditious conspiracy, treason and punishable by DEATH! He amplified threats from his far-right supporters that the Democrats be frog-marched out of their homes at 3 AM with television cameras present, hung or treated as domestic terrorists. Trumps own posts demanded: LOCK THEM UP, An example MUST BE SET and SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! Trump posting on Truth Social that Democrats reminding soldiers to follow lawful orders is "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" Never before in American history has a sitting president spoken the way Donald Trump did this week. Not even during the Civil War did Abraham Lincoln demand the execution of the political leaders of the Confederacy. Trumps calls for executing Democratic lawmakers came just days after his White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the butcher of Saudi Arabia who ordered the assassination and dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The meeting ended in a confrontation with an ABC News reporter who dared to ask about MBS and the murder. In front of the autocrat, Trump berated the reporter as insubordinate. The atmosphere of the exchange echoed Henry IIs infamous exclamation about Thomas BecketWill no one rid me of this meddlesome priest? Trumps threats against Democrats were quickly reinforced by the most openly authoritarian elements within the Republican Party. Appearing on Fox News, senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller declared that the Democrats video amounted to a general call for rebellion from the CIA and the armed services. Miller demanded that the Democratic lawmakers resign in disgrace and never return to public office again. On Sean Hannitys program, Trumps Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche described the video as a disgusting and inappropriate display and threatened prosecution, insisting that we will take a very close look. Blanches threats to prosecute are not idle. Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered investigations into Democrats listed in convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epsteins emails. These statements are part of a coordinated attempt to criminalize even the mildest assertion that soldiers or intelligence officers retain any legal obligations beyond personal loyalty to Trump. The White House and its media apparatus are working to redefine basic constitutional norms as sedition while simultaneously preparing to deploy the military domestically. The statements from the Republicans are even more remarkable when compared to the content in the video, which is nothing more than a pro-government appeal that contains no call to defy the Trump administration, no denunciation of Trump and no suggestion of disobedience beyond the well-established duty to refuse an illegal order. The video featured six CIA Democrats drawn directly from the military-intelligence apparatus, including Senator Elissa Slotkin (Michigan), a former CIA officer; Senator Mark Kelly (Arizona), a former Navy captain; Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2010 to 2022; Representative Chris DeLuzio (Pennsylvania), a former Navy surface warfare officer; Representative Jason Crow (Colorado), a former Army Ranger and paratrooper; and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania), a former Air Force officer. That these representatives released the video now raises the basic question: What do they know that they are not telling the American people? In the video, the six politicians addressed members of the military and the intelligence community, with Senator Elissa Slotkin opening: We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now. Representatives Elissa Slotkin (Democrat-Michigan), left, and Liz Cheney (Republican-Wyoming) leave a campaign rally Tuesday, November 1, 2022, in East Lansing, Michigan, where Slotkin received support from Cheney. [AP Photo/Carlos Osorio] Speaking squarely in defense of the capitalist state, Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan declared, Americans trust their military. Representative Chris DeLuzio warned that trust is at risk. The group then admitted, in the clearest terms, that the US government is now turning the repressive apparatus inward. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens, they said. Senator Mark Kelly added, Our laws are clearyou can refuse illegal orders. The video ended with a full-throated affirmation of the CIA, Army, Navy and Air Force, urging them to stand up for our laws, our Constitution, and who we are as Americans and to not give up the ship. The Democrats defense of the military and intelligence agencies comes after the same agencies have spent the last two months carrying out lethal and illegal strikes on small vessels in the Caribbean and off the coast of Venezuela. These killings, presented to the public as routine anti-smuggling operations, have raised internal legal objections within the military itself. According to multiple press reports, at least one senior judge advocate at U.S. Southern Command warned that some strikes may violate US and international law. Amid these operations, Admiral Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, is retiring early after less than a year in the position. His departure comes in the exact period when these murderous maritime operations have intensified. Trumps unpopularity is currently at levels unseen except in the immediate aftermath of the failed January 6 coup. In response to mass protests against his administration, Trump has repeatedly threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy active duty troops into American cities ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. His administration has already used federal agents against demonstrators and immigrants. In North Carolina and around the country, students, workers and community members are protesting and increasingly organizing independently to resist federal kidnapping operations targeting immigrants. These internal fissures help explain the Democrats video. It is not an act of opposition to Trump. It is an attempt by a faction of the national security establishment to stabilize the situation and to preserve the legitimacy of capitalist institutions. Despite Trumps extraordinary threats, the Democratic Party has responded with its usual combination of cowardice and complicity. None of the Democrats featured in the video have called for Trumps impeachment. None have called for soldiers or immigration agents to refuse participation in Trumps domestic repression. None challenge the administrations illegal wars abroad from the genocide in Gaza to the ongoing US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. A nurse transports a patient on a stretcher inside Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. [AP Photo/Andres Kudacki] Mass layoffs across the U.S. healthcare industry continue to accelerate, further straining a system already overburdened by workforce shortages. This is part of a wider jobs massacre, with US employers announcing 1.1 million jobs this year alone. This week, Providence announced it is cutting approximately 450 staff in the Washington and Oregon area. These cuts, which are set to take place in early 2026, will impact more than 100 departments, including front line clinical healthcare workers. Providence has already laid off 200 this year, and also announced a restructuring plan in June that impacted 600 full-time jobs. Chicago-based Oak Street Health, which is part of CVS, also announced this week that it is cutting 219 jobs early next year. Last month, they announced they would close 16 Oak Street Clinics starting in February 2026. These operate as primary care facilities for seniors. Earlier this month, Pennsylvania-based Tower Health announced 350 layoffs, including medical staff at Pottstown Hospital in Montgomery County. Tower Health owns multiple hospitals in the region and it is unclear what other hospitals will be impacted with these layoffs. Earlier this month, Optum care announced mass layoffs and clinic closures across New Jersey, with 572 jobs to be terminated next year, and 90 clinics to be closed, mostly by the end of November. These clinics provide essential primary care for children and adults, who are now left scrambling to find other healthcare options. In late October, PeaceHealth, which owns nine hospitals in Oregon, Washington and Alaska, announced it would lay off 2.5 percent of its workforce, roughly 400 workers. Also in late October, Point32Healththe second-largest health insurer in Massachusettslaid off 254 workers, representing 6.7 percent of its workforce. This followed an earlier reduction of 110 employees in March. Another health insurer, Oregon-based PacificSource, announced mass layoffs in late October affecting roughly 300 workers across Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Washington. In early October Kaiser Permanente announced layoffs for 216 workers, little more than a week before nurses went on a five-day strike. These layoffs are part of a major escalation of healthcare workforce reduction. In July, the WCH Service Bureau released a deep dive into the staggering level of healthcare layoffs in 2025, noting that the industry is experiencing an unprecedented wave of workforce reductions in 2025, with 51 hospitals and health systems announcing layoffs affecting tens of thousands of employees. Federal workers have also been a primary target, with roughly 10,000 full-time jobs being cut in the Department of Health as part of the federal job cuts pursued by the Trump regime. This includes around 4,300 workers at the Centers for Disease Control, a third of the workforce. These layoffs are taking place most of the way through the fifth year of the COVID-19 pandemic which is estimated to have killed more than 30 million people worldwide, with hundreds of millions suffering with long covid causing potentially life long disabilities. The COVID-19 virus continues to rapidly mutate and present a significant threat to public health. Hospital closures have also increased this year, bringing devastating consequences in particular for rural communities. According to a November report from the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform, 27 hospitals have closed or are in the process of closing so far this year, surpassing the 21 closures recorded in 2024. April and May, Taylor Hospital and Crozer-Chester Medical Center shut their doors in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, resulting in thousands of layoffs. Together, these hospitals had handled more than 78,000 emergency room visits and over 54,000 inpatient and outpatient cases annually. These tens of thousands of visits will be redirected to other hospitals in the area, increasing the burden on the understaffed healthcare system. The ruling class is stripping away social spending in order to sustain ever-expanding profits. Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law in July, slashed over $800 billion from Medicaid over the next decade, with Medicare likely to see $500 billion of cuts in the period between 2026 and 2034. These cuts will result in millions of people losing their healthcare, increased healthcare costs across the board, and an escalation of the mass layoffs among healthcare workers. There is no shortage of resistance among healthcare workers, who are on the front lines of the class struggle, striking over understaffing, stagnant wages, and ongoing layoffs. Earlier this week, hospital workers across the University of California (UC) healthcare system held a two-day strike, confronting the Democratic Partycontrolled system that refuses to provide a livable wage. According to the union, roughly 40,000 workers participated. Last week, 600 nurses in New Orleans held a three-day strike demanding improved staffing ratios and raises that many workers have not received in over a decade. This marks the fifth strike in two years. Last month, 46,000 Kaiser healthcare workers held a limited five-day strike demanding better working conditions, wages and staffing. A month later, they are still working under an expired contract. But in every case, these struggles are being limited and isolated from each other by the healthcare union bureaucracy. While workers want to fight to defend the social right to healthcare, the union bureaucracy is motivated by protecting its corrupt ties with management and the government. At Kaiser, the workers in last months strike are in the Alliance of Health Care Unions (AHCU), which participates in the Labor Management Partnership. This corporatist body receives millions of dollars a year from Kaiser, and its explicit aim is to prevent strikes. Healthcare workers are coming to grips with the fact that a serious confrontation against the capitalist system that subordinates healthcare to private profit is needed. But to do this, workers must build rank and file power and develop a politically independent leadership that is rooted in the interests of the working class. Healthcare workers must answer to the call of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) to build rank and file committees as part of a broader movement of the working class to confront this catastrophe of widespread layoffs. The far advanced crisis of capitalism can only be resolved by the international working class in a united struggle against capitalism. Women named Asenka are typically perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and grace. They often exhibit natural elegance in their movements and interactions, combined with a determined spirit that reflects the name's royal heritage. Asenkas are frequently described as diplomatic and thoughtful, able to navigate complex social situations with poise and intelligence. Their graceful nature doesn't imply weakness but rather a sophisticated approach to challenges. These individuals tend to be deeply connected to their cultural roots and family traditions, often serving as keepers of family history and values. They possess a quiet confidence that draws others to them, and they're known for their loyalty and commitment to those they care about. The combination of historical strength and personal grace makes Asenkas natural leaders who inspire through example rather than force, embodying the perfect balance between traditional values and modern sensibility. On Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly amended its Autism and Vaccines webpage to state that the familiar assertionvaccines do not cause autismis not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism. The agency further acknowledged that studies suggesting such a link have been ignored by health authorities. In so doing, the worlds preeminent public health institution surrendered to the anti-science agenda of the Trump administration, enforced by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the most notorious proponent of the myth that vaccines cause autism. The updated webpage means that the CDC has crossed the Rubicon in the ongoing dismantling of science-based public health in the United States. In their third key point of the web posting, HHS declared that HHS has launched a comprehensive assessment of the causes of autism, including investigations on plausible biologic mechanisms and potential causal links. This is to be taken up at the meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on December 4-5, 2025. Kennedy and his anti-vaccine network have repeatedly called for stripping long-standing liability protections for vaccine manufacturers, reshaping the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and rewriting federal vaccine guidance from the ground up to reflect their anti-vaccine views. The decades of accumulated scientific evidence showing no credible association between childhood vaccines and autism are now being discarded. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., right, stands with Dr. Ben Edwards, left, outside the Reinlander Mennonite Church in Seminole, Texas, on Sunday, April 6, 2025, after a second measles death. [AP Photo/Annie Rice] In response to the CDCs falsified and politically altered webpage, the Autism Science Foundation (ASF) issued an unusually direct statement on Thursday. We are appalled to find that the content on the CDC webpage Autism and Vaccines has been changed and distorted and is now filled with anti-vaccine rhetoric and outright lies about vaccines and autism, the organization wrote. ASF underscored that the scientific consensus on this question is unequivocal. The science is clear that vaccines do not cause autism. No environmental factor has been better studied as a potential cause of autism than vaccines. All this research has determined that there is no link between autism and vaccines. This is consistent across multiple studies, repeated in different countries around the world, with different individuals, at different ages including infancy, and using different model systems. The Foundation also pointed to evidence of prenatal neurological differences in autistic childrenas early as the second trimesterconfirming that autisms developmental origins precede any exposure to vaccines. Their statement amounts to a direct repudiation of the CDCs new language and a stark reminder of how thoroughly the agency has broken with decades of accumulated scientific research. The medical communitys response was equally unequivocal. In a published statement, Susan J. Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, condemned the CDCs action: 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. The American Academy of Pediatrics stands with members of the autism community who have asked for support in stopping this rumor from spreading any further. The AAP emphasized that more than 40 high-quality studies conducted across seven countries and involving 5.6 million individuals have consistently found no association between vaccines and autism. In addition, the AAP joined 39 other leading medical, health and patient-advocacy organizations in a joint statement rejecting this latest attempt to create fear around routine childhood immunizations, reiterating that vaccines remain one of our greatest medical success stories. They warned that the deliberate erosion of confidence in immunization programs threatens to reverse decades of progress against diseases that once caused widespread and lasting harm. Professor of Law Dorit R. Reiss, a leading scholar on the legal and social dimensions of vaccination policy, underscored the institutional breakdown revealed by the altered CDC webpage. She told the World Socialist Web Site, Changing the CDC website does not change the data, and it is just further confirmation that CDC has been compromised and is no longer a reliable source. Reiss emphasized the human cost within the agency itself: My heart goes out to the civil-service scientists watching their agency taken down from a world-respected public-health institution to one whose unreliable political masters use it to promote blatant misinformation. Professor Dorit Reiss [Photo by Dorit Reiss] Other senior officials echoed these concerns. Dr. Daniel Jernigan, a long-time influenza specialist and former director of the CDCs National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, told STAT News that the revised autism-and-vaccines pages had not undergone any standard scientific vetting. Staff responsible for the content were neither consulted nor informed, he saidan unprecedented breach of institutional process. Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who resigned as director of the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, reported the same shock. From my personal communications with folks, everyone was blindsided from the perspective of career scientists, he noted. In place of principled scientists who have dedicated their lives to public health, Kennedy has enlisted quacks and frauds to oversee the new research into vaccines. He appointed David Geier to re-examine CDC vaccine-safety data despite his long record, alongside his late father, Mark Geier, of promoting discredited and methodologically corrupt claims about vaccine-autism links. Mark Geier, whose medical license was revoked in multiple states for unethical practices and deeply flawed research methods, helped create many of the claims that fueled the modern anti-vaccine movement. His son David co-authored much of that work and was previously restricted from full access to the CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink because of concerns over data handling and analytical reliability. Despite this record, David Geier has now been brought back into federal review processes by Kennedy. Allowing individuals with this record to reassess vaccine-safety datasets is not an academic dispute over conflicting theories. It is substituting fraudsters for scientists. The purpose is to manufacture uncertainty to undermine confidence in routine immunization and destabilize long-standing public-health protections. Childhood illnesses will skyrocket, death rates will rise, life expectancy will plunge: all demographic outcomes that are viewed with favor by the financial oligarchs, who want to bankrupt or abolish programs like Social Security, which they regard as a waste of money. In the United States, childhood vaccination rates have declined significantly in recent years, a trend closely linked to sustained anti-vaccine campaigns driven by Kennedy and allied groups such as those within the Make America Healthy Again movement. For decades, they have used social media, political platforms and disinformation to erode public trust in scientific institutions and cast doubt on the foundations of evidence-based medicine. Now, these same figureshaving moved from what used to be called the lunatic fringe into positions of federal authorityare using official channels to legitimize those narratives. Their claims, now published on CDC webpages that traditionally serve as scientific reference points, do more than distort specific findings: they rewrite the language of science itself, replacing established standards of evidence with deliberate misrepresentation. Against this backdrop, two policy proposals now under active considerationand for which the revised CDC webpages appear designed to provide justificationare expected to define the December 4-5, 2025, ACIP meeting. The first is the removal of aluminum adjuvants from certain vaccines; the second is the dismantling of established multivalent vaccines, such as the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shot, into separate monovalent doses. Both run directly counter to decades of scientific evidence showing the safety and efficacy of these formulations. As STAT News reported, the practical consequences would be profound. Developing replacements for aluminum-containing vaccines or creating single-component versions of combination shots would require manufacturers to return to square one, a process that could take a decade or more and cost upward of $1 billion per vaccine. Industry experts warn that the uncertainty, expense and regulatory disruption involved could render the US vaccine market really unattractive, driving manufacturers out of the country and destabilizing an already fragile supply chain. Furthermore, the move to reverse the CDCs longstanding stance on autism is being interpreted by legal and public-health experts as a prelude to adding autism to the VICPs (Vaccine Injury Compensation Program) Table of Injuriesa change that could face an exorbitant number of claims that would threaten the viability of the program. If the protections that underpin the US childhood vaccine market are undermined, manufacturers may find the US market untenable and could withdraw, placing availability of key immunizations at risk. Child suffering from measles, pre-1963. [Photo: US Government] The new guidance also raises alarms for the ACAs preventive-services mandate: under current law, private health plans must cover ACIP-recommended vaccines delivered in-network with no cost sharing, but if the ACIPs recommendations or the CDCs endorsement change, this coverage guarantee could vanish. Meanwhile, the VFC programproviding free vaccines to children who are uninsured, underinsured or Medicaid-eligiblestands to face immediate consequences from manufacturer pull-out, altered vaccine schedules or cost shifts to states and families. The implications of these proposals are not theoretical. Researchers at Stanford Medicine, in collaboration with scientists at several universities, published a large-scale epidemiological modeling study in JAMA in April that examined what even modest declines in vaccination would mean for the United States. Their models showed that a 10 percent reduction in vaccination coverage would lead to 11.1 million measles cases over the next 25 years, with measles becoming endemic in under five years. The projected toll included 90,000 hospitalizations per year, 34,000 deaths, and more than 8,000 individuals left with lifelong disabilities, alongside an estimated $1 trillion in economic costs. If vaccination rates were cut in halfa scenario well within reach if the current political program succeedsthe outlook becomes catastrophic. The model forecasts 51.2 million measles cases, 9.9 million rubella cases, 4.3 million polio cases, and 200 cases of diphtheria. Over 25 years, this would produce 10.3 million hospitalizations, 159,200 deaths, 51,200 cases of post-measles neurological injury, 10,700 cases of congenital rubella syndrome, and 5,400 cases of paralysis from polio. Under these conditions, measles would become endemic in less than five years and rubella in under 20. The study leaves no ambiguity: sustained declines in immunization would reverse decades of public-health progress and reintroduce diseases that modern vaccines had effectively eliminated as routine threats. What is unfolding at the CDC is the opening phase of a political project that seeks to dismantle the scientific infrastructure underpinning modern public health. These changes reflect a much deeper shift in the political landscape, where mounting economic pressures are pushing the ruling establishment toward increasingly authoritarian and anti-scientific solutions. The attack on vaccines and public health is part of a broader drive to weaken the social protections that were built to safeguard ordinary people. In the end, it is the working classthe families who rely on public hospitals, routine immunizations, and functioning health systemswho will bear the full cost of this manufactured crisis. And so it is the working class, allied with principled doctors and other health professionals, that must lead the fight back against this attempt to turn back the clock by decades, even centuries. The Trump administration is moving to fire a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employee who spoke to the press about the impact of the government shutdown on federal workers and benefit recipients. The blatantly illegal act of retaliation for exercising the right to free speech is part of the Trump administrations efforts to dismantle democratic rights and purge the federal civil service of anyone who poses an obstacle. Ellen Mei on MSNBC, October 2, 2025. [Photo: MSNBC] Ellen Mei, a program specialist at the USDAs Food and Nutrition Service, which administers SNAP, WIC and vital food aid programs, appeared on MSNBC on October 2, just a day after the longest partial shutdown in US history began. The interviewer clearly stated at the onset that Mei was speaking in a personal capacity and as a chapter leader of the National Treasury Employees Union, not on behalf of the agency. Asked about how she and her colleagues were feeling after being furloughed during the shutdown, Mei responded, My coworkers and I are feeling really conflicted in this moment. So many of us have been overworked and exhausted since April, when we lost half of the staff in our office. So we feel guilty for seeing this as a reprieve because what we really want to do is to be at work helping the people who rely on SNAP and WIC to feed their families and to put food on their tables. Were feeling angry at being treated like political pawns again so that billionaires can have more money while the people that we serve are being, you know, strained even further and having to worry again about their benefits being at play. Mei went on to discuss the anxiety felt by many federal workers, whom Trump targeted with layoffs during the shutdown, and the uncertainty over the devastating impacts that would be felt if, as ultimately happened, food aid was delayed to the millions who depend upon it. The mere act of giving voice to this undeniable social reality was sufficient for the Trump administration to issue a notice to Mei the following day that she would be fired 30 days after the shutdown ended. She is now on administrative leave and has until early December to appeal her firing. The Trump administrations reaction is indicative of a deeply unpopular regime, highly sensitive to any expression of opposition and determined to suppress it. During the course of the shutdown, millions of people took to the streets in the largest demonstrations in US history under the banner of No Kings. The elections this month were a rout for Trump and the Republicans. Yet Trumps biggest strength is the collaborationist Democratic Party, which quickly moved after their electoral victory to provide Trump a lifeline and end the shutdown on his terms. Mei is not the only federal worker who has been targeted for speaking out publicly. In September, 15 Environmental Protection Agency employees were fired for signing on to an open letter that warned of the consequences of the Trump administrations attempt to sabotage the agencys mission to protect human health and the environment. Other signatories were suspended without pay for two weeks. The victimization of federal workers underscores the criminality of the Trump administration and the entire social class it represents. Trumps withholding of food stamps during the shutdown was itself a historic social crime, using hunger as a weapon in political warfare. But it comes atop the systematic violation of constitutional norms, including the deployment of troops to US cities and unleashing ICE agents to disappear immigrants. Meanwhile, federal agencies are being transformed into open instruments of political warfare. Several agencies, including the USDA, dropped all pretense of impartial administration of congressionally-authorized programs during the shutdown, posting messages on their official websites denouncing Radical Left Democrats. Since January, Trump has also moved to cripple or completely dismantle entire federal agencies that oversee social services and constrain capitalist exploitation. Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, passed over token opposition by the Democratic Party this summer, takes aim at Medicaid, one of the main entitlement programs targeted by the ruling oligarchy for dismemberment, with approximately $1 trillion in cuts over the next decade. Meanwhile, entire agencies are being gutted. Most recently, on Tuesday, Trump announced the next steps in the shutting down of the Department of Education, after having already halved its workforce of more than 4,000 employees. The destruction of jobs alongside the shuttering of agencies has been immense. All told, more than 200,000 federal workers have been laid off or compelled into resignation or retirement so far this year, with many more threatened. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order aimed at removing collective bargaining rights for a large swath of federal workers, amounting to the largest union-busting action in US history. As of September, nine agencies had unilaterally terminated contracts covering 445,000 workers. It is notable that, faced with an attack on its very survival, the bureaucrats at the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal union, sided with Trump during the shutdown, backing the presidents call for a clean continuing resolution. A clean continuing resolution (CR) is a legislative measure that allows the government to continue operating without any additional policy changes or controversial provisions, ensuring funding at current levels. The victimization of Mei and others like her is an issue for the entire working class, with core principles of free speech and democratic rights at stake. There must be no illusions that these rights can be defended through the mechanism of the unions and appeals to the Democratic Party. To defend jobs, social programs and democratic rights, workers must take the initiative. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player President Donald Trump meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci] On Friday afternoon, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump in the White House, followed by a 30-minute press conference from the Oval Office. The event was a grotesque love-fest, during which Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), declared a partnership and a pledge to work together with the fascist Trump. It is necessary to memorialize the exchanges that took place, as they should be a defining experience for workers and young people undergoing a process of political radicalization. Trump began by congratulating Mamdani for his electoral victory, declaring, The better he does, the happier I am and there is no difference in party. He added that we are going to be helping [Mamdani] to make everybodys dream come true. Mamdani responded in kind, describing the meeting as productive and focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City. The two said that their meeting prior to the press conference was focused on affordability, with Mamdani declaring that he would work with Trump to address the cost-of-living crisis. I am looking forward to delivering for New Yorkers in partnership with the president, Mamdani said. Later, he compared the prospective partnership to FDR and the New Deal. This of an administration that is carrying out an unrelenting assault on the working class, slashing food stamps, threatening Social Security and Medicare, destroying public education, waging a war on public health and orchestrating the largest transfer of wealth from the working class to the oligarchy in American history. On the assault on immigrants, Mamdani stood silently as Trump defended his brutal round up of workers in violent raids throughout the country. Mamdani, Trump said, wants the same thing. He wants to have a safe New York If there are horrible people, we want to get them out He wants to get them out more than I do, Trump said. Mamdani did not contradict the fascist claim that immigrants are horrible people or challenge the Border Patrols illegal deployment in Charlotte or other cities. Asked about his past criticisms of ICE as a rogue agency, Mamdani mumbled something about allowing the New York City government to work with the federal government, adding that he and Trump discussed ICE and NYC. On the police, Trump praised Mamdani for retaining a great police commissionera reference to Jessica Tisch, the scion of the billionaire Tisch family, who is closely tied to Trumps family. Tisch is infamous for imposing a massive surveillance regime and declaring any criticism of the war in Gaza to be antisemitic. Mamdani nodded in agreement, while pledging to maintain the number of police officers and making it easier for police to focus on police work. On the genocide itself, which was a major factor behind his support in the election, Mamdani backed the administrations moves to facilitate the Israeli occupation and annexation of Gaza under the framework of a fraudulent ceasefire: The concern of New Yorkers [is] to have our tax dollars go to New Yorkers, Mamdani said, adding that he appreciate[s] all efforts toward peace. At the very end of the press conference, Mamdani declared his determination to root out antisemitismlegitimizing the lie that opposition to the genocide is antisemitic. Mamdani bent over backwards to avoid any mild criticism of Trump. Asked about past statements calling Trump a despot, Mamdani dodged. We are very clear about our positions and views What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting we had was focused not on issues of disagreements, but also on the shared purpose we have. At one point, Mamdani was asked directly by a reporter about his previous statements that Trump is a fascist. After fumbling for a reply, Mamdani allowed Trump to respond for him: Thats OK, you can just say it. It is easier than explaining it. I dont mind. Trump then patted Mamdani on the arm, as Mamdani smiled. Thus the pair jointly agreed that Trump is a fascist, but that this would be no hindrance to their blooming partnership. When asked about the House resolution condemning socialismpassed just hours before his meeting with Trump with bipartisan support, including a vote by Hakeem Jeffries and the rest of the Democratic Party leadershipMamdani offered a dismissive response. I focus very little on resolutions, he said. While insisting, I am a democratic socialist, he quickly added that while there might be differences about ideology the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York affordable. Thus spoke Mamdani. The Mamdani-Trump meeting took place amid an escalating political crisis confronting the Trump administration, including deep divisions within the Republican Party over Trumps personal involvement in the Epstein scandal. Trump also confronts mounting popular opposition. In North Carolina, tens of thousands of students have participated in walkouts and sick-outs in defense of immigrant families. Only a month earlier, millions participated in the No Kings demonstrations against dictatorship and fascism. The administrations response to this growing crisis has been to double down on repression at home and war abroad. One day before Mamdanis visit, Trump publicly accused six Democratic lawmakers of seditious behavior that is punishable by death, for issuing a video stating that military troops are obliged not to carry out illegal orders. Among those targeted are former military and intelligence officialsan indication that within these layers there is knowledge of Trumps plans for criminal actions, including the deployment of the military throughout the United States. Mamdani did not even mention these threats let alone denounce them. The meeting could only benefit Trump, granting legitimacy to an administration that is deeply discredited and under siege. It should be seen in the context of the decision by the Democratic Party two weeks ago to end the government shutdown on Trumps terms and bail out his administration. From the DSA and the pseudo-left as a whole, driven by class interests and inestimable pragmatism, there is no act, no matter how despicable, they will not justify. Responding to a statement from Fox News that the meeting was a Showdown with Socialism, the DSA wrote on Friday evening, Socialism won! Mamdanis praise for the aspiring dictator is presented as some sort of masterful tactical maneuver that is winning Trump over to a policy of social reform. What a fraud! Mamdanis prostration before Trump will serve to confuse his supporters and undermine the very radicalism that swept him into office. As for Mamdani himself, while presently beaming in the praise from honest, honest Trump, he can quickly find that, if he does not behave himself quite to Trumps liking, he will again be the subject of vicious denunciations and threats of violence. As rotten as all this is, there is nothing surprising about it. Prior to the election, the World Socialist Web Site wrote that should Mamdani win, he has already demonstrated in the course of his campaign that there will be very little difference between a mayoralty headed by himself and one headed by Cuomo. In less than a months time, Mamdani has proved that, if anything, this was an understatement. It is not, however, just a question of Mamdani the individual, but of a definite political perspective, the perspective promoted by the DSA, Jacobin magazine and the entire pseudo-left, in the US and internationally, the perspective of enacting change within the institutions of the state. How many times must this experience be repeated? Syriza in Greece, Podemos in Spain, Melenchon in France, Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the United States. And now Mamdani. In class terms, Mamdanis declaration of a shared purpose with Trump represents the upper middle class that the DSA speaks for aligning itself with the oligarchy for which Trump governs. These forces are more afraid of social revolution than they are of fascism, serve only to demoralize and disorient and function as an increasingly critical prop of capitalist rule. Everyone who supported Mamdani and who opposes the Gaza genocide, attacks on immigrants and the assault on the working class has to get serious and sober about these developments. The fight for socialism and opposition to the oligarchy will not come through such forces, but in relentless struggle against them. The conclusion that must be drawn by all those who take socialism seriously, who are committed to a fight against fascism and for the interests of the working class and the survival of humanity, is the need to build a genuine revolutionary movement, the Socialist Equality Party. On Thursday, the governing body of the Texas State University (TSU) system voted to uphold the firing of historian Thomas Alter, who was removed from his position as a professor at TSUs San Marcos campus in September for political speech. Alter, who has been battling his dismissal in court and via administrative processes, had appealed to the Texas Board of Regents to overturn the action of his colleges president, Kelly Damphousse. The Board of Regents, all appointees of far-right Governor Greg Abbott, released a single-line statement this week, declaring, After a thorough review of the facts, as well as information provided during Dr. Thomas Alters due process hearing, the Board of Regents has voted unanimously to uphold President Damphousses decision to summarily dismiss Dr. Alter and revoke his tenure. The firing of Alter is an attack on free speech. It sets a precedent for the systematic dismantling of democratic rights on the campuses and the initiation of a purge at universities of all those who do not subscribe to the fascist ideology pushed by the Republican Party. Dr. Tom Alter [Photo: GoFundMe - Kim Gasper-Rabuck] Alter, an accomplished researcher and educator who specializes in Texas labor history, was dismissed because of remarks he made at a conference on socialism in which he criticized capitalism and its blood-thirsty nature and expressed his support for the building of mass opposition. The historians remarks were surreptitiously recorded by far-right provocateur and Hitler apologist Karlyn Borysenko, who has made it her lifes work to destroy the lives of left-wing critics of capitalism and fascism. TSU President Damphousse, rushing to meet the demands of an orchestrated right-wing campaign and wishing to make an example of Alter, seized on the historians comments as a private citizen to claim that he was fomenting violence on campus. Alters views, Damphousse declared in an October 13 letter, implicate Texas State, its students and employees, and safety on campus during a time when tensions on campuses across the country, including at Texas State, are high. In fact, as the university leaders explanation for the firing suggests, Alter was targeted out of fear that his work on the history of Texas workers and farmers struggles and his factual description of American capitalism would connect with the sentiments of students and university workers who increasingly hate the violence and depravity of the profit system. Even in Texas, one of the geographical centers of American far-right politics, top Republican officials are rapidly losing support. According to the Texas Politics Project at the states public university in Austin, approval ratings for President Trump and Governor Abbott both now hover around 40 percent, a fall for each of about 14 to 15 percentage points from December of last year. The Texas Board of Regents decision comes as no surprise. The body is stacked with Republican donors. A 2022 Texas Tribune article noted that two-thirds of those serving on state public university boards are financial backers of Governor Abbott. Available records show that for years regents Charlie Amato, Russell Gordy, Earl Austin, Jr., and William Scott have all poured money into Republican causes nationwide. Every individual on the board is a capitalist, collectively representing interests from the oil and gas, real estate, finance, banking, logistics, energy infrastructure industries. Not one is an educator, a researcher, or a scientist. The political and social character of the Board of Regents makes clear the absurdity of the appeal issued by Aimee Villarreal, president of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) at TSU, at a rally in support of Alter the same day that the board made its decision. The regents have the power to stop this unraveling, to restore order, to restore trust, and to protect the integrity of this institution and to all state employees, Villarreal said. There was never any prospect that the Board of Regents would do anything of the sort. What is required is not appeals to Abbotts far-right political cronies, but the mobilization of students and workers against Abbott, the Board of Regents, Damphousse, and all attacks against higher education. This is the position of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). The permanent firing of Professor Alter is only the latest move in a series of attacks on democratic rights at Texas universities. In just the last two months, racial and gender ideology have been banned at Texas A&M university, a dean and department chair were fired at the same campus for referencing gender in a childrens literature course, and audits have been undertaken of gender courses at dozens of public universities in an effort to root out LGBTQ ideology. Regardless of whatever statements local Democratic Party politicians may make in support of Alter, they will do nothing to stop the attacks on higher education. The Democratic Party in fact created the conditions that have allowed for Alters firing, as well as other attacks on freedom of speech and academic freedom now underway on the campuses. Under the Biden administration, anti-genocide demonstrations were shut down and protesters arrested at university campuses in Texas and across the US. Students were subjected to internal university investigations and disciplinary hearings, forced to grovel before administrators in order to remain on campus, or were simply suspendedand often denied their degrees. At Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, anthropologist Maura Finkelstein was fired for making public statements against the mass murder of Palestinians after the Biden administration initiated a civil rights investigation against her. The eruption of fascist politics at the heights of US society emerges from the ruling elites desperate effort to preserve a capitalist system that can no longer tolerate any economic or political concessions to masses of ordinary people. The endless extraction of profit from the bottom 90 percent of humanity must now be secured by violence and by silencing opposition, such as that voiced by Alter. There is broad support for Alter at Texas State University and elsewhere. Students speak openly in his defense. Thousands of dollars have been raised for his legal campaign and fund to support his family. There is a widely held sense that something really dangerous is at work in his firing. Such sentiments have to be mobilized in political struggle. Postmaster General David Steiner speaks at an event marking the 250th anniversary of postal service's founding, July 23, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Cliff Owen] Postal workers, come forward with descriptions of the conditions at your plant by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous. We need to be more efficient, new Postmaster General David Steiner told a meeting of the USPS (United States Postal Service) Board of Governors on November 14. We need to look at innovative methods to reduce costs and bring artificial intelligence into our logistics network. But, Steiner boasted, modernization efforts have already dramatically improved our middle mile operations to transform the postal service into a logistics powerhouse. The USPS has already cut 12 million man-hours this fiscal year and hopes to cut another 12 million in the next year. He added: Furthermore, the nine regional processing and distribution centers, 19 regional transfer hubs, 17 local processing centers, and 133 sorting and delivery centers ensure that we have the space needed to process volume and serve customers during peak season and year round. Neither Steiner nor the Board members said anything about the November 8 death of Nick Acker at the Detroit Network Distribution Center (in fact, nobody at the meeting said anything about safety at all). Acker was killed by a mail sorting machine while performing maintenance, a machine which workers say had key safety features disabled. His body was not found for another eight hours. The day after Steiners report, another postal worker, Russell Scruggs, Jr., died at a Processing & Distribution Center in Palmetto, Georgia. Scruggs died after falling and hitting his head and bled out while management instructed his coworkers to get back to work. Critical delays in emergency services, made worse by the lack of cell phone coverage inside the building, were a major contributing factor. While we may change specific initiatives as we move forward, and our execution needs improvement, Steiner concluded, I do not see the need for a fundamental reassessment of our processing and logistics modernization strategies at this time. This is the human cost of modernization at the United States Postal Service (USPS). At least five postal workers have died on the job so far this year, including two letter carriers who died over the summer due to heat-related causes. Scruggs was the fifth Palmetto worker to die in less than two years, including the deaths onsite of Eric Smith this June and of Shannon Barnes last year. Workers say two more workers have committed suicide. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) is launching an investigation into these and other postal worker deaths. In a statement, the IWA-RFC explained an independent rank-and-file worker-led inquiry is necessary to keep management, the corporate media and the union bureaucracy from sweeping them under the rug. The inquiry will 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, it explained. The USPS is now in its fifth year of a massive restructuring effort, Delivering for America (DFA). As the USPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee explained two years ago, its purpose is to transform the USPS from a public service, which used to pay decent wages and pensions, into an entity beholden to profits, with a super-exploited, Amazon-style workforce. This is being accomplished through the elimination of thousands of local post offices and delivery routes and the consolidation of the network into a smaller number of large, highly automated facilities requiring less labor. The size of the roughly 600,000-strong workforce is being slashed, mainly through attrition. In his report, Steiner boasted of more than 10,000 buyouts so far this year and modest seasonal hiring of only 14,000 this year. Meanwhile, Steiner said, daily package processing capacity [has increased] from 60 million to 88 million through the deployment of more than 600 package sorters, including 94 installed this year alone. The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) issued only a muted statement in response to the November 14 meeting, urging Steiner to end DFA. Neither Steiner nor the APWU bureaucracy itself takes such statements seriously. The union, with over 220,000 active and retired members, has called only a handful of token protests over the past few years against DFA involving only a few dozen people. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) both explicitly support DFA. All three have forced through sellout contracts this year which have paved the way for more attacks. Related to DFA are additional programs directed against postal carriers implemented with union approval. The new TIAREAP (Technology Integrated Alternate Route Evaluation and Adjustment Process) system uses electronic tracking to harass and impose speedup on city carriers. RRECS (Rural Route Evaluation Compensation System) has been used to cut pay for two-thirds of rural carriers, often by $10,000 and even $20,000 a year. The program has had catastrophic results on mail delivery, including week-long delays of medical test results and other critical mail. The Palmetto facility, the first Regional Processing & Delivery Center opened under the new plan, has also been one of the worst offenders. These delays have attracted media attention and grandstanding from members of Congress. The response to the deaths of Scruggs and Acker have been far more muted. While remaining silent on safety, Steiner proudly informed the Board last week that service performance is steadily improving and we now regularly perform in the high 80s and even into the mid 90s for some of our products. Looking ahead to this current quarter, he went on, like the rest of the industry, were experiencing disruptions in our air transportation network due to the cargo flight tragedy in Louisville, the grounding of the MD11 planes and the increased cancellation of commercial flights. The impact on deliveries of the Louisville air disaster, in which a UPS cargo plane killed 14 people after plowing into a dense industrial area, was the closest that Steiner came to the topic of safety. DFA began under previous postmaster Louis DeJoy, who took office under Trumps first term and continued under Biden. A major undeclared aim was to make USPS profitable to prepare for its eventual privatization. Indeed, DeJoy himself owns a company that contracts with USPS, and Steiner was until recently on the board of directors for FedEx. But for now, Steiner appears to favor alternative approaches which amount to turning USPS over to private corporations without necessarily privatizing it. Identifying its legally-required service to every part of the country, Steiner emphasized that this is already being leveraged for deals in which USPS functions as last-mile delivery contractors for private logistics firms. In particular, he pointed to a deal with UPS (itself slashing tens of thousands of jobs under its Network of the Future, carried out with the support of the Teamsters union) for last-mile delivery for less profitable routes. We are also in talks with similarly situated companies for expanded last-mile service, he said. An existing deal with Amazon to deliver over a billion packages a year to rural areas shows the impact in practice. Rural postal workers have spoken out for years against dangerous levels of overwork, as well as illegal preferential treatment for Amazon packages as the rural network becomes overwhelmed. Steiner also pointed to a similar strategic partnership with DHL, which merged decades ago with the German post office when it was privatized in the 1990s. The integration of corporations with the government has been greatly accelerated under Trump. In addition to FedEx man Steiner, David Keeling, former safety head at UPS and Amazon, has been handed control of OSHA. Cuts to social programs have taken place with the direct involvement of billionaires like Elon Musk, and the oligarchs are regular visitors to the White House, soon to be hosted in the new opulent $300 million ballroom. Steiner also used the meeting to push for the removal of statutory requirements for USPS to invest its retirement and healthcare funds into safer but low-yield treasury securities, opening it up for investment into higher risk investments on the stock market. Steiner and the board members complained that this is a major drag on USPS finances because the yields are not enough to cover costs. He stressed that this, combined with the removal of limits on raising debt, was needed to help raise capital for DFA. In addition to modernization, this would place USPS, which receives no federal funding and is entirely self-funded by postal revenues, even more at the mercy of Wall Street. This underscores that the fight must be organized from below through new structures which workers control. The USPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, founded two years ago to fight Delivering for America, must be expanded into a network of local committees to share information, discuss strategy and plan joint actions. The defense of the post office must also be combined with a mobilization of the working class as a whole against inequality and oligarchy. The Muziekgebouw concert hall in the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven has canceled a performance scheduled for December 4 by the Soviet-Austrian pianist Elisabeth Leonskaya (or Leonskaja). The cancellation is part of the anti-Russian hysteria sweeping European governments and political and cultural establishments in particular. Elisabeth Leonskaya, classical pianist [Photo by Julia Wesely-IMG Artists / CC BY 3.0 In its dishonest and misleading statement, Muziekgebouw officials claim that the guidelines of the industry association VSCD (Association of Directors of Theaters and Concert Halls) leave them no choice. These recommendations, among other things, indicate that Russian and Belarusian artists are welcome if they have not openly expressed support for a special military operation on Ukraine. There is no indication that Leonskaya, who conspicuously refrains from commenting on political events, has offered support to the Putin government or its war effort in Ukraine. Nonetheless, Muziekgebouw continues: Despite her Russian background, she was not born in Russia and also has Austrian citizenship. Although she does not live in Russia, she has nevertheless chosen to perform in Moscow, where the theatre where she is performing has now decided to make tickets available free of charge to members of the army and their families. The venue management goes on disingenuously to assert that while it understands that this will disappoint music lovers the grief caused by the military conflict on Ukraine is our priority at the moment. Pardon us if we remain entirely unconvinced. The cancellation has everything to do with Dutch and European bourgeois politics and machinations. As the WSWS commented at the time of the snap Dutch election in October: The traditional workers parties and the nominal left [in the Netherlands], long integrated into the machinery of capitalist rule, are utterly discredited and incapable of offering any alternative. Their complicity in decades of austerity, NATO militarism in the war against Russia, and tacit support for Israels genocide in Gaza has further alienated their social base, leaving a political vacuum exploited by the far right. And further: The Netherlands also remains a chief frontline state in NATOs military build-up against Russia and in support of Israels war and occupation in Gaza. The outgoing cabinet increased defence spending beyond 2 percent of GDP and expanded arms exports despite mass anti-war Red Line protests. Muziekgebouw concert hall in Eindhoven [Photo by Mark Bergsma / CC BY 3.0 This has everything to do with the Muziekgebouw decision, which obviously contradicts its claims to stand for connection through music and a mission of bringing people together by offering a stage for a broad musical diversity and cross-pollination with other art forms. In a changing world, where cohesion is becoming increasingly important, we believe that music can unite people and cultures, transcending boundaries. So much for all of that, as soon as the pressure from the establishment is exerted. Leonskaya has merely been caught in the reactionary crossfire. She has had an extraordinary life and career, and is often described as one of the outstanding representatives of the Soviet piano school. One biographer explains that she was born in 1945 in Tbilisi, the capital of what was then the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. Both her parents had moved there from Odessa (Ukraine), which had been occupied by German and Romanian forces from 1941 until 1944. In the first months of occupation alone some 280,000 people, many of them Jews, were deported and/or assassinated. Her mother, who had studied piano and voice, but gave up thoughts of a musical career because her parents died and she had to support herself, was forced to flee to Georgia, leaving behind little more than a house buried in ashes and carrying all her papers and personal belongings. Her half-Russian, half-Polish father, a lawyer, also fled from the anti-Semitic crusade. His first wife died in a concentration camp. Schubert, Elisabeth Leonskaja Leonskaya once told an interviewer, I started at music school when I was seven and continued from there without stopping. I was at music school for five years and then at the conservatory. And then at 18 I moved to Moscow. ... I wanted to continue and I wanted to learn new things. I must say that Tbilisi is really a very nice place. It has a nice tradition for piano music with old connections to St. Petersburg and to Moscow. And really now you see how many wonderful pianists have come from there. But in my time, I was absolutely sure I had to change to Moscow to continue. Leonskaya was considered a child prodigy, giving her first concerts as early as 11 years old. The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society observes that While still a student at the Moscow Conservatory, she won prizes in the prestigious Enescu, Marguerite Long and Queen Elizabeth international piano competitions. Elisabeth Leonskayas musical development was shaped or influenced to a decisive degree by her collaboration with [famed Soviet pianist] Sviatoslav Richter. The master recognized her exceptional talent and fostered her development not only through teaching and giving her advice, but also by inviting her to play numerous duets with him. The musical partnership and personal friendship between Sviatoslav Richter and Elisabeth Leonskaya endured until Richters death in 1997. This is Elisabeth Leonskaya and Sviatoslav Richter rehearsing in the 1990s. She left the Soviet Union in 1978 and settled in Vienna. She has Austrian citizenship. She continues to perform and record, paying particular attention to the nurturing of younger pianists. Earlier this year, Leonskayas concert at Wigmore Hall in London produced a glowing review from Christopher Axworthy. Calling her La Leonskaya, one of the great dames of the piano, along with Soviet-trained pianists [Tatiana] Nikolaeva, [Eliso] Virsaladze and [Oxana] Yablonskaya, Axworthy referred to these four great ladies and master musicians who were blessed with an early discipline which is that of the true kapellmeister, where music has been planted from an early age into their very being. A technical mastery where the fingers have been moulded into the keys as they have grown, with a limpet-like rubbery flexibility that can dig deep into the keys without any hardness. A musicianship that can allow them to transpose or improvise as Mozart, Bach or Beethoven would have been expected to do. The decision by the Muziekgebouw is not only vicious and stupid, and hypocritical, it is dangerous. Whatever the venues officials think they are doing, they have become entangled in the campaign to justify war against Russia and a new imperialist slaughter with incalculable consequences. Concerns are mounting for the health of thousands of children, educators and their families after childrens coloured sand products were recalled because testing revealed that the products contain asbestos. Yet, few schools and day care centres using the sand have been closed for its removal. It is shocking that the only Australian state or territory to temporarily shut all affected schools has been the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), centred on Canberra. Some of the coloured sand products recalled after detection of asbestos. [Photo: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission] Over the past two weeks, about 1,000 schools and early learning centres across Australia have reported using the sand during curriculum activities, and 87 retailers have been involved in a voluntary recall of the products. While some governments and agencies insist there is a low risk of health damage, it is a medical fact that all exposure to asbestos is potentially dangerous. Consisting of tiny fibres, it can be inhaled without knowing it. These fibres can get stuck in your lungs. Even one-time exposure can be harmful, so no amount of asbestos exposure is safe. The health risks, especially to workers, were known to manufacturers for decades, but use of the material was not completely banned in Australia until 2003. Thousands of people have died from mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis as a result, often many years after their exposure. Experts have stated that the risk of fatal exposure is less for the types of asbestoschrysotile and tremolitedetected in the sands than for blue asbestos in mining, but warned of the need to treat the danger seriously, given uncertainty about how long children may have been exposed. In a statement posted on the Science Media Centre, Dr Ian Musgrave, a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Adelaide, explained: While less hazardous than blue asbestos, the infamous asbestos at Wittenoom (an Australian asbestos mine), all types of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, (a rare lung cancer) and asbestosis (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis). Musgrave added: The risk of asbestos-induced disease depends on duration of exposure and the amount of inhaled fibres. While authorities had reported that no release of respiratory asbestos fibres from the sand had been detected, we do not have any indication of actual levels of these asbestos forms in the play sand. He concluded: While the risk is low, precautions should be taken anyway. The crisis first emerged on November 12, when the Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued recall notices over childrens sand products that were sold at various retailers. The sand was brightly coloured and designed for children to play with and for educational purposes. It was labelled as Kadink Sand, Educational ColoursRainbow Sand and CreatisticsColoured Sand. A voluntary recall was issued on the same day in New Zealand. The ACCC urged customers to stop using the products immediately and place the sand in heavy-duty plastic bags, double tape them securely and keep them out of reach of children. The agency advised taking precautions such as a wearing disposable gloves and a mask and not disposing of the sand in general waste. Since then, only some schools, preschools and childcare centres have undergone searches, and some full and partial closures have occurred. Multiple schools were temporarily closed in New Zealand. On November 14, more than a dozen schools in Canberra were closed. By the following Monday, the ACT government had temporarily shut 70 public schools, citing strict safety legislation. The ACT Work Health and Safety Commissioner Jacqueline Agius initially said that only the ACT had detected products containing chrysotile asbestos. She stated that asbestos found in other samples around the country was tremolite asbestos, which had a more rigid fibre. After a public debate erupted over why other states and territories had not followed the ACT lead, the federal Albanese Labor government sprang to their defence. Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Rebecca White said it was up to individual jurisdictions to decide. The Queensland state Liberal National Party government then ruled out whole-of-school closures. Its Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said it was important not to over-react. Schools in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria remained open. The Victorian and NSW education departments said they had advice from the ACCC and health departments that the health risk was low. The NSW education department said a safety alert had been sent to all its public schools to immediately and safely remove the sand products if they had them. On November 18, the Tasmanian Liberal government announced that 50 of its public schools would be fully or partially closed that afternoon and on the following day. In addition, 12 Catholic schools and some non-government schools reported being impacted. Over a 24-hour period, an audit was conducted across 200 schools in the state. Action has been limited elsewhere. In South Australia, more than 300 public schools were found to have the coloured sand, but the state Labor governments Education Minister Blair Boyer said the advice of regulators, with the exception of the ACT, was not to close schools. Later, there were reports of dozens of schools being shut for cleaning. Under Western Australias state Labor government, the education department said the department of housing and works was removing all coloured sand products. In the Northern Territory, the Country Liberal Party government has not closed any schools or services, even though it said the coloured sand products were found in 41 schools. Led by the Australian Education Union (AEU), the teacher unions have been complicit. There have been no calls for shutdowns, closures or protections. Not even a media release has been issued. This is despite the fact that all identified forms of asbestos can cause asbestosis, malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, laryngeal cancer and other serious diseases. According to a 2025 study, 5 percent to 10 percent of people exposed to asbestos at work will develop a related cancer. In most cases, these cancers do not reveal themselves for many years, even decades, as the history of mesothelioma disease internationally has shown. The partial school closures in some states have resulted from opposition by worried teachers and parents, with media interviews revealing mounting concerns. A chat on the NSW Teachers Federation Facebook showed that members were both confused and concerned by the government response. The comments included: Why is ACT closing schools and not NSW? I have not seen anything, did you see it? A school I worked at last week had some rooms empty for the day as they had used a kinetic sand that week. The rooms were getting cleaned or carpets removed? I know our school probably (including myself) has used that very sand. As usual NSW silence and secretism. What has also been revealed is a lack of government quality control and oversight in the importation of manufactured goods, in this case reportedly from China. An Australian Border Force (ABF) spokesperson said it had strict requirements in place for imported high-risk goods. For many lower-risk goods, however, the ABF considered mandatory testing to be inefficient and costly to industry. Even the discovery of the asbestos was the result of a one-off test at a laboratory on a new machine, the ACCC said. Despite the sand products entering the country for over five years, they were never previously tested. An ACCC representative told the media: That would be an extremely extensive exercise and its not currently required under Australian regulation. Its a matter for suppliers to determine the risk of the products that theyre selling and to engage in appropriate testing. In other words, the deadly dangers of asbestos have been left in the hands of profit-driven companies, just as the mining of it was left in the hands of employers for many decades. More information is yet to emerge. But it is likely, at this early stage, that working-class people are only being shown the tip of the sand-berg created by the subordination of basic social and health needs to the profit demands of the capitalist market. Women named Audrey typically exhibit a distinctive combination of inner strength and external grace that makes them both respected and admired. The 'noble' aspect of their name often manifests as natural dignity, refined tastes, and high ethical standards. They tend to be perceptive individuals who value authenticity in relationships and approach life with thoughtful consideration rather than impulsive reactions. Their strength is usually quiet but formidable - they possess remarkable resilience and the ability to endure challenges without losing their composure or kindness. In social settings, Audreys often become the calm center of their circles, offering wise counsel and maintaining harmony through their diplomatic nature. They frequently demonstrate artistic talents or deep appreciation for the arts, with many excelling in creative fields, education, or humanitarian work. Their leadership style tends to be inclusive and inspirational rather than authoritarian, earning loyalty through genuine care for others. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well discover a warm, witty personality with strong convictions and the courage to defend what they believe is right. This balance of sensitivity and strength makes Audreys particularly effective in roles requiring both compassion and firm decision-making. Cultural & Historical Significance Avarona occupies a sacred space in Arthurian mythology as the legendary burial place of King Arthur, representing one of the most enduring mysteries of British folklore. The name derives from the same linguistic roots as Avalon, the mythical island where Arthur was taken after his final battle at Camlann. In Welsh tradition, the location is known as Ynys Afallon, often interpreted as the 'Isle of Apples,' symbolizing healing, immortality, and otherworldly paradise. The cultural significance of Avarona extends beyond mere geography to embody the Arthurian concept of the 'Once and Future King'the belief that Arthur never truly died but awaits Britain's hour of greatest need to return. The name carries layers of Celtic spirituality, Christian symbolism, and national identity, representing Britain's mythical origins and spiritual destiny. Throughout medieval literature, from Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae to Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Avarona served as a powerful symbol of hope, continuity, and the enduring power of righteous leadership. The location became synonymous with the preservation of British identity and the ideals of chivalry, justice, and unity that Arthur represented. Even in modern times, Avarona continues to inspire artistic interpretations and spiritual quests, maintaining its power as a symbol of what might be preserved and what might return. NEED TO KNOW A Carnival Cruise Line passenger documented the moment a fellow cruiser arrived late to the ship while it was docked in Ensenada, Mexico The original poster took to Reddit to share the ordeal, slamming the passenger for being trashy after she gave her fellow cruisers the middle finger It appears to have happened on the Carnival Firenze sailing, which departed from Long Beach, Calif., and made multiple stops in Mexico An annoyed cruiser is detailing one latecomers unruly arrival after they were 20 minutes delayed getting back to the docked ship. In a post titled, Imagine the ship waiting for you and youre still a jerk, shared to the subreddit CarnivalCruiseFans, the passenger says they were traveling on a 5-day Carnival Cruise Line sailing that ended in Long Beach, Calif., when the unpleasant experience occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During their stop in Ensenada, Mexico, the original poster (OP) said there were multiple passengers who were late getting back to the docked ship ahead of its departure, but one passenger acted especially trashy during the ordeal, they claimed. There were two other people who got on late. The third to last had a stuffed pink penis and was so excited to make it back with it, she was forgiven, the OP joked. The second to last looked up at the ship and yelled, Im so sorry!!! She got an applause and was also completely forgiven. Getty Three cruise passengers looking at something in the distance Three cruise passengers looking at something in the distance This lady was the last to board in Ensenada and spent even more time flipping everyone off, the OP added, and shared a video of the scene. In the clip, a woman dressed in all black can be seen walking towards the ship with both hands in the air, seemingly raising her middle fingers as cruisers yell boo at her in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, she turns around and does a little dance for the onlookers, which sparks another outburst from her fellow cruisers. This last one was just trashy, the Reddit user said of the latecomer. At least we were entertained. Getty Cruise ship coming into port in Ensenada, Mexico Cruise ship coming into port in Ensenada, Mexico A few other cruisers who claimed they were on board the same ship and witnessed the entire scene go down shared their thoughts in the comments. I was here booing them! This was yesterday in Ensenada. It was a group of 4, the first two ran so we started cheering them and these two (her man isn't in this video) were flipping us off and getting booed, one person wrote, adding that the latecomers arrived about 20 minutes past the time we were supposed to depart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Omggg I was there, that was sooo annoying, a different user wrote, followed by another who added, I was there on the cruise as well!!! I totally thought the boat would take off. Other Redditors who were not on the cruise chimed in with their own two cents. Usually when we see pier runners we clap for them when they make it to the gangway! This lady could care less. She deserves to be bood, one said. Another joked, The way I would have raced her to put the ramp up. Alessia Pierdomenico/Bloomberg via Getty Carnival Firenze ship Carnival Firenze ship While the OP didnt share the exact cruise they were on, it appears to have happened on the cruise lines Mexican Riviera sailing aboard the Carnival Firenze, according to details shared on CruiseMapper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship departed from Long Beach on Thursday, Nov. 13, making stops in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada in Mexico before returning to the California port on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Line said: "Carnival asks all guests to return to the ship at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. If a guest has not checked back in, efforts are made to determine their whereabouts." The statement also highlighted the cruise line's excursion policy, which is set to "ensure the safety of all guests and the timely operation of our voyages." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When guests are participating in a Carnival-organized shore excursion, the ship will wait for them if the tour is delayed. However, for guests exploring independently, the ship is under no obligation to delay departure if they are not back on board by the designated time." Read the original article on People Cultural & Historical Significance Ayashe holds profound cultural significance within the Chippewa (Ojibwe) tradition as a name that encapsulates core Indigenous values regarding family, community, and the sacred nature of childhood. In Chippewa culture, names are not merely labels but carry spiritual weight and reflect the community's hopes for the child's character and destiny. The name 'little one' expresses the cherished position children hold in Native American societies, where they are seen as both vulnerable beings requiring protection and as the carriers of cultural continuity into future generations. This naming tradition reflects the holistic worldview of the Chippewa people, where every member, regardless of age, has intrinsic value and contributes to the community's wellbeing. The historical context of Ayashe connects to broader Indigenous naming practices that often describe qualities, aspirations, or physical characteristics rather than serving as mere identifiers. During periods of cultural suppression, names like Ayashe helped preserve language and cultural identity when other traditions were threatened. Today, the continued use of such names represents cultural resilience and the revitalization of Indigenous languages. The name serves as a living connection to ancestral traditions while adapting to contemporary contexts, embodying both cultural preservation and the evolving nature of Indigenous identity in modern America. The fashion designer found dead on a boat at a Long Island yacht club had only trace amounts of cocaine in her system, her familys autopsy reportedly found, appearing to clash with a statement by cops. Suffolk County authorities investigating the baffling case have said glamorous Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, most likely died of an overdose after her body was discovered on the boat, which was moored at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Aug. 4. Police cited a white powdery substance near her body and no signs of violence. But they also have remained tight-lipped on further details, claiming they are awaiting the final results of their own official autopsy. Stunning fashion designer Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, was found dead on a boat at a Long Island yacht club in early August. Facebook/Martha Nolan Nolan-OSlatarras family meanwhile had a separate autopsy conducted on her body, and a source close to her relatives told the Daily Mail, There was no indication of drugs in her system that would have killed her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were only trace amounts of cocaine. And it could have been in her system for days. The familys autopsy didnt show a cause of death, only indicating Nolan-OSlatarra was a young and healthy woman, the source told the outlet. There was no obvious cause of death, no blunt force trauma, no trauma, no signs of strangulation, according to the source. The lawyer representing Nolan-OSlatarras family, Arthur Aidala, picked up his phone when a Post reporter called Friday afternoon, but the call was dropped soon after a reporter asked about the second autopsy. Aidala did not return messages seeking comment. Police have claimed Nolan-OSlatarra likely died of an overdose, but the family has disagreed. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post But he previously pushed back against speculation that Nolan-OSlatarra overdosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Something doesnt make sense here, Aidala argued in an interview in mid-November. But were hanging back and letting law enforcement do their job. Suffolk County authorities have denied The Posts legal request for public documents related to her autopsy and toxicology reports, claiming they are restricted to specific entities. The Irish immigrant was meeting with investor and boat owner Christopher Durnan, 60, to talk business before her death. While Nolan-OSlatarra wanted to meet with Durnan about a possible investment in her company, East x East, a family source claimed to the Mail that the insurance bigwig was intent on the evening being a romantic interlude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was the one driving the boat as to when and where they were meeting, the source claimed. Durnans lawyer, Robert Holdman, told New York magazine earlier this month that the pairs meeting was only about business, though he claimed the two also actually dated. The familys new autopsy doesnt have a cause of death but says only trace amounts of cocaine was found. Martha Nolan / Facebook He then backtracked on that label when asked for more information by the publication, claiming Durnan told him he loved Nolan-OSlatarra as a friend and that he wasnt involved in a hard relationship with her. Durnan claimed he and Nolan-OSlatarra were sitting on the boat when she suddenly went limp and that he unsuccessfully tried to revive her by performing CPR, his lawyer said, according to NY mag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal rep also told the outlet Durnan was naked as he screamed for help in the aftermath because Nolan-OSlatarras vomit was all over his clothes. Chris is distraught, Holdman said. He watched his friend die in trauma. Hes absolutely destroyed. A Post message for Holdman on Friday was not returned. James Patterson believes Marilyn Monroe was probably murdered. I think that she was treading in very dangerous waters, he says. She had these incredible relationships with President Kennedy, and with Robert Kennedy, and with Sinatra, and with Mafia figures. They told her stuff, and she kept track of it. She had information that was kind of dangerous. Patterson is speaking via Zoom from his Palm Beach home office, weeks before the release of his upcoming book, The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: A True Crime Thriller (Little, Brown), which revisits the rise and fall of Hollywoods most legendary blonde bombshell. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Its the story that keeps on giving, even 63 years after Monroes body was found in her Spanish-style four-bedroom Brentwood home, pill containers on the nightstand and an empty bottle of Nembutal on the floor. Her death at the age of 36 remains one of pop cultures most enduring fascinations, a historical saga well suited for our conspiracy-addled times. The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe, hitting shelves Dec. 1 and co-authored with British writer Imogen Edwards-Jones, joins a gazillion other narrative explorations of the late actress born Norma Jeane Mortenson. Among the most recent were a pair of Netflix joints from 2022: Blonde, a psychodrama starring Ana de Armas based on Joyce Carol Oates 2000 novel of the same name; and The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, a documentary that expands on Anthony Summers 1985 book Goddess. Does the world really need another Marilyn Monroe project? Dont we already know everything there is to know about the wild ride of her life and the intrigue surrounding her untimely end? A lot of people dont know the story, Patterson counters. Theres a lot of stuff I didnt know. Advertisement Advertisement Such as? The 11 foster homes. The fact that she had a pretty bad stutter when she was a kid, Patterson says. I didnt know much about the death scene, about the autopsy not being as complete as it should have been, that one of the detectives was convinced the scene was staged. The key is, a lot of people know about her a bit, but not that much. Youd be surprised. The same could be said of Patterson. You know him as the reigning maestro of thriller fiction and one of the worlds best-selling authors. But maybe youre not familiar with his doctoral studies at Vanderbilt or his earlier career on Madison Avenue. Or, for that matter, Pattersons more recent expansion in the nonfiction space, with a growing list of adaptation-ready page-turners covering A-list scandal and true crime. It began in earnest in 2017 with Filthy Rich, a prescient Jeffrey Epstein yarn that became the basis for a 2020 Netflix documentary. I knew it was a great story, Patterson says. I couldnt get it covered by CNN, Fox. The Wall Street Journal covered it and the Miami Herald, and that was it. I mean, it did well, it was a No. 1, but it just goes to show you how stupid people are. Next came books on Aaron Hernandez, John Lennon, the Kennedys, the British royal family, Mafia defense attorney Barry Slotnick, Tiger Woods and, in 2025, the Idaho Four, which Amazon Prime Video adapted as a docuseries. I like to take big swings, says Patterson. He also has a Heroes Among Us series, telling the stories of public servants like teachers, ER nurses, combat veterans, police officers and librarians. A half a dozen of those stories could be movies, he notes. With Pattersons nonfiction work in particular, his co-authors typically handle the bulk of the research, reporting and writing, with Patterson shaping the copy for tone, voice and so on though he says the process varies book by book. Nonfiction collaborators include journalists and authors like Tim Malloy, Casey Sherman, Benjamin Wallace, Chris Mooney and Vicky Ward, whos following up her work on the Idaho Four with a collaboration for a Luigi Mangione book. Thats a big swing, Patterson says. A fascinating story, really loaded with potential. Advertisement Advertisement As for the fascination that led Patterson to The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe, I mean, she was just a monster of a star, and she kind of threw it away, he says. Belying the covers claim that it is a true crime thriller, the book includes a disclaimer in the fine print calling it a work of fiction. Theres a robust bibliography of primary and secondary sources, but theres also imagined dialogue. I learned that from Norman Mailer. I believe in it, as long as youre being honest with the public, Patterson says. I dont know if Woodward does it. He takes so many interviews, but the interviews its people remembering what happened in the scene, and theyre remembering dialogue. So, you know, most nonfiction, is it real? Patterson says hes still shopping the audiovisual rights, but hes confident The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe would make a killer limited series. He plans on doing more books in his Last Days of series. (Lennon was the first, Monroe the second.) Elvis is a possibility for sure. Gene Hackman. What would be the biggest swing he could take? Putin, Patterson says, without flinching. He knows where the bodies are buried. With a reported net worth of $800 million, Patterson has published more than 250 books that have sold some 475 million copies, starting with his 1976 debut, The Thomas Berryman Number, which he struggled to get published before it went on to win a prestigious Edgar Award. He has a team at Little, Brown (an imprint of Hachette) and an arsenal of co-authors, including fellow celebrities ranging from Bill Clinton to MrBeast. A 2010 New York Times Magazine feature about his publishing empire was headlined, James Patterson Inc. Advertisement Advertisement But Patterson blanches at the notion that hes some sort of executive presiding over a multimillion-dollar best-seller business. I dont have a book factory. Here I am in this office here, he says with a laugh. People got the wrong fucking idea. Its not a factory, folks. Its this lonely guy in this room here. The perception and the reality are just so far apart. My time here is short what can I do most beautifully? Thats what pushes me. I dont need the money. This story appeared in the Nov. 19 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This isnt exactly breaking news, but body language really does give away way more than words ever could. Whether its about an individual moment (like King Charless recent solo moment) or the dynamics within a relationship (think Prince William and Princess Catherine's marriage), nonverbal cues often reveal things wed never pick up otherwise. And according to one expert, thats definitely the case when it comes to King Charless brother, Prince Edward. The Duke of Edinburgh, 61, has been showing up a lot more on the royal familys official Instagram lately,and it doesnt appear to be a random coincidence. Speaking on behalf of Betfair Slots, body language expert Darren Stanton says Edward and his wife, Duchess Sophie, seem ready to step into a fuller public role. Stanton broke down how Prince Edwards body language has been shifting over time. Edwards body language shows that he is naturally shy and introverted. He often tucks his hand into his coat or fidgets with his fingerssmall, self-soothing gestures that signal nervousness, Stanton explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added of Edwards recent visit to Nigeria, There's a gentle hesitancy in his expressions; he can look slightly anxious, as if still adjusting to the spotlight. Yet were also seeing clear signs of development. And theres more. Stanton pointed out that during the trip, Edward and the President of Nigeria were subtly mirroring one anothermatching posture, leaning in, angling their bodies the same way. That kind of mirroring, he said, suggests genuine trust and rapport, and it shows how Edward is beginning to find comfort in these interactions. As for how Duchess Sophie plays into all of this, Stanton notes that their dynamic works surprisingly well. His quiet, unassuming manner actually pairs beautifully with Sophies more extroverted confidence. Where she brings ease and outward warmth, he brings a thoughtful, understated presence, he said. He also compared their evolution to another well-known royal couple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much like we saw with William and Catherine over the years, Edward is growing into his role at his own pace. The fidgeting, the tentative expressions are still there, but we can also see the beginnings of a more assured version of him emerging. Looks like we might have a new royal power duo stepping into the spotlightquietly, confidently and very much on their own terms. Want all the latest royal news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Buckingham Palace Just Shared Photos of a Surprising Royal Family Member on IG& It Definitely Isnt Who I Expected X/@Olivianuzzi Journalist Ryan Lizza dropped more bombshell claims about his ex-fiance Olivia Nuzzi and her relationship with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including that she feared Kennedy would kill her. In a Saturday post to Substack, part two of a series, Lizza detailed discovering an affair between Nuzzi and former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (R) in 2020, as well as the Kennedy relationship four years later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuzzi has been making headlines over her new book American Canto, which details her relationship with Kennedy while she covered his presidential campaign for New York magazine. Nuzzi claimed the relationship never got physical, but she should have disclosed it over a potential conflict of interest. Kennedy has meanwhile denied any romantic or sexual relationship with Nuzzi. The revelation about Nuzzi and Kennedy led to her being let go from New York magazine and her engagement to Lizza to end. In Lizzas Substack post, Lizza described finding romantic correspondences between Kennedy and Nuzzi. I wish I hadnt been put in this position, that I didnt have to write about any of this, that I didnt have to subject myself or my loved ones to embarrassment and further loss of privacy. But Olivia has reignited a campaign of misinformation about what really happened, and Bobby, who has denied everything, is one of the most consequential policymakers in America. Unfortunately, Im the only other person who knows everything, he wrote. According to Lizza, he and Nuzzi had decided to stay together after he discovered shed slept with Sanford. Lizza wrote that he suspected more than just one physical encounter between Nuzzi and Sanford and when she encouraged him to go through her laptop and phone, he discovered a fake news story shed written up about herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lizza wrote: Olivia had written a tabloid-style news story about how sources in Washington, D.C. and Charleston have been buzzing recently about an unexpected romance: Mark Sanford and Olivia Nuzzi, who was described as one of the most famous political reporters in America, a blonde beauty who gained critical acclaim as a skilled profile writer, gaining access to the powerful and the mysterious and turning it into pure journalistic gold. Olivia told me she wrote the fake article as an exercise to think through what might be the worst that could be said publicly if the affair became known, though that didnt really make sense to me given the pieces tone. Her fantasizing about what it would be like when her secret relationship with a notorious politician finally became public would repeat itself during her affair with Bobby. When the relationship with Kennedy was discovered, Lizza claimed that Nuzzi denied there was a physical relationship. Lizza accused Nuzzi of having a near-total obsession with Bobby. Lizza wrote that when he broke off their engagement, he informed Nuzzi that he would tell people the truth if they asked about her and Kennedy. She seemed paralyzed with fear, and I frankly didnt quite understand why, he wrote. The journalist claimed Kennedy had demanded total submission and discipline and Nuzzi revealed weeks later why she was afraid of Lizza telling the truth. If anyone ever finds out, Lizza recalled his ex-fiance telling him. Im afraid Bobby will kill me. Read the full Substack post here. The post Im Afraid Bobby Will Kill Me: Olivia Nuzzis Ex-Fiance Claims She Feared for Her Life first appeared on Mediaite. BANGKOK (AP) Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday, a dramatic victory for a 25-year-old at the center of the turbulent 74th staging of the popular beauty pageant in Bangkok who stood up to public bullying from one of the hosts. The issues at this years event sprang from a sharp-tongued scolding of Bosch, which sparked a controversy marked by a walkout, feminist solidarity and a teary, melodramatic apology from the local organizer who set it all off. When Bosch was announced as the winner, cheers and screams erupted from the audience, with Mexican flags waved by elated supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to the media after her victory, Bosch said that she would like to be remembered as a person that changed a little bit the prototype of what is a Miss Universe and a real person that gives the heart. She also paid tribute to the pageant, describing it as a platform that is strong because they have the space that women are searching to have a voice. The first runner-up was 29-year old Praveenar Singh of Thailand and 25-year-old Stephany Adriana Abasali Nasser of Venezuela placed third. Rounding up the finishers were Ahtisa Manalo, 28, of the Philippines, and 27-year-old Olivia Yace of Ivory Coast who came fifth. At the livestreamed sashing ceremony for the more than 100 contestants on Nov. 4, Thai national director Nawat Itsaragrisil hectored Bosch for allegedly not following his guidelines for taking part in local promotional activities. He called security when she spoke up to defend herself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bosch walked out of the room, joined by several others in a show of solidarity, including Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjr Theilvig of Denmark. What your director did is not respectful: He called me dumb, an unbowed Bosch told Thai reporters. If it takes away your dignity, you need to go. Nawat insisted that he did not call her dumb. The Miss Universe Organization president, Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu, released a statement condemning Nawats conduct as public aggression and serious abuse. Even Mexicos first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, piled on, saying at a news conference in her countrys capital that she wanted to give recognition to Miss Mexico for voicing her disagreement in a dignified way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems to me that it is an example of how women should raise our voices, Sheinbaum said. Sheinbaum recalled being told in the past that women look more beautiful when they keep quiet. We women look more beautiful when we raise our voice and participate, because that has to do with the recognition of our rights, she said. Nawat later apologized for his actions, appearing both tearful and defiant at the same time. If anyone (was) affected and not comfortable it happened, I am so sorry, he said in front of the contestants. He then turned to them and said Its passed. OK? Are you happy? Bosch's official Miss Universe biography says she studied fashion in Mexico and Italy and has focused on creating sustainable designs and working with discarded materials. It says she has volunteered with sick children, promoted environmental awareness and engaged in supported migrants and mental health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year's competition also saw a report that two judges had quit, with one of them suggesting that there was an element of rigging to the contest. The allegation was denied. Separately, Thai police investigated the alleged illegal promotion of online casinos as part of the events publicity. Mishaps and controversies are not rare for the pageant. The 2021 event attracted criticism because it was held in Israel, to the dismay of supporters of the Palestinian cause. An example of a minor misstep literally occurred Wednesday when Miss Universe Jamaica, Gabrielle Henry, fell off the stage during the evening gown competition. She was not badly hurt. Associated Press writer Grant Peck contributed to this report. NEED TO KNOW Fatima Bosch has broken her silence after winning the title of Miss Universe The 25-year-old entered the competition as Miss Mexico Bosch later went viral for standing up to a pageant executive who berated her in a room full of her competitors during a livestreamed event Fatima Bosch is honored to hold the title of Miss Universe even with the controversy that came beforehand when she stood up for herself in the competition. In her first statement on social media since taking the crown at the 2025 Miss Universe competition on Thursday, Nov. 20, the 25-year-old, who entered the competition as Miss Mexico, credited her faith for helping her accomplish her wildest dreams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today I reaffirmed that what God has destined for you, neither envy stops it, nor destiny aborts it, nor luck changes it, she wrote in the caption of an Instagram post, translated from Spanish to English, on Friday, Nov. 21. Arnun Chonmahatrakool/Thai News Pix/LightRocket via Getty Fatima Bosch of Mexico is celebrated after winning the title of Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch of Mexico is celebrated after winning the title of Miss Universe 2025 Bosch, who shared a series of photographs with the post, added, Long live Christ the King. Her carousel began with a solo shot of her, moments after her big win, smiling while wearing her crown and a Miss Universe sash across her red and gold gown. Another image included showed Bosch sharing the spotlight with finalists from the competition, as confetti fell from the ceiling and they all smiled, while one other captured her waving to the crowd and strutting down the runway as the winner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boschs road to Miss Universe was no easy feat, however. Just weeks before the crowning moment, she went viral when she stood up and walked out of a Miss Universe event that was livestreamed via Facebook on Nov. 4, after pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil called her out for allegedly failing to "promote the host country" of Thailand on social media. When she tried to deny the claims, he responded by calling her a "dummy in front of the entire room. Bosch stood up, and when Itsaragrisil asked why, she replied, "Because I have a voice. You are not respecting me as a woman. Almost immediately, multiple other contestants rose to their feet and walked out with Miss Mexico, in support of her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As women, you need to show respect for us. Im here representing a country, and its not my fault that you have problems with my organization, Bosch said while leaving, as Itsaragrisil tried to regain control of the situation. Mohan Raj/Getty Fatima Bosch Fatima Bosch But Bosch wasnt the only one to share a statement regarding her win. Former Miss Universe judge Omar Harfouch, who announced his resignation from the judging panel days before the finale, claimed Bosch's win was "fake." Miss Mexico is a Fake winner. I Omar Harfouch declared yesterday exclusively on the Americain HBO, 24 hours before the Miss Universe final, that Miss Mexico would winbecause Miss Universe owner Raul Rocha is in business with Fatima Boschs father, he said in a statement posted on social media. 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. Harfouch also told PEOPLE that Boschs family tried to sway his vote, claiming they told him, For our business, [it] is very important to secure that she will win." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Miss Universe Organization denied the claims, stating that all competition evaluations continue to follow the established, transparent, and supervised MUO protocols. Read the original article on People Sarah Fergusons latest business blow casts a dark shadow over her future in the U.K., as the fallout from her ex-husbands scandals refuses to fade. The ex-Duchess of Yorks new childrens book, which had already been delayed, has now been withdrawn from sale, the BBC reported. "Flora and Fern: Along the Way" was supposed to be published on Oct. 9 but was then scheduled for a Nov. 20 release. It is no longer listed, and the book is not scheduled to be published in the U.S. Nielsen IQ BookData confirmed to the BBC that the title had been marked as "withdrawn from sale" at the request of the publisher. Fox News Digital reached out to the U.K.s New Frontier Publishing and a spokesperson for Ferguson, 66, for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah Ferguson Prepares Independent Move As Prince Andrew Loses Royal Titles And Royal Lodge Lease: Report After ex-Prince Andrew lost his princely titles, the BBC revealed that Sarah Ferguson's new children's book wouldn't be published on Nov. 20. "This is yet another indication that she is now considered a toxic brand," British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital. "Charities have dropped her, and friends are distancing themselves. She has a bleak future in England." Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams agreed. Read On The Fox News App "The axing of her childrens book shows she has no future as a childrens author," he said. "It is highly unlikely shell find a way back from this." WATCH: PRINCE ANDREW, JEFFREY EPSTEIN HAD MONEY AND SEX IN COMMON: AUTHOR On Oct. 30, King Charles III stripped his disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, of his royal titles. He also evicted him from Royal Lodge after weeks of pressure to act over the former Duke of Yorks friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ex-prince shared the 30-room mansion near Windsor Castle with Ferguson, making it their longtime home. She is no longer styled as the Duchess of York and must now find a new home. The mother of two has not escaped controversy herself, with questions lingering over her association with Epstein. Sarah Ferguson speaks during the Climate Solidarity in the Commonwealth panel at Global Citizen NOW: Health and Climate Financing Sessions The Urgent Need for Action at Guastavino's on Sept. 25, 2024, in New York City. In September, Ferguson was dropped as a patron for multiple charities after leaked emails revealed she had referred to Epstein as a "steadfast, generous and supreme friend." According to the Daily Mail, Ferguson, who divorced Andrew in 1996, reached out to Epstein in 2011 after publicly denouncing their friendship during an interview with the Evening Standard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that interview, Ferguson expressed her "deep regret" and promised to "have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again," three years after he had been imprisoned for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Click Here To Sign Up For The Entertainment Newsletter Ex-Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 16, 2025, in London, England. The pair must leave Royal Lodge, a 30-room palatial home on the grounds of Windsor Castle. In a statement to The Guardian, a representative for Ferguson said she stood by her public condemnation of Epstein. "Like many people, she was taken in by [Epsteins] lies. As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with pedophilia," the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She does not resile from anything she said then. This email was sent in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats." Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew married in 1986 and divorced in 1996, yet maintain a close bond as co-parents to Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Ferguson has admitted to accepting money from Epstein in the past. The ex-duchess began writing childrens books in 1989. Her titles aligned with her charitable work and desire to encourage literacy. The BBC reported that HarperCollins, which published Fergusons 2023 historical novel "A Most Intriguing Lady," declined to comment on whether it plans to sever ties with Ferguson but noted that her books remain in print. "This is obviously very significant for Sarah and another hammer blow to her future and her sanity," royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital. "The amount of stress being heaped onto her has really affected her personally. She is living on the edge of a precipice, looking down into the darkness below." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like What Youre Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News Royal experts claimed to Fox News Digital that Sarah Ferguson might consider a move to Portugal. "Although Sarah succumbed to the rich benefits of a high life, she brought many values too," said Turner. "I believe her heart was always there to support people less fortunate than herself." British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard previously told Fox News Digital that Ferguson has been attempting to keep a low profile since she and Andrew were exiled. "She is leaning on trusted staff members," Chard claimed. "Her nerves are frayed. She is shaken to the core by the loss of her royal safety net. She fears further humiliation and worries that the serious allegations will affect her girls standing. The couples daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have distanced themselves from their parents scandals." From left: Princess Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson and Princess Eugenie attend The Anti Slavery Collective's inaugural Winter Gala at Battersea Arts Centre on Nov. 29, 2023, in London. "Sarah has made it well known among her staff and others that she no longer believes in Andrew and is preparing to go her own way after years of loyalty and public defense of her ex-husband," Fordwich also claimed. "Shes described as massively on edge and panicking about her own future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While Sarah and Andrew are currently both still residing in Windsor, they are reportedly sleeping at different ends of the sprawling Royal Lodge. They do get together to discuss their respective uncertain futures." "While their relationship had long been described as unusually close for divorced exes cohabiting and supporting one another through public crises there is now a real rupture," Fordwich said. In this undated photo, Sarah Ferguson is seen promoting her children's book, "Little Red's Christmas Story," in New York City. Chard and Fordwichs comments came shortly after royal biographer Robert Jobson appeared on Hello! Magazines "A Right Royal Podcast." He told the outlet that Ferguson is "not great." "I've known her for many years, and I'm not saying that she hasn't done anything wrong because it has been documented what she did wrong," Jobson said. "What I'm saying is, is it the same? Should she be in the same boat as Andrew? I don't necessarily think so." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think we should all be aware of people's mental health, whether they're ex-prince, princess, ex-duchess, whatever," he added. Sarah Ferguson attends the "Knights of Charity" gala at Chateau de la Croix des Gardes on July 17, 2025, in Cannes, France. Multiple royal experts told Fox News Digital its likely Ferguson is considering a move to Portugal. Eugenie, a married mother of two, lives in the country part-time. Andrew is expected to move to a property on the kings Sandringham estate and receive private financial support from his brother. "Many have observed the reclusive Andrew to be increasingly paranoid, ranting and muttering around Royal Lodge," Fordwich claimed. "Hes totally secluded. But both are said to be particularly concerned about further revelations from the Epstein scandal." Original article source: Sarah Ferguson hit by latest business blow as ex-Prince Andrew's Epstein scandals derail her career: expert You may have caught "Wicked: For Good" starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo on "Wicked: One Wonderful Night," which aired Nov. 6 on NBC. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attend the European Premiere of "Wicked: For Good" at Cineworld Leicester Square on Nov. 10, 2025 in London, England. (Aimee Rose McGhee/Dave Benett/WireImage) The special featured Erivo and Grande - who play Elphaba and Glinda in the "Wicked" films - singing "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" with cast members from the movies, including Jeff Goldblum and Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh. The special is now available for streaming on NBC's Peacock service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair also re-enacted one of the most classic duets of vintage television, the Oct. 6, 1963, episode of "The Judy Garland Show," the variety show that CBS ran opposite the NBC's juggernaut series "Bonanza." The episode with Barbra Streisand, then only 21, featured the duet "Get Happy," one of the last songs Garland sang for MGM, in 1950s' "Summer Stock." Garland was 41 and "Get Happy" had become a staple of her concert tours. Streisand had recorded "Happy Days Are Here Again" on her debut album, "The Barbra Streisand Album," released in 1963. The medley, Garland's idea, was arranged by Mel Torme, who later wrote of it, "The result was electrifying, one of those chance discoveries in which two great songs jell into one extra special opus." "The Judy Garland Show," featuring (from left) Barbra Streisand; Judy Garland, Oct. 4, 1963. (CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images) The performance was recorded two days before the show aired. Streisand told The New York Times the two later became friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Garland and Streisand, Erivo and Grande have reportedly formed a friendship. Both stars performed in Connecticut prior to starring in their "Wicked" roles. Before it opened on Broadway, "13" was presented at Goodspeed's Terris Theatre in Chester from May 9 through June 8 in 2008 featuring a young Grande. Erivo gave a performance at The Ridgefield Playhouse in 2018. "Wicked: For Good" released in theaters on Friday. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande attend the European Premiere of "Wicked: For Good" at Cineworld Leicester Square on Nov.10, 2025 in London, England. (Dave Benett/Aimee Rose McGhee/Dave Benett/WireImage) Japonisme at the Hill-Stead Museum It's hard to overstate the effect that the opening up of Japan to the West had on world culture. And while it may seem hard to believe in these days of global trade, Japan wanted nothing to do with the West. It had seen the impact that Christian missionaries had on its neighbors and worried new ideas would dilute its sense of national identity. Japan had also watched Western Europe scooping up countries with avidity, sucking up their native industries and exploiting indigenous peoples. So beyond its agreement with the Dutch in the early 1600s, Japan effectively hung a "Keep Out" sign on the archipelago. Most foreigners were expelled by 1639, according to the Department of State's Historian website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the West's desire to capture the treasures and knowledge of Japan, especially after California became a state in 1850, was too strong. The pesky and persistent American Commodore Matthew Perry led his four ships into the harbor at Tokyo Bay in 1853, seeking to re-establish trade for the first time in more than 200 years between Japan and the western world. The following year, the Treaty of Kanagawa established trade between Japan and the United States, according to the National Archives. This month, the Hill-Stead Museum will showcase some of the fruits of that relationship in "The Great Wave: Japonisme at Hill-Stead," which will explore the transformative influence of Japanese art and aesthetics on Western artists and collectors in the 19th and early 20th century. The gallery opening will be held on Dec.11 and the exhibit will run through April 30, 2026. Theodate Pope Riddle designed Hill-Stead for her father, Alfred, with the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White. The historic house is designated a National Historic Landmark, according to the website. Whistler's "Old Battersea Bridge" will be on display at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, beginning Dec. 11. (Contributed/Courtesy of Hill-Stead Museum) The exhibit coincides with the activation of spaces in the museum's period rooms intended to further explore "the ways that the Pope family encountered and embodied aspects of Japonisme," according to a news release. "Research shows that Alfred's interest in and search for woodblock prints continued after his last known purchase of artwork by the Impressionists." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France began a long love affair with Japan, in the 1860s. It was French art critic Philippe Burty who coined the term Japonisme to describe the study of Japanese art, history and culture in 1872. Artists from Edgar Degas to Vincent van Gogh with American Mary Cassatt were equally smitten by woodblocks. The composition of Degas paintings of dancers were heavily influenced by such prints. Given that France was then the center for art and fashion, Japanese woodblock prints (Ukiyo-e), netsuke (small sculptures), Buddhist sutras, lacquer ware and other selected objects became highly sought after by collectors like Alfred Pope, according to the Hill-Stead Museum. Among the items on display will be archival materials from Alfred Pope's collection, and his daughter Theodate Pope Riddle's post-WWI voyage to Japan with husband, John Wallace Riddle, according to a news release. That includes woodbock prints by Hiroshige, known for his "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" and other works. Trivia Question Despite their vast influence, the Dutch were not the first Europeans in Japan. What country preceded them? Holiday Music in Waterbury If you're looking for a festive way to spend a holiday afternoon, you might try the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, where the Connecticut Accordion Association is performing a holiday concert, "Squeeze in the Holidays" on Dec. 6. at 2 p.m. Cheshire's Marilyn O'Neil and her accordion teacher, Mary Tokarski, started the group in 2004. According to its website, the CAA "is dedicated to the promotion of the accordion through all music genres and all variations of accordion instruments." Trivia Answer In 1543, a Portuguese ship was blown off course by a typhoon, leaving the crew shipwrecked off the south-west tip of Japan. It was a lucky break for the Portuguese, who were keen on trade with the country. By 1549, the Jesuit priest Francis Xavier arrived in the country to found the first Christian mission. Francis died of fever in 1552 on Shangchuan Island, waiting to be admitted to mainland China. He was 46. This article originally published at CT Culture Corner: 'Wicked' stars with CT ties famous medley and a look at Japonisme. At the beginning of 2023s Sisu, the title is described as a Finnish word that cannot be translated. It means a white-knuckled form of courage and unimaginable determination. The same could be said of the original movie, which has now blossomed into a blood-splattered franchise with this weeks release of Sisu: Road to Revenge (overseas, it has the much better title of Si2u) through Sony Pictures Screen Gems label. It opens opposite Universals decidedly not violent Wicked: For Good in a piece of serious counter-programming. What began as a curious import has turned into a holiday movie with global ambitions and its put its filmmaker, Jalmari Helander, in place to revive a long-dormant franchise in John Rambo. The first Sisu introduced Jorma Tommila as Aatami Korpi, a man living alone in Finland in 1944 during the Lapland War (a two-month-long skirmish between the Finnish and Nazi Germany in the northern part of Finland). Korpi is searching for gold when he and his dog (an unnamed Bedlington Terrier) run afoul of the Nazis. Much bloodshed ensues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the sequel, Aatami Korpi, now known as the man who refuses to die, dismantles his own home in a Soviet-occupied sliver of Finland, determined to rebuild it someplace safe. He loads the beams of the house onto a truck and is immediately assaulted by Soviet forces, led by a man (Stephen Lang from the Avatar movies) who was responsible for the murder of Korpis wife. Somehow, this one is even more violent. Helander said he had an idea for a sequel while filming the first movie, but when it came to actually work on it, he found the idea to be substandard. I realized that I didnt want to do it because I didnt think it was good enough, Helander said. He was quickly reminded by his producer that they still owed the Finnish Film Foundation, which supported the original movie, a sequel. I started thinking again, and then I got the idea of going to get his house back from the Soviets, so that changed the ball game for me, said Helander. He wouldnt say what the original idea for the Sisu sequel was, in case he wants to use it for another installment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helander claims that casting American actors in the movie, including Richard Brake and Lang, was not meant to consciously broaden the audience but was a necessity, since the sequel is much more expensive than the original movie. Sisu cost around $6.5 million to make, while the sequel cost a more robust $12.2 million, making it one of the most expensive Finnish films ever made. The Finnish Film Foundation chipped in a little over $1 million to the budget. The sequel also changed distributors, with Lionsgate releasing the first movie domestically and Sony taking over for the follow-up. Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions handled the distribution of the first movie outside of the Nordic countries and America. Not that Helander felt any additional pressure. Theres always pressure when youre doing a film, even if theres not a big studio maybe theres even more, Helander explained. He said that since the first movie opened, a lot more people had seen the original Sisu and that Im hoping theres going to be a lot of people who want to see this too. One of the only alterations from the Finnish to international releases are the chapter titles in the film, which are in Finnish in the original version and translated everywhere else. And the title, of course, from Si2u to Road to Revenge. He said he doesnt care about the title change. I just want people to see it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the first film, Helander said, is basically First Blood in a way you come across a dude you shouldnt be fking with, he was after something different with the sequel. I wanted to have more speed, more movement, Helander explained. The biggest inspiration for the style itself is an Indiana Jones kind of vibe. Or maybe James Bond with a touch of violence. A touch of violence might be understating things. Sisu: Road to Revenge, like the first film, features some of the most oversized (and genuinely cathartic) violence ever put on screen. Soviet soldiers get knifed, detonated, shot and crushed. It gets to a point where you wonder if the ratings board ever stepped in and tried to tone things down. Helander said that yes, one scene went a bit too far. There was one beating [sequence] and I actually felt it myself when I was filming it. I was like, What the fk am I doing? Helander said. I have my limits too. As for what is next for Helander, he was speaking to me from Bangkok, where hes in pre-production on John Rambo, a prequel to the Rambo franchise that had inspired him so much. This time the movie will explore a young John Rambo (played by Noah Centineo) and his time in combat in Vietnam. They start shooting at the beginning of 2026. When we asked what it was like taking over a franchise that had meant so much to him, he said it was fking weird. Im trying not to think about it, because I am in a weird position to be in, actually making the Rambo film, Helander admitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that the producers had approached him earlier about making a film for the franchise. But I didnt have a way in. I didnt want to make a remake or like Old Rambo doing something they already did Last Blood. I think thats the end, Helander said. When he came up with this new idea about a young Rambo and started talking with the writers about it, he was hooked. I really understood that this could be my way in and I could start fresh, basically, Helander said. Well, not completely fresh. When we asked about Stallones involvement, he teased, I have an idea how to use him. And there is still the possibility of a third Sisu. If luck is on their side. Or maybe determination. Also resilience. If people like the second one a lot and somebody wants to see a third one, Helander said, hed be back. But, you know, after his time with John Rambo is done. The post How Sisu Went from Cult Finnish Export to Sonys Holiday Counter-Programming appeared first on TheWrap. Two weeks after a triumphal opening to the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival with They Will be Dust, Catalan cinema, honored by a Focus at Tallinn this year, closed out the major film event with a bang, scooping three awards, including the heavyweight top Grand Prix, for Julia de Paz Solvas family drama The Good Daughter. The non-professional Kiara Arancibia won best actress for her mesmerizing performance, said the jury, while the audiences voted the The Good Daughter its top festival choice manna from heaven for sales agent Beta Cinema. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This film is a strong and emotional drama about a teenage girl dealing with family conflict. It handles difficult themes with care, making the story feel real. The lead performance is honest and sensitive, helping the audience understand her feelings. The simple cinematography and editing support the story without taking attention away from it. Overall, the film shows family struggles in a realistic and meaningful way, said the jury, consisting of director Teona Strugar Mitevska, costume designer of Friends fame Debra Mcguire, producers Nomuunzul Turmunkh, Ingo Fliess, and cinematographer Roberto Schaefer. Throwing herself into the arms of Arancibia and thanking the jury, De Paz Solvas, co-writer of the Series Mania winning show Querer, said to the packed house: I want to thank my co-author mi amor [Nuria Dunjo.] We started this film with the desire to reclaim such fundamental rights as childrens rights, living in a relationship of violence. In its literal and figurative meaning, in reference to the family of filmmakers, producers and craft creators, family was very much the theme of the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival also known as POFF which for the first time combined the festival and Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event awards, in a joyful, smooth and well-orchestrated ceremony. Family was also the theme of all main competition winners, including the Turkish LikeLike, which scooped direction (Ali Vatansever) and original score (Erdem Helvacoglu), and Germanys The Frog and the Water in which actors Aladdin Detlefsen and Kanji Tsuda shared an acting award for their roles as unlikely brothers by choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond family, the need for togetherness, humanity, healing and resilience against aggression were at the core of many award-winning titles, with war in Ukraine all too present in everybodys mind and hearts. In times like these, comedy is part of our mental survival toolkit, noted Norways Stale Stein Berg at Friday nights prize ceremony, where he won best screenwriter in main competition for Petter Nss political satire No Comment. When the world is on fire, we need to carry on doing what we love, together with the people we love. Youre all beacons of love, folks, told the audience. Receiving both of the Fipresci Award and Best Film in the First Film Competition for Hercule Falling dealing with PTSD, Danish filmmaker Christian Bonke said in his thank-you speech: The film deals with the trauma of war; it shows that it doesnt stop with war. The film started before Ukraine, and today were in a situation where all countries put more money into this military conflict. It even looks like well send more people to war and our world leaders have completely abandoned diplomacy and peace talks. I would therefore dedicate this film to the victims of war, he said, closing his emotional speech with Glory to Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine was indeed a rallying cry Friday evening at Tallinns Alexela Concert Hall, which sank painfully in the hearts of many Estonians, Lithuanians and Latvians, sharing not too distant memories of Russian occupation. My film deals with war in Ukraine, affecting us all and our democracies. We have to resist and make art that connects people, argued Lithuanias Gabriele Urbonaite when collecting the director award for Renovation from the Baltic Film competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lithuania Rules Lithuania attended POFF with a record 17 titles and went home with the most wins 9 across all festival and industry awards, confirming the vitality of its new generation of talents, backed by strong producers, such as veteran Uljana Kim, behind Renovation, Holy Destructorsand the two-time work in progress winner Dice-Ching-O-Mat and Marija Razgute at M-Films, who produced the Baltic Film Competition winners The Visitor and Becoming. Finland also put in a strong performance on Friday night with Best Film at the Doc@POFF International Competition for Days of Wonder, Best Short from Rebels with a Cause section for Pay Day, and The Well by newcomer Siiro Halto scooping the weighty 20,0000 ($23,000) Eurimages Co-Production Development Award. Finlands Lex-Julia scored the Baltic Work in Progress Public Award. Last night was also a celebration of animation with an emotional Lifetime Achievement to Estonian master Janno Poldma, co-creator of the iconic Lotte character and children and youth films via the sub-festival Just Film. Film literacy at school is essential and films for kids and youth should not be ghettoized, although they are still disregarded in the film industry, said Marge Liiske, head of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. Film education and training were also highlighted via a raft of awards at Tallinns Discovery Campus. One of the programs star mentors, two-time Palme dOr contender Jessica Hausner, was handed the festivals first Honorary Award by Tallinn Black Nights Festival Director Tiina Lokk. Citing French helmer Julia Ducournau who herself quoted Martin Scorsese, the Austrian director said: Art is about asking the questions, not giving all the answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between Nov. 7-23, Tallinn Black Nights, one of the worlds A-list film festivals alongside Cannes, Berlin and Venice, showcased 252 feature films and 275 shorts from an impressive 79 countries, including 111 world and 31 international premieres. On the industry front, nearly 860 accredited guests from around 50 countries signed up for the must-attend annual event for content from the Baltics, Nordics, CEE and beyond. Film as an artform is our focus, not glamor, Lokk insisted on stage Friday night. I can see that producers, filmmakers and distributors finally understand our DNA and send us their film gems for us to showcase to our engaged film audience. Next year will be a big anniversary, our 30th. I cant wait to celebrate this with my team and the audience, she said. 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (POFF) Winners Official Selection Competition Grand Prix Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Good Daughter, Julia de Paz Solvas (Spain) Best Director Ali Vatansever, Lifelike (Turkey) Best Actress Kiara Arancibia, The Good Daughter (Spain) Best Actor Aladdin Detlefsen, Kanji Tsuda (The Frog and the Water, Germany) Best Script Stale Stein Berg, No Comment (Norway) Best Production Design Chris Richmond, David Hand, Think of England (U.K.) Best Original Score Erdem Helvacoglu, Lifelike, (Turkey) Best Cinematographer Yutaka Yamazaki, The Imaginary Dog and the Lying Cat, (Japan) First Feature Competition Best Film Hercules Falling, Christian Bonke (Denmark) Best Director Samuel Abrahams, Lady(U.K) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special Jury Prize, Best Editing, Jan Van Der Weken, Sunday Ninth, (Belgium) Special Jury Prize Easy Girl, Hille Norden (Germany) Critics Picks Competition Best Film China Sea, Jurgis Matulevicius (Lithuania, Taiwan, Poland, Czechia) Best Director Matias Szulanski, A Summer Tale(Argentina) Special Mention Oh, What Happy Days,Homayoun Ghanizadeh (Iran) Special Mention Mo Papa,Eeva Magi (Estonia) Rebels with a Cause Competition Best Film, The Baronesses, Nabil Ben Yadir, Mokhtaria Badaoui (Belgium, Luxembourg, France) Best Director Rogan Graham, Blindsight (Romania,Turkey) Best Rebel with a Cause Short Film Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pay Day, Paivi Hirsiaho (Finland) Doc@POFF Baltic Competition Best Film Holy Destructors,Aiste Zegulyte (Lithuania, France, Latvia) Special Jury Prize My Family and Other Clowns, Heilika Pikkov, Liina Sarkinen (Estonia) Doc@POFF International Competition Best Film Days of Wonder, Karin Pennanen (Finland, Denmark, Norway) Special Jury Prize Raisa Razmerita and her team, Electing Ms Santa, Raisa Razmerita (Moldova, Romania) Best Cinematographer Max Golomidov, Edge Of The Night, Vladimir Loginov (Estonia) Baltic Film Competition Best Film The Visitor, Vytautas Katkus (Lithuania, Norway, Sweden) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best Director Gabriele Urbonaite, Renovation(Lithuania, Latvia, Belgium) Best Baltic Producer for Co-production Zhannat Alshanova, Becoming, Hannat Alshanova (France, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Lithuania, Sweden) NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asia Cinema) Jury Prize The Muralist, Sengedorj Janchivdorj (Mongolia) International Federation of Film Critics (Fiprecsci) Award Hercules Falling, Christian Bonke (Denmark) POFF Audience Award The Good Daughter, Julia de Paz Solvas (Spain) Just Film Youth and Childrens Film Festival Grand Prix They Call Me Danka, Dovile Gasiunaite (Lithuania) Juniors Jury Best Film Award The Songbirds Secret, Antoine Lanciaux (France) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrens Jury Best Film Award Leo & Lou, Carlos Solano (Spain) Youth Jury Best Film Award Wheelie, Isis Mihrimah Cabolet (Netherlands) ECFA Award Mira, Marie Limkilde (Denmark) #youngfilmmaker Award Sunflower,Ketlin Koiv Industry Awards, a Selection: Baltic Event Co-Production Market Best Project The Well by Siiri Halko, produced by Silmu Films, Finland Eurimages Special Co-Production Development Award Alice Wants to Live by Denys Sobolev (prize given to a project from Ukraine) -Producers Network Prize for Promising Young Producers No Salvation Coming (Czechia) and Vesna (Ukraine, France, Lithuania) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baltic Event Co-Production Market Public Favorite The Queen of England Stole My Parents by Ernestas Jankauskas (Lithuania, Poland) Script Pool Award White Ship by Teresa Vali (Estonia) Script Pool Public Favourite Award: Apoteos by Christofer Nilsson (Sweden) European Genre Forum Award Little Bird by Faye Jackson (U.K.) Works in Progress Special Award by TRT Dice -Ching-O-Mat by Kristijonas Vildziunas (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia) Best International Project Prince by Federico Borgia (Argentina, Uruguay) International Works in Progress Public Favourite The Convulsions by David Gutierrez Camp (France, Spain) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best Baltic Project Dice-Ching-O-Mat by Kristijonas Vildziunas (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia) Baltic Event Works in Progress Public Favourite Lex Julia by Laura Hypponen (Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Poland) Best Just Film Project Suiza by Maria Fernanda Gonzales (Peru, Argentina) Just Film Works in Progress Public Favorite: Suiza (Argentina, Peru) Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Individuals named Bartel are often perceived as grounded, practical, and reliable with a strong sense of tradition. They typically exhibit methodical thinking and careful planning in their approach to life's challenges, combining intellectual curiosity with hands-on problem-solving abilities. Many Bartels demonstrate loyalty to family and community values, often serving as stabilizing forces in their social circles. Their analytical nature makes them excellent at detail-oriented work, while their patience allows them to pursue long-term goals with determination. While sometimes reserved in new situations, they form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their consistency and dependability once trust is established. Bartels often possess a quiet confidence that comes from competence rather than arrogance, and they tend to value substance over appearance. Their combination of traditional values and practical intelligence makes them effective in roles requiring both historical understanding and contemporary application, whether in crafts, sciences, or community leadership. Bill Maher faced criticism online after he joked it was Muslim week at the White House following visits by Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and New York Citys Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Maher made the quip during Fridays episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, where he roasted Trumps bromance with MBS and called out the prince for OJ-ing reporter Jamal Khashoggi. The comedian also weighed in on Mamdanis chummy visit with Trump, who he imitated when he joked: I dont understand Islam. Why wait for the afterlife to enjoy the 72 virgins? Thats what Jeffrey Epsteins are for on Earth. These jokes didnt necessarily land online, with several fans speaking out against the rhetoric on X. I can see why youre not touring anymore, my man, one user responded Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second wrote, When did Bill Maher become such an insufferable dbag? Listening to him talk about Democratic Socialism and Muslim people hurts my intelligence. A third chimed in with, You continue your streak of unfunny. In fact, one user curtly responded with a simple, Go fk yourself. However, not everyone was offended by Mahers monologue, as several fans dropped the cry-laughing emoji beneath the episode highlight. One fan even wrote, Im not gonna lie Bill Maher is pretty funny. You have to watch this. Another added, Ok that was funny Bill. The Muslim Week joke also appeared to land flat with Mahers in-studio audience, as it prompted an awkward round of laughter. Trump said to Mamdani today, "I don't understand Islam. Why wait for the afterlife to enjoy the 72 virgins? That's what Jeffrey Epsteins are for on Earth." pic.twitter.com/YcQPDl31ca Bill Maher (@billmaher) November 22, 2025 Of course, Maher addressed several other topics during his monologue, including a dig at Trump for his Quiet, Piggy remark to a female reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, Trump is very touchy about the Epstein thing. Since a reporter asked him, did you see this I think it was on Air Force One, brought up that issue and Trump said to her its a woman reporter Quiet, Piggy,' Maher said. And then, listen to this, at the press conference the next day, his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, spun this by saying, Its actually admirable. Its the president being frank and open and honest. Thats good.' Maher added: Well, in that case, shut up, bitch. Real Time With Bill Maher will return with new episodes on HBO in January 2026. The post Bill Maher Slammed by Fans Over Muslim Week at the White House Joke: I Can See Why Youre Not Touring Anymore | Video appeared first on TheWrap. The 2022 Dutch thriller series The Golden Hour is available to stream on Netflix. The show stars Nasrdin Dchar, Ellen Parren, Matteo van der Grijn, Abbas Fasaei, and Nabil Mallat. The story revolves around Mardik, a Dutch detective of Afghan descent who, after a terrorist attack in Amsterdam, races against time to find the suspects, one of whom may be his childhood friend Faysal. The Golden Hour also delves into the detectives personal and professional struggles as he investigates the attack and grapples with the possibility of his friends involvement. The story begins during a quiet evening when Mardik gets a text message revealing that Faysal has arrived back in the Netherlands. When the city is hit by a terrorist attack the next day, Mardik immediately suspects his old friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The six-episode series initially premiered in November 2022 and has been praised for its intense and riveting storyline, as well as its acting, camerawork, and cinematography. The Golden Hour is produced by NL Films (Banijay) and directed by Bobby Boermans. The Dutch filmmaker graduated from the Dutch Film & Television Academy and continued his studies at the American Film Institute. Along with The Golden Hour, Boermans has directed music videos, commercials, and online campaigns for major brands. He made his feature film debut in 2011 with the Dutch film Claustrofobia. His second theatrical feature, the thriller App, was released in 2012. Boermans has won several awards for his work, including a Golden Calf nomination for Best Dutch TV Drama. The Golden Hour is different from conventional stories about terrorism as it explores the aftermath of the horrific event. Randall Broman, head of international distribution of scripted shows at Mediawan Rights, previously described the show as a character-driven series that explores the multifaceted repercussions of a terrorist attack. The Golden Hour The biggest draw of The Golden Hour is the intricate dynamic between Mardik and the mastermind behind the attacks. Both born in the same Afghan village, the two took divergent paths in life. While they were refugee children in Europe, one grew up to become a proud Dutch citizen, while the other became radicalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Identity and systemic racism are crucial elements woven into the fabric of The Golden Hour. Mardik, a dedicated detective, finds himself navigating questions about his patriotism due to his Afghan origins. Beyond its thrilling plot, the series serves as a platform to address significant societal issues by challenging stereotypes and prompting discussions about loyalty and belonging. The Golden Hour The Golden Hour ends with Mardik discovering a potential collaboration between a police officer and Faysal in the terrorist attacks. This revelation surfaces when agent Joelle Walters observes a man resembling a cop driving a van to the attack site. In an attempt to identify the driver, Joelle questions Mardik while hes in custody, but the effort proves unsuccessful. The identity of this mysterious man remains undisclosed, creating anticipation for Season 2. If the second installment of The Golden Hour is approved, it is scheduled to premiere on AVROTROS and NPO Plus in the Netherlands before becoming available on Netflix in the US and other regions. On Thursdays November 20 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, the search was on for Luna, who is on the run. She sprinted from the beach house after the authorities arrived. She thought she had finally gotten her taste of freedom, until she nearly collided with a vehicle. Key Takeaways Luna tried to escape the authorities and everyone who was hunting her down. She appears to have been hit by a vehicle. The driver could be Remy. The Hunt Is On Everyone in Los Angeles searched frantically for Luna (Lisa Yamada). Meanwhile, she showed up at the beach house to see Will (Crew Morrow). In her delusion, she assumed they could have a future together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will told Luna that he could never have a future with a fugitive. His future is with Electra (Laneya Grace). Luna suggested that she might as well be dead since she had already lost everything, including their baby. (Did B&B tease Luna faking her own death?) The news shocked Will. However, when the authorities arrived, Will ran out of the house to inform them that Luna was inside, but she was already gone. Everyone joined in on the police hunt. At the end of Thursdays episode, Luna continued to run as a police helicopter spotted her from above. Sheila (Kimberlin Brown), Li (Naomi Matsuda), and Poppy (Romy Park) seemingly closed in on her. Meanwhile, Deacon (Sean Kanan), Taylor (Rebecca Budig), Katie (Heather Tom), and Bill (Don Diamont) were conducting their own searches, but no luck. Luna thought she was free when she ended up on an empty street. Then, she was seemingly struck by a vehicle. Did Remy Hit Luna? It would be an incredible plot twist to have Remy (Christian Weissmann) run Luna over. He has defended his friend up to this point, and even visited her in jail, despite Deke (Harrison Cone) telling him to ditch her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remy might not have realized that someone was in the road, as it was a foggy night. Once he realizes that he hit someone, he will have a meltdown. Remy has been trying to become a better person for Deke. He even told him that he would go to therapy to deal with his childhood trauma. But this could set him back. Remy might notice Luna and want to save her from the police. The two could accept the fact that theyre outcasts and no one wants anything to do with them. Luna got rejected by Will for the umpteenth time, while Deke wants a break from Remy. (Could Electra and Deke become B&Bs shocking new couple?) Yamadas exit hasnt been confirmed, so Luna might stick around. Remy could save her and hide her away, leading to a twist in this storyline. Read Next This story was originally reported on Soap Hub on November 21, 2025. Add Soap Hub as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Score big savings on your next trip because late November 2025 is shaping up to be a travelers dream. With Black Friday landing on November 28, Cyber Monday on December 1, and Travel Tuesday on December 2, airlines are gearing up to drop some of the steepest airfare promotions of the year. Whether youre planning a winter getaway or a spring escapade, or you want to bank discounted flights for later down the line, these three back-to-back shopping holidays are the prime time to snag once-a-year travel deals. Here are the top airline sales and offers to keep on your radar as the 2025 holiday deal rush approaches. Related: This Is the Best Time to Book Holiday Travel: Jet-Setters Are Rushing to Lock in the Lowest Airfare and Car Rental Prices 1. Delta Air Lines Deals Delta SkyMiles members can enjoy limited-time savings to global destinationswhile earning Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward Statusbetween Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Advertisement Advertisement SkyMiles members can use the promo code SMBF2025 (SkyMiles number required) between November 4 and December 4 to get deals on travel plans that fall within the window of December 1 to May 31, 2026. All other fliers can shop limited-time Delta deals here and save big on Black Friday with discounts like these: Save $25 on flight and hotel packages up to $1,499 Save $75 on flight and hotel packages of between $1,500 and $3,999 Save $125 on flight and hotel packages of between $4,000 and $6,999 Save $250 on flight and hotel packages of $7,000 or more 2. United Airlines Deals United's Black Friday deals are available through its United Vacations and MileagePlus Shopping programs. Advertisement Advertisement United Vacations has a "Pre Black Friday" sale with savings up to $400 with the promo code BLKFRI25, while MileagePlus Shopping features "Black Friday" promotions with enhanced miles on purchases from various retailers, such as Dyson and Macy's. For example, the MileagePlus Shopping program is offering the following until November 22: 500 bonus miles when you spend $125 2,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 5,000 bonus miles when you spend $1,100 3. American Airlines Deals American Airlines is offering Travel Tuesday deals to destinations around the world, including Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia or Australia, and New Zealand. Travelers can shop for discounted flights that are being updated in real time on the American Airlines Travel Tuesday flight deal page. Advertisement Advertisement However, American Airlines notes that "fares displayed have been collected within the last 24 hours and may no longer be available at time of booking." It's also worth noting that "some fares listed may include one or more connections that are Basic Economy, which class is subject to additional terms and conditions" and that "additional baggage fees and charges for optional products and services may apply." American Airlines' AAdvantage program is also offering Black Friday deals with discount codes to use at partner stores like Adidas, Bose, and Under Armour to earn extra miles. 4. Southwest Airlines Deals Keep tabs on Southwest Airlines' lowest fares, which are listed and updated on the airline's flight deals page here. You can also check Southwest's Loyalty Offers and Deals page for current promotions, including bonus points on hotels or rental cars. And if you want to be amongst the first to know of any other Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Travel Tuesday deals, sign up for promotional texts by texting FLYDEALS to 70139, or submit your email here to get deals delivered directly to your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Southwest's Rapid Rewards Shopping program is also offering Black Friday perks with a Holiday Bonus until November 24. The program is offering the following promotions: 400 bonus points when you spend $100 1,600 bonus points when you spend $400 4,000 bonus points when you spend $900 Shoppers can earn extra points and hefty price savings on partner shops like Sam's Club, Sephora, Disney Store, Athleta, Samsung, and more. 5. JetBlue Airlines Deals Travelers can already snag early JetBlue Black Friday deals. JetBlue Vacations is offering up to $450 off select flight and hotel packages when you book by November 25 for travel dates between January 1 and October 15, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the specific packaged deals include the following: Use code PRESALE300 to save $300 off a JetBlue Vacations package to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS), Grenada (GND), and select Grand Palladium Hotels and Resorts and TRS Hotels. (Note that there is a minimum spend of $3,000, and terms apply.) Use code PRESALE450 to get $450 off a JetBlue Vacations package to Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas. (There is a minimum spend of $4,000, and terms apply.) Other Noteworthy Airline Deals While not all airlines have announced their Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Travel Tuesday deals just yet, keep your eyes peeled for more deals and details as we inch closer to the holidays. Advertisement Advertisement Here are some other helpful links to keep tabs on pretty price drops should they arise: Shop Alaska Airlines deals to different destinations with purchase dates through the end of November here. Find Hawaiian Airlines ' promo codes for discounts and deals here. Scope out any Spirit Airlines Black Friday Deals here when you search for a specific destination and your intended dates. Frontier has announced intro fares (here) for as low as $29 when you buy by November 26 and fly between January 1 and March 13, 2026. Happy flight hunting, and safe travels. This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intrepid digital nomads find history, culture and lovely scenery in Thailand. | Credit: Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld / Getty Images Being able to work remotely opens up the world as long as theres an internet connection, you can turn anywhere into an office. This is especially enticing for those who love to travel or have always wanted to spend a few months (or years!) abroad. Here are six countries that offer digital nomad visas, making it a little easier to try out your expat dreams. Costa Rica A sloth sighting in the wild is part of Costa Rican life | Credit: NTCo / Getty Images The Costa Rican saying pura vida, or pure life, is more than just a simple catchphrase, said the BBC. Its a feeling of optimism and a uniquely positive outlook on life ingrained in the culture that also extends to visitors. This focus on wellbeing attracts those seeking a more relaxed lifestyle, especially if they want to live in a paradise for outdoor adventure, said Architectural Digest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between deadlines and Zoom meetings, explore Pacific and Caribbean beaches and hike past waterfalls and through rainforests. Affordable housing and a robust health care system also boost quality of life. What to know before applying for a visa: Costa Ricas digital nomad program extends a 90-day tourist visa to a full year, with the option to renew for one more year. Applicants must work remotely for a foreign company and earn a minimum of $3,000 USD per month. Ecuador The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, or New Cathedral, is a centerpiece of Cuenca | Credit: John Coletti / Getty Images Affordable housing and gorgeous scenery make Ecuador a rising star for foreigners looking to live in a new locale, said Travel and Leisure. Cuenca shines brightest, as the picturesque city is filled with the countrys best colonial architecture and boasts a temperate, spring-like climate during a majority of the year, The Independent said. Ecuador is perfect for the digital nomad who wants to experience a little bit of everything. The cities are lively, but quiet can be found in the Amazonian rainforest, the Andes and the beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to know before applying for a visa: You must demonstrate earnings of at least three times Ecuadors unified basic salary per month for three months prior to applying for the visa. That total is a minimum of $1,410 USD. The visa is valid for up to two years and can be extended for another two years. Mexico Mexico City is one of the most popular spots for digital nomads | Credit: ferrantraite / Getty Images The FIRE movement catches on as people want to retire early 10 of the world's most powerful passports Everything you need to know about last-minute travel Know that wherever you roam in Mexico, you will be eating well. Mexico is a feast for both the eyes and stomach, and the tacos al pastor, mole, pozole and enchiladas found in tiny restaurants and street corners are some of the best food in the world, said Lonely Planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country beckons more than just epicures; the warm weather year-round is also a draw. Lively beach towns dot the coastlines Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific and Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula are both gorgeous choices while Mexico City offers constant action and surprisingly green neighborhoods for those seeking big-city living with a side of nature. What to know before applying for a visa: Mexico does not have a specific digital nomad visa but does offer a six-month tourist visa. New Zealand Beautiful, scenic views are common in New Zealand | Credit: Photos by Tai GinDa / Getty Images Being able to spend more time soaking up the natural beauty of New Zealand is one reason to break free from the chains of our desks, said Conde Nast Traveler. When choosing a home base, consider the climate and what you want to experience during your off-hours. The volcanic and lush North Island is home to Auckland, the countrys most diverse city, while the rugged, mountainous South Island has dramatic scenery and fewer people, said Afar. Together, they offer just about everything you could ask for in a destination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What to know before applying for a visa: Applicants need to be employed by a foreign company or self-employed with clients outside of New Zealand. The visa is good for up to 90 days. Portugal Portugal's colorful buildings are one of the country's charms | Credit: Nick Brundle Photography / Getty Images When it comes to picking a place to settle in Portugal, there are no bad choices. The country is known for its pastoral landscapes punctuated by dazzling, old-world cities, as well as incredible beaches, said Travel and Leisure. Housing prices are more affordable compared to major cities in the U.S.; rent in Lisbon, for example, is on average 36.9% lower than in Seattle, according to Numbeo. When not at work, take advantage of the vibrant culture by seeing a fado performance at a cafe, sip local wines and enjoy pastel de nata (custard tarts) and arroz de marisco (seafood rice). What to know before applying for a visa: The D8 visa is for digital nomads who can show proof of a $4,000 USD monthly income. The visa is good for one year but can be extended for five more years if certain requirements are met. Applications can require up to 60 days to process. Thailand Buddhist temples, like Wat Arun, abound in Bangkok | Credit: Alexander Spatari / Getty Images Thailand calls to those seeking an utter paradise, said Travel and Leisure. Its easy to feel at home here, thanks to the tropical beauty and warm hospitality, with the bonus of affordable housing across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a cosmopolitan experience, head to Bangkok, a megacity incarnate where Buddhist monasteries mingle with towering skyscrapers and teeming markets, Lonely Planet said. Chiang Mai affords a more laid-back life, as it is blissfully calm while still firmly Thai in its atmosphere and attitude. What to know before applying for a visa: The Destination Thailand Visa, or Thailand Digital Nomad Visa, is for freelancers and remote workers employed by companies outside of Thailand. You must be able to show proof of having at least $16,000 USD in a checking or savings account and a professional portfolio. The visa is valid for five years and multiple entries, with each visit lasting no more than 180 days. A few things to remember Be respectful of your temporary home. In some places popular with digital nomads, like Mexico City, local residents are resentful that several of their most storied neighborhoods are viewed as playgrounds by people who live with dollars and dont pay local taxes, said the Los Angeles Times. Show your gratitude by supporting nonprofits in the area, shopping at small businesses, donating to charities and paying local taxes if you stay long enough to qualify. It might be the only time of year you head down this particular grocery store aisle, but here you are in November, facing down a daunting display of canned pumpkin in all its many incarnations. Sure, you said youd make the pumpkin pie for this years Thanksgiving gathering, but you forgot about this part, where you have to decode the difference between pumpkin pie mix and 100% pure pumpkin, then decide which brand to choose and hoo boy, its enough to make you want to buy a supermarket pie, put it in your own pan and walk away quickly from the dessert table, claiming innocence. Step away from that frozen pie aisle and dont despair. We talked to the professionals bakers and chefs who turn out thousands of pies all year long. They have very strong opinions about which sort of product and brand you should use for the best possible pumpkin pie, so lets get to it. Canned pure pumpkin or pumpkin pie mix? Experts were unanimous. None of the experts we talked with recommended anything but buying pure pumpkin in a can. Not one of them advocated for buying a can of pumpkin pie mix, which contains added sweetener and spices. Advertisement Advertisement Curtis Stone, the chef and owner of Maude and Gwen Butcher Shop and Restaurant in Los Angeles, said he goes for the pure and simple. If I dont have time to roast and puree pumpkins myself, and Im in a crunch, Ill always err on the side of a 100% pure pumpkin puree, he said. It gives me control over the flavor of whatever Im cooking, especially since I like making my own spice blends. Its great because you can find it everywhere, and its reliably consistent. When I choose a can, I know exactly what Im getting, and thats whats needed when prepping a big, high-stress holiday meal, he said. Rick Rodgers wrote the book on Thanksgiving (literally) with his revered classic cookbook Thanksgiving 101. These days, hes teaching baking online at coffeeandcake.org. I never buy the pre-spiced pumpkin pie mix because I already have cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in my kitchen, he said (the duh was silent). Which brand do they buy? Its Libbys (mostly). Nostalgia reigned supreme as chefs and bakers recalled why Libbys is their favorite brand. Sandy Davis, a chef for New York-based Roxo Events, burst into song: If it says LIBBYS, LIBBYS, LIBBYS on the LABEL, LABEL, LABEL, you will LIKE IT, LIKE IT, LIKE IT, on your TABLE, TABLE, TABLE, he warbled, referencing the 1970s commercial jingle. Ken Haedrich, dean of The Pie Academy, said simply, Its always been Libbys for me. Advertisement Advertisement Diane Phillips, author of James Beard-nominated cookbook Perfect Party Food, recalled the brands ties to her past: I grew up in an Italian household in which there was never a box or can of anything in the house. But when it came to Thanksgiving, my mother would buy Libbys canned pumpkin, use the recipe on the back of the can to make a pie, and wed finish it up by breakfast the day after Thanksgiving. Ive used Trader Joes organic and some other brands, but Libbys seems to be the standard when following recipes. Robin Selden, the executive chef and managing partner of Marcia Selden Catering, is another ride-or-die Libbys fan, asking, Is there anything else? Its what my mom used when I was growing up, and its all Ive ever used. It has such a great pumpkin flavor, and its filled with nutrients. Libbys is the brand I used to make my first pumpkin pie when I was a little kid, the name Libbys has just stuck with me till this day, said chef Jonathan Scinto. I havent found any other brand I like as well, since I find they have that canned, metallic taste and often contain lots of pumpkin fibers. Libbys has a beautiful rich copper-orange color, along with a taste and texture that arent matched by any other brand. But wait, just when you thought this was an all-Libbys landslide, there is an alternate brand suggestion from chef and cookbook author Robin Asbell. Your guests will wonder why your pie is so much better-tasting if you use canned butternut squash instead of pumpkin, she said. I use the Farmers Market brand, which is a beautiful orange color and has that sweet, mild butternut flavor. Forget the brown, slightly bitter canned pumpkin. If you use it, you may never go back. What to do if you bought an extra can (or more). With all this pumpkin love in the air, its understandable if you bought an extra can or 12, but there are lots of things you can do with the excess. It is really handy to keep a can of pumpkin around the house because curried pumpkin soup is super-easy, super-fast and super-delicious on a cold night, Davis said. Pair that with a pan of cornbread, and youve knocked out a home run. Advertisement Advertisement Selden said she uses cans of pumpkin in lots of ways, even in pumpkin smoothies. Her recipe: In a blender, add 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, a splash of agave or maple syrup, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt, a pinch of pumpkin pie spice, a scoop of protein powder and about a cup of ice. Blend and enjoy. But wait, theres more. Canned pumpkin can be used to make frozen pumpkin ice cream pie, pumpkin streusel cheesecake and pumpkin cake, Phillips said. Finally, dont forget that 100% pure pumpkin whichever brand you buy is a great ingredient to share with your dog. Related... When you think of a day out in nature, enjoying water in California, you probably imagine lounging on the purple sands of Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur or watching the waves crash on the rugged cliffs of the Channel Islands. There's more to California's waters than the Pacific Ocean, however. The state is home to some impressively long rivers, where eager prospectors sifted through the silt for gold, and steamboats once carried passengers all around the Golden State. If you're interested in seeing California's rivers for yourself, you have plenty to choose from, but the longest are the Pit River, the Klamath River, the San Joaquin River, the Sacramento River [pictured], and the mighty Colorado River. Whether you're spending your day hiking through the canyons along the banks of the Pit River, out at dawn birdwatching in the wetlands around the San Joaquin, or paddling a canoe through the dusty red Mojave Desert and watching the setting sun reflected on the Colorado, California's rivers offer endless opportunities to see the wild beauty of the state's diverse landscapes. With more than 2,700 miles of rushing water to see, you could easily spend a lifetime exploring their banks but if you are just booking for a great starting point for your adventure outdoors, any one of these long California rivers might be the perfect destination. Read more: 25 Gorgeous Islands For Vacationing That Won't Break The Bank The Pit River Autumn on the pit river - Micheal Lee/Shutterstock Some of the very highest peaks of the towering Cascade Mountain Range can be found in Northern California, including the ancient volcanoes Lassen Peak a tall, rocky mountain dominating the wilderness landscape that surrounds it and the jagged, pointy Mount Shasta, usually covered in snow and ice even when the land around it is lush and green. Between these two distant peaks, a long, winding river cuts through the mountainous landscape: the 207-mile Pit River. Don't picture a peaceful, slow-flowing river meandering between mountains. Despite the dams, powerhouses, and diversions used to moderate its flow, the Pit is a powerful, rushing river that surges through the canyon. Adventurous whitewater kayakers challenge themselves to paddle its turbulent blue waters. Some people fish here, but it's not a relaxing place to stand in the water. The rocky bottom is slippery, and the powerful current can easily knock you down. Advertisement Advertisement One of the most beautiful places to see the Pit River is the Modoc National Forest. Hike the Lassen Trail to Hanging Rock, a relatively easy, two-and-a-half-hour trail route that takes you right along the riverbank. The trail can be overgrown and includes some stream crossings, but it rewards hikers with incredible views of the river flowing past the sheer, craggy rock formation known as Hanging Rock. This rock was once part of an ancient reef and is packed with the fossilized remains of the creatures that once lived there, but you can still see plenty of wildlife living in the area today, too. Keep your eyes open for bald eagles swooping overhead and river otters playing in the Pit. The Klamath River The Klamath River Overlook Pacific - Jairo-rene-leiva/Getty Images Born in the deserts of Oregon, the Klamath River quickly leaves populous areas behind as it reaches California. Once in the Golden State, branches of the Klamath flow through rainforest, around titanic mountains, and through wild landscapes like the underrated Trinity Alps Wilderness, before ultimately joining the Pacific Ocean. This breathtaking 263-mile natural landmark was once a very different place its flow controlled by dams, its water quality harmed, and its fish struggling. Thanks to massive restoration projects that removed the dams and began addressing some of the impacts of agriculture, the river is returning to a wilder state, one where wildlife can thrive again. This fish-filled river is also one of the best places in America for bird lovers hoping to see raptors. The upper basin of the Klamath lies along the Pacific Flyway, a migration route, and serves as a hub for hungry and tired birds looking for a place to pause on their journeys. It is one of the top destinations to look for bald eagles. The most spectacular place to see the Klamath, however, might be in California's otherworldly Redwood National Park. The Klamath River Overlook [pictured] sits above the spot where the river flows into the ocean. This overlook is a favorite for gray whales and seals, and is an unforgettable place to watch the sun sink into the horizon. As an added bonus, the trail to the overlook features signs that tell the story of the Klamath River and how it has shaped the lives of the people who lived along its banks long before colonization. The San Joaquin River Aerial view of Fresno Valley San Joaquin River - Vincent Romero /Getty Images California's Sierra Nevada mountains are known for their ethereal beauty, high peaks, and staggering appearance. High in these mountains, the San Joaquin River forms from mountain streams before flowing down the slopes and rushing 366 miles to join with the waters of the Sacramento River and flow into the Pacific Ocean. This river is undeniably beautiful and creates habitats for diverse wildlife, but it is also vital for agriculture in this region. Its flow has been controlled by dams for this reason, causing serious damage to the ecosystem and pushing species that once thrived there to the edge of extinction. Despite its desperate need for protection and restoration, the San Joaquin remains a beloved natural landmark in the region and a hub for outdoor adventure. Advertisement Advertisement To see the river, consider hiking part of the proposed San Joaquin River Trail, which is expected to one day be more than 100 miles long, mostly following the river, and leading travelers to destinations like the underrated Devil's Postpile National Monument and along a small portion of the iconic west coast thru-hiking route, the Pacific Crest Trail. To experience this river as it once was and how it could be again one day if restoration efforts continue consider a trip to the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a safe haven for migrating birds and home to wildlife of all kinds, including the once-endangered Aleutian cackling goose and the still-endangered riparian brush rabbit, both of which rely on this habitat to survive. The Sacramento River Sacramento River, trees, mountains - Rangerron/Getty Images Sprawling an impressive 380 miles out of the Klamath Mountains to spill into the San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento River forms a massive network of rivers and creeks that makes up around a third of California's surface water. Unfortunately, the Sacramento is under threat due to development along its banks and changes in its course to support agriculture. In areas where forests are being restored, native species, from bald eagles to beavers, have begun to return to the river. You can view the river along its hundreds of miles, but the most beautiful stretches lie within protected lands rather than cities and towns. Consider a trip to the underrated Castle Crags State Park for river and mountain views away from crowds and urban landscapes. You'll also encounter the 6,000-foot-tall sheer rock formations that, true to their name, do look surprisingly like the turrets of some fantasy fortress. The Upper Sacramento River Trail provides gorgeous views of the water without being too challenging. Another great destination is the Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, where you can see the river in its natural state. Head to the Pine Creek Unit to explore the river and the forested banks, and keep your eyes and ears alert for birdsong above the rushing water. The Colorado River The Colorado River in California's Picacho State Recreation Area - Scenic Corner/Shutterstock The Colorado River might take its name from the state where it originates, but it flows for a staggering 1,450 miles and supplies water to seven states in its basin, including California. Millions of people rely on the river for their water supply, with a large share going to Californians. In fact, across Southern California, about a third of its urban water comes from the Colorado. It also supplies drinking water to some of the biggest cities in the state, like Los Angeles and San Diego. The combination of this heavy use and the impacts of the climate crisis has led to a worrying loss of water in its basin and reservoirs but when you see its powerful current flowing through the incredible California landscape, you wouldn't necessarily know it. Advertisement Advertisement Given its length, it's no surprise that there are plenty of beautiful spots to view the Colorado River. A great place to start might be in California's Picacho State Recreation Area [pictured]. Once a small mining community, it now offers a gorgeous desert landscape where visitors can see rough, dusty mountains rising up from the river's blue-green waters. You can go kayaking here and paddle through the wilderness, and in the spring, you will be treated to a colorful, mesmerizing display of blooming wildflowers. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario, there's a charming town offering the perfect family-friendly getaway with a quaint small community vibe. This Canadian destination not only makes for the perfect autumn escape, but is a vibrant town filled with events, family-run restaurants, and an incredible beach to relax on. The town of Cobourg sits just 75 miles east of Toronto, and is easily reached via Highway 401, the main artery for transportation along southern Ontario. As a born and bred Ontarian, over many years, I've had the chance to browse through Cobourg's local shops, indulge in local eats, and visit the sandy beaches that are filled to the brim during summer. A road-tripping guide through Canada would not be complete without including Cobourg, which is also the largest town in Northumberland County. With its abundance of green spaces, recreational areas, year-round events, and the perfect mix of small town tranquility with easy access to major highways, it's easy to see why Cobourg is considered by locals "The Feel Good Town," and is becoming a place where city folk come to enjoy the charm of a slower-paced life. This tight-knit community with a population just over 20,000 people, is the perfect fun, family-friendly destination to add to your travel itinerary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth Explore downtown Cobourg's historic charm and ambiance A large ornate old building - Benkrut/Getty Images One of the main draws of Cobourg is its historic downtown strip on King Street. Lined with heritage buildings that have been thoughtfully preserved, their facades and masonry have been put on the Ontario Heritage Trust conservation of protected architecture. Buildings such as Victoria Hall, a King Street standout, was completed in 1860 and now houses the Art Gallery of Northumberland, and also holds concerts and various events. Victorian-era residential homes are restored professionally by the Historic Brick Company, which specializes in old-school masonry techniques. One of the many joys of leisurely taking a stroll through Cobourg's downtown is casually browsing each and every shop along the main drag. Historic buildings housing boutiques selling anything and everything from handmade jewelry and knick-knacks, quaint vintage clothing shops, and even a cozy little book store await patrons throughout Cobourg. Once you've shopped your heart out, fuel up at one of the many eateries lining Cobourg's historic downtown. With a multitude of various food choices, you won't be short on options. Coffee lovers will be happy to hear that Cobourg has many places to enjoy a hot cuppa. Head into Cobourg Coffee Roasters to enjoy a brew, or head to the Fabled Bean for a croissant sandwich. For those looking for a full meal, Cobourg has whatever you're craving. From delicate sushi to rich French cuisine, the eclectic range of flavors is abundant in this small town. A personal favorite of mine is The Buttermilk Cafe, which offers up a cozy, diner-esque vibe serving homemade, feel good comfort food with large portions at reasonable prices. Spend time outdoors with family-friendly activities in Cobourg A large green space by the lake - Roy Harris/Shutterstock Cobourg's location along Lake Ontario makes it the perfect family destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The 373-mile Lake Ontario portion of Great Lakes Waterfront Trail passes through Cobourg, and is perfect for biking or enjoying a leisurely walk along the shore. On sunny days, head to Cobourg Beach with its white sand and nearby Victoria Park, which has amenities such as a splash pad, playground, and the Victoria Park Bandshell that hosts weekly summer concerts. RV'ers can also camp at the Victoria Park Campground, and registration can be made directly on their site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cobourg, like most of Northumberland County, is surrounded by hundreds of farms, including apple orchards, and is home to a thriving farmer's market running every Saturday morning from May to October. It sells a variety of fresh produce, homemade tarts, and even flowers. For a full day of family fun, head to Burnham Family Farm Market, open seven days a week, 9AM to 5:30PM, and selling fresh Ontario produce, homemade preserves, and pecan and raspberry tarts from the farm's onsite shop. Whether you want to rest your head in an old Heritage Inn, or relax with views overlooking Lake Ontario, Cobourg offers visitors a variety of places to stay. Watch the waves roll in as you kick back on an Adirondack chair at Willowmere Lakeside Retreat, which is a 15-minute walk from downtown. A stay at Willowmere will cost just over $200, and is open year-round. For a unique stay in town, book a room (if you dare) at King George Inn, a converted jailhouse and manor. Rooms start at $106 per night, and the only charge you'll incur is the one for your stay. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Explore. Theres a special kind of magic in visiting the real-life towns that inspired beloved holiday movies. Take a moment to wander the cobblestone streets, sip cocoa in a neighborhood cafe, and soak in the same quiet charm filmmakers fell in love with. For this list, towns were carefully selected based on three key criteria: they had to serve as either the actual filming location or a clear inspiration for a holiday film, they needed to offer tangible, traveler-friendly experiences beyond a single photo op, and they had to be accessible enough for a long weekend visit without feeling overrun by tourists. In other words, these are towns where you can relive the movie magic while also uncovering authentic local charm. From Victorian villages dusted in snow to seaside harbors twinkling with lights, each destination invites you to slow down, wander, and discover moments both cinematic and real. Whether its imagining yourself in a scene from "Home Alone", marveling at a wintery harbor that inspired "Mystic Christmas", or strolling a quiet Vermont town straight out of a Hallmark special, these hidden gems promise an off-screen adventure thats just as enchanting as the films themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adventure starts with a clicksign up for our newsletter for travel tips and stories. Towns where holiday movies came to life Winnetka, Illinois: "Home Alone" Winnetka, a leafy, snow-friendly suburb just north of Chicago, may as well have its own cameo credit. The moment you pull up to 671 Lincoln Avenue, the real-life McCallister house, you instantly recognize the red-brick facade and imagine the booby traps Kevin set inside. Arrive in late November or early December for the best effect. The lights are up, holiday energy is high, but the movie-pilgrimage crowds havent landed yet. Where it resembles the movie: The entire residential district feels like a freeze-frame from "Home Alone": wide lawns, stately houses trimmed with holiday lights, and quiet streets that look ready for a kid on a sled to whip by. Where to lean into the vibe: Hubbard Woods Park : Wander through when the trees are strung with lights. It echoes the cozy neighborhood atmosphere from the films softer scenes. Hometown Coffee & Juice: The warm windows and bustling morning crowd feel like the kind of place a frantic family would fuel up before a holiday flight they may or may not actually catch. The iconic Winnetka home that inspired "Home Alone" still stands as the ultimate holiday movie landmark.Photo by Jerry Kavan on Unsplash Mystic, Connecticut: "Mystic Christmas" Mystics role in "Mystic Christmas" makes perfect sense the moment you stroll the harbor. The combination of Olde Mistick Village, glowing shopfronts, and the historic seaport creates a setting that feels tailor-made for slow-burn holiday charm. Winter breezes off the harbor make the lights sparkle harder and your cocoa taste richer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiersten Snyder, a Westerly, Rhode Island local and frequent visitor to Mystic, put it best: "Mystic at its core is pretty cozy, but add some snow and sprinkle some holiday decorations and youre in a little winter wonderland. I feel like theres a lot of ways to get in the holiday spirit in the general area!! Olde mystic village, mystic seaports lantern light village, the lobster trap tree in Stonington borough, etc." Where it resembles the movie: The wooden boardwalks, wreath-lined shop doors, and gently bobbing boats create a soft-focus holiday harbor that mirrors the films warm, coastal mood. Where to lean into the vibe: S&P Oyster Restaurant & Bar : Looks straight out of a romantic holiday dinner scene, with big windows, winter light reflecting on the water, and steaming bowls of chowder that feel perfectly cinematic. Mystic Seaport Museum: The preserved 19th-century village channels the timeless, lantern-lit aesthetic the film leans on. Stockbridge, Massachusetts: "A Christmas Carol" (various adaptations) Few American towns capture Victorian holiday charm quite like Stockbridge. In winter, the whole town falls into a warm, nostalgic hush, the kind Norman Rockwell famously painted in "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas." Strolling Main Street feels a little surreal, as if the painting has come to life around you. And when the lampposts glow against the snow at dusk, Stockbridge becomes a living storybook set for anyone craving an old-fashioned holiday escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where it resembles the film: Main Street looks eerily similar to the snowy village streets featured in many classic versions of "A Christmas Carol." During December, garlands stretch across the road and horse-drawn carriages make appearances. A place that feels like the movie: The Red Lion Inn: With creaking floors, candlelit vibes, and roaring fireplaces, this inn could easily pass for Fezziwigs festive headquarters. Their tavern room especially feels like the scene where Scrooge watches his younger self celebrating. Related: There's a national Christmas museum in PA & it is a trip down holiday memory lane Seneca Falls, New York: "Its a Wonderful Life" Many locals still insist this town was the real-life model for Bedford Falls. Whether or not thats officially confirmed, the similarities are hard to ignore. The tree-lined streets, the friendly downtown storefronts, and that unmistakable small-town warmth all echo the world of "Its a Wonderful Life". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where it resembles the film: The bridge over the CayugaSeneca Canal looks like the bridge where George Bailey contemplates his life, down to the icy river below. A place inspired by the movie: Cafe Xix : No direct cinematic tie, but its warm, old-fashioned interior evokes the Bailey Building & Loan office if it had been turned into a cozy brunch spot. Travelers love it for its baked goods and period details. The Gould Hotel : A perfect stand-in for the Bedford Falls boarding houses where townspeople gather for warmth and gossip. It's A Wonderful Life Museum: Seneca Falls is home to the charming Its a Wonderful Life Museum, where visitors can explore memorabilia, vintage photographs, and exhibits celebrating the spirit of Bedford Falls and its connection to the film. According to Louis Bemer, who visited the museum back in 2021, "Walking through the its a wonderful life museum moved me deeply, because for a moment Seneca falls felt exactly like Bedford falls- hopeful, heartfelt, and full of that quiet magic the film always gives me." Stay in the loop with fresh travel stories and updatessubscribe to our newsletter. Stowe, Vermont: "White Christmas" Stowe looks almost intentionally crafted to mirror the airy, snow-draped lodge where Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney rehearse in "White Christmas". With its wide-porched inns, evergreen-lined pathways, and mountain views that seem permanently dusted in white, the whole town feels like a real-world stand-in for the films iconic Vermont setting. Visit in winter and the resemblance becomes as if the town itself is in on the reference, offering you a chance to step straight into a classic holiday musical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where it resembles the film: Snow-covered Church Street and the surrounding village green feel like the establishing shots from the movie, featuring quaint inns, cheerful facades, wreaths everywhere. A place that feels like the movie: Trapp Family Lodge: With panoramic mountain views and classic New England architecture, this is the closest real-world version of the Columbia Inn youll find. The dining room opens to sweeping winter scenery reminiscent of the musical numbers. How to travel like the scenestealer you are When youre visiting a movie town, the magic is in the details. Start your morning at a local bakery or coffee shop. Once you defrost, choose a window seat, watch light shimmer on shop windows, and make that part of your holiday film moment. Map out your walk so you hit the key filming locations (houses, storefronts, harbor edges) and a few offscript gems (a quirky boutique, a quiet park bench, a local holiday market). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider traveling in the shoulder season (late fall or early winter) when lights are up and snow may appear, but crowds havent peaked. This gives you the feel of the filmset magic without queues or commercial overload. Comfy shoes, layers, and a camera ready to capture a carolsinging street corner, steam rising from a cafe doorway, or a twilight backdrop that feels lifted from the credits. Related: 6 U.S. festive Christmas markets that'll get you in the holiday spirit When you visit a town that inspired a holiday movie, its more than nostalgia. Its the blending of screentime fantasy with realworld texture, offering cobbled streets you can stand on, cafes you can sip in, and snow you can crunch underfoot. The places listed above arent simply setdressing; they invite you in, they ask you to wander, to let the scene become your scene. The kind of weekend where you walk slower, pause for a hot drink by a fire, and let the architecture, light, and atmosphere whisper their stories. Thats the kind of trip these towns deliver, and the kind your holiday movie heart may just thank you for. This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Holiday lights season is officially underway in Louisville and the city's glow is only just getting started. The Courier Journal is once again building a map of the brightest, boldest and most over-the-top displays from neighborhood homes to local businesses and we want your help lighting it up. Submit your home or business to be showcased on our map so people around the city can drive by and see your hard work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether it's a business, family or city event, check out our map below that will continue to grow throughout the holiday season for the best place to see dazzling displays this year. Where to see holiday lights around Louisville, Kentucky Submit your home or business to Louisville's holiday lights map Ray Padilla is a digital producer for The Courier Journal. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville holiday lights map of homes, businesses in Kentucky Individuals named Beamard are typically characterized by a strong protective instinct and natural leadership qualities. They often exhibit the 'bear-like' courage suggested by their name, showing remarkable resilience in facing challenges and a steadfast loyalty to those they care about. These individuals tend to be grounded and practical in their approach to problems, preferring direct action over complicated strategies. Their strength is often tempered by a surprising gentleness in personal relationships, much like the bear in nature that can be both formidable and nurturing. Beamards typically possess strong intuition and are often drawn to roles where they can protect or guide others, whether in family life, community leadership, or professional settings. They value honesty and direct communication, and while they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting bonds with those who earn their trust. The combination of physical or emotional strength with protective instincts makes Beamards natural problem-solvers who others often turn to in times of crisis. Their personality reflects the ancient Celtic ideal of the warrior-protector who uses strength for the benefit of the community rather than personal gain. Theyre gobbling down these slices. Pinos Pizza of Deer Park has something savory to be thankful for this Turkey Day their viral Thanksgiving pizza pie, which is served with sliced roasted turkey breast, gravy, sausage and apple cornbread stuffing and topped off with cranberry sauce. Customers trot from far and wide to get their hands on the $34.99 pie and this month alone, theyve already sold 300 and counting. Joseph Barbieri, owner of Pinos Pizza of Deer Park, got the idea for the Thanksgiving pie after he had too many leftover turkeys at his Italian market. Courtesy of Pinos Pizza People from Toms River, New Jersey came in to buy it, owner Joseph Barbieri, aka Pino, told The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest request I get is, Can you ship it? But I havent figured out that one yet. The TDay pizza craze began last November, when Barbieri posted a video of him crafting the unconventional pie spreading gravy on mozzarella-topped dough, then sprinkling the sausage and turkey and completing the creation by drizzling cranberry sauce over it. In just two days, the clip had 5 million views on Instagram and over 3 million on TikTok. It just went insane. We probably sold over 500 pies, he said. A native of Calabria, Italy, Barbieri first came up with the idea when he thought outside the [pizza] box after making too many turkeys at one of the three locations of his Italian market, Salpino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to Thanksgiving, I got a phone call from my son, and he said, Dad, I think we screwed up, we oversold six meals and we dont have the turkeys. So I made a couple of phone calls and was able to get 10 turkeys from our meat suppliers, he recalled. The Thanksgiving pie is made using a grandma pizza shell. Courtesy of Pinos Pizza At 4 a.m. on the following Monday morning, Barbieri went to the pizzeria to use its oven to cook the newly arrived turkeys so as not to disturb the workflow at the store. By 11 oclock, I get another phone call, Dad youre gonna kill me. I made a mistake. We didnt oversell six, we have six more to go. In the meantime, my social media guy calls and says he is going to post something for Thanksgiving, so I said, Wait a second, can you come down there?' The rest goes down in the history of Pinos, which opened in 2020 and is known for its over-the-top specialty pies like Hot Dog, French Onion Soup, Escarole and Beans and Mac and Cheese. Pinos also serves a Christmas pie made with whipped ricotta, sweet sliced ham, and topped with homemade pesto and cranberry sauce. Courtesy of Pinos Pizza Barbieri has since expanded his Thanksgiving-themed offerings to include calzones, stromboli and empanadas all stuffed with the same ingredients. He also makes special pies for holidays such as Memorial Day and Valentines Day and is already gearing up for his Christmas creation made with whipped ricotta, sweet sliced ham, and topped with homemade pesto and cranberry sauce. If youve been itching for a getaway but rising airfare and hotel prices are leaving you speechless, theres good news on the horizon: late 2025 is shaping up to be a sweet spot for middle-class travelers who want big experiences without big bills. Thanks to shifting travel trends, expanded airline routes and emerging cultural hotspots, theres never been a better time to stretch your vacation dollar. Whether youre exploring Europes hidden hotspots or rediscovering affordable adventures closer to home. Read on for expert-backed advice on the best travel deals right now. Check Out: I Asked ChatGPT the Best Travel Hacks To Save Money in 2025: Heres What It Said Read Next: 8 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money That Actually Work A Buyer-Friendly Travel Season According to Jesse Neugarten, founder and CEO of Dollar Flight Club, Holiday 2025 is the most buyer-friendly season weve seen since 2022. He explains that while headline airfares look steep, when you flex a day or swap airports, you can still save 20%-50%, especially to Florida, Mexico and a couple of long-haul surprises like Italy and Brazil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, smart flexibility pays off. Trade one day or one airport and youll often cut 20%-30% without giving up the experience, Neugarten adds. His top domestic and nearby international picks for 2025 include: South Florida (Miami/Fort Lauderdale): Roundtrip flights under $120 from some East Coast cities. Orlando: Added routes mean prices dipping below $100. Mexico (Cancun and Mexico City): Increased leisure capacity makes sub-$250 fares from Texas common. Italy and Brazil: Rome and Sao Paulo price well if you fly on the holiday itself, Dec. 24/25 or Dec. 31/Jan. 1, he says. His top savings tips? Fly early or late, be flexible by one to three days and consider smaller airports that connect you to cheaper routes. See More: 5 Ways To Travel Like a Millionaire Without Spending Like One The Rise of Emerging Cultural Destinations For travelers ready to go further afield, Yunna Takeuchi, co-founder and CXO at City Unscripted, a platform that connects travelers with local hosts for authentic, personalized city experiences, sees late 2025 as a golden opportunity. Late 2025 offers outstanding budget opportunities in emerging cultural destinations where middle-class Americans discover exceptional value combined with rich cultural heritage and welcoming communities, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her advice: Skip the oversaturated hot spots and focus on emerging cultural destinations where tourism infrastructure supports comfortable travel while maintaining authentic local character and affordable pricing structures. These destinations, she notes, provide high-quality cultural experiences, safe environments, excellent food scenes and genuine community interactions at budgets enabling 10-14 day trips that expensive Western European destinations cannot match. Here are her top picks for late 2025. Poland (Krakow and Gdansk) Poland continues to surprise travelers with its blend of affordability and authenticity. Krakow and Gdansk provide comprehensive European cultural experiences at $70-$90 daily, Yunna says, including comfortable boutique accommodations, traditional pierogi-making workshops with local families and guided explorations of medieval architecture and artisan quarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With fewer tourists and lower prices in late autumn, travelers can join locals for St. Martins Day celebrations, explore candlelit craft fairs and experience the countrys festive season without the crowds of Western Europe. Albania (Berat and Gjirokaster) Albanias coastal charm and deep heritage make it a standout for 2025. Berat and Gjirokaster deliver Mediterranean character at remarkable $50-$70 daily budgets, Yunna says. That includes UNESCO World Heritage site visits, stays in family-run guesthouses and traditional cooking experiences hosted by locals. Late 2025 brings mild weather, perfect for exploring ancient fortresses and participating in olive harvest traditions that remain central to community life. Vietnam (Hoi An and Hue) Vietnam remains one of Asias best-value cultural destinations. Hoi An and Hue offer transformative cultural immersion at $60-$80 daily, Yunna notes. Think custom-tailored clothing experiences, traditional lantern-making workshops and cooking classes paired with local market tours. Travelers can soak up the countrys history and hospitality while enjoying some of the best food in the world without overspending. The American South: Meaningful Travel Close To Home For those whod rather skip the long-haul flights, Paul Whitten, founder of Nashville Adventures and a historian of the American South, says meaningful travel doesnt have to be far from home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always tell people: You dont have to go far to find something worth seeing, you just have to slow down long enough to see it, he says. Middle-class travel today isnt about chasing luxury; its about chasing meaning and connection. Whitten, who has lived everywhere from Afghanistan to New York City, finds that the South still delivers some of the best value in the country. Whether its walking Charlestons cobblestone streets, tracing Civil War history here in Nashville or sipping a beer in Chattanooga with a view of Lookout Mountain, the South still delivers world-class experiences without a world-class price tag. As both a veteran and travel operator, Whitten adds that the best trips arent defined by distance, theyre defined by connection. You remember the laughter, the stories and the small businesses that make a place feel alive. Thats what makes a budget trip memorable: If you endeavor to become part of its rhythm you will have memories that last a lifetime. The Smart Travelers Takeaway for 2025 From the medieval streets of Krakow to the lantern-lit nights of Hoi An and from Nashvilles history-packed avenues to the sun-soaked beaches of Florida, late 2025 is full of opportunities for middle-class Americans to travel well without overspending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Takeuchi puts it, the key is to seek destinations where authenticity and affordability meet. Pair that with Neugartens airfare strategy and Whittens reminder to find connection over consumption and youve got the ultimate budget travelers playbook for 2025. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Travel Expert: 9 Top Destinations for Middle-Class Americans on a Budget in Late 2025 There are a few reasons that Lanai, also written as Lanai, tends to fly under the radar. For starters, its landscape doesn't align with the vision many non-Hawaiians have of the archipelago state; instead of palm trees, you get towering Cook pine trees. Its number of hotels is also significantly fewer than that of its northwestern neighbor, Oahu. There are only three on the islandand two are part of the Four Seasons brand. Then, theres the fact that 98 percent of the island is owned by Silicon Valley billionaire Larry Ellison, who purchased the land in 2012. But if you are lucky enough to spend a few days on this 140-square-mile island, youll find its appeal is layeredand not always apparent upon first glance. Lanai is rugged, a bit dusty, and shockingly barren in some areas; when driving across the island, youll pass through the open plains of the Palawai Basin, once home to the largest pineapple plantations in the world. As you spend more time on Lanai, immersing yourself in pursuits ranging from surfing and sailing to hiking and astronomy, the vision becomes clearer. You wont find any flashy restaurants or clubs, superyachts, or Disney-esque attractions. There are no stoplights, and theres only one true town, Lanai City. This is a place that encourages you to slow down and breathe deeply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can visit here and see the beauty of the island by looking around and going about your day. However, its deeper than you can see, Shayne Kunimitsu, a Lanai cultural advisor and holoholo guide, tells Travel + Leisure. Whats missed is the stories told, so seek out our history and our roots, then you will truly understand. Below, were sharing a few ways you can do just that, plus the inside scoop on where to stay, eat, and explore on Lanai. Lanai, Hawaii Design your ideal wellness retreat at Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. Plan a visit to the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center to learn more about the islands past and its community. Watch local surfers ride the waves at Hulopoe Beach Park. Explore the gift shops, boutiques, and galleries in Lanai City, the islands main town. Try loco moco, a classic Hawaiian dish, at Blue Ginger Cafe in Lanai City. Best Hotels & Resorts Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Interior of Sensei Lanai a Four Seasons Resort. Interior of Sensei Lanai a Four Seasons Resort. Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort If youre seeking both wellness and relaxation, youll find that it doesnt get much better than Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort. Co-founded by Ellison and author Dr. David Agus, the adults-only property bills itself as a wellness enclave, and each guests experience is personalized to their unique needs and preferences. Fill your days with nutrition and sleep consultations, yoga, meditation, stretching classes, and spa appointments inside your own private hale, equipped with an infrared sauna, an outdoor shower, and soaking pools. Four Seasons Resort Lanai For a more beach-and-pool type of vacation with all of the perks and amenities associated with a Four Seasons, stay at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. A winner in the 2025 Worlds Best Awards, the property overlooks Hulopoe Bay on the southeastern end of the island. Unlike Sensei Lanai, younger travelers are welcome, and theyre sure to enjoy the family-friendly lagoon pool (and everyone in your party will appreciate the extra space the residential-style suites afford). Hotel Lanai Hotel Lanai is a more affordable option for travelers, but its still full of personality and all of the modern comforts youd need, including Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and luxury linens. The 10 guest rooms are uniquely decorated to convey vintage Hawaiian charm, and select accommodations share a porch with views of Lanai City. Best Things to Do YinYang/Getty Images A lone palm tree on Hulopoe Beach. A lone palm tree on Hulopoe Beach. Take a guided tour of the island. Theres technically nothing wrong with lounging by the beach or pool all day, but a guided tour of Lanai will provide a better picture of your surroundings. The Four Seasons Resort Lanai holoholo tour is actually the best way to travel and understand Lanai, says Kunimitsu. The tour touches [on] cultural and historical locations with a guide. Those destinations include the Kaunolu Heritage Site (an ancient fishing community) and Shipwreck Beach, an area with quite a few grounded vessels. A Jeep guide ahead will escort you to these destinations with info shared by two-way radios, so you feel like youre on a mission, he adds. Off-roading in a Jeep cant get any more local than that. Visit the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. If youd rather save off-road exploring for another day, but you still want to learn more about the islands history, Kunimitsu recommends stopping by the Lanai Culture and Heritage Center in Lanai City. It is a local hidden gem of a museum [with] tons of artifacts and photos, and the culture staff love to share the story of the island, he says. Here, you can learn more about the events prior to Ellisons $300 million acquisitionfrom when the first Hawaiian settlers arrived in the 1200s to the final pineapple harvest in 1992. Enjoy a day on or off the coast. Kunimitsu says its easy to explore the beaches of Lanai as most of them are empty. If you have your own means of transportation, theres the option to drive out to Polihua Beach, although the waters here are not safe for swimming. Guests of either of the Four Seasons properties more commonly make their way down to the resorts lounge chairs and umbrellas on Hulopoe Bay. If you do go to Hulopoe Beach Park, Lanais most popular beach, pack a pair of sneakers or sturdy sandals. Youll need them to embark on the short hike up to one of the islands most recognizable landmarks, the 80-foot-tall Pu'upehe, also called Sweetheart Rock. The elevated landing at the top gives you better views of the surfers down below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kunimitsu also recommends snorkeling, booking a sunset sail, or chartering a catamaran to take around the island. No matter how you choose to enjoy a beach or boat day, just be careful when getting into the water; the waves and rip currents can be dangerous. Shop local in Lanai City. While Kunimitsu says this is not the place to shop til you drop, there are a few spots in Lanai City where he says youre guaranteed to find something very meaningful. The Local Gentry has clothes and gifts, including Lanai T-shirts and mugs, and Lanai Hula Hut sells homemade jewelry, home decor, and a selection of unique souvenirs. Visitors who are interested in adding to their art collections should stop by Lanai Art Center and Deep Hawaii Art, a gallery set to open by the end of 2025. Stay up late for stargazing. At night, you can stargaze with no special telescope needed, just look up and get wowed, says Kunimitsu. But, he adds, you can also visit the Lanai Observatory with the Four Seasons Kilo Hoku Experience, an hour-long program that discusses how indigenous Hawaiians used the stars for ocean navigation. Best Restaurants Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts A dish served at Sensei by Nobu. A dish served at Sensei by Nobu. Sensei by Nobu As a guest of Sensei Lanai, youll become familiar, but never bored, with the offerings at Sensei by Nobu, a collaboration between Dr. Agus and Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The four-course (plus dessert) omakase dinner experience is a must at least once while on the island, but the a la carte menu also includes several iconic Nobu disheslike the black cod and the yellowtail jalapeno. Malibu Farm Down at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai, Malibu Farm is a star in the culinary show. A Four Seasons guest-only restaurant, the eatery nails the elevated poolside menu. Think pokeviche, acai bowls, Lanai venison nachos, and catch of the day fish tacos. If you have room, you might want to order an ice cream sandwich, too. Blue Ginger Cafe Exploring the restaurant scene outside of the resorts is also encouraged. Blue Ginger's loco moco is hammer-sized, says Kunimitsu, referencing the classic Hawaiian comfort food dish made with white rice, a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg. Ganotisi's Pacific Rim Cuisine Ganotisi's Korean chicken is full of flavor and savory and crunchy, says Kunimitsu. Along with its standard menuwhich includes Kalbi short ribs, grilled fish, and shrimp tempurathe Lanai City staple has a rotating list of lunch specials that are regularly posted on its Facebook page and Instagram account. Lanai City Bar & Grill Kunimitsu also suggests Lanai City Bar & Grill, a bistro that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Start your day with the ube mochi pancakes or breakfast burrito, or swing by at lunchtime for the boom bang smash burger or mahi salad sando. Best Time to Visit Ryan Tishken/Adobe Stock Hulopoe Bay on a sunny summer day. Hulopoe Bay on a sunny summer day. Theres technically no bad time to visit Lanai (and Hawaii in general). The summer season, from May to October, is hotter and drier, and the winter, from November to April, is known to be cooler and wetteralthough Lanai only gets about 37 inches of rain each year. Before you pack your bags, though, you should be aware of the temperatures on the island. Lanai City is about 1,700 feet above sea level, so temperatures there can be quite a bit lower than in the areas closer to the coastexpect about a 10 to 12-degree difference, with the typical range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawaii's high season runs from June to July and returns in December around the holidays. That said, theres never a time when you need to worry about vacationing among hordes of fellow tourists on Lanai. Honestly, our place is peaceful year-round; you are not going to run into any issue of busyness, says Kunimitsu. How to Get There Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Getty Images Ferry boat between island of Maui and Island of Lanai. Ferry boat between island of Maui and Island of Lanai. You cant fly directly to Lanai Airport (LNY) from the continental U.S., so youll need to book the final leg of your journey from either Mauis Kahului Airport (OGG) or Honolulus Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The small island airport is served by Mokulele Airlines and Lanai Air. The latter is the more high-end option; transfer from HNY via a luxury car service is pre-arranged, and youll wait in a private hangar to board the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The flight is only about 30 minutes from takeoff to landing, and guests of the Four Seasons properties receive complimentary round-trip Lanai Air flights with reservations through December 31, 2026. If youd rather arrive to Lanai by boat, book a seat on the Expeditions ferry service that travels from Maui's Lahaina Harbor to Lanais Manele Harbor. The voyage takes about an hour and 10 minutes each way. How to Get Around Bruce Yuanyue Bi/Getty Images Cars driving around Lanai. Cars driving around Lanai. While Lanai City is walkable from both Sensei Lanai and Hotel Lanai, getting to other parts of the island and all of the beaches is more of a haul. Youll either need to call a taxi, rent a car, or hop on one of the Four Seasons complimentary shuttles, which run hourly. Lanai Car Rental has Jeep Wrangler Saharas you can rent for $175 a day. Those who plan on off-roadingonly 30 miles of the roads on Lanai are pavedwill need a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure A thrifter in Washington recently shared their disbelief after finding a pair of secondhand jeans marked at an eyebrow-raising $79.99 sparking a wave of frustration among other secondhand shoppers online. The post, shared to Reddit's r/ThriftGrift community, quickly gained traction as users commiserated over what they described as "corporate greed" creeping into the thrift industry. The shopper, who spotted the jeans at a Value Village in Redmond, Washington, said the high prices at this location weren't new just unusually absurd this time. Photo Credit: Reddit In the post, the original poster noted that even with the jeans' original retail tag reportedly over $200 the thrift price still felt out of touch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Paige is not a luxury brand," they wrote, adding that many other used jeans at the store were listed for $25 or more. Other shoppers chimed in, saying similar locations in the area had been raising prices dramatically in recent months. "I've started buying [work clothes] at Kohl's when they have big sales because it's cheaper," one commenter wrote. Another added, "There's no way! That's got to be a $7.99 misprint." High thrift prices can discourage people from shopping secondhand even though thrifting remains one of the most affordable and sustainable ways to buy clothing. When done right, it gives old items a new life and keeps tons of textiles out of landfills each year. Unfortunately, as some large chains have expanded, shoppers say they've noticed resale prices creeping closer to retail a trend that risks turning away low-income shoppers and sustainability-minded consumers alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a few bad pricing experiences, thrifting is still one of the most budget-friendly and eco-conscious shopping options available. Buying secondhand reduces demand for new clothing production, which in turn saves water, energy, and emissions all while supporting a circular economy. As one Redditor put it, sometimes the key is knowing when to walk away or as another commenter said more bluntly, "You just go to that store for a giggle." Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. The boy king, Tutankhamun, remains one of historys most magnetic figures because his story refuses to sit still. Just when historians believe they have pinned down the facts of his life and death, new evidence emerges to scramble the timeline. The boy king ruled for about 10 years during the 18th Dynasty and vanished into obscurity until Howard Carter broke the seal on his tomb in 1922. That moment unleashed a century of fascination and fierce debate. While the gold mask shines as a symbol of ancient grandeur, the reality behind the scenes is far messier. From the condition of his mummy to the political battles fought over his bones, Tutankhamun stirs up trouble even thousands of years later. This article dives into the murky waters surrounding the pharaoh to explore the arguments that keep archaeologists awake at night. 1. The Cause of King Tuts Death Is Still Uncertain Image Credit: Deposit Photos. Determining exactly how a teenager died more than three millennia ago presents a forensic nightmare for modern researchers. Early theories leaned heavily on the idea of murder because of a loose bone fragment found in his skull during early X-rays. This dramatic notion fueled countless books and documentaries suggesting palace intrigue or a jealous advisor. However, modern CT scans largely debunked the assassination theory by showing the bone fragment likely broke off after death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The focus shifted toward health issues. Tutankhamun suffered from malaria and a degenerative bone disease that would have made walking painful and difficult. His tomb contained walking canes, which support the image of a frail ruler rather than a warrior. Another prevailing theory involves a chariot accident that crushed his leg and led to a fatal infection. With so many ailments present in one body, it becomes nearly impossible to pinpoint the single factor that ended his life. 2. His Tomb Seems Unusually Small for a Pharaoh Image Credit: Mark Fischer - CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons. Visitors to the Valley of the Kings often express surprise at the modest dimensions of KV62 compared to other royal resting places. The tomb consists of four small rooms that feel cramped for a king of the 18th Dynasty. This spatial anomaly leads many Egyptologists to suspect the tomb was never intended for Tutankhamun at all. It is possible that his sudden death caught officials off guard and forced them to repurpose a tomb initially dug for a lesser noble or perhaps his successor, Ay. The burial chamber paintings also show signs of haste. Microbial growth on the walls suggests the tomb was sealed before the paint had time to dry properly. This rush to bury the king speaks volumes about the chaotic transition of power during that period. It implies that the grand sendoff was more of a frantic scramble than a carefully orchestrated ritual. 3. Children Were Used as Labor During the Excavation Image Credit: Edward Poynter - Art Renewal Center - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. The romantic image of Howard Carter discovering the tomb often omits the workforce that made it possible. Contemporary photographs and oral accounts show that local Egyptian laborers (including teenagers and younger workers) formed the bulk of the workforce on Carters excavation. It was actually a 12-year-old boy, Hussein, who discovered the tomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a reminder that local labor made the discovery possible even as Western figures got most of the publicity. This controversy highlights the colonial dynamics of early 20th-century archaeology, where local contributions were systematically undervalued and erased from the official narrative. 4. Carter Was Accused of Stealing Artifacts from the Tomb Image Credit: National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress) - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Howard Carter is celebrated for finding the tomb, but his conduct regarding its contents remains a subject of intense scrutiny. Rumors swirled for decades that Carter pocketed small treasures before official inventories could be taken. These suspicions were confirmed when items identical to those in the tomb began surfacing in private collections and museums. Some artifacts were even found in Carters own home after his death. A specific amulet inscribed with the name of Tutankhamun was passed to an associate who later discovered it was stolen property. This behavior violates the fundamental code of archaeology, which dictates that every find belongs to the site and the historical record. 5. Exclusive Media Access Caused International Tension Image Credit: Tatiana Diuvbanova / Shutterstock. The discovery of the tomb sparked a media frenzy unlike anything the world had seen. To manage the overwhelming demand for news, Lord Carnarvon sold the exclusive rights to The Times of London. This deal meant that every other newspaper on the planet had to get its information from a single British source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This arrangement infuriated Egyptian journalists who found themselves locked out of a discovery happening in their own country. They argued that it was insulting to force Egyptians to read about their own heritage in a foreign press. The deal exacerbated existing anti-colonial sentiments and turned the excavation into a political flashpoint. 6. Tuts Mummy Was Damaged During Excavation Image Credit: Shutterstock. The condition of Tutankhamuns mummy today is shocking to those who expect a perfectly preserved king. Much of the damage was inflicted not by time but by Carters team in their zeal to retrieve the treasures. The resin used in the embalming process had hardened into a glue that cemented the mummy to the coffin. To free the body and access the gold jewelry wrapped within the bandages, the excavators resorted to brutal methods. They used heated knives and even severed the limbs and head to remove the mask and ornaments. At one point, they left the body out in the blazing sun, hoping the heat would melt the resin. This reckless handling destroyed the integrity of the mummy and complicated future scientific study. It stands as a stark reminder that the methods of the past often destroyed the very history they sought to reveal. 7. Tuts Artifacts Were Used for Political Purposes Image Credit: Tatiana Diuvbanova / Shutterstock. The treasures of King Tut have served as potent diplomatic tools in the modern era. In the 1970s, the "Treasures of Tutankhamun" exhibition toured the world and became a cultural phenomenon. This tour was not merely about sharing art but about cementing political alliances. The United States and Egypt used the exhibition to improve relations following years of tension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sending the boy king to American museums was a gesture of goodwill that helped soften public opinion and facilitated high-level diplomacy. While the public marveled at the gold mask, politicians used the backdrop of the exhibit to negotiate treaties and strengthen ties. It demonstrates how ancient history can be leveraged to serve contemporary geopolitical goals. 8. The Famous Masks Beard Was Once Poorly Repaired Image Credit: Deposit Photos. The gold burial mask of Tutankhamun is perhaps the most recognizable artifact in the world. In 2014, it became the center of a scandal when museum employees accidentally snapped off the braided beard. Rather than consulting conservation experts, the workers attempted a quick fix using industrial epoxy glue. The hasty repair left a visible layer of dried glue at the base of the chin. When they tried to scrape off the excess adhesive, they scratched the surface of the priceless mask. The incident exposed a lack of professional protocol and led to disciplinary action against the staff involved. It took a team of German and Egyptian experts weeks to carefully remove the epoxy and reattach the beard properly using beeswax. 9. A Recent Global Tut Exhibit Became Entangled in Legal Disputes Image Credit: EyepixGroup at Deposit Photos. The traveling exhibition "Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh" was intended to be a final farewell tour before the artifacts settled permanently in the new Grand Egyptian Museum. However, the tour faced significant hurdles. Egyptian authorities raised questions regarding the legality of shipping such fragile and invaluable items across the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns about the safety of the artifacts and the terms of the loan agreement created friction. The tour was eventually cut short, but not by lawyers. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of the exhibition early. The artifacts returned to Egypt sooner than expected, which ended the revenue stream the tour generated. 10. The Identity of His Parents Is Debated Image Credit: Shutterstock. Establishing the family tree of the Amarna period royals involves deciphering a complex web of genetic and historical clues. While Akhenaten is widely accepted as Tutankhamuns father, the identity of his mother remains a puzzle. DNA testing identified a mummy known as "The Younger Lady" as his mother, but her name is not definitively known. Some scholars argue she was Nefertiti, while others believe she was a secondary wife named Kiya or even one of Akhenatens sisters. The heavy inbreeding within the royal family muddies the genetic data and complicates clear identification. Knowing his parentage is crucial for understanding his legitimacy to the throne and the genetic disorders he inherited. The ambiguity adds another layer of mystery to his short life. History That Continues to Engage Us Image Credit: hemro / Shutterstock. Understanding these controversies provides a fuller picture of history that goes beyond the gold and glamour. It reveals the human errors, political agendas, and scientific challenges that shape how the past is remembered. For anyone interested in Egyptology, the next logical step involves keeping an eye on the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. As these artifacts find their permanent home, new research will likely emerge to challenge what is currently known. Visiting reputable museum exhibitions and reading updated academic journals allows enthusiasts to stay current as the story of Tutankhamun continues to evolve. History is never truly settled. A 13-year-old boy is dead following a crash in Stoneham, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Stoneham Chief of Police James OConnor announced. Authorities say that the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, when a 73-year-old operator of a Toyota Corolla was making a left turn off of Oak Street onto Royal Street when an electric dirt bike struck the vehicle. The operator of the dirt bike, a 13-year-old boy, was rushed to Mass General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time, an investigation is being led by the Middlesex District Attorneys Office, the Stoneham Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Two people were arrested after authorities raided a property known as The Lounge in Richmond on Friday night. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Richmond Police Department said the building at 1117 East Main Street has become a steady source of violence, disorder, and neighborhood disruption. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This property has long been a drain on its neighborhood disturbances, fights, illegal substances, and chronic illegal activity," the department added. Following an investigation by the Indiana State Excise Police, the Richmond police requested their help to address the ongoing issues. On Friday night, the Richmond Police Department SWAT, Randolph County SWAT, and the Indiana Excise Police executed a search warrant at the house, according to the department. Jerry Norris, 53, of Richmond and Willie Mills Jr., 38, of Richmond, were arrested as part of the investigation. Norris was arrested on preliminary charges of racketeering, dealing an illegal substance, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of narcotics, and liquor sales without a license, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills was arrested on preliminary charges of maintaining a common nuisance and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. Criminal businesses dont get a free pass here. When they take advantage of our community, we bring partners, we bring resources, and we shut it down. Public safety succeeds when agencies stand together, and this operation is proof of that, Richmond Police Chief Kyle Weatherly said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A crash in south Phoenix left two people dead and delayed public transit Nov. 22, according to first responders. The crash occurred at about 1:40 a.m., when two cars collided and caught fire at the intersection of Central Avenue and Baseline Road, authorities said. Sgt. Brian Bower, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department, said firefighters responded to the scene and put out the fire. "Two individuals were killed as a result of this collision," Bower said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third occupant was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, according to Bower. Bower said that the crash occurred near the Valley Metro Baseline/Central Avenue Light Rail station. The crash didn't involve a Light Rail car, but it did cause damage to the rail platform, according to Juliana Vasquez-Keating, spokesperson for Valley Metro. "Trains cannot serve that station. Southbound B Line riders must deboard at Southern/Central Ave," Vasquez-Keating said. The transit agency took to social media and advised riders to use bus route zero, according to the post. Northbound riders can board at Olympic Drive/Central Avenue. Southbound riders can board buses at Fremont Road/Central Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story, check back to azcentral.com for more details. Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fatal crash delays public transit at Phoenix light rail A second juror was dismissed Friday from the trial of two men accused of killing a Philadelphia police sergeant, forcing deliberations to restart. Around 3:45 p.m. Friday, the judge cleared the courtroom for about 15 minutes before announcing the latest dismissal. No reason was given. On Thursday, the judge urged jurors to treat each other kindly. Sergeant Richard Mendez It comes days after an alternate juror was called in on Wednesday when another juror experienced a medical issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, 20, and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez, 23, are charged with murdering Sgt. Richard Mendez in the parking garage of Philadelphia International Airport in October 2023. A third man, 23-year-old Alexander Batista-Polanco, pleaded guilty days before the trial began last week and testified as the prosecution's star witness. On Thursday, the jury asked five questions, including requests for Batista-Polanco's written statement and interview transcripts, which were denied. Police said the group fatally shot 50-year-old Mendez when he and his partner tried to stop a car break-in at the airport. Mendez's partner was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also said a fourth man, Jesus Herman Madera Duran, was part of the group and died after being struck by gunfire. Defense attorneys argued prosecutors failed to prove the group was at the scene and noted the absence of surveillance cameras. Prosecutors presented cell phone and DNA evidence they said placed the defendants at the location. The judge dismissed the jury for the weekend around 5:45 Friday night. They will begin again on Monday morning. Heres what youll learn when you read this story: A 76-year-old hiker discovered a 1,500-year-old reindeer trapping system in the melting Norwegian ice. Cold weather 4,600 feet up in the mountains preserved the wooden structure remarkably well. Along with the trapping system, archaeologists discovered reindeer antlers and iron spearheads, all part of a busy reindeer kill zone. Over 1,500 years ago, the people living high on Norways Aurlandsfjellet mountain plateau had worked out an effective reindeer trapping system, but descending frigid weather concealed it for over a millennium. But the melting Norwegian ice has loosened its frigid grip on the remains of the ancient trapping system, opening a window into past hunting practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retreating ice revealed hundreds of wooden logs and branches formed into two fence-like structures meant to cordon and trap reindeer so hunters could kill them. Helge Titland, a 76-year-old hiker, discovered the ancient system in modern-day Vestland County, reporting it to local authorities. There was a lot of shouting and shouting up in the mountains, Titland told The Bergen Newspaper in a translated report. I quickly realized that this was very special. The team at the University Museum of Bergen agreed. We have never found anything like this before, said ystein Skar, Vestland County Municipality archaeologist. It is a completely unique find. The fantastic discovery of the ancient reindeer trapping system included hundreds of logs piled into a sort of hunting blind, antlers from up to 100 reindeer, and iron spearheads, according to a translated statement. We see that 1,500 years ago, people led reindeer between these timber fences and killed them at close range with iron spears, Skar said. It was an almost complete mass-capture facility. The antlers were scuffed, cut, and showed signs that the reindeer were likely trapped, killed, and processed all in the same vicinity. The discovery of iron spears, wooden arrows, and three bows in the vicinity added more credence to the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 1,500-year-old mass trapping facility composed of wooden branches that is literally melting out of the ice in front of our eyes is probably unique in both Norwegian and European contexts, Leif Inge Astvelt, archaeologist at the University Museum of Bergen, said in a statement from the Vestland County Municipality, according to Live Science. A change in mountain conditions may have put the hunting site under snow and ice, forcing hunters to move locations while also preserving the artifacts left at the site. The find was made in fall 2024, but, ironically, new snow fell and buried the discovery before researchers could descend on the site, postponing inspection until August. University Museum in Bergen then excavated the find, storing the relics in freezers and allowing them to dry out, all while working to preserve the iron spear tips. Along with items closely tied to the trapping site, the team discovered some unique artifacts, including an intricately designed pine boat oar and a brooch made from an antler. These are items we would never find in ordinary excavations, Astvelt said. The pin is shaped like a miniature axetruly exceptional finds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both items were puzzling to the team, but the decorative wooden oar raised a particular question. What is exciting is that we also found a boat oar 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) above sea level, which must have been transported up the mountain, Skar said. Why they are up there is difficult to say. The research team hopes to keep searching for additional clues, and they suspect that other such sites could be lurking beneath the ice. This discovery opens up entirely new interpretations and understandings of how these facilities functioned, Astveit said. The exceptionally well-preserved antler and wood materials will contribute significantly to research in the coming years. You Might Also Like Individuals named Breri are typically characterized by exceptional communication skills, reliability, and diplomatic acumen. They possess a natural ability to convey messages accurately and tactfully, often serving as bridges between different groups or perspectives. Their inherent trustworthiness makes them ideal mediators and confidants, while their sharp intellect allows them to navigate complex social and political situations with grace. Breri personalities tend to be observant and perceptive, with excellent memory for details and the ability to remain calm under pressure. They often demonstrate courage in delivering difficult messages and maintain steadfast loyalty to their principles and those they serve. While not always seeking the spotlight, they derive satisfaction from facilitating understanding and connection between others, making them invaluable in both personal relationships and professional settings. In exclusive records sent to ABC13 by a source, the district's preliminary data shows 8,321 fewer students enrolled at HISD this year than in the 2024-25 school year. It is a larger number than the 6,700 students the district originally projected in a May budget meeting. This is data Eyewitness News has been requesting from the district for weeks, but the district is refusing to release it until the state finalizes it. That source, frustrated with the district, gave us an inside look that shows student enrollment continues to drop year over year. Here's a breakdown of the data: - 2021-22: 194,606 students - 2022-23 : 189,933 students - 2023-24: 184,108 students - 2024-25: 176,730 students - 2025-26: 168,409 students (projected) So why are students leaving? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest numbers come from the 2024-25 school year, when ABC13 found that the majority of students left the district for unknown reasons or because they graduated. Since then, Eyewitness News has found that students are leaving for private schools or to be homeschooled. During the last two school years, 2,762 students left HISD for private schools within Texas or for homeschooling. That's a 40% increase when compared to the two years before Miles took over. It's worth noting that moving from one public district to another is considered moving, not leaving, and therefore it's not included in these documents. University of Houston education professor Duncan Klussmann said the number could grow even more soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Next year, we're going to have school vouchers where a billion dollars of taxpayer funds are going to go to individuals who want to leave traditional public schools and go into private schools," Klussmann said. Enrollment matters because students at desks translate to more state funding. "They look at enrolment overall, but you get funding based on your daily average attendance, so your enrolment may be a certain number, and you'll get a factor of that number when the state decides exactly how much to send to you, it's going to be a percent of it. So maybe 94%, 95%, 93% of that number, so enrolment is very important, is attendance, and your attendance rate," Klussman said. With those 8,321 fewer students this year, that breaks down to more than $51 million in revenue HISD won't receive. That's based on a per-student allotment of $6,160. HISD said Friday, they'll get us the enrollment number from Oct. 31st, which this data should be based on. For more news updates, follow Lileana Pearson on Facebook, X and Instagram. Advent Lutheran Church, 16 Telford Ave., West Lawn, will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday. There will be an extended prelude with a brass ensemble, handbell choir, adult choir and piano-organ duet beginning at 9:45 a.m. The service will be conducted by its designated pastor, the Rev. Thomas F. Irwin Jr., and assisted by two previously called pastors, the Rev. William B. Fryer and the Rev. Wayne A. Heintzelman. The liturgy for the service will be used from the Common Service Book and Hymnal (also called the Black Book), which was published in 1917 and widely used by Lutheran churches when Advent was founded. Refreshments will be served after worship in Memorial Hall. Reformation Lutheran Church, 3670 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, welcomes the Reading Symphony Junior String Orchestra (RSJSO), under the direction of Dr. Peter Brye, to its 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday. Brye is the founding conductor of the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra and is in his 50th season as a member of the Reading Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted many orchestra festivals throughout the Northeast, including the all-state festivals for Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey and is a retired professor of music from Millersville University. St. Johns Gernants Church (A Federated Congregation), 13 Gernants Church Road, Ontelaunee Township, will worship Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Memorial Hall. It will be Jingle Sunday with the collecting of loose coins to be used for the needy. All of the Jingle money will be donated to Family Promise of Berks County. Fellowship will follow the service. During the month of November, the church is collecting new winter pajamas for children, sizes newborn to XXL 18. The pajamas will be distributed through Lighthouse Women and Childrens Center. Tuesday Bible study will be held at 1 p.m. in the Memorial Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Reading, 438 Douglass St., Wyomissing, will hold its annual Thanksgiving service on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Along with readings from the Bible and Science and Health, there will be an opportunity for each to express gratitude. Child care will be provided. Nativity Lutheran Church, 1501 N. 13th St., Reading, will hold its annual Christmas bazaar on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Sweitzer Hall. There will be baked goods, Christmas crafts, white elephant sale, food and vendors. St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 548 Old Swede Road, Amity Township, will hold its Christmas bazaar on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It will feature wreaths and cemetery boxes made with fresh greens, homemade pies, cookies, apple dumplings, candy, chow chow, crafts, raffle, flute recital, attic treasures and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Lunch items will also be available. For additional information, call 610-385-6616. The deadline to order turkey potpie from St. Peters United Church of Christ, 219 Maidencreek Road, Richmond Township, is Dec. 1. Cost is $10 per quart. Call Beverly at 484-529-1893 to orrder. Pick up at Christmas bazaar, which will be held on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be a variety of cookies to buy. The white elephant sale includes vintage 33 rpm jazz, big band, etc. albums, 78 rpm records, childrens golden records and other vintage items, along with CDs, books, household goods and decorations. There are crafters and lunch items for sale. A free picture with Santa is offered from 10 a.m.-noon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christ Lutheran Church, 222 Niantic Road, Douglass Township, Montgomery County, will hold Coffee and Conversation on Sunday at 8:30 and 10 a.m. in the Welcome Center. The Cultural Series Team of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 117 E. Arch St., Fleetwood, is presenting a Christmas concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. by Mount Laurel Brass. Mount Laurel Brass is a seven-piece brass ensemble from Berks and Chester counties. Mount Laurel Brass takes the traditional brass quintet instrumentation, two trumpets, French horn, trombone, tuba, and adds an additional trombone and euphonium for a larger fuller sound. You do not need tickets but there will be a free will offering to help defray the costs. The 47th annual Sing Messiah will be held on Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 30 Liberty St., Shillington. This is a community event with soloists and the Berks Chamber Orchestra (a sub group of the Reading Pops Orchestra) performing the Christmas portion of the music of Handel. The audience gets to be the chorus. This is a free will offering event. Soloists are Katherin Crusi, soprano; Maria Damore, alto; Orin Strunk, tenor; and Kent Bollman, bass, under the direction of Bill Snelling. Bring your own libretto if you have one, others will be available at the church. Non-singing participants are welcome. United Church of Christ of Robesonia, 301 W. Penn Ave., will hold its annual Christmas bazaar today from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be raffle baskets, attic treasures and food and candy to purchase. There will be fellowship time after the 10:15 a.m. worship on Sunday. Zoom Bible study will be held on Tuesday at 9 a.m. Email mestme@aol.com for the link. The Conrad Weiser Community Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 108 S. Robeson St., Robesonia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zion Moselem Lutheran Church, 340 Moselem Church Road, Richmond Township, will hold its holiday bazaar today at 9 a.m., with the raffle starting at 2 p.m. A homemade quilt will be the grand prize. There will be homemade soups and other foods available to buy to eat in or takeout. The Rev. Robert Kramer will be the supply pastor at Salem Lutheran Church, 8410 Lancaster Ave., Bethel Township, for the 9:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday. A social hour including refreshments will follow in the churchs multi-purpose room. Zions Lutheran Chrurch, 354 Zions Church Road, Perry Township, will be celebrating Christ the King on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.. Zions brass band will be offering special music throughout the service. Nov. 30 is the last collection date for warm childrens pajamas, to be distributed through Jesus, Jammies, & Joy. Trinity Lutheran Church, 527 Washington St., Reading, will hold Songs of Thankfulness and Praise on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. Dr. Cameron Lee Wentz will present a brief organ recital of joyful and uplifting pieces in preparation for Thanksgiving celebrations with family and friends. In order to have an event listed in the religion digest, it must be something that is not just a regular worship service. This includes things such as guest musicians or vocalists who are not members of the church choir; guest speakers; flea markets and other sales, meals, etc. Send information to life@readingeagle.com. Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Bonuses of $10,000 will be awarded to 776 air traffic controllers and technicians with perfect attendance during the 43-day government shutdown. The extra money was announced Thursday by Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford. The FAA is part of the Transportation Department. "These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown," Duffy said. "Democrats may not care about their financial well-being, but President Trump does. This award is an acknowledgement of their dedication and a heartfelt appreciation for going above and beyond in service to the nation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the shutdown, essential workers, including those in air traffic control, worked without paychecks. It ended on Nov. 12 with legislation to fund the government through January. "I am profoundly proud and grateful for the air traffic personnel who worked during extraordinary operational challenges to keep the NAS running safely during the longest government shutdown," Bedford said. "Their dedication represents the highest levels of public service." Absences caused delays and cancellations of flights, including mandated flight reductions at the largest 40 airports in the United States, which rose to 6%, though there were plans for 10% if the shutdown continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some personnel were required to work six-day workweeks of 10 hours a day. They are on duty for a variety of shifts, including holidays. Even before the shutdown, there were staffing shortages of air traffic controllers and other essential staff. Last week, President Donald Trump mentioned the bonuses idea on Nov. 10 in a Truth Social post. He also threatened to dock the pay of those who called out during the shutdown, telling them he was "NOT HAPPY" with them and "get back to work." Selected recipients will receive electronic notification next week, and their payments will be received no later than Dec. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two agencies didn't say whether those taking planned vacations or fatigue calls will receive the bonuses, NBC News reported. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which has been critical of staffing issues, said it was informed of the decision on cash bonuses hours before the announcement. Of these receiving bosses, 311 are represented by NATCA. "We look forward to working with the Administration to provide the appropriate recognition to those not covered by the Secretary's announcement," the union, which represents more than 20,000 air industry workers, said in a statement to CNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, which represents 11,000 FAA and Defense Department workers, including technicians, said it is "reviewing the information that has been provided by the FAA and is evaluating how best to ensure that all employees who worked during the shutdown are recognized." That union said 423 will get the bonus. In all, it said 6,000 worked without pay. "It took many hands to ensure that not one delay during the historic 43-day shutdown was attributed to equipment or system failures," PASS said in a statement. There are about 14,000 air traffic controllers in the United States. The median salary for the position, including ones not with the FAA, was $144,580, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries start at $55,000 to $68,000, depending on location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They work in control towers, approach control facilities or en-route centers. Also, there are about 3,400 trainees, including 1,000 initially at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City. The mandatory retirement age is 56. Also last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Transportation Security Administration officers who screen passengers at airports would also receive $10,000 bonuses for perfect attendance. "Despite tremendous personal, operational and financial challenges, these dedicated officers showed up to work every day for more than a month, without pay, ensuring the American people could travel safely," DHS said in a press release. An Air Force service member is one of two Texas men accused of trying to seize control of a Haitian island in a violent coup and plotting to enslave its population. Tanner Christopher Thomas, 20, was indicted by the Department of Justice on Thursday. Thomas, an airman stationed in Texas, and his alleged co-conspirator Gavin Rivers Weisenberg, 21, were both charged with conspiracy to murder, maim, or kidnap in a foreign country and production of child pornography. The Associated Press reports that both men intend to plead not guilty, according to their lawyers. According to the indictment against them, the two made a plan to gather a group of militants and sail to Haiti in an armed expedition. They would take over Gonave Island, a 266-square-mile island off the coast. They allegedly planned to kill all of the men on the island and enslave the women and children and use them as sex slaves. The island has a population of roughly 87,000. They also researched and allegedly planned to buy military-type rifles, according to the indictment. They planned to use those with their cadre and take a sailboat to conquer an island with tens of thousands of people. Top Stories This Week News Every soldier in the Army will get a daily check in under new holiday order By Patty Nieberg News Military families forced to pay out of pocket for problems with privatized base housing By Jeff Schogol Culture Naval Academy seniors learn their future jobs with a team jersey reveal By Matt White Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plot started in the summer of 2024, with Weisenberg and Thomas starting to learn Haitian Creole. According to the indictment, Thomas joined the Air Force in January 2025 to gain military skills to help prepare for the coup plot, while his co-conspirator trained as a firefighter; Weisenberg failed out of the fire academy shortly after starting. A spokesperson for Air Education and Training Command confirmed to Task & Purpose that Thomas was assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland with the rank of airman basic. The two spent months trying to recruit people to join their plot. Thomas even got his initial assignment station changed to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, using that location to try and recruit unhoused Americans in Washington, D.C. to join the coup and slavery conspiracy. Its not clear how many people they got to join in on the plan. During this same period they also produced child pornography, according to the indictment. Weisenberg was arrested in July according to local media. Its not clear when Thomas was arrested. However since his arrest he did undergo a Court Martial. He was recently tried and convicted in a Court Martial for three Article 134 Uniform Code of Military Justice violations, which include communicating indecent language and violations of federal law for offenses not capital, the Air Education and Training Command statement continued. He was sentenced to a dishonorable discharge and three years confinement. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations, FBI and Celina Police Department are handling the investigation. Both men face between 15-30 years in prison if convicted on the child pornography charge. A conviction on conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country carries up to life in prison. ST. LOUIS An investigation is underway after an Aldi security guard shot a suspected shoplifter Wednesday afternoon in north St. Louis. The shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday inside an Aldi grocery store in the 3600 block of Natural Bridge Avenue, located in St. Louis Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood. According to a St. Louis police crime summary report, based a preliminary findings, a 43-year-old man entered the store and refused to leave when asked by a security. The man was a known shoplifter at the store and was reportedly banned from the store prior to this incident, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX 2 exclusive video takes center stage in St. Louis Sheriffs trial The situation escalated with the man shouting threats towards a security guard and pulling at something in his waistband, indicating he was possibly armed, according to police. The security guard told police that when the man raised his arm from his waistband, he fired shots and struck him. The man was sent to a hospital in critical, but stable condition, according to SLMPD. He was found to be in possession of a knife. The security guard, a 49-year-old man, had his firearm seized by police pending further investigation. Police have not disclosed whether criminal charges could be filed in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) Lawmakers critical of President Donald Trumps approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war said Saturday they spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio who told them that the peace plan Trump is pushing Kyiv to accept is a wish list of the Russians and not the actual proposal offering Washingtons positions. A State Department spokesperson denied their account, calling it blatantly false." Rubio himself then took the extraordinary step of suggesting online that the senators were mistaken, even though they said he was their source for the information. The secretary of state doubled down on the assertion that Washington was responsible for a proposal that had surprised many from the beginning for being so favorable to Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all added up to a confusing and potentially embarrassing turn of events for a Trump administration-blessed peace plan that already faced a potentially rocky future. The widely leaked 28-point U.S-backed peace plan was, according to the White House, the result of a month of work between Rubio and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff along with input from what it said was both Ukrainians and Russians. The plan acquiesces to many Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has categorically rejected on dozens of occasions, including giving up large pieces of territory. Trump says he wants Ukraine to accept the plan by late next week. This administration was not responsible for this release in its current form, said Republican Mike Rounds from South Dakota, speaking at a security conference in Canada. They want to utilize it as a starting point. Rounds said it looked more like it was written in Russian to begin with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senators said they spoke to Rubio after he reached out to some of them while on his way to Geneva for talks on the plan. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King said Rubio told them the plan was not the administrations plan but a wish list of the Russians. The bipartisan group of senators, who are veteran legislators and among those most focused on foreign relations, stood together at the press conference as they relayed Rubios message on the call. Rubio, who serves as both national security adviser and secretary of state, was expected to attend a meeting in Geneva on Sunday to discuss Washingtons proposal as part of a U.S. delegation, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the American participants before the meeting and spoke on condition of anonymity. The peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations, Rubio posted on X. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine, Rubio wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesperson, said the senators' account was blatantly false. A senior Trump administration official, who insisted on anonymity to detail internal discussions, noted Saturday night that the White House has consistently maintained that the plan was authored by the U.S. but included input from Russians and Ukrainians. The official said the plan had always been considered by the administration as a helpful place to start continued negotiations with an eye toward working to a more lasting peace plan. The senators earlier Saturday said the plan would only reward Moscow for its aggression and send a message to other leaders who have threatened their neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It rewards aggression. This is pure and simple. Theres no ethical, legal, moral, political justification for Russia claiming eastern Ukraine, King said during a panel discussion at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada. Putin welcomed the proposal late Friday, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement if the U.S. can get Ukraine and its European allies to agree. Zelenskyy, in an address, did not reject the plan outright, but insisted on fair treatment while pledging to work calmly with Washington and other partners in what he called truly one of the most difficult moments in our history. In its 17th year, about 300 people gather annually at the Halifax International Security Forum held at Halifaxs Westin hotel. The forum attracts military officials, U.S. senators, diplomats and scholars but this year the Trump administration suspended participation of U.S. defense officials in events by think tanks, including the Halifax International Security Forum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large number of U.S. senators made the trip this year in part because of strained relations between Canada and the U.S. Trump has alienated Americas neighbor with his trade war and insistence that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. Many Canadians now refuse to travel to the U.S. and border states like Shaheens New Hampshire are seeing a dramatic drop in tourism. ___ Weissert reproted from Washington. Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report. (NewsNation) Anna Kepners biological mother tells NewsNation she had to dress in disguise to attend her teenage daughters celebration of life. Heather Wright joined Banfield on Friday night, confirming she discovered her daughter had died via Google. My ex-husband did not try to contact me at all whatsoever to let me know that my daughter died, Wright told NewsNation. Black Friday Black Friday deals are live and moving fast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best holiday steals for less than $100 The top toys to complete your holiday shopping BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. After hearing third-hand that Kepner may have died aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, Wright attempted to reach her daughter via phone and TikTok before eventually turning to other measures. I Googled 18-year-old died on cruise ship, and thats when my daughters face popped up all over Google, she said. Madalina Cojocari still missing 3 years after she was last seen Kepner was found dead under a bed on the ship during a family vacation to the Caribbean, and now, the FBI is said to be looking closely at Kepners stepbrother as they continue to investigate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was set to graduate next year from Temple Christian School and was remembered as being kind, energetic and someone who loved being on the water. New court filings reveal that the 16-year-old stepbrother of 18-year-old Kepner is reportedly a suspect. Kepner was on vacation with her stepmother and stepsiblings and during an emergency hearing Thursday, an attorney for the father of the teen stepbrother confirmed that he is now under investigation. Wright, who resides in Oklahoma, says that upon telling her ex-husband, Christopher Kepner, of her intent to travel to Kepners home state of Florida, he replied, If you step foot in Florida, I will have you arrested immediately for bad child support. Nonetheless, Wright attended the funeral, wearing a wig and high heels to avoid being noticed. She claimed Christopher Kepner made it difficult to have a strong relationship with her daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would call her on her birthday and holidays, Wright said of her relationship with Kepner. Wright says she has not been contacted by the FBI or local police as they continue to investigate the death of her teenage daughter. NewsNations Laura Ingle contributed to this report. 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 NewsNation. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Another storm system is moving into Southern California, bringing scattered coastal showers Thursday morning and more widespread rain into Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters say light showers generally a tenth of an inch or less will move from coastal waters into San Diegos shoreline communities early Thursday. Additional scattered showers may develop Thursday afternoon as a colder low-pressure system drops south along the coast. The strongest round of rainfall is expected Thursday evening with the arrival of a cold front. Weather officials say showers are expected to continue overnight, and theres a slight chance of thunderstorms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rain totals through Saturday could range from around 1 inch at the coast to 1.52 inches in the mountains, with locally higher amounts. NWS says there is a 30% chance of at least one inch of rain near the coast and a 5070% chance in the mountains. Heres a look at forecast rainfall totals Thursday afternoon through Saturday: (National Weather Service) Wet weather guide: Indoor things to do in San Diego when it rains South to southeast winds will also strengthen late Thursday afternoon and evening, with gusts between 2530 mph near coastal areas and offshore. Though heavy snow is expected more north in the San Bernardino and Riverside County mountains from Thursday night through early Friday, San Diegos mountain areas arent expected to receive much, if any. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking ahead, forecasters say high pressure will build on Sunday, kicking off a dry and warmer stretch all the way through Thanksgiving. Sundays highs are expected to reach lower to mid-60s at the coast, mid-60s to near 70 in the valleys, and lower to mid-70s in the lower deserts. By Thanksgiving Day, temperatures will climb several degrees above average, with NWS anticipating highs around 70 near the coast and valleys, and mid to upper 70s in the deserts. 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. Heres what youll learn when you read this story: Archaeologists discovered a 2,300-year-old trepanation toolused to remove a section of bone from the skullat an ancient commune in modern-day Poland. The ancient site was once inhabited by a group of Celts. The tool is a type of scalpel, with one end shaped like a blade that has been molded into a spike. When a Celtic group traveled to Poland over 2,300 years ago and formed a commune in Chorzele, likely among the groups ranks were a medic and a blacksmith. The two integral roles evidently collaborated in the creation of a specialized trepanation tool, used to remove a section of bone from the skull. We now have that very tool after its recent discovery during an excavation in east-central Polands Mazovia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lysa Gora archaeological site, which has already yielded an ancient Celtic helmet, continually gives Polands State Archaeological Museum and the faculty of archaeology at the University of Warsaw plenty to investigate. The fourth-century B.C.E. Celtic helmet, though, has nothing on the trepanation tool. This is an even rarer find than a Celtic helmet, because such tools are known only from a few Celtic sites in southern and central Europe (Romania, Croatia, and Austria), Barlomiei Kaczynski, lead researcher with the Warsaw museum, told the Polish Press Agency in a translated report. When discovered, the team had no idea what they had found, other than that the tool was a type of scalpel that likely once had a wooden handle. On the other end was a blade that formed a spike at its end. After diligent research, the team deduced it was a version of a trepanation tool. According to a 2007 study in the journal Neurosurgical Focus, the trepanation process includes drilling a hole into the skull for either medical or mystical purposes, and is considered one of the oldest surgical procedures. It was somewhat common in ancient Greece and Rome, and endured as a practice for centuries until dying out, likely around the 16th century. Other forms of the surgery may have featured scraping techniques instead of the drilling practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This indicates that the people of Celtic origin who arrived here had someone specialized in medical procedures, Kaczynski said. The group that likely passed through on a trade route, along with helmet and these most interesting La Tene artifacts, also had a specialist in contemporary medicine. He was probably a druid who practiced herbal medicine, but he also possessed a set of professional tools. Although this likely had more magical symbolism than actual help. Of course, the Celtic group may have simply decided to make the tool when they settled at the location. The team also discovered slags and an iron anvil for working iron objects at the Lysa Gora site. Small tools were worked on [the anvil] with a blacksmiths hammer, Kaczynski said. This indicates that some of the rather small iron objects we discovered on Lysa Gora may have been manufactured here on site. The group of Celts came here not only with a medic, but perhaps also with a blacksmith, who fashioned the objects in their own way, in a style familiar to this population. Additional finds at the site have included brooches, objects associated with a horses harness, a spearhead, and an iron axe featuring a rectangular cross-section. This fits with the history of the location. It was likely a fortified settlement even before the Celts arrived, although they would have hardened it even further, establishing it as a prominent location on the famed Amber Road trade route. You Might Also Like A federal immigration crackdown centered around North Carolina's largest city of Charlotte appeared to be tapering off Thursday, local law enforcement leaders said, but a Homeland Security official insisted the arrests would not let up. The North Carolina operation that began last weekend was the most recent phase of Republican President Donald Trump 's aggressive mass deportation efforts that have sent the military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities - from Chicago to Los Angeles. "The operation is not over and it is not ending anytime soon," said Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the local sheriff and police department said earlier in the day that the crackdown, which has resulted in hundreds of arrests, appeared to be over less than a week after it began. Federal officials have offered few details about those arrested, or when and where agents will show up next. But even as confusion swirled over whether Operation Charlotte's Web was on or off in North Carolina, immigration enforcement actions are taking place nationwide, often with far less media attention than the Border Patrol surges. In one example, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement had arrested roughly 3,500 people over a six-week span in Houston. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden said in a statement that federal officials confirmed that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection operation known as " Operation Charlotte's Web " had ended, but that agents would continue operating as they have in the past. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police posted on social media Thursday that it received "reliable information" that Border Patrol personnel involved with the operation had departed that morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another statement attributed to an unnamed Homeland Security spokesperson said that federal agencies "continue to target some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens as Operation Charlotte's Web progresses," and that about 370 people have been arrested over the past five days. Federal agents are expected to descend next on New Orleans for operation " Swamp Sweep," a monthslong crackdown in southeast Louisiana. As many as 250 federal troops could arrive as soon as Friday for the operation expected to kick off at the beginning of December. In North Carolina, agents - some heavily armed in tactical gear and unmarked vehicles - have carried out arrests in the Charlotte area and near the capital city of Raleigh. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, said Thursday she was hopeful the enforcement operation was winding down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm relieved for our community and the residents, businesses, and all those who were targeted and impacted by this intrusion," Lyles wrote on X. "As we move forward, it is essential that we come together-not as separate groups divided by recent events, but as one Charlotte community." North Carolina Republican Party spokesperson Matt Mercer called the crackdown a success. Homeland Security leaders have said they brought the large operation to North Carolina because of so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration agents. The crackdown in Charlotte was met with some resistance and protests. About 100 people gathered outside a Home Depot store in Charlotte on Wednesday, where federal agents were spotted multiple times during the surge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrests in Charlotte and the Raleigh area created a chilling effect in immigrant neighborhoods - school attendance dropped, and small shops and restaurants closed to avoid confrontations between customers and federal agents. Customers at a laundromat in Charlotte left behind their clothes in washers and dryers and ran out the doors after agents showed up over the weekend at nearby stores, said the laundromat's owner. Immigration officials have blanketed the country since January, pushing detention counts to all-time highs above 60,000. Big cities and small towns across the country are targeted daily amid higher-profile pushes in places such as Portland, Oregon, where more than 560 immigration arrests were made in October. Smaller bursts of enforcement have popped up elsewhere. ___ Seewer reported from Toledo, Ohio. Individuals named Briant typically exhibit a compelling blend of traditional strength and modern adaptability, reflecting their name's Celtic heritage. They are often natural leaders who combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence, capable of inspiring loyalty while making difficult decisions. Their personality tends toward principled determination, showing resilience in adversity and a deep sense of responsibility toward those in their care. This combination of strength and compassion makes them effective in leadership roles where both firmness and empathy are required. Briants often demonstrate a strong connection to their roots and heritage while remaining open to new ideas and perspectives. They typically value honesty, loyalty, and personal integrity, approaching relationships and challenges with a balanced perspective that considers both immediate needs and long-term consequences. Their communication style tends to be direct yet diplomatic, and they often serve as mediators in conflicts due to their ability to understand multiple viewpoints. The historical weight of their name frequently inspires them to pursue meaningful achievements that benefit their communities or preserve important traditions. The US hemp industry is preparing for a ban on most hemp products that Senator Mitch McConnell slipped into the spending bill just before the Senate voted to pass it and end the government shutdown. Many in the industry have criticized the last-minute change, arguing that it should have been subject to open hearings rather than added at the last minute to a bill whose passage was essential for the government reopening. The ban, which goes into effect 12 months after the laws passage, forbids all products that contain more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per package a trace amount that is present in most CBD products, not just those whose primary component is THC. The US hemp industry generates $28bn a year in revenue and employs 300,000 people, according to Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the US Hemp Roundtable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not yet clear exactly what the ban will mean. Jasmine Johnson, CEO of GUD Essence, a Florida based company that sells CBD-infused products, said she was preparing for several different possible scenarios so our customers experience little to no disruption. One option would be a partial ban where states maintain autonomy, similar to the current framework around state-legal cannabis. Currently, state-legal recreational and medical cannabis does not have an upper limit on THC. But these products are heavily regulated, highly taxed and only available in licensed dispensaries. Hemp products, on the other hand, are often available for purchase in liquor stores, grocery stores and online. Before the ban goes into effect, the only federal restriction on hemp products is that they must be derived from plants that contain less than 0.3% delta 9 THC but they can include other forms of THC, which are sometimes chemically derived from plants that have a lower raw THC percentage. If states are given autonomy over their hemp markets, hemp might continue to be available outside of cannabis dispensaries in those states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be a much more viable model than the current marijuana industry, because we would have the ability to distribute through liquor stores or grocery stores as long as it was an age-gated environment, said Aaron Nosbisch, founder of Brez, which makes THC beverages. However, hemp companies would no longer be able to ship these products across state lines. Josh Kesselman, founder of RAW Rolling Papers and owner of High Times magazine, believes the ban will be total, and is just the beginning of heightened restrictions on cannabis, noting that Mitch McConnells positions often align with the Heritage Foundations views. Their 2023 position paper on cannabis derided state legal cannabis markets and recommended cannabis remain federally illegal. For this reason, Kesselman thinks Congress will move to eradicate the state legal cannabis market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A total ban could mean that manufacturers will simply be forced to close or shift their focus to other kinds of products. Nosbisch pointed out that Brez already has a functional line of our drinks that comprises over 30% of our revenue today. These products contain ingredients like Lions Mane mushroom extract and LTheanine. Many in the industry, including Nosbisch, are optimistic that the ban will never be enforced at all and that Congress will instead pass new legislation that federally regulates hemp. As challenging as this might seem, I really think in reality, it is the opportunity in disguise that the whole category has been waiting for, in order to create a more firm foundation for rapid industry growth, Nosbisch said. Miller explained that since the ban went through, theres been real backlash. People have finally woken up that this is going to take away products they love, and are contacting their members of Congress. He added that some members of Congress, like Maxwell Alejandro Frost, a Florida representative, and Tina Smith, a Minnesota senator, are now speaking out against the ban for the first time. Russias economic prosperity over the last three decades has been a smokescreen for moral bankruptcy and global incompetence. Sen. John McCain recognized this truth back in 2014 when he declared that Russia is "a gas station masquerading as a country." That insight rings even truer today. We saw another glimpse of Russias hollow performance recently when it unveiled an AI-powered humanoid robot meant to showcase technological advancement. Moments after the grand reveal, the robot tripped and fell face-first. In a scene that perfectly captures the Russian system, someone rushed to cover the failure with a black curtain - as if embarrassment could somehow be erased by denial. This is quintessential Russia: a glossy shell built on corruption, propaganda, and fear. For years, Moscow has portrayed itself as a global superpower. Yet the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has totally exposed the farce. The "second greatest army in the world" was supposed to conquer Kyiv in three days. Instead, its full-scale fantasy has become a four-year quagmire. What was meant to be a show of dominance turned into a slow-motion collapse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steven Moore, a U.S. political operative turned humanitarian who currently lives in Ukraine, believes that Ukraine is not merely holding its ground - it is winning. The evidence is everywhere: Russian military morale is depleted, logistics are in chaos, and its "special operation" has devoured more than a million soldiers. Russia knows it cannot win. Yet instead of retreating, Russia is lashing out, targeting civilians, hospitals, and power plants. This isnt a Hollywood movie or a distant geopolitical chess match. Its the systematic murder of sovereign Ukrainians in real time. We are watching cities being bombed and Ukrainian children being abducted. The question we must face is hauntingly simple: What will it take for the civilized world to stop casually observing evil? Russias system thrives on illusion and manipulation of perception. They love military parades and propaganda victories, masking decay beneath the surface. But behind every Russian missile strike is a crumbling economy, a hollowed-out population, and a government terrified of its own people. No amount of censorship or curtain-pulling can hide the truth forever. Ive been to Ukraine nearly a dozen times since the full-scale invasion began. Every visit reminds me that the heart of this war is not about territory or politics; its about truth versus lies, dignity versus domination, and freedom versus fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August, I met pastors providing emotional and spiritual support while living with the uncertainty of whether they would live to see the next day. I met doctors who continue to show up to work, after surviving a Shahed drone attack that killed fellow colleagues. I spent time with volunteers driving unarmored vans into war zones to deliver aid. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They dont have the luxury of complaining about the price of eggs and gas. They fight because they are being attacked - they are defending their children, their faith, and their future. Their courage exposes Russias deception. Ukraines endurance has stripped away the myth of Russian might. The hollow Russian Empire cannot conquer what Ukraine has in abundance - moral clarity and unity of purpose. This war is revealing more than Russias weakness; in some ways, its exposing the Wests. Despite being some of the wealthiest and most powerful nations in human history, the West is often paralyzed by comfort and convenience. Our moral hesitation to stop Russian aggression is contrasted sharply by Ukraines resolve. Supporting Ukraine is not just about sending weapons or writing checks. Its about taking a decisive stand for human liberty itself. Standing with Ukraine is a declaration that truth still matters and that freedom is worth sacrifice. History will not remember our hashtags or our pithy headlines. Our children and grandchildren will remember whether we acted. The generations to come will remember whether we used our influence to comfort the oppressed or to protect our comfort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a follower of Jesus, I deeply believe freedom is sacred because every person bears the image of God. That belief is not confined to faith; it is the foundation of human rights, democracy, and dignity. Whether you call it conscience, faith, or simply humanity, the moral law written on our hearts demands that we respond to the pain of others. The people of Ukraine have shown the world what courage looks like. Now its our turn to show solidarity. Speak. Give. Pray. Advocate. Justice and liberty are worth defending, and we know that appeasement never stops aggression. The curtain has already been pulled back. We have seen Russia for what it is - a wobbly attempt to appear cutting edge, powerful, and capable. Ultimately, because power built on lies collapses, it will fall flat on its face. Andrew Moroz, Ph.D., is a Ukrainian-American pastor and the founder of The Renewal Initiative. Update: Bensalem police reported Saturday Nov. 22 that missing 16-year-old Mackenzie Kramer was found safe in New York City, four days after she was reported missing, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. She was at the NYPD police department as of Saturday night waiting to be picked up by her mother, police said. No additional details were immediately released. Bensalem police are looking for information about a 16-year-old girl last seen walking off a school bus days ago. Mackenzie Kramer, who lives along Thunder Circle, was last seen the afternoon of Nov. 18 leaving the bus at Brookwood Drive, according to a police release posted on CrimeWatch on Nov. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have been actively pursuing "numerous" leads to her whereabouts, including interviews with relatives, friends and known acquaintances, but those efforts have been unsuccessful. Attempts to reach Mackenzie through cellphone also have been unsuccessful, police said. Bensalem police are seeking the public's help in locating Mackenzie Kramer, missing since Tuesday Nov. 18, 2025. Mackenzie is described as approximately 5-foot-5-inches tall, with brown eyes and brown shoulder-length hair. She has piercings in her ears and nostrils and wears glasses. She was last seen wearing a black winter coat, black sneakers, and carrying a grey gym bag and a pink backpack. Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of Mackenzie is asked to dial 911, submit an anonymous tip through our CrimeWatch page or contact Bensalem Police at 215-633-3719. Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Where did police find missing 16-year-old Mackenzie Kramer on Saturday? BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. - Big Bear Mountain Resort is gearing up for the winter season. While the opening day has yet to be announced, officials said recent snow accumulation and ongoing preparations suggest it could be soon. What we know Big Bear Mountain Resort received an additional three to six inches of snow overnight, contributing to the winter conditions eagerly anticipated by Southern California residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snow guns are actively working to maximize snow coverage while the weather permits. Although the exact date for the resort's opening remains unconfirmed, efforts are being made to open as soon as possible. Last year, Big Bear Mountain Resort introduced a new six-seater chair lift at Bear Mountain, designed to expedite access to the slopes. This season, visitors can also enjoy a new private rental area at Snow Summit and a priority line access product to enhance their experience during peak times. What they're saying "Winter has officially arrived back in Southern California. You know, a lot of people have been waiting for it. So we're stoked that we've gotten things going here," said Justin Kanton with Big Bear Mountain Resort. "We're trying to get as much snow on the ground as we can while conditions allow." Local perspective Big Bear Mountain Resort offers three distinct mountainsSnow Valley, Snow Summit, and Bear Mountaineach catering to different skill levels. The resort boasts the largest learning areas in Southern California, making it an ideal destination for novice skiers. As preparations continue, Southern Californians can look forward to enjoying the winter wonderland at Big Bear Mountain Resort soon. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has been arrested "preventively" before his upcoming prison sentence starts, media outlets in the South American country reported on Saturday. This is not the enforcement of the sentence imposed by the Supreme Federal Court for attempted coup, but a measure to "ensure public order," according to the G1 news website and others. There was an "increased flight risk" because Bolsonaro, 70, allegedly violated the conditions of his electronic ankle bracelet, the outlet quoted federal judge Alexandre de Moraes as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison in September for an attempted coup following his 2022 election defeat. However, the verdict is not yet final. Observers had assumed that he could begin serving his sentence next week. On Friday, Bolsonaro's son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, called for a nighttime vigil in front of his father's house. According to G1, police classified the planned gathering of Bolsonaro's supporters as a risk to both participants and law enforcement officers. Bolsonaro was reportedly taken into custody at around 6 am (0900 GMT) in Brasilia and brought to the federal police headquarters, where he was placed in a special room for former heads of state and government officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ex-president had already been under house arrest since August for violating court orders. The police said on Saturday morning that they had "executed an arrest warrant for pretrial detention in accordance with a decision by the Supreme Federal Court," but did not name the former president. Bolsonaro's defence team had requested on Friday that the sentence be served under house arrest, citing health issues of their client. President Donald Trumps surprisingly cordialOval Office meeting with New York City Mayor-electZohran Mamdanion Friday not only attracted lots of attention on social media, but it also inspired oneFox Newshost to troll Vice President JD Vance. I think JD Vance is jealous, said Brian Kilmeade. I think the president wants to use [Mamdani] as a running mate. They got along fantastic. Politics: GOP Senator Refuses To Face Reality About RFK Jr. After Being Lied To During the meeting, Trump seemed to forget all the insults hes made about Mamdani such asa 100% Communist Lunatic and even told the mayor-elect it was OK to call him a fascist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also dismissed accusations by New York Republican Elise Stefanik that Mamdani is a jihadist, saying he didnt agree with that assessment, but shes campaigning and you say things sometimes in a campaign. Kilmeade: That's what we just watched. I think JD Vance is jealous. I think the president wants to use him as a running mate. They got along fantastic. pic.twitter.com/ejwErga8Bh Acyn (@Acyn) November 21, 2025 Kilmeades jealous and Mamdani-as-running-mate comments might have been a bit of a burn for Vance, but remember, Trump isnt eligible to run for a third term, so there probably wont be a need to swap vice presidents. If Vance did see it as a slight, he didnt mention it in his sole post about the Trump-Mamdani meeting. Instead, he just said, POTUS has a lot of good moments, but this is an all-timer. POTUS has a lot of good moments but this is an all-timer https://t.co/Ge0vYEiJhP JD Vance (@JDVance) November 21, 2025 Of course, people had thoughts. Can't believe Fox News spent all day making rage bait banners for tonight's lineup. Imagine the graphics department right now... @IngrahamAngle@seanhannity@FoxNewshttps://t.co/UqD1gLRuFg PoliticOhMyGawd (@PoliticOhMyGawd) November 21, 2025 Vance was painting Mamdani as a terrorist sympathizer until the minute his boss began showing him more affection than he has ever showed JD. There are some similarities between the two, but Vance is less gifted politically, less clever, less charismatic than Mamdani. https://t.co/3fE0h8j8GY Pedro L. Gonzalez (@emeriticus) November 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is hysterical! Best thing Ive seen in awhile are these idiots fumbling over themselves with how to accept their king is laughing with a jihadist. HawkeyeInDallas (@HawkeyeInDallas) November 21, 2025 Fox News is now saying JD Vance is jealous of Mamdani because Trump wants to use him as a running mate. So the guy who sold his soul to be Trumps favorite hillbilly is watching a socialist from Queens walk into the White House, get praised on camera, and maybe steal his VP AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) November 21, 2025 Trump smiling at Mamdani the same way his South Park character did before making love to JD Vance pic.twitter.com/KptiHMhx7u CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) November 21, 2025 JD Vance watching Donald Trump enjoying being around Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/qlrVtvEEXZ Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) November 21, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related... Read the original on HuffPost One Monday in mid-October, after a year in US immigration detention, officers arrived unannounced at Majid's cell in Texas. They told him simply to "pack up" - that he was being moved - even though an immigration judge had already granted him protection from removal five months ago. Shackled at the wrists, waist and ankles, he was driven through the night to a military airfield in Louisiana. Majid - not his real name - had fled Iran for the US in October 2024, after repeated detentions and alleged torture, first because of his involvement in the Mahsa Amini protests, and later because of his conversion to Christianity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When US officials forced him to board a plane carrying more than 150 deportees heading to Managua, Nicaragua, he remembers being the only nonLatin American on the plane. Hours later, the flight landed and officials handcuffed him, denied his request for asylum and directed him onto an itinerary routing him through Venezuela and Turkey toward Iran - a journey he understood as a forced return. Majid later was able to go into hiding in Istanbul, terrified of what awaited him back in Iran. He is one of several Iranian Christian converts who spoke to the BBC - most anonymously out of fear for relatives back home - whose asylum claims have been rejected in the past year. Their accounts point to inconsistencies in how US authorities assess the risks facing Iranian returnees and how sensitive religious information in asylum files is handled. Their experiences also run contrast to other elements of US foreign policy, as President Trump publicly laments the plight of Christian persecutions abroad, threatening to send troops into Nigeria "guns a-blazing" if its government "continues to allow the killing of Christians". A White House official told the BBC that all individuals deported had their asylum claims fully adjudicated before removal. The official said that recent deportations to Iran involved people with final orders of removal or those who had requested voluntary departure. They added that strict confidentiality rules prevent officials from disclosing whether someone applied for asylum and was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A rare deportation flight As the US continues its crackdown on illegal immigration, which was a central plank of Trump's winning re-election campaign, it has made unprecedented changes to its policy towards Iranian asylum seekers. In late September, authorities arranged a chartered flight to Iran via Qatar - the first of its kind in decades, given the absence of diplomatic ties and Iran's human-rights record. The flight represented an unusual example of cooperation between Iran and the US. Dozens of Iranians were placed on the flight, reportedly in shackles. One deportee, Sina, later described armed guards escorting passengers on the QatarTehran leg. On arrival, they were questioned about their time in the US and their religious activities but were not immediately arrested, he said in a video, which was posted on a Farsi-language YouTube channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the passengers was the wife of Ali, an Iranian Christian convert now living in the US. She has since been contacted and summoned by Iranian intelligence. "They deported my wife back to Iran even though she is a Christian," Ali says - the BBC has given him a pseudonym to protect the identity of him and his wife. "Now Iranian intelligence is after her and me." For Ali's wife and others, the danger was heightened by what their lawyers say was a critical mistake. Attorney Ali Herischi, who represents Ali, his wife, and another deportee from the September flight says several clients reported that sensitive information - including statements about religious conversion, political activity and the reasons they sought asylum - was not removed before deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pastor Ara Torosian says Iranian Christians fear what will happen to them if deported back to Iran [Getty Images] Why returning is dangerous for Christian converts Converts from Islam make up a significant share of Iran's estimated 800,000 Christian population, says Steve Dew-Jones of Article 18, a UK-based advocacy group that monitors violations against Christians in the country. With officially recognised churches tightly restricted, house churches have begun to emerge across the country. But practitioners continue to face persecution, Dew-Jones says. Converting from Islam is treated as apostasy, and converts face arrest, interrogation and prison terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrests have increased sixfold between 2023 and 2024, the Center for Human Rights in Iran reports. "Since the recent IranIsrael clashes, we've seen the authorities use the term 'Zionist Christianity' even more aggressively. By branding converts as agents of Israel, the state frames ordinary religious practice as a national-security threat," Dew-Jones adds. Some Iranians seeking asylum abroad cite conversion as part of their claim, while Iranian officials accuse them of exaggerating or fabricating conversions to strengthen their cases. But it is unclear how many US asylum cases may be exaggerated, versus real fear of persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's impossible to judge the sincerity of someone's faith - there's no window into people's souls," Dew-Jones says. "Yes, the system can be abused, but we also see many legitimate converts whose testimonies and church records aren't taken seriously by asylum courts." Life on hold for those left behind Asylum outcomes can diverge sharply even within a single household, Iranian asylum seekers and legal experts say. In late June, ICE officers arrived at Marjan and Reza's house in Los Angeles. In video filmed by their pastor, Marjan is seen collapsed outside as agents detain her husband. Moments earlier she had called him pleading for help. The couple - both Christian converts from Iran who had applied for asylum in the US - were taken to separate detention centres. Weeks later, their cases diverged: Marjan was granted asylum in California, while Reza, held in New Mexico, was ordered to be removed to a third country. After their June arrest, the Department of Homeland Security said on its X account that "during a targeted enforcement operation in Los Angeles, Border Patrol agent apprehended two Iranian nationals unlawfully present in the US - both flagged as subjects of national security interest." A screenshot of the video filmed by Pastor Ara, showing Reza and Marjan being detained by immigration enforcement [Submitted photo] Pastor Ara Torosian, who filmed their arrest, disputes the Department of Homeland Security's claim that the couple were unlawfully present in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says they entered legally through a humanitarian programme and had work authorisations. "How can it be dangerous for the wife but not for the husband?" asks pastor, Ara Torosian, who himself fled Iran in 2010 after being detained for smuggling Bibles. Majid, who managed to slip through the airport in Turkey, has been living in limbo since, while his lawyer follows up on his case. His wife, whose asylum case is still pending, now lives in Los Angeles with their 1.5-year-old daughter - a child who has never met her father. In the US, Ali is living with a friend from his church, and hoping his own asylum claim will be more successful than that of his wife, who was deported to Iran this year. "If they grant me asylum, how can I stay here when my wife is in Iran? If they deport me, I could go to prison the moment I land." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unable to work legally or open a bank account. He first stayed with a distant relative "just until my wife's case was resolved," but she was never released and, after nearly a year in detention, was deported. A small church later offered him temporary shelter. "Anytime they ask me to leave, I have to sleep in parks," he says. He is awaiting an immigration hearing but sees no good outcome. His wife has received another summons from Iranian intelligence. "If they arrest her and demand I return," he says quietly, "I'll have no choice." Editor's note: The headline and story was corrected to reflect who is selling the housing. Cincinnati's public housing authority is selling over 100 apartments in one of its biggest housing projects. But housing officials say no residents will be forced to leave the West End when the sale goes through. Officials laid out plans for a massive rehab of City West, which currently includes 686 units of public and subsidized apartments not far from TQL Stadium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sale proceeds of the buildings, appraised at $12 million, will go toward paying off previous debt for that site and could potentially go toward the rehab or other buildings owned by Cincinnati Metropolitan Authority. The 93 households that live in the buildings will be allowed to live in the City West development or elsewhere in the West End neighborhood. The housing authority has 85 vacant units elsewhere in the West End, officials said. Development around FC Cincinnati's TQL Stadium has raised concerns among longtime West End residents who feel squeezed by new developments. In a Nov. 21 press briefing, Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO Greg Johnson and Cincinnati Assistant City Manager Billy Weber, tried to allay some of those concerns. No residents will be pushed out, they said. FC Cincinnati also has nothing to do with the City West project, Weber said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The one thing we don't want is everyone in City West to be fearful that, 'Oh they're moving us out,'" Johnson said. "That's not the case at all. This is your local municipality doing their best work together to save precious property in our community for the poorest of the poor." Here's what you should know. What is City West? City West is a 48-acre mixed-income residential complex built two decades ago. The development was birthed from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOPE VI grant program, which revitalized distressed public housing across the country. In the West End, the city's housing authority was charged with remaking Lincoln Court and Laurel Homes, two complexes from the 1930s and '40s. The result was City West, but part of it was never finished. There are 366 public housing units total at City West. What is being proposed? City West takes up 48 acres in Cincinnati's West End. The units being sold by the housing authority are in the northeast corner of the mixed-income neighborhood. The $200 million project would rehab the remaining apartments in City West. Oregon, Wisconsin-based developer Gorman & Company will head the project and rehab 519 units. The housing authority will rehab 62 units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Design work has not yet started, so there aren't renderings or details on the upgrades. The same residents will be allowed to remain in their homes, Johnson said. "The end result is that they're going to be living in better living conditions," Johnson said. Why is it being done? The current housing at City West has numerous maintenance issues, Weber said. He didn't detail exactly what those maintenance issues were. The previous owner of the buildings being sold incurred $4 million in debt, he said. What is being sold? The buildings being sold by the housing authority are directly across from TQL Stadium. The Housing Authority will sell 105 apartments in six buildings between Wade and Betton Streets directly west of TQL Stadium. The buildings house 93 households. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The buildings will go on the market by Dec. 1, Johnson said. They do not have a buyer lined up yet. With vacancies and other properties the housing authority owns in the neighborhood, residents will have an opportunity to stay in the neighborhood if they want, Johnson said. It's possible whoever buys the properties might allow the residents to stay, Johnson said. When will it happen? Work will begin next summer on the 62 units on Linn Street being rehabbed by the housing authority. It will take about five years for the entire project of 581 units to be finished. How will it be paid for? The developer will pay for the $200 million project with a mix of tax credits and loans. Some city money will also need to go into the project, but how much remains to be determined, Weber said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Cincinnati's housing authority is selling apartments near TQL Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard has reversed course on swastikas and nooses, saying they are "hate symbols" after reportedly issuing guidance calling them "potentially divisive." The agency late Thursday said the guidance "doubles down on its current policies prohibiting the display, distribution or use of hate symbols by Coast Guard personnel." "This is not an updated policy but a new policy to combat any misinformation and double down that the U.S. Coast Guard forbids these symbols," the Coast Guard, which is part of Homeland Security, said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new guidance came after media outlets, led by The Washington Post, earlier Thursday reported that the Coast Guard had written a less firm policy earlier this month. Since 2023, Coast Guard policy said displaying the symbols "constitutes a potential hate incident." "The Coast Guard does not tolerate the display of divisive or hate symbols and flags, including those identified with oppression or hatred," the Coast Guard wrote about the policy on Thursday night. "These symbols reflect hateful and prohibited conduct that undermines unit cohesion. A symbol or flag is prohibited as a reflection of hate if its display adversely affects good order and discipline, unit cohesion, command climate, morale, or mission effectiveness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listed were "a noose, a swastika, and any symbols or flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups as representations of supremacy, racial or religious intolerance, anti-semitism or any other improper bias." The policy applies to all personnel and they "shall be removed from all Coast Guard workplaces, facilities and assets," the agency said. Also, all displays or depictions of Confederate battle flags continue to be prohibited. In the earlier reported policy, commanders could take steps to remove them from public view and that the rule did not apply to private spaces outside public view, including family housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At a time when anti-Semitism is rising in the United States and around the world, relaxing policies aimed at fighting hate crimes not only sends the wrong message to the men and women of our Coast Guard, but it puts their safety at risk," Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said Thursday. She said the change "rolls back important protections against bigotry and could allow for horrifically hateful symbols, like swastikas and nooses, to be inexplicably permitted to be displayed." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the change "disgusting" and said "it's more encouragement from the Republicans of extremism." Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, called it "categorically false" to claim prohibitions were rolled back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These symbols have been and remain prohibited in the Coast Guard per policy," Lunday said in a statement, adding that "any display, use or promotion of such symbols, as always, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished." DHS denied there was a revision. "The 2025 policy is not changing -- USCG issued a lawful order that doubles down on our current policies prohibiting the display, distribution or use of hate symbols by Coast Guard personnel," spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said to CNN. Nooses are a symbol of hatred of black people, with thousands lynched between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of the civil rights movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swastikas represent Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany, which killed millions of people during the Holocaust. About 1,900 died while serving in the Coast Guard during World War II against Germany. "The swastika is the ultimate symbol of virulent hate and bigotry, and even a consideration by the Coast Guard to no longer classify it as such would be equivalent to dismissing the Ku Klux Klan's burning crosses and hoods as merely 'potentially divisive,'" Menachem Rosensaft, a law professor at Cornell University and a Jewish community leader, said in a statement to Military Times. Other armed services are part of the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, a Pentagon report found that extremist views were not widespread in the military, though there was the ability of people with military experience to carry out "high-impact events." Two months ago, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a review of all the hazing, bullying and harassment definitions across the military. He said they were "overly broad" and were "jeopardizing combat readiness, mission accomplishment and trust in the organization." During his confirmation hearing in January, Hegseth said a focus on extremism has "created a climate inside our ranks that feels political when it hasn't ever been political." By Rich McKay (Reuters) -A fire on a cargo ship that sent smoke billowing through parts of the second most populous U.S. city has been substantially contained after several hours, the Port of Los Angeles said on Saturday. Shelter-in-place orders for two of the city's neighborhoods were lifted. No injuries have been reported. The blaze began with an electrical fire at about 6:30 p.m. local time Friday on the ship One Henry Hudson at a dock in the San Pedro area of Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire crews and ship crew members continued fire suppression efforts on Saturday, officials said, after the vessel was towed away from its berth at the Yusen Container Terminal. Marine units continued cooling the ship's exterior, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. TV footage from an ABC affiliate showed firefighting boats shooting streams of water on the ship's sides and over containers on fire on the deck. On Friday, the fire and subsequent explosion on the ship spurred concerns that hazardous materials were burning. All 23 crew members were quickly evacuated from the vessel, as the fire disrupted power and crane operations. Officials issued shelter-in-place orders for the Los Angeles communities of San Pedro and Wilmington. Those orders were lifted on Saturday, and officials also removed work restrictions that had been in place for the port's terminals. Earlier, fire officials said four of the ports seven container terminals had resumed operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The One Henry Hudson sails under a Panama flag and arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday from Tokyo's Shinagawa port, according to LSEG data. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; additional reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi and Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard, Tom Hogue, Sergio Non and David Gregorio) Feature: Teaching Chinese emerges as promising career in Vietnam Xinhua) 11:06, November 22, 2025 HANOI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Le Van Dai, a senior student in the capital Hanoi, celebrated Vietnam's Teachers' Day by offering a bouquet of sunflowers to his lecturer on Thursday morning, and later that afternoon, he also received flowers and small gifts from his students. Vietnam Teachers' Day, celebrated annually on Nov. 20 to honor educators nationwide, was especially meaningful for Dai, a Chinese language teacher education student at the University of Languages and International Studies, who also works as a part-time Chinese-language tutor in his free time. Amid the rising demand for learning Chinese, many Vietnamese students are taking on part-time tutoring while pursuing degrees in Chinese education, viewing it not only as a source of income but also as professional preparation. "Over recent years, learning Chinese has become a growing trend among young Vietnamese and working professionals as well, driven by cultural exchange, closer bilateral relations, and expanding job opportunities between Vietnam and China," Dai noted. Teaching Chinese two classes a week, including a beginner and an intermediate level class, helps Dai to cover his daily living expenses. "I earn about 9 to 10 million Vietnamese dong (about 344 to 383 U.S. dollars) per month from tutoring, enough to pay for house, electricity, water, food, transportation and save a part for other expenses like shopping, appliances, clothes," Dai said. The growing demand for Chinese learning is further reflected in testing statistics. According to data from the Center for Language and Cooperation of China, nearly 10,000 candidates registered for the Chinese Proficiency Test, also known as HSK, at the Confucius Institute at Hanoi University in the first quarter of 2025, making Vietnam the country with the highest number of HSK test-takers worldwide during this period. With the rising demand for Chinese learning, many Vietnamese entrepreneurs are now viewing Chinese-language education as a potential business opportunity, including Dang Nghia Hoa, director of a Chinese-teaching company in Hanoi. Hoa, who majored in international relations, started her own enterprise after discovering a surge in demand for quality Chinese-language teaching during her years as a student. Established in 2024, the company has attracted around 1,500 learners, covering from secondary students to working professionals, Hoa noted, emphasizing that learners study Chinese for several reasons. "Secondary and high school students study Chinese to meet university admission requirements or apply for scholarships in China, while university students and working professionals learn it as a second language to expand job opportunities and pursue personal development," she added. Popular online recruitment platforms in Vietnam, such as LinkedIn, TopCV, and VietnamWorks, list between 2,000 and 3,000 job postings using the keyword "Chinese-language," with monthly salaries ranging from about 500 to 2,000 dollars. Meanwhile, a Facebook group in Vietnam named "Study Chinese Every Day" has reached about 1.3 million members, with users posting Chinese-language learning content daily. Nguyen Thanh Huong, a 22-year-old teacher who is currently working at Hoa's company, views teaching Chinese as both a career and a way to create value, and plans to pursue further studies in China to strengthen her competitive edge before returning to Vietnam's Chinese language education market. "Teaching is not just a job, but it's how we create social value and help others access new opportunities," Huong said, noting that competition for Chinese-language teaching scholarships in China has become increasingly intense as the field becomes popular. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) Individuals named Cateline are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and independent spirit. They typically exhibit refined manners, intellectual curiosity, and strong moral principles that reflect the name's meaning of purity. Catelines are known for their diplomatic nature, able to navigate complex social situations with grace and tact. They often demonstrate resilience and inner strength, characteristics that have been associated with the name's historical bearers who maintained their composure in challenging circumstances. Many Catelines display artistic sensibilities and appreciation for beauty, whether in art, literature, or nature. Their personality often combines French sophistication with practical wisdom, making them both charming and reliable. While they value tradition, they also possess the courage to stand by their convictions, reflecting the name's association with historical figures who maintained their principles despite opposition. This combination of grace and determination makes Catelines often seen as natural leaders who inspire confidence and respect in others through their consistent character and thoughtful approach to life's challenges. DENVER (KDVR) A convicted murderer was sentenced to additional prison time after a jury found him guilty of bludgeoning and strangling a fellow Lincoln County inmate, killing him. The incident was captured on the Limon Correctional Facilitys surveillance cameras on Aug. 17, 2023. Arthur Price, 40, can be seen dragging 67-year-old Paul Hacks body from a cell and down at least two flights of stairs. Hack was a convicted child molester, the 23rd Judicial District Attorneys Office shared. Man dead after being hit by 3 cars in crosswalk, 2 fled the scene: Aurora police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Price then sat down nearby and waited for the correctional officers. Price reportedly said as he was escorted away, Thats what child molesters get. Hope you rot in hell. However, prosecutors do not believe Price attacked Hack in some kind of vigilante justice; instead, they argued it was an attempt for Price to be moved to another facility and avoid paying significant debts that he had accumulated while imprisoned in Limon. The defendant was already serving a 36-year sentence for killing a woman in Arapahoe County in 2013, when he chose to kill again at the Limon Correctional Facility, said 23rd Judicial District Attorney Chief Deputy District Attorney Eva Wilson in a release. The victim was beaten, strangled and dragged down three flights of stairs, where his bloody, broken corpse was left for all to see. A sentence of 41 and a half years should keep him in prison until 2082, if he lives that long. Price pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, first-degree assault and abuse of a corpse. He had served 12 years of his 36-year sentence at the time of Hacks murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is rarified air to be responsible for the unlawful killing of two human beings, 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said in a release. There is no room in society or even general population in prison for someone who so wantonly kills. He gambled that he could kill with impunity by banking on a lie but the Price was wrong. This is why we build prisons. As of Friday evening, Price was assigned to be confined in the Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City, according to Colorado Department of Corrections records. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Both directions of the Kansas Turnpike were closed between Emporia and Cassoday on Friday due to a crash. The crash was reported just after 5 a.m. near Emporia. It involved three semitrailers, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. Initially, the Kansas Turnpike Authority said some passenger vehicles were also involved, but the KHP crash log only mentions the semis. Crash on Interstate 35 (Isabella Cahill / KSNT) Crash on Interstate 35 (Isabella Cahill / KSNT) According to the patrol, a disabled northbound semi was blocking the median and both driving lanes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trailer on a second semi hit the first semi, according to KHP. Then a third semi couldnt stop in time and hit the trailer of the second semi. KHP said one of the semis ended up draped over the median barrier. Firefighters fall through floor of burning home in Park City Two of the drivers complained of pain, but troopers said only one a 60-year-old man from Leon was taken to a hospital. The interstate was closed for most of the day. It was fully reopen at 6 p.m. Check before you go: KanDrive, also known as WICHway in Wichita, is a website and app from the Kansas Department of Transportation that provides information about road conditions, traffic, and more. Viewers can access cameras along the highways and interstates for free. The KanDrive app is available in both Google Play and Apples App Store. To view the website, click here. Drivers can also call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside of Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. A fire at an abandoned hospital in Lawrence County is being investigated as a suspected arson. Firefighters were called to the site of the UPMC Jameson South Hospital on the 1000 block of South Mercer Street in New Castle for reports of a building filled with smoke at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Crews found a burning roll of wires located on the sixth floor to be the source of the smoke. Firefighters said multiple homeless people may have been living inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took crews several hours to fully put out the flames and look for anyone inside. No one was found and no injuries were reported. The hospital has been vacant since 2019. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Crufts has banned pugs with breathing problems from competing in what critics say is an unfair exclusion of designer breeds. The worlds largest dog show, run by the Kennel Club, has announced that from 2026 any bulldog, French bulldog or pug assessed to have moderate or severe breathing difficulties will not be allowed to compete. All three breeds will be forced to undergo a respiratory function grading (RFG) scheme assessment, and any dog graded a two or a three will be excluded from the competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until now, only grade three dogs the most severely affected were barred. Dog owners have criticised the ban, and claimed it targets pugs and other flat-faced dogs while overlooking health conditions common in many other breeds. Three breeds will be forced to undergo a respiratory function grading scheme assessment pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs - Andrew Fox The Kennel Club said in new guidance: The Kennel Club has announced an update to the respiratory function grading scheme entry criteria for Crufts 2026, as part of its commitment to monitoring and improving brachycephalic dog health. From 2026 onwards, all bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs with a grade two or grade three RFG Scheme assessment will not be eligible to attend Crufts. Previously this exclusion applied only to grade three dogs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RFG scheme, developed with the University of Cambridge, assesses the breeds for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a respiratory disorder linked to flat faces. Dogs are examined before and after exercise, and graded from zero, meaning no signs of the condition, to three, the most severe. Owners of these breeds will be required to submit assessments as part of their entry. Crufts 2026 will take place from March 5 to 8 at the NEC in Birmingham. Many breeds prone to health conditions Angela Taylor, from Staffordshire, who owns four Pugs, said the breed is no more prone to problems than others. There are many breeds of dogs that are prone to health conditions. West Highland white terriers usually get skin conditions, Cavalier King Charles spaniels are prone to heart conditions and breathing health issues, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labradors with hip and elbow dysplasia, Great Danes and bone cancer, dachshunds with spinal issues and border collies with behaviour issues. The list can go on and on with different breeds having their own common health issues. She argued that singling out pugs and French bulldogs sets a dangerous precedent. All dogs that attend shows and Crufts must be fit and healthy to enter the competition, but if youre going to ban certain breeds, then where does it stop? I dont agree with the actions they have currently announced, unsure what compromise they would be willing to agree on. Pugs are such lovely dogs, I wouldnt be without a pug or two in my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sue Smith, another pug owner, said the move was unfair. Its so sad just because of the way they look. They wouldnt do it to a human being and they cant help it. No one has a right to say they shouldnt compete. Its a very sad situation, she said. I think its so unfair, give them a chance. The rule change follows news that breeds with flat faces, wrinkly skin and bulging eyes will disappear in the next 10 years under new plans to eradicate extreme traits in dogs. A new innate health assessment was launched this week, scoring dogs across 10 physical traits including flat faces, wrinkly skin and bulging eyes. Only dogs scoring eight or above would be permitted for licenced breeding under the voluntary scheme, which has support from the Kennel Club. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kennel Club has been contacted for comment. 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. UPDATE: Elderly woman found and is safe UPDATE: SUNDAY 11/23/2025 7:41 a.m. (COLORADO SPRINGS) CSPD reported that Suzanne was found safely. PREVIOUS HEADLINE: CSPD asks communitys help finding missing elderly woman SATURDAY 11/22/2025 3:36 p.m. The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is asking for the communitys help to find 83-year-old Suzanne Downs, who was last seen in the 4000 block of Briargate Parkway, near North Powers Boulevard in Colorado Springs at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21. According to CSPD, Downs is a 409 tall and 85 lb white woman with gray hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white, black, and pink floral blouse and a brown and cream sweater with black pants. She is associated with a brown 2011 Honda CR-V, with a Colorado License plate numbered 644YBE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSPD reported that her vehicle was spotted at 7:40 p.m. heading north on I-25 near Palmer Divide in Douglas County, possibly heading toward the Castle Rock or Denver area. Downs suffers from a cognitive impairment, which may affect her memory, and she does not have a phone with her. If anyone sees Downs or her vehicle, they are asked to call 911 or CSPD at (719) 444-7000. 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 FOX21 News Colorado. Nov. 22For years, rumors about Scott Merritt and the underage girls in a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on the Kenai Peninsula hovered over the congregation. As far back as the 1990s, members remember hearing it said that Merritt, a well-liked young leader based in Kenai, spent too much time with young girls. That he acted strangely with them. More than one former member said they told congregation elders that Merritt was sexually abusing adolescent and younger girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An official silence prevailed: The abuse was not reported to police until 2002, the same year Merritt was excommunicated. Even then, there was no criminal prosecution. Years passed. Then decades. The girls who say they grew up being abused by the man they knew as "Scotty" became adults. Some left the Jehovah's Witnesses. Some moved out of Alaska. The Kenai Kingdom Hall itself, a squat, khaki-colored building with few windows on Kiana Lane, closed and became a yoga studio, and later a tribal office. Now, a painful reckoning about what happened in the 1990s and early 2000s is taking place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, state prosecutors charged Merritt with 20 counts of child sexual abuse involving four victims, all of whom were members of the Jehovah's Witnesses hall in Kenai. Court documents describe the abuse as happening between the years of 1998 and 2002. The victims say it goes back even further, to the mid-1990s. One girl said she was abused starting at age 5. Merritt and his attorney could not be reached for this story. He pleaded not guilty in court and is being held at the Anchorage jail, according to court records. He would have been 18 or 19 when the accusations described in the indictment began. He is now 45. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Jehovah's Witnesses organization said Merritt "was removed as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 2002 and has never been reinstated as a congregant." "We are not aware of any concerns about his conduct being raised with congregation elders other than those reported at the same time to law enforcement in 2002 when he was removed from the Kenai congregation," the organization's statement said. The Daily News spoke with several people who were members of Kenai Peninsula Jehovah's Witness churches in the 1990s and 2000s, including two women who are among the victims in the criminal case against Merritt. They say they either directly reported or witnessed someone telling elders about the abuse years earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A doctrine of separation The Jehovah's Witnesses organization has about 9 million adherents internationally, and estimates there are around 6,000 members in 31 congregations in Alaska, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives. Jehovah's Witnesses are known for their door-to-door proselytizing, as well as remaining "separate from the world," according to the Watchtower, a publication of the organization. That includes not serving in the military, participating in politics or voting, or working jobs such as law enforcement roles that involve carrying deadly weapons. Witnesses don't celebrate most religious and state holidays, and are supposed to adhere to a moral code that bars smoking, drinking, drugs, premarital sex and blood transfusions, among other activities. In recent years, several high-profile child sex abuse cases and lawsuits have pointed an uncomfortable spotlight on the church's handling of abuse allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one case in Montana, a court found that the Jehovah's Witnesses church failed to report a child sexual abuser to police, allowing him to continue abusing a different child. A jury awarded the plaintiff $35 million, but the Montana Supreme Court reversed the judgment, saying religious authorities weren't always obligated to report such abuse under a Montana law exemption. An organization spokesperson said that "Jehovah's Witnesses recognize that the authorities are responsible for addressing crimes such as child sexual abuse and do not shield perpetrators of such crimes from the authorities." To understand the organization's internal handling of sex abuse allegations, you have to understand the core tenets of the Jehovah's Witnesses, said Irwin Zalkin, the founding partner of the Zalkin Law Firm, a national firm that focuses on civil sex abuse lawsuits. The firm has litigated more than 50 cases against the Jehovah's Witnesses church, Zalkin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Jehovah's Witnesses belief system, the worldly influences outside of the organization are "corrupted" by sin, Zalkin said. When dealing with allegations as serious as child abuse, the perspective is, "why would you go to corrupted civil authorities when you have righteous elders who've dealt with the problem?" Zalkin said. [From 2020: Archdiocese commission accuses 14 Southcentral Alaska clergy and church employees of sexual abuse] A revered servant The first thing you have to know to understand how the abuse at the center of the new Alaska criminal case went on for so long, the survivors say, is how deeply enfolded they were in the faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in the 1990s, the Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Kenai was the nucleus of almost every aspect of life for them, said J.O., one of the named victims in the criminal case. The Daily News generally does not identify victims of sexual abuse, and is using J.O.'s initials with her permission. There were at least two services per week. Members went out to proselytize door to door. Social activities, meals, extended family everything was part of the church's domain. "Jehovah's Witnesses, they don't tend to hang out with anybody from outside," J.O. said. "Everything inside the religion." In the church, the young man known as "Scotty" Merritt was revered at first. He had been picked by church elders to become what is called a ministerial servant: a junior leader in the church called on to do things like read Bible testimonials and help with services. Ministerial servants were considered upstanding young men on a track to become full-fledged elders. Merritt's father was on the powerful council of elders, which ran the Kingdom Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement J.O. said she was an 11-year-old who loved dance classes and Disney movies when Merritt started abusing her. At first, the attention from Merritt, then about 20, felt flattering. But J.O. said she knew what he was doing to her was wrong, even though she didn't have the vocabulary to say why. "I didn't understand it at 11 years old," she said. Merritt abused her for between six and eight months in the year 2000, she said. It ended abruptly after he touched her in front of an onlooker. "He did it right in front of another person," she said. "That other person happened to be an adult, and stopped it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The adult told other adults. The news reached her family. J.O.'s grandfather questioned her about what happened, she said. He was an elder of the church. Though the abuse wasn't described in explicit detail, she believes her grandfather understood the severity that much more had happened than the milder but still forbidden touching seen by the adult. He also would have known she wasn't the first, J.O. said. As an elder, she said, "my grandfather would have known about the prior victims to me." She said she doesn't know if her grandfather took the information that his granddaughter had been sexually touched by an adult man to the other elders, but she was never asked to describe the abuse to the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He chose to tell me never to speak about it again," J.O. said. At the time, J.O. wondered if she was the one who'd done something wrong, and if she'd be in trouble with church leadership. The threat that hung over her was the most severe consequence for Jehovah's Witnesses: Being disfellowshipped, a form of shunning that cuts off ex-members from family and friends. Merritt was told to stay away from her but wasn't otherwise punished, she said. To her knowledge, the police were not informed at the time, J.O. said. The viewpoint she grew up with was that "we never talk about these things," J.O. said. "Because it brings reproach against Jehovah and his organization." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the accounts of others and by dates included in the Kenai grand jury indictment filed last month, Merritt had been abusing other girls in the church for years by the time the abuse described by J.O. began. She believes Merritt's status as a ministerial servant and the fact his father was an elder helped keep him under the radar and free from consequences for years. 'You weren't protected' Zalkin, the attorney, says in his experience suing the Jehovah's Witness organization, local churches deal with allegations of abuse with an initial investigation by elders, and then a judicial council of elders weighing in on the contentions. Three outcomes can result: A member can be reproved privately, reproved publicly or, the most extreme result, disfellowship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything is considered confidential. No reason is given. "The congregation under any of those scenarios would not know they had a perpetrator in their midst," he said. [Previous coverage: Anchorage police say they witnessed a sexual assault in public. It took seven years for the case to go to trial.] In a statement, the Jehovah's Witness organization said that elders "assure victims and their parents and others with knowledge of the matter that they are free to report an allegation of abuse to the secular authorities." "If elders become aware of an allegation, they will immediately comply with reporting laws," the organization said. Under Alaska law, the elders of the church wouldn't be bound by mandatory reporting laws to disclose abuse of children to law enforcement. Alaska statute says members of the clergy are among those considered mandatory reporters of suspected abuse of vulnerable adults. But there is no mention of clergy in the separate law governing the people who in their occupational duties must report abuse of children. The Jehovah's Witness organization has also argued that elders, who are unpaid volunteers, can't be considered "clergy," Zalkin said. As she became a teenager, J.O. remembers feeling increasingly enraged about what had happened to her. In her early 20s, separated from the church, it boiled over. She had nightmares and panic attacks, and even tried to end her life once. "It was the feeling that you weren't protected" as a child, she said. "That you weren't valuable enough to be protected." The 'two witness rule' Naomi Hagelund was a member of the Kenai church in the 1990s, part of a big pack of kids who hung out together. She was never abused by Merritt, she said. But it was no secret that something was wrong with him. "It was very well known that he was a pedophile," she said. In the year 2000, when she was about 16, Hagelund said she attended an elders meeting with her best friend who wanted to disclose Merritt's abuse. The girl's abuse had happened in her early teens, Hagelund said. During the meeting, a wall of silence and disbelief came down around the teenage girls, Hagelund said. "It was all very, 'What did you do to try and get out of it? And was there anybody who saw it?' And then they finished the conversation by reading us Scripture about needing two witnesses," she said. Jehovah's Witnesses base the "two witness rule" on a passage of Deuteronomy that says "no single witness may convict another for any error or any sin that he may commit. On the testimony of two witnesses or on the testimony of three witnesses the matter should be established." The Scripture is used in abuse investigations to determine whether a complaint should move forward, said Zalkin, the attorney. Without a confession or the corroborating testimony of two witnesses, elders are told to leave the matter alone, he said. The organization says that's not true. "Elders will report an allegation of child abuse to the authorities as required by law regardless of how many people may be witnesses to the alleged crime," the Jehovah's Witnesses organization said in a statement. That meeting 25 years ago concluded with the girls being told that there was no proof Merritt had done anything, and that they needed to be careful of their words about him, Hagelund said. She was later disfellowshipped from the church herself, and wrote publicly on her blog about the incident and the "two witness rule" in 2015 years before Kenai police again investigated Merritt. Punish the man, not the institution K.H., one of the victims in the current criminal case, said she started being abused by Merritt when she was just 7 years old. At the time, she was in about second grade and interested in things like playing at the swimming pool with her siblings and spending time with her ailing grandmother. She was a member of the Soldotna Kingdom Hall, but hung around with people from the Kenai congregation through family. The abuse continued until she was 14 years old, she said in an interview. "My whole childhood, basically." Her version of how the leadership responded is different from some of the other victims. K.H. said she finally told her best friend of the abuse on Feb. 3, 2002 a date she remembers precisely because the Super Bowl was happening. Together, they told the friend's father, who was an elder. He told her mom. Her mom told the council of elders. At the time, K.H. was anxious about her secret coming out: She looked up definitions of "molestation" and "rape" to be sure she was being precise in her words. Then a process within the congregation began. The 14-year-old K.H. told her story to a council of three elders. And then again, with Merritt there. "You have the right to face your accuser," she said. "I had to declare my accusation in front of him, so he had the opportunity to admit it or deny it." Merritt said again and again that he "didn't recall" the abuse, she said. Merritt's parents contested some of the dates and timelines she struggled to remember from years earlier. The meetings lasted for two months, through February and March. "One of the other victims heard about it," K.H. said. "Her friends knew her circumstance and were like, you gotta say something." When the second victim came forward, it fulfilled the two-witness rule and moved the investigation forward, K.H. said. About two months later, around May of 2002, Merritt was "disfellowshipped" from the congregation, she said. No reason was given publicly. People disagree about what really happened: K.H. and her family believe it was a direct result of the report of abuse she made. Others interviewed for this story say it was for unrelated reasons, such as Merritt's sexual relationship with an adult non-church member. In April of that year, K.H. and her mom had gone to the Kenai police. The elders didn't try to stop them and said it was a personal choice, according to K.H. But there too, she ran up against a familiar response: It was her word against his. There was no physical evidence. "Realistically, that's kind of the judicial system too," she said. "If it's word versus word with no evidence, you have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt." No charges were filed. In an October 2025 statement after Merritt was indicted, the Alaska Department of Law said "investigators were unable to compile sufficient evidence to support prosecution" in 2002. "New information and evidence, including additional victim reports, led to the case being reopened and investigated by the Kenai Police Department in 2021." In a statement, the Kenai Police Department said the case "is the result of persistence and determination by our investigators" and thanked victims for the "patience, strength, and willingness to come forward even decades later." K.H. remains a Jehovah's Witness, and is not as critical about the response to the abuse as the other women involved. Merritt is the one who abused her, not the Jehovah's Witness organization, she said. To focus otherwise is to "remove the weight of his crime and put it on others," K.H. said. In social media comment sections, the women involved have disagreed publicly about what happened, and the apportionment of blame. It has been painful, she said. "I don't want to minimize or reduce the experience that they had," K.H. said. "I don't feel that organizationally or even as an entire (body of elders) that they all had an agenda of wrongdoing." That's not to say that all the church's elders handled the abuse correctly. Some people, she said, did not take the words of girls saying they'd been hurt seriously enough. "Those people, in my opinion, whether it's in this life or another, are going to be held accountable for that," she said. This article was originally published in Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat Ideas is a new section featuring reported columns on the big ideas and debates shaping American schools. Sign up for the Ideas newsletter to follow our work. Democrats are in disarray on education according to a growing chorus of Democrats. A variety of left-leaning journalists, politicians, and advocates have all recently claimed that voters have become disillusioned with the partys approach to schools. Often, these commentators cite anger over pandemic-era closures and argue that Democrats need to embrace tougher academic standards or school choice. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter For decades, when pollsters asked voters which party they trusted more on education, Democrats maintained, on average, a 14-point advantage. More recently that gap closed, then flipped to favor Republicans, wrote former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is this emerging conventional wisdom true, though? This assertion has typically relied on one or two surveys, rather than a comprehensive look at the data. So I compiled all publicly available polls I could find that asked voters which party they preferred on education. The verdict was clear: In more than a dozen surveys conducted this year by eight different organizations, all but one showed Democrats with an edge on education. This ranged from 4 to 15 points. Among all 14 polls, the median advantage was 9 points. Although Democrats appear to have briefly lost this edge a few years ago, voters again now tend to trust Democrats on the issue of education, broadly defined. The narrative that Republicans had wrested the issue of education from Democrats emerged in 2021, after Virginias Glenn Youngkin won a come-from-behind victory in the governors race after campaigning on parents rights. Long-running data from the Winston Group, a political consulting firm, showed that in late 2021 and early 2022 Republicans really had eroded Democrats lead on education. The parties were even briefly tied for the first time since the early 2000s, when former President George W. Bush was championing No Child Left Behind. Polling commissioned in 2022 and 2023 by Democrats for Education Reform, a group that backs charter schools and vouchers, also showed Democrats falling behind on education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, though, Democrats appear to have regained their edge. In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, the party held at least a 10-point lead, according to Winston Group. Other polls from last year also found that more voters preferred Democrats approach on education, even as the party lost the presidency. Emanuel pointed me to polling from 2022. Democrats have not gained ground as much as Trump has cost GOP gains they have made, he says when asked about the more recent surveys. This year in Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger easily won in her bid to replace Youngkin. Education was one of her stronger issues, according to a Washington Post survey. Some argue that these election results disprove the idea that Democrats are losing on schools. Thats not what panned out at all, says Jennifer Berkshire, a progressive author who writes and teaches about education. She notes that the Republican governor candidate in New Jersey also tried to make schools an issue and lost badly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Winston poll shows Democrats advantage is currently below its peak between 2006 and 2009 but is comparable to many other periods, including the tail end of the Obama administration and part of the first Trump administration. Keep in mind: These surveys ask about education broadly, not just K-12 schools. When given the option, a good chunk of voters dont endorse either partys approach. For instance, a YouGov survey found Democrats up 39%-32% on education with another 29% saying they werent sure or that the parties were about the same. The one public poll in which Democrats did not have an advantage came from Blue Rose Research, a Democratic-aligned firm. Ali Mortell, its head of research, says different survey methodologies can lead to different results. Regardless, she wants to see Democratic politicians lean into the issue more. Say they do have that trust advantage right now, [education] is still not something that theyre really talking about a lot, Mortell says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the top messages that resonates with voters focuses on addressing teachers concerns about stagnant pay and large class sizes, Blue Rose polling finds. Democrats lead on education doesnt appear to have grown much over the last year, according to surveys from Winston, YouGov, and Ipsos. Thats somewhat surprising since Trumps approval has sunk generally and is low on education specifically. Jorge Elorza, the CEO of Democrats for Education Reform, points to a survey it commissioned showing the two parties tied when it comes to making sure schools emphasize academic achievement. Democrats should be focused on delivering results, he says. When we ask voters about that, its a toss up. A separate DFER poll found the party with only a 1-point lead on who voters trust to ensure students are prepared for success after high school. Democrats overall polling advantage on education does not necessarily speak to the substantive merits of their policies, however. One analysis found that Democratic-leaning states have seen bigger declines in student test scores in recent years. At a national level, Democrats have not offered a particularly clear message on K-12 education, unlike Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the last six years theres [been] no proactive agenda for Democrats on educational excellence, says Emanuel. The partys approach to schools has clearly lost a segment of Americas political tastemakers including center-left nonprofit executives, political strategists, and even some Democratic politicians. Yet, despite insistent assertions otherwise, regular voters dont seem to share this view, at least at the moment. I relied on the following polls from this year, with Democrats lead in parentheses: Blue Rose Research (February, tied); Fox News (July +15); Ipsos (February +6, April +4, October +7); Napolitan News Service (August +9, October +6); Navigator (August +9); Strength in Numbers (May +11, October +15); YouGov (May +7); Winston (April +15, June +14, August/September +11). To find these surveys, I conducted my own search and asked a variety of large pollsters, as well as a number of advocates. Differences in results between polls can come from random error, as well as differences in sampling and question wording. Although the precise wording varied, each poll asked voters which party they preferred on education. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. One deputy is dead and multiple others are injured following a shooting in Indian River County. The deceased deputy, Terri Mashkow, 47, with 25 years of service, died in line of duty, and was killed in a Bermuda Club community residence, while responding to an eviction. The shooter is reported in critical condition. It's the second time a line-of-duty death has occurred in the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a news conference Nov. 21, Flowers said a suspect inside the home near Vero Beach "got a weapon and began firing indiscriminately" as the eviction notice was being served. Here's what we know. How many were killed, injured in Florida shooting? One deputy is dead and multiple others are injured following a shooting in Indian River County, Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno confirmed to TCPalm. The deceased deputy, Terri Mashkow, 47, with 25 years of service, died in line of duty, and was killed in a Bermuda Club community residence. Another deputy, Tino Arizpe, was shot in the shoulder and a locksmith is in critical condition, according to Sheriff Eric Flowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Michael Halberstam, was also injured during the deputy-involved shooting, and is in critical conidition. What happened at Bermuda Club residence before Vero Beach shooting? Flowers said an eviction notice was being served at Bermuda Club on Orchid Island when multiple people were shot in what Flowers described as "an awful day" only six days before Thanksgiving. A woman at the home was evicting her son, Michael Halberstam, 37. Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, "made the ultimate sacrifice" and was killed in the line of duty while inside the residence, Flowers said. She was a 25-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, starting as a dispatcher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unknown at this time whether Mashkow fired her weapon, Flowers said. Who was Terri Mashkow, deputy killed in Vero Beach? Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was fatally shot shortly before 8:57 a.m. at 1137 Governor's Way, Vero Beach, Sheriff Eric Flowers said during an early afternoon press conference. Who was Terri Mashkow? Deputy fatally shot in Indian River County She was the second line-of-duty-death in the Sheriff's Office's 100-year history, Flowers said. She had 25 years of service under her belt. She died during what Sheriff Eric Flowers described as an everyday call that left another deputy and a locksmith also wounded after a man started "indiscriminately" shooting at them during the serving of an eviction notice in the morning at the Bermuda Bay development south of the Wabasso Causeway, according to Sheriff Eric Flowers. Who was at the scene of the fatal shooting in Vero Beach, Florida? Flowers said three deputies and a locksmith who has not been identified were at the home to serve an eviction notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While they were at the entryway ... Mr. Halberstam retrieved a weapon and began indiscriminately firing at our deputies." The locksmith was in critical condition and in surgery early Friday afternoon, Flowers said. A 25-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, Deputy Tino Arizpe, with the department was shot in the shoulder. He's recovering at Lawnwood, Flowers said. Sgt. Gary Farless returned fire and was not injured. Who is Michael Halberstam, suspect in Vero Beach shooting? Michael Halberstam, 47, shot and killed Indian River County sheriff's Deputy Terri Mashkow, Sheriff Eric Flowers said. Halberstam also shot and injured another deputy and a locksmith after his mother wanted him removed from her house, Flowers said. Flowers said early Nov. 21, Halberstam was in surgery and in critical condition. He had a 2006 narcotics charge and a 2015 assault charge, both in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Who is Michael Halberstam? Suspect in Vero Beach deputy shooting Halberstam was arrested in nearly a decade later in Virginia on an "assault charge,", the sheriff said. Halberstam was arrested in April 2015 in Fauquier County, Virginia, but the charge was dropped, records show. His mother called authorities about seven times in the past month to his Governors Way barrier island home in the Bermuda Club on Orchid Island, just north of Vero Beach. She "ultimately" wanted him evicted, Flowers said. The Sheriff's Office has responded to the residence seven times in November, almost all from the mother calling about him and her decision to evict him from the home, Flowers said. Gov. Ron DeSantis reacts to deputy killing Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top Florida officials addressed the shooting in Indian River County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a lot going on. Just know (the) Florida Department of Law Enforcement is engaged, working with the sheriff and the local community. We will hope for the best results of that," DeSantis said. Attorney General James Uthemeier also gave a statement. "We are praying for the brave officers who put their lives on the line to protect Florida and our families," Uthemeier said. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody in social media posts called the day "tragic" and "heartbreaking" and sent wishes of recovery to the survivors. Where is Bermuda Club, the location of the shooting that killed Deputy Terri Mashkow? The shootings occurred at the Bermuda Club off State Road A1A in Indian River County. The community is located less than a mile south of Disney's Vero Beach Resort and about three miles north of Indian River Shores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vero Beach is located on Florida's east coast, about 50 miles south of Cape Canaveral or 90 miles southeast of Orlando. Contributing: Keith Burbank, Jack Lemnus, Corey Arwood, Wicker Perlis, Olivia Franklin, Laura Lemmon, Colleen Wixon and Gianna Montesano, tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida Deputy Terri Mashkow killed in shooting: What we know Saturday One deputy is dead and multiple others are injured following a shooting in Indian River County. The deceased deputy, Terri Mashkow, 47, with 25 years of service, died in line of duty, and was killed in a Bermuda Club community residence, while responding to an eviction. The shooter is reported in critical condition. It's the second time a line-of-duty death has occurred in the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a news conference Nov. 21, Flowers said a suspect inside the home near Vero Beach "got a weapon and began firing indiscriminately" as the eviction notice was being served. Here's what we know. How many were killed, injured in Florida shooting? One deputy is dead and multiple others are injured following a shooting in Indian River County, Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno confirmed to TCPalm. The deceased deputy, Terri Mashkow, 47, with 25 years of service, died in line of duty, and was killed in a Bermuda Club community residence. Another deputy, Tino Arizpe, was shot in the shoulder and a locksmith is in critical condition, according to Sheriff Eric Flowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, Michael Halberstam, was also injured during the deputy-involved shooting, and is in critical conidition. What happened at Bermuda Club residence before Vero Beach shooting? Flowers said an eviction notice was being served at Bermuda Club on Orchid Island when multiple people were shot in what Flowers described as "an awful day" only six days before Thanksgiving. A woman at the home was evicting her son, Michael Halberstam, 37. Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, "made the ultimate sacrifice" and was killed in the line of duty while inside the residence, Flowers said. She was a 25-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, starting as a dispatcher. It's unknown at this time whether Mashkow fired her weapon, Flowers said. Who was Terri Mashkow, deputy killed in Vero Beach? Deputy Terri Mashkow, 47, was fatally shot shortly before 8:57 a.m. at 1137 Governor's Way, Vero Beach, Sheriff Eric Flowers said during an early afternoon press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who was Terri Mashkow? Deputy fatally shot in Indian River County She was the second line-of-duty-death in the Sheriff's Office's 100-year history, Flowers said. She had 25 years of service under her belt. She died during what Sheriff Eric Flowers described as an everyday call that left another deputy and a locksmith also wounded after a man started "indiscriminately" shooting at them during the serving of an eviction notice in the morning at the Bermuda Bay development south of the Wabasso Causeway, according to Sheriff Eric Flowers. Who was at the scene of the fatal shooting in Vero Beach, Florida? Flowers said three deputies and a locksmith who has not been identified were at the home to serve an eviction notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While they were at the entryway ... Mr. Halberstam retrieved a weapon and began indiscriminately firing at our deputies." The locksmith was in critical condition and in surgery early Friday afternoon, Flowers said. A 25-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, Deputy Tino Arizpe, with the department was shot in the shoulder. He's recovering at Lawnwood, Flowers said. Sgt. Gary Farless returned fire and was not injured. Who is Michael Halberstam, suspect in Vero Beach shooting? Michael Halberstam, 47, shot and killed Indian River County sheriff's Deputy Terri Mashkow, Sheriff Eric Flowers said. Halberstam also shot and injured another deputy and a locksmith after his mother wanted him removed from her house, Flowers said. Flowers said early Nov. 21, Halberstam was in surgery and in critical condition. He had a 2006 narcotics charge and a 2015 assault charge, both in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Who is Michael Halberstam? Suspect in Vero Beach deputy shooting Halberstam was arrested in nearly a decade later in Virginia on an "assault charge,", the sheriff said. Halberstam was arrested in April 2015 in Fauquier County, Virginia, but the charge was dropped, records show. His mother called authorities about seven times in the past month to his Governors Way barrier island home in the Bermuda Club on Orchid Island, just north of Vero Beach. She "ultimately" wanted him evicted, Flowers said. The Sheriff's Office has responded to the residence seven times in November, almost all from the mother calling about him and her decision to evict him from the home, Flowers said. Gov. Ron DeSantis reacts to deputy killing Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top Florida officials addressed the shooting in Indian River County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a lot going on. Just know (the) Florida Department of Law Enforcement is engaged, working with the sheriff and the local community. We will hope for the best results of that," DeSantis said. Attorney General James Uthemeier also gave a statement. "We are praying for the brave officers who put their lives on the line to protect Florida and our families," Uthemeier said. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody in social media posts called the day "tragic" and "heartbreaking" and sent wishes of recovery to the survivors. Where is Bermuda Club, the location of the shooting that killed Deputy Terri Mashkow? The shootings occurred at the Bermuda Club off State Road A1A in Indian River County. The community is located less than a mile south of Disney's Vero Beach Resort and about three miles north of Indian River Shores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vero Beach is located on Florida's east coast, about 50 miles south of Cape Canaveral or 90 miles southeast of Orlando. Contributing: Keith Burbank, Jack Lemnus, Corey Arwood, Wicker Perlis, Olivia Franklin, Laura Lemmon, Colleen Wixon and Gianna Montesano, tcpalm.com This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida Deputy Terri Mashkow killed in shooting: What we know Saturday Heres what youll learn when you read this story: Underwater archaeologists discovered a wooden face that dates back more than 1,000 years. Experts say the face may have been used to ward off evil spirits from the settlement. Similar carvings have been discovered in other Slavic cities, suggesting a larger spiritual practice in medieval Slavic life. Many ancient wooden structures have been lost to time, as wood unfortunately decomposes quickly. However, water can act as a time capsulein perfectly anaerobic wetland or underwater conditions, wood can survive for centuries. And recently, archaeologists from Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) discovered a striking example of that preservationa 1,000-year-old wooden face during an underwater research expedition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, scientists from NCUs Center for Underwater Archaeology and the Museum of the First Piasts in Lednica found the face submerged in Polands Lake Lednica. The team recently presented its findings at a press conference. The face was carved onto a wooden structural beam called a hook. According to a press release from NCU, the carving measured 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) tall and 9 (3.5 inches) centimeters wide, and features intricate details including realistic eyes, nose, mouth, and oval-shaped head. The wood was also marked with the number 353. Experts estimate that the tree from which the face (and beam) were carved the faces tree fell in the year 967, meaning the carving has likely existed for over a millennium. This was around the same time that the founder of the Polish state, Mieszko I, was baptized, and Poland shifted into a state of Christian assimilation. This isnt the first face of its kind to be discovered. Similar depictions have been found in other Slavic cities including Wolin, Novgorod the Great, and Staraya Ladoga. According to experts, consistencies between these finds suggest that the beam found at Lednica reflects a local artistic and spiritual tradition, rather than Scandinavian or Rus influence. In short, the recent discovery is just one piece in the larger puzzle of medieval Slavic life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This discovery not only evokes admiration for the craftsmanship from over a thousand years ago but also opens a fascinating discussion about the spiritual life of early medieval Slavs, Andrzej Pydyn, director of the Centre for Underwater Archaeology at NCU, said in the press release. Experts suggest the beam on which the face was engraved served as part of the settlements defensive rampartand its purpose may have gone far beyond just architecture. The style of woodworking suggests that the face had mystical meaning, and likely depicted a deity, protective spirit, or hero watching over inhabitants of the area. Other evidence supports the idea of the being part of the spiritual practices of medieval Slavic society. The researchers also discovered horse jaws and bones around ramparts, which may have come from ritual offerings or protective sacrifices, Mateusz Popek from NCU said. The team also found similar bones underneath houses. The [wood] face is a priceless monument and a rare example of an item combining utility and symbolic functions, a post from the Museum of the First Piasts in Lednica reads. The discovery from Lake Lednica not only impresses, but also opens new questions about the life, culture and spirituality of the inhabitants of these lands from over a thousand years ago. You Might Also Like Individuals named Cathenna are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of intellectual depth and strategic thinking. They typically exhibit the wisdom-associated qualities of Athenasharp intellect, problem-solving abilities, and a thoughtful approach to challenges. This is complemented by a strong sense of integrity and moral clarity, reflecting the 'pure' connotation from the Catherine root. Cathennas are often natural leaders who prefer strategic planning over impulsive action, and they tend to excel in situations requiring both mental acuity and emotional resilience. Their personality often balances analytical thinking with creative problem-solving, making them effective in roles that require both innovation and practical implementation. They may display a protective nature toward those they care about and often become respected advisors or mentors in their communities. The combination of traits suggests someone who approaches life with both heart and mind engagedcapable of deep compassion but also firm boundaries and clear judgment. This makes Cathennas particularly effective in leadership positions where both wisdom and decisive action are required. The Justice Department renewed its effort Friday to publicly release grand jury records related to the criminal prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and his longtime ally and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. Three federal judges earlier this year rebuffed the Trump administrations bid to force the grand jury material into the public, part of a hurried push by Justice Department leaders to quell a furor within Trumps base after the FBI announced it had no evidence linking Epsteins alleged sex trafficking ring to a long list of high-powered associates. The judges, based in Florida and New York, panned the unsealing effort, in part because they noted the Justice Department already had reams of material that it could release on its own. In addition, they said, the grand jury records themselves were limited and unlikely to shed new light on the evidence against Epstein and Maxwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Department leaders say President Donald Trumps decision to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act this week ordering the release of nearly all of the investigative files held by the Justice Department and FBI has changed the equation. Though federal law typically requires grand jury material to remain secret, they say the new law supersedes those restrictions, with few exceptions. The Act does not exempt all grand jury transcripts from public production, Assistant U.S. Attorney Manolo Reboso wrote in a filing asking a Florida-based judge to release relevant grand jury records. Public production of the grand jury material is therefore required. The new law, which Trump belatedly endorsed after it became clear it was going to pass with the support of many congressional Republicans, requires the Justice Department to release its massive trove of records by mid-December. NEED TO KNOW Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she was resigning from her post as representative for Georgia's 14th congressional district Her resignation is effective as of January 5, 2026 Following her announcement, President Donald Trump reacted to the news, telling ABC, "I think it's great news for the country" President Donald Trump thinks Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation is "great news." On Friday, Nov. 21, Greene announced she will resign from her post as representative for Georgia's 14th congressional district in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after, the president addressed Greene's resignation while on a phone call with ABC, saying "I think it's great news for the country. It's great." When asked by journalist Rachel Scott if Trump had "any heads up" about Greene's decision to resign, Trump replied, "Nah, it doesn't matter, you know but I think it's great. I think she should be happy." In Greene's statement, the congresswoman said that her resignation will be effective as of January 5, 2026. She also criticized the political gridlock and partisanship that she says have impeded her ability to achieve her legislative goals. Greene went on to criticize her fellow Republicans for their participation in the longest government shutdown in American history, and touted her conservative voting record on issues like gun rights and abortion, border security, and "COVID tyrannical insanity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The congresswoman added that she did not want to be asked to defend Trump, who announced exactly one week ago that he would withdraw his endorsement of Greene. "I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms," Greene said. Marjorie Taylor Greene/X Marjorie Taylor Greene resignation video Marjorie Taylor Greene resignation video Her resignation announcement comes amid months of public tension between Greene and Trump, fueled by the congresswoman's increasingly critical rhetoric. On Nov. 10, Greene criticized his current focus on foreign policy amid the presidents White House meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the president of Syrias interim government. Shes lost her way, I think. But I have to view the presidency as a worldwide situation, not locally," Trump told reporters that same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also referred to Greene as a "traitor," on Nov. 16, when he was asked whether he was aware Greene was receiving "death threats." "Marjorie 'Traitor' Greene. I don't think her life is in danger, I don't think" Trump told a group of reporters. "Frankly, I don't think anybody cares about her." Andrew Harnik/Getty Donald Trump on October 28, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan Donald Trump on October 28, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan In June, Greene broke with her party to oppose artificial intelligence (AI) provisions in Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," and admitted she never read the legislation. She also opposed Trump's decision to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites that same month. Im sick of funding foreign aid and foreign countries and foreign everything, Greene wrote in a statement to her X account on June 22. I want to fund American interests and issues. More recently, Greene pushed repeatedly for the release of the Epstein files, despite the president's prior opposition to the documents being made public. Trump said on Nov. 19 that he'd signed legislation ordering the files' release. No timeline for that release has been announced as of yet. Read the original article on People Leaping over small man-made jumps and swimming determinedly upstream in Alameda Creek, a small group of bright red chinook salmon are back from the Pacific Ocean and ready to spawn. Twenty miles upstream in the Sunol Valley, at least one salmon had made it farther than the rest by Wednesday - and farther than any known salmon since the 1950s, said Jeff Miller, director of the nonprofit advocacy group Alameda Creek Alliance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd say it's epic - this is what we've been working for the last three decades," Miller said. "It's going to be a really interesting change and enhancement for a lot of wildlife, but also for the public, seeing these fish back in the stream after so long." Alameda Creek, a 45-mile stream, twists through Fremont and empties into the San Francisco Bay just south of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge. Once native to the stream, chinook salmon have been unable to reach the upper portion of Alameda Creek for decades due to concrete barriers and other water supply infrastructure blocking their path, Miller said. But over the past three decades, the Alameda County water and flood control districts and other agencies - urged on by environmental groups - have completed restoration projects meant to encourage fish migration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials have removed a few small dams and built fish ladders for others; these help steelhead trout and salmon swim up and over barriers. A ladder in lower Alameda Creek, completed in recent years, "creates hydraulic conditions where it's easy for them to move," Miller said. "There's places for them to hold, and then they just move up a step, and hold, move up a step." Water flows through a cement fish ladder maintained by Alameda County Water District that's along Alameda Creek in the Fremont area, as seen in 2024. The fish ladders help salmon and trout surmount man-made obstacles such as dams as the swim upstream. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle) Fish passage improvements on lower Alameda Creek cost $80 million, with seven projects spanning more than two decades, according to the Alameda County Water District. This week, volunteers with the Alameda Creek Alliance snapped photos of roughly a dozen chinook salmon using the newest fish ladder to navigate upstream into lower Niles Canyon, located about 12 miles from the bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the salmon farther upstream in Sunol was seen "exactly where a former fish passage barrier got taken out this summer and fall," Miller said. "We probably are seeing a fraction of them, so there could be a decent run of fish," Miller said. "They know what they're doing - they'll find each other, they'll find a good spawning habitat." The restoration efforts were focused on bringing back steelhead trout, a threatened species in Northern California, but chinook salmon are also reaping the benefits as they migrate up Alameda Creek in late November and December. "We're proud to see our environmental stewardship efforts making a real difference for local wildlife and our watershed," the Alameda County Water District wrote Thursday on Facebook, in a post sharing photos of the migrating chinook salmon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar efforts have occurred in other parts of California. After a $500 million dam-removal project on the Klamath River, considered the largest in U.S. history, salmon reached the river's headwaters in October for the first time in more than a century. Salmon are anadromous fish, meaning they are born in freshwater streams, migrate out to the ocean for their adult lives and, guided by smell and magnetic cues, eventually return to the stream where they were born to spawn and die. With the native salmon population in decline, however, many of the chinook salmon in California are artificially propagated in hatcheries, then dumped in the San Pablo Bay or Carquinez Straight. With no imprint on a native stream, Miller said hatchery fish return from the ocean and "opportunistically" swim up available streams, such as Alameda Creek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller said his group had not yet seen evidence of spawning, but volunteers and fisheries biologists with the East Bay Regional Parks District and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission are monitoring the stream. The returning salmon benefit the wider ecosystem, attracting "all kinds of predators and scavengers," Miller said. A bald eagle pair in Fremont regularly eat chinook carcasses, he said, while a family of river otters treats the fish ladder "like their snack machine." Miller said he hopes the chinook salmon - and eventually, more steelhead, which have been returning more slowly - reach the Sunol Regional Wilderness, where remote conditions are ideal and park visitors could see them spawn. "I think of salmon as kind of the soul of our rivers," he said. "My hope is that these fish will get people to really care about the stream and the watershed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dan Sarka, a volunteer with the Alameda Creek Alliance who has been watching the salmon and steelhead for decades, said it was heartbreaking to watch them try to jump over concrete barriers, only to slide backward. Now, with the fish ladder in place, "they can make their way upstream to their home." "It's just marvelous, it really is," said Sarka, a photographer. With the stream now cleared of many obstacles, Miller said he hopes to see more fish migrating up and down Alameda Creek each year. "Given enough generations," he said, "this will be the native salmon run on the creek." This article originally published at Epic': Salmon seen far upstream in Bay Area creek for first time in 70 years. Nov. 22ESPANOLA Roughly two weeks after New Mexico National guardsmen were deployed here on Nov. 9, Espanola Police Chief Mizel Garcia said he has already seen positive results in his department's ability to carry out law enforcement in a community public officials have said for months was in urgent need of support. "We do have a few success stories that we've seen," he told the Journal. "They've helped us with police escorts. They've helped us set up perimeters at scenes. That's what we need them for, for observing and reporting." Earlier this week, Garcia said guardsmen were patrolling an Espanola public park when they spotted a person with knives on a table nearby and who appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. They called it in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Officers showed up, detained the individual and found out that he had outstanding warrants for his arrest," Garcia said. "He was placed in custody." Garcia points to the incident as one example in a growing number of cooperative operations that are taking place between his 27 officers and the New Mexico National Guard, which deployed around 20 guardsmen here early this month as part of an executive order Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued this summer. The governor signed the order Aug. 12, allocating $800,000 in emergency funds to Rio Arriba County law enforcement agencies and activated a provision this fall to deploy guardsmen to Espanola, which local officials say is in the midst of a drug, public safety and housing crisis. Hank Minitrez, public affairs director for the New Mexico National Guard, said guardsmen are "performing the same kind of support duties we have for the Albuquerque Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They're providing scene security and calling dispatch to inform PD of incidents they witness, in order for law enforcement officers to engage in more proactive policing," he added. The National Guard also supplied vehicles its personnel uses on patrols. Garcia said guardsmen wear fatigues and are equipped with body cameras. They do not, however, carry weapons and are not authorized to make arrests. "They're split up into two shifts," the local police chief said. "There's at least four of them on every shift, and we have two that are permanently assigned to work the day shift. They do more of the IT stuff, where they're helping us to identify hot spots. They're following cases from arrest until the case is closed, so they're integrated." From the pool of emergency funding awarded to Rio Arriba agencies, Espanola Police Department received $75,000 for overtime, $40,000 for a handheld narcotics analyzer, and the local dispatch center received $40,000 in overtime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia said he and his officers aren't the only ones feeling like the added law enforcement support is making their community safer. In an interview with KRQE-TV this week, Espanola City Councilor Sam LeDoux said, "Honestly it's one of the first times I could of gone to Walmart in months where I wasn't asked for money or I didn't feel unsafe." A Journal investigation this fall found scant evidence to support a quantifiable public safety "crisis," however, Garcia said there are other measures beyond crime statistics to measure whether the National Guard deployment is making a meaningful difference. "There's both tangible and intangible results of everything you do," he said. "I think the intangible now is that I have been approached by numerous citizens saying that they feel a lot safer. The reason being is that we do have National Guard vehicles just parked in the parking lots. Just like we had planned for, the ability to observe and report anything that could escalate into any type of illegal activity is a lot quicker." Did a Marcus Holloway serve twenty years in prison for a murder he didn't commit when his wife Sarah was finally discovered alive after being held captive by a Chicago neighbor all those years? No, that's not true: There is no record of a real crime in Chicago matching these details. The fake story appeared across social media published by a network of pages rehashing engagement bait tales that are illustrated with AI-generated images. One example of the tale appears in a post (archived here) published on Facebook on Oct. 25, 2025 by the page @SethFedelinSquad. The post includes a link to the article on ustoday24h.com. It opened: He Was Jailed for His Wife's Disappearance -- His Wife Was Later Found in the Neighbor's Basement Chicago, Illinois, two thousand: A young Black husband reported his wife missing after returning from his night shift. Police immediately suspected him. The key evidence? Testimony from his quiet, helpful white neighbor who claimed he heard a violent argument, and the wife's keys and wallet found "hidden" in the husband's toolbox. Convicted on circumstantial evidence, Marcus Holloway served twenty years for a crime he didn't commit, his children believing their father was responsible for their mother's dark fate. Then, in two thousand twenty-one, a wellness check on the now-elderly neighbor led police to a soundproofed door in his basement. Behind it, they found the truth: Sarah Holloway, alive, held captive just fifty feet away for two decades. Injustice is quiet. It creeps in on ordinary nights, behind ordinary doors, and sometimes, it is only revealed by the faint, desperate tapping of a survivor who refuses to be forgotten. https://ustoday24h.com/.../s-he-was-jailed-for-his-wifes.../ This is what the post looked like on Facebook at the time of writing: Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from facebook.com/share/p/1BkBBnQzQV. Lead Stories conducted reverse image searches using an image of Marcus Holloway -- perhaps it was a mugshot and would lead to news articles about the crime and court case. But there were no relevant search results pointing to old news stories. All of the search results pointed to recent social media posts duplicating the same fake story. Lead Stories searched Google with a text-based query: ""Marcus Holloway" AND "Sarah Holloway" AND captive". This search also did not point to any news reporting about a real crime case. The top result was an Oct. 23, 2025 video (archived here) on the YouTube channel "Minority Struggles" titled, "He Was Jailed for His Wife's Disappearance -- His Wife Was Later Found in the Neighbor's Basement." Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from youtube.com/watch?v=LI_KnfMryKU. This video, with an AI generated voice narration, contains a collection of thirteen high resolution AI-generated images (one pictured above). They were designed to look like old photographs with a worn white border, stains, wrinkles and even residue from some tape. Some of the images had what looks like cursive writing in the margins, but on closer examination, the writing does not say anything discernable. Other images contain mangled text and words, for example the text on the crime scene tape (pictured below) appearing at 38 seconds in the video is a typical glitch found in AI-generated images. Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from youtube.com/watch?v=LI_KnfMryKU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This video is posted on YouTube with the disclaimer: How this was made Altered or synthetic content Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated One example of a Marcus Holloway post on Facebook is from the page Seth Fedelin Squad (pictured below), a page which is run from Vietnam, Thailand, and the United States. There are many other copycats pages following the same formula for engagement. Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from facebook.com/SethFedelinSquad/about_profile_transparency. The purpose of the post is to encourage viewers to read more at an offsite link, a link also offered in the first comment. It is a link to ustoday24h.com, but clicking it will redirect to ustoday.noithatnhaxinhbacgiang.com. This triggered a virus detection warning for malvertizing. The University of Virginia has a security article about malvertising which explains: Did a "retired sergeant" in Texas say that Muslims have set up a command center with weapons, armored vehicles and a training facility - on top of Muslim-only communities and Sharia courts? No, that's not true: A social media post has misrepresented what a retired training sergeant for the Plano, Texas, police department said during a Collin County Commissioner's Court meeting. He did not claim that the Muslims have set up a command post with weapons, armored vehicles and a training facility. He expressed concern that a home overlooking the police training facility has the "hallmarks of being a fortress and command post". The training facility and armored vehicles belong to the Plano Police Training Academy. The video surfaced in a post published on X on Nov. 20, 2025 by @EricLDaugh (archived here). It is captioned: BREAKING: A retired sergeant in Texas has exposed that Muslims have set up a COMMAND CENTER with weapons, armored vehicles and a training facility - on top of Muslim-only communities and Sharia courts. SAVE YOURSELF, TEXAS! We can't let this spread! This is a screenshot of the video in the post: Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1991612303415136425. This video has been reposted several times, bearing two different TikTok watermarks and finally being filmed from a desktop computer screen by a handheld camera. An original full copy of the video of the March 31, 2025 Commissioners Court is posted on collincountytx.new.swagit.com. The moment when Retired Lieutenant Douglas Deaton, formerly of the Plano Police Department, speaks in the public comments is 5:11 p.m. or at 03:29:30 seconds in the video. A brief summary of Deaton's speech appears on page 16 of the .pdf. of the meeting minutes. It reads: Retired Lieutenant Douglas Deaton, Plano Police Department, highlighted that the EPIC neighborhood has been established in Plano for 12 years. Mr. Deaton stated that the community has been operational and has interacted with local law enforcement during its existence. He expressed concern with a residence being built next to police training facilities and noted that the house overlooks a restricted access parking lot with specialized bomb and SW AT armored vehicles. Mr. Deaton pointed to the first owner of the house being a leader in the EPIC neighborhood and co-founder of an Islamic research institute, indicating potential ties to the community's development plans. (Time: 5:14 p.m.) Deaton's shared observations seem to be curated to alarm -- but even so, he did not "expose" the things captioned in the @EricLDaugh post. At one minute into the video posted on X, Deaton said: The first house built in that neighborhood was built right next to the Plano Police Academy. It's a huge structure with two separate front doors. The rear of the property is just a few feet from a large outdoor warning siren. The house has a large second story platform overlooking the restricted access parking lot where the police department stores specialized vehicles such as bomb trucks, bomb disposal equipment, and the SWAT teams armored vehicle. I am a court recognised expert in SWAT team tactics and procedures. That house has all the hallmarks of a fortress and a command post. The rear of the house looks a lot like an observation post and a shooting platform. Why would somebody choose to build a house so close to a giant warning siren and a police training site? Why would someone build a huge platform overlooking all those specialized police emergency vehicles? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google Earth archive imagery from Nov. 2013 (not pictured) shows the residence in question was indeed the first of seven homes built on that side of the culdesac which border, or overlook, the police training facility. In the current Google streetview image, there are two remaining vacant lots which border the police training facility. The homes all take up most of their lot and have only narrow gaps between them. The police training facility is the property adjacent to one of many residential developments springing up in the area. Screenshots from 2001 and 2025 Google Earth Pro satellite images (pictured below) show the amount of development near the Plano Police Training Facility (marked with a yellow pin) over the past decades, including the addition of the six-lane divided East Plano Parkway. Image Source: Lead Stories composite image of screenshots from Google Earth Pro. The siren (Plano's #37) is surely an unfortunate eye and ear sore for the residents of that home, but like the other Plano residents who live next to one of the storm sirens, is a short term annoyance to exchange for the security of the Outdoor Warning System for tornados and other weather hazards. The reason the house has two separate front doors, is described by the realtor in a June 25, 2018 post on Facebook (archived here): This multigenerational home has a separate entrance to a luxurious living quarter featuring a full kitchen, living area, and 2 bedrooms The rest of the home was described: ....exquisite Modern home in the prestigious Medina Villas of East Plano. It's unmatched quality includes bamboo wood and natural stone floors, commercial grade appliances in the kitchen, quartz countertops, and museum finishes on all interior walls. On the back of the home, a second floor balcony overlooks the home's private pool (pictured below). Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10155983132849160&set=a.10155983130859160.1073741852.228246034159. Advertisement Advertisement Did two U.S. senators and four representatives urge American soldiers and intelligence officers to disobey legal orders from their commanders and is their advice seditious and traitorous behavior? No, that's not true: Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, Jason Crow, Chrissy Houlahan recorded a video with the message that American military members "must refuse illegal orders," not legal ones. U.S. law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice require the military personnel to obey all legal orders, but carrying out illegal orders can result in criminal convictions. The claim appeared across social platforms, including in a post (archived here) published on X on November 20, 2025. The caption above an image of Benedict Arnold, read: Several members of congress suggested the Military refuse Legal orders. This is Seditious and Traitorous Behavior. These same Politicians are now hiding behind their military record. Let me remind you, that before Major General Benedict Arnold's treason, he was a decorated hero. This is what the post looked like at the time of writing: Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of X.com Benedict Arnold was a general in the Continental Army of the United States who defected to the British after he was reprimanded by a court martial trial in 1780 for two decisions he made as the military governor of Philadelphia concerning a ship and public wagons that carried goods he owned. His anger over the reprimand led to his defection to the British Army, which sealed his historical reputation as a traitor to his country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim that the six members of Congress, all veterans of the military or intelligence agencies, are traitors for telling current service member and intel agents they have a duty to disobey legal orders is false. They only referenced illegal orders in their video, which was posted (archived here) by Rep. Slotkin on her X account on November 18, 2025. 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. Don't give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r -- Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025 This is the transcript of the video following their personal introductions: We want to speak directly to members of the military and the intelligence community who take risks each day to keep Americans safe. 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 like us. You all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution. Right now, the threats to our constitution aren't 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. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. We know this is hard and that it's a difficult time to be a public servant, but whether you're serving in the CIA, the Army or Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical, and know that we have your back, because now more than ever, the American people need you. We need you to stand up for our laws, our Constitution and who we are as Americans. Don't give up, don't give up, don't give up, don't give up the ship. Image source: montage of Lead Stories screenshots of X.com Only "illegal" orders are referenced in the video. Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of X.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The duty to obey legal orders and not carry out illegal orders -- those that would violate the U.S. Constitution or laws -- began with the initial adoption of the oath of enlistment for service members in 1789, and it evolved only slightly in the centuries since. Every version has included a pledge to support the U.S. Constitution. It was later revised to include a pledge to obey all orders from superiors "according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice." The current oath (archived here) reads: I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of army.mil The Uniform Code of Military Justice, (archived here) which is the guide for all military members, is clear that everyone in uniform must obey all legal orders from a superior. Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of Uniform Code of Military Justice An historical example of how the duty to disobey illegal orders by a superior is enforced is demonstrated in the court martial of Army Lt. William Calley (UNITED STATES v. WILLIAM L. CALLEY, JR.) the U.S. Court of Military Appeals issued its decision (archived here) on December 21, 1973 upholding the Calley's conviction for murdering "22 infants, children, women, and old men, and of assault with intent to murder a child of about 2 years of age" in the South Vietnamese village My Lai in March 1968. Calley's defense was that his company commander, a captain, ordered him to take no prisoners and kill all of the villagers as they burned the village. The captain denied during the trial giving the order. The appeals panel concluded that Calley's defense that he was following an order as a good soldier should was wrong, because he should have known killing unarmed prisoners is illegal: In the stress of combat, a member of the armed forces cannot reasonably be expected to make a refined legal judgment and be held criminally responsible if he guesses wrong on a question as to which there may be considerable disagreement. But there is no disagreement as to the illegality of the order to kill in this case. For 100 years, it has been a settled rule of American law that even in war the summary killing of an enemy, who has submitted to, and is under, effective physical control, is murder. Appellate defense counsel [...] say that Lieutenant Calley should not be held accountable for the men, women and children he killed because the court-martial could have found that he was a person of "commonest understanding" and such a person might not know what our law provides; that his captain had ordered him to kill these unarmed and submissive people and he only carried out that order as a good disciplined soldier should. Whether Lieutenant Calley was the most ignorant person in the United States Army in Vietnam, or the most intelligent, he must be presumed to know that he could not kill the people involved here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the video by the members of Congress does not address how a service member can determine if an order is illegal, their message is not contrary to what all new recruits are taught in basic training. A father and son have been sentenced after more than 20m of heroin was discovered inside juice cartons, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said. Colin Bartlett, 54 and Lee Bartlett, 30, from Birmingham, were part of an organised crime group that imported pomegranate juice laced with heroin from Afghanistan. Heroin weighing more than 420kg with a street value of 20,350,000 was recovered from a shipping container in Birmingham in May 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colin Bartlett was sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment and Lee Bartlett for 18 months' imprisonment, both suspended for two years. The NCA said it arrested the two men in Birmingham as they unloaded the container of 2.6 tonnes of pomegranate juice. The drugs had been concealed within the liquid and mixed with legitimate bottles. The father and son from Bordesley Green were found guilty of participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group at Birmingham Crown Court in August 2025 and were sentenced on Friday, the NCA said. They were found not guilty of conspiracy to evade the prohibition on the importation of a controlled drug, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eleven paid workers who were arrested as they unloaded the container with the Bartletts were not believed to be involved with the conspiracy to import controlled drugs, the NCA said. NCA Branch Commander Derek Evans said: "These men were part of an organised crime group seeking to import huge quantities of heroin into the UK, potentially generating millions of pounds of criminal profit and endangering vulnerable people across the country. "Tackling class A drug trafficking is a priority for the NCA and we will continue to do all we can to stop those who try to import it." The NCA is appealing for help track down two men wanted as part of the ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shamut Khan, 56, and Matiullah Zamankhel, 23, both from the Washwood Heath area of Birmingham, are wanted for failing to answer bail in November 2023. Mr Evans said: "These men are known to have associations and links to the Alum Rock and Shaw Hill Road areas of Birmingham, but they may be further afield. "Khan and Zamankhel will know they are wanted by the NCA and should be absolutely certain that we won't rest until we have tracked them down. "If members of the public do see Khan and Zamankhel, we ask them to contact us straight away. "We know these men come from a close-knit community and we would like to remind anyone helping them, or frustrating our attempts to locate him, that they could also find themselves being arrested." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Related internet links The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Austin Bank have awarded a $250,000 grant to the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Housing Authority (ACIHA) to replace roofs on 23 homes in Livingston, Texas. We are incredibly grateful to FHLB Dallas and Austin Bank for their generous support and commitment to our community, said ACIHA Executive Director Jerry McKinney. This grant directly supports our mission to enhance the quality of life for our residents by ensuring safe, sustainable and affordable housing. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding is part of $2.7 million distributed this year through FHLB Dallas Native American Housing Opportunities (NAHO) Fund. The program supports the housing needs of federally recognized tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities and benefited 11 housing organizations in 2025. ACIHA previously received a NAHO Fund grant from Austin Bank in 2024 to support improvements to its managed properties. At Austin Bank, we believe that building a successful community starts with providing and preserving affordable housing, said Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board. The partnership with FHLB Dallas allows us to support Texas families in a meaningful way, ensuring they have safe, stable homes for generations to come. Austin also serves as a director on the FHLB Dallas board. The NAHO Fund can be used for a wide range of housing-related needs, including down payment and closing cost assistance, rental support, home repairs and new construction. Grants may also cover administrative and operational expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By enabling year-over-year improvements, these grants are helping families maintain their homes for their long-term enjoyment, said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Individuals named Caycee are often characterized by their keen observational skills and intuitive nature. They tend to be perceptive and detail-oriented, with a natural ability to notice things others might miss. This vigilance translates into thoughtful decision-making and careful consideration of situations before acting, making them reliable and trustworthy companions. Their watchful nature often gives them insight into people's true motivations and character, which they use to protect and guide those they care about. Caycees typically demonstrate strong protective instincts toward loved ones and possess a quiet confidence that comes from their watchful nature. They often excel in roles requiring attention to detail and situational awareness, bringing a methodical yet compassionate approach to challenges. While they may appear reserved initially, their loyalty runs deep, and they form meaningful, lasting relationships based on genuine understanding rather than superficial connections. Their combination of observation skills and emotional intelligence makes them excellent problem-solvers and confidants. NEED TO KNOW Randi Nicole Jackson Staples was arrested and charged with willful abuse of a child under the age of 18 on Nov. 16 Staples worked as a teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Ala., where she was previously named Teacher of the Year Staples was arrested after a video went viral that purports to show her allegedly beating her son with a belt Former Alabama teacher of the year Randi Nicole Jackson Staples has been arrested after a viral video purports to show her allegedly beating her son with a belt. Staples, 44, a resident of Grand Bay, Ala., was arrested and charged with willful child abuse of a child under the age of 18 on Nov. 16, according to arrest records obtained by PEOPLE. The arrest came after a video went viral, which appears to show Staples beating her 12-year-old son with a belt, according to local outlet Fox 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was released from Metro Jail in Mobile, Ala. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Jackson Staples, 24, her oldest son, told the outlet that he received the video from one of his siblings, and promptly posted the alleged video online. PEOPLE has reached out to an attorney for Staples. I didnt feel like, you know, she should be working at the school or even doing that to my little brothers. You know, she done it to me my whole life, so Im 24, Jackson claimed to Fox 10. "Something about he wasnt cleaning the kitchen like he was supposed to be, he left, went to the neighbors house, come back and then it transpired into that." In the video, a woman alleged to be Staples is seen beating the young boy with a belt as she yells at him while he cries, before she ultimately slams him to the floor by his hair. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch told Fox 10 that Staples' alleged actions in the video were egregious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean Im all about disciplining a child if you have problems with them, you know, if that involves a spanking, you know, everybody disciplines their children different ways, but that was way above and beyond any form of discipline, Burch told the outlet. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. PEOPLE has reached out to the MCSO for comment. Staples worked as a teacher at Cottage Hill Christian Academy in Mobile, Ala., where she was previously named Teacher of the Year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Cottage Hill Christian Academy prioritizes the well-being of children above all else," Head of School Chris Brazell said, according to local outlet WKRG. We will always act promptly, transparently, and responsibly when matters arise that may impact the safety or integrity of our school community. Read the original article on People The Philadelphia Art Museum alleges its former CEO, Sasha Suda, misappropriated funds and lied to cover it up before she was terminated earlier this month, according to a new court filing. The filing, submitted Thursday in response to Suda's wrongful termination lawsuit, claims she repeatedly asked for raises, and ultimately awarded herself three increases -- two in 2024 and another in July 2025 -- despite being told compensation changes required approval from the Board's Compensation Committee. SEE ALSO | Former Philadelphia Art Museum CEO files lawsuit over termination "She never informed the Board of these increases because she knew the Board had 'sole and absolute discretion' over any increase to her compensation, and had denied her previous requests," the museum stated in its filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum says that while Suda was interviewed by a special committee, she allegedly lied about her actions, claiming her subordinates had advised her she was entitled to receive these increases. Sasha Suda Suda, hired in 2022 on a $720,000 annual salary, was fired Nov. 4 following a 12-0 board vote. She contends her dismissal was baseless and alleges a "corrupt and unethical faction" of the board opposed her modernization efforts. READ MORE: Philadelphia Art Museum CEO Sasha Suda terminated following emergency board meeting "The Museum's accusations are false. These are the same recycled allegations from the sham investigation that the Museum manufactured as a pretext for Suda's wrongful termination," said her attorney, Luke Nikas. "The motion, as well as its false narrative, fits the Philadelphia Museum's longstanding pattern of trying to cover up its misconduct and mistreatment of staff." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suda had been in the third year of a five-year contract and led a change campaign that included rebranding the museum and unveiling a new logo. She is seeking two years of severance pay, additional damages and a jury trial. "Suda has compounded this self-inflicted damage by filing a public complaint laden with false, dishonest, and irrelevant allegations in a baseless attempt to blame others for her misconduct," the museum said in the filing. On Friday, Daniel Weiss was announced as the next CEO effective Dec. 1. ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) The daughter of former U.S. intelligence director John Negroponte was convicted Thursday for a second time in the fatal stabbing of a friend after a drunken argument at a Maryland home, prosecutors announced. Sophia Negroponte, 32, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of 24-year-old Yousuf Rasmussen, according to the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office. She faces up to 35 years in prison at sentencing, which is scheduled for Feb. 19. Negroponte was convicted of second-degree murder in the case in 2023 and sentenced to 35 years in prison, but the conviction was overturned last year. An appeals court sent the case back to Montgomery County Circuit Court because the jury had been allowed to hear contested portions of a police interrogation of Sophia Negroponte and testimony from a prosecution witness questioning her credibility, news outlets reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sophia Negroponte was one of five abandoned or orphaned Honduran children adopted by John Negroponte and his wife after he was appointed as U.S. ambassador to the Central American country in the 1980s, according to The Washington Post. Former President George W. Bush appointed John Negroponte as the nations first intelligence director in 2005. He later served as deputy secretary of state. He also served as ambassador to Mexico, the Philippines, the United Nations and Iraq. The UN's COP30 climate talks spilled into overtime on Saturday, with the European Union in a standoff with oil producers and emerging countries over its push for a renewed commitment to a fossil-fuel phaseout. A closing plenary was scheduled for 1300 GMT in the Brazilian Amazon city of Belem, even as nations remained deadlocked after two weeks of negotiations that were supposed to end on Friday. The EU warned that the summit could finish without a deal after host Brazil released a draft agreement on Friday that made no mention of "fossil fuels" or a "roadmap" that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had himself publicly championed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After negotiating through the night, EU ministers were meeting on Saturday, but French ecological transition minister Monique Barbut said things were going "nowhere so far." Thirty-six countries including wealthy nations, emerging economies and small island states had warned in a letter to Brazil that they would reject any deal that did not include a plan to move away from oil, coal and gas. But a member of an EU delegation told AFP that the 27-nation bloc was "isolated" and cast as the "villains" at the talks. Some EU states were weighing a walkout, the delegate added, while others feared being blamed if the talks collapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barbut has accused oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Russia, along with coal producer India and "many" other emerging countries, of refusing language on a fossil-fuel phaseout. The push to phase out oil, coal and gas -- the main drivers of global warming -- grew out of frustration over a lack of follow-through on the COP28 agreement in Dubai in 2023 to transition away from fossil fuels. Arunabha Ghosh, a special envoy for South Asia at the talks, shot back against "finger pointing." "To assume that one side cares about the planet and the other side, because they are unhappy with the formulation, does not care about the planet does grievous harm to the spirit of negotiations," he told AFP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghosh defended the exclusion of the "roadmap," arguing developing countries needed to ensure energy security and a just transition for their workers dependent on fossil fuel sector. Consensus is needed among the nearly 200 nations to land an agreement at the conference, which this year is taking place without the United States as President Donald Trump shunned the event. The head of COP30, Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago, said those who doubt that cooperation is the best way forward for climate change "are going to be absolutely delighted to see that we cannot reach an agreement between us." - Money fight - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The annual meeting has been chaotic, with Indigenous protesters blocking its entrance last week and negotiations disrupted by a fire inside the venue on Thursday. Developing nations, meanwhile, are pushing the the EU and other developed economies to pledge more money to help them adapt to the impact of climate change, such as floods and droughts, and move toward a low-carbon future. The rejected draft said there was a need for a "manyfold increase" in financial support for developing countries. It also called for "efforts to triple adaptation finance" by 2030 compared to 2025 levels. The EU has also rejected language on trade in the text. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China, India and other allied countries want COP30 to adopt a decision against trade "barriers" -- a dig at the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM, which will become fully operational next year, targets imports of carbon-intensive goods such as steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen. bur-ia-lth/ami AP Photo/Evan Vucci Fox Business Correspondent Charlie Gasparino hammered President Donald Trump for having a very cordial meeting with New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday. At one point during their Oval Office media appearance, a Fox News reporter asked Mamdani about having called Trump a fascist, only to have the president interrupt and tell the mayor-elect, Thats ok, you can just say yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ok, alright, the mayor-elect replied. Its easier than explaining it, Trump chuckled as he slapped Mamdanis arm. The president also said that Mamdani could surprise conservatives and be a really great mayor. The display from Trump, who previously called Mamdani a communist, was far too much for Gasparino. This just proves that even a clown like Mamdani can impress Trump just by kissing his ass; pretty pathetic, Gasparino wrote on X. This just proves that even a clown like Mamdani can impress Trump just by kissing his ass; pretty pathetic https://t.co/5NsZYvJ2yh Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) November 21, 2025 In a subsequent post, he shared a New York Post article about the Trump-Mamdani lovefest and wrote, I really think the wheels are coming off the Trump presidency wow. I really think the wheels are coming off the Trump presidency wow https://t.co/5NsZYvJAnP Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) November 21, 2025 Gasparino also ripped Trump for undermining Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who is running for governor next year. Stefanik has falsely accused Mamdani of being a jihadist. When Trump was asked whether he agrees with Stefaniks allegation, the president replied, No, I dont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another post, Gasparino replied to a user who alleged that Trump is playing 4D chess. In doing so, the Fox pundit took a shot at the tariffs Trump unilaterally imposed on dozens of countries back in April on what the president dubbed Liberation Day. Yeah those Liberation Day tariffs he cant undo fast enough were also very 4D chess, Gasparino said. We should all be so smart and if we were, I can see a huge hug fest with the guy seeking to turn NYC into a Marxist paradise. pathetic. In his final post on Friday, Gasparino quote-tweeted his wheels are coming off post. correct the direction NOW https://t.co/04nQyN9SYy Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) November 22, 2025 [C]orrection the direction NOW, he posted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the meeting, Trump wrote on Truth Social, It was a great honor meeting Zohran Mamdani. The post Foxs Gasparino Says The Wheels Are Coming off the Trump Presidency After Pathetic Meeting With Mamdani first appeared on Mediaite. FRUITHURST A 23-year-old Fruithurst man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Wednesday night in Cleburne County, according to a recent news release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Justin A. Williams was fatally injured when the 2002 Toyota Camry he was driving left the roadway, overturned and struck a tree. The crash occurred at approximately 9 p.m. on Cleburne County 65, about nine miles northeast of Fruithurst. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene, the release stated. No additional details have been released. Nov. 22 (UPI) -- The South Africa-hosted G20 summit began Saturday with some member states weighing a proposed peace plan to end the Russian-Ukraine war. The two-day event is being held in Johannesburg amid a U.S. boycott due to South Africa's policies toward Afrikaners. The 28-point plan would require Ukrainian leaders to concede territorial gains by Russia, which they previously rejected, and limit the size of their military, The New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed plan would give Russia some parts of the eastern Donbas region and force Ukraine to forego any possibility of joining NATO, according to The Guardian. President Donald Trump presented the peace plan to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week and advised him to decide whether to accept or reject it by next week. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, and European Council President Antonio Costa talk were among those weighing a peace plan to end the Ukraine war during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo by EU Press Service/UPI European leaders attending the G-20 conference held a side meeting to review the plan and generally agreed that it needs to be revised to gain their support. The plan "includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace," they said afterward in a joint statement. Members attend the G20 Leaders' Summit plenary session at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday. Photo by EU Press Service/UPI. "But it is a basis that will require additional work," they said, adding: "Borders must not be changed by force." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the European Union signed the joint statement. The peace plan is not a final offer, though, Trump said on Saturday. While several participating nations weighed the peace proposal, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the opening speech for the gathering of the world's 20-largest economies, minus the United States. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the summit being held in South Africa and said it's time for the world's leading economies support sustainable development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With Africa hosting the G-20 summit for the first time, now is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable," Modi said in a post on X. "India's civilizational values, especially the principle of integral humanism, offers a way forward," he added. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has again urged Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine. "Russia has unleashed an illegal war of aggression. Now Russia must finally end this aggression, which has brought terrible human suffering to Europe," Merz said at the first working session of the G20 summit in South Africa on Saturday, according to government sources. He pointed out that Russia also has a responsibility to end the massive impact of the war on the global economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All other members of the G20 must also live up to their responsibilities, not only out of economic interest. "We owe this to all the people of the world this is the biggest challenge for the G20," Merz was quoted as saying to his counterparts. The new 28-point US peace plan for Ukraine is the most important topic on the sidelines of the summit. Russia is represented at the summit in Johannesburg by the deputy head of the presidential administration, Maxim Oreshkin as Russian President Vladimir Putin is not there. Several other countries also did not send their top leader, among them China and the United States. The US is boycotting the meeting entirely. By Jody Godoy ALEXANDRIA, Virginia (Reuters) -The U.S. judge considering whether to order a breakup of Google's advertising technology business asked the Department of Justice on Friday how quickly such a remedy would take effect, saying, "time is of the essence." Google has so far come away largely unscathed from a bipartisan government legal crackdown on the dominance of Big Tech - a push that began during the first term of President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that could change, depending on what U.S. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, decides in the DOJ's case over Google's ad tech. At closing arguments in the case on Friday, the judge brought up the fact that Google will seek to appeal the case, a move that would likely push any forced sale years down the road. "The kind of request you are making most likely would not be as easily enforceable while an appeal is pending," the judge said. Brinkema ruled in April that Google holds two illegal ad tech monopolies, and is now considering what the company must do to restore competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google is "in an impossible situation" and very likely to appeal that ruling, Brinkema said, given the fact that publishers and rival ad tech companies are relying on the ruling to seek damages in several new lawsuits. The DOJ and a coalition of states have asked the judge to make Google sell its ad exchange, AdX, where online publishers pay Google a 20% fee to sell ads in auctions that happen instantly when users load websites. DOJ attorney Matthew Huppert argued on Friday that nothing short of a forced sale would bring a "brighter, more competitive future for the open web." The court's remedy "needs to eradicate Google's illegally acquired monopolies root and branch," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google's attorney, Karen Dunn, argued a forced sale would be too extreme a measure. "Lawfully acquired monopoly power is the foundation of the American economy," she said, citing a 2004 Supreme Court ruling. A breakup would be technically difficult, resulting in a long and painful transition that would hurt customers, Dunn argued. The closing arguments on Friday mark the end of evidentiary hearings in Google's years-long battle with the DOJ over its dominance in online advertising and search. Next, Google has said it will file appeals. The U.S. still has antitrust cases pending against Amazon and Apple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge recently rejected the Federal Trade Commission's bid to make Meta Platforms sell off Instagram and WhatsApp. The agency has not said whether it will appeal. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Nick Zieminski) All five of Connecticuts Democratic U.S. House members have endorsed Ned Lamonts bid for a historic third term as governor. Governor Ned Lamont is a proven leader who delivers real results for Connecticut. Since day one, hes fought back against the Trump administration and its harmful policies, and most recently ensured that no family or senior in Connecticut is pushed closer to hunger despite attempts by the White House to restrict access to vital food assistance programs, according to a joint-statement signed by Connecticuts House delegation. U.S. Reps. John Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Jahana Hayes all signed the statement showing their continued support for Lamont. The two-term governor announced he will run for an unprecedented third term earlier this month after filing the necessary paperwork. The feat, which has only been accomplished once in the last 200 years, would make Lamont one of Connecticuts longest serving governors if elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ned Lamont to run for third term as governor. Its been won once in 200 years When COVID hit, Governor Lamont led our state through that unprecedented crisis and has since signed some of the most ambitious and progressive legislation in Connecticuts history, moving our state forward, the joint statement said. When Trump issued an unprecedented halt work order delaying wind energy from coming to our state, Governor Lamont fought back and won, protecting jobs and lowering energy costs in Connecticut, the joint statement added. He understands that too many Connecticut residents are living paycheck to paycheck, which is why he has consistently fought for tax cuts and expanded tax credits. He knows we have to ease the burdens on working and retired people. Lamont could face a possible Democratic primary next August against state Rep. Josh Elliott of Hamden, who has signaled he will jump into the race. The two top Republican candidates are state Sen. Ryan Fazio of Greenwich and former New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart. Stewart recently kicked off her campaign for governor on Tuesday with a social media video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recognizing that housing costs are one of the biggest barriers to opportunity, Governor Lamont has made strategic, targeted investments to increase housing supply and keep communities strong. He has accelerated the construction of quality, affordable homes and worked with local leaders to expand options near transit and job centers. His approach respects local decision-making while ensuring families, seniors and young people can afford to build their lives here in Connecticut, according to the joint statement. Governor Lamont is the leader we need who will continue standing up to the Trump administration. Connecticut deserves a governor who will never back down, never waver, and never stop putting Connecticut first, the joint statement said. Governor Lamont has always had our backs, and we are proud to stand with him and support his re-election. Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com. Individuals named Ceardach are typically perceived as practical, resourceful, and deeply connected to traditional values. They often exhibit the patience and precision associated with their namesake craft, approaching problems with methodical care and attention to detail. Like the smith transforming raw metal into useful objects, Ceardachs tend to be problem-solvers who enjoy creating order from chaos and finding practical solutions to complex challenges. Their personality often combines strength with creativitythey're both grounded in reality and capable of innovative thinking. This balance makes them reliable in crises while maintaining the vision to see potential where others see only raw materials. They typically value skill, competence, and tangible results over abstract theories, preferring action to speculation. In social contexts, Ceardachs are often seen as the 'backbone' of their communitiesdependable, hardworking, and committed to quality in everything they do. While they may not seek the spotlight, they earn respect through consistent performance and mastery of their chosen fields. Their approach to life reflects the smith's philosophy: that through disciplined effort and careful craftsmanship, one can shape both materials and circumstances to serve meaningful purposes. A grizzly bear is on the loose after attacking a school group in Canada, leaving 11 people injured, two of them critically. The incident happened on Thursday afternoon on a walking trail in the town of Bella Coola, in the province of British Columbia (BC). Residents have been warned to remain indoors while armed officers try to track down the animal. Four of the injured remained in hospital as of Friday afternoon, BC's Health Services Authority has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A male teacher "got the whole brunt of it" and some children were hit with bear spray as the adults tried to fend off the animal, Veronica Schooner, a parent, told the Canadian Press. Ms Schooner said her 10-year-old son was part of the school group, though he was not attacked. "He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else," she said, adding that "he even felt its fur". British Columbia Emergency Health Services told the BBC in a statement that two people were critically injured in the attack, two more were seriously hurt, while seven others were treated at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients had to be transported to a nearby airport so they could be airlifted to the closest hospital, officials said. The group were from Acwsalcta School, which is run by the Indigenous Nuxalk Nation in the remote town 700km (435 miles) north-west of Vancouver. "Officers are armed" the Nation wrote on Facebook. "Remain indoors and off the highway." It added: "It's hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students." The Nation's officials have temporarily shut the school and are offering counselling services. Quickly following Gov. Greg Abbotts designation of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (the organization the governor has classified as a foreign terrorist and transnational criminal entity) as such in Texas, State Board of Education member Brandon Hall publicly questioned why a representative of the terrorist-designated organization was being allowed to openly speak on curriculum matters. Halls challenge raised the question of why an organization the governor has formally designated a foreign terrorist entity was offering input on Texas public school curriculum. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Abbott signed a November 18 proclamation that named the organization and the Muslim Brotherhood foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. The designation bars both groups from purchasing land in Texas and authorizes Attorney General Ken Paxton to take legal action to shut them down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the SBOE meeting, Hall pointed directly to the governors proclamation and asked whether individuals affiliated with a designated foreign terrorist organization should be allowed to address the board. Yesterday the governor designated CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization. Is there anything in our rules preventing leadership of a foreign terrorist organization from testifying before our board? Hall asked. Board staff reviewed the order and said it did not block individuals affiliated with the terrorist-designated organization from offering public comment. A representative of the organization then addressed the board. Although Hall referred to the appearance as testifying, the individual was speaking during the boards public comment period rather than providing formal testimony. Hall left the room after the speaker identified herself as the operations manager for the terrorist-designated organizations Austin chapter before offering curriculum recommendations during the public comment period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the appearance occurred during the boards public comment period rather than as formal testimony, the coordinated statements from multiple chapter leaders of the foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organization designated by Gov. Abbott suggest an organized effort to influence the curriculum discussion. A separate statement from Mustafaa Carroll, the executive director of the terrorist-designated organizations DFW office, further illustrated the groups organizational involvement in the SBOE process. My testimony yesterday at SBOE was well received as I emphasized the need to ensure incorporating the contribution and struggles of American Muslims into public schools social studies curriculum, and that it is necessary for providing students a richer, more truthful, and more empowering education, Carroll said. Hall later told The Dallas Express that he viewed the organizations participation as inappropriate following the governors designation. I called out the leadership of CAIR and left the room because I refuse to listen to the input of the leaders of what has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization, Hall said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The values of Islam and especially CAIR are not compatible with Texas values. I will always stand up to their attempts to influence our curriculum, he added. The Dallas Express reached out to the terrorist-designated organizations DFW office for additional comment but did not receive a response. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met on the sidelines of G20 talks in South Africa on Saturday, after the German leader sparked outrage with comments on the Brazilian city hosting the COP30 climate talks. Sources close to the chancellor described Saturday's meeting, which focused on the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil, tropical rainforest protection and the war in Ukraine, as "very harmonious," though it was unclear whether Merzs controversial comments were discussed. Merz had travelled to the Amazon city of Belem for a summit two weeks ago ahead of the annual climate conference. On his return to Berlin, the chancellor said he had asked journalists who accompanied him whether any of them wanted to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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 anger in Brazil, including from President Lula. At the time, Lula said Merz should have gone to a bar in Belem, danced and tried out the local cuisine. Dozens of people who communicated with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein over the years are now being scrutinized for their relationship based on emails that lawmakers released to the public. The late financier's correspondents are mostly men, and the recognizable names include an economist, a scientist, an investor and a journalist. They sought advice about pursuing women, discussed current events and otherwise bantered in these pen pal friendships. These email exchanges took place years after Epstein became a registered sex offender in 2008. Between a federal indictment, a police investigation, civil lawsuits, and public allegations, Epstein is accused of recruiting and trafficking more than 1,000 girls as young as 14 to participate in sex with him, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and other men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Clintons called for questioning in GOP-led Epstein probe Geoffrey Berman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photograph of Jeffrey Epstein as he announces the financier's charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors, in New York, U.S., July 8, 2019. Women have said they were abused all over the world in California, Florida, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands by Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and trafficked to other men. Here is a look at what some of the men and women corresponding with Epstein said in their exchanges. Larry Summers Summers, a former Treasury secretary and ex-president of Harvard University, appeared to seek advice from Epstein about a romantic relationship he was interested in initiating with a female economist he described as a "mentee." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email message on Nov. 20, 2018, the female economist appears to ask Summers about edits on a research paper. Summers forwards the email to Epstein and says, "Think no response for awhile probably appropriate." Epstein responds, "she's already begining (sic) to sound needy :) nice." Summers' email correspondence lasted from November 2018 through July 5, 2019, according to The Harvard Crimson. The Miami Herald's blockbuster expose on Epstein ran in November 2018. A federal court decision in February 2019 paved the way for federal charges against Epstein, and he was indicted on July 6, 2019. Epstein died by suicide about a month later while awaiting trial. The Epstein Emails: Larry Summers is under fire. Here's why. The Fallout: Larry Summers will leave his role as instructor at Harvard immediately amid Epstein probe Elisa New Elisa New, who has been married to Summers since 2005, sent Epstein a copy of an invitation to an unnamed event on Nov. 25, 2018. She is an American literature professor at Harvard and also discussed literature with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She says in one message that she is going on a trip to Australia and will read a copy of "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov. The book is about a 30-something married scholar and his sexual obsession with a 12-year-old girl. People later named Epsteins private plane, which flight logs show ferried VIPs and women all over the world, "The Lolita Express." New then recommends he read "My Antonia" next time he's on a long plane trip. "The prose is gorgeous, and the book has come to think of it similar themes to Lolita in that it's about a man whose whole life is stamped forever by his impression of a young girl." Lawrence Krauss Lawrence Krauss, co-chair of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, appears at a news conference in New York, January 14, 2010. The physicist Lawrence Krauss, who wrote "The Physics of Star Trek," messaged Epstein to ask for advice when a reporter with BuzzFeed News contacted him about sexual harassment allegations he was facing. Versions of these allegations were later published. "I did neck with that woman, but never forced myself on her, and we talked about kissing or going beyond that and decided not to," Krauss writes to Epstein Dec. 11, 2017. He includes a lengthy list of events in his account of the encounter that prompted the inquiry and asks if he should respond to the reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Epstein asks if Krauss had sex with the accuser and for the details of the encounter if it did happen. He then concludes: "I wouldn't respond. My advice is consistent. Off the record." Krauss writes: "We didn't have sex. Decided it wasn't a good idea." Steve Bannon President-elect Donald Trump's campaign CEO Steve Bannon takes a phone call outside of Trump Tower in New York, U.S. December 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mark Kauzlarich On Nov. 16, 2018, Steve Bannon, who was a top White House aide during President Donald Trump's first term, alerts Epstein that he is going to miss a flight at London's Heathrow Airport. Epstein responds: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain," before following up, "Arrives. 1130." Bannon responds: "U r an amazing assistant." The two sent many emails back and forth throughout 2018, some simply sharing news articles. Records also show Epstein scheduled a 7 a.m. breakfast with Bannon on Feb. 16, 2019. By that time, Epstein knew he was under federal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Document Dump: Epstein records mention Musk, Bannon, Thiel, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Jonathan Farkas Jonathan Farkas, a scion of the Alexander's department store family and the husband of Trumps ambassador to Malta, emailed Epstein on May 8, 2017. He asks what Epstein thinks of a woman he is seeing who is not his wife. careful she is nottrustworthy at ALLL, Epstein writes. a 2 timer? asks Farkas. worse, Epstein says. Jeffrey please help me here is she a hooker, Farkas asks. Epsteins response: alcoholic . drugs. unstable . consumate liar. CAREFUL Michael Wolff Michael Wolff is seen in 2012. Journalist Michael Wolff emailed Epstein on Oct. 29, 2016, days before Trump was first elected president. He was writing a book about Trump's 2016 campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him, Wolff writes. Interested? Theres no indication in the emails that Epstein responded or that he acted on Wolffs request. The president has said he ended his friendship with Epstein many years prior to this exchange. On Feb. 1, 2019, Epstein sent Wolff a 5 a.m. typo-ridden email about the federal investigation into his conduct. He describes some activity that lines up with what his accusers have said they were forced to do for money but downplays other allegations. "there were many girls," he wrote. "the girls retunred (sic) the house multiplie times for 200 dollars for a rub and tug. . no sex . . . some worked in the locak massage parlors, most in thier mid twenties." Larry Summers Summers, a former Treasury secretary and ex-president of Harvard University, appeared to seek advice from Epstein about a romantic relationship he was interested in initiating with a female economist he described as a "mentee." In an email message on Nov. 20, 2018, the female economist appears to ask Summers about edits on a research paper. Summers forwards the email to Epstein and says, "Think no response for awhile probably appropriate." Epstein responds, "she's already beginning (sic) to sound needy :) nice." Summers' email correspondence lasted from November 2018 through July 5, 2019, according to The Harvard Crimson. The Miami Herald's blockbuster expose on Epstein ran in November 2018. A federal court decision in February 2019 paved the way for federal charges against Epstein, and he was indicted on July 6, 2019. Epstein died by suicide about a month later while awaiting trial. Elisa New Elisa New, who has been married to Summers, left, since 2005, sent Epstein a copy of an invitation to an unnamed event on Nov. 25, 2018. She is an American literature professor at Harvard and also discussed literature with him. She says in one message that she is going on a trip to Australia and will read a copy of "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov. The book is about a 30-something married scholar and his sexual obsession with a 12-year-old girl. People later named Epstein's private plane, which flight logs show ferried VIPs and women all over the world, "The Lolita Express." New then recommends he read "My Antonia" next time he's on a long plane trip. "The prose is gorgeous, and the book has come to think of it similar themes to Lolita in that it's about a man whose whole life is stamped forever by his impression of a young girl." Lawrence Krauss The physicist Lawrence Krauss, who wrote "The Physics of Star Trek," messaged Epstein to ask for advice when a reporter with BuzzFeed News contacted him about sexual harassment allegations he was facing. Versions of these allegations were later published. "I did neck with that woman, but never forced myself on her, and we talked about kissing or going beyond that and decided not to," Krauss writes to Epstein Dec. 11, 2017. He includes a lengthy list of events in his account of the encounter that prompted the inquiry and asks if he should respond to the reporter. Epstein asks if Krauss had sex with the accuser and for the details of the encounter if it did happen. He then concludes: "I wouldn't respond. My advice is consistent. Off the record." Krauss writes: "We didn't have sex. Decided it wasn't a good idea." Steve Bannon On Nov. 16, 2018, Steve Bannon, who was a top White House aide during President Donald Trump's first term, alerts Epstein that he is going to miss a flight at London's Heathrow Airport. Epstein responds: "There. Is a gulf air that leaves at 950 with a stop in Bahrain," before following up, "Arrives. 1130." Bannon responds: "U r an amazing assistant." The two sent many emails back and forth throughout 2018, some simply sharing news articles. Records also show Epstein scheduled a 7 a.m. breakfast with Bannon on Feb. 16, 2019. By that time, Epstein knew he was under federal investigation. Jonathan Farkas Jonathan Farkas, a scion of the Alexander's department store family and the husband of Trump's ambassador to Malta, emailed Epstein on May 8, 2017. He asks what Epstein thinks of a woman he is seeing who is not his wife. "careful she is nottrustworthy at ALLL," Epstein writes.) "a 2 timer?" asks Farkas. "worse," Epstein says. "Jeffrey please help me here is she a hooker," Farkas asks. Epstein's response: "alcoholic . drugs. unstable . consumate liar. CAREFUL" Michael Wolff Journalist Michael Wolff emailed Epstein on Oct. 29, 2016, days before Trump was first elected president. He was writing a book about Trump's 2016 campaign "There's an opportunity to come forward this week and talk about Trump in such a way that could garner you great sympathy and help finish him," Wolff writes. "Interested?" There's no indication in the emails that Epstein responded or that he acted on Wolff's request. The president has said he ended his friendship with Epstein many years prior to this exchange. On Feb. 1, 2019, Epstein sent Wolff a 5 a.m. typo-ridden email about the federal investigation into his conduct. He describes some activity that lines up with what his accusers have said they were forced to do for money but downplays other allegations. "there were many girls," he wrote. "the girls retunred (sic) the house multiplie times for 200 dollars for a rub and tug. . no sex . . . some worked in the locak massage parlors, most in thier mid twenties." Transparency Note: Michael Wolff was a freelance USA TODAY contributor from 2012 to early 2017. USA TODAY had no knowledge of any relationship between him and Jeffrey Epstein, nor any actions beyond his submissions for publication. We are committed to integrity and transparency, as we uphold our editorial standards and maintain the trust of our readers. Boris Nikolic Epstein emailed biotech venture capitalist Boris Nikolic in January 2010 to ask about a conference in Switzerland, according to PBS. Nikolic writes in the email chain that he met Epstein's friends, former President Bill Clinton and then-Prince Andrew. Later, he writes that he is getting sick of meetings, and, "it would be blast that you are here." "I was just flirting with 22 years old hot blond blue eyes mexican chick," Nikolic writes. "It turns out she is with her husband. Did not have chance to check him out. But as we concluded, anything good is rented;)" Elon Musk Epstein's schedule for Dec. 6, 2014, says: "Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?)" After Forbes covered the purported island trip in September 2025, Musk posted a response on social media: "This is false." Musk told Vanity Fair in 2019 that he visited Epstein at his house in Manhattan years before "for about 30 minutes." "We did not see anything inappropriate at all, apart from weird art," Musk said. "He tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined." See some of the people named in the Jeffrey Epstein emails 1 of 8 Larry Summers Summers, a former Treasury secretary and ex-president of Harvard University, appeared to seek advice from Epstein about a romantic relationship he was interested in initiating with a female economist he described as a "mentee." In an email message on Nov. 20, 2018, the female economist appears to ask Summers about edits on a research paper. Summers forwards the email to Epstein and says, "Think no response for awhile probably appropriate." Epstein responds, "she's already beginning (sic) to sound needy :) nice." Summers' email correspondence lasted from November 2018 through July 5, 2019, according to The Harvard Crimson. The Miami Herald's blockbuster expose on Epstein ran in November 2018. A federal court decision in February 2019 paved the way for federal charges against Epstein, and he was indicted on July 6, 2019. Epstein died by suicide about a month later while awaiting trial. Boris Nikolic Epstein emailed biotech venture capitalist Boris Nikolic in January 2010 to ask about a conference in Switzerland, according to PBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nikolic writes in the email chain that he met Epstein's friends, former President Bill Clinton and then-Prince Andrew. Later, he writes that he is getting sick of meetings, and, it would be blast that you are here. "I was just flirting with 22 years old hot blond blue eyes mexican chick," Nikolic writes. "It turns out she is with her husband. Did not have chance to check him out. But as we concluded, anything good is rented;)" Elon Musk Tesla CEO Elon Musk is seen in 2025. Epstein's schedule for Dec. 6, 2014, says: "Reminder: Elon Musk to island Dec. 6 (is this still happening?)" After Forbes covered the purported island trip in September 2025, Musk posted a response on social media: "This is false." Musk told Vanity Fair in 2019 that he visited Epstein at his house in Manhattan years before "for about 30 minutes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We did not see anything inappropriate at all, apart from weird art," Musk said. "He tried repeatedly to get me to visit his island. I declined. Kathryn Ruemmler Kathryn Ruemmler, at the time a federal prosecutor, arrives at federal court on the first day of jury selection in the Enron trial in Houston January 30, 2006. The Goldman Sachs executive and former White House counsel to President Barack Obama made disparaging comments about people in New Jersey in an email with Epstein. On March 24, 2018, she shared an article called, How close is Donald Trump to a psychiatric breakdown? Later in the thread, Epstein writes: "plenty of blame. mostly the feminists." Ruemmler responds: "Careful, or the pendulum is going to swing hard the other way and feminists will be in charge of everything." Epstein says he was kidding, and Ruemmler responds, "So was I, mostly. :-)" "see you at 2 , i ordered sushi for you," Epstein says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goldman Sachs spokesman Tony Fratto, told CNBC: These emails were private correspondence well before Kathy Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs." Transparency Note : Michael Wolff was a freelance USA TODAY contributor from 2012 to early 2017. USA TODAY had no knowledge of any relationship between him and Jeffrey Epstein, nor any actions beyond his submissions for publication. We are committed to integrity and transparency, as we uphold our editorial standards and maintain the trust of our readers. Contributing: Josh Meyer, Zac Anderson This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who's in the Epstein emails? Summers, Bannon among names mentioned. Houston officials are preparing to tear out a year-old, $200,000 roundabout in Northside to replace it with a traditional traffic signal. Construction is scheduled to begin in December and be completed by Jan. 5, District H Council Member Mario Castillo said. The roundabout, installed in early 2024 with $200,000 in federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds, was intended to address crashes tied to left turns from Patton onto Irvington. The Houston Public Works website previously stated the design could reduce crashes by up to 30%, injuries by up to 60% and fatal crashes by up to 90%, and cited an increase in serious crashes at the intersection between 2016 and 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of publication, all information about the roundabout had been removed from the Houston Public Works website. Before the roundabout, and before Castillo took office, neighborhood residents had requested a traffic light. But an earlier analysis showed the intersection did not meet the criteria for a signal, and the roundabout was installed as a way to preserve left-turn access while attempting to improve safety. Since its installation, however, residents have voiced frustrations about drivers striking the curbs, signs and concrete barriers. "There have been some issues with drivers running into the actual concrete barricades themselves," Castillo said, adding that residents contacted Mayor John Whitmire directly and prompted another review by Houston Public Works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Public Works did another study and figured out that a light at this point was feasible and so that's what they're going forward with," Castillo said. The Houston Chronicle reached out to Whitmire's spokesperson, who also serves as the spokesperson for Public Works, for more information and did not receive a response. After Whitmire and public officials reviewed the roundabout last year, questions emerged about whether the city would still receive federal funding for the project. Typically, Houston pays for construction upfront and is later reimbursed. Removing the roundabout months after its completion could lead federal officials to rescind the repayment. Last year, city officials declined to say whether the money would have to be repaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that removal is moving forward, Castillo said he has asked Public Works to clarify how the federal funding will be handled and whether the city will be reimbursed or must pay any of it back. "I am still waiting to hear back on that, but I do want to know more about that side of the project," he said. Castillo said communication with Public Works has been consistent since the reassessment began, and his office has updated civic clubs and community groups as new information has come in. "There are a number of folks in my district who like it and a number of folks who don't," he said. "We've given updates when we've gotten updates." This article originally published at Houston is removing a $200K roundabout after two years and replacing it with a traffic light. TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) Tunisians took to the streets of downtown Tunis on Saturday over what they described as President Kais Saied s increasingly authoritarian rule and demanding the release of all jailed political prisoners. The rally, held under the banner Against Injustice, brought together families of political detainees and activists from different ideological backgrounds. The demonstration drew more than 1,000 protesters, some dressed in black and chanting anti-regime slogans, including The people want to overthrow the regime, What a great country! Oppression and tyranny! and No fear no terror, the street belongs to the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest came as part of a broader surge in protests nationwide over political and economic turmoil under Saieds rule. On Thursday, Tunisian journalists protested against the widening crackdown on the freedom of the press and the temporary suspension of several prominent civil society organizations. Protesters also called out Saieds interference in the judiciary and accused him of using the police to target political opponents. Ayoub Amara, one of the organizers, told reporters on Saturday that the protest aimed to highlight the plight of those held in Tunisian prisons for their political opinions. He said it also touched on other broader grievances, including environmental protests convulsing the phosphate-producing city of Gabes and arbitrary arrests under anti-terrorism laws. All the progress of the past 14 years has been overturned, Amara said. Tunisia is big enough for all Tunisians, and no single person can rule it according to his whims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monia Brahim, the wife of jailed opposition figure Abdelhamid Jlassi, said she joined the march because she believes many Tunisians are facing deep injustice. I came to defend my rights as a citizen, she told The Associated Press. Political prisoners know for a fact that they are in prison to pay the price for their principles, their constitutional right for civil and political activism, and are being held hostage by the regime established today in Tunisia. Among those detained, some are currently on hunger strike including constitutional law professor Jawher Ben Mbarek who has been striking for over 20 days. Several rights groups have raised increasing alarm over the growing scale of repression in Tunisia. Human Rights Watch has said that over 50 people, including politicians, lawyers, journalists and activists, have been subjected to arbitrary arrest or prosecution since late 2022, for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly or political activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rights group also warned that broad anti-terrorism and cybercrime laws were being utilized to criminalize dissent and tame all forms of free speech. Saied, who suspended parliament and consolidated all branches of power in July 2021, said his actions were necessary to root out corruption, eliminate traitors and restore state institutions. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Andrew McCarthy/cosmicbackground.io It's called "The Fall of Icarus," and it is the hottest new photo (literally) from astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy. Skydiver and friend of McCarthy, Gabe Brown, can be seen falling across the face of the sun in the new photograph, which the two built around a seemingly impossible idea around an alignment of freefall, pilot precision and high-definition solar photography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I didn't know if it was even possible," McCarthy said in an interview with Space.com. "There were so many factors to consider." The concept for the photo came about after McCarthy shot the solar transit of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch using a similar hydrogen-alpha (h-alpha) filter a wavelength that reveals the sun's chromosphere and fine magnetic structural details. McCarthy and Brown brainstormed other solar transit photo ideas during a skydiving trip, which quickly led the two to wonder if that transiting object could be a person. The mechanics of such a shot were not a simple point-and-shoot endeavor. McCarthy said the first hurdle was understanding whether the sun's altitude would allow both the aircraft and the skydiver to intersect a telescope's field of view in a controlled way. "Depending on how high the sun is in the sky, the dynamics of it would completely change. A plane can only transit the sun very, very briefly if it's high in the sky, just thanks to laws of physics. And if it's low in the sky, then the skydiver doesn't have enough safety margin to pull the chute. So we did some math, and we figured out there was a sweet spot in the morning where the sun was low enough that we could coordinate the aircraft, but high enough that the skydiver could still pull the chute and land safely, and also, importantly, the skydiver would be within focus." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy said that optical physics added another hard constraint. That's because the telescope's depth of field narrowed the altitudes where Brown could appear sharp in freefall. The wide shot of Gabe Brown transiting the sun in 'The Fall of Icarus.' | Credit: Andrew McCarthy/ cosmicbackground.io "There's a depth of field consideration, where, if a camera is focused on infinity, there is a near focus limit where something that is closer than a couple miles away starts to get soft focus, and that's dependent on the aperture of the scope. And there's a different depth of field for every instrument used. So we had to consider all these factors when we were planning for the shot. I have to confess, Gabe did most of the math there. I did the focus calculations. He did the safety calculations, because it was his safety that was going to be on the line. So obviously he wanted to be sure that the jump would be safe." Once the math was done, McCarthy and Brown needed to find a wide-open location with some generous airspace. The pair chose the Willcox Playa Fly-In an annual gathering spot for ultralight pilots on a vast dry lakebed in southeastern Arizona. The area's miles-wide, perfectly flat terrain offered a favorable environment both for Brown's dive and landing as well as the visual alignment of the aircraft to capture the shot from several miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown made the jump from an ultralight aircraft timed to cross the sun from McCarthy's viewpoint on the desert floor, creating a silhouette that had to pass through a narrow field of view only a few arcminutes wide. To prepare for the shoot, here's what McCarthy used to catch Brown's fall: Lunt 60mm h-alpha telescope with a 2.5x Powermate and an ASI 1600mm camera AR 127 mm doublet refractor telescope modified using a hydrogen-alpha light and a Daystar Quark chromosphere eyepiece, and an ASI 174 mm Sky-Watcher Esprit 150mm modified using a Lunt wedge with a Z CAM E2-S6 Canon R5 with 800 mm lens with white light aperture filter (You can safely take your own sun photos with our best solar viewing gear guide and picks for the best solar telescopes . Also check out our Canon EOS R5 camera review for astrophotography.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy said the landscape itself made the attempt achievable. "There's this dry lake bed in Willcox, Arizona that's just many, many square miles of flat land, and it's a perfect place for something like this." That openness also gave their pilot a clear line of sight to McCarthy's exact position, which he says was essential for lining up the aircraft with the sun. "A large, open, flat area was ideal for us. It would also make spotting me easier, because in order for this to work, I've got to be on the ground a couple miles away, and the pilot would need to be able to see where I am on the ground so he can line up his shadow with me." McCarthy said the pilot relied on reflected sunlight to steer the ultralight into alignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You get this little bright spot from all the reflections scattering off the aircraft. And [the pilot] was able to see that bright spot and guide it towards my truck in the desert. Once that bright spot was lined up with me, the telescope optics would all light up like a Christmas tree because they're perfectly reflecting the sunlight back to the pilot, and that's how he would know he was close to being in alignment with the sun From there, usually I could start seeing the Ultralight's canopy, the big parachute thing that's on top of the paramotor. So I would start to see that in the silhouette of my monitors, and be able to guide him the rest of the way." McCarthy said they could usually tell within seconds whether a pass was workable or not. "It was very difficult to coordinate those adjustments, but once he was in front of the sun, we could usually tell right away if the shot was going to work out or not." He concentrated the shot on a specific, highly active region of the sun , rather than the full solar disk. "I wasn't actually looking at the full suns through most of my soaps, I was looking at a small part of it because there was this active region in the solar chromosphere, which is when I was shooting in hydrogen alpha I was seeing all these complicated loops, the way the spicules were behaving, you can see the sun spots, and you could even see little micro flares happening where little bright spots were showing up. And that was such an interesting feature. That was also the active region responsible for the auroras we all saw around the world a couple days or a few days ago." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To manage both the aircraft's positioning and the tight solar composition, McCarthy worked in two scales at once. He used a larger field of view to guide the pilot a wider framing that let him track the ultralight's approach, see the canopy silhouette, and verbally guide the aircraft into position with enough margin to correct errors. But the final silhouette required him to switch into a much tighter crop centered on that active region. McCarthy said that dual-frame workflow was the only way to get Brown to intersect the one sliver of the sun where the silhouette would land cleanly. "I had to use a larger field of view to guide the pilot into the small field of view, and then, more importantly, make sure that when he jumped, he passed through that field of view where you can see this really tight crop around the active regions, and that's where I got that close up shot." The Fall of Icarus. | Credit: Andrew McCarthy/ cosmicbackground.io The wider image was later assembled into a 100-plus-tile mosaic, giving McCarthy a full-disk context image of the sun to pair with the much tighter "Fall of Icarus" shot the one showing the full scale of the star , the other cutting down to the volatile patch where Brown's silhouette passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy said it took six passes over roughly an hour for the aircraft to achieve the right line, with the climb of the sun making each attempt more difficult. "[The pilot's] passes got better and better as it went along. However, the sun was climbing in the sky, and because the sun was climbing the sky, even with his power off, when he was approaching the cameras, relative to the sun, it would look like he was rising because the glide slope of the aircraft was so flat. It made it difficult to time the shot, just because we couldn't keep him in frame for very long, but it ended up working out." "Once he was lined up just right, I called out the command, 3, 2, 1, go! And he jumped. And it happened to be perfect. It was an incredible moment to actually capture that and see that happening live on the monitors." Brown's silhouette cutting through the active region became the finished artwork "The Fall of Icarus." To see more of Andrew McCarthy's amazing astrophotography, visit his website at https://cosmicbackground.io The threats of violence and "swatting" appear to be spreading to the Indianapolis City-County Council. Councilor Nick Roberts wrote on social media that he received "multiple threats about bombings and a swatting attempt" on Nov. 20, not long after he had posted about his outrage at the other such threats made against numerous state senators who had not professed explicit support of President Donald Trump's mid-decade redistricting push. Still, he said the precise reason for the threats against him remain unclear. To date, at least seven senators have received some kind of threat or a false report made about them to law enforcement that prompts a swift response, known as "swatting." Almost all of them have either expressed negative or no opinions about redistricting. The exception is Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington, whose business received a bomb threat Nov. 21 and who said he supports redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even Gov. Mike Braun, who called for a special session to redistrict, has received "credible threats," his office said. The pattern emerged after the Indiana senate voted on Nov. 18 to reconvene in January, rather than in December as originally planned, to talk about redistricting. This put in writing Senate President Pro Tempore Rod Bray's Nov. 14 announcement that the senate did not have the votes to support Trump's desire for a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and therefore would not show up. In Roberts' case, nothing ultimately came of the threats, and he and his family are safe, he said. City-County Councilor Nick Roberts, pictured here during a Democratic election night watch party on Nov. 7, 2023, said he was the subject of bomb and swatting threats. He declined to provide more details since local and state police are investigating, but condemned "political violent rhetoric from the top down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Debate and disagreement are the foundation of a healthy democracy," he wrote. "In our politics, we must be able to disagree without resorting to violence and threats." Republican leaders at the state and federal level have been condemning these threats. House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, and House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, did so in a joint statement. "The threats, swatting attempts and other criminal activity being directed at our colleagues in the Senate are abhorrent and completely unacceptable," they wrote. "This is no way to express political disagreement, and it must stop." More: Indiana senator's business faces bomb threat in 'troubling pattern' as GOP urges civility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis councilor becomes latest victim of swat, bomb threats Greenpeace USA, one of the nations most iconic environmental groups, is threatened with extinction. The green group is struggling after nearly a decade of losing court battles against a Texas-based energy company co-founded by a billionaire backer of President Donald Trump. The group is facing possible bankruptcy if a judgment holds up finding that Greenpeace owes hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to the oil pipeline company Energy Transfer. A North Dakota jury found that the environmental group had committed trespassing, conspiracy and defamation while opposing the companys Dakota Access pipeline in 2016 and 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internally, the epic legal fight has already taken a toll. The group hasnt had a permanent leader since its last one was sidelined in 2024. Senior lawyers exited the organization as litigation dragged on. And morale has slumped after the group cut about 20 percent of its staff in anticipation of a budget squeeze. Beyond the crisis facing Greenpeace one of several big-name environmental groups struggling with leadership crises and policy setbacks in the second Trump era the outcome of the litigation could have wide-ranging implications that stretch to other nonprofits in the United States and beyond. This case could establish dangerous new legal precedents that could hold any participant at protests responsible for the actions of others at those protests, chilling free speech in the U.S. and beyond, Greenpeace says on its website. Simply put, our entire movements future could be in jeopardy. That existential threat has fueled a host of internal problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace USA has an interim leader Sushma Raman after its last boss left in 2024 following internal disagreement about how to handle the Energy Transfer lawsuit. The groups top lawyers also departed for new jobs earlier this year. Raman took the helm of the group in September 2024 following the mysterious departure of Ebony Twilley Martin, who went on leave that June after about a year on the job. Twilley Martins allies told POLITICOs E&E News that she was sidelined due to an internal power struggle fueled by the ongoing litigation with Energy Transfer. There had been discussion and an opening for settlement in that case, Willem van Rijn, who served as Greenpeace USAs chief operating officer until April 2024, said last year in an interview. He did not address the legal merits of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twilley Martin urged the group to settle for a minor amount of money so that we could fight another day, van Rijn said. The board not only disagreed, the board vehemently disagreed with the direction she was willing to take, he said, calling the boards response a serious overreach to muzzle its leader. Twilley Martin declined to comment for this story. The move left morale at an all-time low, a Greenpeace employee said at the time. That person was granted anonymity to describe internal workplace dynamics. Last September, Greenpeace USA hired Raman, a veteran of academia and philanthropy, to serve as its interim boss. The boards of Greenpeace Fund and Greenpeace Inc. the international organizations two U.S.-based groups that make up Greenpeace USA unanimously voted in August to renew Ramans contract as interim executive director for another year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are sad for sure after the group cut staff through buyouts this year, said one former Greenpeace employee whos still in touch with former colleagues and was granted anonymity to describe private conversations. Meanwhile, the group recently announced openings for short-term positions with yearlong contracts, according to its hiring page. Greenpeace USA also recently posted a job ad for a new chief financial and operations officer. To see the organization hiring for limited-term roles after the staff cuts is confusing and saddening, said the former employee. We need to be leaner The hits kept coming. This July, Greenpeace USA launched a voluntary separation program that resulted in the departure of nearly 20 percent of its staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization now employs about 91 staffers, said Greenpeace spokesperson Madison Carter. Our stance is that the disruptions and departures we faced over the summer are solely the fault of Energy Transfer and its cynical abuse of the legal system, Carter said in an email. These lawsuits are designed to burden nonprofits like ours with crushing legal costs and force difficult tradeoffs that harm our work, our people, and our movement. Energy Transfer welcomed the courts early findings that Greenpeace is liable for hundreds of millions of dollars of damages, although a final judgment has not yet been issued. There are consequences for breaking the laws of the United States of America and we are pleased that Greenpeace has been held responsible for its actions against us related to their conduct during the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the companys press office said in an unsigned email. This is also a win for all law-abiding Americans who understand the difference between the right to free speech and breaking the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy Transfer declined an interview request. The North Dakota jury ordered Greenpeace to pay more than $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer earlier this year, but a judge slashed that amount to about $345 million in an order issued in October. The legal spat is far from over Greenpeace International has filed a countersuit in the Netherlands, and the U.S. fight could drag out and may eventually make it to the Supreme Court. The groups staff cuts came after the North Dakota trial, knowing that our budget was going to be much, much tighter, Carter said. We had to roll out this program in an effort to reduce staff so that we didn't have to do layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace Inc.s revenue was about $40 million in fiscal 2023, according to the groups most recent publicly available tax filing. The affiliated Greenpeace Fund reported revenue of about $22 million in fiscal 2023. In general, the groups fundraising has been strong recently, Raman said in an interview. People around the country whether they are high-net-worth individuals or regular folks are really looking to engage in causes that advance just and free society and that protect the planet and people, Raman said. The staff reductions, she said, were an effort to be cautious and ensure that we are able to meet our mission. Greenpeace also recognizes, she said, that we need to be leaner and able to respond more rapidly in the coming months to what is ahead for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new cast of leaders is running the show at the beleaguered green group. Of the four employees on Greenpeace USAs website featuring its senior managers, only one of them has been with the group for the duration of the legal battle. Raman joined last September, Chief Development Officer Felicity von Suck rejoined the organization in January, and Marco Simons joined the group as interim general counsel in September. Rolf Skar, a member of the senior management team, has been with the group since 2007. Simons joined the group as two senior lawyers exited the organization for jobs elsewhere. Former Greenpeace General Counsel Jay Meisel left his position in September, and Deepa Padmanabha, a Greenpeace senior legal adviser, stepped down in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Padmanabha is honored to have worked at Greenpeace USA for 14 years, she told POLITICO's E&E News in October. I poured my heart and soul into these legal cases, and Im proud of how the organization fought and will continue to fight. After nearly a decade of this legal fight, the long journey has had its impact on the organization, Raman said of Greenpeace. Were really grateful for the staff who saw us through the trial and now have moved on to new roles and career opportunities, she added. The group is also bringing on new staff and relying on veterans who are still with the group, she said. I see it as a point of regeneration as well as continuity. School (in)Security is our biweekly briefing on the latest school safety news, vetted by Mark Keierleber. Subscribe here. It was in physical education class when Laila Gutierrez swapped out self-harm for a new vice: Vaping. Like students across the country, Gutierrez got dragged into a nicotine-fueled war between vape manufacturers, who used celebrity marketing and fruity flavors to hook kids on e-cigarettes, and educators, whove turned to surveillance tools and discipline to crack down on the youngest users. Gutierrez was suspended for a week after she was nabbed vaping in a crowded school bathroom during her lunch hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my latest investigative deep dive, co-published this week with WIRED, I reveal how school districts across the country have spent millions to install vape-detecting sensors in school bathrooms once considered a digital surveillance no-go. The devices prioritize punishment to combat student nicotine addiction. Eamonn Fitzmaurice/The 74 My analysis of public records obtained from Minneapolis Public Schools reveals the sensors inundated administrators with alerts about one per minute during a typical school day, on average. Their presence brought a spike in school discipline, records show, with suspensions dwarfing treatment services and younger middle school students facing the harshest consequences. The sheer volume of alerts, more than 45,000 over seven months across four schools, raises questions about whether theyre an effective way to get kids to give up their vape pens. And some students voiced privacy concerns about the sensors, the most high tech of which can now reportedly detect keywords, how many young people are in the bathroom at one time and for how long. Surveillance is only a diagnosis, Texas student activist Cameron Samuels told me. It only recognizes symptoms of a failed system. Read the latest investigation here In the news Charlotte, North Carolina, school officials reported more than 30,000 students absent on Monday, two days after federal immigration agents arrested 130 people there in their latest sweep. That more recent data point underscores the 81,000 school days missed by more than 100,000 students in Californias Central Valley after immigration raids earlier this year, according to a newly peer reviewed Stanford University study. | The 74 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Los Angeles schools have lost thousands of immigrant students from 157,619 in the 2018-19 school year to just 62,000 this year because of the citys rising prices and falling birth rates. Now, that trend has intensified after the chilling effect of recent federal immigration raids, district officials said. | The 74 Student enrollment is dropping in school districts across the country amid President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. In Miami, for example, the number of new immigrant students has decreased by more than 10,000 compared to last year. | The Associated Press Ten Commandments: Siding with the families of students who argued they infringed on their religious freedom, a federal judge on Tuesday ordered some Texas public school districts to remove Ten Commandment displays from their classroom walls by next month. | The New York Times 28 Bills, Ten Commandments and 1 Source: A Christian Right Bill Mill. | The 74 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online gaming platform Roblox announced it will block children from interacting with teens and adults in the wake of lawsuits alleging the platform has been used by predators to groom young people. | The Guardian Furry and freaky: Kumma, a Chinese-made teddy bear with artificial intelligence capabilities and marketed toward children, is being pulled from shelves after researchers found it could teach its users how to light matches and about sexual kinks. | Futurism A teenage girl from New York reported to a police officer at school that her adoptive father had been raping her at home for years. The officer, who didnt believe her, bungled the case and she was abused again. | New York Focus Brazen cruelty: A federal judge has ordered the release of a 16-year-old Bronx high schooler who has spent nearly a month in federal immigration custody despite having a protective status reserved for immigrant youth who were abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent. | amNewYork Sign-up for the School (in)Security newsletter. Get the most critical news and information about students' rights, safety and well-being delivered straight to your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil rights groups have decried proposed federal changes to the Education Departments data collection on racial disparities in special education that could make it more difficult to identify and address service gaps. | K-12 Dive Dead-naming enforced: A Texas law now requires school employees to use names and pronouns that conform to students sex at birth. Several transgender students whose schools are complying say it has transformed school from a place of support to one that rejects who they are. | The Texas Tribune. ICYMI @The74 Education Secretary Linda McMahon has signed agreements with other agencies to take over major K-12 and higher education programs in keeping with President Donald Trumps effort to shut down the Department of Education. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Emotional Support Lets circle back in 2026. -Taittinger, already Cultural & Historical Significance Charleston carries significant cultural weight as both a given name and a place name, particularly in American and British contexts. The name derives from the Old English 'ceorl' meaning 'free man' combined with 'tun' meaning 'settlement' or 'town', reflecting its origins as a surname for people from various places called Charleston in England. In Christian tradition, the name connects to the legacy of Saint Charles Borromeo and other Christian figures named Charles, embodying virtues of leadership, faith, and service. The name gained prominence in the American South through Charleston, South Carolina, founded in 1670 and named after King Charles II of England, creating a strong association with Southern aristocracy, historical significance, and cultural heritage. This dual identity as both personal name and geographical marker gives Charleston a unique cultural resonance that bridges family history, regional identity, and Christian tradition. The name evokes images of antebellum architecture, coastal elegance, and a rich historical narrative that continues to influence its perception and usage today. At least four people were killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City on Saturday, Palestinian media reported. The WAFA news agency said the attack occurred in the city's Rimal neighbourhood. Videos circulating on social media showed a charred car with what appeared to be bodies nearby. An Israeli army spokesman said the incident was under investigation. Saudi broadcaster Al-Hadath reported that a commander of Hamas' military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in the strike, along with his son. Hamas has confirmed the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violence has flared sporadically since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10. Gaza's Hamas-controlled health authority says more than 300 Palestinians have been killed since then. Since the Gaza war erupted, it says nearly 70,000 people have died in the coastal territory. The conflict began after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken to Gaza as hostages. Hamas in recent days has been accusing the Israeli military of shifting the "yellow line" in Gaza further west. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces withdrew beyond this line, although they continue to control more than half of the territory. An Israeli military official said the line had not been moved and is marked with large yellow concrete blocks. Shiina Ito has had fewer Chinese customers at her Tokyo jewellery shop since Beijing issued a travel warning in the wake of a diplomatic spat, but she said she was not concerned. A souring of Beijing-Tokyo relations this month, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Taiwan, has fuelled concerns about the impact on the ritzy boutiques, noodle joints and hotels where holidaymakers spend their cash. But businesses in Tokyo largely shrugged off any anxiety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since there are fewer Chinese customers, it's become a bit easier for Japanese shoppers to visit, so our sales haven't really dropped," shop manager Ito told AFP. Chinese buyers normally make up half of the clientele at her business in the capital's traditional Asakusa district, where crowds of tourists stroll through shop-lined alleys. Many tourism and retail businesses in Japan rely heavily on Chinese visitors, who spend more on average than other foreign tourists on everything from sushi to skincare. Some hotels, designer clothes shops and even pharmacies have Mandarin-speaking assistants, while department stores often have signs in Chinese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Tokyo's upscale Ginza district, Yuki Yamamoto, the manager of an Instagram-famous udon noodle restaurant, said he had not noticed any immediate impact on sales in the days since China warned its citizens to avoid Japan. "I don't think there's been any sudden, dramatic change," he said, despite estimating that on a normal day around half the hungry diners who queue outside his door are Chinese. "Of course, if customers decrease, that's disappointing for the shop. But Japanese customers still come regularly, so we're not extremely concerned." China is the biggest source of tourists to the archipelago, with almost 7.5 million visitors in the first nine months of 2025 -- a quarter of all foreign tourists, according to official Japanese figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attracted by a weak yen, they splashed out the equivalent of $3.7 billion in the third quarter. Last year, each Chinese tourist spent on average 22 percent more than other visitors, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. However, a record 36.8 million arrivals from across the globe last year has also led to fears of overtourism affecting the daily lives of many in Japan. - 'Economic coercion' - On November 7, Takaichi implied Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan, a self-ruled island which China claims as part of its territory. Beijing then advised Chinese citizens to avoid travelling to Japan, and retail and tourism stocks subsequently plunged. Most have yet to recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Kimi Onoda, Japan's hawkish minister of economic security, warned of the danger of "relying too heavily on a country that resorts to economic coercion whenever it is displeased". That "poses risks not only to supply chains but also to tourism", she said. Wu Weiguo, the manager of a travel agency in Shanghai, said that "the biggest impact is on group travel", with 90 percent of his clients requesting refunds for planned Japan itineraries. But according to the national tourism board, only around 12 percent of Chinese visitors last year came to the archipelago as part of organised tours, down from almost 43 percent in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transport Minister Yasushi Kaneko said the issue was not "something to get all worked up about", noting an increase in arrivals from other countries. - 'Take time' - Nevertheless, hotels in Japan that heavily depend on Chinese customers are feeling the effects. "Cancellations from travel agencies in China are coming one after another," said Keiko Takeuchi, who runs the Gamagori Hotel in central Japan. "About 50 to 60 percent of our customers are Chinese nationals. "I hope the situation calms down quickly, but it seems it will take time," she fretted. Beijing has made clear it was furious with Takaichi, summoning Tokyo's ambassador and, according to Chinese state media, postponing the release of at least two Japanese movies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But travel agency manager Wu said that the spat would not stop holidaymakers dreaming of Tokyo. "They believe the service is high-quality and shopping is reasonably priced," he said. "Chinese people will continue to want to visit Japan." mac-kh-tjx-aph/ami/lb WASHINGTON Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's Oval Office meeting turned into a surprising love fest between the two New Yorkers. On Nov. 21, Trump, the 79-year-old billionaire Republican president, warmly and repeatedly patted Mamdani's hand. Mamdani, 34, a democratic socialist, stood next to the seated president. Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Trump's native borough of Queens, made several references to how well Trump did in the 2024 presidential election in the city. The warm feelings marked a stark contrast after months of fighting in the press and social media. Trump once called for the arrest of Mamdani if he didn't help with the administration's sweeping immigration crackdown, and he declared he wouldnt give federal money to New York over Mamdanis leftist politics. Mamdani has called Trump a fascist and, in his victory speech, said he's ready to go toe-to-toe with the president, including over immigration. (Trump has repeatedly restricted entry from from majority-Muslim countries; Mamdani will be New York City's first Muslim mayor.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After their first meeting, Trump said hed readily live in Mamdanis New York, and Mamdani said he looked forward to working with Trump on improving affordability in their shared hometown. Visual story: Trump and Mamdani meet at White House: See how they compare President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump (R) listens as New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 21, 2025. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Trump congratulated Mamdani on his election win as the two political opponents met to discuss policies for New York City, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement. NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani meets with President Trump for first time 1 of 7 President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. I expect to be helping him, not hurting him a big help, Trump said, because I want New York City to be great. Mamdani told reporters earlier, It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers. Here are key takeaways: Mamdani welcomed like MBS, instead of bullied like Zelenskyy Trump noted the press frenzy around Mamdanis first visit to the White House exceeded the attention given to his meetings with many foreign heads of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump has shown a knack for making a spectacle out of meetings with those leaders, whether with humiliation or lavish praise. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy was chastised by Trump and Vice President JD Vance for not wearing a suit and for not showing enough gratitude for American aid during the countrys nearly 4-year-old war with Russia. But more recently, Trump had a glowing White House meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman, also known as MBS. Trump defended his guest when asked about U.S. intelligence finding that the Saudi leader orchestrated the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mamdani was treated like the prince. Neither he nor Trump took the bait when prodded by reporters to attack each other. Mamdani was asked whether he considers Trump a fascist. When Mamdani began to respond, Trump interjected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats OK, you can just say yes, Trump said. Its easier. Its easier than explaining. I dont mind. Trump patted Mamdani on his arm. U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reach out to shake hands as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025. Surprising areas of agreement on affordability Mamdani, who had called for the meeting, had said he would speak with the president on addressing the high cost of living in New York. He followed that playbook, despite their differences on issues such as federal funding cuts and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city. Both Trump and Mamdani were elected in part by focusing on reducing the cost of living. Mamdani has promised to build 200,000 affordable units of housing and supports allowing the construction of more market-rate homes in high-income areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Some of his ideas are the same as my ideas," the president said. "He wants to see housing go up, see a lot of housing created, apartments built. ... People would be shocked, but I want to see the same thing." Just over a year ago, Mamdani went viral on social media for speaking with New Yorkers about why they voted for Trump. With microphone in hand, Mamdani went to heavily immigrant, non-White working-class neighborhoods in the Bronx and Queens that saw the largest swings toward Trump. Mamdani asked them about their vote, or whether they skipped the ballot box altogether. According to his post, the common theme for their support of Trump was cost of living. Mamdani then asked about the upcoming 2025 mayoral election. If there was a candidate talking about freezing the rent, making buses free, making universal child care a reality, are those things that you'd support? said Mamdani, a not-so-subtle nod to his three-part campaign platform. Absolutely, one man told Mamdani. He would have my vote all day. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. Trump would live in Mamdanis New York The 2025 mayoral election gave starkly different views of the city, and Trump frequently bashed Mamdanis vision. He and other Republicans said Mamdani would cause crime to increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump even said he would send in the National Guard, as he has done in a number of other Democrat-run cities. But in their White House meeting, Trump, who lives in Florida, said hed have no problem living in New York under Mamdani. I would feel very, very comfortable being in New York, Trump said. And I think much more so after the meeting." Trump also credited Mamdani for keeping on current Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has overseen drops in crime. Trump said his daughter Ivanka Trump is friends with Tisch, whose multibillionaire family owns the New York Giants and Loews Corp., among other investments, and includes major Republican donors. The women both grew up on Manhattan's East Side, and Tisch has been friends with Trump's husband, Jared Kushner, since college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a good friend of some of the people in my family, Ivanka, and they say shes really good, really competent, Trump said. And he just retained her, so thats a good sign. U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 21, 2025. Trump dishes affirmations after rough week The jovial Oval Office visit with Mamdani came amid a particularly bad week for Trump. Trump's smile-filled meeting portrayed him in a different light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things I would have loved to be someday is the mayor of New York, Trump said. And especially now, because I think youre at really a turning point one way or the other. It can go great. Or it can go in a different direction, and I think you really have a chance to make it great. Mamdani magnanimously noted the presidents high support in 2024 for a Republican in New York. There were more New Yorkers who voted for President Trump in the most recent presidential election because of that focus on cost of living, Mamdani said, and I'm looking forward to working together to deliver on that affordability agenda." More shared voters between Trump and Mamdani than you would expect The two New Yorkers discussed one thing they had in common: voters who supported them both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of my voters actually voted for him, Trump said. "One in 10," Mamdani interjected. And Im OK with that, Trump responded. About 10% of Mamdani voters backed Trump in the 2024 election, according to a CBS survey. Queens, where Trump grew up and Mamdani now lives, seemed to have the largest flip of voters to Mamdani's side, according to the CBS analysis. The love may not last between the two unlikely new friends, but their relationship is off to a surprisingly good start. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 5 key takeaways from Mamdani-Trump White House Oval Office meeting A school district is taking action after administrators found two lists labeled Kill List and Death Note at a school in Ohio, according to our CBS affiliate WTOL-11 TV. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The lists were created by elementary school students in the Otsego Local Schools District in Wood County. Names of fourth and fifth-grade students were included on the lists. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WTOL-11 obtained a notice that the school district sent to families on Friday. It stated that a student informed a school counselor that one of their classmates was writing in a journal while riding the bus. That student was reportedly writing references to other students being harmed. School staff and authorities opened an investigation and found the two lists. The students responsible for the lists were taken out of the class and their parents were called, Otsego Local Schools District Superintendent Kevin OShea said. According to WTOL-11, administrators and law enforcement interviewed the students and determined the threat was not credible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district said this behavoir violates the school policies and would have consequences consistent with board policies and the student code of conduct. Student safety is our highest priority, OShea said. Any threat, verbal, written, or implied, is addressed immediately. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Wisconsin weather forecasts for the week of Thanksgiving are showing strong chances of rain and potential for snow during times when people may be traveling to see family and friends. Multiple storms sweeping across the country will hit the state throughout the week and might even bring snow, which could complicate air traffic and roadways for those traveling for the holiday, according to the National Weather Service. Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. Nearly 82 million Americans across the country are expected to travel domestically over Thanksgiving, a record high according to American Automobile Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple storms across the country, especially the Southwest, this weekend will likely push a cold front across the north-central U.S. through the weekend. "The frontal passage will be mostly dry, but some precipitation will be possible for the Great Lakes," a Nov. 22 report said. On Monday, Nov. 24, A "prolonged period" of rain is expected in the evening, through Tuesday, Nov. 25 and possibly into Wednesday, Nov. 26. By Wednesday morning, the state will see much colder conditions settle in, a spokesperson for the service said. Heres what to know about weather forecasts for those peak Thanksgiving travel days: Day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, shows potential for snow in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay On Wednesday, Nov. 26, the National Weather Service is predicting a slight chance of some rain and possible flurries in Milwaukee during the morning and in the late evening, as of Nov. 22. The skies will be partly sunny and the air will be breezy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chances of snow are at 20%, according to the service. Predictions in Madison and Green Bay tell a similar story with potential for snow, especially before noon. But Northern Wisconsin's likelihood of seeing snow is much higher, a spokesperson for the service said. "Could we see some light snow showers or flurries [in Milwaukee]? Sure. But it's nothing really expect to accumulate," he said. "The bigger concern for snow would be in the northern third of the state." Thanksgiving Day forecasts show clearer and sunnier skies Forecasts for the day of Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, predict clearer skies and more sun. The National Weather Service is predicting it will be mostly sunny during the day in Milwaukee, with a high near 35 degrees and a low around 21 degrees. The forecasts for Madison and Green Bay also predict it will be mostly sunny in those areas. Post-Thanksgiving forecasts predict more rain The National Weather Service spokesperson said the weekend after Thanksgiving shows some "pretty active weather patterns across the state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a little too far away to say anything definitive, he said. But it looks like mostly rain across the southern portion of Wisconsin and the possibility of some persistent snow accumulations further north. "It is going to be an impactful system, even if it's just rain and wind. It looks pretty messy," Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rain, snow expected in Wisconsin on Thanksgiving travel days LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The 19-year-old accused of causing a 12-car collision on Tuesday accelerated to 71 mph and intentionally caused the crash that killed his pregnant girlfriend and another driver, police allege in documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Friday. Jose Gutierrez initially faced four counts of reckless driving resulting in death or substantial bodily harm, records said. On Thursday, prosecutors upgraded his charges to two counts of open murder, one count of attempted murder, and battery with the use of a deadly weapon, records said. Gutierrez appeared in court for the first time on Friday with his arm in a cast. The judge denied setting bail due to the two counts of murder. Jose Gutierrez appeared in court for the first time on Friday with his arm in a cast. The judge denied setting bail due to the two counts of murder. (KLAS) The 12-car crash happened around 3:30 p.m. at the intersection of Cheyenne Avenue and Jones Boulevard in the northwest valley. Gutierrezs passenger, Adilene Duran Rincon, 20, was killed in the crash, along with another driver, Edward Garcia, 38. The Clark County coroners office confirmed the identities on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rincon was three months pregnant, her family confirmed and documents said. She and Gutierrez had dated for two years. Video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Thursday shows the car speeding toward the intersection, where several vehicles are waiting on Cheyenne Avenue at a red light. The speeding vehicle then collides with several cars one spins around as flames erupt and lands in the intersection. A still image from video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained of the car police say Jose Gutierrez was driving (right) in the moments before the crash. (8 News Now source) Documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained on Friday show Gutierrez was speeding at 71 mph in a nearly straight line toward the red light at the time of the first impact, documents said. Data from the car showed he accelerated rapidly from 9 mph within five seconds. Gutierrez, who did not remember the collision itself, told officers he had not consumed alcohol or marijuana in the past week, though an officer noted Gutierrez displayed bloodshot and watery eyes. Gutierrez later told police he smoked his vape pen earlier in the day and that he suffers from seizures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers located a marijuana vape pen in one of Gutierrezs pockets, police said. Detectives initially believed Gutierrez may have been under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. Blood tests showed Gutierrez had a trace amount of cannabinoids, essentially the remnants of marijuana, in his system after the crash. There was also a small amount of fentanyl in his system, though detectives could not rule out whether it was administered to him legally at the hospital. We believe that this act on the defendants part was intentional, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said after the hearing. We believe he was not impaired by alcohol or drugs and therefore we believe on all the evidence to date, including a very descriptive video, that his actions were intentional, which gives rise to a charge of murder. Wolfson said prosecutors and police were investigating a possible motive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 3, a Metro police officer cited Gutierrez for speeding in the northwest valley near Lone Mountain Road and El Capitan Way, according to a copy of the ticket the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. The car Gutierrez was driving in both incidents is registered to Rincons mother, documents said. The officer cited Gutierrez for driving 52 mph in a 35-mph zone. Gutierrez was not scheduled to appear in court for the ticket or pay it off until Jan. 5. The ticket was reduced to a violation of 40 mph in a 35-mph zone. The driver who Metro police say caused a 12-car crash that left two people dead and several others injured Tuesday afternoon was cited weeks earlier for speeding, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. (KLAS) Police also arrested him in April after a woman called 911, saying Gutierrez hit her, documents said. According to an arrest report the 8 News Now Investigators obtained on Wednesday, Gutierrez threatened a responding officer, telling him, Ill [expletive] shoot you and Ill kill you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutierrez originally faced a felony charge of intimidating a public officer with force, documents said. In June, he pleaded no contest to a lesser misdemeanor charge of resisting a public officer. A judge ordered him to attend eight hours of impulse control counseling, which Gutierrez completed in September, records said. Gutierrez was scheduled to return to court next week as his lawyer requested a continuance to Fridays hearing. 8 News Now Investigator David Charns can be reached at dcharns@8newsnow.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. At least 18 Palestinians, including children, have been killed in renewed clashes and Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian media reported on Saturday, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire that took effect last month. Five people were killed in an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, the WAFA news agency reported, saying the attack occurred in the city's Rimal neighbourhood. Videos circulating on social media showed a charred car with what appeared to be bodies nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli army spokesman said the incident was under investigation. Saudi broadcaster Al-Hadath reported that a commander of Hamas' military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in the strike, along with his son. Hamas has not confirmed the report. WAFA later reported that one person was killed when a house was shelled in Nuseirat, located in central Gaza. Four people were killed in another attack on Deir al-Balah, including two children, the agency said. Israel reports attacks on Hamas fighters The Israeli military said it had carried out several strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza in response to an armed attack on Israeli soldiers in the south of the Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One militant had crossed the ceasefire line, misusing a route used for humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, the military said on Telegram. The man fired at soldiers and was subsequently "eliminated." Another five militants were killed in the southern city of Rafah who had apparently emerged from an underground tunnel, according to the military. In two further incidents in the north of the coastal strip, four fighters were identified who had crossed the ceasefire line and approached troops, "posing an immediate threat to them," the military said, adding that two of the men were killed. Violence has flared sporadically since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10. Gaza's Hamas-controlled health authority says more than 300 Palestinians have been killed since then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the Gaza war erupted, it says nearly 70,000 people have died in the coastal territory. The conflict began after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken to Gaza as hostages. Hamas in recent days has been accusing the Israeli military of shifting the "yellow line" in Gaza further west. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces withdrew beyond this line, although they continue to control more than half of the territory. An Israeli military official said the line had not been moved and is marked with large yellow concrete blocks. Palestinians and civil defense teams recover victims killed in Israeli airstrike on a vehicle in the Abbas area, west of Gaza City. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Aoun added that talks would also involve the IDF withdrawing from the five outposts in Lebanese territory, where the military said in they would each be manned by a company of troops. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that Lebanon is ready to negotiate with Israel to end strikes on his country from the Jewish state, international media reported on Friday. Aoun, who announced in a televised speech that Lebanon was ready for negotiations, reportedly said that talks would involve the IDF withdrawing from the five outposts in Lebanese territory. The military said in February that a company of troops would man each outpost for an indefinite period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lebanese leader added that the country's soldiers would be prepared to be dispatched to the areas the IDF withdraws from, including the five aforementioned outposts from which the IDF would pull out in the supposed negotiations. IDF struck Hamas in Lebanon earlier this week Hours before his speech, the IDF announced that its strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed 13 Hamas terrorists who were operating in a training compound in the area. Among the Hamas terrorists was Jawad Sidawi, who the IDF stated was involved in training terrorists to carry out terror attacks from Israel's northern neighbor against the Jewish state. The Israeli military said that Lebanon has yet to successfully disarm Palestinian factions in the country, despite their pledge to do so. It hasn't been made clear whether Israel would agree to engage in negotiations, according to the Associated Press, nor did the Lebanese president say whether the US or the international community would sponsor talks. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman during his visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 3, 2025. (credit: SAUDI PRESS AGENCY/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Aoun's speech also comes a day after the country's prime minister, Nawaf Salam, said Lebanon is open to engaging with Israel in a partnership for disempowering Hezbollah, according to a report by Bloomberg. Salam was cited in the report as saying that Lebanon would be willing to seek American support for negotiations. Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. Showers are expected to move into the Phoenix area Nov. 22 and continue through the weekend, though the rainfall will be much lighter than the hail and thunderstorms that hit the Valley earlier this week, according to the National Weather Service in Phoenix. Katherine Berislavich, a meteorologist with the NWS, said isolated to scattered showers would develop across central Arizona and the Valley, showing up mainly as sprinkles and light drizzle through Sunday, Nov. 23. Rainfall totals in the Phoenix metro area are generally expected to remain below 0.25 inch, with up to 0.50 inch possible in the foothills and higher terrain, according to Berislavich. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although most of Arizona will experience only light rain, some isolated higher-elevation areas could receive slightly more. However, thunderstorms are not expected with this system, Berislavich said. By about mid-afternoon, light showers passed across metro Phoenix. An updated NWS forecast showed the best chance for steady rainfall would be in the early to mid-evening hours, with up to a 90% chance of additional rainfall overnight. Late-night rain is most likely to occur before 3 a.m., according to the NWS. Rain chances in Phoenix are about 40% on Saturday afternoon, rising to 80% Saturday night, according to the NWS forecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Showers were expected to taper off by Sunday afternoon and end by early evening across most of the state, Berislavich said. The NWS forecasts roughly a 30% chance of thunderstorms before 2 p.m. on Sunday. The low-pressure system would shift east, allowing Phoenix to dry out. A gradual warmup would follow early next week, with highs returning to the low 70s just in time for Thanksgiving, according to the NWS. Temperatures would remain cooler than normal, with highs in the low to mid-60s in Phoenix, Berislavich said. Arizona Republic reporter Hayleigh Evans contributed to this article. Rey Covarrubias Jr. reports for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Email him at: rcovarrubias@gannett.com, and connect with him on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) at @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix weather report shows light rain, cool temperatures The highly anticipated Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani the mayor-elect of New York City, the US presidents beloved home town was hardly the combustible tete-a-tete many had predicted. For the moment at least, the two New Yorkers appeared friendly, smiling and cautiously optimistic about the work they might accomplish together. Neither revived their hot campaign trail rhetoric, in which they cast each other as diametrically opposed political adversaries. Trump had labeled Mamdani a 100% Communist Lunatic and urged voters to back his opponent, the former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. In turn, Mamdani had assailed Trump as a despot and pledged to be the presidents worst nightmare. Here are five things that stood out from their surprising display of political bonhomie. Trump and Mamdani <3 New York The president likes a winner and he loves New York and both were clear on Friday, when he extolled Mamdani for running an incredible race against some very tough people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have one thing in common we want this city of ours that we love to do incredibly well, Trump said, in his opening remarks to reporters following the meeting with Mamdani. Trump was especially impressed with Mamdanis election performance, marveling at how the mayor-elect came out of nowhere. Trump also seemed flattered to learn that a share of his own supporters had backed the 34-year-old Democrat. One in 10, Mamdani interjected, recalling his discussion with Queens residents who voted for Trump in the 2024 election. To Trumps delight, Mamdani noted that he had spoken with a pharmacist who counted the presidents late father, Fred, as a customer. Trump pledged to cooperate with the new mayor, saying: The better he does, the happier I am. Trump would live in Mamdanis New York When it became clear Mamdani, an unabashed democratic socialist, was on track to be the citys next mayor, conservatives began warning of an exodus of billionaires and bankers from the heart of global capitalism. (No such flight has yet been documented.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the Queens-born billionaire, now officially a Florida resident, said he was not among them. Trump would absolutely live in the city under a Mayor Mamdani. I always feel very, very comfortable being in New York, Trump said. And I think much more so after the meeting. He added: I think hes going to surprise some conservative people, actually. Trump dismisses Republican attacks on Mamdani Asked by a reporter whether he agreed with the New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who has characterized Mamdani as a jihadist, Trump said he did not, and downplayed her comments as overheated campaign rhetoric in her quest to become the states next governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I met with a man whos a very rational person, Trump said. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. Trump deflected pointed questions from conservative journalists to Mamdani Mamdani faced several pointed questions from conservative and Trump-friendly journalists but Trump swooped in on multiple occasions to deflect on the mayor-elects behalf. When asked if he would retract his attacks on the president as a despot and an authoritarian, Mamdani was prepared. He avoided answering the question directly, saying: We are very clear about our positions and our views, and what I really appreciate about the president is the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, of which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But before the reporter could press Mamdani further, Trump interjected: Ive been called much worse than a despot and so its not that insulting. He predicting Mamdani might change his mind after we get to working together. Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich later followed up on the matter, asking whether Mamdani still considers Trump to be a fascist. Mamdani, cheeks flushed, began to respond, but Trump jumped in again. Thats OK, the president said, jovially tapping Mamdanis arm and telling him it was easier to just say yes, which Mamdani did. At another point, the same reporter suggested Mamdani was a hypocrite for flying to Washington rather than taking the train from New York, which would have been the more environmentally friendly transportation mode. Ill stick up for you, Trump offered, arguing it was much faster to fly and that the mayor-elect was busy. Adversaries turned affordability agenda partners Mamdanis election was just one victory in a banner night for Democrats, all of whom focused relentlessly on what they framed as a cost-of-living crisis in America. Since then, Trump has sought to refocus his political message on affordability and he spent much of Fridays appearance with Mamdani insisting that lowering prices was one of their shared concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani whose calls to freeze the rent and make city buses fast and free rallied New Yorkers behind his campaign described Fridays meeting with the president as productive and said their discussion touched on the soaring cost of rent, groceries and utilities. It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City, and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers, the 8.5 million people who call our city their home, who are struggling to afford life in the most expensive city in the United States of America, Mamdani said. Mamdani added that he was looking forward to working with the Trump administration to deliver on that affordability agenda a markedly different tone from his election night address, when he told Trump to turn the volume up and listen as he pledged that New York would be a light in a moment of political darkness. Trump repeatedly committed to working with Mamdani. At one point, Trump suggested his administration would pressure the utility company ConEdison, the primary electric provider for millions of New Yorkers, to lower its rates. He also welcomed Mamdanis desire to build more housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wants to see a lot of houses created, a lot of apartments built, et cetera, said Trump, the former Manhattan developer. People would be shocked but I want to see the same thing. Trump added: We agree on a lot more than I would have thought. I want him to do a great job, and well help them do a great job. Individuals named Cirilo are often perceived as possessing a natural nobility and intellectual depth that aligns with the name's meaning. They tend to be thoughtful, analytical, and principled, with a strong sense of morality and tradition. Many exhibit leadership qualities combined with a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others. Their analytical nature makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with methodical precision. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their loyalty, wisdom, and dry wit. They often excel in fields requiring deep concentration and specialized knowledge, bringing dedication and integrity to their pursuits. The historical association with scholarly saints contributes to the perception of Cirilos as individuals who value education, cultural preservation, and meaningful contributions to their communities. They typically demonstrate patience and perseverance in their endeavors, preferring to work steadily toward long-term goals rather than seeking quick results. Their communication style tends to be measured and thoughtful, often making them effective teachers or mentors. While they respect tradition, they're not necessarily conservativemany Cirilos show remarkable adaptability when presented with new information or changing circumstances. Their combination of intellectual curiosity and ethical grounding makes them valued members of any community, often serving as bridges between different generations or cultural perspectives. A local police department has announced the name of its new K-9 after teasing it on social media. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Miami Township Officer Wilson has officially teamed up with his new K-9 partner. The police department asked people on social media to guess the dogs name. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was revealed on social media the next day that the 18-month Dutch Shepard/Malinois mixs name is Dex. He is an energetic and laser-focused partner whos ready to serve and protect our community alongside his handler. Hes already shown incredible drive and determination, and we couldnt be more proud to welcome him to the team, the department wrote on social media. Over the next several weeks, Dex will continue his training out of state. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] We crafted our first rodent car from a plastic cereal container. After trial and error, my colleagues and I found that rats could learn to drive forward by grasping a small wire that acted like a gas pedal. Before long, they were steering with surprising precision to reach a Froot Loop treat. As expected, rats housed in enriched environments complete with toys, space and companions learned to drive faster than those in standard cages. This finding supported the idea that complex environments enhance neuroplasticity: the brains ability to change across the lifespan in response to environmental demands. After we published our research, the story of driving rats went viral in the media. The project continues in my lab with new, improved rat-operated vehicles, or ROVs, designed by robotics professor John McManus and his students. These upgraded electrical ROVs featuring rat-proof wiring, indestructible tires and ergonomic driving levers are akin to a rodent version of Teslas Cybertruck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a neuroscientist who advocates for housing and testing laboratory animals in natural habitats, Ive found it amusing to see how far weve strayed from my lab practices with this project. Rats typically prefer dirt, sticks and rocks over plastic objects. Now, we had them driving cars. But humans didnt evolve to drive either. Although our ancient ancestors didnt have cars, they had flexible brains that enabled them to acquire new skills fire, language, stone tools and agriculture. And some time after the invention of the wheel, humans made cars. Although cars made for rats are far from anything they would encounter in the wild, we believed that driving represented an interesting way to study how rodents acquire new skills. Unexpectedly, we found that the rats had an intense motivation for their driving training, often jumping into the car and revving the lever engine before their vehicle hit the road. Why was that? The new destination of joy Concepts from introductory psychology textbooks took on a new, hands-on dimension in our rodent driving laboratory. Building on foundational learning approaches such as operant conditioning, which reinforces targeted behavior through strategic incentives, we trained the rats step-by-step in their drivers ed programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, they learned basic movements, such as climbing into the car and pressing a lever. But with practice, these simple actions evolved into more complex behaviors, such as steering the car toward a specific destination. The rats also taught me something profound one morning during the pandemic. It was the summer of 2020, a period marked by emotional isolation for almost everyone on the planet, even laboratory rats. When I walked into the lab, I noticed something unusual: The three driving-trained rats eagerly ran to the side of the cage, jumping up like my dog does when asked if he wants to take a walk. Had the rats always done this and I just hadnt noticed? Were they just eager for a Froot Loop, or anticipating the drive itself? Whatever the case, they appeared to be feeling something positive perhaps excitement and anticipation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behaviors associated with positive experiences are associated with joy in humans, but what about rats? Was I seeing something akin to joy in a rat? Maybe so, considering that neuroscience research is increasingly suggesting that joy and positive emotions play a critical role in the health of both human and nonhuman animals. With that, my team and I shifted focus from topics such as how chronic stress influences brains to how positive events and anticipation for these events shape neural functions. Rats hitting the road in their custom-made cruisers. Kelly Lambert, CC BY-ND Working with postdoctoral fellow Kitty Hartvigsen, I designed a new protocol that used waiting periods to ramp up anticipation before a positive event. Bringing Pavlovian conditioning into the mix, rats had to wait 15 minutes after a Lego block was placed in their cage before they received a Froot Loop. They also had to wait in their transport cage for a few minutes before entering Rat Park, their play area. We also added challenges, such as making them shell sunflower seeds before eating. This became our Wait For It research program. We dubbed this new line of study UPERs unpredictable positive experience responses where rats were trained to wait for rewards. In contrast, control rats received their rewards immediately. After about a month of training, we expose the rats to different tests to determine how waiting for positive experiences affects how they learn and behave. Were currently peering into their brains to map the neural footprint of extended positive experiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preliminary results suggest that rats required to wait for their rewards show signs of shifting from a pessimistic cognitive style to an optimistic one in a test designed to measure rodent optimism. They performed better on cognitive tasks and were bolder in their problem-solving strategies. We linked this program to our labs broader interest in behaviorceuticals, a term I coined to suggest that experiences can alter brain chemistry similarly to pharmaceuticals. This research provides further support of how anticipation can reinforce behavior. Previous work with lab rats has shown that rats pressing a bar for cocaine a stimulant that increases dopamine activation already experience a surge of dopamine as they anticipate a dose of cocaine. The tale of rat tails It wasnt just the effects of anticipation on rat behavior that caught our attention. One day, a student noticed something strange: One of the rats in the group trained to expect positive experiences had its tail straight up with a crook at the end, resembling the handle of an old-fashioned umbrella. I had never seen this in my decades of working with rats. Reviewing the video footage, we found that the rats trained to anticipate positive experiences were more likely to hold their tails high than untrained rats. But what, exactly, did this mean? Rat tails can signal how theyre feeling. Kelly Lambert, CC BY-SA Curious, I posted a picture of the behavior on social media. Fellow neuroscientists identified this as a gentler form of whats called Straub tail, typically seen in rats given the opioid morphine. This S-shaped curl is also linked to dopamine. When dopamine is blocked, the Straub tail behavior subsides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natural forms of opiates and dopamine key players in brain pathways that diminish pain and enhance reward seem to be telltale ingredients of the elevated tails in our anticipation training program. Observing tail posture in rats adds a new layer to our understanding of rat emotional expression, reminding us that emotions are expressed throughout the entire body. While we cant directly ask rats whether they like to drive, we devised a behavioral test to assess their motivation to drive. This time, instead of only giving rats the option of driving to the Froot Loop Tree, they could also make a shorter journey on foot or paw, in this case. Surprisingly, two of the three rats chose to take the less efficient path of turning away from the reward and running to the car to drive to their Froot Loop destination. This response suggests that the rats enjoy both the journey and the rewarding destination. Rat lessons on enjoying the journey Were not the only team investigating positive emotions in animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp famously tickled rats, demonstrating their capacity for joy. Research has also shown that desirable low-stress rat environments retune their brains reward circuits, such as the nucleus accumbens. When animals are housed in their favored environments, the area of the nucleus accumbens that responds to appetitive experiences expands. Alternatively, when rats are housed in stressful contexts, the fear-generating zones of their nucleus accumbens expand. It is as if the brain is a piano the environment can tune. Neuroscientist Curt Richter also made the case for rats having hope. In a study that wouldnt be permitted today, rats swam in glass cylinders filled with water, eventually drowning from exhaustion if they werent rescued. Lab rats frequently handled by humans swam for hours to days. Wild rats gave up after just a few minutes. If the wild rats were briefly rescued, however, their survival time extended dramatically, sometimes by days. It seemed that being rescued gave the rats hope and spurred them on. The driving rats project has opened new and unexpected doors in my behavioral neuroscience research lab. While its vital to study negative emotions such as fear and stress, positive experiences also shape the brain in significant ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As animals human or otherwise navigate the unpredictability of life, anticipating positive experiences helps drive a persistence to keep searching for lifes rewards. In a world of immediate gratification, these rats offer insights into the neural principles guiding everyday behavior. Rather than pushing buttons for instant rewards, they remind us that planning, anticipating and enjoying the ride may be key to a healthy brain. Thats a lesson my lab rats have taught me well. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kelly Lambert, University of Richmond Read more: Kelly Lambert does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has given a $17 million unrestricted gift to Northern Oklahoma College, according to a social media post from the school. Northern announced the donation in a Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 21. The states oldest public community college, Northern traces its origins to 1901. The land-grant college serves about 3,200 students and has a primary campus in Tonkawa, a satellite campus in Enid, and academic programs in Stillwater and Ponca City. Northern said about 80% of its students receive financial aid and-or scholarships and 75% of NOC students complete their degree with no debt. MacKenzie Scott is seen in 2018. Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, pledged in 2019 to give away most of her wealth, which Bloomberg estimates to be about $38.9 billion. Since mid-October, shes given more than $750 million to more than a dozen colleges and universities, including NOC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gift is the largest in Northerns history. On her Facebook page, NOC President Diana Morris noted the colleges tagline is Life Changing and said Scotts gift is truly that for our students and the communities we serve. "I cannot possibly adequately articulate my gratitude for Ms. Scotts vote of confidence in the mission and activities of the college by allowing us to allocate the resources as we believe are in the best interest of the college, Morris said. Her donation will assist us as we seek to achieve our vision of serving as a model institution and leader in academic quality and cultural enrichment, promoting student success, collaborative learning, creative and forward thinking, and community responsiveness. More: This man has donated blood for years. It wound up saving his daughter's life On Facebook, state Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, said, What an amazing, life-changing gift for NOC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Loftis, the chair of the NOC Board of Regents, said the gift adds importance to an upcoming planning retreat to be held in January by the NOC Foundation, a fundraising organization connected with the college. Loftis said decisions about how to use the $17 million will center on goals outlined in the colleges 2025-2030 strategic plan, which emphasized growing the student pipeline and producing workforce-ready graduates. "Due to the unrestricted nature of the gift, the Foundation and the College can work together to determine a spend-down plan addressing institutional priorities much more aggressively than would have been possible otherwise, Loftis said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: MacKenzie Scott gives unrestricted $17M to Northern Oklahoma College US lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene, an influential right-wing figure and MAGA acolyte who recently broke with President Donald Trump, announced she is quitting her seat in Congress, prompting him to double down on Saturday on accusations she is a "traitor." In a video posted online, the 51-year-old Republican congresswoman from Georgia, who was elected in 2020, said on Friday she had "always been despised in Washington DC and never fit in." Greene said she did not want her supporters and family to endure "a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will be resigning from office with my last day being January 5, 2026," she said. Trump responded on his Truth Social platform by referring to the lawmaker as Marjorie "Traitor" Brown, a label she had singled out as unacceptable in an explanation of her decision to step away. "For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD," he said in the post early on Saturday morning. The shock move by Greene was the clearest sign yet of a growing split in MAGA world, still churning over strong Democratic victories in this month's off-year elections, including the win for leftist New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani -- who had a chummy meeting with Trump Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The movement has been particularly riven over Trump's flip-flop on releasing emails related to the case of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 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. The Epstein affair appeared to have forced the break between Trump and Greene -- something she referenced in her resignation speech. "Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for," Greene said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump ended his Truth Social post by saying: "Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country!" - 'A two-way street' - Just this week, Congress passed and the president signed a law requiring government records on the millionaire sex predator to be made public, after months of Trump trying to keep a lid on the material. But before his about-face on the issue, the president announced he was withdrawing all support for "'Wacky' Marjorie," a vocal proponent of the release of the so-called Epstein files. He followed up the following morning with multiple posts on his Truth Social platform attacking Greene as a "lightweight" and even a "traitor" to the Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former key political ally to Trump subsequently said she was being targeted by a wave of threats. Greene had previously been a standard-bearer of Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, a proponent of immigrant deportation, champion of gun rights and a vaccine skeptic. The high-profile rupture came after Greene distanced herself from the president, who has faced growing criticism over US cost of living concerns and the Epstein scandal. Trump himself had campaigned on releasing the Epstein files, delighting a political base fervent about throwing a spotlight on the scandal and convinced that doing so would expose many powerful figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene's sudden shift away from Trump prompted speculation that she is lining up for her own presidential bid in 2028, although she dismissed it as "baseless gossip." Her resignation comes halfway through her third term in the US House of Representatives. In her resignation speech, she did not say what she will do next. Her split with Trump made her an even bigger national sensation, observed the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgias biggest newspaper, in its coverage of her resignation. Greene said she "fought harder than almost any other elected Republican to elect Donald Trump and Republicans," spending "millions" of her own money along the way -- comparing herself with "establishment Republicans who secretly hate him and who stabbed him in the back." "My voting record has been solidly with my party and the president," Greene said. "Loyalty should be a two-way street." ksb/sla/ceg/dw After calling the New York City mayor-elect a communist and lunatic over the past several months, questioning his citizenship and threatening to arrest him, President Donald Trump said that he would be cheering for Zohran Mamdani after meeting with him in the Oval Office on Nov. 21. Yes, you read that right. Trump went so far as to say he would absolutely live in a New York City led by Mamdani, and said that he thought the 34-year-old democratic socialist could be a really great mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually, Trump said during the meeting. Did that really just happen? Did Trump just singlehandedly torpedo the Mamdani is bad agenda that Republicans have been preparing to push in the 2026 midterm elections? Did hell freeze over? Opinion: Who's afraid of democratic socialism? Everyone but voters, apparently. Zohran Mamdani won whatever that meeting was Mamdanis star power clearly won over Trump, who said the two had more in common than he expected. The president clearly sees him as someone who is going to be a rising star in the Democratic Party, and someone who was able to win over a surprising number of Trump voters in the 2025 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wants to see no crime. He wants to see housing being built. He wants to see rents coming down, all things that I agree with, Trump said. Now we may disagree how we get there. President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump (R) listens as New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 21, 2025. President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speak to members of the media as they meet in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House on Nov. 21, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Trump congratulated Mamdani on his election win as the two political opponents met to discuss policies for New York City, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement. NYC Mayor-elect Mamdani meets with President Trump for first time 1 of 7 President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as they meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Mamdani, who had previously told Chris Hayes of MSNBC that he wanted to talk with the president about public safety and the cost of living, stuck to that plan. It was a strategy that paid off, much like when you find common ground with your uncle during Thanksgiving dinner. I guess I shouldnt be too surprised. At the end of the day, two Queens men finding common ground on the cost of living in New York City is something that happens in bodegas across the borough every day. And Trump is easily won over or at least good at putting on a show for the news media. Opinion: We don't have to hand it to Marjorie Taylor Greene, actually Will Trump's newfound civility hold? President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on Nov. 21, 2025. The verdict is still out on whether this warmth will hold into next year's elections, when Republicans are sure to use Mamdani as a foil to scare voters into heading to the polls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Rep. Elise Stefanik, Republican candidate for New York governor, has previously called Mamdani a jihadist and is sure to fearmonger as a way to win votes outside the city. And even if the president was admitting that he found common ground with Mamdani, the Republican Party is still properly freaking out over the prospect of a democratic socialist leading the most populous city in the country. Earlier on Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a resolution to condemn the "horrors" of socialism. These are things Mamdani should be aware of as he processes his new working relationship with Trump. He should be cautiously optimistic Trump has a habit of zigging when expected to zag, and he could just as easily go online and call Mamdani a communist again tomorrow. But for now, it seems like this was the best scenario for the afternoon meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats this feeling? Cautious optimism? Cant be. Follow USA TODAY columnist Sara Pequeno on X, formerly Twitter: @sara__pequeno You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's 'cheering' for Mamdani just torpedoed the GOP agenda | Opinion INDIAN RIVER COUNTY The man accused of fatally shooting an Indian River County sheriff's deputy has died. Michael Halberstam, 37, died from his injuries at 3:41 p.m. Nov. 22, according to sheriff's officials. He had been hospitalized at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce since the Nov. 21 shooting that killed Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, who was promoted from deputy to sergeant posthumously. Here's what we know as of Nov. 22: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sgt. Terri Sweeting-Mashkow, 47, died in the line of duty during what Sheriff Eric Flowers described as an "everyday call." Read more: Who was Terri Sweeting-Mashkow? Mashkow and other law enforcement officials went to a home to serve an eviction at 8:42 a.m. Nov. 21 when Michael Halberstam, 37, started indiscriminately shooting. Read more: Who is Michael Halberstam? It occurred at a house on Governors Way in the Bermuda Club gated community on the barrier island of Orchid. Halberstams mother, who was evicting her son, was outside the home at the time. The shooting injured Deputy Tino Arizpe and an unidentified locksmith, but Sgt. Gary Farless wasn't injured. Arizpe improved to stable condition, but the locksmith remained in critical condition. Mashkows death is the second line of duty death in about 100 years of the agency. Her body was escorted by a multitude of law enforcement vehicles to the medical examiner's office in Fort Pierce on the night of Nov. 21. Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Michael Halberstam dies, Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow fatal shooting Sergio Reyes, 39, received a 20-year prison sentence and was added to the sex offender registry for the 2004 killing of 15-year-old Elena Lasswell. Reyes was arrested in July 2024 after being extradited from Mexico. He later pled guilty to second-degree murder in Aug. 2025. During the sentencing, family and friends of Lasswell urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence of 20 years. The family spoke about the lasting pain and heartbreak caused by Lasswell's death, describing the profound impact of her absence over the past two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who knew Lasswell remembered her as a bright, creative child whose life was tragically cut short. Lasswell was killed inside her home near 23rd Avenue and Thomas Road in July 2004. An autopsy revealed she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. Lasswell had been dead for several hours when her brother found her, The Arizona Republic previously reported. Reyes was reportedly identified through DNA and witness testimony and was indicted by a grand jury on Dec. 10, 2023, according to the court documents. This defendant tried to run and hide, but in Maricopa County, the truth will catch up to you and so will law enforcement, said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man pleads guilty to 2004 murder of Elena Lasswell A man who was shot by police following a vehicle chase through a Phoenix neighborhood has been booked on several felony charges following his release from a hospital, according to officials. Officers responded to a call regarding a stolen vehicle near 4th Avenue and Osborn Road at about 6:43 p.m. on Oct. 10. As they arrived, officers heard unrelated gunfire nearby, said Sgt. Brian Bower with the Phoenix Police Department. A nearby woman flagged down officers and pointed them toward the direction of the gunfire, Bower added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While investigating, a man, identified as Manuel Vasquez, 40, was seen standing near a vehicle with a rifle on the roof, Bower said. Despite commands given by officers, Vasquez grabbed the rifle and drove away. Officers pursued the vehicle as Vasquez drove through Phoenix neighborhoods firing the gun from inside the car, according to Bower. It was unclear what the man was firing at, Bower added. At about 6:56 p.m., near 16th and Roosevelt streets, officers used a tactical maneuver to stop the vehicle, police said. During the stop, an officer fired his duty weapon, striking Vasquez, according to Bower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vasquez was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and, after being released, was arrested as of Nov. 22, police said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man arrested by Phoenix police after shooting rifle from car U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an early ardent supporter of President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again agenda, is planning to resign from office in January. "I'm going back to the people I love, to live life to the fullest as I always have, and look forward to a new path ahead," she wrote on the social platform X. "I will be resigning from office with my last day being Jan. 5, 2026." Greenes move to resign from the House of Representatives comes amid an ongoing feud with Republican Party leadership particularly Trump over the release of files related to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene, who represents Georgias 14th Congressional District, notably broke ranks to force a vote on a bill to release the Epstein files ahead of fellow Republicans. "Ive always represented the common American man and woman as a member of the House of Representatives which is why Ive always been despised in Washington DC and never fit in," Greene wrote in a statement posted on X, adding that she was disappointed in the pushback she faced in Congress and legislators' failure to meaningfully improve the lives of her constituents. "I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms." Trump says Americans should be happy Greene is resigning. "I think it's great news for the country. It's great," ABC News quoted Trump as saying in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Greene had given him a heads up, Trump said: "Nah, it doesn't matter, you know; but I think it's great. I think she should be happy." More: Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns from Congress to go back to real life A clash between Greene and Trump Trump's back-and-forth spat with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reached a fever pitch in recent days when the president withdrew his endorsement of the Georgia Republican and assigned her a nickname an act typically reserved for his fiercest political rivals. All I see 'Wacky' Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!" Trump wrote on social media, in reference to concerns Greene floated about his focus on foreign policy, the government shutdown and controversy surrounding accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene came to Congress with a reputation for supporting the conspiratorial QAnon movement. Sworn in just days before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters, she has been an outspoken supporter of theories that the 2020 president election was stolen. More: Why are Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump fighting? The Georgia representative was the most outspoken advocate for forcing the Department of Justice to release its investigative files on Epstein, the late alleged sex trafficker, even though Trump who says he broke off a friendship with Epstein years ago opposed the measure. At a Sept. 3 press conference, Greene framed the issue around sexual abuse, good versus evil, and what she called Epsteins powerful cabal. Greene grew up outside of Atlanta and has three grown children, whom she often references in policy discussions about the next generation. For years, she was a part-owner of the construction company her father started in northwest Georgia. Heartbroken reactions Jackie Harling, chairman of the Walker County Republican Party in Greenes district, fell to tears when she heard the news. Walker has known Greene since 2021 and says shes not just liked in her district but loved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people of northwest Georgia lost a fighter today, but we did not lose her because she failed us, Harling told USA TODAY. We lost her because the swamp could not handle a strong woman who tells the truth and refuses to bow to the uniparty. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who is friends with Greene and has sponsored many bills with her, said he's sad for the country but happy for his friend. "Ill miss her tremendously," Massie wrote on social media. "She embodies what a true Representative should be. Everyone should read her statement; theres more honesty expressed in these four pages than most politicians will speak in a lifetime" Rep. Ro Khanna, a liberal Democrat and the lead sponsor on the bill to release the Epstein files, praised Greene's "courageous stand" for women who survived abuse by Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one should pay a price for putting the will of the people over Trumps political machine, Khanna said. Why is Greene resigning? Greene announced her resignation in a four-page statement that skewered Congress for being beholden to monied interests instead of the concerns of everyday Americans. "No matter which way the political pendulum swings, Republican or Democrat, nothing ever gets better for the common American man or woman. The debt goes higher. Corporate and global interests remain Washingtons sweethearts," said Greene, laying additional blame on "illegal labor," "big corporations" and "foreign interests." "The average American family can no longer survive on a single bread winners income as both parents must work in order to simply survive. And today, many in my childrens generation feel hopeless for their future and don't think they will ever realize the American dream, which breaks my heart." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene, who represents a district in the northwest corner of Georgia, was elected to office in 2020 on a wave of populist support. Since then, she has become known as one of the Congress most outspoken members but until recently has been a close supporter of Trump. In months of TV appearances, she took on men in her own party and the president who inspired her to run for office. She broke with GOP leadership to help force a vote in Congress to release the Justice Departments Jeffrey Epstein files, in direct defiance of Trump. And when Trump came crashing down on her in an 11th-hour pressure campaign, she didnt buckle. He denounced Greene as a "traitor," using words she said "could radicalize people and put my life in danger." What else does Greene say about her resignation? Greene said in her X post that I missed precious time with my family that I can never get back." She said she had to leave her mother's side while her father was having brain surgery to remove a cancer in order to go to Congress and vote against Trump's impeachment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My self-worth is not defined by a man but instead by God, who created everything in existence," Greene said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation after feud with Trump Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said Nov. 21 she will resign from her post in January, an announcement that is shocking supporters in her district. Her decision comes after she publicly opposed policies of President Donald Trump, whom she has often supported, and Trump withdrew his endorsement of her. "My self-worth is not defined by a man but instead by God, who created everything in existence," Greene said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are a few things to know about Greene. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announces her resignation from her position, in this screen grab from a statement released on social media, November 21, 2025. Marjorie Taylor Greene via X/Handout via Reuters U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler and Republican House candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene depart a news conference in Dallas, Georgia, Oct. 15, 2020. Republican U.S. House candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks at a news conference in Dallas, Georgia, on Oct. 15, 2020. Republican U.S. House candidate Marjorie Taylor Greene is seen at a news conference in Dallas, Georgia, U.S. October 15, 2020. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) makes her way to the Capitol prior to a vote in the House on a Democratic-backed resolution that would punish her for incendiary remarks supporting violence against Democrats, on Feb. 4, 2021. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) waits for an elevator prior to a vote in the House on a Democratic-backed resolution that would punish her for incendiary remarks supporting violence against Democrats, on Capitol Hill on Feb. 4, 2021. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene,arri ves for a photograph with fellow first-term Republican members of Congress on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 4, 2021. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) addresses a news conference on Capitol Hill on Feb. 5, 2021. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks at a fundraiser at the Delta Hotel by Marriott in Mesa, Arizona on May 21, 2021. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) takes a selfie with supporters of Donald Trump ahead of his first post-presidency campaign rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio, June 26, 2021. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, speaks with fairgoers as she walks through the cattle barn at the Iowa State Fair on August 19, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) walks on stage with a sign before speaking at a rally in Perry, Georgia, September 25, 2021. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) scream "Build the Wall" at President Joe Biden during Biden's State of the Union address in 2022. Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene attend a campaign rally for J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, at The Trout Club on April 30, 2022 in Newark, Ohio. J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio - now Donald Trump's vice president - hugs Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene at a campaign rally at The Trout Club on April 30, 2022 in Newark, Ohio. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green addresses supporters of Donald Trump outside the Manhattan district attorney's office in New York on April 4, 2023, after Trump's indictment on felony charges he falsified business records to cover up hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels, April 4, 2023. Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks at the Georgia state GOP convention in Columbus, Georgia on June 10, 2023. Two days earlier, Trump had been indicted by a federal grand jury on 37 felony counts in a classified documents probe. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) questions witnesses as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) looks on during a House Oversight Committee hearing related to the Justice Department's investigation of Hunter Biden, on Capitol Hill on July 19, 2023. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and other guests applaud for Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at the Forum River Center March 09, 2024 in Rome, Georgia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green speaks before former President Donald Trump delivered remarks during his first campaign event in Savannah, Georgia, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. speaks during the first day of the Republican National Convention. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) reacts at a campaign event of Republican vice presidential nominee U.S. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) in Lindale, Georgia, U.S., October 4, 2024. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks before Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Oct. 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene dons a Make America Great Again hat while addressing a campaign rally with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in 2024 in Rome, Georgia. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) gestures, on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol on January 3, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) attends President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) greets President Donald Trump on the day of a joint session of Congress, in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene (R-Georgia), wearing a cap that says "Trump was right about everything," watches as President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) attends President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) looks on, ahead of President Donald Trump delivering remarks on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. Haley Robson, a Jeffery Epstein survivor, hugs Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, during a press conference along with House members and other victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in Washington, D.C., on September 3, 2025. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks at a press conference alongside alleged victims of Jeffrey Epstein at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on September 3, 2025, announcing the Epstein Files Transparency Act. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) speaks to reporters after a press conference on Capitol Hill on Sept. 3, 2025 to discuss the Epstein Files Transparency bill, directing the release of the remaining files related to the investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Happier times: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene with Donald Trump at a presidential campaign event in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024. Trump on Nov. 17, 2025, called Greene a "traitor" for pushing for the release of Justice Department files on the late alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein abuse survivor Jena-Lisa Jones (L) hugs U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) during a news conference with lawmakers on the Epstein Files Transparency Act outside the U.S. Capitol on November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC as the house prepared for a vote on the legislation which would instruct theD epartment of Justice to release all files related to the late accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign. See photos of her House career. 1 of 35 U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announces her resignation from her position, in this screen grab from a statement released on social media, November 21, 2025. Marjorie Taylor Greene via X/Handout via Reuters Who is Marjorie Taylor Greene? Greene, 51, grew up outside of Atlanta. She attended the University of Georgia and went on to be part-owner in her father's construction company and then co-owner of a CrossFit gym. She has three grown children. Loyalists who know her describe her as kind, intelligent, and maternal. Her constituents say she fights for them. But she also earned a firebrand reputation for heckling President Joe Biden and otherwise sparring with her liberal colleagues. What state is Marjorie Taylor Greene from? Greene is from Georgia. She represents the 14th Congressional District, which is in the northwest area of the state and mostly includes rural areas. It is a heavily Republican district whose elections are usually decided in the primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The keeper of MAGA? How Marjorie Taylor Greene took on Trump and stayed true to her base What are Marjorie Taylor Greene's politics? Greene is considered far-right. She subscribes to a mantle called America First that supports isolationist foreign policy and promotes a focus on domestic issues. The philosophy goes hand in hand with Make America Great Again, or MAGA. Greene has voted against funding foreign wars in Ukraine and Gaza. She opposes transgender women playing in girls' sports, supports hardline immigration policies and supports policies that help working-class Americans. What happened with Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump? Greene spent more than a month doing television interviews in which she publicly disagreed with the president, despite her longtime support of him. She also vocally and forcefully advocated for a bill Trump opposed to force the release of law enforcement files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 14, Trump withdrew his endorsement of her and encouraged people in her district to challenge her in the 2026 Republican primary. Greene said this lead to threats against her, and that she feared for her safety. She also responded to the nickname "traitor" by saying a traitor is someone who prioritizes foreign countries. Why did Marjorie Taylor Greene resign? In a social media video, Greene described how frustrated she was with trying to get things done in Washington for ordinary people. She said she did not want to put her constituents through a bruising primary battle against a Trump-supported candidate. But she also said she was leaving to spend time with her family. I missed precious time with my family that I can never get back, Greene said. She said she had to leave her mother's side while her father was having brain surgery to remove a cancer in order to go to Congress and vote against Trump's impeachment. More: Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns from Congress to go back to real life What did Donald Trump say about Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation? Trump told ABC News that Americans should be happy Greene is resigning. "I think it's great news for the country," he said "It's great." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While two have had a close relationship in the past, including phone conversations, Trump told ABC News that Greene did not tell him before making her announcement. "Nah, it doesn't matter, you know, but I think it's great," Trump said. "I think she should be happy." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is MTG? What to know as the congresswoman resigns. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Claec holds a unique position in Christian naming traditions, primarily appearing in medieval religious contexts. Its rarity suggests it may have been used by specific religious communities or families with particular devotional practices. The name appears in scattered historical records from Anglo-Saxon England and medieval Ireland, often associated with clergy and religious scholars who maintained Christian traditions during turbulent periods. Its persistence through centuries, though never widespread, indicates it carried significant meaning for those who chose it, possibly representing a connection to early Christian missionaries or specific saintly figures whose stories have been lost to time. The name's association with darkness or shadow in its meaning may reflect the Christian concept of moving from spiritual darkness into divine light, making it a name with profound theological resonance for those familiar with its connotations. In medieval Christian thought, darkness wasn't always negativeit could represent the mystery of God, the unknown aspects of faith, or the fertile ground from which spiritual insight grows. This nuanced understanding of darkness gives the name Claec a depth that distinguishes it from more common Christian names and connects it to rich theological traditions about the relationship between light and shadow in spiritual life. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) reportedly did not tell Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) she would be announcing her resignation. Greene made the stunning announcement on Friday night, saying she would formally quit the House of Representatives on Jan. 5, 2026. The congresswoman explained she wants to avoid a hateful primary against her next year by a challenger-to-be-determined, supported by President Donald Trump, who withdrew his endorsement of her after she demanded his administration release the Epstein files. I have too much self-respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after Greenes announcement, NBC News reporter Melanie Zanona relayed that Greene did not give Johnson advanced notice of her imminent departure from the House, which Republicans control 219 to 213. MTG did not give Speaker Mike Johnson a heads up about her shocking resignation, per a source with knowledge, Zanona posted on X. Her abrupt departure from Congress in January will make Johnsons job even more difficult, given the GOPs already slim margins. When there is a congressional vacancy in Georgia, state law mandates that the governor set a special election date that occurs not less than 30 days from the time of the vacancy. Greene represents a deep red district, so the seat is highly unlikely to be flipped, but it will remain vacant for a period of time yet to be determined. So in the meantime, one fewer Republican in the House could pose potential problems for Johnson. Moreover, at this moment, there are three vacancies in the House, two of which are in largely Democratic districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee will hold a special election on Dec. 2 to fill the vacancy in the mostly Republican seventh congressional district. Texas will hold a special election runoff between two Democrats on Jan. 26 to fill the seat left vacant by former Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-TX), who represented the 18th congressional district until died in March. And on April 16, New Jersey will hold a special election to fill the seat in the 11th district that was held by former Rep. Mikie Sherill (D-NJ), who just resigned after being elected governor of New Jersey. The post Marjorie Taylor Greene Didnt Tell Speaker Johnson Shes Resigning Amid Razor-Thin GOP Majority: Report first appeared on Mediaite. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday evening she will be resigning from office effective 5 January 2026, in the wake of souring relations with President Donald Trump, mostly recently over a vote to force the release of files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. In a four-page statement, the Georgia congresswoman said the legislative branch had been sidelined and accused Republican leaders of refusing to advance conservative priorities such as border security or America First policies. Until recently, Greene had been one of the most vocal and visible supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again movement, crediting him with inspiring her to run for Congress in 2020. But in recent months, the congresswoman had become a surprising critic of the Trump administration taking on the president not just over the release of the Epstein files, but also his administrations support for Israel, and extending expiring Obamacare subsidies. She began questioning whether Trump was truly an America first president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter which way the political pendulum swings, Republican or Democrat, nothing ever gets better for the common American man or woman, Greene said. When the common American people finally realize and understand that the political industrial complex of both parties is ripping this country apart, that not one elected leader like me is able to stop Washingtons machine from gradually destroying our country, and instead the reality is that they, common Americans, the people, possess the real power over Washington, then Ill be here by their side to rebuild it. Related: Will Marjorie Taylor Greene turn the Maga movement against Trump? | Arwa Mahdawi Until then Im going back to the people I love, to live life to the fullest as I always have, and look forward to a new path ahead, Greene added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a phone conversation with an ABC News reporter, Trump was quoted as saying Greenes resignation was great news. He added that Greene hadnt given him notice but it doesnt matter, you know but I think its great. I think she should be happy. Previously, Trump has called Greene a traitor and wacky and said he would endorse a challenger against her when she ran for re-election next year. In a social media post last week, Trump speculated that Greene had turned against him because he advised her not to run for Senate and claimed she was upset that I dont return her phone calls. In response, Greene accused Trump of lying and said she believed it was her persistent calls for his administration to release the Epstein files that sent him over the edge. Greene did not give the House speaker, Mike Johnson, advance notice of her resignation, according to NBC News. Her departure in January will narrow Johnsons already razor-thin majority, leaving him less room to maneuver. Greene explained her decision in a 10-minute social media video posted on X on Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her resignation statement, she said: I have fought harder than almost any other elected Republican to elect Donald Trump and Republicans to power Through it all I have never changed or went back on my campaign promises America First should mean America First and only Americans First, with no other foreign country ever being attached to America First in our halls of government. Last week, Greene said she had been contacted by private security firms with warnings for my safety after Trump announced he was withdrawing his support for and endorsement of her. In a post on X, Greene said that a hotbed of threats against me are being fueled and egged on by the most powerful man in the world, without referring to Trump by name, adding it was the man I supported and helped get elected. Greene reiterated these threats in her statement, saying that she has faced never ending personal attacks, death threats, lawfare, ridiculous slander and lies about me, that most people could never withstand even for a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her resignation comes after months of opinions that go against those of the White House and some of her Republican colleagues. Earlier this month, Trump pushed back against criticism from Greene, saying she had lost her way after she accused him of paying too much attention to foreign affairs and not enough to the rising cost of living in the US points she also addressed in her Friday statement. Greene said she had broken with the US president over several issues, including the issuing of H-1B visas to skilled foreign workers, a ban on AI regulation, 50-year mortgage scams, involvement in foreign wars, and the release of files related to the crimes of Epstein, the late pedophile Trump socialized with for more than 15 years. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, whom I fought for, Greene said. Greene has been an outspoken opponent of Israels war on Gaza, with US support, calling it a genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I am cast aside by Maga Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that cant even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well, Greene said. Her resignation comes halfway through her third term in the US House of Representatives. In her resignation speech, she did not say what she would do next but hinted at a future in politics, saying: When the common American people finally realize and understand that the Political Industrial Complex of both parties is ripping this country apart [and] that they, common Americans, The People, possess the real power over Washington, then Ill be here by their side to rebuild it. Political strategist Shermichael Singleton said Greene might be looking at future plan. If I were advising her, hey, you might be able to get through this brief moment in time, Singleton told CNN. But perhaps she thought otherwise. Maybe shes looking at future plans. But this is a big shocker. Trump won her district in the 2024 presidential race with 68% of the vote; Greene won re-election with 64%. Despite strong support for Trump, voters in Greenes district seemed to be unaffected by the representatives scuffle with the president, according to NBC News. A verified fashion brand with a black-and-white bunny logo called @forbiddenclothes, with a little under half a million followers, is lurking on Instagram. One of its most-watched posts, pinned to the top of the feed, shows a Nazi SS officer from the movie Inglourious Basterds sitting stiffly at a table; the caption floating above him reads: When the family is arguing about politics and they ask for my expert opinion. Thirty-one million people have viewed the clip. More than 1.6 million liked it. The comments are full of adoration: My time to shine. Theyre not ready for the truth. A verified user asks why everyone is glorifying fascism, and is drowned out by replies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if you linger on that reelor anything like ityoull quickly find that its almost quaint compared with what comes next. A swipe later, youll get a different accounts reel: an AI-generated translation appears of what is ostensibly an Adolf Hitler speech. Over audio footage of Hitler warning of a satanic power infiltrating the countrys intellectual and economic life, onscreen graphics tally the number of Jewish people in Trumps cabinet and at major media organizations, showing portraits of those people with Jewish stars photoshopped on their faces. Roughly 1.4 million people watched that video; 142,000 liked it. Comments include lines like: We owe the big man an apology, and He was right about everything. After Fortune brought these clips to Instagram owner Metas attention, but before the company offered an official comment, the company scrubbed the clips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scroll again, and youll land on some Holocaust denialism: a small-brain figure saying, He gassed millions of people. Read a history book, and a smug, larger-brain figure replying, Who wrote the history books? A follow-up image attempts to trace a media ownership conspiracy. This got 3.2 million views. More than 250,000 likes and shares. Within minutes, a clear pattern emerges. This content is not isolated, and its not niche. Its ambient. Its seemingly everywhere. And its algorithmically arranged to look like youre the one discovering the truth; a feed that, once nudged in a certain direction, abruptly begins to resemble anti-Semitic and racist propaganda. Instagrams algorithm rewards whatever maximizes watch time and shares, and in 2025 that has included conspiratorial, racist, or anti-Semitic memes packaged as humor or even a kind of aesthetic. Monetization programs, clip-farm networks, and incentives to sponsor with third-party products fuel that dynamic, turning extremist-flavored content into a profitable engagement strategy for creators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it doesnt seem to be just creators who profit. For this Fortune reporter, those reels appeared right above and below ads from major brandsJPMorgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance, SUNY, Porsche, the U.S. Army, and many, many others. Extremist content and blue-chip advertising run back-to-back, suggesting that the monetization pipes remain open and that advertisers either dont know about or dont view the adjacency as reputationally dangerous. Fortune reached out to all the companies mentioned above for comment, but only a spokesperson from the U.S. Army responded, noting that [they] do not have control over how Meta places an advertisement. In a statement to Fortune, Meta said: We dont want this kind of content on our platforms, and brands dont want their ads to appear next to it. The company added that it had included the relevant violating content in our database so that it could remove copies if someone tries to upload them again. Yet minutes after Meta sent its statement, this reporter opened Instagram Reels and saw another ad from JPMorgan Chase sitting directly above a reel from the anti-Semitic meme account @goyimclub. The reel used a familiar Holocaust-denial setupIf I have 15 ovens baking cookies 24/7, how many years would it take to bake 6 million cookies?a favorite trope of these sorts of accounts, designed to mock the death toll of the Holocaust and suggest the real number was far lower, often falsely claimed to be 271,000. Immediately after the JPMorgan Chase ad, another reel surfacedthis one from the anti-Semitic account @gelnox.exe. It showed what looked like a ChatGPT conversation asking, When did Spain expel the Jews? (with Jews censored), followed by 1492. Then: When did the Spanish Golden Age start? Again: 1492. The implication, obviously, was that Spains prosperity began only after removing Jewish people. That reel had more than 5 million views and 316,000 likes. Metas own community standards prohibit nearly every trope in these reels. Its Hateful Conduct policy bans Holocaust denial, as well as claims that Jewish people control financial, political, or media institutions and calling a group the devil. Its Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy bars content glorifying dangerous figures, giving the example: Hitler did nothing wrong. All of this is Tier 1 prohibited content. Yet reels containing each of these elements remain live and algorithmically promoted on Instagram today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason is structural: In January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ended third-party fact-checking in the U.S., and loosened political-content rules. These changes included raising the confidence threshold for removing hate speech, Zvika Krieger, Metas former (and first) director of responsible innovation, told Fortune. Whatever creates the most engagement is going to get rewarded in this algorithm, Krieger said, and after the rule change, the systems meant to catch dangerous content were intentionally made less sensitive. Or, as one Pakistani Gen Z creator who earns money posting anti-Semitic reels told Fortune: Those videos dont get banned anymore. In a statement, Meta said: While this story makes a number of claims, the facts are clear: In just the first half of 2025, we actioned nearly 21 million pieces of content for violating our prohibition on Dangerous Organizations and Individuals. At first, Meta said that it had proactively detected nearly 99% of this content, before saying the actual percentage is in the low 90s. Meta added that its commitment to tackling anti-Semitism is unchanged, and that it removed the violating content and accounts flagged to us. Meta did not address Fortunes questions about how the posts Fortune flagged had been able to generate millions of views, or how they had been able to stay up for so long. Bigger than groypers Washington has spent the past week arguing over a number: whether 30 to 40 percent of young Republican Hill staffers are groyper-aligned, meaning theyre fans of Nick Fuentes, the white-nationalist streamer who infamously had a White House dinner with Kanye West and Donald Trump, and more recently went on Tucker Carlsons podcast and repeated anti-Semitic rhetoric. The 30%-40% number came from conservative pundit Rod Dreher, who said he had interviewed several Gen Z conservatives and verified it, which other pundits have contested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the anti-Semitism and racism that Fuentes champions can hardly be called fringe when Instagram Reels trafficking in the same tropes routinely reach millions of views. The creators behind these videos were clear in conversations with Fortune about why they make them: money. Henry, a 26-year-old tech worker in the U.K. who runs a far-right meme page with 90,000 followers (@notchillim), who asked to withhold his last name to avoid retaliation at work, told Fortune he has made over 10,000 from T-shirt sales and shout-outs, and that posts referencing Hitler or the Holocaust always get more traction. A teenage high school student in Pakistan, whom Fortune kept anonymous over privacy concerns and who operates a similar meme page called @perryperrymemes, told Fortune he earns $800$900 a month, paid at 10 cents per thousand views by Whop, a clip-farm platform that gives creators logos to paste onto whatever memes perform best. For open-category campaigns, he can post anything he wantsand he said the reels that reliably hit payout thresholds are the racist or Hitler-themed ones. Fortune reached out to Whop for comment but received no response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. tech worker in his twenties, who makes similarly anti-Semitic content and requested anonymity to avoid retaliation at work, says he made nearly $3,000 from Instagrams bonus and referral programs before being demonetized. He said his most offensive and political posts drove the fastest audience growth. He added that he is Jewish and did not believe in the content himself, but said he had posted it in hopes of gaining enough followers to eventually delete the posts and then remonetize. In fact, none of the three creators interviewed by Fortune claimed to have strong ideological motives beyond finding the memes vaguely amusing. All said controversial content is one of the only reliable, and easiest, paths to visibilityand therefore income. (Fortune was unable to independently verify the creators claims about their income.) Every creator whom Fortune spoke with said their reach had increased sharply after Metas January policy shift, which came just a few months after President Donald Trump threatened to imprison Zuckerberg over claims that he had attempted to influence the 2020 election. In the aftermath, Zuckerberg sought to repair his relationship with the president, donating $1 million to Trumps inauguration fund and attending the inauguration itself. Several said the change was immediate: Reels that once got flagged or throttled were suddenly hitting millions of feeds. The Pakistani clip-farmer said those videos no longer get banned, and the British meme-page owner said his reach jumped way higher. That shift wasnt accidental. Meta has openly moved to lighten enforcement, personalize political content, and potentially even automate, according to internal documents, up to 90% of the privacy and integrity reviews that once slowed harmful material before it reached billions of users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the early 2020s, these companies poured enormous resources into moderation, Krieger said. What were seeing now is the opposite, a conscious pullback, plus a redirecting of talent toward consumer AI. Krieger said he doesnt believe that Meta is trying to platform hateful content; rather, its optimizing for freedom of speech, at the expense of other values. I would say that is an ethical value: autonomy, peoples decision to choose, Krieger said. But its certainly coming at the cost of other ethical values, like safety and fairness. Kriegers argumentthat Meta has elevated freedom of speech above all other valuesmirrors a common political refrain. Ever since Twitter banned Trump in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riots, the president and his allies have insisted that they were victims of a massive censorship scheme by Big Tech. But the landscape has changed dramatically since then: Major platforms like X and YouTube have rolled back guardrails, reinstated banned accounts, and adopted free speech framing. At the same time, following the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, anti-Semitism has surged; and new American Jewish Committee (AJC) data shows 33% of Jewish Americans were personally targeted in the past year. The business of hate These anti-Semitic reels are now so common that there are meta-jokes about their ubiquity: a reel from a movie clip of Nazis in uniform standing around captioned, POV: youve opened Instagram in 2025 (8.7M views, 610K likes). Another reel of a guy saying, Ill go to bat for you, Hitler is captioned Gen Z after spending 5 minutes on IG reels (2.1M views, 216K likes). And many of the biggest accounts pushing this content arent anonymous trollstheyre influencers. One of the largest, @hermesdiditagain, with 280,000 followers, mixes racist and anti-Semitic man-on-the-street interviews with conspiratorial memes. Fortune had an interview scheduled with Hermes, until he asked whether the reporter was Jewish. After she said yes, he blocked her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the ecosystem, though, is built to avoid scrutiny. These accounts hide behind faceless branding or influencer shells, funneling traffic to crypto platforms, supplements, merch, or subscription services. In some cases, the creator isnt even real: Renowned disinformation scholar Joan Donovan told Fortune that she thinks some accounts are entire personas that are built around clip-farmed content, using stock photos, semi-AI face sets, or lightly edited images to make racist reels appear tied to an attractive influencer. Platforms dont care about the quality of the content so much as the engagement it elicits, Donovan said. Engagementespecially angry, shocked, or provocative engagementis what drives payouts, sponsorships, referral bonuses, follower growth, and off-platform monetization. And because so much of this material is now AI-generated, from voice-overs to visuals, the cost of production has collapsed. With a few prompts and a clip editor, a creator can churn out an endless stream of rage-bait that reaches millions, Donovan said. Middle schoolers have embraced this content The ambiguity of the content is part of its appeal. Many of the reels use codes: the juice-box emoji for Jewish people, the Austrian Painter as a nickname for Hitler. Much of it is wrapped in a hyper-ironic, esoteric aesthetic built from symbols via Vril or Agartha, a mythical underground kingdom associated with 20th-century Nazism thats become a running joke in far-right meme circles. Instagram is saturated with Agartha edits: White Monster Energy cans opening portals; blond AI soldiers marching through glowing gates; Sora-style sequences overlaid with anti-Semitic tropes. Middle schoolers now make memes about which teachers would be allowed in to Agartha, treating it as a kind of in-group language. Meme scholar Aidan Walker described it as an ironic dog whistlematerial that is plainly anti-Semitic, but stylized and self-referential enough that users can deny belief while still spreading the narrative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memes are so layered in jokes, edits, and esoteric references that you actually cant tell whether its racist or not but if you know, you know, Walker told Fortune. The point isnt that viewers literally believe in hollow-earth portals under Antarctica; its that by pretending to, theyre signaling a stance: Institutions are rigged, and only people fluent in this lore really see through reality. The appeal, he argues, is emotional as much as ideological. The videos are competently edited, dense with references, and designed to feel like contraband. You watch one and think, I shouldnt be watching this. This is horrible, Walker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That transgression then becomes a bonding ritualweve gone there together; now youre my brother because you get this and others dontand a kind of forbidden wisdom, a dark explanation that makes the world feel like it secretly makes sense, he added. From memes to real-world harm But that esoteric world doesnt just have the potential for violenceviolence has already manifested from it. Earlier this month, a 17-year-old set off explosives during Friday prayers at a Jakarta high school, injuring more than 50 students. When police recovered the toy submachine gun he brought into the mosque, they found phrases scrawled across it that come straight from the meme-lore circulating on Instagram Reels: 14 words. For Agartha. Another inscription read, Brenton Tarrant: Welcome to hell. The teens ideology is still under investigation. The Reuters report notes that the student was in several violent Telegram channels. But his references werent invented in a vacuum: Theyre the same symbols saturating Instagram Reels feeds today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has seen its own surge in anti-Semitic violence: firebombs thrown at a rally in Boulder; two Israeli embassy employees murdered outside a museum in Washington; and a sharp rise in harassment and threats documented by Jewish organizations. The ADL reports a 21% increase in anti-Semitic assaults in 2024 compared with the previous year. None of these incidents are caused by any single reel, but the worldview is familiar: conspiracies about Jewish power, an us versus them frame, and a sense that violence is justified or inevitable. The Jewish Gen Z tech worker behind one of the meme accounts said he believed that the violence was part of a pendulum effect. Everything was so antiwhite people 10 years ago, and now theres a bunch of pissed-off white people, he said. So, I dont really know how bad its going to get, but violence seems much more likely than in the past. Did he not feel a sense of responsibility? Im kind of just taking other accounts stuff and reposting it, so I guess that makes me feel like Im not contributing as much to the whole thing, he said, his voice trailing off into nervous laughter. But, I mean, yeah, objectively, its not a great thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His account, @violent_autism, which had nearly 100,000 followers, went dark soon after the interview. Its unclear if he took it down himself or if Instagram did. These accounts reach far beyond Gen Z fans: @forbiddenclothes has a notable fan who follows exactly 7,350 accounts on Instagram, from fitness influencers to meme pages to hunting gear stores to crypto traders. And while theres no way to prove hes one of the millions watching Nazi-leaning content with unclear intent, Donald Trump Jr., the presidents son, is listed as a follower of @forbiddenclothes. He did not respond to Fortunes request for comment. Update: Nov. 20, 2025: This report has been updated to clarify the role of Metas donations to Trumps inauguration and his accusations of interference in the 2020 election. Additional context has also been added about Reuters reporting on the episode in Jakarta and on Zvika Kriegers tenure at Meta. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com After a contentious past few months in Dearborn amid debates over faith, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud joined other elected officials and religious leaders in calling for unity and declaring that the city is open to all. On Friday, Nov. 21, in front of one of Michigan's largest mosques, Hammoud spoke at an event organized by the city about Dearborn's history of immigrant communities and promised to continue welcoming diversity. Hammoud's address came three days after contentious protests and a Quran-burning attempt in Dearborn stoked divisions, and two weeks after he was reelected with 71% of the vote. During the intense campaign, Hammoud faced criticism for berating a Christian minister speaking at a City Council meeting. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud speaks on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in front of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. He's joined by other elected officials and religious leaders three days after contentious protests in the city. "Let me say it clearly, without hesitation or qualification: Dearborn's doors are open to everyone," Hammoud said Friday afternoon in the parking lot of the Islamic Center of America, which he attends and where one of his uncles is an imam. "Whether you are Muslim, whether you are Christian, whether you are Jewish, people of all faiths or no faith at all, you are welcome here. We will not seek to burn your holy books, but rather we will create a safe place for you to worship." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hammoud's remarks came the day after Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, in charge of civil rights at the U..S. Justice Department, asked a right-wing activist who appeared to have been punched during one of the rallies Tuesday in Dearborn to reach out to her office with "the information needed to start an investigation" into alleged hate crimes against him. Hammoud said the city will protect the rights of everyone, regardless of their faith and background. Some Christian residents have expressed concern over the past couple of years about some mosques playing the Islamic call to prayer at high volumes they said infringes on their peace and rights. More: Protesters scuffle in Dearborn over faith as Quran-burning attempt is thwarted More: Michigan employers are in a wait-and-see mode and workers feel the pinch Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So today, we reaffirm something simple and powerful: Dearborn belongs to everyone, every faith, every background, every life journey," Hammoud said as the crowd applauded. "You have a home here. You have a place here. You have rights here. And we will protect that, proudly and without exception." Hammoud was joined at the event by Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox Christian, Shia Muslim and Sunni Muslim leaders who stood alongside him. Also speaking were Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, whose district includes Dearborn; City Council President Michael Sareini; state Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn, state Rep. and House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton, and Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun, D-Dearborn, among others. The Islamic Center of America, where the event was held, sits next to two churches off of Altar Road, a name that reflects its history of being home to churches. City officials invited media outlets for the event. Speeches were given at a podium with the seal of Dearborn, which reads: "Hometown of Henry Ford." The protesters who rallied Tuesday, Nov. 18, in Dearborn alleged the city is under sharia, Islamic law, a claim debunked by Baydoun. The commissioner noted that Dearborn has strip clubs, liquor stores, and Christian nativity scenes. Imam Mohammed Elahi of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights and Imam Mustapha Elturk of the Islamic Organization of North America, a Warren mosque, speak to journalists on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in front of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. They are co-chairs of the Imams Council of Michigan which released a statement Nov. 20 on controversial protests held in Dearborn on Nov. 18, 2025. "On Tuesday, a group of right wing extremists claiming to fight against sharia law in Dearborn descended upon this great, diverse American city, with some of them in military style, here ready for a war that exists only within ... their narrow minds," Baydoun said. "They walked past a nativity scene on Michigan Avenue, which has been part of Dearborn's Christmas traditions for decades. They walked by ... one of Dearborn's two gentlemen's club to protest a law that does not exist." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baydoun also noted the contributions of Arab Americans, who have been part of the city's history for several generations, stretching back 100 years, noting their military service and contributions in medicine and law enforcement. "Dearborn produces talents, not extremists," Baydoun said. The recent tensions started on Sept. 9 after Hammoud's outburst against Ted Barham, a Protestant minister. Hammoud then sought to clarify his views, saying two weeks later that Dearborn is welcome to all. There have also been tensions recently over the outdoors broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer that started in 2023 at the Islamic Institute of Knowledge and has been playing at some other mosques. Forty residents are asking the city to lower the volume. Anthony Hudson, of Grand Blanc, a Republican candidate for governor, then called for a rally in Dearborn on Nov. 18 to stop sharia and protect the rights of Christians. But after spending four days in Dearborn and visiting mosques, his views changed. He still rallied on Nov. 18, but with a more respectful tone. But some of his followers defected to another group of right-wing activists led by Jake Lang, of Florida, who was pardoned by President Donald Trump of charges stemming from the Jan. 6 riots at the nation's Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lang spewed hateful remarks about Muslims, minorities and immigrants during his Nov. 18 rally, and at a council meeting that night, describing America as a land only meant for white Christians. About 55% of Dearborn's residents are of Arab descent, the highest percentage of Arab Americans among all cities in the U.S. Lang and other right-wing influencers have accused Hammoud, who is Muslim, and Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin, the first Muslim police chief in Dearborn history, of not tolerating the freedom of speech rights of anti-Muslim activists. But under Hammoud's administration, the city has not restricted anti-Islam speech and Quran-burnings. Last year, Dearborn police allowed a woman from Oregon to burn a Quran in front of a mosque in the city. Under the previous administration, when the mayor and police chief were Christian, the city often cracked down on conservative Christians who were anti-Muslim, resulting in lawsuits and legal settlements. On Nov. 18, Dearborn police did not block Lang or intervene when he tried to burn and desecrate the Quran. Some right-wing influencers and journalists who covered Tuesday's protests allege they were attacked during the rallies. But Dearborn police said constitutional rights were protected. On Tuesday, "officers made three arrests from different groups after observing disorderly behavior throughout the evening," Cpl. Dan Bartok told the Free Press in a statement. Bartok did not say who was arrested or what specific crimes they may have committed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the two rallies held by conservatives, there was a rally led by liberal groups in support of Muslims. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud speaks on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in front of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn. He's joined by other elected officials and religious leaders three days after contentious protests in the city and an intense mayoral race that he won earlier in the month. "On Tuesday, November 18, demonstrators from several organized groups converged in the area of Michigan Ave and Schaefer Rd," Bartok said in a statement. "Although splintering of the groups was unplanned, officers responded quickly and managed the situation effectively while safeguarding participants, residents, motorists, property, and everyones constitutional rights." Shahin said of his police department: I am proud of the disciplined and measured response our officers demonstrated during the Nov. 18 demonstrations. Their actions reflected our departments core values and our dedication to safeguarding everyone in our city." Bartok urged residents not to engage with protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We urge the community to never directly engage with such demonstrations to ensure safety of all involved," he said. After Tuesday's protests, several Democratic politicians in Michigan, including U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, put out statements condemning the right-wing protests. In previous years when anti-Islam activists came to Dearborn, interfaith rallies and statements were put out before the event, but this time, there wasn't any gathering until afterwards. Community advocates note that another example of Dearborn's respect for Christians was seen Thursday evening during the annual Christmas tree lighting that featured a visit by Santa and reindeer. Under the previous mayor, the late John O'Reilly Jr., who was Catholic, there were complaints from residents about a smaller tree and reduced festivities. After Hammoud was elected, the city reinvigorated the tree ceremony by bringing in a much larger tree and an expanded event. "We will build bridges," Hammoud said Friday. "That is the best of our tradition and our promise. And as mayor, I will defend that promise with everything I have. ... Dearborn's future will not be written by outsiders with torches of fear. It will be written by the people of this city, by all of us, standing here collectively, working together, living together and moving forward together." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lang said on social media he now plans to hold a similar anti-Islam rally at a planned Muslim development in Texas called EPIC City. Also this past week, the Imams Council of Michigan released a statement asking people "to seek knowledge rather than accept politically motivated narratives rooted in fear." The council's two co-chairs, Imam Mohammed Elahi of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights and Imam Mustapha Elturk of the Islamic Organization of North America, a Warren mosque, attended Friday's event with Hammoud. "Some people with political ambitions are brainwashing the public, exploiting ignorance about Islam for their own interests," Elahi said. "They are dangerous to the safety and security of our communities." Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says city belongs to everyone When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A bright, neon-like aurora radiates above Earth, seemingly absorbing Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) as it soars past the planet at a distance of about 57.2 million miles (92.1 million kilometers) in October 2025. | Credit: NASA Astronauts orbiting Earth recently photographed not one but two comets while an aurora show danced below them. The International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 73 crew took several pictures of comets Lemmon (C/2025 A6) and SWAN (C/2025 R2) in recent weeks that were just posted to NASA 's website and social media pages after the end of the long government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Comets Lemmon and SWAN soar millions of miles away from Earth , beaming with auroras and airglow, in these celestial images from the orbital outpost captured in October," NASA officials wrote on the ISS X feed on Wednesday (Nov. 18). Comets are small bodies made of ice and dust; when they approach our sun , radiation pressure and heat give them spectacular tails. Auroras are light shows that happen when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere and magnetic field, while airglow is luminescence caused by chemical reactions high in the atmosphere. NASA didn't say who on the crew took the photos, but they look very similar to images taken by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Kimiya Yui. Yui, unlike the NASA crew, was able to keep posting on social media channel X during the shutdown. (The NASA astronauts were allowed to perform only essential duties during the shutdown, such as ISS science and maintenance.) Yui provided descriptions of his photos as well. "You can distinguish between the two types of tails: ion and dust," Yui wrote (in Japanese; translation by xAI's Grok tool) on Oct. 20 of a Lemmon image with the comet backdropped by a starry, bluish-purple sky. (NASA posted a similar image from that same day on its website.) Comet Swan (C/2025 R2) appears above Earths yellow-green airglow just before an orbital sunrise, at a distance of about 27.2 million miles (43.8 million kilometers) from the planet. | Credit: NASA More images came quickly. "After a busy day comes to an end, I've been continuing to take photos to soothe my fatigue. Lately, my source of healing has been Lemmon-chan, I suppose?" Yui posted on X with a series of images on Oct. 22. "I find myself thinking things like, 'What kind of expression will you show me today, I wonder?' and heading toward the window, and that moment feels as enjoyable as heading out on a date." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yui sent out another image series on Oct. 21 , noting changes in Lemmon's brightness and tail as well as changes in Earth's atmosphere. Both the Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 photo sets on Yui's feed are similar to an Oct. 23 image on NASA's website. Then, on Oct. 24 , Yui found Lemmon appearing to melt into a spectacular aurora of green and yellow light, which looks like an entry on NASA's image website. Lemmon was 57.2 million miles (92.1 million kilometers) from Earth and the ISS was above Fargo, North Dakota when the image was taken. "It was just like a mermaid swimming through a sea of auroras," Yui said of Lemmon. He added the show was "too magnificent" to use the familiar "chan" honorific when referring to Lemmon, so he chose to adopt the more formal "Lemmon-san." Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6) is pictured about 57.6 million miles (91.3 million kilometers) away from Earth in this long-exposure photograph taken from the International Space Station. | Credit: NASA That same day, Yui pivoted his attention to what NASA identifies as Comet SWAN, which was about 27.2 million miles (43.8 million km) from Earth at the time. "As the comet approaches the sun, the opportunities to photograph it from the ISS have become very short," Yui noted of the image, which shows SWAN floating above green and yellow bands of airglow off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's rare to have two bright comets visible in the sky at roughly the same time, and especially rare for them to peak in brightness so close to each other: Lemmon and SWAN both were at their brightest around Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) has received a $1 million donation from the Michael Ward and Jennifer Glock Foundation to fund student scholarships. The generous gift will support the I Choose FSCJ Workforce Scholarship Fund and establish the Michael Ward and Jennifer Glock Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund, aimed at assisting students in critical academic programs such as healthcare, IT, logistics, and more. Jennifer and I have always valued the role FSCJ plays in the educational landscape and workforce preparation initiatives of our community, said Michael Ward, retired Chairman and CEO of CSX. We wanted to do our part to secure the Colleges future through a scholarship gift with the intent of helping even more students achieve their goals, earn a diploma, join the workforce and build a stronger tomorrow. I hope many others will join us in this effort." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scholarships will prioritize students completing their final 15 credit hours, helping them graduate and enter the workforce. FSCJ President John Avendano expressed gratitude for the donation, highlighting its impact on supporting students and addressing workforce shortages in the community. The FSCJ Foundation, which aims to remove barriers to education, supports nearly 1,000 students annually with financial assistance. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Flagler County Sheriffs Office is examining a series of suspicious events linked to an unknown male suspect in Palm Coast. Social media buzz has given the odd-fitting moniker of the Midnight Stalker Residents have reported that the suspect has been approaching their homes overnight, leaving items such as a piece of wood or a dollar bill at their front doors. The suspect appears in home security footage wearing a dark blue ESSENTIALS hoodie, matching sweatpants, and a black mask. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although these incidents are unusual, there is no current threat to public safety. Detectives are currently working to identify the suspect involved in these incidents. Residents are advised to contact the non-emergency number at 386-313-4911 if they find any items left by the suspect. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. An 18-year-old Milwaukee man who led police on a chase on Interstate 43 that ended in an officer shooting him and another teen was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Nov. 21. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Jorge Fragoso sentenced Calveyon Jeans for his role in stealing a vehicle and driving it away from police while multiple passengers, including his pregnant girlfriend, were inside it during a June 2024 chase. The chase ended on I-43 when police shot Jeans, then 17, and his girlfriend Ashley Patterson. The injuries ended her pregnancy of six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police previously released footage of the incident that showed Jeans reversing the stolen vehicle into a police vehicle and, afterward, toward an officer. An officer then fired gunshots into the vehicle, striking Jeans and Patterson, who had life-threatening injuries. Police recovered a weapon inside the stolen vehicle, which was determined to be a Waukesha County sheriff deputy's stolen firearm from months prior, according to prosecutors. Jeans admitted to police he, Dean and another teenager stole the weapon. Jeans pleaded guilty to the five felonies in June, according to online court records. Four other felonies were dismissed as part of his plea deal but read in at trial for sentencing purposes. As part of his sentencing, Jeans will receive 518 days credit served, meaning he will spend about eight and a half years imprisoned. His sentence includes five years of extended supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four other people were inside the vehicle, in addition to Jeans and Patterson, and ranged in age from 15 to 18. Two passengers were unnamed in adult court records and identified as unnamed juveniles by prosecutors in public charging documents. In Wisconsin, everyone aged 17 years and older automatically is charged in adult court. Charges were dropped against Patterson in February, according to online court records. Prosecutors charged two other passengers, Semira Dean, 19, and Tyrone Rogers, 18. Two took plea deals in their cases as well. They received prison sentences and extended supervision. The shooting was scrutinized by the parents of Jeans and Milwaukee activists, who questioned whether the use of force was justified. A police use-of-force expert previously told the Journal Sentinel it appeared lawful and in line with department policy, due to the teenager reversing the stolen car at an officer and into a police vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee teen sentenced in carjacking, chase that ended in police shooting Sarah Matthews, an ex-White House aide to Donald Trump, took on the current administrations gaslighting on Friday after the president boosted a social media post calling for the execution of Democrats in Congress. [Its] mind-boggling but not surprising, said Matthews in an appearance on MS NOW. Politics: Mike Johnson Dances Around Trump's Call To Execute Democrats In addition to Trump sharing a Truth Social users call to HANG THEM in response to Democratic veterans urging military members to refuse unlawful orders, he declared that SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR was punishable by DEATH in another post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthews a White House deputy press secretary in Trumps first term who resigned after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol said its absolutely insane that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and other Trump officials are defending the post. If this was any other president, we would be having conversations about the 25th Amendment if they were calling for the opposing party members of the opposing party, to be hanged, Matthews said. She countered Leavitt for claiming that the Democrats could incite violence due to their video. Politics: Trump White House Hit With Highly Embarrassing Community Note: However To me, it looks like the president is the one very clearly inciting violence here, Matthews said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also pointed to politicians and others talking about a need to tone down the rhetoric in the aftermath of Charlie Kirks assassination. But instead the president is the one who keeps continuing to just ratchet it up, she said. Matthews added that its really shameful that Republicans are sane-washing Trumps posts instead of very clearly condemning them as all lawmakers should. Politics: Karoline Leavitt Doesn't Think Trump's Death Threats To Democrats Are A Big Deal It really does speak to how we are so divided as a country and how Trump has just normalized this type of rhetoric and desensitized us as Americans that this is acceptable because its not, she continued. Check out more of MS NOWs segment on Trumps posts below. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Neighbors in the quiet Marple Woods condominium complex had no idea of the horrors that were allegedly taking place in this home for the past several days. "I wish I had seen the little girl. I would've helped her," a woman who wanted to remain anonymous told Action News. Instead, this neighbor found out when the 14-year-old victim led her family back to the house where she says 38-year-old Davonte Lawler-Stinney held her against her will, and sexually assaulted her for three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She said, 'Mommy, this is the house,'" the neighbor recalled. The girl was originally reported missing by her family after she ran away from their home in Philadelphia on Sunday. She told detectives that on Tuesday, she was picked up at a Sunoco in Chester by an unknown male and taken back to his home in Marple Township. On Thursday, her family somehow found her back in Chester. Marple Township police couldn't say whether or how she escaped the condo, where she was allegedly being held. Police Chief Brandon Graeff said it's also still unclear how she ended up in the suspect's car to begin with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Details are a little sketchy as far as everything that kind of led up to her ending up here in Marple and with the suspect," Chief Graeff told Action News. Lawler-Stinney faces a long list of charges, including rape, strangulation, terroristic threats and unlawful restraint of a minor. The victim told detectives she was raped five to six times, and the suspect threatened to shoot and kill her. "I mean, it's horrifying. I have kids and for something like that to happen, it's just a terrible tragedy," Andre Petroski, who was dropping his children off at a relative's in the neighborhood." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was already a registered sex offender and had just recently been released from jail for a 2020 sex assault. "This is scary. We have young kids around here. So I'm glad we found out tonight," resident Dolores Kent said. "I would say to the folks here in Marple, this guy is right now in our custody and God willing he'll be out at the jail for a long, long time if these things are proven true," Chief Graeff said. Lawler-Stinney was arraigned Friday afternoon, and District Judge Wendy Roberts set bail at $150,000 -- an amount many residents in that condo complex felt was far too low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's also $100,000 less than the bail set by the same judge for another sexual assault back in 2020. In that case, he was arrested for one charge - Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI) by forcible compulsion. "Yeah, I feel like that's been a theme with the bails, especially of violent offenders. It's a shame. Hopefully, things start to change politically at least," Petroski said. As of Friday, he has not been able to post bail. Women named Congalie are typically characterized by remarkable consistency and reliability in all aspects of life. They possess an inner steadiness that makes them natural anchors in relationships and communities, often serving as the calm center during storms of change or crisis. This fundamental constancy manifests as loyalty in friendships, dedication in work, and perseverance through challenges that might overwhelm others. Beyond their steadfast nature, Congalies often demonstrate deep emotional intelligence and practical wisdom. They tend to be observant and thoughtful, preferring to act with careful consideration rather than impulsive reaction. Their strength lies not in dramatic displays but in quiet endurance and the ability to maintain course through adversity. While sometimes perceived as reserved, those who know them well appreciate their dry wit, subtle humor, and the profound depth of their commitments to people and principles they value. BEAVER DAM, Wis. (WFRV) Officials have issued a Missing Endangered Person Alert for a 42-year-old Wisconsin woman who reportedly last had contact with family in May 2025. Driver in Calumet County caught driving 100+ mph in a 55 mph zone According to the alert, Alexis Lindsey Nelson, a 5-foot-1 white woman last known to weigh approximately 125 pounds, is missing from Beaver Dam. She was last seen with pink and blue hair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson was last seen in May 2025, as officials say her family last had contact with her then, and there is growing concern for her safety and well-being. According to the release, she has ties to the counties of Dodge and Rock; however, no vehicle was reportedly associated with her. The alert is effective for the following counties: Fond du Lac County Green Lake County Walworth County Washington County Waukesha County Wisconsin DOJ release identities of Marinette County officer involved death Anybody with information is urged to contact the Beaver Dam Police Department at (920) 356-2552. Local 5 will provide updates as needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. A Missouri City business owner said missing merchandise on Saturday caused her to take a closer look at her surveillance video. Dr. Imrana Momin, optometrist and owner of Optiqueye, said when she played back the tapes, she noticed a man stealing from her shop. "Those four pairs were over $3,500," Momin said. Momin told ABC13 it only took the sunglass stealer 15 minutes to swipe them. "All my hard work was taken, I worked all day that day, and the amount that he stole was as much as we made that day," Momin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said it wasn't until the end of a busy day, meeting with patients, that they noticed merchandise was missing. "Finally, I was sitting down to drink my water and I heard my staff go we're missing a Cartier and I was like no, everybody was here today with my previous patient, they're here somewhere and then one goes we're missing two Dita's and that's when I knew things were gone, they were gone forsure," Momin said. Momin said she quickly filed a report with the Missouri City Police Department, but it was when she posted on social media in an optometrist group that she learned she wasn't alone. "I posted on there and then other doctors started commenting like oh yea he did that to my office too and one of the offices that he hit, I used to work for them as a front desk when I was in college so I reached out to that doctor and she's like yea he took two frames from me and then she told me about how he was hitting another antique shop right next to her office and he's been doing it," Momin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she waits for detectives to continue their investigation, Momin said they will continue to ensure all customers and patients present ID so this doesn't happen again. "We let our guards down," Momin said. ABC13 reached out to the Missouri City PD about the investigation but has not yet heard back. Meanwhile, another business owner sent ABC13 surveillance photos of the same suspect at their eyeglass shop. For news updates, follow Brianna Willis on Facebook, x and Instagram. The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park, Feb. 2, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. Missouri will try to seize assets owned by China to collect a $24 billion default judgment in its case accusing the Asian nation of lying to the world about the COVID-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said. U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh entered the verdict in March after China did not defend itself in the lawsuit. Speaking to reporters at her office Wednesday, Hanaway said she is working to compile a list of properties and other assets owned by government agencies named in the lawsuit. Its been a long process for us to be able to enforce that judgment, but now well enforce that judgment, much like any other judgment in this area, Hanaway said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state will not try to take assets from companies owned by Chinese citizens or businesses, she said. That would put the Smithfield Hog Production operation in north Missouri, previously known as Premium Standard Farms, off-limits. The farm is owned by China-based WH Group and is one of the most valuable Chinese-owned assets in the state. We cant go after Chinese individuals or companies necessarily, Hanaway said. I might be proven wrong over time, but my belief is that weve got to go after those assets actually owned by China. In his ruling, Limbaugh wrote that China concealed the true nature of COVID-19 so it could stockpile protective gear that could limit spread of the virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinas pattern of actions strongly suggests that it had knowledge of the existence and human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus as early as September 2019, Limbaugh wrote. Chinas actions also suggest that China engaged in a deliberate campaign to suppress information about the COVID-19 pandemic in order to support its campaign to hoard PPE from Missouri and an unsuspecting world. Limbaugh found that Missouri lost tax revenue due to the pandemic and will experience a long-term loss of revenue as well, accepting the $8.04 billion estimate for the period 2020 to 2051. He added the states increased cost for protective gear, estimated at $123 million, due to the hoarding and tripled the amount to set the final judgment. The judgment is against the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, several national agencies, provincial and local governments around Wuhan and the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The first step toward collecting any part of the judgment will be getting a copy of the judgment, translated into Mandarin, and other documentation to the State Department via the federal court clerk, Hanaway said in a news release Wednesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the defendants are served, she said, the state will be back in court to identify assets it wants to seize. The case was first filed by Eric Schmitt, who is now a U.S. Senator, and continued by Andrew Bailey, now co-deputy director of the FBI. Hanaway was appointed attorney general in September. The Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., issued a harsh statement about the judgment and Hanaways actions to collect. The steps China took to limit the spread of infection and provide for its people are acts of national sovereignty and are not subject to the jurisdiction of US courts, spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China will not pay and will retaliate if necessary, Pengyu said, to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in response to the so-called lawsuits and judgments from the US. 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Initial reports undercounted the number of students and staff kidnapped by Nigerian gunmen from the St. Mary's School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria. The Christian Association of Nigeria's revised number is now is 303 students and 12 staff members, for a total of 315 kidnapped on Friday. The revised number was obtained after local officials conducted a census count to determine who was missing, Most. Rev. Bulus DauwaYohanna, CAN's Niger State chapter chairman, announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students taken were male and female and between ages 10 and 18. School officials initially reported 215 students and staff had been taken, but 88 more were taken while trying to escape, Yohanna's spokesman, Danial Atori, told CNN on Saturday. Intelligence reports warned of a potential attack and, although local authorities said school officials were ordered to close all boarding facilities at the school, the order was ignored, the BBC reported. Several state- and federally run schools in northern Nigeria closed after learning of Friday's attack to prevent further abductions. Local police said security agencies are "combing the forests with a view to rescue the abducted students," the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The families of those abducted can only wait and hope. "I just want them to come home," the aunt of two kidnapped girls, ages 6 and 13, told the BBC. The father of daughters who attend the school but were not among those taken said the attack has affected everyone. "Everybody is weak," Dominic Adamu said. "It took everybody by surprise." The number abducted surpasses the 276 who were abducted from Chibok in 2014, and the new number represents about half the students who attended the Catholic school in Papiri. Papiri, a community in the Nigerian city of Lagos, said the revised number of students kidnapped makes the attack one of the worst in country's history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack was the third this week in Nigeria in which people were abducted. Gunmen also attacked a government-run boarding school in Kebbi State and kidnapped 25 female students on Monday. Gunmen also attacked a church in Kwara State, killed two people and abducted 38 others. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Expedition 73 flight engineer Kimiya Yui, a JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut, captured this view of Mount Fuji in Japan from aboard the International Space Station on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. | Credit: JAXA/Kimiya Yui From measuring one's mass to boosting the almost 1 million pounds (454,000 kilograms) that comprise the entire orbiting complex, the Expedition 73 crew aboard the International Space Station had a busy week in Earth orbit. Orbital observation It's a morning ritual for millions, but isn't so straightforward without the benefit of the pull of gravity . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In space, were weightless, but not massless. So how do we measure our mass?" NASA astronaut Johnny Kim, a flight engineer on the space station's Expedition 73 crew, wrote in a social media post on Thursday (Nov. 20). In short, it takes specialized equipment like Russia's Body Mass Measurement Device. They all, however, rely on Newtons Second Law: F = ma. "Apply a known force, measure the resulting acceleration, and you can calculate mass from the relationship between the two," Kim wrote. Expedition 73 flight engineer Jonny Kim of NASA calculates his mass using Russia's Body Mass Measurement Device aboard the International Space Station. | Credit: NASA/Jonny Kim Science status Among the research that was conducted by the Expedition 73 crew aboard the space station this week was: DROPLET Flight engineer Mike Fincke of NASA continued an experiment observing how particles attach to liquid droplets and rearrange in the weightlessness of space by installing samples inside a fluorescence microscope to be observed by scientists on Earth . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultrasound 3 Zena Cardman, Fincke's fellow NASA flight engineer, checked out the operations of the new scanning device, which can be used for crew heart and vein scans, as well as internal imaging of bones, organs and tissues. Station keeping The Expedition 73 crew also devoted time to maintaining the space station's systems, including: Progress MS-32 (93P) On Wednesday (Nov. 19), the Russian cargo capsule fired its engine for 14 minutes and 7 seconds while still docked to the aft port of the Zvezda service module, raising the altitude of the space station by 1 mile at apogee and 2.3 miles at perigee (1.6 and 3.7 kilometers), leaving the complex in a higher orbit for the upcoming arrival of a new crew on a Soyuz spacecraft. Crew Alternate Sleep Accommodation Flight engineer Jonny Kim set up a temporary sleep station for one of the three arriving Soyuz MS-28 crew members in the Columbus laboratory module. The Soyuz crew will briefly increase the station's residency to 10 members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spacesuit stowage Flight engineer Zena Cardman photo-documented and prepared for packing components from the station's extravehicular mobility units (EMUs, or spacesuits ) that are slated to return to Earth on Russia's Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft. Astronaut activity Expedition 73 flight engineer Mike Fincke, a NASA astronaut, works to configure a microgravity science glovebox aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. | Credit: NASA "Gloves on, science flowing. Starting a new campaign for Stellar Stem Cells-2 inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox where tiny cells teach us big things," wrote NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, an Expedition 73 flight engineer, in a Nov. 19, 2025 social media post from the ISS. The Stellar Stem Cells Mission-2 study explores how microgravity affects stem cells becoming cardiac and brain cells. Growing such cells on Earth is not as efficient on the ground, but doing so in space helps scientists learn more about how to produce them for regenerative medicine both on Earth and for future spaceflights. By the numbers As of Friday (Nov. 21), there are 7 people aboard the International Space Station: Expedition 73 commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Oleg Platonov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos ; NASA astronauts Zena Cardman,Mike Fincke and Jonny Kim of NASA and JAXA (the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, all flight engineers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two docked crew spacecraft: SpaceX 's Dragon "Endeavour" attached to the space-facing port of the Harmony module and Roscosmos' Soyuz MS-27 attached to the Earth-facing port of the Prichal node. There are four docked cargo spacecraft: Roscosmos' Progress MS-31 (92P) docked to the space-facing port of the Poisk module, Progress MS-32 (93P) attached to the aft port of the Zvezda service module, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL, the S.S. William C. "Willie" McCool, attached to the Earth-facing common berthing mechanism (CBM) on the Unity node and Japan's HTV-X1 attached to the Earth-facing CBM on the Harmony node. As of Friday, the space station has been continuously crewed for 25 years and 19 days. Nashville International Airport maintained its streak of record-breaking growth this month, despite headwinds like the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, intensifying air traffic controller shortages and rising unease about flying. In fact, October 2025 was BNA's busiest month in its 88-year history, according to airport data. More people traveled through Nashville airport in October than ever before in a single month nearly 2.6 million passengers in total. That's a significant jump from the 2.3 million passengers that flew through Nashville last October. In September 2025, 2.2 million passengers were recorded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "13,800 commercial flights coming in and out of Nashville during a shutdown. It's amazing," Metro Nashville Airport Authority President Doug Kreulen said. "The real story is there's 8,000 new people a day flying out of BNA. Where did those 7,900 come from? It's the surrounding communities and states that are all coming to the center part of Tennessee to get where they're going." Travelers maneuver through the queues to check in on the first day the mandatory REAL ID took effect at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The REAL ID is a necessity for boarding domestic flights as well as accessing certain federal facilities. Not having the ID won't make it impossible to fly, but it will slow down a traveller's check-in time at airports around the country. The government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 placed immense stress on air traffic controllers nationwide who were called to work without paychecks. The Federal Aviation Administration said this resulted in a significant number of controllers not showing up to work, and in turn, it triggered thousands of flight cuts, delays and cancellations. Every major airport in the U.S felt the impact, including Nashville where the control tower was already 11 people short of FAA targets. Even so, the airport reported about 8,000 more passengers traveling in and out of Nashville per day during this time compared to last year. In addition to concerted expansion efforts, airport leadership also credits the increase to fall break travel. It's predictably BNA's busiest time of the year, and Nashville is attracting a rising number of out-of-city and out-of-state travelers to BNA. Nashville airport has seen consistent growth across the board since 2020. Projections don't show it slowing down any time soon as airport leadership continues its trek toward a second terminal over the next few decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's pretty remarkable to watch," Kreulen said. Other records the airport set this fall: Millions in sales Nashvilles airport also saw a record number of concessions sales in October, which could have been impacted by the increase in daily flight delays. Travelers spent more than $22.3 million across all BNA restaurants, bars and shops in the month of October, which equates to 17.7% growth from sales in October 2024. On average, passengers spent $16.60 per person on airport concessions. So far, Nashville travelers have spent over $79 million on airport concessions this year. BNA's third record set in October was in fuel sales, a less public-facing sector of airport business. It sold 1.15 million gallons of fuel last month, up 2.5% from the year prior. Will air traffic controller shortage continue to impact Nashville travelers? Up to 25% of Nashville's daily flight schedule was hit with delays and cancellations throughout the government shutdown and the FAA's required air traffic reductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of daily delays and cancellations is down from that height, but still greater than usual. Through the week of Nov. 17, BNA saw an average of 75 daily delays and 4 daily cancellations. While airlines say they expect some upped delays and cancellations to continue through the end of November, aviation experts fear widespread staffing shortages could continue even longer. An aircraft climbs increasing in altitude after taking off from Nashville International Airport at sunset Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 in Nolensville, Tenn. "There's not been significant net growth in controller numbers. In fact, the controller workforce today is smaller than 10 years ago," transportation policy expert Bob Pool said. "It's an ongoing problem that we have really not fixed." The FAA has made moves to up recruiting efforts and announced on Nov. 20 that it plans to overhaul the flight data system that controllers use. Poole is uncertain about what outcome to expect from those efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a little early to tell," Poole said. "There's more people in training, more people graduating the academy, but with the high washout rate and the on-the-job training at air traffic control facilities increasing in recent years, all those effects that get people into the pipeline are not leading to more certified controllers." Hadley Hitson covers business news for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville airport grows passenger numbers amid fed shutdown Dana Nicole Timmons was arrested on November 20 by the Nassau County Sheriffs Office and charged with first-degree arson. Deputies say she set fire to curtains and other items on the front porch of a home in Nassau County, Florida. Fire rescue crews showed up to find smoke coming from the house. The flames had already been put out with a fire extinguisher. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said Timmons was found sitting on a neighbors porch. She cooperated with deputies and allowed herself to be handcuffed. A neighbor told authorities that Timmons said she wanted to burn the house down, but Kinnard wouldnt answer more questions from investigators. One victim told deputies that after a heated argument, Timmons set the curtains on fire and then went outside to burn more belongings. Another victim said Timmons damaged a washer and dryer set worth $2,500 and wanted to press charges. She agreed to talk to deputies after being read her rights. Investigators collected the lighter used in the fire as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timmons is facing serious charges as the investigation continues. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. North Carolina has settled a lawsuit with a second large corporate landlord it accused of using artificial intelligence software to collude and sidestep market competition and illegally set rents. Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced Thursday that his office, along with attorneys general in eight other states, had reached a $7 million settlement with Greystar Management LLC, North Carolinas largest landlord, which has more than 25,000 units across the state. Greystar owns Madison at Adams Farm apartments in southwest Greensboro and Rosemary Glen in Whitsett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson sued Greystar and five other landlords in January, accusing them of illegally working together and using AI software created by Texas-based software company RealPage to raise North Carolinians rents. The case expanded a previous antitrust lawsuit filed in August 2024 accusing RealPage of an unlawful information-sharing scheme. In April, Jackson announced a settlement with Atlanta-based private-equity Cortland Management, which manages over 5,000 units across dozens of apartment communities across the state. As part of the settlement, Greystar will stop using non-public data from other landlords, either through RealPages software or by other means, to set rents, Jackson's office said. This settlement means that more than 25,000 renters in North Carolina are going to be charged fairer prices for rent at a time when housing costs are overwhelming, Jackson said. Companies cant use new technology, like AI, to break the law and hurt customers. If they try, well take them to court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the settlement, Greystar also will stop using third-party software or algorithms to price apartments unless it does so under the supervision of a court-appointed monitor, and attending or participating in RealPage-hosted meetings of competing landlords. The Attorney General's Office will be able to participate in inspections to ensure Greystar is in compliance with the settlement, Jackson's office said. The case against the other four landlords Blackstones LivCor, Camden Property Trust, Cushman & Wakefield, Pinnacle Property Management Services and Willow Bridge Property and RealPage continues. Cushman & Wakefield owns 600 Station Square in Greensboro. Hundreds of North Carolina State University students organized outside the belltower to demonstrate immigration enforcement operations before marching down Hillsborough Street. The effort was organized by the Gamma Sigma chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity. Latino students said they don't feel safe walking on campus. "A lot of us use means of transportation, such as skateboards, bikes, scooters and stuff like that. We're exposed to traffic all the time. We're always watching our backs. I'm watching my back, making sure I'm not going to get tackled by an ICE agent who thinks I'm an undocumented person," said David Suarez, who is president of Lambda Theta Phi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal agents launched immigration enforcement operations across the state and called it Charlotte's Web. The Department of Homeland Security said this surge in law enforcement is to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. These efforts are impacting students personally. "I had a family member get arrested and thrown to the ground in a shopping center in Charlotte when everything first started going on. They are a family friend, and it sucks. What can you do to tell them it's going to be okay when it's not going to be okay," questioned Suarez. The DHS said this operation in North Carolina won't be over anytime soon. Students are already planning their next demonstration. SEE ALSO | Wakefield High School students hold walkout to protest federal immigration crackdown SEE ALSO | NC woman held in Georgia to await hearing after detained while at work in Raleigh Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The Christian Association of Nigeria said 215 Catholic school students in Central Nigeria were kidnapped on Friday by a group of armed men. The attackers also kidnapped a dozen teachers from the religious school in the north-central Niger State, CNN reported. Many students managed to escape, and their parents began picking them up before the school closed, Niger State CAN Chapter leader Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna told media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CAN officials are working with the government and its security agencies to safely return the abducted children and teachers, a CAN spokesman said. It's the second mass abduction of school students this week in the West African coastal nation. According to police, the pupils were taken when armed "bandits" stormed the St. Mary's School in Papiri and forced students out of their hostel sleeping space. Boarding schools already were closed by state authorities in a large part of the country due to concern over rising security threats following a renewed string of attacks by militant groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred after more than 20 Muslim schoolgirls were kidnapped Monday from a different boarding school in the neighboring Kebbi state. But officials said St. Mary's, in Nigeria's largest state of Niger, defied the order to close despite intelligence warnings by the Nigerian government. "Regrettably, St. Mary's School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities," they told the BBC in a statement. "Without notifying or seeking clearance from the state government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk," Nigerian officials stated. The mass kidnappings came on top of U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to issue strikes against Islamic extremists in Nigeria, such as ISWAP and Boko Haram, which are currently engaged in ongoing armed conflicts for control of sovereign territory with various militarized groups, described as "bandits," across the West African country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boko Haram is designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. On Wednesday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said he was "fully apprised" of the "recent uptick in violent extremism in pockets across the country." "And I have directed our security agencies to respond with urgency, clarity, and decisive action. Our forces need the full cooperation of every community. Sharing information can save lives and protect our children," Tinubu posted on social media. Tinubu said that Nigeria was canceling plans to participate in the looming G20 and AU-EU summits in South Africa and Angola, respectively. Cultural & Historical Significance Croydon originated as a place name in South London, England, derived from the Anglo-Saxon 'Crogdene' or 'Crogden', meaning 'valley of the crocuses' or 'saffron valley'. This reflects the area's historical significance in medieval England as a market town and religious center. The name gained prominence as a surname when people began adopting locational surnames during the 12th-14th centuries, typically indicating someone who came from Croydon. As a Christian name, it represents the tradition of using geographical and occupational surnames as given names, particularly in English-speaking Christian communities where such names symbolize connection to place and heritage. The name carries echoes of English history, from its medieval origins through its development as a significant suburban center, embodying both rural roots and urban progression. In Christian naming traditions, Croydon fits within the pattern of using meaningful place names that reflect God's creation and human settlement within it. The name's connection to saffron cultivation carries subtle biblical resonance, as spices and valuable commodities often appear in scripture as symbols of worth, sacrifice, and divine blessing. As a modern given name, it continues the Christian practice of selecting names with positive connotations and historical depth, while allowing for individual identity formation within faith communities that value both tradition and personal meaning. Florida has executed a death row inmate for the "brutal and prolonged" rape and murder of a beloved convenience store manager who interrupted him during a robbery nearly 40 years ago. Richard Barry Randolph, 63, was executed by lethal injection on Thursday, Nov. 20, for the 1988 murder of Minnie Ruth McCollum in the small Florida town of East Palatka. He was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. ET. Randolph became the 17th inmate executed in Florida this year a record and the 44th in the nation, a number that hasn't been seen since 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired prosecutor John Tanner, who tried Randolph back in 1989, told USA TODAY that the case stands out among the many he handled because of the prolonged brutality experienced by McCollum. "She knew he was going to kill her," Tanner said this week. "He was totally off the rails and so vicious, there was no humanity left in him." Here's what you need to know about the execution. Richard Barry Randolph is pictured. What was Richard Barry Randolph's last meal and words Randolph's last meal was a cheeseburger, fries and ice cream. He declined to say any last words. What was Richard Barry Randolph convicted of? On Aug. 15, 1988, 27-year-old Richard Barry Randolph went to break into the safe at the Handy Way convenience where he used to work in East Palatka, Florida, about 40 miles east of Gainesville. But his former coworker, 62-year-old Minnie Ruth McCollum, walked in on him, court records say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's when Randolph attacked. He hit McCollum in the head with his fists, kicked her, choked her and stabbed her with a knife all while taking breaks to continue trying to get in the safe, according to court records. Randolph then raped McCollum and left her for dead, prosecutors said. McCollum held on for six days before she succumbed to her wounds in the hospital. Though he couldn't access the safe, Randolph fled the store with stolen lottery tickets and McCollum's car. He was later convicted of first-degree murder, sexual battery, armed robbery, and grand-theft auto, and was sentenced to death. "His statements reflect the fact that she was much tougher than he thought and that he had to repeat the beatings and/or strangulations," Seventh Circuit Judge Robert Perry said at Randolph's sentencing. "From her repeated screams during the beatings, strangulation, and stabbing in the throat it is clear that the victim agonized over her injuries and impending death." Who was Minnie McCollum? USA TODAY was unable to identify whether McCollum has any surviving family members and the Florida Attorney General's Office did not respond to a request to reach out to them to help tell her story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanner remembered that McCollum seemed particularly loved in East Palatka, especially among the customers at the Handy Way. "She was kind of a public figure. When you work in a small convenience store in Palatka, everyone gets to know everyone," he said. "They thought the world of her. We had people call in and say that she was just a wonderful person and that they hope we have him pay the penalty for what he's done." Archived news reports have spelled her last name as McCollum, McCullum and McCullom. The attorney general's office did not respond to USA TODAY's repeated efforts to confirm her correct name spelling. FamilySearch, a well-respected genealogy site run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lists her name as Minnie Ruth McCullum and describes her as a mother of one son who had been married to her husband for 47 years. Both her son and husband are listed as deceased. Who is Richard Barry Randolph? Randolph's trial attorneys argued that he didn't deserve the death penalty for a number of reasons: he was adopted and never had a loving relationship with his mother, he had an anti-social disorder, and he was under the influence of crack cocaine when he killed McCollum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Perry dismissed those arguments, saying that he was loved by both his adoptive parents, that his personality disorder had no bearing on the crime and that the assertion that he was high on crack was "self-serving." The judge wrote that Randolph "found it necessary to silence his victim to prevent his detection and arrest" because McCollum and Randolph used to be coworkers. "It is clear that she could have positively identified him," the judge wrote. Randolph's current attorneys had sought to stop the execution, arguing in part that the three drugs Florida uses for its lethal injections would cause him a "torturous" death because of his lupus. They refuted that Randolph had a good childhood, saying his adoptive mother had a drinking problem and was repeatedly hospitalized for psychiatric reasons, and that his adoptive father was abusive. Randolph's attorneys also cited his "growth as a person and his positive prison record" during the nearly 40 years he's spent behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Supreme Court rejected those arguments, calling the attack on McCollum "brutal and prolonged" and said that it was too late to challenge the execution over lupus. How many more executions are there this year? Three more inmates are set to be executed by the end of the year, all involving violence against women: Harold Nichols in Tennessee on Dec. 11 for the 1988 rape and murder of 21-year-old Karen Pulley, Mark Geralds in Florida on Dec. 12 for the 1989 stabbing death of 33-year-old housewife Tressa Pettibone during a home-invasion robbery, and Frank Athen Walls in Florida on Dec. 18 for a couple's 1987 double murder, though he's believed to be a serial killer responsible for at least five murders. Of the 44 executions so far this year, 34 involved at least one female victim. Of those, 21 cases involved sexual violence against the women and six were attacks on domestic partners. If the rest of the executions on the books for 2025 take place as scheduled, the U.S. will have put 47 inmates to death this year. The last time that many inmates were executed in the U.S. was 16 years ago in 2009. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts attribute the uptick in executions to the political climate under pro-death penalty President Donald Trump and a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty for USA TODAY. Follow her on X at @amandaleeusat. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida executes Richard Barry Randolph for woman's 'prolonged' murder New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is heading home on Saturday after his highly anticipated meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The mayor-elect and the president met for the first time face-to-face in the Oval Office on Friday following a war of words between the two leaders throughout Mamdani's campaign and election. While many expected a clash between the two men, their meeting turned out to be relatively pleasant. Mamdani and Trump answered reporters' questions in a remarkably friendly way after meeting behind closed doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City and the need to deliver affordability to New Yorkers," Mamdani said. WATCH FULL REMARKS | Trump and Mamdani speak of 'strong' and 'safe' NY after White House meeting Watch the full remarks from Zohran Mamdani and President Trump after their Oval Office meeting on Friday. Mamdani said the two spoke about common goals like crime, rent, groceries and utility process. He said he appreciated the time and looked forward to delivering affordability. "Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can't afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today- it's time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics," said Mamdani in a post on X after the meeting. Working people have been left behind in New York. In the wealthiest city in the world, one in five can't afford $2.90 for the train or bus. As I told Trump today its time to put those people right back at the heart of our politics. pic.twitter.com/PUVQfuT38s Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) November 21, 2025 Mamdani stayed on message during the meeting, focusing in on the city and its needs. The president going on to compliment New York's next mayor on several occasions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had a meeting today that actually surprised me. He wants to see no crime, he wants to see housing being built, he wants to see rents coming down, all things that I agree with," Trump said. At every turn, Trump and Mamdani fell over themselves complementing each other during the post-meeting press conference. Trump, who did most of the talking during the 30-minute availability, even leapt to his defense at times, calling Mamdani a "rational" person who wants to make New York great again. "I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor," Trump said, promising to help Mamdani "make everybody's dream come true." "The better he does, the happier I am," Trump added. President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Evan Vucci The president also brushed aside Mamdani's criticisms of him over his administration's deportation raids and claims that Trump was behaving like a despot. Instead, Trump said the responsibility of holding an executive position in the government causes a person to change, saying that had been the case for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He's got views that are a little out there, but people change. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually," said Trump, who later seemed to take little umbrage when reporters asked Mamdani to clarify his past statements indicating that he thought the president was acting like a fascist. When asked if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under the Mamdani administration, Trump said he would be very comfortable, and even more so after the meeting. He also praised Mamdani for retaining Jessica Tisch, who he called a great police commissioner, noting Tisch is a good friend of his daughter Ivanka Trump. The president and mayor-elect's remarks post-meeting, come in stark contrast to their public comments over the past several months, in which Trump has 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. ABC News Political Director Averi Harper analyzes the Oval Office meeting held between Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two ultimately finding common ground in a meeting focused "not on disagreement but shared purpose." "I know there might be difference about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable, and that's what I look forward to," Mamdani said. (ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.) ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. BELEM, Brazil Turkey has won the right to host next years U.N. climate talks and to preside over the talks, giving it a powerful say in charting the worlds course on international finance and fossil fuels, according to a deal with its rival Australia that was published Friday. The victory for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government was somewhat more complete than what Australia had admitted to earlier this week, when one of its ministers suggested that the Australians would have sole control of the diplomacy at the talks. I would have all the powers of the COP presidency, Australian Climate Minister Chris Bowen told reporters Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Turkey will be the COP31 president, according to the deal text published Friday on the U.N. climate website. An Australian representative would serve in the lesser and not completely defined role of the President of Negotiations who will have exclusive authority in relation to the negotiations. If there is a difference of views between Turkiye and Australia, consultations will take place until the difference is resolved to mutual satisfaction, according to the deal, which adopted the Turkish governments preferred spelling for its country. The unusual arrangement followed more than a year of head-butting between the two countries over who should host the 2026 talks, with Turkey claiming it on behalf of other developing nations while Australia pitched itself as an avatar for the endangered Pacific islands. Its never been done before. Theres never been a shared presidency, said Alden Meyer, a senior associate at the E3G think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Bowen identifying himself as the Australian representative, it was not within his power to choose, the deal made clear. Turkey would assign a representative of Australia to that role. Turkey had proposed hosting the talks in the Mediterranean city of Antalya. Recent U.N. summits have been held in 2023 in Dubai, last year in Baku, Azerbaijan, and this month in the Amazonian port city of Belem, Brazil. An Ohio officer who shot and killed a pregnant Black mother in a supermarket parking lot after she was accused of shoplifting has been acquitted of all charges, including murder, after multiple days of deliberation. Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb could have faced up to life in prison for the shooting death of Ta'Kiya Young. The courtroom was silent as the verdicts were read aloud by the judge on Friday. Grubb appeared stalwart, while Young's grandmother, who is raising her two sons, collapsed into sobs at the decision. She could be heard shouting "It's not right! This is not right!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grubb and Moynihan had approached Young's parked car on Aug. 24, 2023, about a report that she was suspected of stealing alcohol from a Kroger store in the Columbus suburb. She partially lowered her window and protested as both officers cursed at her and yelled at her to get out. Bodycam video showed Grubb had his left hand on the car's hood while pointing his gun at her with his right. Young could be heard asking them, "Are you going to shoot me?" Then, she put on a turn signal and her car rolled slowly forward toward Grubb, who fired a single bullet into her chest, the recording showed. Moments later, after the car came to a stop against the building, they broke the driver's side window. Police said they tried to save her life, but she was mortally wounded. Young and her unborn daughter were pronounced dead at a hospital. Jurors were shown the body cam video and heard expert testimony during the two-week trial. They heard from Sgt. Erick Moynihan, the officer who with Grubb had ordered Young out of her car. Grubb attended the trial but did not testify. He submitted a statement read into the record by a special agent for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. This image from bodycam video released by the Blendon Township Police on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, shows a bullet hole in the windshield of a car with Ta'Kiya Young inside after she was shot by a police officer outside a grocery store in Blendon Township, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, on Aug. 24. The pregnant Black mother was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting. Her unborn daughter did not survive. The image was pixelated by the source. / Credit: / AP In the statement, Grubb said he had positioned himself in front of Young's vehicle to provide backup and to protect other people in the parking lot. He said he drew his gun after he heard Young fail to comply with Moynihan's commands. When her car moved toward him, he said, he felt the vehicle hit his legs and shins and begin to lift his body off the ground as he shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Young, no relation to Ta'Kiya, dropped four of 10 counts relating to the death of Young's unborn daughter, agreeing with defense attorneys that prosecutors failed to present proof that Grubb knew Young was pregnant when he shot her. Sean Walton, an attorney for the Young family, called the outcome "an American tragedy," lamenting what he said is a dual system of justice in the U.S. The family's legal team vowed to continue its fight in civil court, where her estate sued the township and police chief over department practices in August. The federal lawsuit filed against the police chief alleges that Grubb was not was not trained or supervised properly and "recklessly escalated" his response to the situation. Grubb's attorney, Mark Collins, said that Grubb cried after the verdict was read. In his comments, Collins also criticized protests that occurred at the courthouse during the trial, and said that Grubb should never have been subject to felony murder charges. "For the rest of his life, he has to deal with this," Collins said. "You didn't get to hear from him because the government put his statement on, but he feels he took a life on duty and realizing, in his life after the fact, he has to walk around with that. And that is a difficult situation." Sneak peek: Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead? Judge slams senior ICE official for "worst of all" answers on Kilmar Abrego Garcia case Trump administration case against John Bolton in court A former corporate tech executive will oversee the state's efforts to use artificial intelligence to make government work more efficiently. Tai Phan will serve as Oklahoma's chief artificial intelligence and technology officer, state officials announced Friday, Nov. 21. In the role, Phan will work with state leaders to implement AI technologies and set ethical standards and best practices for its usage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His appointment fulfills a recommendation from the Governors Task Force on Emerging Technologies, which recommended a state AI officer to drive the states strategy, vision and guardrails for AI adoption. Gov. Kevin Stitt created the task force through a September 2023 executive order. Phan has worked since March as the chief technology officer for the state Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the agency which houses the states information technology team. At OMES, he helped develop Oklahomas latest IT Strategic Plan and led technology strategy, operations and delivery of core enterprise services and platforms that serve more than 125 state agencies, boards and commissions. Phan said in a statement that he was honored to be asked to help lead the states digital transformation. We have a remarkable opportunity to rethink how government operates by bringing forward innovation with trust by design to strengthen our mission, improve services and deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the people of Oklahoma," he said. New state AI and technology officer, Tai Phan. State Chief Operating Officer David Ostrowe called the appointment of a state AI officer a pivotal moment as Oklahoma pioneers another new digital frontier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his LinkedIn page, Phan previously worked as an executive for well-known brands including Foot Locker, the Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS Health. Phan earned bachelors degrees in management information systems and organizational behavior from the University of Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's new chief AI officer will 'rethink how government operates' PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) At least one person has died after days of torrential rain brought heavy flooding across Albania, police said Saturday. Conditions remain difficult in rural regions, including the southern village of Dushar, where 30 families are reportedly stranded because flooding has made access roads impassable. Police said the body of a 76-year-old woman was found after water levels receded in the flooded southeastern municipality of Devoll. Her son had reported her missing and a search conducted by soldiers on Friday failed to find her. Authorities believe she may have been swept away by strong currents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rainfall caused the Vjosa and Seman rivers to burst their banks and flood large tracts of agricultural land. The Vjosa river runs through southern Albania while the Seman flows through the low-lying Myzeqeja plain. The Civil Protection Agency said that in the northwestern Lezha region some 220 hectares (544 acres) of land remain submerged. Video posted online showed flooded homes and agricultural land, with farmers saying that their crops have sustained extensive damage. Defense Minister Pirro Vengu on Saturday inspected flooded areas in the country's southern Sarande District to assess the damage. There are concerns conditions could worsen as more rain is forecast in the coming days, with Civil Emergency Teams remaining on standby. The scene of the crime in Jaffa, November 22, 2025. (photo credit: MDA, Via Maariv) All of the incidents reportedly had criminal, rather than nationalistic or terroristic, motivations. One person was killed and a total of six people were wounded in various shooting incidents in Israel over the weekend. According to Israeli media, all of the incidents had criminal, rather than nationalistic or terroristic, motivations. In one of the incidents, two people were wounded on Saturday evening in a shooting in the Clock Tower area of Jaffa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magen David Adom (MDA) announced that its paramedics subsequently arrived at the scene to provide treatment to the two victims. One of the victims was a 25-year-old man who was in serious condition. The other victim was lightly wounded. Both were evacuated to Wolfson Medical Center in Tel Aviv. The attacker reportedly fled the scene. A Magen David Adom ambulance, pictured in March 28, 2024; illustrative. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Sole death over the weekend was in Nazareth The incident in Jaffa comes hours after 20-year-old Bassel Ashraf Faraoni was shot and killed in Nazareth, Israeli media reported. Another victim in the area, also about 20, was wounded in the incident and evacuated to a nearby hospital. MDA paramedics determined Faraoni's death immediately upon their arrival at the scene. Only minutes after the incident in Nazareth, another three people were wounded in a shooting in Ramle. According to MDA, the victims' conditions varied from light to moderate after the incident. The three were evacuated to Shamir Medical Center in Be'er Ya'akov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have opened an investigation into both incidents. Faraoni's death raises the number of Arabs killed in 2025 from criminal incidents to 231, according to the Abraham Initiatives, which tracks violent incidents in Israel's Arab sector. According to the group, 21 of the victims killed were women, 115 were 30 years old or younger, seven were below the age of 18, and 12 of the victims were shot by police officers. Exactly one year ago, the number of Arab deaths was 215, which the Abraham Initiatives noted is "an increase of more than 7% compared to last year." New Orleanians are bracing for a major deployment of US border patrol officers to the city, as Donald Trump forges on with his mass deportation agenda and sweeping federal immigration crackdown in Democrat-led cities. Despite falling crime, as many as 250 federal agents are expected to descend on New Orleans imminently to begin laying the groundwork for Operation Swamp Sweep, which the Associated Press reported is due to launch in south-east Louisiana and Mississippi on 1 December with the stated aim of arresting 5,000 people. Trump floated sending in federal troops in September, when he declared New Orleans had a crime problem, adding: Well straighten that out in two weeks. The citys violent crime rate is actually 20% lower than last year, including a historic drop in the number of murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: After ICE took students parents, these teachers began rising at dawn to keep watch: We said, hell no The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operation will be led by Gregory Bovino, a senior border patrol commander. Bovino has already overseen aggressive campaigns in Los Angeles, Chicago and, now, Charlotte and other cities in North Carolina, where the crackdowns have triggered large-scale protests and sometimes volatile interactions between federal agents and protesters amid aggressive arrest tactics. In Chicago, activists organized demonstrations and filed lawsuits over arrests and the use of excessive force, including deployment of teargas and pepper spray. Activists in Charlotte have already looked to their actions as a blueprint and now, following weeks of reports of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) circulating across the greater metro area, New Orleans residents are preparing to resist also. Both border patrol officers from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency and ICE agents come under the umbrella of DHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are sharing plans to report ICE sightings, alert landscapers and other manual workers to the threat of enforcement and help escort children to and from school when ICE is in the area. They are also rallying around neighbors believed to be under threat often because they are undocumented or the Trump administration no longer recognizes a temporary status granted under the Biden administration using community text threads, social media and whistleblowing literally blowing whistles in the street if officers are believed to be approaching. There were reports of construction workers being instructed to stay home on Friday, in case border patrol arrived that early, and businesses such as restaurants and gas stations are being urged not to serve ICE agents. New Orleans Mexican-American mayor-elect, Helena Moreno, told the AP there is a lot of fear in the city and that shes working to ensure those who could be targeted by federal agents know their legal rights. Im very concerned about due process being violated, Im very concerned about racial profiling, she said. Local immigrant advocacy group Union Migrante already posts about ICE sightings and shares resources in English and Spanish on its social media pages. It also holds regular Know Your Rights workshops where people learn what protections they have during a immigration investigation, what to do if they get pulled over in the car by an agent, how to legally film ICE agents and police, and hear legal advice from immigration lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With enforcement ramping up across the region, volunteer Alfredo Salazar said the workshops are crucial. I look Latino and I worry I could be arrested for it, he told local TV channel Fox 8. Its not just me, but thousands of us here that look Latino. So we have to educate people that we have rights to defend ourselves and freedom of speech. The city is known for its rich blend of French, Spanish, African, Native American and Asian cultures, and 14% of its foreign-born metro population are Latino. In Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans, where 13 people were arrested earlier this month in a raid at a boat launch, its 30%, the highest in the state. Rachel Taber, also an advocate and organizer with Union Migrante, told the news site NOLA.com that immigrants and their family members have been contacting lawyers, giving people power-of-attorney in case they are detained, and locating passports in the event they need to travel to reunite with relatives. The mission has the enthusiastic backing of Louisianas Republican governor, Jeff Landry, a staunch Trump ally, who has made a vigorous push to align state policy with sweeping federal immigration efforts and has targeted New Orleans immigration policies to make enforcement a priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GOP-dominated state legislature passed a law threatening prison time for law enforcement officials who delay or ignore federal enforcement efforts. Another measure directs state agencies to verify, track and report anyone in the country illegally who is receiving state services. Another more bans city policies that prohibit cooperation with federal immigration agencies. In September, Landry had also requested a national guard deployment to New Orleans even though violent crime is down and the citys elected leaders maintained that violent crime is down and federal troops are unnecessary. Landrys office has been approached by the Guardian for comment. Meanwhile, the New Orleans police department (NOPD) was released from a federal reform pact on Wednesday that has long shielded its officers from having to participate in immigration enforcement. Anne Kirkpatrick, NOPDs superintendent, told WBOK radio earlier this week that officers would collaborate with federal agents, but not on raids or deportations. We will not be participating in the removal, but we will always be there, she said. Theyre coming, so I am going to be a collaborator. But I also want to emphasize something to our community: To be in our country undocumented is illegal. To be illegal is not criminal. DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations. Nursing organizations are deeply concerned after the occupation has been excluded by definition as a professional degree by the Department of Education. The decision is part of the sweeping cuts to student loans, overseen by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, laid out in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The move has alarmed nursing organizations, which warned that limiting student nurses access to funding threatens the very foundation of patient care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps signature legislation, which was signed into law earlier this year, eliminates the Grad PLUS loans used by many students to pay for grad school, and puts a cap on the amount they can borrow. Under Trumps bill, only professional degree students are eligible for the higher loan limit of $200,000, while graduate students are capped at $100,000. Excluding nursing by definition as a professional degree effectively prices aspiring nurses out of their studies, campaigners warned. Nursing has been excluded as a professional degree by Linda McMahons Department of Education as it looks to implement sweeping cuts to student loads laid out in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act (file image) (AFP via Getty Images) Nursing is the backbone of the healthcare structure in the United States, Dr Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, president of the American Nursing Association, told NewsNation. We are short tens of thousands of nurses and advanced practice nurses already. This is going to stop nurses from going to school to be teachers for other nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is also calling on the Department of Education to reverse the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Excluding nursing from the definition of professional degree programs disregards decades of progress toward parity across the health professions and contradicts the Departments own acknowledgment that professional programs are those leading to licensure and direct practice, the organization said in a statement. Should this proposal be finalized, the impact on our already-challenged nursing workforce would be devastating, the statement added. Mary Turner, RN, president of National Nurses United, told The Independent that the Trump administrations priorities were at odds with the needs of nurses and patients. If the Trump administration truly wanted to support nurses, it would be working to improve working conditions, expanding education opportunities, and ensuring patients can get health care, Turner said. Instead, this administration is stripping nurses of their union rights, making education harder to access, and cutting health care for those who need it most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nurses earn $45 per hour on average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, Trumps bill provides more than $1.5 trillion in tax cuts for the top 5 percent of Americans, the Center for American Progress found. The Education Department brushed off concerns over the future of nursing as fake news and accused the nursing organizations of having had an unlimited tuition ride on the taxpayer dime. The move has alarmed nursing organizations, which warned that limiting student nurses access to funding threatens the very foundation of patient care (Getty Images) The Department has had a consistent definition of what constitutes a professional degree for decades and the consensus-based language aligns with this historical precedent, the departments press secretary for higher education Ellen Keast told Newsweek. The committee, which included institutions of higher education, agreed on the definition that we will put forward in a proposed rule, Keast continued. Were not surprised that some institutions are crying wolf over regulations that never existed because their unlimited tuition ride on the taxpayer dime is over." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Education did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment. An entire four-year bachelor of science in nursing program can range from $89,560 to $211,390, including tuition, housing and other fees, according to NurseJournal. Nursing wasnt the only casualty of Trumps spending bill. Physician assistants, physical therapists, educators, social workers, audiologists, architects and accountants were also on the list of degrees that were not classed as professional by the Trump administration. Programs deemed professional by the department were medicine, pharmacy, law, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, veterinary medicine, theology, and clinical psychology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can someone explain how a theologian is considered more professional than a nurse practitioner? Amy McGrath, a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky, asked on X. As part of the Big Beautiful Bill the Department of Education just proposed a reclassification of a professional degree, and it means fewer students will qualify for the higher loan limits they need for grad school, she said. Programs being excluded include many fields dominated by women like healthcare, counseling, and social work. This isnt a coincidence. This is a way to quietly push women out of professional careers. The new measures are due to be implemented beginning July 1, 2026. A group of fourth graders watched intently from a seating area within a new Salt Lake playground as Backman Elementary School Principal Matthew Teitter pulled out a photo to show them. He held a portrait of a young Neil deGrasse Tyson, as the principal retold the renowned astrophysicists origin, whose interest in the field began with a visit to a planetarium when he was about the same age as the fourth graders are now. Perhaps thats the field these children will go into, but Teitter says its possible that a new open space and playground near the banks of the Jordan River, just west of the school, may inspire them to go into other important science fields. What I hope is ... that at least some of you are inspired and feel like you have been called by the universe or the ecosystem right here to become the next generation of great scientists and engineers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few moments later, a group of children helped cut a ribbon to officially open the Backman Community Open Space, 601 N. 1500 West. Some began running around and climbing all over every piece of the playground, while others toured a science station to learn about native bugs. This new small park serves as a milestone for the city as the first completed project tied to an $85 million general obligation bond that residents approved in 2022. It also completes a project first thought up about the same time these fourth-graders were born. A long time coming Getting to Thursdays ceremony was about a decade in the making, and it involved collaboration with a few entities. Soren Simonsen, executive director of the Jordan River Commission, remembers participating in a brainstorming session with children over potential park opportunities near the school in 2017, but the project also ran into doubt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of our couple of hours with them, I heard a young boy mention, This was probably a waste of our time because none of this will ever happen, he said, telling KSL.com that the comment became a motivator in supporting investments for communities along the Jordan River that are frequently forgotten. Students cross the Bridge to Backman over the Jordan River in Salt Lake City on Thursday. The bridge opened in 2022, as part of improvements in the area. | Carter Williams, KSL.com The project moved along slowly, but the momentum eventually shifted. The city opened a bridge in 2022 that made it easier for students living west of the river to walk to school, while it accepted feedback from the community, including children, in future planning. National Park Service officials also assisted in planning, and the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation offered a grant to help complete the project. The city had gathered about $700,000 from that, city funds and the Salt Lake City School Districts Education Foundation. The 2022 bond, which seeks to pay for park projects and maintenance citywide, covered the remaining $200,000. The new space achieves a goal voters set in place with the approval of (the bond) in 2022 creating a safe place for families to spend time together in nature, said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall in a statement. A new chapter for the Jordan River Simonsen believes Backman Community Open Space is a really important space that can help turn around the rivers negative perception. Its also the first of many investments near the Jordan River over the next five years, said Tyler Murdock, deputy director of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands. Backman Elementary School students learn about the Jordan River's ecosystem at a science station set up at Backman Community Open Space in Salt Lake City on Thursday. | Carter Williams, KSL.com Close to $40 million from the bond will benefit Jordan River parks, including Glendale Regional Park, which is expected to have its first phase open by the end of this year, according to the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murdock refers to the river as the cultural and ecological heart of the west side but agrees that it hasnt received the treatment that it deserves. Salt Lake City is partnering with groups to identify areas along the river that could be used for learning, as it continues to look at ways to change that. We hope that today is not just the opening of a new park but is the opening of a new chapter of management and care for the Jordan River, he said. Women named Darcey are often perceived as sophisticated, intelligent, and possessing a quiet strength. They tend to be creative individuals with an appreciation for beauty and art, often drawn to expressive fields like dance, writing, or design. Darceys are typically known for their loyalty in relationships and their ability to maintain deep, meaningful connections with friends and family. There's often an air of mystery about them, coupled with a practical sensibility that makes them both dreamers and doers. Their combination of emotional depth and resilience allows them to navigate challenges with grace and determination. The 'dark' meaning in the name's origin often manifests not as negativity, but as depth of character and the ability to understand complex emotional landscapes. Darceys are frequently described as having old souls - wise beyond their years with an intuitive understanding of people and situations. They balance their creative and emotional sides with a strong sense of responsibility and integrity. A Tacoma 18-year-old allegedly linked to car thefts in King County and Seattle is facing multiple criminal charges following a long-term investigation involving at least five different law enforcement agencies, according to a Renton Police Department news release. The man was arrested Nov. 14 at his Tacoma home by RPD detectives backed by a SWAT team, and booked into the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. His bail was set at $150,000. King County prosecutors charged him with two counts of motor vehicle theft, two counts of possessing a stolen vehicle, identity theft and firearm theft. According to the news release, the man specialized in cloning key fobs, and posted an online video of himself cloning the fob of a stolen SUV. Charges also accuse him of using a victims credit card and stealing firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the arrest and search of the mans residence, investigators found eight weapons, hundreds of ammunition rounds and key fob cloning devices, the news release said. One of the weapons was a modified handgun that could fire like an automatic machine gun. The man also faces a separate investigation by Tacoma police related to unspecified incidents and potential pending charges in Pierce County. Tacoma police detectives worked closely with their counterparts in Renton during the investigation. Recently, they noticed a trend of stolen cars being dumped in the 72nd block of the Pacific Avenue area believed to be connected with the case, said TPD Spokesperson Sergeant John Correa. The Renton police statement noted that the mans alleged crimes occurred while he was on bail for a different case in Seattle where he posted a $50,000 bond earlier this year. The earlier charges include attempted motor vehicle theft, unlawful possession of a machine gun, obstructing law enforcement, making or having tools for vehicle theft and vehicle prowl. The Boston Police have released the identity of the person killed in a Mattapan stabbing earlier this week. Tyquan Pooler, 45, of Boston was stabbed in the area of 30 Fremont Street, shortly before 7:30 p.m. on November 15. He was taken to an area hospital where he later died. On November 16, around 3:07 p.m., officers arrested 29-year-old Javonte Robinson of Mattapan in the area of 247 Neponset Valley Parkway, Hyde Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of Robinsons arrest, he was wanted on a warrant out of Dorchester District Court for Murder. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW COURTESY HPD COURTESY HPD Honolulu police are searching for a 53-year-old man wanted for the alleged assault of two people with a hammer last month. Police said at about 11 p.m. on Oct. 25, the suspect, Robert Malabey Jr., allegedly assaulted a 58-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man inside her residence with a hammer, causing significant injuries. He is described as 6-feet tall, about 240 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He also has a tattoo of a scorpion on his upper-left back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said a $100, 000 warrant for Malabeys arrest has been issued. He remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Malabeys whereabouts or the incident is urged to call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips may also be reported to at 808-955-8300. See more : 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . ROME (AP) Pope Leo XIV on Saturday accepted the resignation of an ailing Spanish bishop who is under church investigation for allegedly sexually abusing a young seminarian in the 1990s, the first known time the new pontiff removed a bishop accused of abuse. A one-line statement from the Vatican said Leo had accepted the resignation of Cadiz Bishop Rafael Zornoza, 76. It didn't say why, but Zornoza submitted his resignation to the pope last year when he turned 75, the normal retirement age for bishops. It hadn't been accepted though until the El Pais newspaper reported earlier this month that Zornoza had been recently placed under investigation by a church tribunal. The daily, which since 2018 has exposed decades of abuse and cover-up in the Spanish Catholic Church, said Zornoza was accused of abusing a young former seminarian while he was a young priest and directed the diocesan seminary in Getafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report, quoting a letter the former seminarian wrote the Vatican over the summer, said Zornoza fondled him and regularly slept with him from when he was 14-21 years old. The former seminarians letter said Zornoza heard his confession and persuaded him to see a psychiatrist to cure his homosexuality. The diocese of Cadiz denied the accusations against Zornoza but confirmed the investigation was being carried out by the church court in Madrid known as the Rota. In a Nov. 10 statement, the diocese said Zornoza was cooperating with the investigation and had suspended his agenda temporarily to clarify the facts and to undergo treatment for an aggressive form of cancer. The accusations made, referring to events that took place almost 30 years ago, are very serious and also false, the statement said. It is believed to be the first publicly known case of a bishop being retired, and being placed under investigation for alleged abuse abuse, since the Spanish church began reckoning in recent years with a decades-long legacy of abuse and cover-up that have rocked the once-staunchly Catholic Spain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leo didn't immediately name a temporary leader of the diocese. In 2023, Spains first official probe of abuse indicated that the number of victims could run into hundreds of thousands, based on a survey that was part of a report by the office of Spains ombudsman. The ombudsman conducted an 18-month independent investigation of 487 cases involving alleged victims who spoke with the ombudsmans team. Spains Catholic bishops apologized but dismissed the interpretations of the ombudsman report as a lie, arguing that many more people had been abused outside of the church. The Spanish Catholic hierarchy then did its own report, saying in 2024 that it had found evidence of 728 sexual abusers within the church since 1945. It then launched a plan to compensate victims, after Spains government approved a plan to force the church to pay economic reparations. ___ 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. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa's largest school district released a report Friday claiming that it received an abbreviated background check and what was likely a forged transcript when it was hiring its former superintendent, who was charged in a federal indictment with falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen on a federal form. Des Moines Public Schools hired Ian Roberts in 2023 with the help of a national consulting firm, JG Consulting, which had initially recommended Roberts and four other candidates to the school board, according to the report from an investigator hired by the district. The investigator, Des Moines-based attorney Melissa Schilling, concluded based on the contract and communications at the time that the school board reasonably relied on JG Consulting to vet Roberts or disclose limitations in their vetting process. The district is likely to cite the report in their ongoing lawsuit against the Texas-based consulting company, who has said the district is trying to shift blame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal grand jury issued a two-count indictment against Roberts, who is originally from Guyana in South America and was arrested by federal agents on Sep. 26. Roberts resigned his position, is in federal custody and is awaiting trial, which is currently scheduled for March. Schilling is a labor and employment lawyer who also co-leads her firms new crisis management practice, according to the firms announcement in July. A district spokesperson said the firm was retained to investigate the selection of JG Consulting for the superintendent search process and the school boards awareness of discrepancies in Roberts records. The district declined to detail how much the firm was paid for the investigation, which JG Consulting attorney Josh Romero called one-sided. "It is no surprise that the school district that filed a misguided lawsuit against our company has generated a report for which JG Consulting was not even interviewed that misrepresents the facts and attempts to deflect the districts responsibilities for the hiring of Dr. Roberts," Romero said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Des Moines Public Schools paid JG Consulting $35,000 for facilitating the superintendent search, according to the contract. Checking Roberts' work authorization Roberts had claimed to be a U.S. citizen on his work eligibility form, providing a driver's license and Social Security card as supporting documentation. Schilling said Des Moines schools relied on the consulting firm to identify immigration issues since JG Consulting told the district that they were a registered agent with the government's employment eligibility system, E-Verify. E-Verify compares information entered by an employer from an employees documents with records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration. But the system has its flaws, recently highlighted in the case of a Maine police officer arrested by immigration authorities even though he was vetted using E-Verify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schilling said it was unknown whether the firm used E-Verify at the time. JG Consulting disputes that it was their responsibility, according to a court filing. The District had the legal duty and obligation to verify Roberts immigration status and work authorization as his employer, and it apparently failed to do so. JG Consulting legally could not, as the non-hiring entity, confirm Roberts immigration or work-authorization status," the court document reads. A limited background check Schilling's report said the background check provided to Des Moines Public Schools by JG Consulting, via a subcontracted third-party company, Baker-Eubanks, only looked at records for the past seven years despite federal law that allows more extensive disclosure for positions paid more than $75,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schilling acknowledged in the report that many state laws prevent access to records, such as arrests or charges, if they did not result in a conviction. Since his arrest, federal authorities have provided a list of criminal charges in Roberts record, including drug possession and intent to sell in 1996 in New York, where state law could have prevented full disclosure of such charges. Officials did not specify the outcome of that charge. Still, Schilling said a 2012 conviction for reckless driving in Maryland likely would have been disclosed in the background check if it had looked beyond seven years. The background check did identify and Roberts did address a 2022 weapons charge in Pennsylvania, where he was convicted of a minor infraction for unlawfully possessing a loaded hunting rifle in a vehicle. Schilling wrote that JG Consulting called the conviction a blemish when they recommended Roberts to the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts has also been charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm while being in the country illegally. Officials said he had four firearms, including one found wrapped in a towel in the school-issued vehicle he was driving when he was arrested. In his application, Roberts had to say whether he was ever charged with a misdemeanor, felony or major traffic violation, such as driving under the influence, according to JG Consultings profile for the job. It is not clear how Roberts responded at the time. A transcript that was likely forged Roberts falsely claimed on his application that he obtained a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University in 2007, according to documents The Associated Press obtained through a public records request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schilling confirmed that board members were provided that resume by JG Consulting during the hiring process, though Roberts himself brought paper copies of a different resume where he indicated he completed abd," or all but dissertation to his in-person interview with the school board. Although Roberts was enrolled in that doctorate program from 2002 to 2007, the schools public relations office confirmed in an email that he didnt receive that degree. It declined to say which degree requirements he hadnt met, and it would not provide a copy of his transcript to the AP or to Schilling. Schilling wrote that she was fairly confident that the transcript Roberts provided in his application was forged. She wrote that the background check flagged the discrepancy but interviews with board members indicate the issue was not raised by JG Consulting. JG Consulting has said the district was aware that he had not obtained a doctorate from that university. Many farm grounds across the valley floor are saturated, keeping some farmworkers out of most fields for the past week. However, consistent rain across the Valley floor this past week has mostly been welcomed by local growers. "We need that rain to help restore the ground water, put some moisture back into the soil and get some snow up into the mountains so we can start storing up water for next year," says John Chandler, who farms almonds, citrus, and wine grapes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chandler says almonds and grapes are already harvested so the rain has minimal impact. But for citrus, it's a different story. "The citrus is still on the tree and some of the early citrus is getting ready to harvest, so it may slow down the harvest for a little bit but other than that this isn't really the worst time to get rain, during this winter time is when we like to see some of this rain coming in," explains Chandler. Some employees can move indoors to catch up on equipment maintenance - but for farmworkers who pick fruit, wet weather means staying out of the fields-and out of work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can't have people picking the fruit itself because of staining and quality issues and safety issues for them," says Jose Rivas who is a field representative for California Citrus Association. He has worked in agriculture for 20 years. Although Rivas says the rain is always welcomed, for those impacted employees, the timing couldn't be worse. "This week those couple hundred three hundred people are not having a paycheck, and being so close to the holidays everyone needs a paycheck right now," explains Rivas, "We will be picking Saturday and Sunday to make up for what the buyers need." Rivas says they will get back into the fields as soon as it's safe but they are at the mercy of the weather. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for cooperation in solving global problems at the G20 summit of leading industrialised and emerging economies. These include escalating geopolitical tensions, global warming, energy security and armed conflicts, Ramaphosa said in his opening speech Saturday at the two-day meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ramaphosa also denounced the gap between rich and poor countries as one of the biggest obstacles to sustainable growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called disparities in wealth and development within and between countries "unjust and unsustainable." "It is essential that we break down divisions of economic status, gender, race and geography," Ramaphosa asserted. As host of the G20 summit, South Africa has set the themes of "solidarity, equality and sustainability." Topics of concern that Ramaphosa outlined included easing the debt burden of emerging and developing countries, a just energy transition, fair and clean use of rare minerals, fair burden-sharing in climate protection and food security. However, the new US push for peace in Ukraine is likely to push these issues into the background at the G20 summit. The G20 group comprises 19 countries, the European Union and the African Union. The meeting in Johannesburg is the first G20 summit on the African continent. Thanksgiving is a seasonal, needed reminder of the promise and reality of America - on which we celebrate our nations shared, uniting holiday of gratitude. We the People are not doing well. We are divided, angry, and house-poor. That said, whether you are liberal, conservative, progressive, or MAGA, we all have much - by any real, clear metric - to be thankful for and much thats deserving of our collective, bipartisan celebration, cherishing, and defense. We are a better and more united people when we look up in shared gratitude. If you are an American - poor, middle class, or rich - there is still an "Unum," part principle and part shared experience, which connects the American "Pluribus" and our varied pursuits of happiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of your own familial origin story, there remains a shared American truth and reality: "We the People" are all born onthird base compared to the rest of the world, and its not because we hit a triple. This country is special. It remains special. Whatever our problems, we still have much to be thankful for and reasons to rise above our differences and unite in a common good for civic defense. On a personal note, I am thankful that I am going to be a grandfather soon. A new chapter in our familys American story will begin in the new year of our countrys 250th year. Having grandkids reminds us to keep our eyes on defending the prize. Civically and professionally, I am giving thanks for RealClears readers and supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I write this Thanksgiving note, having come back from a lunch with one of you - someone who exemplifies our audience and patrons. Smart, accomplished, and discerning. You represent thoughtful citizenship at its best. These getting-to-know-you conversations with RealClear readers inspire us. Most of my meetings are with reader-supporters over Zoom, which provide daily bounces in our teams steps. (If you are interested in having one, reach out to our advancement coordinator, Frank Filocomo [frank@realclear.com], and he will set one up. We truly enjoy it.) This one was in-person and ennobling. I broke bread with a U.S. Navy pilot who flew 85 combat missions in Vietnam. On his return, he had to test fate again by landing a fighter jet on an aircraft carrier in hostile waters. After the war, he made his fortune on Wall Street, retired to Florida, and dedicated himself to public service as our local county commissioner. Thank you, Hal. You are a great American, and we are thankful to count you among RealClears faithful readers and steadfast supporters. For the rest of you: Come to our Samizdat Prize Galaon Feb. 11, 2026, and I will introduce you to Hal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * * * For the past 10 years, it has been hard to be RealClear. Our advertising revenue has been attacked because our viewpoint-diversity journalism - the kind that encourages Americans to think for themselves - offends the smug sensibilities of the self-appointed censors who prefer monologues managed to their liking. But we know that healthy democracy requires open dialogue. We went hungry when our business model was ambushed and we remain hungry, but, because of you, we did not starve as intended. Thank you. My job at RealClear is Sisyphean in structure. I apologize for talking Greek.Please indulge me for a moment. Sisyphus curse was that he had to push a rock up a hill, with no hope of getting to the top and enjoying a level roll. Its not a life for everyone, but we - with your funding at our back - have found both purpose and joy in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What would happen ifSisyphus didnt show up for work? What would happen if RealClear simply quit? For us, giving up on presenting an array of viewpoints and keeping polling accurate and honestis not an option. Defeat is a possibility but surrender is not. Because of you, we will continue to push the viewpoint-diversity rock up a hill, and well keep doing so joyfully. Thank you. We could not do it alone. RealClear exists, stillconsequentially positioned on the "hill" of viewpoint diversity because of you. What others have taken away, or tried to sideline, our reader-supporters like you have preserved. And our country is better for it. It pays to be partisan in todays media landscape. But were still pushing against the ideological, closed-minded, censorious grain. If you are a past supporter, stay with us. Or, if you are reading this and havent given before, please consider joining us as a reader-supporter. Click here: www.realclearmediafund.org/donate. Thank you for your past support and present consideration. We dont take your support for granted. We hope you consider independent and unbiased news coverage as vital as we do. Our need for your support is real and enduring, as is our thanks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sincerely, David DesRosiers President RealClear Media Fund P.S. To make a tax-deductible donation, please click here: www.realclearmediafund.org/donate/ P.P.S. You can also support RealClear by incorporating us in your estate plan. Some of you out there may be disappointed and feel let down by your alma mater. If this is you - and you want to advance viewpoint diversity, sanity, and accurate and honest polling for years to come - please consider making a planned gift to RealClear Media Fund. To discuss this with us, please contact our advancement coordinator, Frank Filocomo at: frank@realclear.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement P.P.P.S. Again, we love talking to our readers. If youd like to set up a conversation, Frank is the man for that as well. David DesRosiers is the publisher of RealClearMedia and president of the RealClear Media Fund, which supports the cause of free speech through its annual Samizdat Prize, and its reporting, and the viewpoint diversity method. AUSTIN (KXAN) City of Austin staff and representatives with the Texas Department of Transportation were at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch Saturday, answering community members questions and gathering feedback on the citys plans for what to do in tandem with a portion of TxDOTs I-35 Capital Express Central project. It was the first community meeting on the citys cap and stitch plan since Austin City Council members voted in May to move forward with committing $104 million to TxDOT for roadway elements of the caps and stitches. Whats a cap and stitch and why do Austin leaders say itll revamp I-35? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caps and stitches are part of the citys Our Future 35 initiative to reconnect East and West Austin along I-35. The Our Future 35 vision plan says that because TxDOT is lowering the highways main lanes between Lady Bird Lake and Airport Boulevard, the City of Austin has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to construct caps and stitches over the highway. Saturdays open house focused specifically on the Northern Stitches, which will eventually be two decks on top of the highway between 41st Street and the Red Line rail crossing. The city is required to commit to a plan for those two stitches, which are funded by an approved budget of $24 million, by the end of the year. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | I-35 cap and stitch project: Open house planned on Northern Stitches Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brianna Frey, a planner for the city, said the purpose of the open house was to share information that city planners have learned over the past six months of working with TxDOT, and to give community members a chance to weigh in on the options. Frey is the Special Projects Team Program Director for the City of Austins Transportation and Public Works Department. She said more attendees showed up to the open house right at 11 a.m. than she expected, but that city staff members were really energized by it and happy with the excitement community members had shown as well. I think there is a lot of energy and excitement about individuals wanting to come out and follow up since that May decision, Frey said. But there is a lot of questions just about how we are going to be financing this $24 million, and also just understanding some of the roadway profiles about what TxDOT, our State Department of Transportation, is planning to do in this area. So weve got a lot of interested individuals that want to understand: how will my walk across the street be improved? How will my commute into my neighborhood be improved?' she continued. Of course, were here to answer those questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are four options the city is considering for the Northern Stitches, which folks got to look at and read about, and then vote on. City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) City of Austin staff held an open house on Saturday, Nov. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Public Library Carver Branch to present information and hear from the community about the proposed Northern Stitches over I-35. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) There are a couple pros and cons to each option, but fortunately, all four of the options do fit within our $24 million council-approved budget for the roadway elements of these two stitches, Frey said. Details of the full cap-and-stitch project are laid out online. The options for the Northern Stitches are detailed below, per the city: Option A Key Features Red Line Stitch: widened, landscaped and car-free crossing of I-35. No future CapMetro station or bus stops planned here. 41st Street Stitch: allows buildings and shaded areas north of 41st Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pros 41st Street Stitch offers more space for buildings, concessions and recreation amenities. Benefits an estimated 1,000 daily trail and transit users and connects to the future Red Line station west of I-35. Cons Red Line Stitch cannot support buildings or large shade trees. 41st Street Stitch: Limits partnership opportunities to the Fiesta site. Option B Key Features Red Line Stitch: widened, landscaped and car free crossing of I-35. No future CapMetro station or bus stops planned here. Pros 41st Street Stitch Split: allows buildings and shaded areas both north and south of 41st Street. 41st Street Stitch Split: This design may provide greater opportunities to the public on both the north and south sides of 41st Street. Benefits an estimated 1,000 daily trail and transit users and connects to the future Red Line station west of I-35. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cons Red Line Stitch cannot support buildings or large shade trees. 41st Street Stitch Split: Less space for larger installations of buildings, concessions and recreation amenities Option C Key Features Hancock Stitch: A new proposed pedestrian bridge provides access to buildings and amenities. An enhanced but not significantly widened trail crossing. Pros 41st Street Stitch: Allows buildings and shaded areas north of 41st Street. 41st Street Stitch offers more space for buildings, concessions and recreation amenities. Hancock Stitch offers a larger area for more on deck activities and partnership opportunities with adjacent properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cons Smaller trail crossing decreases comfort and usability for trail users compared to the wider option. Hancock Stitch relies on future partnerships with adjacent property owners to provide pedestrian bridge access over the frontage roads, which is currently uncertain. 41st Street Stitch: Limits partnership opportunities to the Fiesta site. Option D Key Features Hancock Stitch: A new proposed pedestrian bridge provides access to buildings and amenities. An enhanced but not significantly widened trail crossing. Pros 41st Street Stitch Split: allows buildings and shaded areas both north and south of 41st Street. Urban design benefits on both sides of 41st may provide greater activation to adjacent parcels on both the north and south side of 41st. Hancock Stitch offers a larger area for more on deck activities and partnership opportunities with adjacent properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cons Smaller trail crossing decreases comfort and usability for trail users compared to the wider option. Hancock Stitch relies on future partnerships with adjacent property owners to provide pedestrian bridge access over the frontage roads, which is currently uncertain. 41st Street Stitch Split: Less space for larger installations of buildings, concessions, and recreation amenities. Austin City Council still has time to commit to funding the actual cap structures that will go on top of the support structures. The deadline for that commitment has been pushed to November 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Ten people were shot at a large party in southwest Houston, and one of them, a 63-year-old woman, was killed, according to the Houston Police Department. The Houston Police Department said the shooting happened early Saturday morning on Vandalia Way near Anderson Road, just inside the Beltway. On Saturday, Asst. Chief Yasar Bashir said what began as an argument between two or three people led to a shooting that left six people injured. By Monday, police updated the total to ten people shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities identified Eleanor Williams, 63, as the only person killed in the shootout. Police said out of the nine other people who were shot, seven were women and two were men. Bashir said on Saturday that one person was detained at the scene. However, a police statement on Monday did not mention any arrests related to the shooting. Investigators said there are several unknown suspects and asked anyone with information to contact the HPD Homicide Division. For news updates, follow Brianna Willis on Facebook, x and Instagram. Cultural & Historical Significance Deirdra originates from the tragic heroine Deirdre in Irish mythology, specifically from the Ulster Cycle. The name comes from the Old Irish 'Derdriu,' meaning 'sorrowful one' or 'raging one.' In the legend, Deirdre was born with a prophecy that she would grow to be incredibly beautiful but would bring great sorrow and destruction to Ulster. She fell in love with Naoise, one of the sons of Uisneach, and fled with him to Scotland to escape King Conchobar who wanted to marry her. Their tragic story ends with Naoise's betrayal and death, causing Deirdre to die of a broken heart, cementing the name's association with tragic romance and profound sorrow in Celtic tradition. The cultural significance of Deirdra extends beyond the original myth into Irish literary tradition, where she became a symbol of Ireland itself - beautiful, tragic, and oppressed. The name represents the Celtic concept of 'geis' or sacred taboo, where breaking one's destiny leads to inevitable tragedy. In modern Irish culture, Deirdre/Deirdra remains a touchstone for discussions of fate, love, and the price of beauty, appearing in contemporary poetry, music, and literature as a enduring archetype of the tragic heroine. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., announced on Friday that she is resigning from her seat, following weeks of clashing with President Donald Trump. If I am cast aside by MAGA Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that can't even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well, Greene said in a statement posted to social media. Until then Im going back to the people I love, to live life to the fullest as I always have, and look forward to a new path ahead. I will be resigning from office with my last day being January 5, 2026, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The stunning announcement comes one week after Trump officially declared he had had enough with Greene's increasing criticism of him and said he was withdrawing support from his longtime ally. Responding Saturday to the announcement in a Truth Social post, Trump referred to Greene as a "traitor" and said she had chosen to quit "because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers, and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement (where she would have no chance of winning!)". Until recently, Greene who said Trump had inspired her to first run for Congress had been one of the president's most outspoken allies in Congress. But in recent weeks, she began to break from him on issues including the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, his stance on the war in Gaza, extending Obamacare subsidies and, broadly, whether he was still the "America First" president the base believed in. Greene was first elected to office in 2020. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will have to call a special election sometime in 2026 to fill Greene's heavily Republican district, which she carried by 29 points last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her resignation message Friday, Greene said she did not want her district to endure a "hurtful and hateful primary" led by Trump. "I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms," Greene wrote. Greene, known for talking to reporters in the halls of Congress, on Friday declined to speak with NBC News, saying she was not doing hallway interviews that day. During an interview last month with NBC News amid the government shutdown, Greene did not give a definitive answer when asked if she was committed to running for re-election to the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh, certainly I havent, I havent made any things like that, Greene said. I dont, honestly, I dont even think about it right now. Im just like, damn it, why arent we back at work? Greenes pushback against Trump and fellow Republicans in recent weeks has fueled speculation about her future political ambitions. She dismissed a report by NOTUS earlier this month that said she was interested in a presidential bid in 2028. Marjorie Taylor Greene is having a moment, Ryan Girdusky, a conservative consultant, said in an interview last week with NBC News. Shes having a rebrand, and shes doing very, very good. Shes been really, really talented in the moment. Speaking about the GOPs losses in the off-year elections, Greene said Republicans were lacking motivation to vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of Republican voters who turned out big in 2024 feel disenfranchised right now and dont feel motivated to go vote, Greene said. Greenes decision will create even more headaches for House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., with a shrinking House Republican majority, which currently stands at 219 seats to Democrats 213. By the time Greene resigns, there will have been a Tennessee special election in December for a seat that the GOP is favored to win, but where Democrats see an outside chance. And there are two more special elections in blue-leaning seats that Democrats are heavily favored to hold early next year. Greene did not give Johnson a heads-up about her resignation, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told NBC News. While the two did not have a good relationship, with Greene filing a motion last year to oust Johnson as speaker, members would typically provide their party's leadership some type of advance notice about an announcement of this magnitude. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., another Republican who has drawn Trumps ire after disagreeing with his agenda, expressed support for Greene on social media Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im very sad for our country but so happy for my friend Marjorie. Ill miss her tremendously. She embodies what a true Representative should be. Everyone should read her statement; theres more honesty expressed in these four pages than most politicians will speak in a lifetime, Massie wrote, reposting Greenes statement with her resignation. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., who partnered with Greene to force the release of the Epstein files said she could still have a bright future in politics. MTG is likely to be a formidable 2028 candidate, Khanna told NBC News Friday night. Her stances on Epstein, on regulating AI, and anti-war is more in touch with MAGA voters than JD Vance. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced on X Friday she will resign from Congress early next year, after a weekslong falling-out with President Trump and much of her party. Her last day will be Jan. 5, 2026, Greene said. In a statement, the hard-right congresswoman expressed frustration with her party and with the change of pace in Congress, writing that GOP leadership had refused to work on addressing health care costs, and bills that she drafted on immigration and other issues had sat "collecting dust." She said the "legislature has been mostly sidelined." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also pointed to her dramatic break with Mr. Trump. The president pulled his support from Greene last week, calling her "wacky" and a "traitor" after she criticized Republicans' handling of several issues. She has claimed that Mr. Trump was set off by her push to disclose records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which the president previously opposed before endorsing and later signing a bill to release the records this week. "Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for," Greene wrote, saying her "self worth is not defined by a man, but instead by God." On Mr. Trump's threat to back a primary challenger in her deep-red district, Greene said: "I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will lose the midterms." "It's all so absurd and completely unserious," she said. "I refuse to be a 'battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump reacted to the news of Greene's resignation on Saturday, saying it was because of "PLUMMETING Poll Numbers and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement (where she would have no chance of winning!)" "For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD," Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country! In recent days, Trump's political operation has been receiving inquiries from potential Republican contenders to challenge Greene, a GOP source familiar with the situation told CBS News. In a statement posted to X, Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon called Greene a "tireless fighter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While her decision to step down from Congress effective January 5 comes as a surprise amid recent challenges, her legacy as a bold voice for the grassroots will endure," he said. If Greene's resignation leaves her seat vacant, it could tighten the GOP's already razor-thin margin in the House until it's filled with a special election. Under Georgia state law, the governor must issue a writ of special election within 10 days of a House vacancy, and the election is required to be held 30 days after that, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Greene's political status has been upended over the last month and a half. She has broken with a president she defended for years and clashed with her party's top congressional leaders, drawing plaudits from Democratic lawmakers who once voted to take away her committee assignments due to conspiratorial comments. It began during the government shutdown, which was driven in part by Democrats' push to extend a set of expiring health insurance tax credits in exchange for their votes to fund federal agencies. Republican leadership had argued the government should reopen before negotiating on health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene publicly lashed out at her party, accusing leadership of failing to come up with a plan to prevent the massive health insurance premium increases that many families could face next year if the tax credits aren't extended. She also criticized Speaker Mike Johnson for keeping the House out of session for the duration of the shutdown. Asked by CBS News if he found any surprise GOP allies during the shutdown fight, the top House Democrat, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, answered: "Three words Marjorie Taylor Greene." Greene has also criticized the Trump administration for focusing on foreign policy rather than affordability issues at home. And her stance on the Epstein files had conflicted with Mr. Trump's. Greene and three other House Republicans joined with Democrats to force a vote on a bill ordering the release of government documents on Epstein, elevating an issue that animates many Trump allies, but one the president has long cast as a distraction by Democrats and "stupid" Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene called Mr. Trump's position on the issue "a huge miscalculation" in an interview last week with "CBS Mornings," arguing that the president has nothing to hide. Mr. Trump eventually came out in favor of the bill, which passed the House and Senate nearly unanimously this week and was signed into law on Wednesday. In a Truth Social post last week, the president said Greene "has gone Far Left," and wrote that "all I see 'Wacky' Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!" He argued that she was upset because he discouraged her from running in next year's closely contested Georgia Senate race. Greene, meanwhile, has cast her break with the GOP and the president as a product of her commitment to the "America First" agenda widely associated with Mr. Trump. "If I am cast aside by MAGA Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that can't even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well," she wrote in Friday's statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan Sprouse and Jared Eggleston contributed to this report. Judge slams senior ICE official for "worst of all" answers on Kilmar Abrego Garcia case Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation amid clashes with President Trump Trump administration case against John Bolton in court Several Indiana lawmakers have become victims of targeted threats, police said. At least seven Republican state senators and Governor Mike Braun have reported receiving bomb threats or being the victims of "swatting." The threats began Sunday evening after President Donald Trump criticized a lawmaker for being opposed to redistricting in the state. The FBI and Indiana State Police are investigating the threats. Fishers in the Great Lakes are experiencing a steep drop in yields, according to The Newberry News. What's happening? Whitefish populations in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan have been steadily declining because of an invasion of European mussels. These mussels have been able to devour nutrients, leaving little for other species. Worse still, eliminating plankton has made the water clear enough that sunlight is killing young whitefish farther below the surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's no regulatory fix for what the problem is," said Steve Lenart, a fish biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, per The Newberry News. Why are whitefish important? Invasive species are a massive challenge. Human transportation, like boats, routinely moves species from their native habitats into new ones. When freed from the checks and balances that they evolved with, plants and animals can establish a monopoly on vital resources in their new habitat. This leads to the displacement of native species, reduced biodiversity, and a loss of important ecosystem services. This scenario is being played out with whitefish in the Great Lakes, and the economic fallout is clear. Some have estimated that invasive species cause hundreds of billions of dollars worth of economic costs annually. Others have suggested that over the course of 50 years, invasive species have incurred more than $1 trillion in damages. What's being done about whitefish? "We can't just do what we've been doing for the last 100 years and expect things to change," said Michael Monfils, director of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, per The Newberry News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specially designed pesticides helped rid the Great Lakes of lampreys, but it will take time to develop a similar solution for European mussels. Lake Superior remains relatively untouched by invasive mussels thanks to lower water temperatures and less calcium content. However, whitefish don't especially thrive there, and mussels may yet establish themselves in Lake Superior. As an additional safeguard, biologists are moving whitefish to other inland lakes so there are pockets where the population is protected from mussels. It also offers a backup in case whitefish stocks in the Great Lakes collapse. "We need to make sure that, 20 years from now, if the lake is ready again, we can return the descendants of fish that came from here," said Jason Smith, a scientist with the Bay Mills Indian Community, per The Newberry News. Do you think sewage pollution is a major problem in America? Yes In most states In a few states No Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. A particularly vicious invasive species, known as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, has invaded southern Utah. What's happening? The Salt Lake Tribune reported on the abundance of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes suddenly appearing in Washington County. This invasive mosquito species is known for infesting residential and urban areas, feeding on humans (even during the day and sometimes biting the same person multiple times), and carrying a vast array of diseases, including Zika and West Nile virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents of Washington County are desperate for relief from the invasion. Not only do these mosquitoes bite often, but they can also leave behind bruises and large red welts when they do. Some people have even gone to the hospital due to not knowing where these red welts on their bodies came from. As the manager of the Southwest Mosquito Abatement District, Sean Amodt, told The Salt Lake Tribune, "The statement we constantly hear from them is, 'Help, we are getting eaten alive.'" Exterminators are using foggers and sprays to try to eradicate the problem, but finding the source of infestations can be challenging. Why is this incident concerning? Invasive species, like these mosquitoes, can cause numerous problems in their new environments, as evidenced by what's happening in Utah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When introduced to new ecosystems, invasive species tend to spread rapidly, destroying local ecosystems and native species by outcompeting them for vital resources. In the case of these invasive mosquitoes, though, the real danger lies in their ability to spread a host of new diseases into the local ecosystem. Vector-borne diseases, such as those spread by mosquitoes, can lead to long-term health consequences or even be fatal. With more invasive mosquitoes in an area, the chances of people getting these diseases increase. While eradicating invasive species is key, protecting and prioritizing native wildlife and plant species, as well as their habitats, can help limit invasive species and the spread of deadly disease, conserve natural resources, and even protect food supplies. What's being done about Utah's mosquito invasion? In addition to exterminators attempting to rid the area of the mosquitoes, they also passed out public health pamphlets that advised residents in infected neighborhoods to remove standing water and clear away outside clutter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, officials suspect that this mosquito species is likely to stay in the area, at least from May to November. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. The message is hammered over and over, in news conferences, hearings and executive orders: President Donald Trump and his health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., say they want the government to follow gold standard science. Scientists say the problem is that they are often doing just the opposite by relying on preliminary studies, fringe science or just hunches to make claims, cast doubt on proven treatments or even set policy. This week, the nation's top public health agency changed its website to contradict the scientific conclusion that vaccines do not cause autism. The move shocked health experts nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Daniel Jernigan, who resigned from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in August, told reporters Wednesday that Kennedy seems to be going from evidence-based decision making to decision-based evidence making. It was the latest example of the Trump administration's challenge to established science. In September, the Republican president gave out medical advice based on weak or no evidence. Speaking directly to pregnant women and to parents, he told them not to take acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. He repeatedly made the fraudulent and long-disproven link between autism and vaccines, saying his assessment was based on a hunch. I have always had very strong feelings about autism and how it happened and where it came from, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a two-day meeting this fall, Kennedys handpicked vaccine advisers to the CDC raised questions about vaccinating babies against hepatitis B, an inoculation long shown to reduce disease and death drastically. The discussion that has been brought up regarding safety is not based on evidence other than case reports and anecdotes, said Dr. Flor Munoz, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital. During the country's worst year for measles in more than three decades, Kennedy cast doubt on the measles vaccine while championing unproven treatments and alleging that the unvaccinated children who died were already sick. Scientists say the process of getting medicines and vaccines to market and recommended in the United States has, until now, typically relied on gold standard science. The process is so rigorous and transparent that much of the rest of the world follows the lead of American regulators, giving the OK to treatments only after U.S. approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold standard science The gold standard can differ because science and medicine is complicated and everything cannot be tested the same way. That term simply refers to the best possible evidence that can be gathered. It completely depends on what question youre trying to answer, said Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious disease physician and Stanford University researcher. What produces the best possible evidence? There are many different types of studies. The most rigorous is the randomized clinical trial. It randomly creates two groups of subjects that are identical in every way except for the drug, treatment or other question being tested. Many are blinded studies, meaning neither the subjects nor the researchers know who is in which group. This helps eliminate bias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not always possible or ethical to conduct these tests. This is sometimes the case with vaccine trials, because we have so much data showing how safe and effective they are, it would be unethical to withhold vaccines from a particular group, said Jessica Steier, a public health scientist and founder of the Unbiased Science podcast. Studying the long-term effect of a behavior can be impossible. For example, scientists could not possibly study the long-term benefit of exercise by having one group not exercise for years. Instead, researchers must conduct observational studies, where they follow participants and track their health and behavior without manipulating any variables. Such studies helped scientists discover that fluoride reduces cavities, and later lab studies showed how fluoride strengthens tooth enamel. But the studies have limitations because they can often only prove correlation, not causation. For example, some observational studies have raised the possibility of a link between autism risk and using acetaminophen during pregnancy, but more have not found a connection. The big problem is that those kinds of studies cannot determine if the painkiller really made any difference or if it was the fever or other health problem that prompted the need for the pill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Real world evidence can be especially powerful Scientists can learn even more when they see how something affects a large number of people in their daily lives. That real-world evidence can be valuable to prove how well something works and when there are rare side effects that could never be detected in trials. Such evidence on vaccines has proved useful in both ways. Scientists now know there can be rare side effects with some vaccines and can alert doctors to be on the lookout. The data has proved that vaccines provide extraordinary protection from disease. For example, measles was eliminated in the U.S. but it still pops up among unvaccinated groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same data proves vaccines are safe. If vaccines caused a wave of chronic disease, our safety systems which can detect 1-in-a-million events would have seen it. They havent, Scott told a U.S. Senate subcommittee in September. The best science is open and transparent Simply publishing a paper online is not enough to call it open and transparent. Specific things to look for include: Researchers set their hypothesis before they start the study and do not change it. The authors disclose their conflicts of interest and their funding sources. The research has gone through peer review by subject-matter experts who have nothing to do with that particular study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors show their work, publishing and explaining the data underlying their analyses. They cite reliable sources. This transparency allows science to check itself. Dr. Steven Woloshin, a Dartmouth College professor, has spent much of his career challenging scientific conclusions underlying health policy. Im only able to do that because theyre transparent about what they did, what the underlying source resources were, so that you can come to your own conclusion, he said. Thats how science works. Know the limits of anecdotes and single studies Anecdotes may be powerful. They are not data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Case studies might even be published in top journals, to help doctors or other professionals learn from a particular situation. But they are not used to making decisions about how to treat large numbers of patients because every situation is unique. Even single studies should be considered in the context of previous research. A new one-off blockbuster study that seems to answer every question definitively or reaches a conclusion that runs counter to other well-conducted studies needs a very careful look. Uncertainty is baked into science. Science isnt about reaching certainty, Woloshin said. Its about trying to reduce uncertainty to the point where you can say, I have good confidence that if we do X, well see result Y. But theres no guarantee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doing your own research? Questions to ask If you come across a research paper online, in a news story or cited by officials to change your mind about something, here are some questions to ask: Who did the research? What is their expertise? Do they disclose conflicts of interest? Who paid for this research? Who might benefit from it? Is it published in a reputable journal? Did it go through peer review? What question are the researchers asking? Who or what are they studying? Are they making even comparisons between groups? Is there a limitations section where the authors point out what their research cannot prove, other factors that could influence their results, or other potential blind spots? What does it say? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does it make bold, definitive claims? Does it fit into the scientific consensus or challenge it? Is it too good or bad to be true? ___ AP Medical Writers Lauran Neergaard in Washington and Mike Stobbe in New York contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) expressed his strong feelings about seeing communist Zohran Mamdani, the incoming NYC mayor, standing alongside President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Trump seemed smitten with Mamdani during a news conference Friday, where he shrugged off the Democratic socialist calling him a fascist, and later posted to Truth Social that it was a Great Honor to meet with the new mayor. It was unexpected, Ill say, Giuliani told Newsmax about the friendly visit. I expected it to be cordial; they always are with the president. And the president conducts himself that way, unless someone gets stupid, which people should realize this is this is the way the man acts all his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giuliani continued, I dont know, I have, I guess, stronger feelings. It is the position that I held and gave eight years of my life to, and to see it go to a child, irresponsible, neer-do-well communist is frightening. Giuliani was mayor of New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and was widely praised for his response to the terror attack that decimated the Twin Towers and killed nearly 3,000 people. Giuliani served as Trumps personal lawyer during the presidents first term, and was most recently disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C. for pushing the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. The former mayor accused Mamdani of having a very, very strong embrace of extremist fundamentalist Islam. I can have my views on the percentage that this is going to work out, Giuliani said of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued: Do I think it was a smart way to start? Sure, it was a smart way to start. And now any, deterioration in the relationship will be by the communist and islamic extremist sympathizer, not by the president. Of course, I want to see New York City do well. I want to see myself wrong about him. Id like to see him change. I mean, my goodness, Saint Augustine converted, he could convert, right? But all of that doesnt belie the fact that it makes me sick to my stomach to see that man in the oval office. Giuliani added, It might not be a bad idea to get a Catholic priest to come in and bless the place now. Watch above via Newsmax. The post Rudy Giuliani Says He Was Sick To My Stomach To See His Mayoral Replacement In The Oval Office first appeared on Mediaite. A school bus driver was pulled over and arrested Friday morning with children on board, according to police. Police say the driver, whom Eyewitness News isn't naming until charges are filed, assaulted a police officer and failed to provide identification when asked. The arrest happened just before 7 a.m. on Glenmont at Renwick as the driver, who works for Flores Bus Services, was taking students to YES Prep Gulfton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video recorded by the driver's sister-in-law and fellow Flores Bus Services driver, Mireya Flores, shows the bus stop in a turn lane, right alongside where police had another vehicle pulled over. That traffic stop, which appeared to involve undercover officers, was being conducted as part of a deadly conduct investigation tied to a homicide, according to a source. Several people can be seen standing outside the vehicle, whom Crystal Ramirez Flores said the bus driver recognized as clients of her private bus service. "It was a whole family standing there: a husband, a wife, and the children," Ramirez Flores said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shows a police officer motioning toward the bus before another officer approaches and begins pounding on the door. "When they told her to move, she was moving, but the other is just like pounding on the windows trying to open the door and trying to get in," Flores said. Police say they asked the driver for her identification, but that she refused and that they then initiated a traffic stop on the bus. The bus can be seen driving off, then pulling over to the side of the road a short distance away, as an unmarked police unit follows. The driver's family claims officers then boarded the bus, assaulted the driver, and dragged her off. None of this is clear from the video, nor is the moment police claim the driver assaulted an officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She didn't touch them, she didn't assault them, she just spoke to them directly, and that's it," Flores said. Police say it was more than just words and enough to warrant an assault on an officer charge. "They should dismiss it, and I think this whole situation was ridiculous," Ramirez Flores said. YES Prep hasn't responded to Eyewitness News' request for comment. For news updates, follow Luke Jones on Facebook, X and Instagram. Earlier this week, NASA officials released long-delayed images of interstellar visitor 3I/ATLAS. One of the shots, taken by the HiRISE camera attached to the agencys Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, shows the mysterious object blazing past the Red Planet in early October. The image shows a fuzzy white ball, per NASA associate administrator Amit Kshatriya, which is being lit up by the Sun a cloud of dust and ice called the coma, which is shed by the comet. The image was our closest look at the object yet, and was taken from a mere 19 million miles away, with a resolution of around 19 miles per pixel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And according to Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, who has long proffered the far-fetched theory that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft visiting the solar system, theres something off about the latest image. (NASA has yet to release its own closer analysis of the HiRISE data, though its pushed back against Loebs theorizing, saying the overwhelming evidence points to it being a natural comet, though a very unusual one.) For his part, Loeb says theres something strange about the jets emanating from the object, which appear to be pointing in the direction of motion, not in the direction of the Sun, as previously identified in Hubble Space Telescope data. It is easy to explain a plume of gas and dust extended towards the Sun as a result of the illumination of pockets of ice by sunlight or away from the Sun as a result of radiation pressure or the solar wind, he wrote in a blog post. It is also possible to explain a trailing stream that the object leaves behind as the drag on the solar wind slows it down relative to the object. But it is much more difficult to account for a plume extended perpendicular to the direction of the Sun and ahead of the object, he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Kshatriya appears to have vexed Loeb by opening Wednesdays announcement livestream with an outright denial of any fringe theories that suggest 3I/ATLAS is anything but a natural comet, the Harvard astronomer is still holding onto his guns. Could this be a technological signature of illuminating or clearing the path from any hazardous micrometeorites that may cause damage to a technological object? he pondered of the counterintuitive plume. Fortunately, 3I/ATLAS is expected to make its closest pass of Earth on December 19, allowing ground- and space-based telescopes to once again take a closer look, allowing us to characterize the jets of 3I/ATLAS by measuring their composition, speed and mass loading rate, per Loeb. Doing so could finally convince Loeb that 3I/ATLAS is either a natural comet from a different star system or an alien mothership that may or may not pose an existential risk to humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These details will inform us without a doubt whether the jets are produced by natural pockets of ice that are warmed by sunlight or by technological thrusters, Loeb wrote. More on 3I/ATLAS: Professor Rages at NASAs Deceptive Press Conference on Mysterious Interstellar Object Heres what youll learn when you read this story: Because of Earths weathering climate and shifting tectonics, impact craters regularly disappear from the Earths geologic record. Scientists in China found an impact crater that formed during the current epoch, and at 900 meters wide its three times larger than the previous record holder. The impact likely occurred less than 10,000 years ago and was caused by a 30-meter-wide asteroid traveling at roughly 45,000 miles per hour. When it comes to impact craters, the rest of the solar system is an open book. Take a glimpse at the surface of other rocky bodies, such as Mars or Mercury, and youll find a rich tableau of past astronomical trauma across billions of years. Earth, on the other hand, is a much harder read, due to its erosion-driving climate and rumbling plate tectonics. While some of Earths biggest blow ups can still be identifiedits ancient run-in with its protoplanet sibling, Theia, and the dino-killer Chicxulub being prime examplesthey still require serious effort, and lesser impacts from Earths early days have been long lost to the tides of history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Earths atmosphere helps burn up many would-be impacts before they do devastating damage. But the Holocene (our current geologic epoch) still contains more than a few serious impacts, with the largest being a 300-meter Macha crater in Russiathat is, until now. A new study published by a team of Chinese scientists in the journal Matter and Radiation at Extremes details the discovery of a new impact crater located in Guangdong Province in southern China, which at at 900 meters is three times larger than the Macha crater. This discovery shows that the scale of impacts of small extraterrestrial objects on the Earth in the Holocene is far greater than previously recorded, Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research in Shanghais Ming Chen, the lead author of the study, said in a press statement. Despite being discovered in a region known for heavy rain, monsoons, and high humiditytypically not an environment conducive to geologic preservationthe crater appeared clearly defined. Therefore, scientists could confirm that it was, in fact, a meteorite strike and not a cometary one (which would leave behind a much larger crater). The tell-tale sign of an impact crater lies in whats called planar deformation features, microscopic signatures embedded in quartz grains that geologists have identified as indicators of an impact event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Earth, the formation of planar deformation features in quartz is only from the intense shockwaves generated by celestial body impacts, and its formation pressure ranges from 10 to 35 gigapascals, which is a shock effect that cannot be produced by any geological process of the Earth itself, Chen said in a press statement. According to the researchers, the Jinlin impact played out something like this: Less than 10,000 years ago or so, a 30-meter wide asteroid traveling around 20 kilometers per second (roughly 45,000 miles per hour) smacked right into a granite hillside. The impact sent granite weathered soil into the air that eventually came to rest around the crater rim. In the north of the rim, where weathered rock was more scarce, the meteorite even dug into the granite bedrock. Future studies will be needed to precisely date the impact, but by comparing the chemical weathering rate of granite in the rainy, hilly region of Guangdong Province (at about 0.038mm per year) with the size of granite fragments found at the site, scientists suggest that this explosive drama likely took place in early-to-mid Holocene (i.e. less than 10,000 years ago). The Jinlin impact crater joins a small list (relatively speaking) of only 200 or so confirmed impact craters, though Earth has been pummeled thousands and thousands of times throughout its 4.6-billion-year lifespan. Whether known or unknown, all of these impacts have helped form the planet we all call home. You Might Also Like Individuals named Devanna typically exhibit a blend of spiritual depth and practical wisdom. They often possess an innate sense of intuition and emotional intelligence that allows them to connect deeply with others while maintaining a calm, centered presence. These individuals tend to be natural mediators who can see multiple perspectives and find harmonious solutions to conflicts, making them valuable in both personal and professional settings. Their divine-inspired name often manifests in a personality that balances compassion with strength, creativity with practicality, and spiritual awareness with grounded reality. Many Devannas demonstrate leadership qualities that are more collaborative than authoritarian, inspiring others through example rather than command. They typically approach life with a sense of purpose and meaning, seeking to make positive contributions to their communities while maintaining personal integrity and authenticity in all their endeavors. For years, South Africa's Seal Island was a bucket-list destination for marine wildlife lovers hoping to witness the breathtaking power of great white sharks leaping from the ocean in pursuit of seals. But in a troubling turn, the great whites have all but disappeared, as National Geographic detailed and their absence is sending shockwaves through the entire marine ecosystem. What's happening? A new study from the Shark Research Foundation, built on over 20 years of data and published in Frontiers in Marine Science, revealed just how much the ecosystem around South Africa's Seal Island has changed since great white sharks began to vanish. The decline started around 2010, but by 2018, the iconic predators had disappeared entirely from the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We saw things that we'd never expect," marine ecologist and executive director of the Shark Research Foundation Neil Hammerschlag, a coauthor of the study, said. What followed was a cascade of unexpected shifts, according to the researchers. Without great whites keeping them in check, broadnose sevengill sharks typically hidden away in nearby kelp forests surged into the area, sometimes appearing in groups as large as 15. Cape fur seals, once cautious and elusive, began to raft in bold, floating clusters and even chase after cage-diving bait. These changes marked more than just strange new behavior. They signaled a dramatic reshuffling of the food web one that researchers never expected to witness firsthand. Why is this concerning? Great white sharks play a crucial role in maintaining ocean balance. As apex predators, they keep populations of other species in check removing the sick and weak, thereby maintaining healthy food webs. When they disappear, ripple effects follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With fewer sharks to keep them in check, seals and sevengills increased but their own prey populations, including anchovies, Cape horse mackerel, and other smaller sharks, plummeted. This domino effect shows what scientists call a "trophic cascade" when the loss of a top predator causes dramatic changes at every level of the food chain. And while the exact reason for the sharks' disappearance isn't crystal clear, the finger points toward both human and natural threats. Killer whales may be targeting them, but shark nets which kill up to 30 great whites a year likely contribute to the decline. Because these sharks reproduce slowly and mature late, even small losses can have major consequences. What's being done about it? Experts like Hammerschlag say it's time to rethink how we protect both people and predators. One major change? Ending outdated netting programs and adopting non-lethal beach safety measures, such as shark spotters and electronic deterrents. On the individual level, supporting shark conservation groups and marine policy reforms is one way to help. You can also check out organizations like the Shark Research Foundation and follow science-backed efforts to reduce harmful fishing practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Hammerschlag put it: "We can't stop the orcas. But we can stop the nets." And doing so might just help restore balance to a fragile underwater world. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers identified ginkgo-toothed beaked whales alive at sea for the first time, including this juvenile, from which they obtained a DNA sample. . | Credit: Todd Pusser Rare tusked whales have been identified and photographed alive at sea for the first time following a herculean research effort off the shores of Mexico, a new study finds. The newly-sighted cetaceans are ginkgo-toothed beaked whales (Mesoplodon ginkgodens), which were previously only known from dead individuals that had washed ashore and from bycatch. This isn't all that unusual for beaked whales, which are deep divers and notoriously cryptic , spending their lives away from coastlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Beaked whales are the largest least-known animals left on the planet," study co-author Robert Pitman , an affiliate of the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University, told Live Science in an email. "It is exciting to think that there [are] still organisms here on earth that weigh over a ton and have never been identified alive in the wild." A bruised and scarred adult male ginkgo-toothed beaked. The white of what looks like its eye is actually a tusk for battling. The tip of the tusk (the orange bit) is worn. | Credit: Craig Hayslip The hunt for and subsequent discovery of the elusive creatures was sparked by a recording of a distinct echolocation pulse in the North Pacific. Researchers began searching for the animals responsible for the mysterious sonar signal in 2020, and in June of 2024, it led them to a single beaked whale. Within days of that sighting, the team then found a small group of the whales, including a battle-scarred adult male and adult female with a calf. Beaked whale species can be difficult to tell apart, so simply observing the whales wasn't enough to identify them. The team only confirmed what they had seen after collecting a DNA sample by shooting one of the whales with a crossbow. (Don't worry, the whale is fine.) The researchers published their findings online July 28 in the journal Marine Mammal Science , which will appear in the upcoming January 2026 issue of the journal. Study lead author Elizabeth Henderson , a bioacoustic researcher at the Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific, said that the findings demonstrated the benefits of determination and not giving up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Myself and some of the other folks on this trip (Gustavo Cardenas, Jay Barlow) spent five years looking for these whales; we spent every year since 2020 searching off Baja to find them, and that effort and determination paid off with a huge reward," Henderson told Live Science in an email. Ginkgo-toothed beaked whales are so named because the males have a pair of teeth that resemble the fan-shaped leaves of a ginkgo tree. For the whales, almost all of this shape is hidden in the jaw and gum tissue, with only the tip of each tooth visible on either side of their mouth. The teeth grow into small tusks as the males mature, and arent for eating, but are used as weapons. "They feed on small squids and fishes by suction feeding, so they dont need teeth," Pitman said. "As a result, females are toothless their entire lives, but males retain a single pair of enlarged teeth in the lower jaw that they use as tusks to fight over access to reproductive females." When the team finally tracked down the whales, they saw that one adult male was seemingly battle-hardened with a worn tusk, bruising and scars. The other whales the researchers recorded across six separate observations were marked, too, and not just from other whales. Their scars included distinctive white blobs indicative of bites from cookiecutter sharks little sock puppet-like fish that feed by ripping cookie-shaped chunks out of larger animals. An adult male rolling over. The lines on its skin are tooth rake marks received in fights with other males over females. The white blobs are scars from cookiecutter sharks, while the damaged dorsal fin is from a shark bite, according to the researchers. | Credit: Craig Hayslip The team documented the whales with binocular observations, photographs and hydrophones (underwater microphones). During the fifth encounter, one of the whales swam within 66 feet (20 meters) of the stern of the researchers' ship, which is when Pitman fired his 150-pound (68-kilogram) draw-weight crossbow loaded with a modified punch-tip arrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The crossbow arrow ('bolt') extracts a tiny, pencil-eraser-sized plug of skin and blubber," Pitman said. "We have collected thousands over the years, from dozens of whale and dolphin species." Henderson compared the crossbow shot to an ear-piercing gun, while Pitman noted that any one of the whales' cookicutter shark bites probably took 50 times more tissue than the crossbow. The arrow didn't stick in the whale, so the researchers could retrieve it and the tissue. With a sample in the bag, the researchers then sent the tissue to a geneticist for testing. "It took a few days to process the material and run the tests, and we were all waiting with baited breath," Henderson said. "When we got the results back we were all a bit shocked while they did look like that species, this was not the expected area of their distribution so we had discounted that as a possibility but we were also thrilled to finally have the mystery solved." RELATED STORIES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ancient predatory whale with big eyes and razor-sharp teeth was 'deceptively cute' Ancient whale 'graveyard' discovered under melting Russian glacier No, blue whales aren't going silent off California. Here's why. Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale strandings are fairly common in the western Pacific, but only two individuals have ever been recorded stranding in the eastern Pacific. The researchers had initially suspected that the whales they were seeing were Perrin's beaked whales (Mesoplodon perrini), which Pitman said are known from only six stranded specimens off southern California and are the least known marine mammals (and large animals) in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pitman noted that the team now hopes to go looking for Perrins beaked whales and the two other species of beaked whales that have yet to be identified alive in the wild, putting faces to more underwater calls. "This is important because once we match up the calls to all the individual species, then we can use passive acoustic monitoring (towing hydrophones behind vessels, drifter buoys, etc.) and finally learn where these whales live, how many there are, and how vulnerable they are to human disturbances, especially high-seas fisheries," Pitman said. President Donald Trump accused several Democratic members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, of sedition after they released a video telling service members they can refuse unlawful orders. The lawmakers, who previously served in the military or intelligence community, told U.S. troops and members of the intelligence community in the video: "We know you are under enormous pressure right now." "Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders," Kelly said in the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats' actions amounted to "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. In another post, he said: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!!" It's an accusation that the president has regularly leveled at his political opponents, from former President Barack Obama to former President Joe Biden. Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt backpedaled on his remarks, telling reporters that the president, who the day before reposted a comment calling to "HANG" the Democrats, doesn't believe the lawmakers should be killed. The video could spark chaos within the military chain of command and lead to deaths, Leavitt said. What is sedition? What is seditious conspiracy? Sedition is language used to incite insurrection against a government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal statutes define seditious conspiracy as when two or more people in the U.S. "conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof," according to Cornell University's Legal Information Institute. There are even stricter standards for members of the military, who can be charged for intending to undermine a civil authority, or for failing to do their best to "suppress" such an action, according to the think tank CSIS. What's the difference between sedition, treason and insurrection? Treason means waging war on the United States or giving "aid and comfort" to the country's enemies. The term "sedition" refers to the act of plotting and inciting an uprising. "Insurrection generally is understood to mean the actual violent acts of the uprising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 10 people besides Sen. Mark Kelly who Trump has accused of treason What is the punishment for treason? Treason is one of the most serious federal crimes. It's the only crime defined in the U.S. Constitution. The punishment is death, or imprisonment for no less than five years, and a fine of at least $10,000, according to Cornell University. What did Trump accuse the Democrats of doing? Trump accused the Democrats of "seditious" behavior. Trump adviser Stephen Miller told Fox News the group was encouraging "insurrection" and should "resign in disgrace." Other Republicans have echoed the sentiment. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Arizona, wrote on social media that the video was "disgusting" and "seditious" and it violated the oath service members take to the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Maybe they forgot that oath," Hamadeh wrote. How did Mark Kelly respond to Trump's comments? Kelly responded in a series of social media posts. "I've 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 I'd see a President call for my execution," he said in a Nov. 20 message posted to the platform X.com. "Trump doesnt understand the Constitution, and we're all less safe for it." In a Nov. 21 post, Kelly signaled he would stand firm despite the prospect of political violence against him. He cited the 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, who was shot in the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A gunman tried to silence my wife in an extreme act of political violence. Now, Trump has called for my execution because he didnt like what I had to say," he wrote. "Gabby and I know, when others try to silence you, you must keep speaking out and thats exactly what were going to do." This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What is sedition? What is treason? What to know after Trump attacks Seven members of Mexican mayor Carlos Manzos security detail have been arrested as suspects in his killing, according to the prosecutors office. The prosecutors office said on Friday that the guards, who were active police officers, were detained as part of an investigation into their probable involvement in the crime of qualified homicide of the politician. The mayor of Uruapan was killed in front of his family on November 1 in broad daylight. The alleged perpetrator was a 17-year-old boy who was killed by the politicians guards. Local and federal authorities have said that organised crime was likely behind the assassination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assassination of Manzo during an event in the city marking the Day of the Dead caused widespread shock and outrage across the nation. It ignited antigovernment protests and led to the reinforcement of federal forces in Michoacan, a state in western Mexico. Manzo, 40, had gained popularity as a crusader against organised crime in the troubled state. He had served as mayor of Uruapan for a little over a year and had campaigned on fighting Mexicos notorious and powerful drug cartels. Until their arrests, the seven guards remained active, tasked with protecting Manzos widow, Grecia Quiroz, who was appointed by the state Congress to replace him as mayor of Uruapan, officials said. Alleged mastermind arrested On Wednesday, federal authorities announced the arrest of Jorge Armando N, also known as El Licenciado, naming him as one of the masterminds in Manzos killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Security Secretariat said El Licenciado is the leader of an unidentified criminal cell that, according to local media, is believed to be the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. On Friday, local media circulated images of a midday raid in Uruapan by agents from the local prosecutors office, supported by military personnel and federal guards, to arrest the bodyguards. The brief report from the prosecutors office, shared on social media, added that the detainees were public officials and were transferred to a prison to be presented before a judge. Authorities have since indicated that the members of Manzos security detail were municipal police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Saturday, Mexicans marched in the nations capital, Mexico City, in a huge Gen Z-heavy protest to denounce Manzos murder. More than 100 people were injured in clashes between demonstrators and police, and 19 were arrested. The mayors assassination has brought added pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum to reboot her security strategy. She has since announced Plan Michoacan, which, while heavy on spending for social programmes, also included deploying 10,000 soldiers across the state in an attempt to wrest control from the various criminal organisations operating there. Here are this week's letters to the editor of the Sheboygan Press. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views. Read more in Opinion: Click here for the latest Opinion headlines New nonprofit brings vision care to SASD students Sheboygan Area School District nurses are proud to announce the launch of Eyes on Education, a new nonprofit created to ensure every student has access to essential vision care. Good vision is critical to learning, and several children experience vision problems that can hinder academic success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last school year, SASD nurses screened 2,059 students; nearly 16% required referrals, and more than half of those students still need follow-up eye exams. Cost and limited access remain major barriers. While the Lions Club provides some assistance, their vouchers are few. The Sight for Students program once helped fill the gap, but due to rising demand, it ended new requests after 2023-2024 its final year serving only 17 SASD students. Many more went without needed care simply because their families could not afford it. Vision care is one of the few remaining unmet health needs in our community, and Eyes on Education was created to address it directly. Our mission is to fund free eye exams and glasses for students who otherwise would go without. Were grateful to partner with local optometrist Dr. Nichole Cruz, who shares our commitment to ensuring no childs learning is limited by an undiagnosed vision issue. A donation of $150 covers a full eye exam and glasses for a child, and contributions of any size make a meaningful difference. To learn more or donate, visit https://sites.google.com/sasd.net/eyesoneducation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for helping us keep students futures in focus. Cassie Neese Sheboygan Hemp ban sidesteps debate, harms businesses and those suffering pain As a small business owner in Sheboygan, I am deeply concerned about the hemp ban that was quietly attached to the government funding bill. This provision threatens to devastate my business and abandon Wisconsin customers who depend on our products veterans with chronic pain, seniors managing inflammation and individuals with epilepsy who have found relief through hemp. Attaching an industry ban to a must-pass funding bill circumvents proper debate. Wisconsinites should be outraged. This ban will harm farmers, businesses and consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman did sign a letter to the Speaker to oppose this language, it isnt enough. I support sensible regulation: age 21-and-older requirements, clear labeling, independent testing and strict packaging standards. These measures would keep communities safe while preserving access for responsible adults. Instead, Congress has chosen to eliminate legitimate businesses, forcing consumers toward unregulated alternatives. I urge Congress to reconsider this ban and work with stakeholders to develop responsible regulations rather than legislating small businesses out of existence through last-minute political maneuvering. Trisha Skyline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheboygan Our letters policy Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to news@sheboyganpress.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel. This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan letters touch on nonprofit for vision care in SASD, hemp ban After a massive fire erupted on a container ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles, the vessel was moved out to sea overnight and a shelter-in-place order was lifted Saturday morning in San Pedro, officials said. The fire was reported around 6:38 p.m. Friday with 124 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responding, according to Lyndsey Lantz, a spokesperson for the department. Personnel from the Long Beach Fire Department and Port Police also assisted. The ship, named the One Henry Hudson, was moved out to sea overnight as firefighters worked to get control of the fire. The Coast Guard established a safety zone approximately 1/2 nautical miles around the ship and is directing vessel traffic in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LAFD said firefighters had been unable to access roughly 40 burning containers as of Saturday morning "because of how deep some of these are." The fire started with an electrical fire below deck, according to fire officials. Fire was visible on several levels of the 1,100-foot vessel as LAFD crews worked to confirm all 23 crew members were accounted for and safely off the ship while identifying the fire's source and working to contain it. No injuries were reported. Port Police and Customs personnel helped with crew leaving the ship, Lantz said. LAFD hazmat teams monitored air quality as suppression efforts continued in the ship's sub-levels, where access remained difficult. A shelter-in-place order was issued north of Point Fermin, between South Western Avenue and State Route 103 for both San Pedro and nearby Wilmington, the LAFD said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the fire at the port, the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the closure of all lanes of the 47 Freeway, between Gaffey Street and Ocean Boulevard in San Pedro for an unknown duration and the freeway remained closed early Saturday morning. A fire on a container ship at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro prompted a large response from firefighters Friday evening. "A waterside safety zone around the ship has been established and the State Route 47 has been closed due to smoke and visibility concerns," said a statement from the Port of Los Angeles. "No injuries have been reported and all crew members are accounted for." The department also issued a shelter-in-place order for the area immediately surrounding the fire. The order was lifted Saturday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crew members attempted to assist firefighters navigating lower compartments. As of 1:30 p.m., Saturday, the fire was isolated to a single cargo hold with a fire boat on scene from the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach, authorities said. The fire had remained under major emergency status as of 7:30 p.m. Friday. At 7:58 p.m., an explosion was reported mid-deck, disrupting power to the ship, including lighting and crane operations. About 30 minutes later, the final five crew members were assisted off the vessel, and all crew were accounted for, according to Lantz. Four of the port's seven container terminals suspended operations. More than 180 firefighters responded to the fire, Lantz said. The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report. Six airlines cancelled flights to Venezuela on Saturday, an industry group said, after the US aviation regulator warned of dangers from "heightened military activity" amid a major buildup of American forces in the region. Spain's Iberia, Portugal's TAP, Chile's LATAM, Colombia's Avianca and Brazil's GOL have suspended their flights to the country, said Marisela de Loaiza, president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV). She did not specify how long the flight suspensions would last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panama's Copa Airlines, Spain's Air Europa and PlusUltra and Venezuela's LASER are continuing to operate flights for now. Turkish Airlines said Sunday it was canceling flights from November 24-28. The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday urged civilian aircraft in Venezuelan airspace to "exercise caution" due to the "worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela." "Threats could pose a potential risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including during overflight, the arrival and departure phases of flight, and/or airports and aircraft on the ground," it said. Washington has sent an aircraft carrier strike group, other Navy warships as well as stealth aircraft to the region -- deployments it says are aimed at curbing drug trafficking but which have sparked fears in Caracas that regime change is the goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A US terrorism designation takes effect Monday for a drug cartel allegedly headed by leftist Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro -- a move that some believe could presage military action against his government. Washington's forces have carried out strikes against more than 20 alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since early September, killing more than 80 people. But the United States has yet to release concrete evidence that the vessels it targeted were used to smuggle drugs or posed a threat to the country, and regional tensions have flared as a result of the campaign and the accompanying military buildup. ba/cn/acb/sst/des U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin's office said Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat at her Oakland County home on Friday, Nov. 21, a day after President Donald Trump called her and other Democrats traitors for putting out a video message to members of the military telling them it's their right and duty to disobey illegal orders. A message posted on social media platform X by a spokesperson for Slotkin, D-Michigan, said Slotkin wasn't at her home in Holly at the time of the threat. Michigan State Police searched the premises "and confirmed no one was in danger," the message said. Slotkin's office didn't provide further details about the threat or Slotkin's whereabouts but referred questions to Michigan State Police, who didn't immediately respond to calls and emails from the Free Press. The social media message added, "U.S. Capitol Police will continue to investigate and hopefully hold accountable those responsible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump dangles death penalty for Slotkin, other Dems over Armed Forces message Slotkin got round-the-clock protection from Capitol Police on Thursday, Nov. 20, after Trump went on his social media platform Truth Social and blasted Slotkin and five other congressional Democrats for having posted a video in which they urged members of the military to disobey any unlawful orders they might receive. Trump called the message seditious and the members of Congress who posted it traitors. He suggested they could be jailed and in a separate post said seditious behavior could be punishable by death. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said later on Nov. 20 that Trump was not calling for any member of Congress to be executed but that the message threatened the chain of command and that it suggested "that the president has given illegal orders, which he has not." On Nov. 21, Trump went on Fox News Radio and reiterated that he's not proposing to execute anyone but that the Democratic members who made the video "are in serious trouble." In an interview with NBC News on Nov. 20, Slotkin said "the threat level just went through the roof" after Trump made his social media comments, even though the video had been posted to X days earlier. "I mean the shift was immediate," she said. "We've had hundreds and hundreds, if not, you know, closer to 1,000 threats come in to our phones, our emails all our Senate systems." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military personnel could face court-martial for failing to obey a lawful order but are not duty-bound to follow a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime or violates military practice or the U.S. Constitution, and could face legal liability for doing so. In their video, Slotkin and the others didn't specify any particular order that might be illegal. But Slotkin, a former CIA officer and acting assistant Defense Department secretary, and other critics of Trump's have questioned his use of military personnel in securing American cities and the administration's destruction of suspected drug-trafficking craft at sea without express authorization from Congress. Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Slotkin's home target of bomb threat after Trump calls her a traitor Nov. 21The Montana Land Board this week approved the 481-acre Dog Rock Timber Sale on state trust lands near Olney. The project authorizes the removal of nearly 3.5 million board feet of timber from the area over the next four years, with proceeds from the sale going toward state trusts for Common Schools, Public Buildings, Montana State University and Pine Hills School. The total minimum bid is $396,437. The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is mandated to sell about 60 million board feet of timber each year to fund public schools in the state. This year, the agency has put about 62.7 million board feet of timber up for sale, collecting about $7.64 million in bids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If sold, the Dog Rock Timber Sale will be one of the largest timber projects on state lands in Northwest Montana. Earlier this year, the Department of Natural Resources offered 4.4 million board feet of timber in the Swift Stryke sale east of Olney, but no timber companies submitted bids for the project. Other largescale timber projects in the area have hit stumbling blocks in the courtroom. Several wildlife nonprofits filed suit against the U.S. Forest Service in January after the federal agency approved a 12,331-acre logging project near Whitefish. The area marked for treatment included lynx critical habitat and grizzly bear secure core habitat. While smaller in size, the Dog Rock Timber Sale would alter approximately 596 acres of grizzly bear recovery habitat and 622 acres of suitable lynx habitat, according to the project's environmental assessment. The document notes that more than 75% of the total 5,850-acre project area will remain suitable habitat for both species. The overall effect on key wildlife species, including grizzly bears, lynx, fishers, elk, deer, moose, pileated woodpeckers and hoary bats was rated as low. The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is accepting bids on the project Dec. 9, 2025. The selected timber company is expected to operate in the area between July 1 and March 31 through Sept. 30, 2029. Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected]. Ralph Menzies appears during his commutation hearing before the parole board at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City as he petitions to stop his execution by firing squad on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune) One of several reports prepared for a Utah judge draws a conclusion that convicted killer Ralph Menzies is not competent to be executed for the 1986 murder of Maurine Hunsaker. The finding doesnt definitively answer the question of whether Menzies, 67, will be put to death for the crime. The judge will make a determination on legal competency after a court hearing expected to last several days next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled a person cannot be put to death without a rational understanding of the reason for the penalty, saying that would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. In an evaluation dated Nov. 17 and publicly available in Utah court records for a time Friday, forensic psychologist Michael P. Brooks wrote that Mr. Menzies is unaware of the crime for which he is convicted, the parameters of the case (e.g., victims identity, specific acts he was found to have committed, etc.), the capital nature of the sentence he received, or how the punishment will be carried out. Brooks, an employee of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, was ordered by the court to conduct an independent examination. He previously concluded that Menzies was fit to receive the death penalty, testifying in November 2024 that Menzies knows that the state wants to kill me because I killed a person and killing people is wrong. For the new evaluation, the psychologist met with Menzies on Oct. 20 and Nov. 12, for 70 minutes both times. In one of the sessions, Menzies asked, why would they want to kill me? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked after his understanding of the crime for which he had been convicted and the legal proceedings to this point, but he merely shook his head, the 30-page report says. A spokesperson for the Utah Attorney Generals Office, which is defending the states plan to execute Menzies, declined comment. Jennifer Moreno, one of Menzies attorneys, said his legal team knows about the report but did not provide comment on its conclusion. Menzies does not have a substantial probability of getting to a point of restored competency, given that there is no treatment that would improve any cognitive deficits incident to this condition, the review found. Menzies killed the 26-year-old Hunsaker nearly four decades ago after kidnapping her from her job at a gas station in Kearns. He tied her to a tree in Big Cottonwood Canyon, strangled her and slit her throat, prosecutors said. She was found by a hiker days later. A photograph of Maurine Hunsaker is displayed during a commutation hearing for Ralph Menzies, who was sentenced to be executed for Hunsakers murder, at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (Pool photo by Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune) Menzies had been scheduled to be executed by firing squad Sept. 5. As the date drew closer, his attorneys argued his dementia had worsened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a judge rejected those arguments, they appealed to the Utah Supreme Court. The states high court called off the execution in September, ruling there was enough evidence to warrant another competency evaluation. The courts decision triggered the new round of proceedings, requiring reports from at least two state examiners and other evaluators commissioned by the state or Menzies attorneys. For those already on death row before May 2004, including Menzies, Utah allowed a choice between lethal injection and firing squad. Menzies chose the firing squad. Now the default method of execution is lethal injection, unless the necessary drugs are not available. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Cultural & Historical Significance Devayani holds profound significance in Hindu mythology as the daughter of Shukracharya, the guru of asuras (demons), and a celestial nymph. Her story appears in the Mahabharata and Puranas, where she represents the bridge between divine and mortal realms. As the wife of King Yayati and mother of Puru, she establishes the lunar dynasty that eventually leads to the Pandavas and Kauravas, making her a crucial ancestral figure in Hindu epics. Her narrative explores themes of pride, love, rejection, and royal lineage. The story of her romance with Kacha, her marriage to Yayati, and her complex relationships with her father and rival Sharmishtha provide rich cultural lessons about dharma, social hierarchy, and the consequences of actions. Devayani's character embodies both aristocratic pride and emotional vulnerability, making her one of the more nuanced female characters in ancient Indian literature. The 16-year-old stepbrother of a Florida teenager found dead onboard a Carnival cruise ship this month has been identified as a suspect in her death. Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old from Titusville, was found dead under a bed on the Carnival Horizon on 8 November, wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests, ABC News reported. Preliminary findings indicate she died of asphyxiation from a bar hold an arm across the neck with investigators noting two bruises on the side of her neck. A final autopsy and toxicology report are still pending. The high school cheerleader had reportedly been sharing a stateroom with her stepbrother during the family trip, which included her father, stepmother and two step-siblings. The boy was allegedly allowed to drink while the ship was in international waters, according to an attorney involved in a separate custody dispute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to the hospital after the ship docked in Miami. Neither the FBI nor Carnival has said publicly how Kepner died, whether a crime occurred or what led agents to focus on the teen. Carnival Cruise Line is cooperating with the Miami office of the FBI on an investigation of the death of a guest on the Carnival Horizon ship, a statement to CBS News Miami said. Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI, Carnival Cruise Line said. The disclosures about the teens possible involvement surfaced during a family court hearing involving his parents, Shauntel Hudson and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, according to News 6 WKMG. Both parents acknowledged in court filings that their middle child, identified only as TH, was under FBI investigation in connection with Kepners death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shauntel Hudson has since asked the court to delay a custody hearing. The parents also agreed to have the boy temporarily live with a relative. The case has drawn further attention after Kepners biological mother, Heather Wright, said she learned of her daughters death only through Google searches. I ended up Googling it, because the only information I had was that my daughter was on a cruise, Wright said, according to CNN. Kepner, who was expected to graduate high school next year, was memorialized Thursday at a church in Titusville, where the hundreds of mourners who attended were encouraged to wear bright colors in honor of Annas bright and beautiful soul. KAITLAN COLLINS: We dont often use the word, shocking, here, on this show. But that is really the only fitting way to describe this headline, as we come on the air tonight. Marjorie Taylor Greene says that she is resigning from Congress. The MAGA firebrand and Georgia congresswoman explains that her very public falling out that has happened, over these last few weeks, with President Trump, was the driving factor in this decision. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA): I have too much self-respect and dignity. I love my family way too much. And I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President that we all fought for, only to fight and win my election, while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, and in turn be expected to defend the President against impeachment, after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me. Its all so absurd and completely unserious. I refuse to be a battered wife, hoping it all goes away and gets better. There is no plan to save the world or a 4D chess game being played. (END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: That is just part of what is a 10-minute long statement that just dropped so unexpectedly, it actually took us a minute to make sure that we were hearing Marjorie Taylor Greene right. This is a rift that has been building and building, between Marjorie Taylor Greene and President Trump, to the point that this week started with the President calling his one-time staunch ally, a traitor, over her dogged pursuit of the Epstein files. Shes broken with him on several fronts lately. That includes the Obamacare subsidies, health care, the cost of living. That all leads us to where this week ended, with the President talking about affordability and heaping praise on someone who is the opposite of Marjorie Taylor Greene, and typically one of his favorite targets. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Just had a great meeting. A really good, very productive meeting. It was a great meeting. I enjoyed the meeting. We had a great meeting. I think youre going to have, hopefully a really great mayor. I think this mayor can do some things that are going to be really great. He has a chance to really do something great for New York. (END VIDEO CLIP) COLLINS: Yes, for those of you keeping score at home, for President Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene is out, and Zohran Mamdani appears to be in. NEED TO KNOW Jake Robinson, 30, of Victoria, Australia, his brother, Callum Robinson, 33, of San Diego, and their friend, Carter Rhoad, 30, also of San Diego, traveled to Baja California for a trip of a lifetime in April 2024 They were reported missing when they failed to show up at the Airbnb where they were supposed to stay On May 2, their bodies were found in the bottom of a well. All three had been shot in the head, police said Three friends two from Australia and one from the U.S. met up in Mexico for a week of surfing and fun, but they ended up dead. Now, one of the suspects convicted for her role in the brutal carjacking and execution-style shootings of the three men in April 2024 has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ari Gisell Silva Raya, 23, of Mexico, pleaded guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 21, to instigating the murders of Jake Robinson, 30, of Victoria, Australia, his brother, Callum Robinson, 33, of San Diego, and their friend, Carter Rhoad, 30, also of San Diego, during a surfing and camping trip in the northern Mexican state of Baja California, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports. Silva Rayal was sentenced on Nov. 21 to 14 years in jail for robbery of a vehicle with violence and an additional six years for robbery with violence, per ABC News Australia. She was also fined 54,285 Mexican pesos ($4,563), according to ABC News Australia. The three adventurers were last seen on April 27 while they were surfing and camping along the Mexican coast, south of Ensenada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the ill-fated trip, Callum posted a picture on Instagram of his white pickup truck filled with equipment parked in a sandy locale with the caption, ...and it begins. The trio then spent time in San Miguel, the last place they surfed before they disappeared. On May 2, 2024, the bodies of the three men were found at the bottom of a 50-foot well after they were reported missing, FBI San Diego said at the time, NBC San Diego reported. Carter Redd Rhoad/Instagram Carter Redd Rhoad Carter Redd Rhoad They each had suffered gunshot wounds to the head. The body of a fourth man was also found in the well but authorities said his death was unrelated to the murders of the three friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadly carjacking came about after Silva Rayal happened to meet the Robinson brothers and Rhoad, saw the truck they were driving and told her boyfriend at the time, Jesus Gerardo Garcia Cota, to "bring me a good phone and good tires for my pickup truck, prosecutors said in court, according to the BBC. Sometime between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. that night, Cota, who is known as El Kekas, his brother Irineo Francisco Garcia Montano and a third man, Angel Jesus Leon Aguilera, drove to Punta San Jose where the three surfers were camping, killed them and robbed them, prosecutors allege, NBC San Diego reports. All three are in custody and awaiting trial, having pleaded not guilty. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. During the sentencing hearing, the victims family members spoke about their immense loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our hearts are broken beyond repair," Callum and Jakes mother, Debra Robinson, said via video link to the Mexican courtroom from Australia, ABC News Australia reports. "The silence in our home is deafening, she continued. There are no words for the emptiness, the weight of their absence. The grief is constant it lives inside us now." Their father, Martin Robinson, said he would "never understand why you had to rob these young men, adding that he didnt think her sentence was long enough, ABC News Australia reports. Via video link, Rhoads widow, Natalie Weirtz, said, "Carter was the love of my life. He was my safety in the world. My life is now a nightmare, per ABC News Australia. Read the original article on People Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A U.S. Supreme Court justice on Friday night at least temporarily paused a lower court's decision to throw out Texas' new congressional map to potentially add five House seats for Republicans. Justie Samuel Alito, chosen to decide on emergency appeals in the state, granted the request, writing it "is hereby administratively stayed" with a response to the application to be filed by 5 p.m. Monday. So, this puts the block on hold until the full court decides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Friday, state lawyers formally asked for an emergency stay to allow the map borders that were approved this summer by the legislature. On Tuesday, a three-member panel in the U.S. District Court of Western Texas threw out the mapsin a 2-1 vote. President Donald Trump had urged Texas to change the maps to favor Republicans. After the state filed its appeal, Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in a news release: "Texas engaged in partisan redistricting solely to secure more Republican seats in Congress and thereby better represent our state and Texans. For years, Democrats have aggressively gerrymandered their states and only cry foul and hurl baseless 'racism' accusations because they are losing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described the legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in August as Texas' "Big Beautiful Map." The state had asked the high court by Monday night to decide on pausing the lower court ruling. The lower court's decision caused "chaos" for the election, the state said. "Campaigning had already begun, candidates had already gathered signatures and filed applications to appear on the ballot under the 2025 map, and early voting for the March 3, 2026, primary was only 91 days away," Texas officials told the Supreme Court. Those seeking to run for House seats must declare their candidacy by Dec. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, appointed by President Trump in his first term, and David Guaderrama, appointed by President Obama, threw out the maps. Circuit Court Judge Jerry Smith, nominated by President Ronald Reagan, dissented, writing: "In my 37 years on the federal bench, this is the most outrageous conduct by a judge that I have ever encountered in a case in which I have been involved. "If, however, there were a Nobel prize for fiction, Judge Brown's opinion would be a prime candidate." In the 107 pages, he mentioned billionaire George Soros, a donor for Democrats, 17 times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown, writing the majority opinion, directed the state to correct four districts because they were illegal racial gerrymanders. Brown focused on how the new map would affect the racial makeup of Texas' congressional districts. "The public perception of this case is that it's about politics," Brown wrote. "To be sure, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 map. But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 map." But Texas disagreed, saying: politics, not race, drove the new maps. "This summer, the Texas Legislature did what legislatures do: politics," the state told the high court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas said the lower court ruling "erroneously rests on speculation and inferences of bad faith." And it said the state GOP's chief mapmaker worked with data on partisanship rather than race. After the decision, Paxton wrote in a post on X that he would appeal the order to the U.S. Supreme Court. He added that he expects the Supreme Court to "uphold Texas' sovereign right to engage in partisan redistricting." Republicans now hold 25 of Texas' 38 House seats. Missouri and North Carolina approved a new map that could create another Republican-leaning district in each state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike those Republican-dominant states, California voters approved the new map that potentially can add five Democratic seats. Proposition 50 was approved by a 64.4-35.6%. The breakdown now is 43 Democrats and nine Republicans. Other states are considering changes. The U.S. House party breakdown is 219 Republicans, 213 Democrats and three vacancies. On Thursday, Democrat Mikie Sherill resigned her seat because she was elected New Jersey's governor earlier this month. Texas is back to using its 2025 congressional map, at least temporarily, after Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito granted the states request to pause a court ruling that would have required using the lines legislators drew in 2021. The high court has not yet decided what map Texas should use while the court battle over the legality of the map plays out over the coming weeks and months; Fridays ruling is a short-term pause while they make that decision. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the step as a victory, and said his office would look forward to continuing to press forward in our case on the merits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump pushed Texas to redraw its map over the summer, hoping to secure five additional GOP seats to shore up the partys narrow majority in the U.S. House through the midterms. On Tuesday, a federal court barred Texas from using the new map for 2026, saying there was evidence state lawmakers had racially gerrymandered in redrawing the lines. Galveston District Judge Jeffrey Brown, a Trump appointee, authored the opinion ordering Texas to return to its 2021 map, while 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jerry Smith vociferously dissented. Alito requested that the plaintiffs respond to the motion by the end of the day Monday. The Dec. 8 candidate filing deadline is fast approaching, which the state made clear to the justices in their petition. Authorities found suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Wayne County, Indiana, earlier this week. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Wayne County Sheriffs deputy stopped a car along S 5th Street and P Street on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Richmond Police Department. The deputy noticed something was off and requested Richmond Police Officer Nordman and K9 Baas to respond to the scene. K9 Baas alerted to the possible presence of narcotics, according to the department. Authorities then searched the car and found approximately 43 grams of suspected methamphetamine. When deputies and officers trust their training and lean on each other, the community gets real results, Richmond Police Chief Kyle Weatherly said. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Boston police have arrested a teen in connection with a Mattapan murder that occurred over a year ago. Police say a 16-year-old male was arrested just after noon on Friday in connection with the murder of Christian Cousins, a 17-year-old Stoughton student. Cousins was shot and killed in the area of Gladeside Avenue and Donwood Terrace in Mattapan on July 5, 2024. High school student from Stoughton identified as victim killed Mattapan shooting A second student was also injured in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the shooting, Stoughton Public Schools said, We are deeply saddened to inform you that a Stoughton High student was killed on Friday. Christian Cousins, SHS class of 2025, was fatally shot on July 5th while in Mattapan with another SHS student. The arrested teen had warrants out for his arrest on charges of murder, firearm used in the commission of a felony, assault and battery attempt with a firearm, and carrying a firearm without a license. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By John Kruzel WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Texas officials asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to revive a voting map designed to boost the number of Republicans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the state and help President Donald Trump's party keep control of Congress in next year's midterm elections. State officials asked the justices to halt a lower court's ruling that blocked the map approved in August by the Texas legislature with Trump's support that redrew the boundaries of several U.S. House of Representatives districts in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lower court concluded that the map likely was racially discriminatory in violation of U.S. constitutional protections. Republicans currently hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress. Ceding control of either the House or Senate to the Democrats in the November 2026 elections would imperil Trump's legislative agenda and open the door to Democratic-led congressional investigations targeting the president. The three-judge federal court's ruling in Texas dealt a blow to Trump's push for Republican-led state legislatures nationwide to redraw electoral maps to change the population composition of congressional districts - a process called redistricting - in order to boost the number of Republicans elected to the House. The case involves an electoral map that the Republican-led Texas legislature passed and Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed into law that would likely flip as many as five currently Democratic-held U.S. House seats to Republicans in next year's elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move by Texas to redraw its map prompted a nationwide battle over redistricting for partisan advantage that is playing out in both Republican-governed and Democratic-led states. For example, Democratic-governed California reworked the boundaries of its U.S. House districts to flip as many as five currently Republican-held seats to Democrats. PARTISAN AND RACIAL GERRYMANDERING There have been legal fights at the Supreme Court for decades over a practice called gerrymandering - the redrawing of electoral district boundaries to marginalize a certain set of voters and increase the influence of others. The court issued its most important ruling to date on the matter in 2019, declaring that gerrymandering for partisan reasons - to boost the electoral chances of one's own party and weaken one's political opponent - cannot be challenged in federal courts. But gerrymandering driven primarily by race remains unlawful under the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment guarantee of equal protection under the law and 15th Amendment prohibition on racial discrimination in voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Texas Republican lawmakers have said the new map was devised in response to Trump's request to redraw electoral maps for a partisan advantage in House races. But the El Paso-based court ruled 2-1 on Tuesday that the map likely amounted to an unlawful racial gerrymander, siding with civil rights groups that sued to block it. Each of the 50 U.S. states is represented in Congress by two U.S. senators, with representation in the 435-seat House based on population. California, the most-populous state, has the most House members with 52, while Texas is second with 38. Republicans currently hold 25 of 38 U.S. House seats in Texas. 'RACIAL CONSIDERATIONS' U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown, who authored the Texas ruling, wrote that "what ultimately spurred" Texas to redraw its map was a letter from the U.S. Justice Department urging state officials to "inject racial considerations into what Texas insists was a race-blind process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown, a Trump judicial appointee, wrote that the Justice Department's analysis was based on the "legally incorrect assertion" that the racial composition of four Texas congressional districts in the state's previous electoral map was unconstitutional and that they must be redrawn. "Had the Trump administration sent Texas a letter urging the state to redraw its congressional map to improve the performance of Republican candidates, the plaintiff groups would then face a much greater burden to show that race - rather than partisanship - was the driving force behind the 2025 map," Brown wrote. "But nothing in the DOJ (Department of Justice) letter is couched in terms of partisan politics," the judge wrote. "The letter instead commands Texas to change four districts for one reason and one reason alone: the racial demographics of the voters who live there." The NAACP civil rights group noted in a statement after the ruling that "the state of Texas is only 40% white, but white voters control over 73% of the state's congressional seats." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court directed that the state's previous electoral map, approved by the Republican-led legislature in 2021, be used in the 2026 elections. The ruling marked the latest setback in Trump's push to tilt political maps. Indiana Republicans on November 14 abandoned a legislative session that had been called to enact a new congressional map in that state. Democratic-governed California reacted to the Texas redistricting by initiating its own effort targeting five Republican-held districts in the state. California voters in November overwhelmingly approved a new map beneficial to Democrats. The Trump administration has sued California to try to stop its new congressional map from taking effect. Virginia has advanced a plan to redraw its political maps, meaning Democrats could find themselves ahead in the redistricting fight should the Texas court decision hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redistricting generally occurs to reflect population changes as measured by the national census conducted each decade, though this year's redistricting has been motivated by securing partisan advantage. The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, during its current term already has heard arguments in another major case involving race and redistricting. The conservative justices in a case involving a map of U.S. House districts in Louisiana signaled their willingness to undercut another key section of the Voting Rights Act, the landmark 1965 federal law enacted by Congress to prevent racial discrimination in voting. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Additional reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham and Amy Stevens) A rush of travelers expected to hit the roads and skies for the Thanksgiving holiday could hit bad weather across much of the United States thanks to a sprawling storm threatening heavy rain, wind, snow and thunderstorms. About two-thirds of the country could see some kind of inclement weather, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The storm system is expected to impact much of the central, eastern and southern parts of the country, the outlet reported. What is starting as rain and mountain snow in parts of California and the Southwest this weekend will shift eastward to the Plains region to start off the holiday week, and reach the Mississippi Valley and eventually the East Coast by midweek, forecasters said. "The storm will bring downpours, severe weather and snow to different regions as it moves east," AccuWeather said in an advisory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The weather is promised as nearly 82 million people are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, a record high, according to AAA. Here's what to expect if you're traveling for the holiday: Is snow in Thanksgiving week weather forecast? Light to moderate snow from the Dakotas to northern Minnesota is expected early-to-mid holiday week, forecasters said. "Snow and a wintry mix will develop from Montana to Colorado and portions of the Plains early in the week, then spread into the Midwest," AccuWeather said. On Thanksgiving day and into the end of the week, expect snow in northern Michigan from the lake effect when cold, dry air passes across a lake such as in the Great Lakes region and from northeast Ohio into central New York, according to the National Weather Service. The precipitation forecast for Wednesday, Nov. 26, through Friday, Nov. 28. Rain, thunderstorms to spread The system starting out in the Southwest will shift east into Thanksgiving week, AccuWeather said. This weekend and early Thanksgiving week, storms could be intense enough to impact flights at some Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas airports, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 25, organized showers and thunderstorms are expected from eastern Mississippi to the southern Appalachians, the National Weather Service said. "The best chance of severe weather will be in the South Central states," AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. Periods of rain and mountain snow are likely for the Pacific Northwest region as well, the weather service said. A "potent atmospheric river" is gearing up for northwestern Oregon and western Washington. Washington, D.C., to Boston could see impacts such as heavy rain and slick roads from the storms the day before Thanksgiving, AccuWeather said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Updates on storms, rain and snow in Thanksgiving week weather forecast Shumeet Banerji is not a household name. In the three years, 10 months and 14 days that he spent on the BBC board, Banerji kept his thoughts on BBC matters firmly out of the public domain. Now he is making headlines. His resignation is the latest blow to the corporation, and it looks timed to add to the pressure. Banerji's role on the board was due to end on 31 December anyway but he has instead resigned early, three days before other board members are due to face a committee of MPs - and nearly two weeks after the BBC lost its director general and its CEO of news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resignation, fairly or not, looks like a direct criticism of the BBC's chair Samir Shah. Banerji, according to an insider, was known to be angry that Shah was - in his view - weak in not challenging a number of other board members and their assertion about systemic bias at BBC News. In this characterisation, the four political appointees to the board - Shah is the fifth - have banded together around the view that the BBC too often suffers from liberal groupthink, and the chair has been unable, or unwilling, to steer his board to a place of real consensus. In the end, after all the drama of the past few weeks - the leaked memo, the resignations, the apology over the Panorama edit and the threat of a defamation suit by Donald Trump - it boils down to one simple question. Is BBC News institutionally biased? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deborah Turness and Tim Davie reject that. So does Shah. While acknowledging mistakes have been made, he told me "the BBC News DNA and culture is to be impartial, to provide the best news we can and the most trustworthy news we can". BBC News remains the most trusted source of news in the UK. But if some members of the board believe that the BBC does suffer from systemic bias, and others do not, where does this end? A senior TV executive told me Shah inherited "a house divided but this board is melting down, it's very sad". They added: "It's a leadership issue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I interviewed him after the resignations of Davie and Turness, Shah told me the board had "a diversity of views, as there are in the public, as there are in the country itself I want robust conversations, I want discussion". But Banerji has now claimed he was not consulted over the events that led to those departures. If true, it will feed into the narrative advanced in some quarters that what has happened has been a coup by some members of the board. Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called on the government to remove Sir Robbie Gibb, an ex-BBC executive and former Downing Street director of communications to Theresa May, from the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shah told me the notion of a coup was "fanciful". He added that "it's unfair and it's disrespectful to the members of the board to say that because they feel strongly about something, that somehow it's to do with their history". But Sir Craig Oliver, former editor of the BBC's Six o'clock and Ten o'clock News, who was later director of communications at Number 10 under David Cameron, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "the stakes were already high for Samir Shah and they just got even higher". He added that "all eyes are going to be on Samir Shah on Monday". "The questions I think he's going to really have to answer are, is it true that months ago you chaired a BBC meeting where the Panorama issue was on the table and you decided to take no action? And if so why - particularly after what you've now said - did you not take action then? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And I think that the next question that he's really going to have face is, when Michael Prescott's report was leaked to the Telegraph, why did you preside over such a long time of the BBC not coming out, particularly when the executive wanted to get out and cauterize the issue as cleanly as possible?" In the last few days, prior to Banerji's resignation, I spoke to insiders at the BBC as well as people outside, who told me that Shah will remain as chair, whatever his perceived shortcomings. As one person put it to me, "you can't have the DG, the CEO of News and the chair all resign". Does Banerji's resignation shift the dial on his ability to continue in the role? It certainly makes Shah's appearance along with fellow board members Sir Robbie Gibb and Caroline Thomson in front of the Culture Media and Sport Committee on Monday even more critical. MPs on that committee voiced their reservations about whether he was qualified for the job when he was appointed as chair last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will need to demonstrate to those MPs, the industry, BBC audiences and staff at the corporation who will be watching, that he has the capabilities and support needed to steer the BBC through these turbulent times. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Devereau holds profound cultural significance rooted in Norman French aristocracy and English nobility. Originating from the Norman conquest of England in 1066, the Devereaux family established themselves as powerful landowners and military leaders, with their influence peaking during the Tudor era. The most famous bearer, Robert Devereaux, 2nd Earl of Essex, embodied the Renaissance ideal of the courtier-soldier, becoming Queen Elizabeth I's favorite before his tragic execution for treason. This dramatic history imbues the name with themes of ambition, favor, and the precarious nature of power in royal courts. In Christian context, the Devereaux family maintained strong ties to the Anglican Church, with several members serving as patrons of religious institutions and supporting the English Reformation. The name thus represents the complex relationship between secular nobility and religious devotion that characterized medieval and Renaissance Europe. Throughout centuries, the name has symbolized aristocratic heritage, military valor, and the enduring tension between personal ambition and duty to crown and church, making it a name that carries weighty historical and cultural associations across English and French-speaking worlds. The potency of the US Navys air power increased at a bewildering rate during the second world war. From hair-raising early exploits against a superior opponent, ever more capable military aircraft types clawed supremacy away from the Japanese Navys aircraft and played a massive part in the eventual victory over Imperial Japan. It is striking both how few different types the US Navy operated during the war, particularly from carriers, and how nearly all of them were either totally brilliant or just awful. The following ten are the very best, and include at least one type that can be truly described as a war-winning weapon in its own right. 10: Martin PBM Mariner Martin PBM Mariner Better than the famous Catalina in every regard (except, initially at least, reliability) the Mariner is fairly obscure. Despite being the second most numerous flying boat (a type of seaplane that can operate from water on its hull) ever, the PBM deserves more recognition for it was an excellent flying boat that enjoyed lengthy service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of several large aircraft to be tested by a piloted scale model (powered by two Chevrolet car engines), the first PBM flew with a flat tail but concerns led to the tail being given the same tilt upwards as the inner wing and resulted in the aircrafts distinctive inward canted tailfins. 10: Martin PBM Mariner Martin PBM Mariner Entering service in September 1940 the Mariner, whilst generally successful, was considered somewhat underpowered and control in the event of an engine failure was marginal. A later switch to the R-2800 engine solved that issue but the change came about late in the war and the Wright R-2600s fitted to earlier aircraft were neither powerful nor reliable enough. PBMs sank at least ten U-boats and were widely used in the Pacific. The aircraft was extremely well-armed, with nose, tail and dorsal turrets mounting two .50-cal machine guns apiece and a single hand-held weapon in each beam position. Later examples could carry 8000 lb (3636kg) of bombs or depth charges, double that of the PBY. 9: Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Being essentially a medium bomber, the Ventura was able to carry depth charges, mines, a torpedo or regular bombs and could attack shore installations and land targets just as effectively as enemy shipping. It was also one of the first US aircraft to regularly carry radar and Venturas often acted as lead-ships for non-radar equipped Liberator units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most surprising usage it was put to was as a night fighter. The US Marine Corps, always at the bottom of the chain when it came to aircraft procurement, was casting around for a suitable radar-equipped night fighter. The only remotely suitable aircraft available was the PV-1 and it went into action as the Marines first radar-equipped aircraft. 9: Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Lockheed PV-1 Ventura Despite being a naval offshoot of a bomber with relatively limited performance, the Ventura did surprisingly well, claiming its first victory, over a Mitsubishi G4M bomber, in the early hours of 13 November 1943. Subsequently, an improved variant with longer-range, the PV-2 Harpoon, was developed towards the end of the war. The Venturas heroic actions included the destruction of German U-boats. It was directly involved in the destruction of at least eight submarines: I-I65, U-604, U-615, 2 x Midgets, U-174, U-761 and U-279. The US Navy still uses many long-range land-based patrol aircraft today in the form of the Orion and Poseidon, and the Ventura was the granddaddy of them all. 8. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver 8. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver The Helldiver was an aircraft that was unpopular, unpleasant and (initially at least) dangerous, yet delivered an outstanding service record. Widely criticised for its flying characteristics, the SB2C was nonetheless a spectacularly successful anti-shipping aircraft and (allegedly) accounted for a greater tonnage of enemy shipping sunk than any other US aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First flown in 1940, the SB2C was supposed to replace Douglass SBD Dauntless in the dive bomber role. Problems arose from the very beginning: the prototype exhibited structural weaknesses, poor handling, directional instability, and stall characteristics, pretty much all of which were derived from its limited dimensions, particularly its abbreviated fuselage length dictated by the size of Essex class carrier deck lifts. The aircraft was simply too small for its weight, and its engines had problems. 8. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver 8. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver However, the plane evolved. Later models massively improved handling and dive accuracy, especially after the introduction of the SB2C-3 which featured a more powerful Twin-Cyclone engine. During the last two years of the war Helldivers sunk over 300 Japanese ships (including, in concert with torpedo bombers, the giant battleships Yamato and Musashi) and attacked countless targets on shore. Helldivers officially accounted for 44 Japanese fighters shot down and it cannot be denied that the Helldiver was tough: an abrupt pull out in a dive-bombing attack could lead to a 13G load on the airframe which the SB2C could, and did, absorb. 7: Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer The USN used many B-24 Liberators with great success for long-range patrol and anti-submarine warfare, designating them the PB4Y. The PB4Y-2 Privateer represented the ultimate Naval Liberator model: stretched, improved and optimised for maritime requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The finest land-based long-range maritime aircraft of the war, the Privateer was instantly distinguishable from its Liberator ancestors by its truly enormous single tailfin in place of the much more modest twin tails of the earlier aircraft and greatly improved its handling. 7: Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer The first units became operational during late 1944 and arrived in theatre only during early 1945. The Privateer possessed a versatile electronic suite (by 1940s standards anyway) that could be tailored to suit a variety of given missions. Thus Privateers acted as anti-shipping search and destroy units, airborne communication platforms, radar and radio-station hunter-killers, weather reconnaissance planes, or search and rescue aircraft to find downed airmen with their radio direction finders. Privateers also managed to make history by becoming the first aircraft to take a fully automated guided missile into action in the form of the ASM-N-2 Bat radar-guided glide bomb. Several ships were sunk by Privateers with this revolutionary weapon and several others put out of action, most notably the coastal defence ship Akugi. 6: Grumman F6F Hellcat Grumman F6F Hellcat The Hellcat was the most competent carrier fighter of the war, equal or superior to virtually every enemy it faced and possessing none of the handling foibles of its great rival, the Corsair. On the other hand, although powered by the same engine, the Hellcat could never match the outright speed of the Vought aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hellcat was a decidedly large aircraft and no one would call it pretty but it shot down more enemy aircraft than any other naval aircraft in history. Nonetheless, the F6Fs claimed victory-to-loss ratio of 19 to 1 (5156 kills against 270 losses), while definitely (and innocently) inflated, is undeniably impressive. 6: Grumman F6F Hellcat Grumman F6F Hellcat The Hellcats greatest moment was the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, the largest carrier battle in history, when US carrier aircraft destroyed around 750 Japanese aircraft for the loss of less than two dozen Hellcats. The F6F was the sole US fighter type involved in this action, which destroyed 90% of the aircraft available to Japanese carrier air groups in just two days and effectively destroyed the Japanese Navys ability to operate aircraft at sea. The Hellcat was available in numbers exactly when it was needed and remains inextricably linked with the next aircraft on this list. 5. Chance Vought F4U Corsair 5. Chance Vought F4U Corsair The first American single-engine fighter to exceed 400mph ended up becoming the last piston-engine fighter to score an air-to-air victory (in 1969) but had it not been for the exigencies of war, likely, the F4U would never have served from a carrier deck at all. It first flew in 1940 and, although possessed of excellent performance, the Navy wanted changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The early F4U passed its carrier trials but was tacitly admitted to be a handful. It is often stated that the Corsair failed its carrier qualification tests and that it took the British Fleet Air Arm to develop landing techniques for it but this is a myth. Three USN units had carrier-qualified before the FAA even started to receive Corsairs. 5. Chance Vought F4U Corsair 5. Chance Vought F4U Corsair Nonetheless, the fact that the F4U was acknowledged to be a difficult aircraft to land on a carrier, particularly when compared to the docile Hellcat, undoubtedly contributed to the decision, taken to simplify logistics of spare parts supply, to equip land-based Marine-corps units with Corsairs and operate Hellcats from carriers. The Corsairs official tally is 2140 aerial victories against 189 combat losses, a ratio of 11.3 to 1. This number was an overestimate but its record in air combat was astoundingly good. Although the Hellcat shot down more aircraft and was described by many pilots as a superior dogfighter, the Corsair rates a higher spot as it was replacing Hellcats by 1945. 4: Grumman TBF Avenger Grumman TBF Avenger A myth surrounds the name Avenger in which the name is said to have been chosen because the TBF was going to avenge Pearl Harbor. In reality, the name had already been picked two months before the attack but the TBF was the first new American aircraft to enter service after the US entry into the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite looking about as sleek as a washing machine and being the heaviest single-engine aircraft of the entire war, and being saddled with the nickname Turkey, the chunky TBF was surprisingly sprightly in the air (though could never be described as agile) and proved extremely effective. 4: Grumman TBF Avenger Grumman TBF Avenger Its combat record speaks for itself, kicking off with the destruction of the battleship Hiei in November 1942 and following it up with numerous other vessels culminating in the shared destruction, in concert with the Helldiver, of the super-battleships Yamato and Musashi. Its most impressive victim with this weapon was the Japanese cargo submarine I-52, which was carrying, amongst other things, over two tons of gold and three tons of opium to Germany and intending to return with various high-value items such as bombsights, aircraft components, and, worryingly, 800kg of uranium oxide. 3: Grumman F4F Wildcat Grumman F4F Wildcat Despite losing out to the Brewster F2A Buffalo to be the US Navys first carrier-borne monoplane fighter, the pugnacious Wildcat became the finest carrier fighter of its generation and essentially won the air war over the Pacific whereas the poor old Buffalo was consigned to obscurity and inclusion in many worlds worst aircraft books and articles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never particularly fast, the F4F was manoeuvrable (though not in the same league as the A6M Zero, its primary opponent), well-armed, immensely strong and a profoundly good deck landing aircraft and this, as it turned out, was what the Allies desperately required. 3: Grumman F4F Wildcat Grumman F4F Wildcat The F4F provided a fighter presence throughout all the Navy actions for the first year and a half of the conflict when the truly decisive battles of the Pacific war (Midway, Guadalcanal, Santa Cruz etc) were fought when the Imperial Japanese Navy was at the peak of its power and that the ultimate outcome of the conflict was less certain. Against the Zero the Wildcat was at a distinct disadvantage, on paper at least, being slower, less manoeuvrable and (to some extent) outgunned by the Japanese aircraft. It more than made up for these deficiencies with the superior tactics employed by the US aviators, aided massively by their reliable radio equipment, and its incredible toughness. 2: Consolidated PBY Catalina Consolidated PBY Catalina The big fat PBY was a sight that meant the difference between life and death for thousands of downed aircrew and shipwrecked sailors. It is therefore one of very few combat aircraft that may have directly saved more people during the war than it killed, though its impossible to know for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats even before you take into account its many years of firefighting service postwar. It was, by virtually any standard you care to apply (apart from maximum speed), the most successful flying boat of the Second World War and arguably in all aviation history. 2: Consolidated PBY Catalina Consolidated PBY Catalina As well as being the foremost Allied air-sea rescue aircraft of the conflict (in which role it was invariably referred to as Dumbo). It was second only to the Liberator (coincidentally designed by the same man: Isaac M Laddon), and tied with the Avenger, as a submarine-destroying aircraft and thus demonstrably helped keep the critical merchant convoys sailing to the UK. Its endurance made it an outstanding maritime patrol platform, convoy escort and long-range reconnaissance asset. It performed spectacular and highly effective low-level nocturnal interdiction, resulting in the sinking of thousands of tons of Japanese shipping. One of the most important aircraft of the war, the Catalina was built in greater numbers than any other flying boat in history. 1: Douglas SBD Dauntless Douglas SBD Dauntless A good contender for the single most genuinely decisive combat aircraft type in history, the Dauntless delivered the killer blow at the Battle of Midway, a blow from which the Imperial Japanese Navy never recovered and which marked the turning point of the Pacific War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Designed by the brilliant Ed Heinemann, the SBD was originally a Northrop aircraft, being an improved version of Northrops BT-1, by the time an improved version appeared Northrop had become the El-Segundo division of Douglas so the BT became the SBD, standing for Scout Bomber Douglas, though crews would joke it stood for Slow But Deadly. 1: Douglas SBD Dauntless Douglas SBD Dauntless This plane sank the first of many vessels when SBDs from USS Enterprise sent Japanese submarine I-70 to the bottom on 10 December 1941, three days after Pearl Harbor. The SBD then proceeded to see more action than any other US type during 1942, winning the Battle of Midway in the process, before following it up with some impressive anti-shipping work at Guadalcanal and elsewhere throughout 1943. Just to prove its effectiveness was not limited to the Pacific, the Dauntless also saw action in Operation Torch and sank five German ships in Bod harbour, Norway, during Operation Leader in October 1943. They remained in service on carriers until mid-1944, the final major engagement in which carrier SBDs saw action being the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June of that year where three Japanese carriers were lost. This was the weapon that won the Pacific war at sea. Follow Hush-Kit's incredible aviation stories on Substack and X If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) The Trump administration will no longer allow New York county courts or state supreme court justices to preside over citizenship ceremonies and has canceled many swearings-in already scheduled upstate. In recent days, Nexstars WSYR has learned of naturalization ceremonies being canceled by the federal government without explanation across several New York counties. Matthew Tragesser, spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), offered the following explanation to WSYR: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USCIS is dedicated to ensuring that all aspects of the naturalization process comply with federal law. After reviewing the jurisdiction of certain New York county courts under the Immigration and Nationality Act, we have determined that these courts do not meet the statutory requirements to conduct naturalization ceremonies. As a result, USCIS will transition from judicial to administrative ceremonies to ensure compliance with the law. Aliens scheduled for ceremonies at these courts will be rescheduled, and their naturalization process will continue. US filings for jobless benefits remained in historically healthy range during government shutdown Onondaga County Clerk Emily Bersani confirmed that the ceremony she had planned for Wednesday was canceled without specific reasoning. She hasnt been informed about the status of ceremonies planned for 2026, including the annual New Americans Day event at the New York State Fair. In general, a judge presides over New York ceremonies in a courthouse. USCIS conducts administrative ceremonies in regional offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear what impact the change will have on naturalization ceremonies typically held in federal courtrooms, as is customary at the Federal Building in Downtown Syracuse. The federal courts Northern District of New York has multiple scheduled ceremonies still listed on its website. A spokesperson for the district said Wednesday the ceremonies were still being planned. New York state Sen. Lea Webb (D) said she was deeply troubled by the cancellations. These milestones honor the commitment of families who have spent years legally navigating our immigration system to affirm their place in the country and state. The decision to halt or obstruct these events is unacceptable and undermines the process for citizenship and the values of fairness and opportunity for our communities, Webb said. We need the full restoration of naturalization ceremonies so that our state can continue to welcome new citizens with dignity and respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Chris Ryan (D) added that the move is deeply concerning and feels unpatriotic. In a lengthy response, Ryan said he had attended multiple naturalization ceremonies in 2025 in which he witnessed immigrants being moved to tears after earning their citizenship through hard work and while maneuvering the complex legal system. While maintaining secure borders is important, discouraging immigrants from becoming lawful U.S. citizens runs counter to our nations values, Ryan said. I strongly urge the USCIS and the Federal Administration to reconsider their decision and resume naturalization ceremonies in Upstate New York. Medicare premium hike will absorb part of Social Security COLA New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a letter to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, demanded answers regarding the cancellations, which she said were reported in Broome, Onondaga, Rockland, Schenectady, Tompkins, Washington and Westchester counties. She further noted that the move had raised alarm among both Democratic and Republican state officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One such Republican, Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham, relayed his disappointment in a Facebook post, saying the Trump administrations handling of immigration matters continues to raise concerns. He also called on the USCIS to restore and reschedule the canceled ceremonies. The individuals who were days away from taking their oath of citizenship deserve the chance to complete that journey, Kraham wrote. Any further delay means playing politics with peoples lives. Nexstars Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report. 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. SACRAMENTO, California The Trump administration on Friday informed a federal judge it intends to resume giving immigration officials access to personal information about Medicaid recipients from 22 states, over objections from Democratic state attorneys general. The notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services opens the door for the administration to potentially resume transferring tranches of confidential Medicaid data, including phone numbers, addresses and immigration statuses, to Immigrations and Customers Enforcement as soon as next month. It comes despite California and 21 other states suing in July to prevent the transfers and initially winning a temporary freeze, though states will have another opportunity to challenge the move at a court hearing scheduled for Dec. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice Department attorney Michael Gerardi said during a court hearing Friday that the CMS notice, as well as a related Nov. 17 ICE memo, met court-imposed requirements to resume sharing Medicaid info with immigration officials. His arguments came in response to a preliminary injunction handed down in August from San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria. Chhabrias order temporarily blocked Medicaid data from being shared for immigration enforcement but said the injunction would be lifted 14 days after the agencies completed a reasoned decisionmaking process. Californias legal team, however, countered that the agencies notices appeared inadequate. "My initial impression is they aren't what the court ordered in terms of a reasoned decision-making practice, California Deputy Attorney General Anna Rich said during the hearing held by videoconference. Chhabria encouraged the federal government to delay resuming data sharing until after the holidays, just to make everyones life easier." Gerardi said he'd take the suggestion back to Trump administration officials for consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has struggled to defend its seizures of government data to meet the presidents goals for mass deportations. A federal judge on Friday in a separate case temporarily barred the Internal Revenue Service from sharing tax information with immigration officials. CMS has already shared Medicaid data from California and a handful of other blue states with ICE. The agencies have been prohibited from using the information for immigration enforcement since Chhabrias August ruling. HHS has insisted the transfer is supported by lawful interagency data sharing and is focused on identifying waste, fraud, and systemic abuse of Medicaid benefits. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and other Democratic attorneys general challenging the data transfer argue its an illegal move designed to foster a culture of fear that discourages undocumented immigrants from accessing health care. The CMS notice is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 25. The existing preliminary injunction blocking information sharing will remain in place for 14 days after the formal publication. A court hearing to determine whether to extend the courts temporary order freezing Medicaid data-sharing is scheduled for Dec. 9. President Donald Trump has hit the pause button on deploying the National Guard to New York City, with the commander-in-chief on Saturday saying there are other American cities that need it more right now. The presidents comments came a day after he welcomed Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who will be New York Citys next mayor, to the White House. Trump has said previously that New York was on his list of Democrat-run cities that he would deploy the National Guard to, saying in August he would help fight crime in the Big Apple after he was done in Chicago. MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner asked Trump if he was still looking to deploy the National Guard to NYC, while he took questions before heading to Joint Base Andrews on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they need it. Right now, other places need it more, but if they need it, Trump said. We had a very good meeting yesterday. We talked about that, but if they need it, I would do it. That answer echoed a similar comment he made with Mamdani in the Oval Office on Friday. The president also said he would feel very comfortable living in his hometown of NYC, especially after meeting with the next mayor. Their meeting was much warmer than many anticipated, considering Trump had dubbed Mamdani my little communist and had mocked his socialist ideas, saying they have never worked. Mamdani, meanwhile, has called Trump a fascist in the past a comment the president laughed off while talking to reporters on Friday. The pair seemed like two old chums during the summit, and Trump afterwards said it was a great honor to host Mamdani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte, North Carolina is the latest city the Trump Administration has focused on. ICE, Border Patrol, and National Guard members were sent to the city this past week to crackdown on illegal immigrants and crime. Watch above via MS NOW. The post Trump Backs Off Plan to Deploy National Guard to New York City: Other Places Need It More first appeared on Mediaite. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican Georgia congresswoman who had a dramatic blow-up with Donald Trump despite being his longtime ally, announced on Friday she would be resigning which the president called great news. Loyalty should be a two-way street, Greene said in a lengthy resignation statement shared on social media, adding that it was unfair and wrong that Trump turned on her for disagreeing with him. Trump, who last week announced he was withdrawing his support of Greene, appeared to celebrate her resignation. I think its great news for the country. Its great, he told an ABC News reporter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Greene had informed him, Trump said: Nah, it doesnt matter, you know, but I think its great. I think she should be happy. Greene had said last week she was the subject of a hotbed of threats after Trump withdrew his support for and endorsement of her. Greene reiterated those threats in her statement, saying she had faced never-ending personal attacks, death threats, lawfare, ridiculous slander and lies about me, that most people could never withstand even for a day. The Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, posted on social media: Im going to be honest I didnt see this coming but the threats that come with being on the opposite side of Trump ARE REAL! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move sent shock waves through US politics. The Republican political strategist Shermichael Singleton called it a big shocker. Maybe shes looking at future plans, Singleton told CNN. Greene may have an ally in the Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, who worked with her to pass the bill to release the files related to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. MTG is likely to be a formidable 2028 candidate, Khanna told NBC News. Her stances on Epstein, on regulating AI, and anti-war are more in touch with Maga voters than JD Vance. Maga influencer Steve Bannon told the New York Times the House is not big enough for Greenes ambitions or personality. She had her committee assignments pulled by Pelosi in her first term and rose to be a national figure. We havent seen or heard the last of M.T.G, he wrote in a text message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some observers couldnt help but point out the strange turn of events a one-time Trump ally resigning hours after an Oval Office meeting in which Trump heaped praise on Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist mayor-elect of New York City whom he had called a 100% Communist Lunatic. Trump glazed Mamdani so hard Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress, Malcolm Kenyatta, a Democratic National Committee vice chair, wrote on X. Salleigh Grubbs, who used to chair the party in Cobb county which overlaps with Greenes 14th congressional district in north-west Georgia, said she was heartbroken. MTG put it all on the line time after time. She fought for her district and put America First. What more could anyone have wanted? she wrote on X. Shawn Harris, a Georgia Democrat running for Congress in Greenes solidly Republican district, sought to rally supporters in response to the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As youve likely heard, Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her resignation effective January 5, 2026, Harris said in a post on social media on Friday. Get ready Georgia! Teachers, farmers, veterans, EVERYONE, I need your support. Her split with Trump made her an even bigger national sensation, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgias biggest newspaper, in its coverage of her resignation. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has given Ukraine less than a week to respond to his plan to give up land and reduce the size of its military as part of a peace agreement with Russia that would end their nearly four-year-old war. Trump's proposal would see Ukraine give up territory in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S. and a pledge from Russia not to reinvade, putting an official end to the war that Moscow launched in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under pressure from the Trump administration to agree to the 28-point plan that U.S. officials this week formally presented to his government. Moscow has said the plan could form the basis for a peace agreement, while supporters of Ukraine, including prominent members of Republican Party, have bashed it due to the territorial concessions Zelenskyy's government would have to make. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a way of getting peace, or we think we have a way of getting to peace. He's going to have to approve it," Trump said of Zelenskyy on Nov. 21 in the Oval Office. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) over lunch in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 17, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst What's inside of Trump's 28-point plan to end Russia-Ukraine war If the U.S.-led peace plan remains unchanged, the lines of conflict in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen, with Russia retaining almost all of the area it currently occupies. The Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, would remain under Moscow's control. So would the Luhansk and Donetsk areas in eastern Ukraine. Russias military controls most, but not all, of the Donetsk region which means it would gain some territory it doesnt currently occupy. It would get to split the electricity produced by Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia. President Vladimir Putin would also be welcomed back into an elite economic club for advanced economies, alongside the U.S. and its most powerful allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As punishment for Russia for its unprovoked attack on Ukraine, it would lose financial assets that the U.S. has previously frozen. Under Trump's plan, $100 billion worth of the assets, which are primarialy held in Europe, would be used to rebuild and invest in Ukraine, with the U.S. taking 50% of the profits from this venture. Europe would also pay $100 billion to help with Ukraine's reconstruction. "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," the proposal says. "This fund will be aimed at strengthening relations and increasing common interests to create a strong incentive not to return to conflict." WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 22: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a photograph he said was given to him as a gift by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office at the White House August 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place at The Kennedy Center. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Sanctions would be lifted on a case-by-case basis and Russia would work with the U.S. on artificial intelligence and rare earth metal extraction projects in the Arctic. Ukraine would be expected to make steep concessions, too. In addition to the land Ukraine would be giving up to Russia, it would forgo a bid for NATO membership and agree to cap its army at 600,000 personnel. As of January, the country had an estimated 880,000 active-duty personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nation would be allowed to join the European Union, and children who were forcibly taken from Ukraine would be returned. Ukraine would have to hold elections within 100 days after their suspension under martial law during the war. Zelenksyy was elected to a five-year term in 2019 that would have ended in 2024 were it not for the war. He's suggested that he will not run for reelection. Trump gives Ukraine until Thanksgiving to assess his plan Trump said hes given Ukraine a loose deadline of Nov. 27 to assess his proposal during a radio interview on Nov. 21. "I've had a lot of deadlines, but if things are working well, you tend to extend the deadlines. But Thursday is we think is an appropriate time," Trump said during The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were the American president's first public comments on the proposal since Axios revealed its existence earlier this week. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Nov. 20 that Trump backs the plan that was spearheaded by his special envoy Steve Witkoff. "The president supports this plan. It's a good plan for both Russia and Ukraine, and we believe that it should be acceptable to both sides," Leavitt announced. Zelenskyy said in a Nov. 21 address that the pressure on Ukraine to accept a deal has intensified. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner. Either the 28 difficult points, or an extremely difficult winter, Zelenskyy said in translated remarks. Trump plan draws a sharp response from Ukraine backers Trump's proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine backers, including some Republicans who are typically aligned with the second-term president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A negotiated settlement that allows Putin to claim victory by recognizing Russia's claim to Ukrainian territory would reverse the progress President Trump made restoring the deterrence lost under Biden, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote on X. Pompeo served in Trump's Cabinet his entire first term. President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin for their Ukraine summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, a Republican who represents Mississippi, said in a statement that the "so-called peace plan has real problems." Wicker said that a suggestion in the plan that the U.S. could work with "a serial liar and killer like Putin" on nuclear arm control should be treated with skepticism. "Ukraine should not be forced to give up its lands to one of the worlds most flagrant war criminals in Vladimir Putin," he said. "And any assurances provided to Putin should not reward his malign behavior or undermine the security of the United States or allies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said on Kilmeades show that if Ukraine doesn't make a deal now, it will end up losing territory to Russia anyway. The president also dismissed concerns that Putin would set his sights on nearby NATO nations if he isnt stopped in Ukraine. Theyll be stopped. Hes not looking for more war. Hes taken punishment, Trump said. Russia says Trump plan could be the basis for a settlement Russian President Vladimir Putin walks towards U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured), as they meet to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY U.S. officials cast Trump's proposal as a preliminary one that it is workshopping with both nations after it leaked to journalists. The 28-point plan that was obtained by USA TODAY and other news outlets and published online hours after it was formally presented to Ukraine by the Trump administration. Putin said on Nov. 21 that Trump's proposal "could form the basis for a final peace settlement" but it had not been discussed with Russia in detail. He said that if Ukraine did not consent to the plan, its military would be defeated on the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and a delegation of U.S. military brass discussed the proposal with Zelenskyy during a trip to Kyiv this week. Zelenskyy said after his meeting with Driscoll that his country does not want to lose Americas support and does not want to be characterized as undermining negotiations. However, he said he continues to believe that Russia does not have a genuine desire for peace. Zelenskyy consults Ukraine's allies, discusses plan with JD Vance Vice President JD Vance speaks during a meeting with President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Ukrainian leader has been holding calls with Western allies and said on Nov. 21 that he spent almost an hour on the phone speaking to Driscoll and Vice President JD Vance discussing the details of the proposal. Were working to make the path forward dignified and truly effective for achieving a lasting peace, Zelenskyy said in a post on X. Ukraine has always respected and continues to respect U.S. President Donald Trumps desire to put an end to the bloodshed, and we view every realistic proposal positively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance voted against Ukraine aid as a senator and clashed with Zelenskyy earlier this year in the Oval Office. Hes generally viewed as more isolationist than Trump and said during a Nov. 20 event hosted by Breitbart News that he wants Russia and Ukraine to normalize economic relations. Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's inside Trump's 28-plan to plan to end Russia-Ukraine war Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Ford vowed to pick up where he left off with his first indictment, though its not clear when it will go to trial. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. 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. 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. WASHINGTON While President Donald Trump's longtime vow to break up the federal Education Department may sound straightforward, his attempts to follow through have been hampered by big obstacles, including court challenges, congressional opposition and even some of his own signature legislation. This week, he got much closer to fulfilling his promise. On Tuesday, Nov. 18, his administration took one of its biggest steps yet to diminish the agency's influence. Officials announced six agreements with four other federal agencies including the Departments of Labor, State, Interior and Health and Human Services to outsource key education programs within other sectors of the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Education Department braces for further dismantling In a meeting with staffers Tuesday afternoon, Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the changes as a piecemeal way to move toward the Trump administration's ultimate goal of urging Congress to eliminate her department wholesale. There isn't enough support at this time on Capitol Hill to do that, but McMahon said she was committed to assessing how the reorganization works. "I'm all about outcomes," the former wrestling industry executive told employees, according to a summary of her remarks. "It will take a lot of work." Read McMahon in USA TODAY: The shutdown proved just how little the Department of Education will be missed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot remains unclear about when the changes will happen and what they will mean for students and schools. As long as the same staffers and funding for key programs are fully retained which, for now, appears to be the case simply shifting them over to other agencies will likely have a limited impact on everyday folks. The Education Department is also still responsible for oversight of the programs. The Department of Education building is shown weeks into the U.S. government shutdown in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 21. Trump administration officials argue their efforts will eventually make the government's education apparatus work better. But some experts, including Margaret Spellings, the education secretary under former Republican President George W. Bush, worry the upheaval will result in disruptions to essential services that schools rely on. "Moving programs from one department to another does not actually eliminate the federal bureaucracy and it may make the system harder for students, teachers, and families to navigate and get the support they need," she said in a statement. What's moving out of ED? Title I, HBCU support, charter school grants Christine Reilly shows students how to paint a whale during a 21st Century Community Learning Program at Juliette Gordon Low Elementary in Savannah, Georgia. Federal funding of such programs had been administered by the Education Department, but now will move to Labor. At some point in the near future, dozens of major programs will begin to shift outside of the Education Department. These include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Title I, a program that provides nearly $20 billion in funding annually for low-income school districts; federal funding for after-school and preschool programs ; teacher training grants; grants for rural schools ; child literacy grants; programs for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs); grants for charter schools ; K-12 programs for Native American students ; grants for parenting college students ; the Fulbright-Hays program for international research (which has already been paused); and foreign medical school accreditation. The list goes on further. Many of those functions, which cost billions of dollars collectively and are complicated to manage, have been key to the Education Department's identity for decades. Their impacts touch the lives of countless students. Read more: Education Department delays are putting parenting college students in a bind School superintendents, college financial aid officers worry issues will arise Students work in the computer sciences classroom with teacher Sarah Hinton in the career tech program at Northside High School in Alabama. After the changes were announced on Nov. 18, education advocacy groups expressed anxiety over how the fallout could impact schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief among the critics were school superintendents. David R. Schuler, the executive director of The School Superintendents Association, said that while district leaders share the goal of improving key programs, the reorganization may not be the right approach. "Many districts already operate with limited administrative capacity, and adapting to new oversight structures, reporting protocols, and guidance could require resources that are better directed toward students," he said in a statement. "We urge the administration to plan this reorganization carefully, engaging closely with state and local education leaders." College financial aid offices gave similar warnings. Melanie Storey, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, urged the Education Department to "proceed with extreme caution." "Just as we would not expect ED staff to have a comprehensive understanding of employment law, for example, we cant assume that employees in other agencies would have or could quickly acquire the specialized knowledge required to administer these programs effectively," she said in a statement. What's the timeline? Members of President Donald Trump's Cabinet hold a meeting in August 2025. Exactly what the timeline looks like for shifting staff over to other agencies hasn't been publicly shared yet. But one precedent provides a rough idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, the Education Department signed its first interagency agreement to move its Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education to the Department of Labor. Staffers there didn't start to actually detail over to the new agency until October. Education Department officials acknowledged this week that there will be a lag before the new transition begins in earnest. Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump keeps flattening the Education Department. What does that mean? FIRST ON FOX President Donald Trump scored yet another legal victory Friday when the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit shut down Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzers appeal, reinforcing that the presidents "election interference" lawsuit will now land in Iowa State Court. Trumps legal team has accused Selzer and The Des Moines Register of "brazen election interference" with their final 2024 Iowa presidential poll that showed him trailing Democrat Kamala Harris. Trump originally requested the case be moved to Iowa State Court in May after the defendants "removed" the case to federal court. A federal judge denied the request at the time, but the Obama-appointed judge was overruled by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Scores Legal Win, Getting Lawsuit Against Iowa Pollster, Des Moines Register Moved To State Court President Donald Trump scored yet another legal victory Friday when the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit shut down Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzers appeal, reinforcing that the presidents "election interference" lawsuit will now land in Iowa State Court. Trump last month notched a key victory when the 8th Circuit granted Trumps petition for a writ of mandamus a rare judicial order used to correct clear legal errors and directed a district judge to treat the case as dismissed "without prejudice," allowing Trump to refile the case. As a result, the case would be litigated in Iowa State Court. The defendants petitioned the 8th Circuit for relief but were shut down. Read On The Fox News App "The petition for rehearing en banc is denied. The petition for rehearing by the panel is denied," Clerk of Court Susan Bindler ruled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob Corn-Revere, chief counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), who represents Selzer, issued a statement. "This procedural decision doesn't change what has been true from the beginning this frivolous claim is entirely without substance and that fact ultimately will be borne out in court," Corn-Revere told Fox News Digital. Former Pollster Ann Selzer Hits Back At Criticisms Over Iowa Poll: 'They Are Accusing Me Of A Crime' President Donald Trump, seen here at the America250 rally in Des Moines, successfully got his lawsuit against Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer and The Des Moines Register to land in Iowa State Court. A spokesman for Trump's legal team told Fox News Digital in a statement, "President Trump is committed to holding those who traffic in deception and fake news to account. The Des Moines Register and Gannett knowingly ran a phony poll from the now disgraced Democrat pollster Ann Selzer in an underhanded attempt to interfere in the election and defraud the country into believing Kamala Harris was winning the state of Iowa and nationwide, mere hours before she lost Iowa and the overall election by an overwhelming margin to President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This scam was designed to damage President Trumps dominant campaign in the final days of the race. Such fraud cannot be allowed to stand, and President Trump is committed to seeing this case through to a just, winning conclusion." Polly Grunfeld Sack, USA TODAY Co. Chief Legal Officer, told Fox News Digital in a statement Friday: "Although we are disappointed that the appellate court has allowed President Trump to avoid the inevitable dismissal of his complaint in Federal Court, running away to state court will not change the outcome of this meritless case. We are confident that the Iowa state court will come to the same conclusion as Judge Ebinger in the copycat Donnelly case and dismiss President Trump's claims, and those of Representative Miller Meeks and state representative Zaun, with prejudice. USA TODAY Co. will continue to vigorously defend The Register's reporting, which is protected under the First Amendment." Trumps Lawsuit Moves To Iowa State Court: Whats Next In His Case Against Pollster, Des Moines Register Pollster J. Ann Selzer came under fire after releasing a poll claiming candidate Kamala Harris was leading Trump in Iowa ahead of the 2024 election. Selzer released her final Des Moines Register-sponsored poll showing Harris leading Trump by three points in Iowa just three days before the election. That shock poll showed a seven-point shift from Trump to Harris from September, when he had a four-point lead over the vice president in the same poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selzers poll was hyped up by the media in the days leading up to the election as her polling predictions had been historically accurate. Many suggested it implied a monumental shift in Midwest support for Harris in a red state, but the poll turned out to be way off. Trump thumped Harris in Iowa by more than 13 percentage points, the third straight time he'd won the state and the first time any candidate had won there by double digits since 1980. Shortly after the election, Selzer announced she was done with election polling and moving on to "other ventures." Fox News Digitals Lindsay Kornick and Brooke Singman contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump lands another legal victory as lawsuit against Iowa pollster, Des Moines Register remains in state court Nov. 21 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, from different political spectrums, found common ground while meeting at the White House on Friday afternoon. Trump and Mamdani met for a half hour in the Oval Office before fielding questions from reporters for another 30 minutes, during which the president said that they have more shared priorities than expected, including cost of living, housing and crime. "I met with a man who's a very rational person," Trump said from his desk as Mandani stood next to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again," he added. "I'll really be cheering for him." President Donald Trump said New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will surprise conservatives and liberals alike while the two addressed media following their Oval Office meeting on Friday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI Trump, whose legal residence now is in Palm Beach, Fla., said he would feel "very, very comfortable being in New York" with Mamdani as mayor. The president said he "OK" with some New Yorkers voting for both of them. New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he and President Donald Trump discussed the cost of rent, housing and utilities and the many ways in which New York City residents are being forced out by economic conditions while meeting Friday in the Oval Office. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI Mamdani said his motivation for meeting with the president is to "leave no stone unturned" in his effort to make New York City more affordable for its residents. "I have many disagreements with the president," Mamdani said, but called it his "opportunity to make my case." President Donald Trump said he hopes New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will do well and succeed in improving living conditions and costs in the city of 8.5 million after they met in the Oval Office on Friday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI "We should be relentless and pursue all avenues and all meetings that can make our city affordable for every single New Yorker," Mamdani added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I expect to be helping him, not hurting him," Trump said when asked about cutting federal funding as he has previously mentioned. New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani said he looks forward to working with President Donald Trump to make life more affordable in the Big Apple after they met in the Oval Office on Friday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI Trump said he is fine with Mamdani referring to him as a fascist. Mamdani affirmed he is a democratic socialist when asked by a reporter while in the Oval Office though Trump previously called him a "communist," CNN reported. The president said the meeting between the two was "really good, very productive" and that they both "want this city of ours that we both love to do very well." Trump was born and raised in New York City, and said he and Mamdani talked about making housing more accessible and lowering food prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think you're going to have a really great mayor," Trump said of Mamdani. "The better he does, the happier I am." Mamdani is likely to "surprise some conservative people" and "some very liberal people," he added. The mayor-elect likewise said the meeting between the two was productive. "We spoke about rent. We spoke about groceries, [and] we spoke about utilities," Mamdani told reporters. "We spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out." He said he "appreciated the time with the president" and "I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability for New Yorkers." Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in as New York City's mayor shortly after midnight on Jan. 1. Women named Deziree are typically characterized by their warm, engaging personalities and natural social grace. They often possess an innate charm that makes them well-liked and sought after in social circles, truly embodying the name's meaning of being 'desired.' These individuals tend to be emotionally intelligent, intuitive, and expressive, with a strong capacity for empathy and understanding others' feelings. Their creative inclinations often manifest in artistic pursuits, communication fields, or roles that allow them to connect with people on a deep level. Despite their gentle and approachable nature, Dezirees often demonstrate remarkable inner strength and determination. The unique spelling of their name may contribute to a sense of individuality and self-confidence, as they're accustomed to standing out in a positive way. They value meaningful relationships and often become the emotional anchors in their families and friend groups. While they can be sensitive to criticism, their resilience and ability to bounce back from challenges is notable. Their combination of emotional depth and social adaptability makes them effective in both personal and professional contexts, often excelling in careers that require both heart and interpersonal skills. A high-stakes White House meeting between President Donald Trump and mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani turned into a lovefest with both men heaping populist praise on each other for pursuing ways to address the cost of living. Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, needed to avoid the mercurial Republican president using the might of the federal government to cut New York Citys aid or send in the National Guard. Trump allies wanted the president to show he would prevent the Big Apple from being bankrupted by socialism. But Mamdani appeared at least for the time being to neutralize those threats during the closed-door tete-a-tete by sticking to a strategy of staying laser-focused on issues of affordability, according to a top aide who sat in on the talk. After they emerged from the private meeting, Trump even told reporters that Mamdani had played up their unlikely political similarities: Mamdani said a lot of my voters actually voted for him, said the evidently pleased president. Mamdani noted that he often spoke with those voters a point that elicited a grin from the president sitting behind the Resolute Desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting was dominated by presidential compliments for Mamdanis upstart campaign, a focus on blue-collar people and Trumps interest in helping enact aspects of the new mayors agenda, like an expansion of much-needed housing. We had some interesting conversation, and some of his ideas really are the same ideas I have, Trump said. The new word is affordability. The meeting between two leading populist avatars operating from differing ends of the political spectrum arrived as affordability has become a crucial watchword for campaigns. The president, struggling to get costs down, has begrudgingly returned to focusing on pocketbook concerns after his popularity began to suffer . Mamdani, who is viewed with deep skepticism by New York Citys powerful business leaders, has tried to demonstrate he will not upend an economy that is heavily reliant on real estate and Wall Street. Yet the two New Yorkers share similarities. Both men launched their electoral careers amid low expectations from establishment party leaders. They have an instinctive feel for their political bases and the concerns of their ardent supporters. And they understand how to leverage social media in a digital campaign age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, though, appeared to go beyond simply agreeing with the mayor on broad issues. He was practically smitten by the Queens state assemblymember, who was a virtual unknown a year ago. We had a meeting today that actually surprised me, Trump told reporters during the extraordinary public portion of the get together. Indeed, the interaction between Mamdani and the voluble president shocked the political world. It was a surreal scene: The president, who belittled Mamdani as my little communist, and the incoming New York City mayor, who blasted Trump in his election night victory speech as a fascist, smiling together, occasionally patting each other on the elbow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think this mayor is going to be doing some things that are really great, Trump said. The president marveled at the interest, too, musing at one point, The press has eaten this thing up. For some reason the press has found this to be a very interesting meeting. The biggest people from all over the world come here, nobody cares. Mamdani insisted they both shared the goal of addressing the cost of living to help working class people in a deeply expensive city. What were looking to do is put those people right back at the heart of our politics, he said. Papering over their deep differences on crime, immigration and Israel underscored the political imperative to address rising costs. Former Trump White House adviser Steve Bannon told POLITICO Magazine this month that Republicans underestimate Mamdani at their peril and that the mayor-elects victory should be a wake-up call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Trump administration official, who requested anonymity to discuss the presidents thinking, said the meeting was more normal than not given the interest in New York Citys success. I think making this about who charmed who is a mistake, the official said. One on one the president is a reasonable guy who loves the city. Frankly they both can be charming. New York officials, including Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, are trying to stave off Trumps incursion into the Empire States affairs. His threats to deploy the National Guard have led to extensive table-top exercises gaming out possible scenarios. Hochul has dropped her pledge to not raise taxes next year, citing uncertainty in Washington. The meeting on Friday may only temporarily set those concerns aside. Trump said the city, where he built on his familys business empire, is at a turning point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can go great, or another direction, I think you have a chance to make it great, Trump said. A person close to Mamdanis transition team said the strategy going into the meeting was straightforward: Open up a line of communication with the president given the large role the federal government plays in city affairs, focus on issues of affordability and areas of shared agreement and emphasize the mayor-elects priorities. Elle Bisgaard-Church, Mamdanis newly appointed chief of staff and one of his closest aides, said the mayor-elect also made clear his concerns with federal immigration enforcement tactics. We certainly were clear about our disagreements in the room, she said during an interview with NY1. And the mayor-elect made clear that we uphold sanctuary laws in our city and all immigrants will be safe in our city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also made very clear that we feel there has been inhumane raids just this week, she added, while noting that Mamdani and Trump agreed on focusing immigration enforcement on individuals who have committed violent crimes. New York Democrats relished moments, including Trumps encouragement of the mayor-elect Okay, you can say it when Mamdani was asked if he still believes the president is a fascist. Pretty sure Zohran just charmed Donald Trump into agreeing that hes a fascist, said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander , a former mayoral candidate who cross-endorsed Mamdani in the June Democratic primary. And Trump surprisingly came to the defense of Mamdani at points, insisting that the citys first Muslim mayor is not a jihadist as Trump ally Rep. Elise Stefanik has labeled him. Stefanik is running for governor next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I met with a man whos a very rational person, Trump said. Stefanik, who has rarely broken with the president, responded on X , We all want NYC to succeed. But we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Ben Johansen contributed to this report. The oddest of political couples had a startlingly positive meeting Friday afternoon when President Trump came face-to-face with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) in the Oval Office. The vehement attacks that each man has lobbed against the other in the recent past including Trump inaccurately calling Mamdani a communist in the social media post that announced their meeting were nowhere to be seen. Instead, the two men focused on potential common ground on the topic of affordability and on their desire to see New York City thrive. The substance of the discussion, though striking, was in some ways less remarkable than its tone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unlikely duo appeared friendly in large ways and small. Trump repeatedly jumped in to defend Mamdani against adversarial press questions, for example. The president even expressed an avuncular hope that a photo taken of Mamdani alongside a portrait of former President Franklin Roosevelt comes out good. The two ideologically disparate politicians set social media aflame with their meeting. Here are the main winners, loses and takeaways. Biggest winner: Zohran Mamdani The encounter was, by any reasonable measure, a big success for the 34-year-old incoming mayor. Mamdani achieved his key objective in finding common ground with Trump without ceding any real issue of principle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier warnings from Trump that he would withhold federal funds from the city or deploy the National Guard there are surely off the table, at least for the moment even if the longer-term picture is hard to gauge given the presidents mercurial nature. For months, Mamdanis opponents in politics and in right-leaning media have been seeking to paint him as a scary threat to mainstream values. Trump, who had once joined those attacks, dismantled them Friday. The better he does, the happier I am, Trump said near the beginning of their remarks to the assembled media. Later, asked if he would feel comfortable living in New York City under a Mamdani administration, Trump replied, Yeah I would. I really would. Especially after the meeting. Absolutely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There may be some on the hardest edges of the left who criticize Mamdani for going to meet Trump at all. But the mayor-elect notably did not back away from earlier comments he has made about the president. I know there might be differences about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable, he said. Solid winner: Donald Trump Trumps belligerent and often crude rhetoric can sometimes obscure the fact that he has considerable political cunning. The meeting with Mamdani was a good example. The president created a massive media event, surprised people by his affability toward an ideological foe and bathed in the idea of common ground around affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noting how there was more common ground between him and Mamdani than many people suggest, Trump even harked back to the 2016 presidential election. Reprising a favorite theme, he contended that many people who had voted for left-wing Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the Democratic primary that year had ultimately turned to Trump in the general election. On Friday, he nodded with approval as Mamdani talked about New York voters who had supported Trump in 2024 because of the affordability issue. The one sizable potential downside for Trump is whether his base, including his media supporters, recoil at his affable treatment of Mamdani. Biggest loser: The GOPs anti-Mamdani messaging Republican leaders on Capitol Hill have been busy readying a line of attack that they thought could carry them all the way to the midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its one that links the Democratic Party as a whole to the democratic socialist Mamdani, and casts both as extremist and dangerous. Trump casually detonated that message in the space of roughly 30 minutes Friday afternoon. One reporter cited Rep. Elise Stefaniks (R-N.Y.) accusations that Mamdani is a jihadist and asked Trump if he felt he was sitting next to a jihadist right now in the Oval Office. No, I dont, Trump replied. Moments later he added, I met with a man whos a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. The response must surely have elicited groans from aides to Stefaniks current campaign to become New Yorks governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conversely, a news release from incumbent New York Gov. Kathy Hochuls (D) team argued this was the moment Trump nuked the entire premise of Stefaniks campaign. Its of course possible that Trump will do another abrupt U-turn and begin condemning Mamdani in fiery terms once again. But the GOPs hopes of running an anti-Mamdani scare campaign next year just took a big hit, straight from the president. Surprise loser: Mamdanis media critics One of the most striking elements of the Oval Office encounter between Trump and Mamdani was how easily adversarial questioning of the mayor-elect was swatted away. It wasnt only Trumps answers rebutting the jihadist attack or saying that he would feel comfortable living in New York under Mamdani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also stepped in to help Mamdani when one reporter asked in an incredulous tone if the mayor-elect was affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist? Mamdani said only a few words in response before a smiling Trump interjected, Thats OK, you can just say yes. Thats easier I dont mind. CNNs Kaitlan Collins wrote on social media that the moment pretty much sums up the entire meeting. Earlier in the day, Fox News had run a large graphic previewing the meeting with the slogan Showdown with Socialism. So howd that go, Prem Thakker of the progressive news site Zeteo commented wryly after the meeting, reposting the Fox graphic. Substantive winner: New York City The tone and banter in the meeting seized attention and headlines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the encounter has real consequences for New York and so far, they appear to be very positive. The chances of a cooperative relationship between Trump and Mamdani rose massively Friday. Thats important given Trumps earlier suggestion that he might withhold the roughly $7 billion the city would otherwise receive in federal funding. The idea that, in Trumps words, were going to work together for the greater good of the nations most populous city could have big, real impact. The universal takeaway: It was great TV Trump spoke warmly toward the end of the meeting about how much media attention it had engendered. He was plainly enthused about the fact that he believed Mamdanis visit was a bigger media event than the arrival of some international leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, the former reality-show star, has as good an eye as any media executive for what makes compelling viewing. Love or hate Trump or Mamdani, their meeting clearly fit this bill. It was, above all, fascinating to watch. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trump on Friday offered praise for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) after what the two called a productive meeting at the White House, a sharp shift from Trumps previous attacks when he repeatedly derided Mamdani as a communist. I think youre going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am, Trump said from the Oval Office with Mamdani standing beside him. Theres no difference in party, theres no difference in anything. And were going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York. Trump later referred to Mamdani as rational and that he would be cheering for him once he takes office. Trump said the two men discussed housing and bringing down the price of food and energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani said the two leaders spoke about immigration enforcement in the city. Mamdani has raised concerns about the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers around New York. Asked specifically about his past attacks on Mamdani and calling him a communist, Trump suggested the mayor-elect may change his views and even impress some conservatives. Hes got views that are a little out there, but who knows. I mean, were going to see what works. Hes going to change, also. I changed a lot, Trump said. I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually. Mamdani was asked about his criticisms of Trump, which included calling him a despot. Mamdani argued he and Trump were in agreement on the issue of affordability and bringing down costs despite ideological disagreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been called much worse than a despot, Trump said. The amicable appearance between the two men came as something of a shock given the past rhetoric between them. Trump spent months railing against Mamdani, who is a democratic socialist, as a communist and threatening to withhold federal funding from New York City if Mamdani implemented certain policies. Trump urged voters in the final days of the campaign to back former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) in the mayoral race. Mamdani centered his campaign on the issue of affordability and lowering costs, an issue that helped carry Democrats to victories in statewide elections in Virginia and New Jersey. But the mayor-elect has also vowed to push back on any efforts by Trump to cut off federal funding or impose federal pressure on the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the roughly 30-minute appearance in front of cameras, reporters in the room seemed to repeatedly try to get Trump and Mamdani to criticize one another. But the two leaders remained steadfast that they were focused on improving New York City, regardless of political differences. One reporter asked Mamdani if he still thought Trump was a fascist, at which point Trump cut in, patted Mamdani on the arm and said he could just say yes. Its easier than explaining, Trump said. Mamdani was asked if New Yorkers love President Trump, and he responded that residents want an affordable city. Another reporter asked Trump if he was standing next to a jihadist, a term Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) has used to describe Mamdani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, I dont. I met with a man who is a very rational person, Trump said. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. Updated at 4:16 p.m. EST Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (AP) With his new 28-point plan to end Russias war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump is resurfacing his argument that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy doesn't have the cards to continue on the battlefield and must come to a settlement that heavily tilts in Moscow's favor. Trump, who has demonstrated low regard for Zelenskyy dating back to his first term, says he expects the Ukrainian leader to respond to his administration's new plan to end the war by next Thursday. The president said Friday of Zelenksyy, Hes going to have to approve it, though he was more reconciliatory a day later, saying, I would like to get to peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trying to get it ended. One way or the other, we have to get it ended, Trump told reporters outside the White House on Saturday. Hours later, senators critical of Trumps approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war said they spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio who told them that the peace plan Trump is pushing Kyiv to accept is actually a wish list of the Russians and not the actual proposal offering Washingtons positions. The State Department called that account false and Rubio later took the extraordinary step Saturday night of insisting that the plan was U.S.-authored but the incident raised still more questions about the plan's fate. However, buffeted by a corruption scandal in his government, battlefield setbacks and another difficult winter looming as Russia continues to bombard Ukraine's energy grid, Zelenskyy says Ukraine is now facing perhaps the most difficult choice in its history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Zelenskyy have had a tortured relationship Zelenskyy has not spoken with Trump since the plan became public this week, but has said he expects to talk to the Republican president in coming days. It's likely to be another in a series of tough conversations the two leaders have had over the years. The first time they spoke, in 2019, Trump tried to pressure the then newly minted Ukrainian leader to dig up dirt on Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election. That phone call sparked Trump's first impeachment. Trump made Biden's support for Ukraine a central issue in his successful 2024 campaign, saying the conflict had cost U.S. taxpayers too much money and vowing he would quickly bring the war to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then early this year in a disastrous Oval Office meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance tore into Zelenskyy for what they said was insufficient gratitude for the more than $180 billion the U.S. had appropriated for military aid and other assistance to Kyiv since the start of the war. That episode led to a temporary suspension of U.S. assistance to Ukraine. And now with the proposal, Trump is pressing Zelenskyy to agree to concessions of land to Moscow, a massive reduction in the size of Ukraines army, and agreement from Europe to assert that Ukraine will never be admitted into the NATO military alliance. Now Ukraine may find itself facing a very difficult choice: either loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner, Zelenskyy said in a video address Friday. At the center of Trump's plan is the call on Ukraine to concede the entirety of its eastern Donbas region, even though a vast swath of that land remains in Ukrainian control. Analysts at the independent Institute for the Study of War have estimated it would take several years for the Russian military to completely seize the territory, based on its current rate of advances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, nevertheless, insists that the loss of the region which includes cities that are vital defense, industrial and logistics hubs for Ukrainian forces is a fait accompli. They will lose in a short period of time. You know so, Trump said Friday when asked during a Fox News Radio interview about his push on Ukraine to give up the territory. Theyre losing land. Theyre losing land. Trump's patience remains a question The Trump proposal was formally presented to Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday by Dan Driscoll, the U.S. Army secretary. The plan itself was a surprise to Driscolls staffers, who were not aware as late as Wednesday that their boss would be going to Ukraine as part of a team to present the plan to the Ukrainians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army officials walked away from that meeting with the impression that the Ukrainians were viewing the proposal as a starting point that would evolve as negotiations progressed, according to a U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks. It's unclear how much patience Trump has for further negotiation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Trump's new plan reflects the realities of the situation and offers the best win-win scenario, where both parties gain more than they must give. Asked about Zelenskyy's initial hesitant response to the proposal, Trump recalled the February Oval Office blow-up with Zelenskyy: You remember, right in the Oval Office, not so long ago, I said, You dont have the cards. Trump, though, was also asked Saturday if the proposal was his final offer to end the Ukraine war and said it wasn't leaving open the possibility of more negotiation. Still, asked what would happen if Ukraine and Zelenskyy ultimately reject the proposal, the president turned almost dismissive: Then he can continue to fight his little heart out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy is now in a vulnerable spot The mounting pressure from Trump comes as Zelenskyy is dealing with fallout over $100 million in kickbacks for contracts with the state-owned nuclear energy company. The scandal led to the resignations of top Cabinet ministers and implicated other Zelenskyy associates. Konstantin Sonin, a political economist and Russia expert at the University of Chicago, said, what Donald Trump is certainly extremely good at is spotting weak spots of people. One of the 28 elements of Trumps proposal calls for elections to be held within 100 days of enactment of the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its a rationalistic assessment that there is more leverage over Zelenskyy than over Putin, Sonin said. He added, Zelenskyys back is against the wall and his government could collapse if he agrees to the U.S. proposal. All the while, Ukraine is increasingly showing signs of strain on the battlefield after years of war against a vastly larger and better-equipped Russian military. Ukraine is desperately trying to fend off relentless Russian aerial attacks that have brought rolling blackouts across the country on the brink of winter. Kyiv is also grappling with doubts about the way ahead. A European plan to finance next years budget for Ukraine through loans linked to frozen Russian funds is now in question. The Trump proposal in its current form also includes several elements that would cut deeply into Ukrainian pride, said David Silbey, a military historian at Cornell University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One provision calls on Russia and Ukraine to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education, and all Nazi ideology and activities must be rejected and prohibited. That element could be seen by the Ukrainian side as giving credence to Putin's airing of distorted historical narratives to legitimize the 2022 invasion. Putin has said the war is in part an effort to denazify Ukraine and complained of the country's neo-Nazi regime as a justification for Russias invasion. In fact, in Ukraines last parliamentary election in 2019, support for far-right candidates was 2%, significantly lower than in many other European countries. The plan's provision is very clearly an attempt to build up Putin's claim to Russian cultural identity within Ukraine, Silbey said. He added, From territory loss to the substantial reduction of the Ukrainian military to cultural concessions that have been demanded, I just dont think Zelenskyy could do this deal and look his public in the eye again. AP writers Michelle L. Price and Konstantin Toropin contributed. President Donald Trump sat down with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office Friday, marking the first time the socialist politician whom the administration has labeled a "communist" met with the MAGA chief. The pair found unity during their meeting, with Trump telling the media the pair share the mission of a better New York City. "We have one thing in common," Trump said Friday. "We want this city of ours that we love to do very well. And I wanted to congratulate the mayor. He really ran an incredible race against, you know, a lot of smart people, starting with the early primaries against some very tough people, very smart people. And he beat them, and he beat them easily. And I congratulated him, and we talked about some things in very strong common, like housing and getting housing built and food and prices." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president and mayor-elect met at the White House Friday afternoon before opening the Oval Office doors to the media for questions. Trump predicted New York City, his hometown, will get a "great mayor" while remarking that the White House would be there to assist. Trump, Mamdani Set To Face Off In First Oval Office Meeting Whats On The Table President Donald Trump meets with New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Nov. 21, 2025. "I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor and the better he does, the happier I am," Trump said. "I will say there's no difference in party, there's no difference in anything. And we're going to be helping him, to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Mamdani a "communist" while remarking that Trump's doors are open to any U.S. leader no matter their political party. Trump Predicts 'Civil' Meeting With Mamdani Despite Past Comments About Each Other Trump remained seated during his press event, while Mamdani stood by his side and fielded a handful of questions. The pair shared a hopeful outlook for the future, with Trump arguing that, despite their political differences, they will work together and also share a handful of priorities, namely affordability and lowering the cost of living for Americans. "He's got views that (are) a little out there, but who knows? And then we'll get to see what works, or he's going to change also. We all change," Trump said. "I changed a lot. Changed a lot from when I first came to office, it's now quite a while ago, quite a while. My first term was great. We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. We're doing even better now. We're doing much better now than we did even in the first term. And I can tell you, some of my views have changed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president predicted Mamdani "is going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people." The president predicted that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani "is going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people." The mayor-elect added that he was appreciative of the meeting and said it largely focused on how to better New York City and pull citizens out of spiraling costs. "I think both President Trump and I we are very clear about our positions and our views," Mamdani said. "And what I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers. Leavitt Doesn't Mince Words Ahead Of Mamdani-trump Meeting: 'Communist Coming To The White House' President Donald Trump meets with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office of the White House Nov. 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. "And, frankly, that is something that could transform the lives of the 8.5 million people who are currently struggling under a cost-of-living crisis, with one in four living in poverty," he said. "And the meeting came back again and again to what it could look like to lift those New Yorkers out of struggle and start to deliver them a city that they could do more than just struggle to afford it, but actually start to live in it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump quipped during the press event that the media showed an outpouring of interest in the meeting, remarking that despite hosting many high-profile events with foreign nations, his meeting with the next chief of New York City drew "hundreds of people waiting" outside as just a small gaggle of reporters could file into the Oval Office. Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich pressed Mamdani at one point on his past remarks describing Trump as a "fascist," and the president jumped in to tell him it's easier to "just say yes." "Are you affirming that you think President Trump is a fascist?" Heinrich asked. " I've spoken about " Mamdani began to answer before Trump said, "That's OK. You can just say yes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "OK, all right," Mamdani continued. "It's easier. It's it's easier than explaining it. I don't mind," Trump added. Trump praised Mamdani as a "rational person" who has the trajectory of making New York City safe and bringing down costs. The sun sets on the skyline of midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building in New York City Nov. 15, 2024. "I met with a man who wants to really wants to see New York be great again," Trump said. "And I can say again because New York was great, you know, when I came down to Washington initially. The city was so hot and was doing great. We were having some telltale signs of problems. We had a mayor that was not doing a great job, but still it was moving along. And it went bad. It really went, you know, pretty bad. And he can, I think it's been at lower points, but it went pretty bad." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani, who has been accused of holding antisemitic views, wrapped up the press event by pledging he would work to secure a safe New York City for its large Jewish population. "I care very deeply about Jewish safety, and I look forward to rooting out antisemitism across the five boroughs and protecting Jewish New Yorkers," he said. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Mamdani won his election Nov. 4 while squaring off against Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent after losing his Democratic primary election to Mamdani over the summer. Mamdani will be sworn in as the Big Apple's mayor Jan. 1. Original article source: Trump reveals 'one thing in common' he has with Mamdani after Oval Office love fest Trump met with Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office and had only nice things to say afterward. Trump said he shared goals and ideas with the mayor-elect, including addressing affordability. He also said he would feel comfortable living in the city under Mamdani's administration. Zohran Mamdani appears to have charmed Donald Trump. Following a meeting with the New York City mayor-elect in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, the president had nothing but nice things to say about the man whose politics couldn't be more different than his. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor," Trump told reporters as Mamdani stood beside him. "He's going to surprise some conservative people, actually." It marked a striking reversal in Trump's rhetoric toward the Democratic socialist state assemblyman. In recent months, the president had derided Mamdani as a "communist," urged New Yorkers to support his chief opponent, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and had even threatened to cut off federal funding to the city if Mamdani were elected mayor. On Friday, all of that seemed to be buried. Mamdani sounded a conciliatory note, pointing out that he and Trump shared many voters and that both had run campaigns based on addressing concerns about affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We spoke about rent, we spoke about groceries, we spoke about utilities," Mamdani said. "We spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out." Trump described Mamdani as "rational," said that he "really wants to see New York be great again," and said he and the mayor-elect shared many of the same goals. Most significantly, Trump pledged to work with Mamdani, saying he expects "to be helping him, not hurting him." At one point, Trump who was born and raised in New York City even said that he would feel comfortable living in the city with Mamdani as mayor. "Absolutely," Trump said. "I want him to do a great job, and we'll help him do a great job." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two men seemed to find one particular point of agreement: the rates charged by Con Edison, the main energy provider in the New York City area. "We've gotten fuel prices way down, but it hasn't shown up in Con Edison," Trump said. "We have to get Con Edison to start lowering their rates." "Absolutely," Mamdani added. Following the Oval Office meeting, Trump posted a picture of himself and the New York City mayoral-elect on Truth Social, the president's social media company, which attracts a lot of his supporters. "It was a Great Honor meeting Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City!" the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some ways, the mutual respect isn't completely unexpected. Both men have demonstrated an ability to capture and maintain attention in the modern media environment, a quality that Trump acknowledged at one point when speaking to reporters. "The press has eaten this thing up," Trump said. "You know, outside, you have hundreds of people waiting." "He's different than, you know, your average candidate," Trump added. "He came out of nowhere." In keeping the meeting respectable, Trump could also be positioning himself close to a candidate who has made affordability a central part of his mayoral campaign. The Trump administration has recently begun to shift its focus to affordability issues, Business Insider reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president even sought to smooth things over when a reporter asked Mamdani if he considers the president to be a fascist. As Mamdani began to answer, a smiling Trump interjected. "That's OK, you can just say yes," he said. "It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Saturday he would like to see Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resume her political career at some point, despite their recent falling out. Trumps comments came the day after Greene, one of the best-known faces in the Republican arena, made the stunning announcement that she will resign in January. In a brief phone interview with NBC News, the president said, Its not going to be easy for her to revive her career in politics, though he added, Id love to see that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Trump said, shes got to take a little rest. Long a stalwart ally of the president, Greene has become more vocal in recent weeks about her differences with some of his policies and priorities. She has faulted Trump for devoting what she sees as excessive attention to foreign leaders as opposed to the pocketbook concerns of everyday Americans. She was also an early advocate for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and said that Trump had been blocking their disclosure. After calling the effort to release the files a "hoax," Trump changed course last Sunday and said he supported making them public. Congress quickly voted to compel the Justice Departemnt to do just that, and Trump signed the bill. Trump has lashed out at Greene, calling her a traitor. He withdrew his support for her re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early Saturday morning, before his interview with NBC News, Trump posted on his social media site that Greene chose to quit rather than face a Republican primary challenger in the midterm elections next year. He reiterated that she was a traitor, while also thanking her for her service to our country. A person close to Greene said in an interview that the congresswoman remained convinced she would win re-election had she decided to run. The issue was not so much the competition as the threats and scorn that Greene and her children have endured, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Greene has two daughters and a son, all in their 20s. She very much looks forward to one day go out in public and not be harassed in restaurants and airports and be on the face of every TV channel, the person added. Its safe to say shell probably take a step back and be a private, normal person again. As for Trumps denunciations, the person said, She was one of his biggest allies in Congress and she never really turned her back on him. She stood up for him when no one else in the House would. It was disappointing to her to see that, but shes not someone who, when she sees things she disagrees with, would turn a blind eye to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if he believed he could overcome his differences with Greene, Trump said in the interview, I can patch up differences with anyone. Over the years, Trump has feuded with billionaire Elon Musk, former White House adviser Steve Bannon and others, only to reconcile and bring them back into his fold. During the 2016 presidential race, Trump dubbed then-Sen. Marco Rubio Little Marco. Rubio is now the presidents secretary of state. The rift has been disconcerting to Greenes constituents in northwest Georgia, who overwhelmingly voted for both Trump and the congresswoman in the 2024 elections. But in interviews with NBC News, Greenes voters gave no sign that they were prepared to abandon her. Indeed, some applauded her for standing up to the president in defense of her beliefs. She has a lot of courage and tells it like it is, Debbie Dyer, 60, who works at a carpet company, said earlier this week at a mall in Dalton, Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump had gotten no advance warning that Greene would leave Congress, an official familiar with the matter told NBC News. Nor did she give House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., a heads up, according to another person with direct knowledge of the matter. Everyone in the world found out at the same time, a person close to Greene told NBC News, referring to the video Greene released Friday night announcing her departure. Greenes resignation figures to make Johnsons job more difficult, given the GOPs slim majority in the House. She and Johnson never had a strong relationship; she even tried to oust him from the speakership last year. Still, lawmakers typically provide their own party leaders some type of advance notice about career plans that could have a pronounced influence on the course of legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A question that has hovered over Greenes row with the president was her endgame. Was she repositioning herself politically to run for statewide office in Georgia, or perhaps for president in 2028? Why else would she make an appearance earlier in the month on ABCs The View hardly a platform for the MAGA movement. The person close to her dismissed any such speculation: Shes made it very clear that shes leaving politics. Already, potential successors are eyeing her soon-to-be vacant seat. Colton Moore, a Republican state senator, released a statement Saturday saying, The RINOs [Republicans in name only] and radical left have had their run. Its time for real conservative patriots to take over. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Donald Trump sounded conciliatory when he was asked about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) hours after she savaged him in a lengthy statement announcing her shock resignation. MTG shocked the political world when she announced on Friday that she will resign from Congress effective Jan. 5, 2026. The congresswoman released a lengthy statement via video on X/Twitter in which she, among other things, likened him to a domestic abuser in a video that lasted over ten minutes. Trump first reacted to the news by phone on Friday night, telling ABC News White House correspondent Rachel Scott that I think its great news for the country. Its great. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president expanded on the thought early Saturday morning with a Truth Social message posted at 6:45 AM that featured several insults, including a disparaging nickname: Marjorie Traitor Brown, because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers, and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement (where she would have no chance of winning!), has decided to call it quits. Her relationship with the WORST Republican Congressman in decades, Tom Massie of Kentucky, also known as Rand Paul Jr. because he votes against the Republican Party (and really good legislation!), did not help her. For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD. Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country! President DJT But Trump was considerably more kind as he spoke to reporters on his way to board Marine One Saturday afternoon to tour The Courses at Andrews. REPORTER: Mr. President, are you willing to forgive Congresswoman Taylor Greene? PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Forgive for what? No, we just, I just disagreed with her philosophy. She started backing perhaps the worst Republican congressman in our history, you know, stupid person named Massie. And, uh I said go your own way. And once I left her she resigned because he wouldnt have She would never have survived a primary. But I think shes a nice person. Okay. Thank you. Watch above via LiveNow from Fox. The post Trump Softens On Marjorie Taylor Greene Hours After She Blasts Him In Bombshell Resignation: Shes a Nice Person first appeared on Mediaite. On Friday, President Trump announced on social media that he is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants living in Minnesota, effective immediately. TPS has allowed thousands of Somali nationals to live and work legally in the U.S. after fleeing conflict and humanitarian crises in Somalia. Under the guise of blaming Somali refugees for terrorizing the people of that great state, the sudden proposed termination has raised legal and political questions, as experts debate whether the president has the authority to selectively end TPS protections for one state or population without notice or congressional approval. The move hits at the heart of Minnesotas Somali-American community, one of the largest Somali diasporas in the country. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American and former refugee, now represents Minnesota in the House and a long foil to Trumps political agenda, has long advocated for protections for the community and already took to social media herself to challenge the decision. I am a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America. Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesnt have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate. We are here to stay https://t.co/JHSO3PKL6O Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 22, 2025 Advocates warn that ending TPS could disrupt families, employment, and access to education, while also stoking fear and uncertainty among residents. Legal challenges are widely anticipated. Its not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community. This is what he does to change the subject.https://t.co/pv8OJWUxR1 Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) November 22, 2025 Like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Omar, state officials and local leaders condemned the move, describing it as both a humanitarian and political misstep that could have ripple effects across the state. Critics say it undermines the stability and integration of Minnesotas Somali population, while supporters argue TPS was intended to be temporary and that the administration is enforcing U.S. immigration law. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. The announcement also underscores the administrations continuing hardline stance on immigration, particularly in politically significant regions. Minnesota, with its large Somali-American population and history as a key battleground state, is now positioned as a flashpoint in the national debate over refugee protections and immigration policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, it should be noted that this is not an official announcement from the White House or from the Department of Homeland Securitys Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Instead, it is President Trump deciding a political move via his Truth Social posts. Until an official announcement is made, the discussion will remain where it began social media. The post Trump wants to cancel TPS protection for Minnesotas Somalian refugees appeared first on Salon.com. Israel on Saturday launched renewed attacks on the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, the military said. Launchers and military sites of Hezbollah were hit in the Beqaa area in the east of the country and in southern Lebanon, it said in a post on Telegram. "The presence of the launchers and the military activity at these sites constitutes a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon," the military said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that two people were killed in two separate strikes. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November last year, following more than a year of cross-border attacks. However, both sides accuse each other of violating the agreement, and the Israeli military has repeatedly attacked targets in Lebanon over the past year. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Dina holds significant cultural importance across multiple traditions, particularly in Abrahamic faiths. In the Hebrew Bible, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah, and her story in Genesis 34 represents one of the earliest narratives about women in patriarchal societies. Her experience has been interpreted through various theological lenses, often symbolizing the vulnerability of women and complex issues of honor, violence, and family loyalty in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In Christian tradition, while Dinah appears less frequently than other biblical women, her story has been used in theological discussions about justice, family dynamics, and the treatment of women. The name gained popularity among early Christians as a symbol of judgment and vindication. Across Arabic-speaking cultures, Dina (often spelled Dina or Deena) carries meanings related to religion and faith, with some interpretations connecting it to 'way of life' or 'religion,' making it popular among Muslim communities as well. The name's cross-cultural appeal demonstrates its versatility and enduring significance. In modern times, Dina serves as a bridge between different religious traditions while maintaining its strong biblical foundation, making it a meaningful choice for families valuing both cultural heritage and contemporary relevance. By Nellie Peyton JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -The United Arab Emirates said on Saturday it will invest $1 billion to expand AI infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa, with the aim of helping countries meet national development priorities. UAE Minister of State Saeed Bin Mubarak Al Hajeri announced the "AI for development initiative" at the G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, saying it would bring AI technology to areas such as education, healthcare, and climate adaptation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We consider AI not just as a future industry but a cornerstone of humanity's future," he said in a statement. "Therefore, my country is actively accelerating innovation to enhance productivity and drive significant advancements in the global economy, with a strong commitment to developing responsible and inclusive AI for the benefit of everyone." The UAE is one of the biggest investors in Africa. Its bilateral trade in 2024 reached approximately $107 billion, a 28% increase from the previous year, and its total investments in Africa were over $118 billion between 2020 and 2024, the statement said. Abu Dhabi is investing heavily in AI, with plans to build one of the world's largest data-centre hubs in the country with U.S. technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UAE is not a member of the Group of 20, which brings together the world's biggest economies, but was invited to the meeting by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the G20 leaders' summit for the first time in Africa. (Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio boasted "tremendous" progress after a day of meetings with Ukrainian and European officials in Geneva on a proposal to halt the Ukraine war, but numerous uncertainties remain. The head of Ukraine's delegation Andriy Yermak also told reporters earlier that the sides had made "very good progress", and were "moving forward to the just and lasting peace Ukrainian people deserve". US President Donald Trump had given Ukraine until November 27 to approve his controversial plan to end the nearly four-year conflict that erupted after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Kyiv is seeking changes to a draft that accepts a range of Russia's hardline demands, with the 28-point plan requiring the invaded country to cede territory, cut its army and pledge never to join NATO. Rubio, whose delegation included Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff, told reporters that the work to narrow the areas of disagreement had advanced "in a very substantial way". "I can tell you that the items that remain open are not insurmountable," he said, adding "I honestly believe we'll get there." Rubio stressed that any final agreement would "have to be agreed upon by the presidents, and there are a couple issues that we need to continue to work on" before trying to bring onboard the Kremlin, which welcomed the original proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Obviously, the Russians get a vote." - 'Zero gratitude' claim - His comments came after Trump earlier lashed out at Ukraine as the talks in Geneva were underway. "UKRAINE 'LEADERSHIP' HAS EXPRESSED ZERO GRATITUDE FOR OUR EFFORTS," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, also accusing European countries of not doing enough to stop the war, but offering no direct condemnation of Moscow. Not long after, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that his country was "grateful to the United States... and personally to President Trump" for the assistance that has been "saving Ukrainian lives". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian delegation meanwhile referred to a new version of the US draft plan, which has yet to be published, saying it "already reflects most of Ukraine's key priorities". At the end of the day, Rubio said he thought Trump was "quite pleased at the reports we've given him about the amount of progress that's been made". Asked about whether he believed a deal could be reached by Thursday, as demanded by the US president, he said "the deadline is we want to get this done as soon as possible". "I think we made a tremendous amount of progress. I feel very optimistic that we're going to get there in a very reasonable period of time, very soon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US delegation in Geneva also included US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and also, surprisingly, Alexus Grynkewich, the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. Grynkewich did not attend in his NATO capacity but as a senior US military representative, according to a senior NATO official who did not wish to be named. - European 'centrality' - Rubio said that his delegation had met Sunday with "national security advisors from various European countries". Ukraine's delegation also met with high-level officials from Britain, France and Germany. The US plan was drafted without input from Ukraine's European allies, who were scrambling Sunday to make their voices heard and boost Kyiv's position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine must have the freedom and sovereign right to choose its own destiny. They have chosen a European destiny," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, stressing that the "centrality" of the European Union's role must be "fully reflected" in any peace plan. "The task now is to make the 28-point plan presented by the American government a viable document," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meanwhile said at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, adding that he had made a proposal being discussed in Geneva in that direction. European Union countries were planning to meet to discuss the Ukraine situation on the sidelines of a meeting with African leaders in Angola on Monday. And French President Emmanuel Macron, who spoke on the phone with Zelensky Sunday, said the 30 countries in the "coalition of the willing" supporting Kyiv would hold a video call on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of leaders also called Trump Sunday, with Downing Street saying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the US president had agreed "that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace". Finnish President Alexander Stubb told AFP that he and Italian leader Giorgia Meloni also called Trump Sunday to discuss his Ukraine proposal. Meloni later told reporters at the G20 that while there were points in the US plan "that certainly need to be discussed", there was no need for a "complete counterproposal". bur-nl/apo/gv The Trump administration believes the moment to pressure Ukraine into a peace agreement is at hand, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy particularly weak at home and plagued by a corruption scandal that poses the most direct threat to his leadership since Russia invaded in 2022. "The Ukrainians will have to accept [the deal] given the weakness of Zelenskyy's current position, said a senior White House official, who, like others, in the story, was granted anonymity to discuss the negotiations. And President Donald Trump gave Zelenskyy until Nov. 24 to sign on or risk losing American intelligence and military support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has made no secret of his desire to end the fighting and has vacillated between options favorable to opposite sides, depending on where he thinks he has the most leverage. It was strongly implied to the Ukrainians that the United States expects them to agree to a peace deal, said a U.S. official. Any changes will be decided upon by the president himself. The U.S. 28-point peace plan which has been discussed in various forms for several weeks would force Ukraine to cede large swaths of its territory to Russia and limit the size of its military in exchange for an ill-defined security guarantee. The plan was presented this week just as the unfolding corruption scandal, which has ensnared Zelenskyys close allies, has imperiled his cabinet. Zelenskyy has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The widespread anger at Zelenskyy over the scandal, compounded by four years of brutal war, has some Trump officials optimistic that the Ukrainian president will not be able to resist the offer, even as its terms would forever ban Ukraine from joining NATO, and cede Crimea, Donbas, Luhansk and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhia to Russia, while asking little from Moscow in return. Ukraine would get approval to begin negotiations with the EU for member status, and would get reconstruction payments to the tune of $100 billion from Russia, $100 billion from European countries and a separate U.S.-Russia joint reconstruction venture. But with Russia gaining some ground on the battlefield but taking staggering daily losses in doing so and polls showing growing discontent with Zelenskyy, Trump is pressing his advantage. Americans are talking to Ukraine with a language of pressure, said a senior European official. As the only option is to sign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy alluded to the dynamic Friday in a national address, saying the country faces a very difficult choice: either a loss of dignity, or a risk of losing a key partner. Either the difficult 28 points, or an extremely harsh winter the hardest one yet with further risks, he said. A life without freedom, dignity, and justice, and being asked to trust the one who has already attacked us twice. While the White House sees opportunity, many European officials and other Ukraine allies think Zelenskyys zapped political capital will make it much tougher, if not impossible, to sell the U.S. proposal to the Ukrainian public. The draft of the plan has a U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine, but does not address how the U.S. would help if Russia broke the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials, while noting that corruption investigation swirling around Kyiv, say this is the best, most realistic peace proposal Ukraine can expect This is a good plan, with or without Zelensky's corruption scandal," said a second White House official. Zelenskyy on Friday posted to Xthat he spoke with Vice President JD Vance and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll about the proposal, working to make the path forward dignified and truly effective for achieving a lasting peace. Driscoll, who has becomethe administrations point-man on the peace efforts, plans to spend the weekend meeting with NATO and European allies to brief them on the talks, according to a U.S. official. Ukraine, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are working on a counterproposal to the Trump plan, which has several provisions, such as capping Ukraines military enlistment that have previously been unacceptable to Europeans, and remains so, according to a second European diplomat. Felicia Schwartz contributed to this report. By Bo Erickson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration is advancing its plan to dismantle the Department of Education and is using non-disclosure agreements to shield official discussions with the administration, according to four people familiar with the changes. Education Secretary Linda McMahon this week announced plans for most federal education programs and staff to relocate to six other federal agencies, like the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the full scope of logistics and timing remains unclear to the public, education advocates, and Congress, which oversees and funds the department. The reorganization marks a significant step toward a long-standing conservative goal, but the non-disclosure agreements for senior officials and directors are unusual for the department with no national security role, according to two people familiar with the strategy. It is unclear how widely the agency has used NDAs, or if they have been used in a similar way before. One person familiar with them said the goal was to prevent information sharing outside of the department. A senior Education Department official on Friday said the use of the non-disclosure agreements was in line with business and governmental practices and allowed for deliberative discussions and changes between agencies and their career staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PROMISE Trump promised during his campaign to dismantle the Education Department, and McMahon told senators during her confirmation process that unwinding it would require congressional action. The secretary on Thursday said she has spoken with dozens of lawmakers about their plans and urged Congress to codify the changes after they are completed. Our final mission as a department is to fully empower states to carry the torch of our educational renaissance, McMahon said at a White House press briefing. We are not ending federal support for education. We are ending federal micromanagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other lawmakers say Congress is being left out of the loop. "There's a difference between reform and sabotage, and right now we are seeing sabotage," Senator Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said on Friday about the department reshuffling. "Like everything in this administration, they make a big announcement, they don't work with all of us, there's no transparency, they just behind the scenes are doing it." McMahon said that some employees are already working within the Labor Department. Other federal education employees are expected to relocate full time to the Labor Department and elsewhere around January, said two people familiar with the plans. The senior Education Department official said there is no set timeline for future staffing moves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from the Education and Health departments met this week to discuss timelines and logistics for that department to take over special education support programs. (Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Scott Malone and Lisa Shumaker) Greene announced her resignation in a lengthy statement on social media, stating that her last day in office will be January 5. US GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation in a lengthy statement on social media on Friday, following a public fallout with US President Donald Trump. Greene's last day in office will be January 5, according to the statement. "My only goal and desire has ever been to hold the Republican Party accountable for the promises it makes to the American people and put America First," Greene's statement read, boasting "one of the most conservative voting records in Congress." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene declared that her career has brought on "years of nonstop, never-ending personal attacks, death threats, lawfare, ridiculous slander, and lies about me, that most people could never withstand." Trump's attacks on Greene She alleged that Trump "hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against [her]" and tried to "destroy" her, calling the turn of events "absurd and completely unserious." Trump called Greene's resignation "great news for the country" in an interview with ABC News on Friday, according to Reuters. On November 14, Trump withdrew his endorsement of Greene, saying he was "fed up with her and her antics" in a statement released on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All I see 'Wacky' Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!" Trump said, claiming that the feud began when he told Greene she should not run for Governor or Senator, and "didnt have a chance" to win without his endorsement. Greene, a long-time advocate for Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, stated she "fought harder than almost any other elected Republican to elect Donald Trump and Republicans to power" and spent millions of her own money to aid Trump's campaign. She cited having "too much self-respect and dignity" to continue to endure a "hurtful and hateful primary" launched by the president and declared that once "the common American people finally realize and understand that the Political Industrial Complex of both parties is ripping this country apart," she will be by their side to "rebuild it." Reuters contributed to this report. CHICAGO U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego walked down 26th Street in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood on Friday morning while moments from his past came back to life. This is where he came every year to buy shoes for school. Across the street was the shop where he rented a tuxedo for prom. There werent many restaurants around that didnt look familiar. Gallego, 46, the junior senator from Arizona, walked into one he and his family used to frequent for dinner where he and his sisters used to sneak in, underage, to go dancing. My family would come down here for everything, Gallego said. He had returned home, close to where he grew up, not to relive very, very fond memories, as he described them, but to take stock of one of his most beloved places in the aftermath of President Donald Trumps Operation Midway Blitz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gallego said he wanted to see everything for himself. He felt a responsibility to see it, given his membership on the Senates Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He acknowledges theres not much a Democrat in a Republican-controlled Senate can do to shield the Chicago area from Trumps immigration crackdown, but the city, in many ways, is still home and he wanted to be here. And so he walked through the heart of La Villita, stopping to talk with locals at a mom and pop grocery store and a Quinceanera shop and a restaurant and a bakery with a menu written by hand. For months, he followed the immigration raids in Chicago and watched footage from Little Village and places in and around the city that reminded him of serving with the Marines in Iraq. He said he heard discomforting accounts of everything happening in Chicago from relatives and friends who still live here. The videos he saw angered him, he said. I fought in urban combat and the tactics they were using in Little Village, a place that I went to as a young man, Gallego said, pausing. They were treating it like a war zone. These men were dressed in battle fatigues with like, automatic weapons in an area that just doesnt need it, right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And to Americans in an American (city), it was disgusting to me. During a brief news conference in the back of Carnitas Uruapan, where the owner had prepared a plate of chicharrones as a welcome gesture, Gallego denounced the tactics that order U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and his Border Patrol agents employed throughout Chicago. Perhaps no neighborhood was more of a target to Bovino than Little Village, one of Chicagos proudest Latino communities. The neighborhood became an epicenter of the tension prevalent throughout Chicago during the raids. In Little Village, protesters often clashed with agents, who responded with force and tear gas. The whistle campaign that spread throughout the city began there. The community felt threatened, constantly, and Gallego said he could still feel residents stress on Friday. Fear, he said, when asked what most stood out from conversations hed shared with locals during his visit. Their own government came and brought fear onto them. They felt attacked by their own government. You know, I was talking with the woman at the bakery, and she was born in this country, and she had kids in this country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And her kid ended up having to go to therapy because he felt that he was potentially threatened. And he was born in this country. ... And I think thats the most shocking thing, that the American government is causing fear to their own citizens. Gallegos tour Friday began inside a grocery store, La Chiquita, where he spoke with workers about the raids. Irene Linares, whose family founded the store, relayed stories of locked doors and children shopping for parents too afraid to leave home. Gallego asked about her customers. Theyre scared, she told him. Gallego is the son of immigrants, his mother from Colombia and his father from Mexico. He grew up on the South Side, in Pilsen and Back of the Yards and Gage Park before his mom moved him and his siblings to suburban Evergreen Park when he was in seventh grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He ascended from a humble apartment there to Harvard, the Marines and the U.S. House of Representatives before winning a contentious Senate race last year, doing so in a state Trump won by 5.5%. Gallegos visit to Chicago, like one to Pennsylvania in May, has fueled speculation that he might have interest in entering the 2028 presidential election. He dismissed that talk Friday, though, while offering a reminder that Illinois is not a swing state, and thus not one where hed need to build support. He had come back, he said, because he wanted to introduce his newborn son to family and because he wanted to better understand what had happened in Little Village throughout the past several months. Bovino and his agents were gone, for now, but their presence is still felt. The signs warning of ICE and Border Patrol still hang in windows of businesses and restaurants. Gallego had come to bear witness, meet local leaders and speak out. At a minimum, he said, you should not be racial profiling Latinos anywhere in this country. No. 2 , they need to conduct themselves ICE, Border Patrol like professionals. The way they treat people here, I wouldnt even treat insurgents in Iraq. That theyre treating Americans here in this country that way is ridiculous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside, 26th Street was slowly starting to come back to life. The agents were gone but they will be back, Gallego said. At Carnitas Uruapan, workers prepared for lunch as Gallegos visit ended. There was no shortage of open tables, and hope that business might pick up. _____ U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin's office said Michigan State Police responded to a bomb threat at her home on Nov. 21, a day after President Donald Trump called her and other Democrats traitors for putting out a video message to members of the military telling them it's their right and duty to disobey illegal orders. A message posted on social media platform X by a spokesperson for Slotkin, D-Michigan, said the senator wasn't at her home in Holly, Michigan at the time of the threat. State Police searched the premises "and confirmed no one was in danger," the message said. Slotkin's office didn't provide further details about the threat or Slotkin's whereabouts but referred questions to Michigan State Police, who didn't immediately respond to calls and emails from the Free Press. The social media message added, "U.S. Capitol Police will continue to investigate and hopefully hold accountable those responsible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump dangles death penalty for Slotkin, other Dems over Armed Forces message Slotkin got round-the-clock protection from Capitol Police on Thursday, Nov. 20, after Trump went on his social media platform Truth Social and blasted Slotkin and five other congressional Democrats for having posted a video in which they urged members of the military to disobey any unlawful orders they might receive. Trump called the message seditious and the members of Congress who posted it traitors. He suggested they could be jailed and in a separate post said seditious behavior could be punishable by death. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said later on Nov. 20 that Trump was not calling for any member of Congress to be executed but that the message threatened the chain of command and that it suggested "that the president has given illegal orders, which he has not." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 21, Trump went on Fox News Radio and reiterated that he's not proposing to execute anyone but that the Democratic members who made the video "are in serious trouble." In an interview with NBC News on Nov. 20, Slotkin said "the threat level just went through the roof" after Trump made his social media comments, even though the video had been posted to X days earlier. "I mean the shift was immediate," she said. "We've had hundreds and hundreds, if not, you know, closer to 1,000 threats come in to our phones, our emails all our Senate systems." Military personnel could face court-martial for failing to obey a lawful order but are not duty-bound to follow a patently illegal order, such as one that directs the commission of a crime or violates military practice or the U.S. Constitution, and could face legal liability for doing so. In their video, Slotkin and the others didn't specify any particular order that might be illegal. But Slotkin, a former CIA officer and acting assistant Defense Department secretary, and other critics of Trump's have questioned his use of military personnel in securing American cities. They also question the administration's destruction of suspected drug-trafficking craft at sea without express authorization from Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Slotkin's home target of bomb threat after Trump calls her a traitor A Utah legislator is officially stepping down after winning the Cottonwood Heights mayoral election earlier this month. Utah Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, D-Cottonwood Heights, formally announced her resignation from the House of Representatives on Thursday, following this weeks election certification that confirmed she ousted incumbent Mike Weichers. Her resignation triggers a process for the Utah Democratic Party to fill her House District 41 seat. The party announced on Friday that it has opened its vacancy notification and candidate application period, which will continue through Dec. 4. Interested candidates must submit their application through the party, must be over the age of 25, a U.S. citizen, a Utah resident for at least three years and a resident of the district for at least six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A special election among eligible state delegates within House District 41 will take place on Dec. 6, where they will use ranked-choice voting to select Bennions replacement in the House, party officials said. The results are expected to be certified and sent to the Utah Lieutenant Governors Office for finalization later that day, ahead of the next legislative session, which begins on Jan. 20, 2026. We thank Rep. Bennion for her service and her commitment to the people of House District 41. She has been a remarkable legislator and the Legislatures loss is Cottonwood Heights gain, said Brian King, chairman of the Utah Democratic Party, in a statement. This process ensures continuity of representation, transparency and a fair election among the duly elected delegates of the district. Bennion was first elected to the House in 2020, representing a district that includes Cottonwood Heights, as well as parts of Murray, Holladay and the communities within the Cottonwood canyons. She defeated Weichers after securing approximately 58% of the vote in Cottonwood Heights mayoral election. Bennion told KSL earlier this month that she will miss working on statewide housing and water issues, but she plans to address unlicensed short-term rental houses and other city issues when she begins her mayoral term next year. We can address this in a healthy way for the owners and our community, she said. A nine-year Navy veteran started walking dogs when he lost his translation business. One 10-year veteran of the Army furloughed half of their staff while another considered selling their car to make payroll. Ten months into the Trump administration, the nations military veterans doing business with Washington are feeling the sting of President Donald Trumps efforts to shrink the federal government and DOGEs crusade to combat what it calls waste, fraud and abuse. The fallout has hit hundreds of veteran-owned businesses across the country. Two-thirds of the contracts DOGE canceled at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year were with veteran-owned businesses. Some of those contracts were helping the VA register cancer patients or provide health care support to veterans, services the VA said are now being performed in-house. And few constituencies draw more support from across the political spectrum than veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerns about veterans more broadly triggered a rare split between Republican lawmakers and the Trump White House earlier this year when billionaire Elon Musks efficiency team started laying off thousands of career staff at the VA, stoking fears about agency services. Some of the agency's more dramatic staffing plans were later reversed but DOGE also cut billions of dollars in federal spending and contracting that are still rippling across veteran-owned businesses companies particularly exposed because the federal government has long given preferences to those companies. They don't care about veterans, they just care about veteran votes, Jeremy Casanave, who served nine years in the Navy, said of the Trump administration. DOGE had not a clue what they were doing. Casanave had a translation business, Prescient Technologies, that went under this year after losing more than a dozen federal contracts. He and his wife took money out on their house and started a dog-walking business to get by, he said. DOGE has canceled at least 1,251 contracts with veteran-owned businesses, or just under 10 percent of all contract terminations posted on its public list of records its wall of receipts according to a POLITICO analysis. This has hit at least 550 of these businesses, and the vast majority of these contracts were held by veterans disabled in the line of service. Both conditions are self-reported and verified by the Small Business Administration for small companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one has done more for our Veterans than President Trump, said White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly, who cited the presidents work to reinstate veteran benefits, open new health clinics and process disability claims. All of the administrations actions to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse help ensure more resources and better care for Veterans which is exactly who the VA is intended to serve. But some veterans running their own businesses are feeling left behind by the administrations swift approach to cuts. It made me question the government that I've been working so hard to support, said a 10-year Army veteran and CEO who furloughed half their staff, granted anonymity due to fear of retaliation from the government against their business. The CEO, who also had worked at the VA, lost multiple contracts in the wake of DOGE cuts, including one to support veterans health care. My whole life is in support of the government. It has been in various capacities, now and before. Supporting veteran-owned small businesses is a priority across the federal government. The VA and the Small Business Administration, for example, both have longstanding, percentage-based goals for contracting with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SBA has a goal of granting 5 percent of all federal procurement dollars to small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans, worth up to $34 billion in the fiscal year that ended in September. The VAs goal for fiscal 2024 was to award 17 percent of all contract dollars to small veteran-owned businesses. That made it almost impossible for Musks chainsaw to miss these companies. Canceling contracts with veteran-owned businesses allowed the government to save a purported $3 billion, according to DOGEs records as of Oct. 4. DOGEs assessment of savings is based on questionable math and does not translate into immediate savings for taxpayers. A DOGE spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment but the White House has previously said the wall of receipts is up-to-date and accurate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The true number of contracts and veteran-owned operations that lost federal business is likely higher because DOGE doesnt track its impact across sub-contracts, which multiple business-owners interviewed for this report also hold. But the VA said the agency is more able to provide better care, more efficiently after terminating other work. Under Secretary Collins, VA has reviewed tens of thousands of contracts the department had in place, cutting thousands of wasteful and duplicative agreements and redirecting the savings into better care for Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors, VA press secretary Pete Kasperowicz wrote in an email, noting the changes helped finance $800 million in infrastructure improvements to VA health facilities. Casanave's business had contracts with multiple agencies and Kasperowicz said at least one was cut because it was tied to the now-rescinded federal Covid emergency. DOGE claims an additional $39 million in savings from cutting grants meant to benefit veterans, and a further $177 million from VA contracts that were not directly with veteran-owned businesses but benefit veterans after their service. Despite the administration's assurances, the cuts have rattled some Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a veteran, I am troubled any time a veteran-owned business is impacted by budget cuts. I am actively working to review and reverse these cuts, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), a former Navy helicopter pilot and member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, said in a statement. Kiggans' district lost at least 70 contracts among veteran-owned businesses. The six major nonprofit veteran services organizations either declined to comment or did not respond to requests to do so. You can't trust this administration, said Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), whose district spans several counties in the Washington, D.C., exurbs and where DOGE claimed its biggest savings from canceled agreements with veteran-owned businesses. Its also where Casanaves business was located. You can't trust DOGE, and you may not even be able to trust working within or with government moving forward if we continue these types of cuts, freezes, and cancellations of contracts, Subramanyam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the VA moved to cut contracts it said were superfluous. VA Secretary Doug Collins posted a video on X in February claiming up to $2 billion in savings for cutting things like consulting and workforce training contracts . Ive been given this report says we were taking millions of contracts in dollars in contracts to create things like PowerPoint slides and meeting minutes, he said. Ill send you one of my pencils if you need one, but were not paying millions of dollars for consultants to do this for us. Most business owners reached for this report who served in the military acknowledged longstanding problems with federal contracting that predate Trump. But it was DOGEs breakneck approach that troubled many of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For us to just get our foot in the door and then the secretary to say, Hey, we just cut all training and consulting contracts that basically capped us at our knees, said one business-owner, a five-year Army veteran who was also granted anonymity due to fear of retribution against their business. The CEO who spent a decade in the Army and worked at the VA said the interest in hiring consultants for low-level support at the agency is a calculated one intended to free up agency employees for more important work. Can it change? Should it change? Probably. But as abruptly as they did it was not the right way to do it, the CEO said. Another contractor previously providing cancer registry services to the VA, Best Practices Group CEO Peter Whalen, said he believes their $217,000 contract was cut because it was labeled as a consulting award, which he said was a clerical error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reality, the company was registering and tracking health outcomes among veterans with cancer, the companys director of operations Sandra McDonald said. (The VA said Best Practices Groups contract was terminated because it was duplicative and said the cancellation did not impact cancer registration services.) After the companys contract was canceled, the VA consolidated a lot of that work into a new multibillion-dollar deal that Whalen believes will limit future opportunities for his small business, causing him to fear for the future of his company. I'm mad. Yeah, I'm mad. I'm really mad because its not fair. I'm sick of veterans getting screwed over by the VA, Whalen said. Multiple contractors reported that there have been exceedingly few contracting opportunities posted by the VA since the start of the Trump administration. Now that the 2025 fiscal year ended on Sept. 30, it could be months before companies can regain federal business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The VAs Kasperowicz said the agency spent about the same among contracts with veteran-owned businesses in fiscal 2025 and 2024, $12 billion in 2024 and $11 billion in 2025, according to federal spending records. "VA only pursues contracting opportunities when it makes sense for the department and the Veterans we serve, he said. But the agency has posted fewer contract opportunities under the Trump administration than it has on average in the last five years, according to a POLITICO analysis of federal procurement data. That does not bode well for veteran business owners who are already struggling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five-year Army veteran business owner said they considered selling their car in order to make payroll. I have no choice but to proceed, they said, or I have nothing. Had this business owner not gotten "lucky by finding some amount of work outside of the federal government, I would have lost my house my retirement and my life savings already gone, right? Casanave, who started the dog-walking business, is still trying to figure out his next steps and assess what went wrong. He still owes money to translators hed hired for work he lost last year, he said. All we did was help people, so we thought that we were secure, he said. The bulk of our work was for veterans. The rest of it was for [federal] employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Methodology: The last update to DOGEs wall of receipts, where it posts a subset of canceled contracts, grants and lease agreements was updated Oct. 4. POLITICO joined this information with federal procurement data detailing businesses self-reported qualifications, such as whether they are veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned. When available, old versions of the DOGE data were used for USAID contract cancellations that are now stripped of identifying information on the DOGE website due to legal reasons. The Board of Supervisors proposal to make Kern a charter county raises two questions: Why, after more than 150 years as a general law county, do supervisors suddenly want to change Kerns government structure to a charter county? And, whats the rush? Organized in 1866, Kern is a general law county. Basically, that means Kern is one of 43 California counties that follows state laws. Supervisors this month asked county staff to return in January with a proposal to change Kern to a charter county a limited version of home rule. Planning to place a charter initiative on the June 2026 ballot, supervisors are rushing to meet a Feb. 10 deadline to refine their proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their idea is to have the new county charter contain only one provision to allow supervisors to appoint a replacement when a vacancy occurs on the board. State law now gives that authority to the governor. But that single-provision charter is just a shell. Future amendments will be placed before Kern voters to fill out the charter. Meanwhile, some state laws will prevail. Supervisors said they are following the lead of Shasta County, which last year became the 15th county out of Californias 58 counties to become a charter county. Kerns charter language would copy Shastas. Californias other charter counties and the years they adopted their charters are: Los Angeles (1913); Butte (1917); Tehama (1917); Alameda (1927); San Bernardino (1931); San Francisco (1931); Fresno (1933); San Diego (1933); San Mateo (1933); Sacramento (1933); Santa Clara (1951); Placer (1980); El Dorado (1994); and Orange (2002). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than two decades passed before Shastas Board of Supervisors convinced local voters to give Shasta home rule. Theres no mystery about Shastas motivation. Since the 2020 election, the Northern California county has been the states epicenter of election denial. The county has been roiled by unfounded accusations that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump by corrupt voting machines, mail-in ballots, early voting and noncitizen voting. Shasta supervisors first passed a county law mandating that all ballots in future local elections be hand counted. That was blocked by the state Legislature passing a law banning the move. Then supervisors voted to require specific voter ID. The Legislature blocked that, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election deniers now insist Shastas new charter status gives it autonomy. The first proposed charter amendment, which will seek voter approval on the June 2026 ballot, proposes to make in-person voting mandatory for most residents, limit voting to one day, mandate ballots be hand-counted, and require voters to show identification. Likely it will face legal challenges because it conflicts with state laws. Kerns supervisors now are proposing to follow Shastas county charter example. Why? What problems are they trying to solve? How has Kern been hurt by being required to follow state laws? At the boards meeting this month, 4th District Supervisor David Couch said a county charter will give Kern the flexibility to pass its own unique laws. Second District Supervisor Chris Parlier gave as an example the boards recent successful push to move Kerns registrar of voters from the oversight of a nonpartisan elected county auditor-controller-clerk to supervisors oversight. The move will take place in 2027, after the present term of the county auditor-controller-clerk expires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That move required the Legislatures and governors approval. State law gives oversight of local elections to nonpartisan elected county clerks, rather than other politicians, such as supervisors, who might have political conflicts of interests. At one point, it was kind of in doubt; we didnt know if the state was going to approve it or not, Parlier said. And if we would have had this flexibility, we wouldnt have had to go through that. The benefit of making Kern a charter county depends on why supervisors believe the change is necessary. What is to be accomplished? Why the rush to make this move before next years crucial midterm elections? Before proceeding, supervisors must better explain and justify to potential voters why such a profound change should be made to the way Kern has been governed for more than 150 years. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Eloy holds profound cultural significance rooted in French Catholic tradition through Saint Eloy (Eloi) of Noyon, a 6th-7th century goldsmith, mint master, and bishop who became one of France's most venerated saints. As the patron saint of goldsmiths, metalworkers, blacksmiths, and coin collectors, his legacy permeated medieval European craftsmanship and trade guilds. The name gained widespread popularity across France, Spain, and Portugal during the Middle Ages, often given to children born into artisan families or those hoped to possess skill and integrity. In French folklore, Saint Eloy's feast day (December 1st) was celebrated with blessings of horses and livestock, reflecting his association with metalworking and agricultural tools. The name's endurance through centuries speaks to its deep integration into Catholic and artisan traditions across Romance-speaking cultures. Throughout history, the name has been particularly prevalent in regions with strong metalworking traditions, serving as both a religious devotion and professional aspiration. Residents of Vineyard will no longer have to travel outside of its city limits for a trip to the grocery store. Bellas Market, 875 N. Main, opened its doors last Saturday as one of the first major amenities to be part of the emerging Utah City. The ceremonious opening of Vineyards first grocery store drew over 1,000 attendees, according to a statement from Associated Food Stores. This is a historic moment in Vineyard, Mayor Julie Fullmer told KSL.com on Tuesday. This is the first store in Vineyard in 100 years. Our residents now have local access to fresh food, pharmacy services, and everyday essentials near their homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials broke ground on the 40,000-square-foot store in February, and grocery architect firm RDC designed it. The stores layout is intended to encourage social interaction and engagement among shoppers, a February press release states. Bellas Market sets the tone for what Utah City will become, a vibrant, connected community with amenities that make life better today and for generations to come, said Abel Porter, partner at Bellas Market, in a statement. Utah City is a 700-acre mixed-use master-planned community on Utah Lakes eastern shore. The new store, which aims to yield an elevated shopping experience, according to the release, seemingly aligns with Utah Citys mission of building a new kind of community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bellas Market is more than a grocery store; its a gathering place for Utah City, Jonathan Badger, CEO of Lees Marketplace and co-owner of Bellas Market, said in a statement. Our goal is to create a space where neighbors connect and enjoy the best of what Utah has to offer. Fullmer said the response so far to Bellas Market signals what Vineyard residents have longed for in a local grocery store, eliminating the need to drive to neighboring Orem for their basic necessities. This store is an economic anchor keeping dollars in Vineyard it supports local jobs and stabilizes a growing community, setting a new standard for how we grow. This is more than a grocery store. Its an anchor for our future, she said. Bellas Market is locally owned and operated by Lees Marketplace, in partnership with Utah City, the release states. Vivian Jenna Wilson is once again speaking up for her queer peers. While attending this year's Out100 Celebration, the transgender model and activist shared some words of wisdom for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community across the globe who may be having a tough time navigating these trying times. "Trust yourself. Don't let anyone tell you who you are. You know who you are better than anyone else. Thank you for watching my content! It baffles me that other people do that. I love it," Wilson tells Out. Wilson has proudly spoken up for LGBTQ+ equality as political unrest continues to escalate in major countries around the world. Although she no longer has a relationship with her father, the anti-trans billionaire Elon Musk, the model has found a home within her chosen family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is a lovely trans community in Los Angeles," she said. "Honestly, at this point, most of the people I know are trans." The activist is also calling for political change in her home state of California. After Zohran Mamdani made history for the Democratic Party by being elected as the mayor of New York City, Wilson hopes it's a sign of more political change to come. "I am manifesting that we get a similar candidate to Zohran Mamdani here in Los Angeles. I feel like we need to start small in terms of goals, and that's still very lofty," she said. Fans can follow Vivian Jenna Wilson on Instagram here. To see the full interview from the Out100, check out the video at the top of the page. The Out100 is presented by Lexus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Out: Vivian Jenna Wilson wants a candidate like Zohran Mamdani to take over Los Angeles RELATED Even with the government shutdown over and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits being restored, food insecurity is still a concern for many families. To help families in need serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal, West End Neighborhood House, partnering organizations and dozens of volunteers spent the morning of Nov. 22 handing out turkeys and other Thanksgiving meal staples to families outside the Woodlawn Library in Wilmington. Cars were already lined up waiting outside the library by the time the distribution began at 8 a.m., and before noon, volunteers served Thanksgiving meal supplies to 500 families. The Food Bank of Delaware provided food for West End Neighborhood House's annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway held on Nov. 22, 2025. Chief Operating Officer Naffeesa Massaquoi said West End has recently received an influx of calls from families in need of food assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've seen more of an increase as a result of the food stamps situation," Massaquoi said. "But I think also just because the prices of everything are much higher, so folks and families are in need during this time." WHERE TO DONATE: Places in Delaware giving away turkey, other food for Thanksgiving West End has been organizing this Thanksgiving distribution for around 30 years, and Massaquoi said this distribution can mean the difference between some families having a Thanksgiving meal or not. "We do have families who try to be a recipient every year, so this has been beneficial and impactful for those who have participated," Massaquoi said. Around 500 families received a turkey and ingredients for side dishes during West End Neighborhood House's Thanksgiving meal giveaway on Nov. 22, 2025. West End's Director of Development Greg Munson said this year's distribution brought in an "overwhelming amount of volunteers." Around 90 people signed up to volunteer, and Munson said many others found out about the giveaway and showed up the day of to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEEDING THE HUNGRY: Delaware hunters have donated over 300 tons of venison to program Volunteer Ivy Harlev, who is the CEO of the Siegel Jewish Community Center, said the large volunteer turnout exemplifies neighbors' desire to help each other out in hard times. "Right now the community need is stronger, so to have these volunteers step up just shows that people want to help and they want to work together," Harlev said. Volunteers gathered to give out 500 Thanksgiving meals to families in need outside of Woodlawn Library in Wilmington on Nov. 22, 2025. Delaware Technical Community College student Ciara Sanchez had been outside the library volunteering for the event since 6:30 a.m. putting together the meal supplies and then helping other volunteers load the meals into families' cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez saw the event as an opportunity for her to directly help people in her community while getting to know the faces of the people she's helping. "[The volunteers] all came together, got the bags ready, and now all of us are giving it to the families," Sanchez said. "It's just so amazing seeing the families' faces." Sophia Voight is a growth and development reporter. Reach her with feedback and story tips at svoight@delawareonline.com. (This story was updated to add a video.) This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: West End Neighborhood House gives out 500 Thanksgiving meals Washington state Chief Technology Officer Gretchen Peri, left, and Chief Privacy Officer Katy Ruckle, center, on the set of Inside Olympia with Austin Jenkins. (Photo courtesy of TVW) For Washington residents, getting help from state government could soon become easier and more secure, thanks in part to increased use of artificial intelligence. Early next year, the state will launch the first public version of a new Resident Portal as part of a redesigned and expanded wa.gov. It will give people a single place to sign in and find and use online services across state agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the goal is to save time, reduce frustration and make government work more like private sector sites like Amazon, but with public accountability at the center. In an interview on TVWs Inside Olympia, Washingtons chief technology officer, Gretchen Peri, called the effort an exercise in efficiency and effectiveness, adding that government must constantly look to strike this balance on behalf of the public. The rollout will be phased. A pilot completed this past June tested a personal profile, AI chatbots and tailored service recommendations, for things like professional license renewals, social services, cash benefits and assistance with employment, higher education and workforce training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statewide rollout began the next month, with the first public version planned for early 2026 as the state retires its older Secure Access Washington login system. The state expects to add agencies and features through 2029. A preview of Washington states Resident Portal set to debut in January. (Image courtesy of WaTech) The project builds on more than 25 years of digital government. Washington launched Access Washington in 1998, one of the nations first government web portals, to help people find services online. The new Resident Portal comes with technologies that help deliver on that original promise, with tools designed for cellphone users. Instead of navigating hundreds of agency sites and logins, residents will use a single connected system spanning more than 140 agencies. Chief Privacy Officer Katy Ruckle, also appearing on Inside Olympia, told host Austin Jenkins the portals success depends on maintaining public trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security is how were protecting the data, she said. Privacy is really thinking about the what what data are we collecting, and for what reasons do we need it? Her office has set new guardrails to ensure agencies limit what they collect and use it responsibly. She and Peri are developing a statewide framework to guide how agencies deploy automated tools, while aligning with the states privacy principles. In practice, they say responsible AI means using automated tools carefully and transparently, ensuring they serve the public good, protect privacy and include clear human oversight. The focus is fairness, accountability and limiting data use to specific, lawful purposes. Some applications are straightforward: AI is already helping people navigate government. The Department of Licensing uses a public-facing chatbot named DOLLY on its website to answer customer questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Department of Commerce, an internal chatbot pilot is making regulatory and compliance work more efficient, allowing expert staff to focus on more complex and substantive tasks instead of manually reviewing documents. Ruckle said piloting and implementing chatbots is done with careful human supervision to ensure privacy, security and accuracy. Some applications raise fewer privacy questions, she said, such as AI trained to identify fish species from underwater video. Unlike people and their data, she noted, the rockfish just doesnt care. The portals evolution comes on the heels of an executive order from Gov. Bob Ferguson directing agencies to improve how they serve residents. The time is right for us to actually understand where we are today, where we want to be, and then prioritize the initiatives that are going to get us there, Peri said. This article was first published by TVW, a media nonprofit that provides comprehensive coverage of state government. TVW broadcasts unedited gavel-to-gavel coverage on statewide cable and at tvw.org, and produces original current affairs and education shows, including Inside Olympia and The Impact. TVWs mission is to give Washingtonians access to their state government, increase civic access and engagement, and foster an informed citizenry. The Thanksgiving holiday is just days away, and there is still time to contribute to the cause of making sure every family has a proper meal with their families. The Union Center Daycare and Preschool are continuing with their food drive from now until Nov. 26. Donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries can be brought to the school and placed into the belly of the Giant Turkey, situated just outside the church library. All of the donations will be given to the Open Door food bank in Nappanee, which services the entire Wa-Nee region. Union Center Daycare and Preschool is located at 70535 C.R. 11, just north of Nappanee. Further questions can be directed to 574-773-2221. OTHER NEWS Shortstop Inn is hosting a Black Out Wednesday game night on Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. Bring along some games and your friends for a fun night of camaraderie and community, including free jukebox tunes until 11 p.m. Shortstop Inn is located at 112 E. Waterford St. in downtown Wakarusa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The annual Christmas Jubilee event is just around the corner at The Center, and there are collection boxes at the Wakarusa Public Library, the Shortstop Inn, and Seiferts Pharmacy. Donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for older children are being accepted until Dec. 5. This event helps low-income families have the opportunity to shop for their children, wrap their gifts, and give them the joy of having presents to open for the holidays. The goal this year is to serve over 300 children. All of the toys received will be given to youngsters in the Wa-Nee community, and will be distributed on Dec. 13 during the Christmas Jubilee. For more details, call The Center at 574-773-2149. Courtesy of the Wakarusa Public Library, the November book selection for the Family Dinner Book Club is Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Each month, registrants will receive a copy of the book, a suggested themed menu, conversation starters, and a family activity or craft. This program is well-designed for busy families to reconnect around the dinner table. Contact the library at 574-862-2465, or stop by the library, located at 124 N. Elkhart St., to sign up. Wakarusa residents still have time to take advantage of the community leaf pick-up services, as the town will continue canvassing the streets until Dec. 2. East/west streets will be collected on Mondays and Wednesdays, while north/south streets will be picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be no leaf collection on Fridays. No grass clippings, limbs, rocks, or sod should be in the leaf piles, and residents are asked to arrange the piles curbside, and not allow them to overflow into the streets. The Versiti Blood Center of Indiana is sponsoring a Holiday of Hope blood drive at the Claywood Event Center on Dec. 2 from 2:30-6 p.m. To meet their patient goals, they are hoping to have 24 donors on hand. The Claywood Event Center is located at 13920 N. 1100 West near Nappanee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did you know that the Wakarusa Historical Museum is also the site of a well traversed Little Free Library? In light of the recent uptick of food insecurity throughout the community, the Little Free Library is not only accepting books, but also non-perishable food items, which can be left inside the bright red library depository. If you or someone you know could use some assistance in this way, visit the Wakarusa Little Free Library Facebook page and send a private message. Gratitude is the theme of this upcoming weeks edition of Dial-a-Story, a feature of the Wakarusa Public Library. To hear the story The Thankful Tree read aloud, call 574-444-2772. Enrollment continues for youngsters who would like to register for the upcoming year of Elkhart County 4-H. Sign up can be done by visiting https://v2.4honline.com. Planning continues in earnest for the NorthWood High School Class of 1976 reunion, to be held next year. Anyone who would like to contribute old photographs and other memorabilia is encouraged to contact Sherry (Weaver) Yoder at syoder1957@gmail.com. Addresses and contact info is also being sought for the following classmates: Dawn Marie Gwin, Dorothea Hardt, Bo Anne Hedebrant, Cheryl Frederick Slabaugh, Jon M. Smith, Michael D. Stephenson, and Deborah Jane Sturdevant. Save the Date postcards will be mailed out soon. (WJET/WFXP) A Warren County area teacher is facing felony charges for an alleged sexual relationship with a student that started in 2022. Pennsylvania State Police charged 41-year-old Megan Minich, a teacher at Tidioute Community Charter School, with one count each of felony statutory sexual assault, intercourse with a student and corruption of minors for the alleged relationship with a teenage student. State police provide update on fatal Waterford hit-and-run, asking public for help Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, investigators first learning about it in August 2025, with the relationship having started in 2022 and escalated when the then 39-year-old Minich added the victim on social media and allegedly later sent naked pictures. The criminal complaint said Minich assaulted the victim at her home in April 2023. In order to keep the relationship secret, Minich allegedly told the victim she would commit suicide if they told anyone, and later allegedly gave them full access to her bank account. Oil City man gets up to 50 years in prison for extensive child pornography charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they were able to obtain the documents that showed the victim had access to the account on September 30, 2025, and charged Minich on November 17. Shes since been released on $50,000 unsecured bond and is set to appear in Warren County Court again on December 3. We reached out to Tidioute Community Charter School CEO Ryan Steffan for comment, who said they do not comment on personnel matters. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. The first person infected with the H5N5 bird flu has died, according to health officials in Washington. The person, who lived in Grays Harbor County, had been hospitalized earlier this month in Kings County, where Seattle is located. Officials from the Washington State Department of Health did not release the person's name, age or gender. According to a news release from Grays Harbor County health officials last week, the person was considered older and had underlying health conditions. Their symptoms included a high fever, confusion and trouble breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person had a backyard flock consisting of mixed domestic poultry. Read more: New form of bird flu hospitalizes Washington state resident Testing by the health department found virus in the "environment of the flock ... making exposure to the domestic poultry, their environment, or wild birds the most likely source of exposure for this patient." Officials at the state's health department said they were monitoring other people who were exposed to the flock and environment. This particular strain of bird flu, H5N5, had never been seen in a person before. It appeared first in 2023, infecting birds and mammals in eastern Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to research published last year on the novel strain, some infected animals carried a key mutation in the virus that allows it to transfer more easily between mammals. Epidemiologists and virologists worry that avian influenza could generate a pandemic if allowed to spread and mutate. For instance, the H5N1 virus circulating in dairy cattle in North America is one mutation away from being able to spread easily between people. Every time a bird flu virus infects a person, concerns grow that it could change, becoming more transmissible or more deadly. For instance, if a sickened person also has another flu virus replicating in their body, theres concern the viruses could exchange genetic material. Just by having an opportunity to replicate and evolve millions of times in the human body, it could acquire deadly mutations. Health officials say the risk to the public remains low and that no other people involved have tested positive for avian influenza. They say there is no evidence of transmission of the virus between people, but they are monitoring anyone who was in close contact with the patient. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Residents of northern Israel were informed on Saturday afternoon that the sounds of explosions they may hear are the result of the IDF carrying out a wave of strikes on southern Lebanon. The IDF struck a number of Hezbollah launchers and military sites in central and southern Lebanon on Saturday afternoon, the military announced, later confirming the deaths of two of the terror group's operatives. "The IDF struck several Hezbollah launchers that were recently identified and placed in military sites in southern Lebanon," the military stated. "In an additional strike in the Bekaa area, the IDF struck two Hezbollah military sites in which activity of terrorists was identified, including weapons storage facilities and additional military structures." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF continued, noting that the Hezbollah military assets and activities were in violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and that the military would continue to act to eliminate threats to the country. The announcement follows weeks of IDF strikes on Hezbollah and Hamas terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Al-Mahmoudieh on November 22, 2025. (credit: Rabih DAHER / AFP via Getty Images) Two Hezbollah terrorists confirmed killed in southern Lebanon In a later statement, the army confirmed that its strikes in southern Lebanon had killed two terrorists. One of the terrorists, Kamel Reza Karnabsh, had been involved in Hezbollah's efforts to reestablish itself in the Mayfadoun area. The other terrorist, whom the IDF did not name, was a Hezbollah representative in the Houla area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the IDF, "he was responsible for communication between the terror organization and the residents of the area regarding financial and military subjects. Additionally, the terrorist operated to seize private assets for terror use." IDF graphic showing the locations of the Israeli strikes on Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon. November 22, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) The Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen reported that Israel had struck 16 times across several areas, including in central Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Earlier, the Upper Galilee Regional Council and the Kiryat Shmona Spokesperson informed the public that the military had begun conducting a wave of strikes on targets in southern Lebanon and, as a result, residents of northern Israel may hear the sounds of explosions from across the border. 'Explosive sounds may be heard' from southern Lebanon, the northern council warns "At this time, the IDF has begun a wave of attacks in the southern Lebanon area. Explosive sounds may be heard," the Upper Galilee Regional Council's statement noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governmental bodies noted that, as of this time, no change has been made to the situation assessment, and civilians have not been given any special instructions. Later, Uri Kellner, the head of the Golan Regional Council, called the threat posed by Hezbollah "no longer acceptable" and called on the government to more firmly secure the border by securing a buffer zone akin to the one established in Syria. "The agreement with Lebanon has failed. The IDF is forced to attack, time after time, in southern Lebanon in order to remove threats from us, the residents of the North, and this reality cannot continue," Kellner stated. "The IDF must act with all its might and establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, as was done on the Syrian border and at the foot of Mount Hermon, and maintain it." Heres what youll learn when you read this story: Archaeologists scouting a new motorway route in the Czech Republic stumbled upon a second century B.C. Celtic settlement. In one of the largest archaeological hauls ever from Bohemia, crews located hundreds of gold and silver coins and precious amber. The production of luxury ceramics at the site cements it as a key part of the famed Amber Road trade route. A Celtic settlement from the second century B.C. discovered in modern-day Czech Republic has yielded an impressive haul of opulence, from hundreds of gold and silver coins to precious amber and luxury ceramics (and even a production facility that was likely churning them out over 2,000 years ago). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The find came as archaeologists conducted surveys ahead of construction of the D35 motorway, turning a routine construction requirement into what the team from the Museum of East Bohemia in Hradec Kralove dubbed one of the largest collections of artifacts ever found in Bohemia, according to a translated statement. The precious coins and materials werent simply strewn about. Crews discovered plenty of ancient buildings making up an entire settlement from the La Tene period, likely a Celtic community. The entire site is unparalleled in its scale and character in Bohemia, the statement reads. The settlement was a supra-regional trade and production center connected to long-distance trade routes, as evidenced by the finds of amber, gold and silver coins, and evidence of the production of luxury ceramics. The team found gold and silver Celtic coins, coin dies, fragments of ceramic vessels, dwelling foundations, production facilities, and at least one religious sanctuary. With 22,000 bags loaded with artifacts from the area, it is one of the largest ever collections discovered in Bohemia comprising both everyday objects and an extraordinarily rich collection of jewelry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tomas Mangel, a professor at the University of Hradec Kralove and the excavation co-leader, told Live Science there could be several hundred coin pieces and that the jewelry features pieces of bronze and iron brooches, fragments of armlets, metallic components of belts, glass beads, and armlets. One thing the team hasnt yet found were any inscriptions to pinpoint which Celtic group settled the area, although Boii were known to live in the region. Bohemia is traditionally really connected with [the] Boii, Mangel told Live Science. But the research [done recently] shows that we can only say that [the] Boii were settled somewhere in Central Europe. The archaeologists said they were surprised by the unusually high density of finds in the topsoil. The information potential of the original surface of the settlement in the topsoil and subsoil horizons is completely beyond the standard, they wrote. To their additional, and fortuitous, surprise, the site hadnt been looted. The lack of fortification at the 62-acre Iron Age site, which is located near Hradec Kralove in modern-day north-central Czech Republic, shows the settlement from the La Tene period was likely a key trading route and was active in the second century B.C. before the emergence of larger fortified settlements with central functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The volume of fine pottery, coin production, and amber only furthers the belief Celtic settlement played a pivotal role along the Amber Road trade route, a connection of settlements from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean Sea that enabled trade across all of Europe. With such a rich history, the museum plans a display in late 2025 to celebrate all things gold, silver, and amber. You Might Also Like Nov. 22An amendment to a federal appropriations bill working its way through Congress would pressure the Department of Justice to explain what it's doing to address concerns about illegal labor practices by automotive glass producers tied to the Chinese Communist Party. The legislative language describes but does not name Moraine-based Fuyao Glass America, which is owned by Chinese company Fuyao. The Moraine plant was raided by federal agents last year as part of an investigation into alleged illegal staffing and money laundering. U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Kentucky, added the language as an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act that passed the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate and is now in conference committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would direct the DOJ to submit a report within 120 days of its passage "outlining investigative and prosecutorial steps taken against such entities implicated in forced labor supply chains, and a detailed breakdown of all related costs to carry out these efforts." "The committee is concerned about labor trafficking, forced labor, and unlawful employment practices involving smuggled or undocumented labor in the stream of commerce of the U.S. auto parts and glass manufacturing industries, particularly relating to corporate entities affiliated with the CCP, and their affiliated companies," says the amendment. "The committee encourages the department to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of these CCP-affiliated companies engaged in such activities," the amendment adds. The local Fuyao plant played an integral role in federal allegations contained in a civil forfeiture filing this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The filing outlined allegations against a staffing company the government accused of human smuggling and money laundering. Fuyao was not named as a target of the federal investigation. The civil filing said an organization it calls E-Z Iron Works was paid $126 million by Fuyao. Federal court records say the civil case was stayed "pending completion of criminal case." But no one has been publicly charged criminally in connection to Fuyao. "The criminal matter remains ongoing, and I do not have any publicly filed court information outside of what is referenced in the civil complaint. We are not able to discuss any details of the ongoing criminal investigation," U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Jennifer Thornton wrote this month in response to questions from the Dayton Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fuyao representatives have denied any wrongdoing. "We have only recently become aware of this House appropriation bill," said Lei Shi, Fuyao's community relations manager. "FGA (Fuyao Glass America) has always regarded compliance as a fundamental principle. All employees are hired in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and we require our suppliers through contractual obligations to operate in full compliance with established standards." A company representative was not made available for an interview. A spokeswoman for Rep. Rogers did not respond to an interview request. Asked about the legislative language, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, declined to comment. Loading... Individuals named Enola are often perceived as independent, self-reliant, and introspective. The name's meaning of 'solitary' or 'alone' suggests someone comfortable with their own company, possessing strong inner resources and the ability to think independently. They tend to be observant and analytical, often preferring deep connections with a few close friends rather than large social circles. This solitary nature shouldn't be mistaken for loneliness; rather, it indicates a person who values their personal space and has the confidence to pursue their own path without needing constant external validation. Enolas are typically seen as resilient individuals who can handle challenges on their own terms, making them natural problem-solvers and independent thinkers who march to the beat of their own drum. Their analytical nature combined with their comfort in solitude often makes them excellent researchers, writers, or investigators. While they may appear reserved initially, those who know them well appreciate their depth of character, loyalty, and the unique perspective they bring to any situation. The name suggests a person who finds strength in independence rather than feeling limited by it, embodying the idea that true self-knowledge comes from time spent in reflection and personal growth. The president has spoken. As news broke that federal preemption of state-level artificial intelligence (AI) regulation is back in legislative consideration with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Trump fired off another one of his tweets. "Overregulation by the States is threatening to undermine this Growth Engine," Trump sharedvia Truth Social. He stated clearly: "We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes." Trump is 100% correct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmakers are trying to bring AI under the regulatory control of bureaucrats with thousands of different bills in each state. This could kill AI outright, burying it beneath an excess of paperwork and legal threats before we even see the technologys potential realized. Compliance standards for the Internet should not be defined by state borders. All Americans deserve access to the same digital tools. In short, AI is not a "states rights" issue. At this time, though, the general public isoverwhelmingly concernedwith the rise of AI and isbecoming increasingly skepticalit will make their lives better. When preemption was introduced in the One Big Beautiful Bill this summer,55% of polling respondentsopposed the legislative provision. President Trump understands the delicate balance AI rests in today. The technology is quickly becoming embedded in social media and search engines, while people dont fully know how to safely and healthily use it. People want to see AI accelerate scientific progress in medicine, expedite new infrastructure projects, and speed up trains and cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But none of that innovation can happen if AI is hampered by overregulation. Endless disclosure requirements will turn startups attention away from product development and toward legal overhead. AI will only make health care, construction, and transportation cheaper if we let it flourish. Just as the presidentsAI executive orderstreamlined federal regulations, preemption offers an opportunity to clear the way by removing onerous state-level laws. It is likely that such an agreement will only occur with a decision on a number of more specific issues. Concerns with child online safety, censorship, property rights and NIL (name, image, and likeness) will need to be addressed either via a singular federal policy or a carveout for states to continue crafting their own laws. The bare bones of a national framework will also likely need to be laid around the most dangerous applications of AI, such as attempts at nuclear or bio-weapon development and the threat of terrorism. In doing so, lawmakers could re-center the AI policy conversation to be about misuse, not merely development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has a narrow but crucial window to set the terms for how America stewards this technology. A federal standard is not about stifling local government - its about ensuring that innovation, safety, and competitiveness arent sacrificed to a maze of contradictory rules. An end to states overreach paired with thoughtful national guardrails would preserve freedom to build transformative AI while still protecting the public from its legitimate risks. America has led every major technological revolution of the last century. With clear federal policy, it can lead this one too. Sam Raus is the David Boaz Resident Writing Fellow at Young Voices, a political analyst and public relations professional. Follow him on X: @SamRaus1. A Charlotte woman says her purse was stolen from her unlocked car outside an emergency room, which was a loss she says still hurts because it held treasured items from her late son and mother. Nearly a year later, the suspects named in her case were detained by Border Patrol during its recent operation in Charlotte. READ MORE: Victim wants suspect arrested as Border Patrol agents hunt repeat offenders There were 370 people arrested during Operation Charlottes Web and Channel 9 spoke with a woman who said she fell victim to two of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman, who didnt want to be identified, said she had just rolled her husband into the ER at Atrium Health Mercy in wheelchair. She got back to her car, and her purse was gone. She said shes not upset about the money but there were things inside her purse that could never replace. Whatever happens to them, I dont feel at least bit sorry for them, and I hope they get deported, the woman said. She told Channel 9s Gina Esposito its been about one year since her purse was stolen from her unlocked car. She said security helped her identify the suspects as Karelia Izaguirre, of Honduras, and Jose Pena, of Belize, who federal agents say are in the U.S. illegally. From left: Karelia Izaguirre, of Honduras, and Jose Pena, of Belize. (My husband) had literally been in the emergency room 10 minutes before he stole my purse, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman filed a police report, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department issued charges. She said it wasnt about the money. Her moms lipstick case and hair from her son who had died were also inside the bag. READ MORE: Mother outraged as accused child sex predator avoids deportation I wanted them to know that what they took from me had no price tag and now they are gone forever, she said. And Im never going to have them, and they were important. And they just have to know there are consequences to what they do. Customs and Border Protection agents took Izaguirre and Pena into custody this week and could be processed by ICE for deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pena has been accused in 20 other crimes dating back to 2015 in Mecklenburg County, according to court records. He was arrested this month for trying to steal from a pharmacy in south Charlotte. Obviously, there is more to it than my purse, the victim said. Whatever happens, happened and justice has been served as far as Im concerned. The woman supports CBP returning to Charlotte. She believes people entering the country, need to do it legally, and if there arent, they should be deported. Pena was arrested in January for stealing the womans purse, court records indicate. ICE filed a detainer and issued a warrant for his arrest. Pena bonded out and failed to show up to his next court appearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Border Patrols time in Charlotte, the Department of Homeland Security released a list of 20 people theyve arrested who they said are here illegally and have a criminal record. Channel 9 searched court records for every single one. We were only able to find victim information for this case. A lot of the cases dated back to the early 2000s before documents were posted online. Earlier this week, Esposito spoke to victims in two other cases that DHS highlighted at the beginning of their operation. One was a repeat theft suspect. The other was accused of targeting a 13-year-old girl for sex. DHS used those men and a few others as examples of suspects who were let out of jail, despite being in the country illegally. At last check, Border Patrol did not arrest any of the men on that original list. The annual United Nations climate conference has ended with an agreement that urges action to address global warming, but falls short of endorsing a phase-out of fossil fuels. After two weeks of heated debates, meetings and negotiations at the COP30 summit in the Brazilian city of Belem, world leaders on Saturday agreed to a deal that calls for countries to significantly accelerate and scale up climate action worldwide. The text lays out a series of promises and measures including a call for developed countries to triple their funding to help poorer nations respond to the crisis but makes no mention of a fossil fuel phase-out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of states had been calling forthe COP30 deal to lay out a framework to ease away from their reliance on oil, gas and coal the major drivers of the climate crisis but several countries that rely on fossil fuels had pushed back. While observers say the deal marks a step forward in the worlds effort to address climate breakdown, several have argued that COP30 fell short of expectations. Heres a look at how some world leaders and climate advocates have reacted to the agreement. COP30 President Andre Aranha Correa do Lago We know some of you had greater ambitions for some of the issues at hand. I know that you, civil society, will demand us to do more to fight climate change. I want to reaffirm that I will try not to disappoint you during my presidency, he said during Saturdays closing session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As [Brazilian] President [Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva] said at the opening of this COP, we need roadmaps so that humanity in a just and planned manner can overcome its dependence on fossil fuels, halt and reverse deforestation and mobilise resources for these purposes, he said. I, as president of COP30, will therefore create two roadmaps: One on halting and reverting [reversing] deforestation and another to transitioning away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres COP30 has delivered progress, Guterres said in a statement, including the call to triple climate adaptation financing and recognition that the world is going to surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) target for global warming set under the Paris Agreement. But COPs are consensus-based and in a period of geopolitical divides, consensus is ever harder to reach. I cannot pretend that COP30 has delivered everything that is needed. The gap between where we are and what science demands remains dangerously wide, the UN chief said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I understand many may feel dissapointed [sic] especially young people, Indigenous Peoples and those living through climate chaos. The reality of overshoot is a stark warning: We are approaching dangerous and irreversible tipping points, he added. Guterres speaks during COP30s opening session in Belem on November 6, 2025 [Andre Coelho/EPA] Wopke Hoekstra, European Union climate commissioner Were not going to hide the fact that we would have preferred to have more, to have more ambition on everything, Hoekstra told reporters. It is not perfect, but it is a hugely important step in the right direction. Colombian President Gustavo Petro I do not accept that the COP30 declaration does not clearly state, as science does, that the cause of the climate crisis is the fossil fuels used by capital. If that is not stated, everything else is hypocrisy, Petro wrote on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Life on the planet, including our own, is only possible if we separate ourselves from oil, coal, and natural gas as energy sources; science has determined this, and I am not blind to science. Colombia opposes a COP30 declaration that does not tell the world the scientific truth. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla While the results fell short of expectations, the Belem COP strengthens and demonstrates the importance of multilateralism in addressing major global challenges such as combating #climatechange, he wrote on X. Among its key outcomes are the call for developed countries to provide climate finance for adaptation in developing countries, at least tripling current levels by 2035; the establishment of a mechanism to support our countries in just transitions; and the commitment from developed countries to fulfill their obligations under the Paris Agreement. China Im happy with the outcome, Li Gao, head of Chinas delegation at COP30, told the AFP news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We achieved this success in a very difficult situation, so it shows that the international community would like to show solidarity and make joint efforts to address climate change. Alliance of Small Island States A group representing the interests of 39 small island and low-lying coastal states described the deal as imperfect but said it nevertheless was a step towards progress. Ultimately, this is the push and pull of multilateralism. The opportunity for all countries to be heard and to listen to each others perspectives, to collaborate, build bridges, and reach common ground, the Alliance of Small Island States said in a statement. Amnesty International Ann Harrison, climate justice adviser at Amnesty International, noted that COP30 host Brazil had promised to make sure every voice is heard and made strenuous efforts to broaden participation, which should be replicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the lack of participatory, inclusive, and transparent negotiations left both civil society and Indigenous Peoples, who answered the global mutirao [working together] call in large numbers, out of the real decision making, Harrison said in a statement. Still, she said people power had helped achieve a commitment to develop a Just Transition mechanism that will streamline and coordinate ongoing and future efforts to protect the rights of workers, other individuals and communities affected by fossil fuel phase out. Oxfam Viviana Santiago, executive director of Oxfam Brasil, said COP30 offered a spark of hope but far more heartbreak, as the ambition of global leaders continues to fall short of what is needed for a liveable planet. A truly just transition requires those who built their fortunes on fossil fuels to move first and fastest and provide finance in the form of grants, not loans, so front-line communities can do the same. Instead, the poorest countries already in debt are being told to transition faster, with fewer funds, Santiago said. The spark of hope lies in the proposed Belem Action Mechanism, which puts workers rights and justice at the centre of the shift away from fossil fuels. But without financing from rich countries, the just energy transition risks becoming stalled in many countries. Individuals named Eramana are typically perceived as possessing a strong moral compass and natural dignity that commands respect from others. They often exhibit qualities of reliability, integrity, and thoughtful consideration in their actions and decisions. These individuals tend to be conscientious and principled, with a deep sense of personal responsibility that guides their interactions and life choices. Their honorable nature makes them trusted confidants and natural leaders in both personal and professional settings. Beyond their strong ethical foundation, Eramanas often demonstrate quiet confidence and emotional stability that others find reassuring. They typically approach challenges with measured determination and are known for their ability to maintain composure under pressure. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and trust. Their combination of inner strength and compassionate understanding makes them particularly effective in roles requiring mediation, guidance, or community leadership. Individuals named Erendiria are typically characterized by a profound sense of grace and inner nobility that manifests in both their personal conduct and their interactions with others. They possess a natural elegance and diplomatic skill that allows them to navigate complex social situations with ease, often serving as peacemakers and bridges between different groups. Their name suggests a wandering spirit, and indeed, Erendirias tend to be intellectually curious and spiritually inclined, with a deep appreciation for beauty, art, and philosophical inquiry. They combine practical wisdom with visionary thinking, making them both grounded and imaginative. Erendirias often exhibit strong leadership qualities tempered by empathy and compassion, showing particular concern for social justice and cultural preservation. Their connection to light symbolism gives them an optimistic outlook and the ability to inspire others during challenging times. While they may appear reserved initially, Erendirias possess deep emotional intensity and loyalty to those they care about, forming enduring bonds based on mutual respect and shared values. Their combination of traditional values and progressive thinking makes them particularly effective in roles that require balancing heritage with innovation, and they often become respected figures in their communities who bridge generations and cultural divides. The accused were employed at the Cochin Shipyard, and Udupi police arrested them, officials said on Friday. Women named Eszter are typically perceived as intelligent, graceful, and resilient individuals. They often possess strong leadership qualities combined with emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with diplomacy and tact. Their natural elegance and poise often mask an inner strength and determination that emerges when facing challenges. Eszter's tend to be thoughtful decision-makers who consider multiple perspectives before acting, yet they can be surprisingly decisive when circumstances demand immediate action. These individuals often exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern thinking, making them adaptable to various social contexts while maintaining their core principles. They value deep, meaningful relationships and are often the emotional anchors in their families and social circles. Their combination of wisdom, compassion, and practical intelligence makes them excellent problem-solvers and trusted advisors. While they may appear reserved initially, Eszter's reveal warmth, wit, and loyalty to those they trust, creating lasting bonds built on mutual respect and understanding. Symbolically, Evania represents the beautiful paradox of gentle strength and resilient compassion. The name embodies the concept that true power lies not in domination but in the courage to protect, nurture, and persevere with grace. In metaphorical terms, Evania symbolizes the soul's journey through life's battles while maintaining innocence and hope - the 'young fighter' who wages spiritual warfare with faith as her armor and love as her weapon. The name suggests someone who fights not against others but for values, principles, and the wellbeing of their community. This symbolic interpretation resonates particularly in Christian contexts, where the idea of spiritual warfare and maintaining childlike faith are important themes. Evania also represents renewal and the eternal cycle of strength being born from vulnerability, making it a deeply meaningful name for those who believe in transformation through faith and the power of resilient hope. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Farrs holds significant cultural importance within Christian communities, particularly those with English and Scandinavian heritage. As a patronymic name meaning 'son of Farr,' it represents the continuation of family lineage and Christian values across generations. Historically, the name has been associated with families who maintained strong ties to their faith while embracing the concept of spiritual journeying, reflecting the original meaning of 'traveler.' In Christian tradition, the name symbolizes the biblical journey of faith and the importance of paternal spiritual leadership. Many bearers of this name have been noted for their commitment to church communities and missionary work, embodying the Christian ideal of being 'pilgrims' or 'sojourners' on Earth while maintaining strong family foundations. The name's cultural resonance extends to communities that value both religious tradition and the symbolism of life as a spiritual journey guided by faith and family heritage. Cultural & Historical Significance Fenton originated as an English surname derived from various places in England, particularly in Yorkshire, Staffordshire, and Northumberland. The name combines Old English elements 'fenn' (marsh, fen) and 'tun' (farm, settlement), indicating a farmstead established in marshy wetland areas. This reflects the practical nature of English settlement patterns, where communities often developed around agricultural land, even in challenging terrain. As a given name, Fenton gained popularity during the Christian naming tradition that embraced surnames as first names, particularly in English-speaking countries. The name carries echoes of England's rural heritage and the resilience required to establish settlements in wetland environments, embodying a connection to both land and community. In Christian naming contexts, Fenton represents the tradition of adopting occupational and locational surnames as baptismal names, reflecting the Protestant emphasis on everyday life and work as expressions of faith. The name's connection to farming and land cultivation resonates with biblical themes of stewardship and cultivation of the earth. Throughout English history, the name has maintained associations with rural gentry and landed families, particularly in northern England where many Fenton place names originated. This historical connection to specific geographical locations gives the name a strong sense of heritage and continuity across generations. Individuals named Garred are often perceived as natural leaders with a strong sense of purpose and determination. They tend to exhibit protective instincts toward those in their care, combined with strategic thinking that allows them to navigate complex situations effectively. The spear symbolism inherent in the name's meaning often manifests as directness in communication and action, though this is typically tempered by a sense of responsibility and moral conviction. Garreds are frequently described as reliable and steadfast, with an inner strength that others find reassuring in challenging circumstances. While they may appear reserved initially, they develop deep loyalties and are willing to fight vigorously for causes and people they believe in, balancing assertive qualities with underlying compassion. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them effective in roles requiring both decisiveness and empathy, often excelling in positions where they can protect and guide others while maintaining strong personal principles. Cultural & Historical Significance Gikhrist is an ancient Irish name with deep roots in early Celtic Christianity, representing the fusion of native Gaelic culture with Christian religious traditions that arrived in Ireland during the 5th century. The name follows the traditional Gaelic naming pattern of 'Gilla' or 'Giolla' meaning 'servant' or 'devotee' combined with a religious element, in this case Christ, indicating a family's Christian devotion. During Ireland's Golden Age of Christianity (6th-9th centuries), bearers of this name were often monks, scholars, or religious leaders who played crucial roles in preserving both Christian and native Irish learning through the monastic system. The name reflects Ireland's unique position as a center of Christian learning that preserved classical knowledge while developing distinctive Celtic Christian traditions. Historical records show Gikhrist bearers were often associated with important monastic sites like Clonmacnoise, Glendalough, and Iona, where they contributed to Ireland's reputation as the 'Island of Saints and Scholars.' The name's persistence through centuries of political and religious change demonstrates the enduring strength of Irish Christian identity and the importance of religious devotion in Gaelic family traditions. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Graeham holds significant cultural weight as a modern variation of the traditional Scottish name Graham, which traces its origins to the Anglo-Saxon period. The name became prominent through the Graham clan in Scotland, particularly associated with the Scottish Borders region where the family held substantial lands and political influence. The spelling 'Graeham' represents a contemporary phonetic adaptation that maintains the name's historical roots while offering a distinctive modern presentation. In Christian contexts, the name has been borne by several notable religious figures throughout history, including saints and clergy members who contributed to the spread of Christianity in Britain. The name's association with 'gray home' carries subtle spiritual symbolism, representing stability, wisdom, and the foundation of faith. Throughout the centuries, bearers of this name have often been associated with leadership, scholarship, and moral integrity within Christian communities. Individuals named Hamadi are often perceived as charismatic and respected within their communities, embodying the 'praised' quality their name signifies. They tend to be natural leaders who command respect through their wisdom, integrity, and ability to mediate conflicts. Their personality typically combines traditional values with modern adaptability, making them effective in both conservative and progressive environments. Hamadis are known for their strong sense of honor and commitment to family and community welfare. These individuals often exhibit excellent communication skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate complex social situations with grace. They are typically patient, thoughtful decision-makers who consider multiple perspectives before acting. The name suggests someone who is reliable and trustworthy, often serving as a pillar of strength for those around them. Their praised nature isn't just about receiving admiration but about earning it through consistent, principled behavior and genuine care for others. Individuals named Haralambos are often perceived as possessing strong moral character, resilience, and deep-rooted values. They tend to be community-oriented, showing natural leadership qualities and a protective instinct toward those around them. The name's association with Saint Haralambos suggests qualities of endurance, faith, and the ability to provide comfort during difficult times. These individuals are typically seen as pillars of strength in their families and communities. Their personality is frequently characterized by a blend of traditional values and practical wisdom, making them respected figures in social circles. They approach challenges with determination and are known for their loyalty and commitment to their principles. While they may appear reserved initially, they possess deep emotional intelligence and often serve as confidants and advisors. The historical and religious weight of the name tends to instill a sense of responsibility and purpose, driving them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and uphold the values associated with their namesake. Cultural & Historical Significance Heardind holds significant cultural importance as a name that bridges early English Christian traditions with natural symbolism. Emerging during the Christianization of Anglo-Saxon England, it represents the integration of local landscape features into religious identity. The name was particularly prevalent in regions where monastic communities established themselves in valley settlements, creating a unique Christian cultural identity that honored both spiritual devotion and connection to the natural world. Throughout medieval England, bearers of this name were often associated with religious scholarship and community leadership, contributing to the preservation of Christian learning during turbulent historical periods. The name's persistence through centuries reflects the enduring appeal of its balanced symbolismcombining the alertness and resurrection symbolism of the hare with the spiritual refuge and humility represented by the valley. This dual symbolism made Heardind a name that embodied the ideal Christian virtues of watchfulness and humility, while maintaining strong roots in the English landscape and cultural heritage. Symbolically, Helmer represents the ideal of the thoughtful protectorcombining the defensive strength of the helmet with the active courage of the warrior. This duality makes it symbolic of balanced leadership, where protection and action are equally valued. The name conveys concepts of guardianship, safety, and strategic strength, suggesting someone who provides both physical and emotional security to others. Metaphorically, Helmer represents the bridge between ancient warrior virtues and modern protective roles, embodying the timeless human need for both courage and care. The helmet element symbolizes not just physical protection but also mental fortitude and foresightthe ability to anticipate challenges and prepare accordingly. Meanwhile, the warrior aspect represents the willingness to take action when necessary, to stand up for principles, and to face difficulties with resolve. Together, these elements create a rich symbolic meaning that encompasses reliability, strength, wisdom, and moral courage. Helmer symbolizes the person who is both shield and swordprotective when needed, assertive when requiredmaking it a name loaded with meaningful connotations about character and capability. Individuals named Holly often exhibit a distinctive blend of warmth and strength that makes them both approachable and resilient. They typically possess an innate cheerfulness that can light up a room, combined with a practical sensibility that helps them navigate life's challenges effectively. Many Hollys demonstrate strong protective instincts toward family and friends, often taking on nurturing roles in their relationships. Their personality often reflects the dual nature of their namesake plantoutwardly friendly and inviting (like the bright berries) yet capable of setting firm boundaries when necessary (like the protective leaves). They tend to be creative, appreciative of beauty, and often excel in fields that allow them to care for others or express their artistic sensibilities. Their generally optimistic outlook and adaptability make them well-loved by those around them. In contemporary naming practices, Husniyah maintains a distinctive presence as a classical Arabic name that appeals to modern Muslim parents seeking meaningful yet uncommon names for their daughters. While not trending in global popularity charts, it enjoys consistent usage across Muslim-majority countries and diaspora communities. The name has seen particular stability in Malaysia and Indonesia, where Arabic names with spiritual meanings remain highly valued. In Western countries with significant Muslim populations, Husniyah serves as a cultural anchor that connects new generations to Islamic heritage while fitting comfortably into multicultural environments. Recent years have shown a slight increase in its usage as part of a broader movement among Muslim parents to rediscover classical names that may have been overlooked in favor of more fashionable options. Social media and digital communities have contributed to this revival by facilitating discussions about name meanings and cultural significance. Modern Husniyahs often appreciate their name's uniqueness and the positive expectations it creates, though some may choose shortened forms like Husna for casual use. The name's enduring appeal lies in its perfect balance of traditional roots, beautiful meaning, and distinctive sound that sets it apart from more common Arabic names. Women named Irmgard are often perceived as strong-willed, dependable, and protective individuals. They typically exhibit a natural leadership quality combined with practical wisdom, making them excellent problem-solvers in challenging situations. Their strength is not merely physical but manifests as emotional resilience and moral fortitude, allowing them to stand firm in their convictions while supporting those around them. Irmgards often possess a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty to family and community, embodying the protective qualities suggested by the name's meaning. These individuals tend to be traditional yet progressive, valuing stability while recognizing the need for measured change. Their combination of strength and nurturing qualities makes them both respected leaders and trusted confidantes in their social circles. Irmgards are often seen as pillars of their communities - the people others turn to in times of crisis because of their calm demeanor and practical approach to problem-solving. While they may appear reserved initially, they form deep, lasting relationships built on mutual respect and trust. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to emotional and moral guidance, making them natural mentors and advisors. Isoude is typically characterized by profound emotional depth, unwavering loyalty, and a passionate nature that defines her tragic destiny. Her personality combines royal dignity with intense vulnerability, creating a complex figure who navigates the impossible choices between duty to her husband King Mark and her consuming love for Tristan. She demonstrates remarkable intelligence and resourcefulness, particularly in the famous 'trial by ordeal' scene where she cleverly manipulates circumstances to prove her innocence while maintaining her secret love. Beyond her romantic attributes, Isoude exhibits strength and resilience in facing the consequences of her choices. Her character development shows a woman growing from a political pawn into an active agent of her own destiny, even as that destiny leads to tragedy. The dual aspects of her personalitythe public queen and the private lovercreate a rich psychological portrait that has made her one of literature's most enduring and relatable tragic heroines. Her emotional authenticity and the authenticity of her suffering give her story its timeless appeal. Isoude embodies the paradox of being both powerful and powerlessa queen who rules a kingdom but cannot control her own heart. This complexity makes her not just a romantic figure but a profound study in human psychology, representing the universal struggle between societal expectations and personal truth. Cultural & Historical Significance Jacquelyn emerged as an Americanized spelling variation of the classic French name Jacqueline, which gained prominence in English-speaking countries during the 20th century. The name carries significant cultural weight due to its association with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, one of America's most iconic First Ladies, whose grace, intelligence, and cultural influence made the name synonymous with elegance and sophistication. Throughout the mid-20th century, Jacquelyn and its variants became symbols of feminine strength and refinement, representing a bridge between traditional European naming conventions and modern American sensibilities. The name's French origins connect it to aristocratic traditions while its adaptation in English-speaking cultures reflects the globalization of names and the blending of cultural identities in contemporary society. Jacquelyn represents the American tendency to adapt European names while maintaining their essential character, creating a name that feels both classic and accessible. This cultural hybridity makes Jacquelyn particularly significant in multicultural societies where names serve as markers of both heritage and individuality. Cultural & Historical Significance Jeno is the Hungarian form of Eugene, derived from the Greek name Eugenios, meaning 'well-born' or 'noble.' The name carries significant cultural weight in Hungarian society, where it has been borne by numerous artists, scientists, and athletes who have contributed to Hungary's rich cultural heritage. Throughout Central European history, the name Jeno has been associated with intellectual and artistic excellence, particularly during the Austro-Hungarian Empire period when Hungarian culture flourished. The name reflects the Hungarian tradition of adapting classical names while maintaining distinct national identity. In Hungarian culture, names like Jeno often signify not just personal identity but also connection to broader European cultural traditions while preserving unique Hungarian characteristics. The name's persistence across generations demonstrates its enduring appeal and the value placed on its noble connotations within Hungarian society, serving as a bridge between classical European heritage and specific Hungarian cultural expression. Individuals named Jodie are often perceived as approachable, energetic, and socially adept. They typically possess a natural charm that makes them well-liked in social settings, combined with a practical intelligence that serves them well in both personal and professional contexts. Jodies are frequently described as adaptable and resilient, able to navigate changing circumstances with grace and determination. Their friendly demeanor often masks a strong inner core of values and convictions, particularly when it comes to matters of justice or protecting those they care about. Many Jodies exhibit creative tendencies and a good sense of humor, making them enjoyable companions and effective communicators. While they value independence, they also maintain strong connections to family and community, often serving as bridges between different social groups. The name suggests someone who is both reliable and spontaneousable to handle responsibilities while still embracing life's joyful moments. This combination of practicality and warmth makes Jodies particularly effective in caring professions, education, and creative fields where both empathy and competence are valued. In contemporary naming practices, Joia maintains a distinctive presence as an elegant French-derived name chosen by parents seeking meaningful yet uncommon options. While not appearing on mainstream popularity charts, it enjoys consistent usage among families with French heritage, in bilingual households, and among parents attracted to its melodic sound and positive meaning. The name has experienced modest resurgences during periods when virtue names gain attention, appealing to modern parents who value both tradition and emotional significance in name selection. Its usage spans internationally, with particular appreciation in urban, multicultural settings where French influence is valued, and it continues to be chosen by parents who want a name that conveys happiness without being overly common or trendy. Women named Jonathena are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and compassion, reflecting the name's dual heritage of biblical steadfastness and Irish warmth. They typically demonstrate strong leadership qualities combined with deep emotional intelligence, making them natural mediators and community builders. The name suggests someone who is both grounded in tradition and open to innovation, able to honor their roots while embracing progress. Jonathenas are often described as having a creative spirit with practical wisdom, able to translate abstract ideas into tangible results. Their personality tends to balance the determined, loyal characteristics associated with Jonathan with the intuitive, nurturing qualities often attributed to feminine Irish names. This combination frequently results in individuals who are both reliable in crisis and inspiring in vision, capable of bringing people together across differences while maintaining their own strong sense of identity and purpose. They often exhibit a quiet confidence that comes from understanding their unique position between traditions. Cultural & Historical Significance Josceline has deep roots in medieval Christian Europe, particularly in Norman and Anglo-Saxon cultures. The name gained prominence during the 12th century through noble families and religious figures, often associated with the aristocratic de Bohun family in England. Its Christian significance stems from its adoption by several medieval religious figures, including bishops and abbesses, who helped establish early Christian institutions across Europe. The name's playful yet dignified character made it appealing to noble families seeking names that balanced spiritual gravitas with cheerful connotations. Throughout the Middle Ages, Josceline maintained its popularity among European nobility, particularly in England and France where it was borne by women of high social standing who often played significant roles in religious patronage and cultural development. The name's association with joy and lightheartedness made it particularly suitable for daughters in Christian families, symbolizing the joy of faith while maintaining an air of aristocratic refinement. Its usage declined after the medieval period but saw revivals during Victorian times and again in the 20th century as parents sought historical names with positive, uplifting meanings. Individuals bearing the name Lahthan typically exhibit a distinctive combination of intellectual curiosity and spiritual depth that shapes their personality fundamentally. Their 'thirsty' nature manifests as an insatiable drive for understanding, making them perpetual students of life who approach every experience as an opportunity to learn. This inherent curiosity often makes them excellent problem-solvers and critical thinkers, though they may sometimes overanalyze situations due to their desire for comprehensive understanding. Their spiritual dimension adds emotional intelligence to their intellectual pursuits, creating well-rounded individuals who value both knowledge and wisdom. In social contexts, Lahthans are often perceived as thoughtful, reflective individuals who listen more than they speak, absorbing information and perspectives like sponges. Their patience and persistence serve them well in long-term projects and relationships, though their high standards for themselves and others can sometimes create tension. The constant seeking that defines them can lead to remarkable achievements in fields requiring depth of knowledge, but may also cause restlessness or difficulty with contentment. Ultimately, the Lahthan personality is characterized by a beautiful tension between acknowledging what they don't know and passionately pursuing understanding, making them valuable contributors to any community fortunate enough to include them. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Lancdon carries significant Christian cultural weight, particularly in English-speaking Christian communities where names with geographical or topographical meanings often symbolize spiritual journeys and moral ascension. In Christian tradition, hills and slopes frequently appear as settings for important biblical events, such as the Sermon on the Mount and various prophetic visions, making Lancdon a name that evokes spiritual elevation and divine revelation. Throughout Christian history, names derived from landscape features have been used to represent the believer's journey toward spiritual enlightenment, with 'long hill slope' suggesting both the challenges and rewards of the Christian walk. The name has been particularly embraced by families with English heritage who value both their cultural roots and Christian faith, seeing in the name a connection to both earthly geography and heavenly aspiration. Individuals named Lilis are often perceived as graceful, compassionate, and artistically inclined. They typically possess a natural elegance and sensitivity that draws others to them. Lilis tend to be intuitive and empathetic, making them excellent listeners and trusted confidants. Their creative nature often manifests in artistic pursuits, whether in visual arts, music, or writing. While they may appear delicate like their floral namesake, they often possess inner strength and resilience that surprises those who underestimate them. Lilis value harmony in relationships and environments, often acting as peacemakers in conflicts. They have a deep appreciation for beauty in all forms and frequently create aesthetically pleasing spaces around them. Their nurturing disposition makes them excellent caregivers and friends. However, they may need to guard against being overly sensitive to criticism or taking on others' emotional burdens. The combination of their artistic sensibility and practical wisdom often makes Lilis successful in creative professions, education, or healing arts where they can express their compassion and aesthetic appreciation. Individuals named Loryn are often perceived as creative, adaptable, and independent thinkers who value authenticity. They typically possess a blend of traditional values with modern perspectives, making them well-suited for leadership roles that require both stability and innovation. Loryns are known for their strong communication skills and ability to connect with diverse groups of people, often serving as bridges between different generations or cultural perspectives. Their creative nature frequently manifests in artistic pursuits, problem-solving abilities, and unique approaches to conventional challenges. While maintaining the dignified qualities associated with their Lawrence roots, Loryns often exhibit a more contemporary and approachable demeanor that makes them effective in modern social and professional environments. They tend to be resourceful individuals who can navigate complex situations with both practical wisdom and innovative thinking, making them valuable in roles that require balancing tradition with progress. The symbolic resonance of Makarim extends beyond its literal meaning to encompass broader spiritual and philosophical concepts. In Islamic mysticism, the name symbolizes the human potential to reflect divine attributes of generosity and majesty through ethical conduct. It represents the idea that true nobility comes not from lineage or wealth, but from character and actions. Symbolically, Makarim suggests a person who acts as a 'moral compass' for their community, embodying principles that guide others toward righteousness. The name also carries connotations of fertility and abundance - not just materially, but in terms of intellectual, emotional, and spiritual richness. In many cultural contexts, naming a child Makarim represents the parents' prayer that their daughter will be a source of blessing (barakah) to everyone she encounters, enriching lives through her presence and actions. This symbolic depth makes Makarim more than just a name - it becomes a lifelong aspiration and spiritual practice. Women named Makela are often perceived as strong-willed, independent thinkers with natural leadership qualities. They tend to possess a blend of traditional values and modern perspectives, making them adaptable in various social situations. Makelas are frequently described as protective of those they care about, embodying the guardian spirit associated with the name's Michaeline origins. Their personality often combines intellectual curiosity with practical problem-solving skills, making them effective in both professional and personal realms. Many Makelas display a quiet confidence that inspires trust in others, and they often excel in roles that require both compassion and determination. Their balanced nature allows them to be both assertive when necessary and empathetic in their relationships. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes Makelas particularly effective in caregiving professions, education, and leadership positions where they can protect and guide others while respecting individual autonomy. The name seems to attract or develop women who are unafraid to question conventions while maintaining deep respect for meaningful traditions. The symbolic resonance of Marsali extends far beyond its literal meaning of 'pearl' to encompass rich metaphorical dimensions that have evolved across cultures and centuries. In Eastern traditions, pearls represent wisdom and spiritual enlightenment, formed through patience and natural processes rather than human intervention. This aligns with the Gaelic view of Marsali as representing organic growth and the idea that true value develops over time. The pearl's journey from irritation to beauty serves as a powerful metaphor for human resilience and the transformative potential of adversity. In Western symbolism, pearls have long been associated with lunar energy, femininity, and emotional wisdomqualities that resonate strongly with the typical characteristics of those named Marsali. From a psychological perspective, the pearl symbolism suggests individuals who cultivate inner richness and depth, whose true worth may not be immediately apparent but reveals itself through sustained interaction. The pearl's luminescence connects Marsali to intuition, dreams, and the subconsciousthose named Marsali often possess strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence. In Celtic symbolism specifically, pearls were associated with hidden treasures and the concept that the most valuable things are often concealed from casual observation. This makes Marsali a name rich with implications about inner beauty, hidden strengths, and the idea that true character develops through patient cultivation rather than instant gratification. The multiple layers of symbolic meaning make Marsali a name that continues to reveal new dimensions throughout a person's lifetime. Cultural & Historical Significance Momus occupies a fascinating niche in Greek mythology as the divine embodiment of satire, mockery, and critical judgment. Born from Nyx (Night), he represented the necessary but often unwelcome voice of criticism in both divine and human affairs. His mythological significance extends beyond mere mockery to encompass the important cultural function of critical appraisal and intellectual honesty. In various myths, Momus was tasked with judging the creations of other gods, and his relentless criticism led to his eventual expulsion from Olympusa story that reflects ancient Greek ambivalence about the role of criticism in society. This mythological narrative established Momus as a complex figure representing both the dangers of excessive fault-finding and the value of honest appraisal. His influence persisted through classical literature into the Renaissance, where humanist writers like Erasmus revived him as a symbol of free thought and constructive criticism. The figure of Momus thus represents an enduring cultural tension between the desire for harmony and the necessity of critical evaluation. Women named Nancsi are commonly associated with a graceful and composed demeanor that combines traditional elegance with modern sensibility. They typically exhibit strong emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate social situations with ease and build meaningful relationships across diverse groups. Their grace extends to their problem-solving approach, where they prefer diplomacy and consensus-building over confrontation. Nancsis often possess artistic sensibilities and an appreciation for beauty in everyday life, whether through creative pursuits, home decoration, or personal style. They tend to be reliable and nurturing individuals who value family traditions while being open to new experiences. Their personality blends strength with gentleness, making them both resilient in facing challenges and compassionate in their interactions with others. This combination of traits often positions them as natural leaders in community and family settings, where their balanced perspective and graceful approach earn them respect and admiration. Cultural & Historical Significance Nighean holds deep cultural significance in Scottish Gaelic tradition as both a common noun meaning 'young woman' and a poetic given name. In Highland culture, the term appears frequently in traditional songs, poetry, and folklore, often representing idealized feminine qualities of youth, beauty, and virtue. The name evokes the romantic imagery of Scottish ballads where 'nighean' figures as the beloved subject of love songs and heroic tales. Historically, it was used both as a term of endearment and as a proper name, particularly in Gaelic-speaking communities of the Highlands and Islands. The name carries echoes of Scotland's clan traditions and the oral poetry that preserved Gaelic culture through centuries of political and social change. As Gaelic language revival movements gained momentum in the 20th century, names like Nighean became symbols of cultural resilience and identity preservation. Individuals named Oengus are often perceived as possessing a unique combination of strength and creativity. They tend to be charismatic leaders with a natural ability to inspire others, reflecting the name's meaning of 'one vigor' or unique strength. Typically, Oengus is associated with intelligence, wit, and strategic thinking - qualities embodied by the mythological Oengus who was known for his clever solutions to complex problems. There's often an artistic or poetic dimension to their personality, with many showing talent in creative pursuits or eloquent communication. At the same time, they maintain a strong sense of integrity and determination, able to pursue their goals with focused energy while maintaining their principles. This balance of creative intelligence and steadfast strength makes them both innovative and reliable individuals who can adapt to challenges while staying true to their core values. The name suggests someone who combines visionary thinking with practical action, making them effective in both artistic and leadership roles where imagination must be grounded in reality. Men named Olney typically project an aura of quiet competence and moral reliability. They are often perceived as individuals who combine practical intelligence with spiritual depth, reflecting the name's dual heritage of English countryside stability and Christian contemplative tradition. These individuals tend to be methodical in their approach to life, valuing order and tradition while maintaining the flexibility to adapt when necessary. Their strength lies in their consistency and dependabilitythey are the anchors in their social and professional circles, providing stability and wise counsel to those around them. The Christian associations of the name suggest a personality inclined toward service, ethics, and community involvement. Olneys often demonstrate strong leadership qualities that are more collaborative than authoritarian, preferring to build consensus and foster group harmony. They may possess artistic or creative talents, particularly in writing or music, echoing the literary and hymnodic connections of their namesake town. At their best, Olneys embody the ideal of the thoughtful leadersomeone who guides through example, maintains high personal standards, and contributes meaningfully to their community while staying true to their principles and heritage. People named Oran typically exhibit a calm, grounded personality that reflects the name's natural origins and spiritual heritage. They often possess an inner strength and resilience reminiscent of the early saints who bore the name, showing quiet determination in facing life's challenges. Their connection to the 'pale green' meaning often manifests as a deep appreciation for nature, peace, and harmony in their surroundings. Oran's are generally thoughtful and reflective individuals who value meaningful connections over superficial relationships. They tend to be loyal friends and dedicated family members who honor traditions while maintaining an open-minded approach to new experiences. The spiritual legacy of the name often gives them a sense of purpose and moral compass that guides their decisions, making them reliable and trustworthy individuals who others naturally turn to for wisdom and support. Men named Phuc are traditionally associated with a distinctive combination of optimism, resilience, and practical wisdom. The name's meaning of 'luck' or 'blessings' creates cultural expectations that the bearer will demonstrate a positive outlook and the ability to overcome adversity through perseverance and good judgment. They are often perceived as natural stabilizers in family and community settings, bringing calm and reason to challenging situations while maintaining hope for positive outcomes. This personality profile reflects the Vietnamese cultural belief that individuals can cultivate their own fortune through virtuous behavior and mental attitude. Phuc-named individuals are typically expected to embody the Confucian ideal of the virtuous man who brings honor and stability to his family while maintaining the Buddhist principle of creating one's own karma through positive actions. Their perceived charisma and leadership qualities stem from this combination of optimistic vision and practical capability, making them valued members of their communities who are trusted to guide others through difficult times while maintaining faith in eventual positive outcomes. Cultural & Historical Significance Proteus holds significant cultural importance as one of the earliest sea deities in Greek mythology, predating Poseidon in some traditions. As the 'Old Man of the Sea,' he was known for his wisdom and prophetic abilities, but also for his elusive nature - he would change forms to avoid being captured and forced to reveal prophecies. This mythological figure represents the ever-changing nature of the sea itself, embodying both the wisdom of ancient waters and the transformative power of nature. In later cultural contexts, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, Proteus became a powerful symbol of mutability and adaptation. The concept of 'protean' derived from his name entered the English language to describe someone or something that is versatile, adaptable, and capable of assuming different forms. This mythological legacy has influenced literature, psychology, and even scientific terminology, with the genus of bacteria Proteus being named for their changing forms. The name continues to resonate in modern times as a symbol of flexibility and the ability to navigate complex, changing environments. Cultural & Historical Significance Randkin emerged during the medieval period as a diminutive form of names beginning with 'Rand-' such as Randolph or Randall. The name carries strong Christian symbolism, representing the concept of divine protection as referenced in Psalms 91:4 where God's faithfulness is described as a 'shield and buckler.' During the Crusades era, the name gained popularity among Christian families who saw it as invoking God's protection for their sons. The 'little shield' meaning made it particularly appealing for naming infants and young boys, symbolizing hope for divine safeguarding through childhood. In medieval heraldry, the name was sometimes associated with families bearing shield motifs in their coats of arms, further reinforcing its protective connotations. The name appears in various historical records including the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating its establishment in Norman England. As a Christian name, it reflected the medieval belief that names could influence character and destiny, with parents choosing Randkin to invoke divine protection for their children. The name's usage declined after the Reformation but maintained presence in certain English and Scottish families who valued its historical and protective significance. Individuals named Ruck are typically characterized by keen intelligence and observational skills, mirroring the raven's reputation for wisdom in folklore. They often possess sharp analytical abilities and demonstrate remarkable problem-solving skills, approaching challenges with strategic thinking and patience. Their thoughtful nature makes them excellent advisors and confidants, though they may sometimes appear reserved or contemplative to others. Rucks tend to be fiercely independent and self-reliant, valuing their personal space and autonomy while maintaining strong loyalty to those they trust. They exhibit protective instincts toward loved ones and often take on guardian roles within their social circles. Their communication style is typically direct and insightful, with an ability to see patterns and connections that others might miss. While they can be perceived as solitary, they form deep, meaningful relationships built on mutual respect and intellectual connection. Their combination of intuition and logic often makes them successful in fields requiring both creativity and analytical thinking. The name's Christian heritage may also influence expectations of moral integrity and spiritual depth in those who bear it. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Selig has deep roots in German and Yiddish-speaking Jewish communities, where it originally meant 'blessed' or 'happy.' In Christian contexts, particularly among German Christians, the name carried connotations of divine blessing and spiritual happiness. Throughout medieval Europe, Selig was often given to children born during festive seasons or to families expressing gratitude for divine favor. The name became particularly significant in Ashkenazi Jewish communities, where it was used both as a given name and surname, often appearing as Seligmann or Seliger. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the name spread throughout Central and Eastern Europe, maintaining its religious connotations while also representing cultural identity for many Jewish families. The name's association with happiness and blessing made it particularly popular for children born after periods of hardship or during times of celebration within Christian communities. In Christian tradition, the name Selig connects to the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount, where 'blessed' (selig in German translations) describes those who are fortunate in God's eyes. This biblical connection gave the name particular resonance in Protestant and Catholic German-speaking regions. The name also appears in Christian liturgical contexts and hymnody, further cementing its religious significance. Throughout history, the name has served as a bridge between Jewish and Christian communities in German-speaking lands, representing shared values of faith, blessing, and spiritual joy. In contemporary naming practices, Seymour occupies a unique position as a traditional name that has become quite rare, giving it distinctive appeal for parents seeking something classic yet uncommon. While it ranked among the top 500 names in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it has since declined significantly and now appears infrequently as a first name. However, it maintains steady usage as a middle name, particularly in families with Jewish heritage where it often serves as an English equivalent for names like Shmaryahu. The name experiences occasional resurgences influenced by pop culture, such as the character Seymour Krelborn in 'Little Shop of Horrors' or Principal Seymour Skinner in 'The Simpsons.' Current usage trends show it being adopted by parents attracted to vintage names with intellectual and aristocratic connotations, though its association with an older generation means it hasn't yet experienced the widespread revival seen with names like Arthur or Theodore. Its strongest modern presence remains in academic and professional circles where its historical weight and distinctive sound are appreciated. NDjamena, Chad (PANA) - A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has held discussions with the Chadian authorities on the first review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) with the Central African country Women named Slany are often perceived as nurturing and grounded individuals with a strong connection to practical wisdom. They typically exhibit a calm, steady presence that others find comforting and reliable. Their association with health and wellness often manifests in caregiving tendencies, whether professionally or within their personal relationships. There's frequently a natural inclination toward holistic living and maintaining balance in all aspects of life. These individuals tend to possess remarkable resilience and inner strength, capable of weathering challenges with grace and determination. They often demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and a pragmatic approach to difficulties. Their connection to the name's meaning of 'good health' frequently extends to emotional and spiritual wellbeing, making them excellent counselors and supportive friends. Many Slanys develop interests in healing arts, nutrition, or community health initiatives, driven by an innate desire to promote wellness in their circles. The name seems to attract those with a deep understanding of the interconnectedness between physical health and overall life satisfaction. Women named Stephenie are often perceived as possessing a blend of traditional values and contemporary independence. The name's crown symbolism suggests someone who carries themselves with natural dignity and leadership qualities, often taking charge in group situations with grace and authority. They tend to be ambitious yet compassionate, combining the strength suggested by the name's martyr origins with the feminine grace of its modern usage. Stephenies are frequently described as reliable and loyal friends who value deep, meaningful relationships. The name's Christian associations often correlate with strong moral compasses and a sense of responsibility toward others. They typically exhibit excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, making them effective in both personal and professional spheres. Their unique spelling variation often reflects an individual who appreciates tradition but isn't afraid to stand out from the crowd. Individuals named Tiauna are often perceived as charismatic and compassionate, with a natural ability to connect with others on emotional levels. They typically exhibit strong leadership qualities combined with nurturing instincts, making them effective in caregiving roles or community-oriented professions. Their creative nature often manifests in artistic pursuits or innovative problem-solving approaches. Tiaunas tend to be resilient and adaptable, able to navigate challenging circumstances with grace and determination while maintaining their core values and spiritual beliefs. This combination of strength and sensitivity makes them valued friends and trusted confidants in their social circles. They often demonstrate a unique balance of traditional values and modern thinking, allowing them to bridge generational and cultural gaps within their communities. Individuals named Torn are often characterized by their remarkable resilience and protective nature. Like the thorn tree from which their name derives, they possess an innate ability to withstand life's challenges while maintaining their core strength. They typically exhibit strong boundary-setting capabilities and a natural inclination to protect those they care about, often serving as the 'rock' in their social and family circles. Torn's personality often combines practical wisdom with deep emotional intelligence, making them excellent problem-solvers in difficult situations. Their strength is not merely physical but extends to emotional and mental fortitude, allowing them to navigate complex circumstances with grace and determination. They tend to be grounded individuals who value authenticity and have a strong connection to nature and traditional values. While they may appear reserved initially, those who earn their trust discover loyal, deeply caring individuals who approach relationships with the same protective instinct that defines their namesake plant. Cultural & Historical Significance Tzion holds profound significance in Jewish culture and history as the ancient name for Jerusalem and specifically Mount Zion, the site of King David's capital and the Temple. The name embodies the spiritual heart of Judaism and represents the eternal connection between the Jewish people and their homeland. Throughout Jewish liturgy, poetry, and tradition, Tzion symbolizes both the physical city of Jerusalem and the aspirational concept of redemption and divine presence. The name carries centuries of longing, faith, and national identity, making it one of the most emotionally charged names in Hebrew tradition. It represents not just a geographical location but the very soul of Jewish spiritual and national aspirations. In biblical texts, Tzion is frequently mentioned as the place where God dwells and from where salvation will emerge, giving the name eschatological significance that transcends its literal meaning. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Windsor carries profound cultural significance rooted in British royalty and geography. It originates from the historic town of Windsor in Berkshire, England, famous for Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British monarch. The town's name itself derives from Old English 'Windles-ore' meaning 'winch by the riverbank', referring to its strategic location on the River Thames. In 1917, during World War I, the British royal family changed their name from the German-sounding 'House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha' to 'House of Windsor', establishing the name as synonymous with British monarchy and national identity. This royal association transformed Windsor from a geographical identifier into a symbol of tradition, stability, and enduring British heritage. The name evokes images of medieval castles, royal ceremonies, and centuries of continuous monarchy, making it particularly significant in Christian contexts where it represents divine right and established order. Beyond its royal connections, Windsor has become embedded in global culture through various institutions and landmarks bearing the name, from universities to luxury hotels. The name's cultural resonance extends to its use in literature and media, where it often signifies aristocracy, tradition, and English heritage. In Christian naming traditions, Windsor represents the idea of building one's life on solid foundations, much like the enduring castle that shares its name. Women named Zehave often exhibit a radiant personality that matches their name's golden meaning. They tend to be warm, charismatic individuals who naturally attract others with their genuine warmth and inner light. These women typically possess strong values and a deep sense of integrity, approaching life with both practicality and spiritual depth. Their golden nature manifests in their ability to find value in every situation and person they encounters, making them both cherished friends and natural leaders. Zehave's personality often combines traditional wisdom with modern adaptability. She is frequently described as resilient yet gentle, possessing an inner strength that helps her navigate challenges with grace. Like gold that becomes more beautiful when worked by skilled hands, Zehave tends to grow wiser and more compassionate through life experiences. She often serves as a stabilizing influence in her community, offering both practical support and emotional comfort to those around her. The golden symbolism extends to her approach to relationshipsshe values deep, lasting connections and invests heavily in the people she cares about. Her presence often brings light to difficult situations, and she has a natural talent for helping others recognize their own worth and potential. This combination of inner strength and outward warmth makes Zehave someone people naturally trust and admire. Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The UN Deputy Secretary-General voiced deep alarm on Saturday over the latest mass abduction from a school in Nigeria, calling for the immediate release of those taken Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has come under severe criticism for atrocities committed in the war with the army, on Friday announced a full and serious response to peace initiatives pledged by U Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter to strengthen cooperation in agriculture further, leveraging Israel's expertise in precision farming, drip irrigation, desert agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices. Goyal shared details of the meeting on X, stating, "Glad to meet with Mr. @AviDichter, Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security. Discussed ways to further strengthen our strong cooperation in agriculture, leveraging Israel's expertise in precision farming, drip irrigation, desert agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices." https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1991821687831363743 During his visit, Goyal also toured the Peres Center for Peace & Innovation in Jaffa. Calling it an "inspiring hub," he said the centre highlighted Israel's journey in creativity, technology, and social impact, offering valuable insights into how innovation drives growth and development. He said India and Israel will deepen their collaboration in technology and innovation, revealing that the two nations will now examine new areas of cooperation, including what "could be a startup bridge between Israel and India after the signing of Terms of Reference (ToR). Speaking to the media on Friday, Goyal said, "We have just entered into the Terms of Reference yesterday. Now we will look at all the different elements and one of the elements could be a startup bridge between Israel and India." On November 20, India and Israel formally signed the ToR to begin negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Goyal noted, "One of the elements is going to be technology and innovation in our comprehensive partnership with Israel." The Minister said India sees substantial room for collaboration to advance its own startup ecosystem. "I believe we can collaborate with Israel to promote our own startup ecosystem, aspiring to take it to the levels of deep tech and high-quality innovation at competitive prices, given the economies of scale that India has to offer. We are looking at a deep partnership with Israel." "India aspires to become the startup capital of the world in the years ahead. There's a lot of excitement in Israel amongst the startups, amongst their innovators and businesses to work with India, a country which provides scale, a country which provides opportunities for the future," he said. He highlighted multiple sectors where collaboration could flourish, including cybersecurity, mobility, climate action, green steel, and med-tech. "I do think that whether it is cyber-security, whether it's mobility, whether it's action against climate change, problems like producing steel with less carbon, or it is the med tech devices sector. I think India and Israel can work together, can partner together, and innovation will find purpose, innovation will find scale, innovation will become the new way of working and living. We have just entered into the TOR yesterday. Now we'll look at all the different elements," he added. Goyal is in Israel from November 20-22 on the invitation of Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat. (ANI) Industry leaders have welcomed the government's decision to enforce the four Labour Codes into effect from 21 November 2025, calling it a major step toward simplifying and modernising India's labour laws. According to the Ministry of Labour & Employment release, these Codes replace 29 older labour laws that were written during the pre-Independence and early post-Independence era (1930s-1950s), when the nature of work and the economy were very different. Industry observers believe the implementation of these codes marks the beginning of a crucial transition phase for India's workforce. The four Labour Codes: the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, aim to bring India's workforce policies in line with global standards. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), described the reform as "a historic milestone for India's labour landscape." He said the consolidation of 29 diverse laws into four codes "marks a transformative leap toward a modern, simplified and future-ready labour ecosystem." Banerjee added that the move ensures "better wages, stronger social security, enhanced workplace safety and a more predictable regulatory environment for both workers and industry." According to him, a resilient workforce and progressive labour framework are essential to India's growth story, and this step will strengthen the path toward a more inclusive and self-reliant economy. Lokesh Gulati, Partner at PwC India, said the unified codes "modernise India's labour framework" and "simplify compliance while reducing regulatory friction." He explained that the changes "promote formalisation--key for attracting investment and scaling operations." Gulati added that the reforms "align with ESG goals, strengthening India's competitive and responsible economy." He noted that the older laws would remain in place until rules under the new framework are finalised, ensuring a smooth transition. From the global perspective, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), expressed optimism about the development. In a post on X, he said, "Following with interest developments of India's new Labour Codes announced today, including on social protection & minimum wages. Social dialogue among govt, employers & workers will remain essential as reforms are implemented to ensure they're positive for workers and business." These codes promise uniform minimum wages, mandatory appointment letters for workers, timely payment of wages, and expanded social security benefits for gig, platform, and migrant workers. Women are now allowed to work night shifts with proper safety measures, and workers over 40 will receive free health check-ups. These provisions, experts say, could help formalise the workforce and boost investor confidence. (ANI) NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 22: The financial sector plays a crucial role in supporting India's growth story. As the economy expands, financial institutions, from banks to insurers, are seeing structural shifts in how they operate and grow. The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund aims to offer investors an opportunity to participate in this evolving sector through a diversified approach that looks beyond just banking. With valuations below long-term averages and improving fundamentals, this may be a suitable time to explore the fund. The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund NFO opens on Monday, November 10, 2025, and closes on Monday, November 24, 2025. The scheme will reopen for subscription within five business days from the date of allotment. A suitable entry point backed by fundamentals Valuations in India's banking and financial services sector are currently below their 14-year average, creating a potentially favourable entry point for investors looking at long-term participation. Lower valuations often indicate that market prices may not fully reflect the sector's improving fundamentals. At the same time, asset quality across banks and non-banking financial companies has been showing signs of improvement. With reduced non-performing assets and more disciplined lending practices, the overall health of balance sheets appears to be strengthening. This improving asset quality, coupled with stable earnings visibility, may provide a supportive environment for long-term investors. Additionally, profitability within the sector has been healthy, aided by expanding credit demand, operational efficiency, and the growing contribution of fee-based income streams. Together, these trends point towards a sector that is steadily consolidating its financial strength. Source: NSE Data as on Sep 30, 2025, ACE Equity PAT Curated from structural sector trends The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund follows a curated approach, shortlisting 45-60 stocks from a universe* of around 180 - 200 companies. These companies are selected based on their alignment with long-term structural trends shaping the financial services industry. Rather than focusing on short-term market movements, the fund's strategy is designed to identify businesses positioned to benefit from India's evolving financial ecosystem. This includes companies that demonstrate operational resilience, robust fundamentals, and the potential to adapt as the sector transforms through technology and innovation. By diversifying across well-researched sectors, the fund aims to balance growth opportunities with prudent risk management, providing investors exposure to the broader financial landscape. * The portfolio count is indicative, and actual number will depend on market conditions at the time of making investment. Aligned with India's BFSI megatrends India's financial services industry is undergoing a transformation, driven by multiple megatrends that are reshaping how people access and manage money. Digital finance continues to expand rapidly, supported by platforms such as UPI and the wider adoption of digital lending. Initiatives like Jan Dhan have accelerated financial inclusion, bringing millions of individuals into the formal financial system. At the same time, non-banking financial companies, mutual funds, and insurance providers are seeing greater traction as more Indians seek diversified financial products. These developments have broadened the scope of the sector, making it more dynamic and inclusive than ever before. The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund seeks to align with these long-term structural drivers, providing investors exposure to businesses that may potentially benefit from this transition. Source: MOFSL, Press Information Bureau, CareEdge Broad-based exposure across financial subsectors The fund's portfolio extends beyond traditional banking. It offers broad-based exposure across multiple financial subsectors, banks, NBFCs, insurance companies, asset management companies, and other participants in the capital markets. Such diversification helps the fund participate in various growth sectors within the BFSI space rather than relying solely on one segment of the market. By investing across different financial services businesses, the fund may aim to mitigate impact of volatility that sometimes arises in sector-specific investments. This approach also reflects the interconnected nature of India's financial ecosystem--where lending, investments, and insurance collectively contribute to economic progress. Conclusion The Bajaj Finserv Banking and Financial Services Fund aims to offer exposure to one of India's most dynamic sectors, financial services. With valuations currently below the 14-year average, improving asset quality, and healthy profitability, the sector appears well-placed from a fundamentals perspective. For investors looking to participate in the long-term evolution of India's BFSI ecosystem, the fund presents an opportunity to consider. It may provide diversified exposure to multiple financial subsectors, reflecting the broader story of inclusion, innovation, and digital growth shaping India's economy. New Fund Offer Opens on:Monday, November 10, 2025New Fund Offer Closes on:Monday, November 24, 2025Scheme re-opens on:Within five business days of allotment date Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 22: One of India's leading life insurance companies, Tata AIA Life Insurance, is witnessing remarkable growth for its Tata AIA Premier SIP, a market-linked, insurance-plus-investment solution. The unique SIP plan provides an innovative offering that enables young professionals to grow their wealth while ensuring their families' financial security. Key Highlights of Tata AIA Premier SIP* Tata AIA Smart SIP combines market-linked investment growth with health protection benefits into a single plan.* With zero premium allocation charges, you can invest a larger share of your premium in your chosen fund option.* Future premiums are waived off in case of an unforeseen event, so the policyholder can still reach his financial goals. The Waiver of Premium benefit is exclusively available under the Future Secure plan option.* Provides teleconsultations, medical second opinions, preventive health checkups, and discounts on vaccinations, medicines, and diagnostic tests. Tata AIA Premier SIP bundles a host of benefits, enabling investors to build long-term wealth by taking advantage of a ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan) -- a market-linked product that combines investment and insurance in one plan. A portion of your insurance premium goes toward life and health insurance coverage, and the remainder is invested in market-linked funds. Over time, your investment could bring you higher returns over time, helping you achieve your financial goals while ensuring protection as well. The plan is designed to help working professionals achieve a "fikar-free future" through consistent savings and investing.A unique feature of Tata AIA Premier SIP is its Zero Allocation Charges, which ensure that 100% of the premium paid is invested in the fund option selected. With this approach, investors get the most out of their investments, and the corpus grows rapidly from the beginning. The Waiver of Premium Benefit ensures that if something unfortunate happens, future premiums are waived, allowing the investment to keep going. This feature protects the policyholder's investment plans and gives their family peace of mind. Tata AIA Premier SIP go beyond financial protection by offering health and wellness benefits. From the comfort of their home, policyholders can get medical second opinion from doctors, teleconsultations with top doctors, and preventive health checks. They can also avail discounts on vaccinations, medicines, and diagnostic tests, so they can be proactive about their health.The Smart Lady Benefit gives women policyholders 0.5% more fund units on their first-year premium (under Limited and Regular Pay options). With this initiative, Tata AIA continues its commitment to supporting gender-inclusive financial growth and empowering women investors. A key component of the Tata AIA Premier SIP is its flexibility. After the initial five-year lock-in period, policyholders can select multiple partial withdrawal options based on their financial needs. These include:* Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Allows investors to withdraw a fixed amount or percentage at regular intervals.* Chosen-rate Withdrawal Plan (CWP): This option lets investors set a target growth rate, and any surplus will be distributed as payouts.* Index-based Withdrawal Plan (IWP): Offers payouts when fund value exceeds selected benchmark index, linking withdrawals to market performance. Policyholders can switch between available investment funds at any time without incurring extra fees or taxes. This enables them to rebalance their portfolios based on market conditions or evolving financial goals. Under current tax laws, the plan also provides tax-free withdrawals and income tax benefits on premiums paid, as per applicable income tax laws making it a tax-efficient plan tailor-made for wealth-building. A wide range of financial profiles and life stages can be catered to through the Tata AIA Premier SIP. With a policy term of up to 50 years, the plan secures your long-term financial standing and wealth generation for individuals between 18 and 50 years of age. Policyholders can further enhance protection with Health Buddy benefits, including Terminal Illness with Term Booster (TTB), Accidental Death Benefit (ADB), and Accidental Total and Permanent Disability (ATPD). The optional riders enhance financial security by offering comprehensive coverage against life's unpredictable events. So, Tata AIA Premier SIP brings forth a comprehensive solution that offers both health and wealth protection. Tata AIA Premier SIP has gained traction as a preferred investment option among India's millennial and Gen Z workforce due to their strong preference for financial independence and systematic investing. Today's professionals who desire growth, liquidity, and security, all in one plan, find the plan's market-linked growth, zero allocation fees, and flexible withdrawal strategies ideal for their personal financial goals. Tata AIA Premier SIP is a combination of the Tata AIA Smart SIP, a non-participating, unit-linked, individual life insurance savings plan (UIN: 110L174V01), and Tata AIA Health Buddy, Non-participating, Non-Linked, Individual Health Product (UIN:110N183V01). Both Tata AIA Smart SIP and Tata AIA Health Buddy are also available for sale individually. About Tata AIA Life Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited (Tata AIA) is a joint venture Company formed by Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. and AIA Group Ltd. (AIA). Tata AIA Life combines Tata's pre-eminent leadership position in India and AIA's presence as the largest, independent listed pan-Asian life insurance group in the world, spanning 18 markets in the Asia Pacific region.Tata AIA reported a total Premium Income of INR 31,484 crore for FY25, up 23% from FY24. The Company continues to rank among the Top 3 Private Insurers in Individual Weighted New Business Premium (IWNBP) with an IWNBP income of INR 8,511 crore. About the Tata Group Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata group is a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals.The group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission 'To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust'. In 2023-24, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was more than $165 billion. These companies collectively employ over 1 million people. Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently under the guidance and supervision of its own board of directors. There are 26 publicly listed Tata enterprises with a combined market capitalisation of more than $365 billion as on March 31, 2024. About AIA AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively "AIA" or the "Group") comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets -wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR (3), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR (4), and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd. The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$305 billion as of 31 December 2024.AIA meets the long-term savings, and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 43 million individual policies and 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes. AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes "1299" for HKD counter and "81299" for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol "AAGIY". For further inquiries or media details, please contact:Media Contact:Name: Niladri Bhattacharya Contact: niladri.bhattacharya@tataaia.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.) VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 22: Over 350 students, educators, parents, and thought leaders gathered at the SAP Champions Awards 2025, held at Meenakshi Rangamancha Auditorium, Bengaluru, to celebrate young changemakers who are applying life education to real-world impact through the EQUBE (Enabling Evolutionary Excellence) program. The annual awards recognized students who undertook Social Action Projects (SAPs) community initiatives designed to build empathy, social awareness, and leadership among schoolchildren. This year's finalists, selected from over 14,000 students who go through EQUBE program across five states and 750 projects, presented diverse projects addressing issues such as environmental conservation, health awareness, animal welfare, mental health, education, nutrition, water conservation, waste management, inclusion, and community welfare. Dr. J. M. Sampath, Founder and Managing Director, EFIL Educational Services and EQUBE, shared: "These young minds remind us that empathy and social awareness are not subjects to be taught, but values to be lived. The SAP journey empowers students to understand their responsibility to the world and act on it with conviction." Adding to this, Dr. Kalpana Sampath Founder Director, EFIL Educational Services and Program Director, EQUBE, said: "Through SAP, students experience the transformation that comes from taking responsibility for something larger than themselves. They learn to listen, empathize, and respond qualities that will shape not just their future careers but the kind of human beings they become." The event also marked the launch of Dr. Sampath's latest book, "Why I Do What I Do," unveiled by Prof. T. V. Rao, Chairman of TVRLS. Additionally, the "Top 100 Changemaker Students" Compendium was released, featuring inspiring stories from the 2024-26 batches who have made a tangible difference in their communities. Dignitaries at the event included K. Jairaj, IAS (Retd.), who presented the Champion Award, and Asha Thomas, Trustee, The Samhita Academy, who felicitated the runners-up. The EQUBE Alumni Award was presented by Rupande Padaki, Founder - P&P Group, while Aniruddha Jatkar, actor, director, and social worker, launched the Changemakers Compendium. The SAP Champions Awards aim to make social consciousness an integral part of school education, aligning with CBSE and ICSE recommendations on life skills and community action (SEWA and SUPW), as well as with the State Curriculum, which includes Value education. Over the past 18 years, EQUBE has facilitated over 750 projects annually (13000 projects impacting over 50000 lives), with several student initiatives earning recognition at Ashoka Young Changemaker Awards, TEDx platforms, and global youth forums. Alumni over the last 18 years are making a global mark, and some are acclaimed social entrepreneurs recognised for their contributions. They have come back to EFIL to support the EQUBE initiative. The event concluded with the screening of a short documentary, "Inner Curriculum - Creating Socially Conscious Changemakers", directed by Sangita Iyer, chronicling EQUBE's 18-year journey of integrating life education into mainstream schooling, highlighting its mission to enable students to discover purpose, act with compassion, and live consciously. The documentary has won the Best Award at the Toronto Female Film Festival, been nominated at the LA Sun Film Fest, and been a Semifinalist at the Paris International Film Festival. About EQUBE EQUBE (Enabling Evolutionary Excellence) is a pioneering life education program designed to integrate values, reflection, and personal growth into school learning. Running from Grades 3 to 10 across CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards in five Indian states, EQUBE engages over 14,000 students annually, encouraging them to apply empathy, social consciousness and ethical thinking to everyday life challenges. For more visit- https://www.efil.co.in/ (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.) NewsVoir Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], November 22: ASBL, a leading name in creating future-forward living spaces, has partnered with NrityaPriya Dance Academy as the Cultural Partner for its 10th Anniversary Celebration at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, King Koti. The milestone event, themed around Lord Sri Krishna, brought together over 500 students, alumni, and art enthusiasts to commemorate a decade of excellence in the classical Kuchipudi dance form. The evening featured soulful performances such as Ambaparaku, Ganesha Pancharatnam, Jayadeva Ashtapadi, and Nauka Charitam capturing the divine grace and storytelling essence that define India's classical traditions. The event also included felicitations for esteemed guests, including cultural icons like Dr. Maddali Usha Gayatri (Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee) and ASBL's Founder and CEO, Ajitesh Korupolu, who attended as Chief Guest. Speaking at the event, Ajitesh Korupolu said, "Culture is the soul of a community. As we build modern living spaces, we believe it's equally important to build emotional and cultural connections within them. Our partnership with NrityaPriya is an expression of this belief to celebrate the richness of Indian heritage and ensure that art, tradition, and togetherness remain part of contemporary life." ASBL's association with NrityaPriya reflects its broader mission to integrate culture into the fabric of urban living. Through initiatives such as cultural workshops and community art programs at ASBL Landmark and upcoming projects, the brand aims to create spaces where residents don't just live, they belong. For ASBL, art and architecture share the same purpose: to inspire, connect, and create meaning. By supporting institutions like NrityaPriya, ASBL continues to nurture India's cultural heritage while empowering communities to rediscover the joy of shared experiences. This partnership marks another step in ASBL's vision to bridge heritage and modernity reminding us that true progress is built not just with structures, but with stories, traditions, and a shared sense of identity. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a series of wide-ranging engagements during his official visit to Israel, further strengthening bilateral cooperation across agriculture, technology, innovation and trade. During his meetings on Friday (November 21), Minister Piyush Goyal met with Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, for a detailed discussion on advancing agricultural collaboration. Minister Dichter briefed Indian minister Goyal on Israel's 25-year food security roadmap, its advanced seed-improvement strategies, and the country's global leadership in water-reuse technologies for agriculture. As part of his engagements, Minister Goyal visited the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, where he was apprised of Israel's pioneering technological ecosystem, the commerce ministry said in a statement on Saturday. He was shown several landmark innovations, including drip irrigation systems, stent technologies and the Iron Dome system, along with demonstrations of emerging future technologies and immersive virtual-reality solutions. He described the Peres Center as an inspiring institution that reflects Israel's journey of creativity, innovation and social impact. The Minister also experienced Israel's advancements in mobility solutions through an autonomous-drive demonstration by Mobileye, highlighting precision engineering in next-generation mobility. Minister Goyal also visited Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, where he observed its model of cooperative living, sustainable agricultural practices and community-driven innovation. "These interactions offered valuable insights into Israel's technological strengths and its approach to rural development and sustainability," the commerce ministry said in the statement. Earlier, on Thursday, Minister Goyal commenced his official engagements with a meeting with Israel's Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat. The two leaders reviewed the current trajectory of bilateral trade and explored new areas of cooperation. This was followed by the India-Israel Business Forum, attended by both Ministers and senior industry leaders from both countries. The Forum included technical sessions and B2B interactions, reflecting strong private-sector interest in expanding collaboration across technology, innovation, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, the ministry said. During his address, Minister Goyal emphasised the trust-based foundation of India-Israel relations and highlighted substantial opportunities in sectors such as fintech, agritech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, machine learning, pharmaceuticals, space, and defence. Minister Goyal also held a bilateral meeting with Israel's Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, where discussions focused on strengthening investment linkages, expanding cooperation in financial technologies and enhancing regulatory collaboration to facilitate more robust economic exchanges. As part of his industry interactions, the Minister met senior leadership of leading Israeli companies, including Check Point (cybersecurity), IDE Technologies (water solutions), NTA (metro projects) and Netafim (precision agriculture). Discussions centred on cybersecurity collaboration, water and sewage management, urban mobility solutions and advanced irrigation technologies--areas closely aligned with India's development priorities. A significant milestone during the visit was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement. Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to boosting bilateral trade, investment, and technological cooperation and expressed confidence that negotiations would proceed constructively towards a balanced, mutually beneficial FTA. Minister Goyal also engaged with leading Israeli media and interacted with members of the diamond community, which continues to serve as a cornerstone of India-Israel trade relations. He later participated in the India-Israel CEOs Forum with Minister Barkat, where he underlined the resilience, depth and growing potential of the bilateral economic partnership. Minister Goyal's engagements reflected the shared commitment of India and Israel to deepen economic ties, expand technological collaboration and strengthen cooperation across sectors of strategic importance to both nations. (ANI) Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan visited a museum in Abu Dhabi, grabbing attention from the fans who celebrated the moment as a real-life "Karan-Arjun" reunion. Taking to his Instagram stories, Salman posted a video from their museum tour show. In the clip, SRK and the 'Dabangg' star are seen posing together in front of dinosaur fossil exhibits at the museum. They both looked stunning in formal attire. While Salman Khan wore a grey suit, Shah Rukh opted for a black blazer over a white shirt. Shah Rukh and Salman described their visit to the Natural History Museum of Abu Dhabi as a "mind-blowing" experience, as the duo toured the galleries and viewed the "biggest T. rex fossil". Calling the museum "the real Jurassic Park," both stars expressed amazement as they examined the dinosaur exhibit and rare geological artefacts on display. The actors' joint appearance has sparked widespread social media interest, and fans have highlighted the evident camaraderie between the two superstars. One of the fans wrote, "Karan Arjun" on the Instagram handle of teamshahrukhkhan. While another commented, "Pillar's of Bollywood" Shah Rukh and Salman were earlier seen attending the Joy Forum in Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the event, SRK shared his admiration for Salman and Aamir Khan, "I look up to Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. Look at me, I'm still looking up to Salman. I look up to them because of the kinds of ups and downs they've faced, and the work they've done, starting from scratch and working their way up to this. These people are aspirational and inspirational, and somewhere I feel really thankful that I have the opportunity to sit on the same stage." The 'Jawan' opened up about stardom and success in the film industry, saying, "Stardom of the level that Salman has seen, Aamir has seen, I've been fortunate enough to see, actually humbles you. It makes you grateful to all the forces around you. And one of the biggest forces are the audience who's loving you so much." Shah Rukh Khan is set to headline the upcoming action entertainer 'King', slated for release in 2026. On the occasion of his 60th birthday, the makers unveiled the film's official title and teaser. Salman Khan, meanwhile, will be seen donning the Indian Army uniform in Apoorva Lakhia's 'Battle of Galwan', based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes between India and China. Twenty Indian soldiers lost their lives in the confrontation on June 16, 2020. The clashes resulted in heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, leading to a range of activities such as surveying border areas to stop a "possible" Chinese aggression. Actor Chitrangda Singh has been paired opposite Salman in the film. (ANI) A mother from Ohio was left visibly shaken and traumatized after her husband fatally shot her two children and new partner before taking his own life in front of her. The incident began when officers were called to the home on Huss Street at around 6:24 p.m., where they found the woman "clearly in a state of shock." The Tiffin Police Department said that the mother of the two kids, aged seven years and seven months, was trying to gather her belongings from the home following domestic issues. Ohio Man Takes Own Life After Fatally Shooting 2 Children Law enforcement authorities added that the father of the eldest child, 29-year-old Dustin Willey, was helping the mother with the move. On the other hand, her husband and father of the younger child, 42-year-old Ryan Eagon, was thought to have been working out of town. Investigators then said that evidence suggested that the mother and Willey were inside the house fixing up the remaining items while the two children were outside near a car. Then, the two adults heard the seven-year-old boy cry out, and they went out to find Eagon in the driveway, according to WTAP. Read more: Washington High School Student Charged With Murder Over Plans of Shooting Witnesses told law enforcement officials that Eagon then chased Willey before firing several shots. He then turned his attention to the two children and shot both of them before going back to target the 29-year-old man. After shooting the three individuals, Eagon reportedly turned the gun on himself and took his own life. Law enforcement authorities and Tiffin Fire and Rescue then took Willey to Tiffin Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A Traumatizing Incident On the other hand, the seven-month-old child was pronounced dead at the home, while the seven-year-old boy was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police officials said that no shots were fired by the responding officers at the scene and that no officers were injured, WLBT reported. Agents with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation were later called to the scene of the crime to assist with the ongoing investigation. Police said that, as of Thursday morning, they were still processing evidence and conducting interviews. So far, police have not yet disclosed a clear motive for the killings, but confirmed that there were ongoing domestic issues and a planned separation between Eagon and the mother. They added that the timeline suggests that the suspect returned home earlier than expected and encountered the family while they were trying to move the belongings, as per Times Now News. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday said that many people in the state still have a communist mentality and that acts of violence, including arson and terrorism, have been imported from the CPI(M), as per an official release. According to the Tripura Chief Minister's Office (CMO), CM Saha said that the Bharatiya Janata Party never accepts politics based on terrorism. On Friday, the Chief Minister said this while visiting the houses of BJP workers affected by violence yesterday by Tipra Motha Party workers at the TTAADC headquarters, Khumulwng. After inspecting the violence-affected houses and workers, CM Saha said that wherever the communists ruled, be it Tripura, West Bengal, or Kerala, people have seen the traces of the way they ruled during that time. "Today, except for Kerala, they are not in power in two states. But their culture still remains in many parties. And our Bharatiya Janata Party and our government always believe in working for the people. The kind of violence they do, such as arson and terrorism, they have all acquired from the CPI(M). We do not accept this kind of politics under any circumstances. In this case, the police will do the work of the police. The law will do the work of the law. I will still say that there is time we have to come out of this. The same situation has been witnessed in West Bengal," he said. CM Saha said that there is no point in talking about Kerala. "Many of our parties, many places, and many individuals still have the mentality of communists. I am calling for people to come out of this mentality. Nothing can be forced or established. People will not accept it under any circumstances. We are seeing all this," he said. CM Saha said, "Today I came to Khumulwng and went to the house of the affected family. The woman of the house was brutally tortured. Their household belongings were looted. Jewellery and money were snatched. Everything, including the refrigerator, was destroyed." The Chief Minister also said that the party office had been destroyed. "Even before this, the party office was demolished and set on fire. This cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Therefore, whatever action needs to be taken in the coming days will be taken," he added. During the visit, the Chief Minister was accompanied by the Bharatiya Janata Party's general secretary Bipin Debbarma, local mandal presidents, and other leaders. (ANI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the six-month extension granted earlier this year to former Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, holding that the decision of the Centre did not warrant judicial interference. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, while pronouncing the order, stated, "We decline to interfere in the decision-making process regarding the extension granted and the discretion which was exercised by respondent No.1 (Government of India) to grant the benefit of a months extension." Saxena's extended tenure ended on September 30, following which he was appointed Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) for a term of three years. Prabodh Saxena, a 1990-batch IAS officer, was originally scheduled to retire on March 31. He was granted a six-month extension in March this year, a development he himself disclosed during a farewell dinner hosted by the Himachal IAS Officers Association on March 28. Considered close to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Saxena had taken charge as the state's Chief Secretary on December 31, 2022. The petition filed by advocate Atul Sharma sought quashing of the extension, arguing that it violated Central Service Rules and DoPT guidelines. The petitioner submitted that vigilance clearance should not have been granted since Saxena is an accused in a corruption case under the Prevention of Corruption Act related to the INX Media case. He pointed out that a chargesheet had already been filed and that Saxena had been granted exemption from personal appearance by the trial court on September 30, 2022. Saxena faces charges for decisions taken during his tenure as Director in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) between April 2008 and July 2010, when the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), responsible for clearing FDI proposals, functioned under the same department. Former Union finance minister P. Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram are also accused in the case. The High Court, however, held that the Centre acted within its powers under Rule 16 of the All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958. The order noted,"Once the Competent Authority was apprised with the background of the case pertaining to respondent No.3 (Prabodh Saxena) and keeping in view the exigencies and the requirements of the State stressed by the Chief Minister... the extension which was granted was within the ambit of Rule 16 of the Rules, 1958, and therefore, is not liable to be interfered with under Article 226." During the hearings, the Union Government informed the court that Chief Minister Sukhu had recommended a one-year extension, citing ongoing state projects and public interest considerations. The Centre eventually granted a six-month extension after assessing the request and circumstances. With the court dismissing the petition, the order effectively affirms the Centre's discretion in granting the extension and closes the legal challenge against Saxena's tenure extension. (ANI) The death of Wing Commander Naman Syal, who tragically lost his life in a Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show 2025, has left his native village in deep mourning. The 34-year-old pilot, originally from Patiyalkar village in Tehsil Nagrota Bagwan, is survived by his wife, also an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, their six-year-old daughter and his parents. Relatives and villagers gathered in his hometown, overwhelmed with grief, upon hearing the news of the tragic incident. Speaking to ANI, his uncle, Joginder Nath Syal, recalled the moment he learned of the crash, "We received information about the crash around 5:00 pm, when his father called me and told me to watch the news. People of the village have gathered here and all are very sad..." Ramesh Kumar, a relative of Wing Commander Syal, shared his sadness with ANI, added, "Namansh Syal's parents are currently at the Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. His wife, who also serves in the IAF, is in Kolkata for a course. His father, Jagannath Syal, served in the Indian Army's Medical Corps and later worked in the education department, retiring as a principal. The entire village is very sad today." He further added, "He's my brother-in-law... He was supposed to get a promotion. At 34, he was a squadron leader. He was a very humble man. " Earlier, the Indian Air Force announced the death of the Pilot after a Tejas aircraft crashed and burst into flames at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday. "An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," a statement by the Indian Air Force said. The IAF said a court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident in which the pilot succumbed to fatal injuries. The plane went down while performing an aerial display before a large crowd, local media reported. Khaleej Times reported that the fighter jet crashed into the ground soon after take-off. Photos and videos shared online show plumes of black smoke billowing into the air from the aircraft on the ground. The news outlet cited one eyewitness as saying, "As soon as the plane took off, it crashed. I am not sure which aircraft it was." Another eyewitness cited by the Khaleej Times said that helicopters and firefighters rushed to the scene. "It is all clear now," he said. "Within about 45 minutes, the entire incident was taken care of. We are not sure if the programme will restart." Gulf News reported that the show was temporarily halted, and visitors were directed back to the exhibition area. Rescue operations began immediately, it said. The Dubai Airshow, one of the largest airshows in the world, kicked off on November 17 and is set to run till November 24. More than 1,500 exhibitors are exhibiting at the show. (ANI) In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Border Security Force (BSF), in coordination with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), seized a large consignment of Yaba tablets and other narcotics valued at approximately Rs 9 crore in Tripura, officials said. The operation, based on specific intelligence, was conducted on Thursday when a joint team of BSF and DRI acted on a tip-off regarding the movement of drugs from Agartala towards Bishramganj. At around 8:30 AM, a Mobile Check Post (MCP) was set up near Gate No. 01 of SHQ BSF Gokulnagar. During routine checks, a Van with registration number TR 01 CH 0353 attempted to evade the checkpoint and fled towards Udaipur via the Bishalgarh Bypass Road. The joint team quickly gave chase and located the abandoned vehicle near Kalkaliya High School at approximately 9:30 AM. At about 0930 hrs, the vehicle was found abandoned near Kalkaliya High School. The area was cordoned off, and a thorough search of the car recovered 10 packets of Yaba tablets weighing approximately 10 kg and valued at around Rs 8 crore. Additionally, three cartons of Etaddol 100/Tapentadol 100 mg tablets containing approximately 750 boxes (each box containing 100 tablets) worth Rs 20,32,50/-, Indian currency amounting to Rs 25,400/-, and the Van valued at Rs 1,50,000/- were seized. The total value of the seizure is Rs 8,21,78,650/-. In a separate operation in Sonamura, based on specific intelligence inputs, the BSF also seized 1 kg of Yaba tablets. All seized items, including the vehicle, have been handed over to DRI Agartala for further legal action. The operation underscores the BSF's continued commitment to curbing narcotics trafficking along the Indo-Bangladesh border and highlights the strong inter-agency cooperation between the BSF and other enforcement agencies like the DRI in tackling cross-border smuggling and organised drug networks. (ANI) Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh on Friday accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "politically pressuring" the Election Commission (EC) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, ahead of the elections. Ghosh claimed that the EC is being misused to target genuine voters, alleging that real voters and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are committing suicide due to harassment. He demanded that absolutely no legitimate voter be removed while insisting that no illegal names remain on the voter list. Speaking to ANI, Ghosh said, "After the SIR happened in 2001, it took two years. Now elections are coming. Now, motivated by politics, they are pressuring the Election Commission. Real voters are committing suicide under pressure, BLOs are committing suicide... By misusing the Election Commission, the BJP is fulfilling its political agenda. We want that not a single real voter faces any trouble and not a single real voter's name is removed from the voter list, and not a single illegal voter's name remains..." Meanwhile, on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah called on citizens of the country to fully support the ongoing nationwide process of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying that the process is essential to protect the nation and democracy itself, with the exercise ensuring that "every single infiltrator" will be removed from the electoral list. Addressing the Border Security Force's 61st Raising Day event at Haripur in Bhuj, Gujarat, Shah said, "Mein aaj yeh yeh spasht karna chahta hu ki hum is desh mein se eke k ghuspetiye ko chun chun kar bahar nikalenge, yeh humara pran nhai (today I want to make it clear that we will single-handedly remove all the infiltrators from this country. This is our pledge.) The SIR is a process to protect the country and our democracy." Without naming the parties in the INDIA bloc, Shah said that "certain political parties" are trying to weaken the campaign for eliminating the so called infiltrators, while also warning that them that the Bihar elections have already given a mandate to the NDA. "Unfortunately, some political parties are trying to weaken the campaign to eliminate the infiltrators. These political parties are opposing the SIR process and the Election Commission's voter list sanitisation," the Union Minister said. (ANI) Girish Chandra Arya, All India Secretary of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), on Friday hailed the Central Government's implementation of four new labour codes, calling it a "historic day for India's workers." Speaking to ANI, Arya expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Labour Minister, stating that the new codes would eliminate the complexities of outdated labour laws, benefiting both employers and employees. "Today is a historic day for India's workers. The long-awaited four labour codes have been implemented. The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh has been demanding their implementation ever since these codes were enacted. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for this, and we welcome this step. We also express our special gratitude to the Labour Minister," Arya said. He further added, "This will provide a new direction for India's workers... our current laws were outdated and complex. They caused problems for both the employer and the employee. Now with the four codes, the complexity will be eliminated..." Meanwhile, in a historic decision, the Government of India has announced that the four Labour Codes, the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, are being made effective from 21st November, rationalising 29 existing labour laws. By modernising labour regulations, enhancing workers' welfare and aligning the labour ecosystem with the evolving world of work, this landmark move lays the foundation for a future-ready workforce and stronger, resilient industries driving labour reforms for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, many of India's labour laws were framed in the pre-Independence and early post-Independence era (1930s-1950s), at a time when the economy and world of work were fundamentally different. While most major economies have updated and consolidated their labour regulations in recent decades, India continued to operate under fragmented, complex and in several parts outdated provisions spread across 29 Central labour laws. These restrictive frameworks struggled to keep pace with changing economic realities and evolving forms of employment, creating uncertainty and increasing compliance burden for both workers and industry. The implementation of the four Labour Codes addresses this long-pending need to move beyond colonial-era structures and align with modern global trends. Together, these Codes empower both workers and enterprises, building a workforce that is protected, productive and aligned with the evolving world of work -- paving the way for a more resilient, competitive and self-reliant nation. (ANI) According to the Ministry of Defence, the two-day exercise witnessed the participation of over 6,000 personnel, more than 115 sea and air assets and a wide spectrum of central and state agencies, ports and coastal authorities. The exercise aimed to assess the preparedness of all participating agencies in handling coastal security emergencies, preventing attacks on vital coastal installations and further strengthening the multi-layered Coastal Security Network. It also sought to enhance synergy among central and state stakeholders responsible for coastal and maritime security. A wide range of maritime and aerial assets were mobilised, including Indian Navy and ICG ships, ICG Dornier aircraft, Chetak helicopters and Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs). Marine Police boats, Customs & CISF craft and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB) resources were also deployed, along with boats from the Police & Fisheries Department, ensuring seamless coordination across all operational domains. The exercise significantly enhanced interoperability, communication networks & coordination among security, intelligence and port management agencies. A wide spectrum of 19 central and 13 state agencies, along with the involvement of one major port, 21 minor ports and district-level coastal authorities, ensured comprehensive coverage of both sea and shore responses. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday extended his greetings to workers across the country on the nationwide implementation of the new Labour Codes, calling it a historic reform that strengthens the rights and welfare of India's workforce, as per an official release. In a post on X, Amit Shah said greetings to all workers across the country on the nationwide implementation of the new Labour Codes. He said that, enacted under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these codes represent the most significant reform in the history of Labour Laws. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Amit Shah said that these codes, which guarantee minimum wages, social security, equal opportunities for women workers, and legal recognition for gig and unorganised workers, will improve workers' living standards. They will also accelerate the creation of a developed and self-reliant India to become a role model for labour laws around the world. Thanks to Modi Ji for these historic codes. In a historic decision, the Government of India has announced that the four Labour Codes, the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, are being made effective from 21st November, rationalising 29 existing labour laws. By modernising labour regulations, enhancing workers' welfare and aligning the labour ecosystem with the evolving world of work, this landmark move lays the foundation for a future-ready workforce and stronger, resilient industries driving labour reforms for Aatmanirbhar Bharat. According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, many of India's labour laws were framed in the pre-Independence and early post-Independence era (1930s-1950s), at a time when the economy and world of work were fundamentally different. While most major economies have updated and consolidated their labour regulations in recent decades, India continued to operate under fragmented, complex and in several parts outdated provisions spread across 29 Central labour laws. These restrictive frameworks struggled to keep pace with changing economic realities and evolving forms of employment, creating uncertainty and increasing compliance burden for both workers and industry. The implementation of the four Labour Codes addresses this long-pending need to move beyond colonial-era structures and align with modern global trends. Together, these Codes empower both workers and enterprises, building a workforce that is protected, productive and aligned with the evolving world of work -- paving the way for a more resilient, competitive and self-reliant nation. (ANI) In preparation for the grand flag hoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple scheduled for November 25, a primary cleanliness drive was organised in Ayodhya here on Saturday. The initiative was aimed at ensuring the city and temple premises are spotless for devotees and dignitaries expected to attend the historic event. Officials from the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, along with local volunteers and members of various social organisations, actively participated in the cleanliness campaign. Sweeping, garbage collection, and road and surrounding area sanitisation were carried out across the city, particularly near the temple complex, to ensure a hygienic environment. Authorities said that special attention was given to areas where large crowds are expected during the ceremony. Dustbins and waste management facilities have been temporarily increased to manage the anticipated influx of visitors. Traffic diversions and crowd management measures were also coordinated to ensure smooth movement in and around the temple vicinity. The Ayodhya administration has been working closely with the temple trust to maintain high standards of hygiene and safety, Officials stressed the importance of keeping public areas clean to provide a safe and welcoming environment for pilgrims and tourists. Local residents and volunteers expressed their enthusiasm for participating in the drive, describing it as a matter of pride to contribute to the historic preparations for the temple ceremony. The administration also encouraged citizens to cooperate with sanitation teams and avoid littering during the celebrations. The flag hosting ceremony on November 25 is expected to attract devotees from across India. The cleanliness drive is part of a broader campaign to ensure the event runs smoothly and that the city presents a positive image to visitors and pilgrims. Authorities have reiterated that such efforts reflect the spirit of public participation and collective responsibility in maintaining sacred and historic spaces. (ANI) A pall of grief descended on Patiyalkar village in Tehsil Nagrota Bagwan of Kangra district on Friday as news spread of Wing Commander Naman Syal's tragic death in the Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show. The 34-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, known for his sharp skills and adventurous flying spirit, was participating in a demonstration when the mishap occurred. Wing Commander Syal, who hailed from the Nagrota Bagwan area, is survived by his wife (who is also an officer in the Indian Air Force), their six-year-old daughter and his parents. As the news reached his native village, relatives, neighbours and locals began gathering at his ancestral home with shock and sorrow. Mehar Chand, a villager, told ANI, "All of us are very sad to know about this accident. People are going to their house to show solidarity and express grief. The family is not here, but the extended family members are here. He was a brilliant child, and we are proud of him." Another resident, Madan, told ANI, "We cannot accept that someone so full of life and courage is no longer with us. The entire village is sad and shattered." Former village pradhan Shashi Dhiman said the late officer had always made the community proud. "Yesterday evening, my brother from Delhi told me about this unfortunate accident, and the entire village is very sad. His wife is in Chennai. His mortal remains will reach Chennai by evening. The last rites will be held here in Patiyalkar village," Shashi Dhiman told ANI. Lekhraj, another villager, told ANI, "Naman was our village's son. He was a wing commander on a very good post. He represented our village on the national stage. His death is a huge loss not just for his family but for the whole region. The entire village is grieving." Visual from Wing Commander Namansh Syal's native village, Patiyalkar in Kangra: Looking at the nature of the Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show 2025, defence expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retd.) speculated that the incident might have occurred due to the pilot losing control or a blackout due to the g-forces induced by gravity. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Captain Gaur said that the exact cause of the crash can only be determined after the data from the cockpit is retrieved. Expressing condolences to the family of Wing Commander Naman Syal, who tragically lost his life in the crash, Captain Gaur said, "It is sad that our Tejas jet was crashed during the Dubai air show and our brave pilot lost his life. From the visuals, it seems that the jet lost control during the acrobatics, or there might have been a pilot blackout. Blackout here means the excessive gravitational force." "Pilots wear a G-suit so that the blood does not pool in their legs; there might have been an issue with that. What exactly happened can only be determined once the cockpit data is retrieved. I express my condolences to the family of the pilot," he added. Excessive g-forces can cause blood to pool in the lower body, potentially leading to a pilot blackout. The Indian Air Force announced the death of the Pilot after a Tejas aircraft crashed and burst into flames at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday. The IAF said a court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident in which the pilot succumbed to fatal injuries. The plane went down while performing an aerial display before a large crowd, local media reported. Khaleej Times reported that the fighter jet crashed into the ground soon after take-off. Photos and videos shared online show plumes of black smoke billowing into the air from the aircraft on the ground. (ANI) China-ASEAN Legal Cooperation Forum opens in SW China Xinhua) 11:08, November 22, 2025 CHONGQING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The 7th China-ASEAN Legal Cooperation Forum opened in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Friday. Chen Wenqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening ceremony. Noting that the forum is an important platform for China and ASEAN countries to deepen legal exchanges and cooperation, attendees at the event suggested leveraging the forum to strengthen experience and academic exchanges in the legal sector. They also emphasized the need to promote the alignment of laws, rules, and standards in the fields of transport, digital economy, and green economy, as well as to optimize law enforcement cooperation in combating cross-border crimes and resolving cross-border disputes. Yuan Jiajun, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Chongqing municipal committee, also attended and addressed the opening ceremony. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is expecting to screen more than 17.8 million people from Tuesday, Nov. 25 to Tuesday, Dec. 2, with over 3 million just on Sunday, November 30th. "We are projecting that the Sunday after Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest travel days in TSA history," said Adam Stahl, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy TSA Administrator. "Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem, America is entering a Golden Age of Travel as record numbers of holiday travelers are taking to the skies. The majority of TSA's Top 10 Travel Days have happened since President Trump took office. We are extremely grateful for the tireless work of our TSA Officers, who showed up every day to ensure Americans can travel freely and safely despite the hardships imposed on them by the shutdown." More than 3 million travelers were screened on nine of the Top 10 highest volume days in TSA's history. Eight of the highest volume days have occurred in 2025 alone. TSA's current daily volume in 2025 is about 2.48 million, compared to 2.47 million in 2024. This represents a daily increase of about 14,000 travelers per day in 2025 over 2024. TSA offers these tips for all flyers as they plan their upcoming holiday travel: Have valid ID : Bring your REAL ID, passport, or other acceptable form of identification and have it out to show the TSA officer at the checkpoint entrance. : Bring your REAL ID, passport, or other acceptable form of identification and have it out to show the TSA officer at the checkpoint entrance. Pack smart : Listen to instructions from TSA officers while at the security checkpoint. Have questions about airport security? Text 275-872 ("AskTSA") to engage our virtual assistant 24/7. : Listen to instructions from TSA officers while at the security checkpoint. Have questions about airport security? Text 275-872 ("AskTSA") to engage our virtual assistant 24/7. Enroll in TSA PreCheck: Children 17 and under can join an adult with TSA PreCheck for free see guidelines here. Enroll through our extended BOGO offer starting tomorrow! Travelers with disabilities or medical conditions may contact TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 to request assistance while at the TSA checkpoint. For general information, visit TSA.gov. SOURCE Transportation Security Administration The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) has issued a show-cause notice to the Al-Falah University, asking why its minority status should not be withdrawn in light of linkages to the Delhi blast case, sources said. The Al-Falah University in Faridabad made the headlines after Dr Umar Nabi, who was driving the car with explosives, which exploded near the Red Fort on November 10, and accused Dr Muzammil Shakeel Ganai worked at the university. Fifteen people were killed in the blast, while several others were left injured. NCMEI sources told ANI that on Friday, they issued the notice, and the matter has been scheduled for a hearing on December 4. Notice has been issued to the university registrar as well as the Principal Secretary to the Education Department in Haryana to submit the report. Article 30(1) of the Constitution of India provides for linguistic and religious minorities a fundamental right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. The National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) is a quasi-judicial body and has been endowed with adjudicatory, advisory, and recommendatory powers for this purpose. The Central Government has notified six religious minority communities, including Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Jain. Earlier today, Faridabad police conducted search operations in the Dhauj village near Al-Falah University. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district issued a notice to remove the ancestral property of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chairman of Al Falah group, stating that the structure is an illegal construction raised on Defence Ministry land, an official said. The notice directed the occupants and legal heirs of the property to remove the structure within three days, or else the cantonment board would undertake removal action. In a recent development in the investigation surrounding Al-Falah University, several alarming details linking one ex-student to terror activities have emerged. According to intelligence reports, Umar Nabi is not the first individual associated with Al-Falah to be linked to terrorism. One alumnus from Al-Falah has previously been found involved in terrorist activities. The name that surfaced was that of Mirza Shadab Beg, one of the key members 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. (ANI) Preparations are underway for a major spiritual gathering, Magh Mela, to be held after the Maha Kumbh near the Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. As preparations for Magh Mela intensify, authorities are working around the clock to ready the temporary township that rises each year on the sandy banks of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. According to Dayanand Prashad, ADM of Apar Meladhikari, preparations for Magh Mela 2025-2026 are underway, with labelling work ongoing across all sectors. Teams from the PwD, Jal Nigam, and Electricity Department have been mobilised on-site to carry out their respective tasks. The first holy bath is scheduled for January 3, and all preparations are expected to be completed before then. "The preparations for Magh Mela 2025-2026 have begun. The water level of the Ganges river is being monitored continuously...Labelling work has begun in all sectors.... As soon as the water level of the Ganges river will come down... the work on the settlement of the sectors has also begun....The tenders of all departments have been completed. All departments have been mobilized on the spot to do their work.....PwD, Jal Nigam, Electricity Department have been mobilized on the spot to do their work...The tenders of the Mela Pradikaran and other sanitation tenders will be completed soon....All work will be completed by the time of the bath. The first bath is on 3rd January....All preparations will be completed before that and the bath will be completed successfully.", Prashad said. For nearly 40 days, the site hosts lakhs of devotees, many of whom come from India and abroad to participate in Kalpavas, a period dedicated to spiritual discipline, reflection, and religious discourse. Discussions on the purpose of life, the path to salvation and global harmony form an integral part of the tradition. However, this year, officials faced a significant challenge as stagnant water from the Ganga and Yamuna lingered along the riverbank for an extended period, complicating the layout and planning of the fair. With a heavy turnout expected following the Maha Kumbh, preparations are being scaled up accordingly. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also been reviewing the ongoing arrangements to ensure that the upcoming Magh Mela is conducted smoothly and safely. The Magh Mela of Prayag is a 45-day pilgrimage held at the sacred confluence known as the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet. This event occurs in the Hindu month of 'Magh,' which generally falls between January and February, and it will begin in the first week of January. Meanwhile, in preparation for the grand flag hoisting ceremony at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple scheduled for November 25, a primary cleanliness drive was organised in Ayodhya on Saturday. The initiative was aimed at ensuring the city and temple premises are spotless for devotees and dignitaries expected to attend the historic event. Officials from the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation, along with local volunteers and members of various social organisations, actively participated in the cleanliness campaign. Sweeping, garbage collection, and road and surrounding area sanitisation were carried out across the city, particularly near the temple complex, to ensure a hygienic environment. (ANI) The Delhi Police on Saturday sought time to file a sanction under section 195 CrPC against accused Sakariya Rajesh Bhai Khimji and Syed Tahsin Raza, who are accused in the Delhi CM Attack case. An FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station after the alleged attack on CM Rekha Gupta during a Jan Sunvai at her official residence in August. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Ekta Gauba Mann asked the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) if the sanction was not filed, then how was the cognisance taken? The SPP Pradeep Rana submitted that the sanction is pending at the home department. A complaint was forwarded through DCP much earlier. It was also submitted that there is a judgment of the Supreme Court which says that the sanction can be filed even after the filing of the charge sheet. A supplementary charge sheet containing the sanction will be filed within 2 weeks, and the SPP will be submitted. After hearing the submissions of counsel for Delhi Police, the matter for arguements on the charge was fixed for December 15. The court directed the investigation officer to ensure the sanction is filed within time. On November 10, Delhi's Tis Hazari Court had listed the case for hearing arguements on framing of charges. Delhi Police has already filed a charge sheet against two accused persons, and cognisance of the same has been taken. Additionally, the Police had also invoked sections of attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, etc in the FIR. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Pradeep Rana appeared through video conferencing (VC) alongwith advocate Kartik Gadi (Physically) for Delhi State. Earlier, on October 18, Delhi Police filed a charge sheet against the accused Sakariya Rajesh Bhai Khimji and Syed Tahsin Raza. They were arrested by the Delhi Police and are in judicial custody. The court has taken cognisance of the charge sheet. The Delhi Police arrested Sakariya Rajesh Bhai Khimji after he allegedly attacked the Delhi CM during a Jan Sunvai at her official residence at Civil Lines. Sakariya Rajesh Khimji, originally from Rajkot, Gujarat. During the investigation, his friend Syed Tahsin Raza was also arrested. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday strongly endorsed the National Council of Educational Research and Training's (NCERT) reported decision to remove the honorific "Great" from Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan in school history textbooks, saying he welcomed the move. Speaking at an event in Bongaigaon, the Assam CM said "very well done," and added in a sharp tone, "Tipu-Ipu ko maro ekdum. Jahan bhejna hai, udhar hi bhej do. Samundar mein phek do. (Beat up that Tipu. Send him wherever you want to. Throw him in the sea.)" "I have not seen whether they have done this. If they have done this, then many thanks to the NCERT from my side," the CM added, noting that such historical corrections were overdue. The move by the NCERT has reportedly been made in its history textbooks, triggering sharp political reactions across party lines. Responding to the move, Congress MP Imran Masood criticised it as an attempt to distort history. He stated that the revision is an attempt to erase the contributions of historical figures who played a significant role in shaping the subcontinent for centuries. "They ruled the country for 700 years. They didn't rule for just a day or two... You removed their names, but what will the removal or addition achieve? ... During their rule, GDP was 27 per cent. India was also called the golden bird. They came here and perished here. The last emperor got beheaded but he did not accept British slavery. He saw his sons' heads adorned on a platter. But he wouldn't accept slavery," the Congress MP said. He alleged that "those who knelt before the British" were now "enjoying themselves in the present government" and questioned why the descendants of those who "betrayed Rani Lakshmibai" were holding ministerial positions. Supporting the change, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Vinod Bansal said historical narratives had long been "distorted". "How can Akbar be great when Maharana Pratap is great? Are Akbar's misdeeds hidden from anyone? The glorification of Babur, Humayun, Akbar, and Aurangzeb cannot be allowed on the sacred land of Maharana Pratap," he said, thanking NCERT for the correction. (ANI) President Donald Trump on Friday described his meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the Oval Office as "great" and "very productive," according to CNN. Trump, a New York native, congratulated Mamdani on his election victory and said the two leaders found common ground on several key issues, including housing development and rising food prices. "We've just had a great meeting, a really good, very productive meeting. One thing in common, we want this city of ours that we love to do very well," the president said. "And I congratulated him, and we talked about some things in very strong common, like housing and getting housing built, and food prices. The price of oil is coming way down," President Trump told reporters, as per CNN. Trump also extended a gesture of goodwill toward Mamdani, suggesting he may even defy expectations across the political spectrum. "I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am. I will say there's no difference in party. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people," President Trump said as per CNN. Standing beside the president, Mamdani echoed Trump's assessment, describing the discussion as highly productive and focused on urgent cost-of-living challenges facing New Yorkers. "I appreciated the meeting with the president, as he said, it was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, New York City," Mamdani said, according to CNN. The mayor-elect added that they discussed issues driving residents out of the city, including rising rent, groceries and utilities. "We spoke about rent, we spoke about groceries, we spoke about utilities. We spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out. I appreciated the time with the president, I appreciated the conversation, and I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability for New Yorkers," Zohran Mamdani said as per CNN. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (local time) had a "fruitful interaction" with Indian-origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg, discussing their work across multiple sectors and encouraging closer engagement with India. During the meeting, the Prime Minister spoke about initiatives undertaken by entrepreneurs in FinTech, social media platforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, medical devices and other fields. "Had a fruitful interaction with Indian origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. They talked about the work they are doing in sectors such as FinTech, social media platforms, agriculture, education, healthcare, medical devices and more. Called upon them to deepen their engagement with India and work closely with our people," PM Modi wrote on 'X'. Jatin Bhatia, a tech entrepreneur who met PM Modi, said that in total, eight entrepreneurs met the Prime Minister. Bhatia informed that he is the founder of the social media platform, Expulger, which was launched in India in the year 2021. "We had a detailed meeting with the Prime Minister and it was very nice. Eight tech entrepreneurs were called, and I was one among them. I am the founder of a social media platform, which we launched in India in 2021. It's called Explurger... This is the world's first platform for travellers. I told Modi ji how more than 2 crore people from 75 countries have come together on this app," Bhatia said. Jatin Bhatia stressed that PM Modi's vision to boost tourism and stated that he didn't feel as if we were talking to a political leader or a head of state. He was talking to us like a tech-entrepreneur. "His vision is to boost tourism. When we were interacting with him, it didn't feel as if we were talking to a political leader or a head of state. He was talking to us like a tech-entrepreneur. He was asking us questions about technology, and it felt as if we were talking to a fellow tech entrepreneur. He asked the right questions. His suggestions were those of a visionary... A person like him holds the reins of our country, so it made us happy," he added. PM Modi will attend the summit from November 21 to 23, marking a significant milestone as the first G20 summit held on the African continent. He will discuss key issues related to India and the global south. 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 comprises major economies representing 85 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of international trade. The forum has identified priority areas under South Africa's presidency theme of 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability'. (ANI) During a meeting with New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, President Donald Trump struck a surprising tone, saying he would be "okay" if Mamdani continued to call him a "fascist", a label Mamdani had used previously during campaign rallies, CNN reported. When a reporter asked Mamdani whether he still stood by that characterisation, the mayor-elect began, "I've spoken about it...," but Trump quickly interjected. "That's okay. You can just say yes. It's easier than explaining it. I don't mind." Trump said. Earlier today, President Donald Trump described his meeting with New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the Oval Office as "great" and "very productive," according to CNN. Trump, a New York native, congratulated Mamdani on his election victory and said the two leaders found common ground on several key issues, including housing development and rising food prices. "We've just had a great meeting, a really good, very productive meeting. One thing in common, we want this city of ours that we love to do very well," the president said. "And I congratulated him, and we talked about some things in very strong common, like housing and getting housing built, and food prices. The price of oil is coming way down," President Trump told reporters, as per CNN. Trump also extended a gesture of goodwill toward Mamdani, suggesting he may even defy expectations across the political spectrum. "I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor. The better he does, the happier I am. I will say there's no difference in party. I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually, and some very liberal people," President Trump said as per CNN. Standing beside the president, Mamdani echoed Trump's assessment, describing the discussion as highly productive and focused on urgent cost-of-living challenges facing New Yorkers. "I appreciated the meeting with the president, as he said, it was a productive meeting focused on a place of shared admiration and love, New York City," Mamdani said, according to CNN. The mayor-elect added that they discussed issues driving residents out of the city, including rising rent, groceries and utilities. "We spoke about rent, we spoke about groceries, we spoke about utilities. We spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out. I appreciated the time with the president, I appreciated the conversation, and I look forward to working together to deliver that affordability for New Yorkers," Zohran Mamdani said as per CNN. (ANI) (ANI) Geraint Rees, Vice Provost for Research, Innovation and Global Engagement at University College London (UCL), on Friday said he would be visiting the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital to further strengthen ongoing collaborations. Speaking to ANI, Rees noted that India is among the major partners of UCL, asserting that these partnerships extend beyond academic publications and focus on building capabilities in advanced areas such as quantum computing, AI-driven medicine and assistive technologies. "I have been visiting IIT Delhi and AIIMS along with IISc Bengaluru. They are our major partners in India. What really excites me is that these partnerships are not just about research papers, they are about building capabilities, from quantum computing to AI-driven medicine and assistive technologies," Geraint Rees said. Furthermore, the Vice-Provost highlighted the potential of co-creation between UCL and India, beyond conventional collaboration. He mentioned that while UCL is witnessing a record number of Indian students in London, what is more significant is that many of these students return to India to launch ventures addressing real-world challenges, particularly in healthcare and climate technologies. "UCL's future with India is this potential to co-create, not just collaborate. In London, we are seeing a record number of Indian students coming to UCL, which is great, but more importantly, they are coming back to Delhi and going on to launch ventures to solve real problems like healthcare and climate technologies," he added. Rees emphasised the complementary strengths of the two nations, stating that India's scale combined with UCL's depth can generate technologies and capabilities that neither could achieve alone. "India has the scale and UCL has the depth, and together we can build the technologies and capabilities that we couldn't create alone," Rees added. (ANI) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) held coordinated demonstrations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Karachi to oppose the 27th Constitutional Amendment and the alleged mistreatment of PTI founder Imran Khan's sisters outside Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, Dawn reported. According to Dawn, police in Karachi detained around half a dozen people on Friday to stop them from reaching the scheduled protest venue. Rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were held on the directives of PTI's provincial president Junaid Akbar after TTAP announced its plan to march. District-level protests saw PTI workers chanting slogans while holding portraits of Imran Khan. Outside the Peshawar Press Club, dozens of party workers gathered at a demonstration addressed by Local Government Minister Meena Khan Afridi, MNA Sher Ali Arbab and PTI's district president Irfan Saleem, Dawn stated. Afridi told supporters that Imran Khan had given TTAP leadership two pathways, saying, "The first option is to hold negotiations with the powers that be to sort out all outstanding issues," adding that if talks fail, "the second option would be peaceful protest across the country." Afridi also criticised the immunity granted under the 27th Amendment, telling the crowd, "Immunity is un-Islamic, unethical and in violation of traditions." He said the amendment had undone the "1973 Constitution," which he described as a binding social contract. He urged the Insaf Lawyers Forum to challenge the amendment and mobilise public support. Saleem said the party's campaign for "the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law and human rights" would continue until its objectives were achieved. He criticised security agencies for allegedly detaining PTM workers after a recent grand 'jirga', arguing that "only the elected people have the right to rule Pakistan, while those imposed on the nation have no rights and are ruling the country illegally." As reported by Dawn, protests were also staged in multiple KP districts. In Swabi, PTI workers accused the federal government of serving "the establishment" since taking power through what they termed a fraudulent election. On the Swabi-Jahangira road, MNA Shahram Tarakai said that terrorists "have never been tried in the courts of Islamabad, but PTI leaders have been tried there to stop them from serving the people." In Mohmand's Mian Mandi Bazar, a large gathering led by MNA Sajid Khan and MPA Muhammad Israr rallied against what they called a "direct assault on Pakistan's constitution, judicial subjugation and extension scheme." Protesters waved black flags and shouted "Withdraw the 27th Amendment" and "Long Live the Constitution." MNA Khan claimed the amendment was designed "to block the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from the elections." Israr told participants that the treatment of Imran Khan's sisters was "beyond tolerance," asserting that "the establishment wants to completely dismantle the PTI." He said the rulers were using "Form 47" to undermine judicial independence. In Battagram, protesters gathered on the Karakoram Highway, holding placards to criticise the federal government. District president Niaz Muhammad Khan Trand said Pakistan was founded on Islamic principles and argued that accountability applied to all. He accused the PML-N government of trying to place itself "above the law through the 27th Amendment," adding it was intended "to conceal the government's mismanagement, corruption and administrative failures." He further alleged attempts to sideline PTI and its leadership, insisting the party remained the most popular political force in the country. Dawn reported that in Bajaur, a demonstration in the Sewai area of War Mamund tehsil drew scores of PTI supporters who shouted slogans against the PML-N-led federal coalition. They described the amendment as an effort to further damage the judicial system. In Punjab, PTI's Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza directed all party ticket holders to take part in the coordinated protest, urging them to wear black bands and carry placards. By evening, only scattered demonstrations were reported across the province. In a message posted on X, Hamza said the demonstrations had remained peaceful, stating that "participants held protest placards and staged a peaceful demonstration." (ANI) Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus received him after a Drukair flight carrying the Bhutanese leader landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) around 8:15 am (Local time). The two leaders held a brief meeting at the airport's VIP lounge, where Prime Minister Tobgay inquired about the damage and loss of lives caused by Friday's earthquake and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. Following the meeting, Tobgay was escorted to a makeshift saluting dais, where he was accorded a 19-gun salute and a guard of honour. After the airport ceremony, the Bhutanese Prime Minister departed for the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar to pay homage to the martyrs of Bangladesh's Liberation War. He will lay a wreath at the memorial's altar and sign the visitors' book. Bangladesh's foreign adviser and commerce adviser are expected to meet the Bhutanese leader in the afternoon before he holds a tete-a-tete with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at his office in the Tejgaon area around 3:00 pm. Prime Minister Tobgay will also attend an official banquet in his honour in the evening. (ANI) Blog Archive: Dec 2025 (42) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) After two days of violent protest, Simara city in the Bara district of Nepal is returning to normalcy, with security seen as the major concern for locals ahead of the upcoming election. Tension started to flare up in Simara Chowk of Bara district after CPN-UML cadres charged at the Gen-Z protestors who were staging a peaceful protest on Wednesday. Tension continued for the second day, with Gen-Z protestors alleging that police had let those inciting violence go free. "On Wednesday and Thursday, the situation was quite tense here. The Gen-Z were on the street in large numbers and protesting. (District) Leaders of the CPN-UML had attacked the Gen-Z (District Coordinator) Samrat (Upadhyay), which flared up the tension, but since yesterday, the condition is returning to normalcy," Gopal Rijal, an auto rickshaw driver in Simara, told ANI. The situation continued to simmer after the police arrested three individuals, who included two elected ward chairs from the CPN-UML -- Dhan Bahadur Shrestha and Kaimuddin Ansari. Shrestha is the chair of Ward 2, while Ansari is of Ward 6. Another accused, Arvind Sah, named as the main perpetrator and planner of the attack on the Gen-Z group, was arrested in Hetauda on Thursday night. "The situation around here had started to fall back to normal since yesterday morning. There hasn't been any violence or clashes since yesterday. The Gen-Z groups had gone for talks with the authorities in Pathlaiya. The situation has continued to remain normal; there isn't an environment of fear till now," said Lokendra Prasad Baral, another resident of Simara, to ANI as he continued his business on Saturday morning. The disgruntled Gen-Z protestors, on the late evening of Friday, reached a verbal agreement with the local authorities to address their demands. The two parties reached an agreement two days after the claimed attack on the Gen-Z youths by the CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist) cadres on Wednesday in Simara Chowk. As per the verbal agreement, the agitated group has given a three-day ultimatum to authorities to fulfil the demand; otherwise, they will again return to the streets. With about three months left for the parliamentary elections, the violence and clashes in Simara have increased concerns for locals in the Bara district. "Security has been a challenge now. There are numerous groups increasing the security challenges. This has increased the fear that it would hamper the conduct of the election, as the challenges have continued to pile up. There are many factions and sub-factions with their own interests, and there is a lack of unity and uniformity amongst the people themselves," Rijal said. The two-day protest in one of the districts in the southern plains of the Himalayan nation left at least six peopleinjured in the clashes. The police also had to use tear gas and fire into the air to disperse the protestors on Thursday. "After this incident, security has emerged to be a challenge for the government to conduct the election on March 5, 2026. The provocative statements given by the political leaders are irking the Gen-Z groups, for which the government should take some strict measures to maintain security," resident Baral told ANI. The Gen-Z protestors have demanded action against District Police Chief Santosh Tamang and Deputy Superintendent of Police Bed Prakash Joshi, prosecution of UML supporters involved in the assault, examination of call records of detainee Arbind Sah, free treatment and compensation for the injured, adding two names of alleged assailants to the existing complaint, and security for Gen-Z youth. The committee accepted all the demands. District Police Chief Tamang was on Friday night ordered to report back to the Police Headquarters in Kathmandu after the rising situation in Simara, which for now has been contained for a very brief time. (ANI) Tension between China and Japan has sharply escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made strong remarks in parliament early this month about a possible security threat from China over Taiwan. Beijing has now taken the matter to the United Nations, accusing Japan of making "erroneous" statements, Global Times reported. China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, on Friday wrote a formal letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, outlining Beijing's position on the "erroneous words and deeds" of Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi concerning Taiwan. The letter responds to Takaichi's comments on November 7, where she said that any "use of force on Taiwan" by China could become a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan. Following these comments, China reimposed its recently lifted ban on Japanese seafood imports and issued a travel alert for Chinese citizens visiting Japan. Fu said in his letter that Takaichi's comments were unprecedented since Japan's surrender in 1945. According to him, this is the first time a Japanese leader has linked Taiwan to Japan's collective self-defence rights and suggested armed involvement. He described her remarks as "extremely erroneous, highly dangerous, and extremely malicious." He added that Japan had ignored China's repeated protests and continued defending its position. Calling the remarks a violation of international law and a challenge to the post-war order, Fu said the statements were offensive to "more than 1.4 billion Chinese people" as well as Asian nations that suffered under Japanese aggression during World War II, Global Times reported. "The letter will be issued as an official document of the UN General Assembly and distributed to all member states," as per Global Times. Fu also warned that if Japan "dares to resort to armed intervention" in the Taiwan Strait, China would treat it as "an act of aggression" and exercise its right to self-defence under the UN Charter. He reminded Japan of its status as a defeated nation in World War II. He said Tokyo must "deeply reflect on its historical guilt," honour its commitments on the Taiwan issue, and withdraw its comments. He also repeated his earlier criticism that Japan is "totally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the Security Council." Tokyo has rejected Beijing's call for Takaichi to retract her remarks. Japan has argued that its statements reflect national security concerns and are based on its own interpretation of regional threats. Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Japan George Glass criticised China's ban on Japanese seafood imports and travel alert for Chinese citizens. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Glass said China's actions were "provocative" and its economic steps amounted to "coercion." "China's moves are very unhelpful and undermine regional stability," he said, calling it "a classic case of Chinese economic coercion," according to Kyodo News. (ANI) US President Donald Trump again repeated his long-standing claim that he played a central role in helping ease the conflict between India and Pakistan. He made the remarks during his meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House on Friday. Mamdani travelled to Washington for his first formal interaction with the president after his election victory, and the discussion took place in the Oval Office, where Trump called the meeting "great" and said he "enjoyed" speaking with him. As the two leaders stood together, Trump once again referred to the May standoff between India and Pakistan, saying, "I did eight peace deals of countries, including India and Pakistan," reiterating his position that his administration was instrumental in bringing the situation under control. His remarks were in line with similar statements he has made throughout the week. On Wednesday, he claimed he threatened both India and Pakistan with 350 per cent tariffs if they did not halt hostilities, insisting he played a decisive role in ending the confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Trump has further maintained that Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him "we're not going to go to war," a point he has repeatedly highlighted. Since May 10, when he wrote on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire after a "long night" of discussions facilitated by Washington, he has stated more than 60 times that he "helped settle" the tensions. India, however, has consistently rejected suggestions of any third-party mediation. New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed in the name of religion. After four days of heavy drone and missile exchanges, both sides reached an understanding on May 10 to end the hostilities. Mamdani's appearance at the White House came soon after his landmark victory as Mayor of New York City, which made him the first South Asian and first Muslim to lead the largest city in the United States. Widely viewed as the favourite throughout the campaign, he defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who mounted an independent run and received a last-minute endorsement from Trump hours.. Mamdani, of Indian heritage, is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. Born in Kampala, Uganda, he moved to New York at the age of seven and became a naturalised US citizen in 2018. (ANI) During his official engagements on November 21, Goyal met Israel's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Avi Dichter, for detailed discussions on boosting agricultural partnership. Dichter briefed him on Israel's long-term 25-year food-security roadmap, the country's seed-improvement techniques and its globally recognised water-reuse technologies. Goyal also visited the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation, where officials showcased Israel's cutting-edge innovations, including drip-irrigation systems, stent technologies, the Iron Dome air-defence system and several emerging virtual-reality solutions. He described the Peres Centre as "an inspiring institution that reflects Israel's journey of creativity, innovation and social impact," the press statement noted. As part of his tech-focused engagements, the Minister experienced Israel's advancements in mobility through an autonomous-drive demonstration by Mobileye. He also visited Kibbutz Ramat Rachel to understand its community-led model of sustainable agriculture and cooperative living. A day earlier, on November 20, Goyal met Israel's Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, to review bilateral trade and identify new areas of cooperation. Both leaders later attended the India-Israel Business Forum, where industry representatives from both countries held B2B discussions on technology, agriculture, defence, advanced manufacturing and innovation. Addressing the gathering, Goyal said India and Israel share a "trust-based foundation" and highlighted opportunities in fintech, agritech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, pharmaceuticals, space and defence. Goyal also met Israel's Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, for talks on investment partnerships, financial-technology cooperation and regulatory collaboration. As part of his outreach to industry, he held discussions with senior leadership from major Israeli companies such as Check Point (cybersecurity), IDE Technologies (water solutions), NTA (metro projects) and Netafim (precision agriculture). Talks focused on cybersecurity, urban mobility, water and sewage management and advanced irrigation solutions, areas important for India's development goals. A key outcome of the visit was the signing of the Terms of Reference for the India-Israel Free Trade Agreement. Both sides expressed confidence that negotiations will move forward positively towards a balanced and mutually beneficial FTA. Goyal also interacted with Israeli media and members of the diamond industry, a long-standing pillar of India-Israel trade links. Later, he joined the India-Israel CEOs Forum with Minister Barkat, where he highlighted the strength and future potential of the bilateral economic partnership. The Minister's engagements demonstrated the commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation across sectors that are strategically important for India and Israel. (ANI) On the first day of the G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (local time) held meetings with several key global leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, among others. Following his interaction with German Chancellor Merz, PM Modi described India-Germany ties as "robust" across multiple sectors, including trade, technology and innovation. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992276865546068107?s=20 "It was wonderful to meet German Chancellor, Mr. Friedrich Merz. India's ties with Germany are robust, especially in areas such as trade, technology, innovation and more," PM Modi said in a post on X. The Prime Minister also met with his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, during which he noted that the India-UK partnership has received "new energy" this year. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992196171750863175?s=20 "It was wonderful meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Johannesburg. This year has brought new energy to the India-UK partnership and we will keep driving it forward across many domains," he added in another X post. PM Modi held a " very productive conversation" with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres on the sidelines of the Summit, emphasising India's continued engagement on global issues and multilateral cooperation. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992191938511143387?s=20 "A very productive conversation with the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the G20 Johannesburg Summit," the PM said in a post on X. Speaking at the first session of the G20 Summit, PM Modi emphasised the need to reconsider global development parameters, particularly as Africa hosts the G20 Summit for the first time. "Spoke at the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which focused on inclusive and sustainable growth. With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. India's civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism, offer a way forward," PM Modi said in a post on X. "I proposed a few actionables to realise our dream of all-round growth. First among them is the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing. Africa's progress is vital for global progress. India has always stood in solidarity with Africa. I am proud of the fact that it was during India's G20 Presidency that the African Union became a permanent G20 member. Taking forward this spirit, India proposes a G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative. Our collective goal should be to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade," he added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and reaffirmed that India and Brazil will continue to work closely to strengthen bilateral relations. "It is always a delight to meet President Lula. India and Brazil will continue to work closely to boost trade and cultural linkages for the benefit of our people," PM Modi said in a post on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992217940549304647?s=20 Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister emphasised that global developmental parameters need to be revisited, especially as Africa hosts the G20 Summit for the first time. He highlighted that India's civilisational values, particularly the principle of Integral Humanism, offer guidance for inclusive and sustainable growth. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, "Spoke at the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which focused on inclusive and sustainable growth. With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. India's civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism, offer a way forward." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1992175772493361299?s=20 He further outlined actionable measures aimed at achieving all-round development. "I proposed a few actionables to realise our dream of all-round growth. First among them is the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing. Africa's progress is vital for global progress. India has always stood in solidarity with Africa. I am proud of the fact that it was during India's G20 Presidency that the African Union became a permanent G20 member. Taking forward this spirit, India proposes a G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative. Our collective goal should be to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade," he added. (ANI) NAHA, Nov 22 (News On Japan) - Culling of bears in Hokkaido has surged to unprecedented levels this fiscal year, with 963 animals killed across the prefecture as sightings and human attacks rise at a record pace, prompting local governments and disposal facilities to struggle with the sheer volume of carcasses awaiting processing. A massive 400-kilogram bear was recently captured on video prowling through deep snow and toppling a 300-kilogram box trap loaded with deer meat, illustrating how the animals search for food has expanded as poor harvests of nuts and berries drive them into populated areas. Human injuries from bear encounters are mounting, and municipalities are running out of ways to handle the growing number of culled animals. At the Nanbu Hiyama Sanitation Union, Ueto, the head of the facility, said operations ran at full capacity in September and October, adding that the numbers this year are simply abnormal. In Kaminokuni, located in southern Hokkaido, the situation has escalated dramatically. The town, which saw only six bears culled last year, has already processed 104 since Januaryroughly 17 times more. Staff at the town office have been inundated with response duties to the point of disrupting normal administrative work. A freezer located near the office is now used to temporarily store carcasses that hunters bring in after culling and dismantling the animals, a stopgap introduced only this year because same-day transport to disposal plants has become difficult. Sugino, head of the towns agriculture and forestry division, explained that the freezer was necessary because carcasses left at ambient temperatures in summer quickly rot and produce strong odors. However, the freezer fits only one bear, and during peak periods carcasses exceeded its capacity. At times we had no choice but to place them temporarily around the freezer, Sugino said. Weve never experienced culls on this scale. At the Nanbu Hiyama Cleaning Center in Esashi, which handles waste for five towns including Kaminokuni, the strain is acute. Ueto said the facility incinerated roughly 30 bears last year but has already processed more than 120 this year. Each incineration requires around 100 liters of kerosene; the plant used 3,000 liters last year but has already consumed more than 7,000 liters in 2024, doubling fuel costs. Capacity is another critical limit. We can only burn two bears per day, Ueto said. When we fall behind, the carcasses start to decay, so in those cases we have no option but to bury them. Until now, almost everything was properly incinerated, so we have very little experience with landfill disposal. As authorities struggle with disposal, chefs are exploring how to incorporate bear meat into cuisine as a form of lifes cycle. Fujimoto, head chef of the French restaurant Les Canetiers in Sapporos Nishi Ward, has been serving Hokkaido brown bear dishes for about five years. He said the key is to soften the meats distinctive aroma while retaining a subtle wild character. If we can turn a life that has been taken into nourishment for people, then its our job to prepare it deliciously, he said. Fujimoto sources bear meat directly from hunters in towns such as Biei and Kamifurano. Using classic French techniques, he tempers the scent with herbs and transforms the meat into dishes he describes as uniquely flavorful, with firm but tender fibers. The restaurant offers bear as part of its dinner courses, beginning at 11,000 yen, and uses bones and connective tissue to make consomme, ensuring minimal waste. Reporters who sampled the dishes described them as unexpectedly mild, with a pleasant chew and soft texture. Fujimoto believes bear meat has the potential to become a signature Hokkaido ingredient, saying he hopes to convey that the animaloften associated with fearhas another side when appreciated as food. However, he acknowledged the challenges in expanding its use: brown bears are far fewer in number than Ezo deer, capturing them is dangerous, and maintaining freshness requires processing within one to two hours of the kill, making speed essential. Asked how long bears will remain active this season, Horiuchi, a commentator on the program, said they consulted Professor Sato at Rakuno Gakuen University for insight. Source: HBC Once hailed as a leader of Spains radical left, Pablo Iglesias Turrion has now become a fallen politician clinging to relevance through incendiary anti-Moroccan populist rhetoric on Sahara. The former leader of Podemos, who rose to prominence in 2014 promising to sweep away Spains corrupt caste, has long been a vocal advocate for the Polisario separatist militias and has turned a blind eye on the groups crimes both within Algeria and outside it. His partys electoral program even called for full diplomatic recognition of the self-declared Polisario entity which is backed by Algeria and widely viewed as a proxy militia. That stance earned Iglesias plaudits in Algiers, generous media exposure, and, according to Spanish press, discreet financial support. Iglesias cultivated an image of false defiance by fixating on Morocco while branding his own government as a traitor to Sahrawis, and railing against the Spanish monarchy. His confrontational style, peppered with insults toward journalists and rivals, fractured Podemos internally and alienated moderate voters. By 2021, the party stagnated at 7% in Madrids regional elections. Iglesias admitted defeat and abruptly quit politics, amid swirling allegations of financial irregularities and misuse of public funds involving his partner, then-minister Irene Montero. Today, Iglesias presides over Canal Red, an online TV channel where he hosts La Base, a talk show steeped in ideological polemics and anachronism. His favorite theme? The Polisario. In November 2025, days after the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2797 urging restraint, Iglesias urged the separatist group to take up arms against Morocco, inciting violence and terrorism. Iglesias has never set foot in the Sahara or the Polisario-run camps. His narrative mirrors Algerias talking points, amplified by European far-left networks in search of a cause. For many in Spain, he has become a caricature, or rather a man playing with the fire of armed conflict, oblivious to the human cost. His stance is that of defending the legacy of colonialism and colonial borders just like Algerias. An experimental Chinese nuclear plant reportedly just crossed a historic threshold, successfully operating the worlds first thorium-based molten salt reactor (TMSR). The Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics has broken a major scientific barrier by successfully converting thorium to uranium in a historic first. The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reports that the breakthrough, which took place at an experimental reactor out in the Gobi Desert, is poised to reshape the future of clean sustainable nuclear energy. The process works by using a precise sequence of nuclear reactions in which naturally occurring thorium-232 absorbs a neutron, becoming thorium-233. Through a decay process, that isotope breaks down into protactinium-233 and then finally into uranium-233, a potent form of nuclear fuel that can sustain chain reactions for nuclear fission. While this breakthrough was just publicized this month by a report by Science and Technology Daily, the TMSR has apparently been operational for years. Li Qingnuan, Communist Party secretary and deputy director at the Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, told the outlet that since achieving first criticality on October 11, 2023, the thorium molten salt reactor has been steadily generating heat through nuclear fission. If the reports are true, this breakthrough would signal an incredible leap forward in a nuclear technology race that China is already winning handily. Although the United States is still the worlds biggest producer of nuclear energy, that status wont last much longer. In the same time period that the United States built the overdue and over-budget Plant Vogtle, China built 13 reactors of similar scale, and has 33 more on the way. Beijing is also making major forays into the nuclear sectors of emerging economies, with particularly concerted efforts in Africa. The Chinese are moving very, very fast, Mark Hibbs, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and expert on the Chinese nuclear sector, told the New York Times. They are very keen to show the world that their program is unstoppable. But while China has invested huge sums of money and manpower into becoming a global nuclear energy innovator and superpower, the nation lacks sufficient uranium to power its lofty goals. While nuclear power production growth is dominated by China, uranium supply chains are dominated by Russia, which is home to nearly half (approximately 44 percent) of all global uranium enrichment capacity. China has been buying up more and more of Russias uranium, but reliance on exports is both risky and antithetical to Chinas ethos of domestic energy independence and international energy dominance. Russias outsized presence in the nuclear fuel supply chain has resulted in some degree of risk and market volatility, as the Kremlin has shown that it is not afraid to use enriched uranium for political leverage. The nuclear energy supply chain sits atop the clean technology risk pyramid, warned a recent article from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Beyond standard supply chain considerations, nuclear exports are subject to a suite of safety and security concerns, and overreliance on a single technology or fuel provider can create significant dependencies given the limited number of suppliers and distinct intellectual property (IP). By sidestepping the uranium supply chain issue by using thorium instead, China is leaping over a critical hurdle and straight over the finish line for global nuclear power sector domination. Thorium is much more accessible and abundant than uranium, and could theoretically solve all of Chinas nuclear fuel problems. According to the South China Morning Post, just one mining site in Inner Mongolia is estimated to hold enough of the element to power China entirely for more than 1,000 years. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com African climate leaders are asserting that the continent, which holds over 30 percent of the worlds critical minerals, should become an industrial actor in the clean energy transition, as local solar manufacturing can be cost-competitive with China. Africa is at a crossroads, balancing the immediate benefits of cheap Chinese solar technology and investment against the long-term goal of achieving energy independence and sovereignty. Africa is at a clean energy crossroads. Cheap solar panels and critical lines of funding from China are affording the continent the opportunity to develop the African clean energy sector, but this access to affordable supply chains and abundant international investment comes at the cost of the continents energy sovereignty. African leaders must now decide if they want to take the low-hanging fruit of cooperation with China, or take the much harder road of forging their own supply chains for aid-free energy independence. Africa is in a tough spot when it comes to energy development. The resource-rich, cash-poor continent is facing twin development and population booms. As more and more people start to connect to African grids, energy demand across the continent is set to skyrocket. But instead of building out its naturally abundant fossil fuel resources, as developed nations have previously done, Africa is expected to leapfrog over this next phase of development and dive straight into a clean energy revolution. This is a tall order. At present, Africa has some of the most underdeveloped energy grids in the world, with around 600 million people lacking access to electricity entirely. Without heroic levels of investment and expansion, this gap is going to yawn ever wider as the continents energy demand increases by a projected factor of three over the next decade as sub-Saharan Africa grows, develops, and industrializes. Africas population is expected to double between now and 2050, and by midcentury a quarter of the global population will be in sub-Saharan Africa. In light of this population and development boom, meeting projected demand will require power generation capacity to increase ten-fold by 2065. Recognizing the scale of this challenge, rich nations promised to funnel billions of dollars of climate financing into developing economies to help meet international climate goals as well as to pay a sort of climate reparations. Africa is the continent that contributes the least to greenhouse gas emissions, both per capita and in total, but stands to suffer the most from a changing climate. But the promise of climate financing never came to fruition, with rich nations continuously breaking their pledges and falling short of paying their fair share of climate funding. Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here With an intensifying energy trilemma and a trail of broken international promises, African leaders have not had the luxury of being choosy about their development pathways and China has recognized a golden opportunity to cash in on the African opportunity at the ground floor, cementing its influence in the region. However, many African leaders are asserting that it is high time to keep Africas wealth in Africa. African climate leaders say the continent, which holds more than 30 percent of the worlds critical minerals, should be an industrial actor not an importer in the clean energy transition, Clean Technica reported earlier this week. This was one of the key points raised by Carlos Lopes, special envoy for Africa for the president of the COP30 climate conference currently taking place in Brazil. He suggested that money spent on importing panels, turbines, and software could be used to fund African clean energy design labs and create regional research hubs where local engineers could adapt foreign technology, Clean Technica reports. A 2023 study from the UN-backed organization Sustainable Energy for All (an organization) found that solar module manufacturing in some African countries was already cost competitive with equivalent manufacturing in China. If harnessed, this could help jettison Africa into major-player status in global clean energy manufacturing. However, this will ultimately do little to solve the continents energy insecurity if all of the panels it produces are destined for foreign markets a likely outcome without strong political coordination and cooperation across Africa. International development specialists have stressed for years that African countries risk being exploited for their abundant energy resources without controlling the benefits. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com After selecting Rolls-Royce as the United Kingdoms preferred bidder to build the countrys first small modular reactors (SMRs), the government has confirmed the start of project development in Wales. The development of SMR technology is expected to help the U.K. expand its nuclear power capacity, as well as become a competitive SMR power. However, the United States Trump administration, which recently signed an agreement with the U.K. for SMR development, does not support the choice of a British company for the development of the technology. In June, the U.K. government announced that Rolls-Royce SMR had been selected as the preferred bidder to partner with Great British Energy Nuclear (GBE-N) to develop SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. The government pledged almost $3.3 billion for the SMR programme, expecting to support the creation of 3,000 new skilled jobs and power the equivalent of roughly 3 million homes with clean, domestic energy. The SMR project marks a major shift in the U.K.s approach to nuclear energy, as it develops the first two major conventional nuclear plants in several decades and invests in new nuclear technologies. SMRs are smaller and faster to build than conventional nuclear reactors, and their modular nature means that more capacity can be added as required. In November, the government announced plans to develop a first-of-its-kind nuclear power station on the Welsh island of Anglesey. The plant at Wylfa will be home to three SMRs, although it will have space for up to eight, with works expected to commence in 2026 and first power generation in the mid-2030s. The existing nuclear plant at Wylfa was powered down in 2015, and previous plans for a large-scale replacement were scrapped in 2021. The new project is expected to bring a much-needed boost to Angleseys economy, as well as provide jobs for several decades. Prime Minister Kier Starmer said, Britain was once a world leader in nuclear power, but years of neglect and inertia have meant places like Anglesey have been let down and left behind. Today, that changes." The First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, supports the project and has been pressing the case at every opportunity for Wylfa's incredible benefits. Meanwhile, the U.K. energy minister, Ed Miliband, said that Britain is in the race for new reactors. Miliband said in a radio interview that the aim is to work with local colleges to make sure that there are local skills providers, skills training opportunities, so local people get these jobs. The SMRs will be built in a modular format in factories before being shipped to site to be assembled. However, several challenges remain, including getting regulatory approval, building the SMR factories, and training the workforce to operate the sites. Rolls-Royce will build on its experience developing reactors for Britains nuclear submarines to develop the SMRs. Since promoting its SMR business, the British firm has attracted several investors, including the UAEs sovereign wealth fund the Qatar Investment Authority, the American utility Constellation, and CEZ, the Czech Republics power company. While the new project offers high hopes for the development of the U.K.s nuclear energy industry, U.S. President Trump is less than happy with Prime Minister Starmers selection of Rolls-Royce for the job. The U.S. was reportedly hoping that the U.K. government would choose American Westinghouse Electric Company to develop a conventional nuclear plant at Wylfa. Before the Anglesey project was announced, the U.S. ambassador Warren Stephens published a statement saying that Britain should choose a different path in Wales. We are extremely disappointed by this decision, not least because there are cheaper, faster and already-approved options to provide clean, safe energy at this same location, Stephens stated. The ambassadors response follows the signing of a nuclear partnership between the U.K. and the U.S. in September, with a potential value of $100 billion. However, a source close to the U.K. government said, This is the right choice for Britain. This is our flagship SMR programme, producing homegrown clean power with a British company, and we have chosen the best site for it. Nevertheless, the U.K. government said that developing SMRs at Wylfa doesnt close the door" to a U.S. manufacturer working on a future project. GBE-N is also assessing different sites in the U.K. for the potential development of another large-scale nuclear power plant, like Hinkley Point in Somerset and Sizewell C in Suffolk, which are currently being developed and are expected to power around six million homes once complete. Despite the agreement for greater cooperation between the U.K. and the U.S. on nuclear power, the U.K. government has chosen a British company to develop its first SMR project, showing its support for the development of domestic nuclear technologies. The project is expected to make the U.K. highly competitive in the field of SMR reactor development over the coming decade, as well as diversify the countrys nuclear power industry. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted in 2023 that the global peak in oil demand would likely take place by 2030, as governments worldwide introduced plans for a green transition and fossil fuel companies began to diversify their portfolios to include renewable alternatives. However, this month, the IEA has backtracked on this prediction, stating that oil demand could continue growing through to 2050. This reflects a U-turn by many countries on climate commitments and by oil and gas companies on energy diversification efforts. In the IEA World Energy Outlook, published in November, the organisation backtracked on its previous prediction by suggesting that the global oil and gas demand could continue growing until the mid-century, 20 years longer than previously anticipated. Demand will be driven by industry, residential power and the tech industry, as several companies invest heavily in power-hungry data centres to support the rollout of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Under the current policies scenario (CPS), the IEA expects oil demand to reach as much as 113 million barrels by 2050, marking an increase of 13 percent from 2024 consumption, as governments prioritise their energy security over a shift to green. This year, for the first time since 2019, the IEA used a scenario based on existing government policies rather than climate ambitions, following mounting pressure from the Trump administration to return to this assessment method. The previous, more ambitious scenarios considered the green transition aims of governments worldwide, including the accelerated uptake of electric vehicles in some regions of the world. The IEA previously warned that to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, there must be no new investments in coal, oil, and gas projects. However, many countries continue to invest heavily in fossil fuels to meet their rising energy demand. Several new LNG projects have been approved this year, which are expected to result in roughly 300 billion cubic metres (bcm) of new annual LNG export capacity coming online by 2030. The IEA now expects the global LNG market to rise from about 560 bcm in 2024 to 880 bcm in 2035, and to 1,020 bcm in 2050. This increase responds significantly to the rising power demand from tech companies looking to power data centres. Several fossil fuel industry players have long criticised the IEA 2030 peak oil demand prediction, instead suggesting that the world will rely heavily on oil and gas for several more years, as countries slowly ramp up their renewable energy capacity. In 2023, following the IEA prediction, the U.S. oil major ExxonMobil forecastthat oil and gas would contribute over half the worlds energy mix in 2050, at around 67 percent. The CEO of Saudi Arabias state-owned oil company, Aramco, Amin Nasser, called for more realistic predictions. A transition strategy reset is urgently needed, and my proposal is this: We should abandon the fantasy of phasing out oil and gas and instead invest in them adequately, reflecting realistic demand assumptions, he stated in 2023. Meanwhile, OPEC accused the IEA of fearmongering and threatening the stability of the global economy, while the U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the IEAs peak demand outlook was nonsensical. Now that the IEA has updated its prediction, based on the CPS scenario and the rising global demand for power, the question is what that will mean for the world as it continues to guzzle vast quantities of fossil fuels. The IEA also predicts that we will fail to meet the Paris Agreement target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times. The 1.5-degree threshold was established as it reflected the tipping point recognised by climate scientists, with any temperature higher than this potentially causing irreversible changes to some of Earths largest systems. Nonetheless, some energy experts remain optimistic about the outlook. The IEA said that it decided to move back to the CPS approach, not because of pressure from the U.S., but as the world has passed through the pandemic and global energy crisis and there is merit in revisiting the CPS. However, Dave Jones, the chief analyst at energy research firm Ember, explained, Theres a revolution happening right now and its in renewables and electrification, and Scenarios based on policies and legislation are behind the curve of technology change. The rate of renewable energy uptake and the speed of the shift away from fossil fuels will depend greatly on the ability of countries to diversify their energy sources and invest in battery storage to boost the stability of green energy operations. Meanwhile, the move away from clean energy commitments by the United States is expected to have a knock-on effect on the international green transition, as it continues to be the worlds biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Nearly 200 countries approved the deal by consensus after two weeks of climate negotiations on the fringes of the rainforest. Nations sealed a modest agreement at the UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon on Saturday as many countries swallowed weaker terms on a fossil fuel phaseout to preserve unity. Nearly 200 countries approved the deal by consensus after two weeks of exhaustive negotiations on the fringes of the rainforest, with the notable absence of the United States as President Donald Trump shunned the talks. Applause rang out as the gavel was brought down in steamy Belem, capping a dramatic summit that witnessed raucous protests, a damaging fire and massive street marches. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who staked political capital on the success of COP30, said the pact was proof that a fractured world could still unite in crisis. "The international community faced a choice: to continue or to give up. We chose the first option," Lula said in South Africa, where he was attending a G20 summit. "Multilateralism won." There was less euphoria in Belem, where defeated European ministers admitted they only took the watered-down deal to keep the entire process from imploding. "We're not going to hide the fact that we would have preferred to have more," said EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra. Later, he added, "I know it's a bit intangible, but there is huge value in doing stuff together." The head of China's delegation at COP30, Li Gao, told AFP that the summit will go down as a success. COP30: Country commitments for 2035. "We achieved this success in a very difficult situation, so it shows that the international community would like to show solidarity and make joint efforts to address climate change," Li said. India hailed a "meaningful" deal in a statement read on behalf of major emerging markets Brazil, South Africa, India and China. The Alliance of Small Island Statesa bloc of 39 of the world's most climate-imperiled nationssaid the deal was "imperfect, but necessary progress" for a global body that operates by consensus. Fossil fuels flop Dozens of countries had threatened to walk away from the talks without an exit strategy from oil, gas and coalinstead, the deal points to a previous pact on fossil fuels, without explicitly using those words. "We know some of you had greater ambitions for some of the issues at hand," said COP30 president Andre Correa do Lago, who offered to create a voluntary "roadmap" away from fossil fuels as a consolation. Colombia "does not accept" the deal, said President Gustavo Petro, whose country is hosting a world-first summit on a fossil fuel phaseout in April next year. The roadmap idea picked up pace after an early endorsement from Lula, but ran into predictable opposition from oil giants like Saudi Arabia, coal producer India, and others. "President Lula set the bar high in calling for roadmaps to end fossil fuels and deforestation, but a divided multilateral landscape was unable to hurdle it," said Carolina Pasquali from Greenpeace Brazil. A fire erupted in the COP30 venue on the second-to-last day. Money and trade Brazil sought to manage expectations of landing a major deal given the state of geopolitics and a hostile United States. Even so, optimism took root that Brazila champion of developing nations and home to the world's biggest rainforestcould pull something out of the bag. In a coup for developing countries, the world agreed to "at least triple" by 2035 money for poorer nations to adapt to climate change. But this was the bare minimum, one negotiator from Bangladesh told AFP, vowing the "fight will continue." Raju Pandit, a negotiator from Nepal, said the summit "had not met the expectations of climate vulnerable countries." In what was seen as a win for China, strong language around trade measures was also included for the first time in a COP deal. 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. COP in the Amazon Away from the politics, the summit departed sharply in feel compared to COPs of recent years staged in tightly-controlled authoritarian petrostates. Indigenous protesters blocked the COP30 entrance during the talks. Tens of thousands of people marched in a carnival-like atmosphere on the streets while inside the venue, protesters chanted in the corridors. But there were unexpectedand less welcomemoments of drama as well. A large fire erupted inside the venue on the second-to-last day, burning through the fabric ceiling and creating a panicked rush for the exits as smoke filled the halls. Early in the first week, Indigenous protesters stormed the venue and clashed with security in scenes that drew global attention to their plight. The Amazon made itself feltand heard. The humidity could be stifling and most afternoons, the skies would erupt. Even in the final plenary, an exhausted Correa do Lago spoke of "the wonderful noise of an Amazon rain" as he struggled to be heard above the din. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A company dumps toxic chemicals into a river to save money. Around the same time, a major storm strikes and causes damage to that same company. Is it just a coincidence? According to new research from Andrew Gershoff, professor of marketing at Texas McCombs, the answer might depend on how strongly a consumer believes in divine intervention. Consumers who ascribe the loss to a higher power are more likely to believe the company has paid the price for its actions, he finds. They're also less likely to punish it by boycotting its products or deciding to fine it in a jury trial. Such consumer reactions often shape how companies fare in a crisis, Gershoff says. "When firms commit some kind of transgression, it's often the case that consumers want to react and punish the firm in some way." But when transgression is followed by loss, it can change a consumer's moral equation, he adds. "They might say, 'Because the punishment has already occurred, I don't need to apply further punishment.'" Gershoff conducted the study with former McCombs doctoral students Jae-Eun Namkoong of the University of Nevada, Reno, and Jerry Han of Sungkyunkwan University Business School in South Korea. They saw a gap in marketing research regarding how spiritual beliefs, such as in divine punishment or karma, affect consumer behavior. "A large percentage of people in the United States and in the world identify themselves as having some level of spirituality or belief in a higher power," Gershoff says. "But there isn't a great deal of research in marketing that looks at spiritual factors and how they might influence the ways in which people make decisions and process information." Divine interventionor not In four studies totaling 844 participants, the researchers showed participants fictional scenarios in which a corporate offense, such as a chemical spill, was followed by an accident, such as storm damage. They examined the reactions of people depending on their degree of belief in a higher power. To assess the effects of such beliefs, the researchers manipulated a key variable: coincidence, such as both events occurring in the same location or profits and losses being similar amounts. They reasoned that strong believers might be more likely to attribute coincidence to divine causes, reducing their desire to further punish the company. Says Gershoff, "Those with a stronger belief in a higher power are more likely to look at high coincidence events and say, 'Well, the firm has already been punished, paid its dues, because the higher power has intervened.'" That's the effect he and his co-authors found. When strong believers saw high levels of coincidence, they chose lower levels of punishment. Compared with weak believers, they fined a hypothetical company $40,000 less, on a scale up to $2 million. On the other hand, when coincidence appeared lowsuggesting a higher power was not involvedstrong believers recommended fines that were no different, and sometimes even higher, than did weak believers. They felt, Gershoff suggests, that the company had not been punished enough. Countering manipulation The researchers acknowledge that their findings could be misused. Companies caught in wrongdoing might try to reduce public outrage by strategically publicizing their misfortunes and losses. But they hope their findings might help to deter such manipulation by making consumers and policymakers more aware of it. Gershoff encourages consumers to examine their belief systems before taking actions, such as deciding whether to boycott a company. "We want to be sure, if fairness is the goal, that we're aware of any potential biases," he says. He says that policymakers, too, might make more effective decisions about how severely to punish a company, by considering how different groups of consumers might react to such punishments. "Our goal here isn't to try to help marketers commit transgressions and get away with transgressions in any way," Gershoff says. "It's about thinking, 'How do we look at events and try to determine whether some sort of intervention might be necessary?'" The study is published in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour. More information: JaeEun Namkoong et al, A Sign of Divine Intervention: Supernatural Interpretation of Coincidence Lowers Consumer Punishment of Unethical Firms, Journal of Consumer Behaviour (2025). DOI: 10.1002/cb.70019 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A yearslong effort to purchase two of the most powerful water rights on the Colorado River has cleared another hurdle after the state water board agreed to manage the rights alongside Western Slope water officials. On Nov. 19, the Colorado Water Conservation Board voted unanimously to accept the two water rights tied to the Shoshone Power Plant into its environmental flow program. The approval is a critical piece in the Colorado River District's$99 million deal with the owner of the aging plant in Glenwood CanyonXcel Energybut the deal has faced pushback from Front Range water providers that fear the change could impact their supplies. Backers of the deal aim to make sure the water now used by the small hydroelectric plantand then put back in the riverwill always flow westward. "The importance of today's vote cannot be overstated as a legacy decision for Colorado water and the Western Slope," Andy Mueller, general manager of the Colorado River District, said in a news release. "It secures an essential foundation for the health of the Colorado River and the communities it sustains." Colorado water officials hailed the decision as a monumental achievement for the state that will help protect the river and its ecosystem. The state's instream flow program allows the Water Conservation Board to manage dedicated water rights for the health of rivers, streams and lakes. "Acquiring the Shoshone water rights for instream flow use is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to preserve and improve the natural environment of the Colorado River," Dan Gibbs, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, said in a news release. One of the main sticking points during the hourslong meeting Wednesday was whether the board should manage the water rights with the River District. That would include decisions on how and when to require upstream userslike Front Range utilitiesto send more water downstream. Generally, the board is the sole manager of water rights in its instream flow program, which the Shoshone rights are now a part of. Several Western Slope entities said they would withdraw their financial support from the purchase if the Colorado River District was not allowed to co-manage the right with the board. Local governments and other organizations across the Western Slope promised more than $16 million toward the purchase. Front Range water providers argued that the statewide board is the sole authority that can manage such rights and should have final decision-making power. The water board instead approved the co-management strategy, which means that the two authorities will decide together how to act when there is not enough water to meet the right's obligations. The Colorado River Districta taxpayer-funded agency that works to protect Western Slope waterwants to purchase the Shoshone rights to ensure that water will continue to flow west past the plant and downstream to the towns, farms and others who rely on the Colorado River, even if the century-old power plant were decommissioned. The Shoshone Hydroelectric Facility in Glenwood Canyon. The Colorado River District agreed to a deal to buy the major senior water rights associated with the plant from Xcel Energy to protect the instream flows. A stream of Western Slope elected officials, water managers and conservation groups testified in support of the deal and the rare opportunity it presented. "The Shoshone call is one of the great stabilizing forces on the rivera heartbeat that has kept our valley farms alive, our communities whole and our economies steady even in lean years," Mesa County Commissioner Bobbie Daniel said, urging the board to approve the plan. 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. The meeting on Wednesday came after weeks of extensive mediation between the River District and Front Range entities. However, the representatives from opposite sides of the Continental Divide could not come to a consensus on a way forward. Representatives from Front Range utilities have said repeatedly that they supported the purchase as a whole, but they stated concerns about the purchase changing the status quo on the river. The water rights connected to the plant are the oldest major water rights on the main stem of the Colorado River, which means that they must be fulfilled before any rights are established afterward. Those include more junior rights held by Front Range utilities to divert water from the river and bring it under the Continental Divide to their customers. The plant's rights can command up to 1,408 cubic feet of water per second year-round, or about 1 million acre-feet a yearenough water for 2 million to 3 million households' annual use. The Water Conservation Board's approval is one of several that must be acquired by the River District. The deal now must go through the state's water court and its Public Utilities Commission. 2025 MediaNews Group, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Carol M. Highsmith - Library of Congress The information needed to decipher the last remaining unsolved secret message embedded within a sculpture at CIA headquarters in Virginia sold at auction for nearly $1 million, the auction house announced Friday. The winner will get a private meeting with the 80-year-old artist to go over the codes and charts in hopes of continuing what he's been doing for decades: interacting with would-be cryptanalyst sleuths. The archive owned by the artist who created Kryptos, Jim Sanborn, was sold to an anonymous bidder for $963,000, according to RR Auction of Boston. The archive includes documents and coding charts for the sculpture, dedicated in 1990. Three of the messages on the 10-foot-tall (3-meter) sculptureknown as K1, K2 and K3have been solved, but a solution for the fourth, K-4, has frustrated the experts and enthusiasts who have tried to decipher the S-shaped copper screen. The artwork resembles a piece of paper coming out of a fax machine. One side has a series of staggered alphabets that are key to decoding the four encrypted messages on the other side. One person has contacted Sanborn regularly for the past two decades in an effort to solve K4, and Sanborn received so many inquiries he started charging $50 per submission. Sanborn decided to sell off the solution to K4, putting it in the hands of someone he hopes will keep its secrets and continue interacting with followers. RR Auction said the winner will get a private meeting with Sanborn to go over the codes, charts and artistic intent behind K4 and an alternate paragraph he called K5. The purchaser's "long-term stewardship plan" is being developed, according to the auction house. Sanborn's roughly 50 public sculptures include a memorial for a 2019 mass shooting in Odessa, Texas. The archive auction was almost derailed in September when two Kryptos sleuths found Sanborn's original scrambled texts in the artist's papers in the Smithsonian. The sale went ahead but was changed from offering only the secrets to K4 to selling his entire archive. "The important distinction is that they discovered it. They did not decipher it," Sanborn told The Associated Press. "They do not have the key. They don't have the method with which it's deciphered." 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain As the Trump administration carries out what many observers say are illegal military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean allegedly smuggling drugs, six Democratic members of Congress issued a video on Nov. 18, 2025, telling the military "You can refuse illegal orders" and "You must refuse illegal orders." The lawmakers have all served either in the military or the intelligence community. Their message sparked a furious response on social media from President Donald Trump, who called the legislators' action "seditious behavior, punishable by death." One of the lawmakers, Sen. Elissa Slotkin, told The New York Times that she had heard from troops currently serving that they were worried about their own liability in actions such as the ones in the Caribbean. This is not the first time Trump has put members of the military in situations whose legality has been questioned. But a large percentage of service members understand their duty to follow the law in such a difficult moment. We are scholars of international relations and international law. We conducted survey research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Human Security Lab and discovered that many service members do understand the distinction between legal and illegal orders, the duty to disobey certain orders, and when they should do so. The ethical dilemma With his Aug. 11, 2025, announcement that he was sending the National Guardalong with federal law enforcementinto Washington, D.C. to fight crime, Trump edged U.S. troops closer to the kind of military-civilian confrontations that can cross ethical and legal lines. Indeed, since Trump returned to office, many of his actions have alarmed international human rights observers. His administration has deported immigrants without due process, held detainees in inhumane conditions, threatened the forcible removal of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and deployed both the National Guard and federal military troops to Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, Chicago and other cities to quell largely peaceful protests or enforce immigration laws. 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. When a sitting commander in chief authorizes acts like these, which many assert are clear violations of the law, men and women in uniform face an ethical dilemma: How should they respond to an order they believe is illegal? The question may already be affecting troop morale. "The moral injuries of this operation, I think, will be enduring," a National Guard member who had been deployed to quell public unrest over immigration arrests in Los Angeles told The New York Times. "This is not what the military of our country was designed to do, at all." Troops who are ordered to do something illegal are put in a bindso much so that some argue that troops themselves are harmed when given such orders. They are not trained in legal nuances, and they are conditioned to obey. Yet if they obey "manifestly unlawful" orders, they can be prosecuted. Some analysts fear that U.S. troops are ill-equipped to recognize this threshold. Compelled to disobey U.S. service members take an oath to uphold the Constitution. In addition, under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the U.S. Manual for Courts-Martial, service members must obey lawful orders and disobey unlawful orders. Unlawful orders are those that clearly violate the U.S. Constitution, international human rights standards or the Geneva Conventions. Service members who follow an illegal order can be held liable and court-martialed or subject to prosecution by international tribunals. Following orders from a superior is no defense. Our poll, fielded between June 13 and June 30, 2025, shows that service members understand these rules. Of the 818 active-duty troops we surveyed, just 9% stated that they would "obey any order." Only 9% "didn't know," and only 2% had "no comment." When asked to describe unlawful orders in their own words, about 25% of respondents wrote about their duty to disobey orders that were "obviously wrong," "obviously criminal" or "obviously unconstitutional." Another 8% spoke of immoral orders. One respondent wrote that "orders that clearly break international law, such as targeting non-combatants, are not just illegalthey're immoral. As military personnel, we have a duty to uphold the law and refuse commands that betray that duty." Just over 40% of respondents listed specific examples of orders they would feel compelled to disobey. The most common unprompted response, cited by 26% of those surveyed, was "harming civilians," while another 15% of respondents gave a variety of other examples of violations of duty and law, such as "torturing prisoners" and "harming U.S. troops." One wrote that "an order would be obviously unlawful if it involved harming civilians, using torture, targeting people based on identity, or punishing others without legal process." Soldiers, not lawyers But the open-ended answers pointed to another struggle troops face: Some no longer trust U.S. law as useful guidance. Writing in their own words about how they would know an illegal order when they saw it, more troops emphasized international law as a standard of illegality than emphasized U.S. law. Others implied that acts that are illegal under international law might become legal in the U.S. "Trump will issue illegal orders," wrote one respondent. "The new laws will allow it," wrote another. A third wrote, "We are not required to obey such laws." Several emphasized the U.S. political situation directly in their remarks, stating they'd disobey "oppression or harming U.S. civilians that clearly goes against the Constitution" or an order for "use of the military to carry out deportations." Still, the percentage of respondents who said they would disobey specific orderssuch as tortureis lower than the percentage of respondents who recognized the responsibility to disobey in general. This is not surprising: Troops are trained to obey and face numerous social, psychological and institutional pressures to do so. By contrast, most troops receive relatively little training in the laws of war or human rights law. Political scientists have found, however, that having information on international law affects attitudes about the use of force among the general public. It can also affect decision-making by military personnel. This finding was also borne out in our survey. When we explicitly reminded troops that shooting civilians was a violation of international law, their willingness to disobey increased 8 percentage points. Drawing the line As my research with another scholar showed in 2020, even thinking about law and morality can make a difference in opposition to certain war crimes. The preliminary results from our survey led to a similar conclusion. Troops who answered questions on "manifestly unlawful orders" before they were asked questions on specific scenarios were much more likely to say they would refuse those specific illegal orders. When asked if they would follow an order to drop a nuclear bomb on a civilian city, for example, 69% of troops who received that question first said they would obey the order. But when the respondents were asked to think about and comment on the duty to disobey unlawful orders before being asked if they would follow the order to bomb, the percentage who would obey the order dropped 13 points to 56%. While many troops said they might obey questionable orders, the large number who would not is remarkable. Military culture makes disobedience difficult: Soldiers can be court-martialed for obeying an unlawful order, or for disobeying a lawful one. Yet between one-third to half of the U.S. troops we surveyed would be willing to disobey if ordered to shoot or starve civilians, torture prisoners or drop a nuclear bomb on a city. The service members described the methods they would use. Some would confront their superiors directly. Others imagined indirect methods: asking questions, creating diversions, going AWOL, "becoming violently ill." Criminologist Eva Whitehead researched actual cases of troop disobedience of illegal orders and found that when some troops disobeyeven indirectlyothers can more easily find the courage to do the same. Whitehead's research showed that those who refuse to follow illegal or immoral orders are most effective when they stand up for their actions openly. The initial results of our surveycoupled with a recent spike in calls to the GI Rights Hotlinesuggest American men and women in uniform don't want to obey unlawful orders. Some are standing up loudly. Many are thinking ahead to what they might do if confronted with unlawful orders. And those we surveyed are looking for guidance from the Constitution and international law to determine where they may have to draw that line. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The problem of finding effective counterdiabatic drives for preparing ground states is related to finding good polynomial approximations of the inverse function. Credit: Jernej Rudi Finzgar. Quantum ground states are the states at which quantum systems have the minimum possible energy. Quantum computers are increasingly being used to analyze the ground states of interesting systems, which could in turn inform the design of new materials, chemical compounds, pharmaceutical drugs and other valuable goods. The reliable preparation of quantum ground states has been a long-standing goal within the physics research community. One quantum computing method to prepare ground states and other desired states is known as adiabatic state preparation. This is a process that starts from an initial Hamiltonian, a mathematical operator that encodes a system's total energy and for which the ground state is known, gradually changing it to reach a final Hamiltonian, which encodes the final ground state. To accelerate adiabatic state preparation, physicists can use a method known as counterdiabatic driving. This technique works by adding an auxiliary term to a Hamiltonian that prevents the system from undergoing undesired excitations into higher energy states. Researchers at Technical University Munich, Harvard University and Flatiron Institute recently introduced a new counterdiabatic driving method that could overcome some of the limitations of previously introduced techniques, providing rigorous performance guarantees. Their proposed method, outlined in a paper published in Physical Review Letters, could be used to reliably and rapidly prepare the quantum ground states of quantum systems that vary in size and complexity. "Ground state preparation is a fundamental task with applications in quantum many-body physics, quantum computation and even for solving combinatorial optimization problems," Jernej Rudi Finzgar, first author of the paper, told Phys.org. "Counterdiabatic driving is a widely adopted method that promises to speed up conventional, adiabatic, state preparation protocols. In this paper we set out to understand how much resources are required to implement such schemes." A promising alternative to conventional counterdiabatic methods Most previously introduced counterdiabatic driving methods work by performing calculations that grow exponentially as systems become bigger or have variational approximations based on adjustable parameters. While the first of these approaches can be computationally intensive and harder to scale to larger systems, the second is often unreliable for the preparation of ground states. Finzgar and his colleagues set out to develop a new counterdiabatic driving technique that does not rely on increasingly complex calculations or system-specific assumptions. Ultimately, they realized that the parameters that one needs to set in a variational approach are directly linked to a function approximation problem. "Our approach relies on the fact that, at its core, crafting an effective counterdiabatic driving scheme boils down to the conceptually much simpler problem of fitting polynomials to the inverse function," explained Finzgar. "This effectively means that the parameters of the proposed counterdiabatic driving scheme do not depend on the microscopic details of the system and are therefore, in a sense, universal across a variety of systems." Initial results and extension to larger systems "The most important finding of our work is probably that we determined how the cost of implementing counterdiabatic driving schemes is for a given ground state preparation task," said Finzgar. 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. "Additionally, and counterintuitively, we find that sometimes the performance is limited by properties of states of the system that are far away in energy from the ground state that we are trying to prepare. This is at odds with conventional wisdom that the cost of ground state preparation is determined by the low energy properties of the system." Universal CD driving at finite timescales. Credit: Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/pqhl-nbtk Due to the high-frequency properties of the system, the originally proposed scheme breaks down when the systems are increased to large sizes. To remedy this, Finzgar and his colleagues showed that when combined with finite-time adiabatic protocols, their proposed technique could be applied to very large quantum systems. Moreover, they found that in practice their approach allowed them to prepare ground states more rapidly and reliably than the conventional counterdiabatic driving approaches they compared it to. The new method devised by this team of researchers has so far proved to be a viable and scalable alternative to conventional counterdiabatic driving techniques. In the future, it could be used to prepare the ground state of various quantum systems, which could have important implications for quantum computing, quantum simulation and materials design. "My future research plans in this area will include finding new efficient implementations of our counterdiabatic driving scheme on the rapidly advancing quantum devices," added Finzgar. Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information: Jernej Rudi Finzgar et al, Counterdiabatic Driving with Performance Guarantees, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/pqhl-nbtk. Journal information: Physical Review Letters 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Choking during sex has moved from the margins to the mainstream for many young adults, but the risks have not changed. New research shows how common the practice has become, and how confused many people are about what makes it dangerous. A survey commissioned by the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IfAS) has found that more than one-third of people aged 18 to 34 have been choked or strangled at least once during consensual sex. IfAS is a UK-based organization that aims to reduce harms from strangulation in domestic abuse, sexual contexts and forensic settingsenvironments where injuries are examined for legal, evidential or investigative purposes. The survey findings suggest that pornography featuring choking is helping to normalize strangulation during sex among young adults. The report was published as the UK government prepares to ban such content in the upcoming crime and policing bill. While many participants reported positive experiences, others described deeply negative experiences, and just over one-quarter said they had been choked without agreeing to it first. This raises particular concern because choking during sex sometimes intersects with domestic abuse and non-fatal strangulation is a known predictor of serious harm in intimate partner violence. When a behavior that is well documented in coercive and violent relationships becomes normalized in consensual settings, the boundaries can blur. Young people may struggle to distinguish experimentation from harm and may feel pressured to accept acts they do not want. The survey's accounts of distress and lack of consent highlight how these boundaries can erode. One of the most revealing parts of the survey explored how people think about danger. Almost three-quarters of respondents described choking during sex as either "very dangerous" or "somewhat dangerous." However, when asked whether it is possible to strangle someone safely during sex, opinions were divided. 29% believed it is possible, 39% believed it is not and 32% were unsure. Participants also gave a wide range of answers about how a person might try to make this safer. One important theme was that participants were divided about whether it is more important to avoid pressing on the airway or on the blood vessels in the neck. This confusion matters because the body responds very differently to these types of pressure. Strangulation denies the brain oxygen and this can happen in two ways. One involves blocking the airway, which makes breathing difficult or impossible. The other involves interrupting the flow of blood to and from the brain, by blocking blood vessels on the side of the neck. Some people use the word choking for the first and strangulation for the second, but these terms are often used in confusing ways. A key difference is how quickly these two types of strangulation affect the brain. Blocking breathing can take around one minute to cause unconsciousness. Blocking blood flow can cause unconsciousness in as little as five to ten seconds. 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. Another difference is that restricted breathing feels uncomfortable and obvious, while restricted blood flow can be hard to recognize until it is too late. It is not intuitive to people that they can be strangled while still being able to breathe. Strangulation's rapid effects happen because the brain depends on a constant supply of oxygen. If oxygen is cut off, the brain can suffer damage very quickly. Some areas such as the hippocampus, which plays a central role in memory, are particularly vulnerable. As oxygen levels fall, the brain tries to protect itself by reducing its own use of oxygen, which causes unconsciousness. If oxygen is not restored quickly, brain cells begin to die. Strangulation can also harm the body in other ways. Sexual choking can cause a range of physical and psychological injuries and, in extreme cases, can be fatal. During or after choking, a person may experience trouble breathing, pain or difficulty swallowing, loss of bladder or bowel control, memory problems or psychological trauma. In rare cases, choking during sex can trigger a stroke. This can happen if a blood vessel is damaged and bleeds, or if blood pools behind a blockage and forms a clot that later travels to a smaller vessel. What can be done? Public health has two broad approaches to risky behavior. The first is prohibition, which creates legal or practical barriers to prevent dangerous acts. The UK government's plan to ban pornography that shows choking is one example. However, sexual practices take place in private settings and cannot be monitored or restricted in the same way as access to pornography, which limits the reach of prohibition. The second approach is harm reduction. It accepts that people may continue a behavior even if discouraged and aims to help them reduce the risks. This approach is complicated in the case of sexual choking, because misinformation is widespread and many online communities promote inaccurate ideas about "safe" practice. Both approaches attract debate. Prohibition is sometimes criticized as intrusive or unrealistic, and harm reduction as condoning dangerous or immoral behaviors. But they do not have to work against each other. They can operate together by reducing the likelihood of a behavior while equipping people with accurate information about risk. The IfAS survey shows that many young people misunderstand what makes strangulation dangerousand this gap in knowledge could have life-threatening consequences. Education that explains how strangulation affects the body could help reduce harm by giving people a clearer sense of the risks involved. Accurate information would also support wider public health efforts by helping people recognize why certain sexual practices carry significant danger, and why legal and clinical responses are being developed to address them. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new analysis published in the journal BioScience challenges conventional conservation approaches by demonstrating that traditional livestock grazing on rangelands represents a crucial but often overlooked strategy for protecting global biodiversity. Dr. David D. Briske of Texas A&M University and colleagues argue that rangelands harbor far more biodiversity than is recognized in international conservation frameworks. "Sixty-seven percent of biodiversity hotspots and 38% of key biodiversity areas globally include rangelands, but international conventions seldom recognize this vast biodiversity repository," the authors write. Rangelands cover 54% of Earth's land surface and support the livelihoods of approximately 500 million people. Despite these landscapes' vast extent, only 12% of rangelands receive formal protection, leaving countless resident species unprotected. The authors describe four key synergies between pastoralism and biodiversity conservation: working lands conservation that complements existing protected areas, the continuation of vital disturbance regimes through grazing and fire, connectivity through traditional migration corridors, and community-led governance systems that use local knowledge to maintain biodiversity and ecological function. Notably, the authors emphasize that "rangelands represent approximately 50% of Earth's remaining ecologically intact ecosystems." Briske and colleagues call for a fundamental shift in conservation thinking. "We contend that the promotion of sustainable pastoralism on rangelands represents a critical mitigation strategy to support achievement of these goals," referring to targets established by the KunmingMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt species extinctions by 2050. The authors recommend five broad strategies to take advantage of rangelands' conservation potential, including reshaping conservation narratives to view pastoralists as assets rather than threats to biodiversity, recognizing grazing and fire as natural ecological processes, and supporting secure land tenure and community-led governance for pastoral communities. With 2026 designated as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists by the United Nations General Assembly, the authors argue that there is no better time to recognize the value of rangelands and pastoralists and to capitalize on "critical opportunities to mitigate biodiversity loss through integration with existing protected areas to create a vast network for biodiversity conservation." More information: David D Briske et al, Pastoralism Can Mitigate Biodiversity Loss on Global Rangelands, BioScience (2025). DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaf158 Journal information: BioScience This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Stanley Morales from Pexels The government's vision for higher education in England, set out in a recent policy paper, includes some changes that will benefit students from poorer backgrounds. An increase in maintenance loans, for instance, will help to support disadvantaged students. So too will the introduction of a lifelong learning entitlement loan. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often have learning trajectories that are far from linear, so access to a lifetime entitlement makes sense. Other positive aspects include an aim to create more joined-up thinking in communities, greater links between higher education providers and employers and targeted funding initiatives. There is a general acknowledgment of the challenges disadvantaged students face. And these students are addressed throughout the document, albeit mostly through the lens of seeing their economic potential. But the government's broader strategy for universities will present significant challenges for students who come from poorer families and live in disadvantaged areas. It encourages universities to carve out particular specialisms. This means honing their expertise and concentrating on their unique selling pointtheir "core purpose." It suggests that while competition can be healthy, "too many providers with similar offerings are chasing the same students." The implications for this in practice may be that universities axe some of their courses in favor of a narrower menu of study. The casualties of such a move would typically be arts and humanities courses. This is especially likely when the government plans to offer funding incentives for priority areas, which include science, technology and engineering. Indeed, many reductions in the higher education portfolio have already taken place across the sector, such as for arts subjects. This is arguably due to pressures on each university to deliver "successful outcomes" for its students. These outcomes, such as employment after graduation, however, are narrowly measured. They run the risk of devaluing arts-based education. They also may constrain opportunities for many people seeking greater life chances. Local limitations Disadvantaged students in particular could be significantly affected by changes that reduce the variety of courses available at their local university. A diverse portfolio of courses creates opportunities for those who may not traditionally access higher education. Disadvantaged students are less likely to apply to prestigious institutions. They are more likely to study closer to home. In recent years, closure of courses at universities has created what is known as cold spots. These are areas of the UK where certain university subjects are not offered. These closures, unfortunately, often affect lower tariff providersuniversities that require lower grades for entry to a degree course. This means reduced opportunities for disadvantaged students to access the courses they might want to study in their local area. For regional areas, too, a wealth of course availability can create wider opportunities. For instance, it can allow local businesses to make use of a wide range of skills from students who remain in the area. 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. Streamlining what universities offer may also result in further status distinctions between higher education institutions. It could pave the way for an even more ferociously competitive sector, the rationale being that "the cream will rise to the top." But this may mean that only universities ranking highly in a particular field will be positioned to provide courses in this field. This is neglectful of smaller and often newer providers that may be in need of developmental support. It may close down opportunities for universities to grow and establish research excellence where it may not yet exist. It benefits everyone if England's higher education system grows and flourishes. But for every positive choice we make, we have to consider the possible fallout on marginalized members of society. The implementation of these policy proposals, then, will need to consider the implications of perpetuating a heavily driven and economically competitive market for higher education. This could mean careful contemplation of the purpose of higher education itself. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Mexicos consumer watchdog suspends Tulum businesses due to complaints of unjustified high prices Tulum, Q.R. Mexicos consumer watchdog, Profeco, says they have shut down several Tulum hotels among other businesses due to unjustified high prices. The temporary shut down by way of a suspension includes hotels, restaurants, cafes and grocery stores. Nearly two dozen Tulum establishments were suspended for a variety of reasons that ranged from excessive unjustified charges, to encouraging customers to pay tips. On Friday, the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) reported on the suspension of four hotels and several grocery stores in response to the ongoing price complaints. In response to complaints of unjustified price increases, Profeco conducted a special monitoring and verification operation in Tulum, they said. Staff from Procuraduria Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) found considerable price differences between hotels in downtown Tulum and in Jaguar Park Four hotels located within Parque Jaguar have been suspended for various violations of the Federal Consumer Protection Law. Federal inspectors conducted the special monitoring and verification operation in response to complaints from visitors and residents. Hotels in Jaguar Park were found charging higher prices than those in downtown Tulum. The complaints, they said, were regarding the significant increase in the price of basic products and tourist services. In parallel with the actions carried out by the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur) and the Government of Quintana Roo, the Attorney Generals Office (FGE) carried out a monitoring and survey of prices with the help of the Whos Who in Prices (QQP) program through visits to 29 establishments. Those establishments included five self-service stores, five convenience stores, five pharmacies, five hotels and nine restaurants and cafes. Within Jaguar Park, 22 establishments were visited including hotels, beach clubs and restaurants. Among the findings it was discovered that the average price of a single hotel room is 3,577.50 pesos. The minimum price of a hotel room inside the park is 1,200.00 and a maximum, 10,569.00. The Hotel Mi Amor had the highest price in this category, they reported. The average price found for a double room was 4,771.94 pesos, with a minimum of 2,200.00 and a maximum of 13,860.00. In this category, the Hotel Diamante K had the highest price. Prices are significantly high compared to hotels in downtown Tulum, where a single room costs between 600.00 and 1,200.00 pesos and a double room between 700.00 and 1,400.00 pesos, they reported. The Diamante K, Pocna Tulum, Villa Pescadores and Cabanas Playa Condesa Tulum hotels were placed under suspension due to various violations of the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC). The federal agency said they were placed under suspension since they did not display rates, did not have terms and conditions of service provision, induced the payment of tips, or did not have notes or receipts of the lodging service provided. Hotel Diamante K was one of four suspended during the inspection. As for their restaurants, prices were not offered on the menu, nor were they displayed in foreign currency and the dishes were in a language other than Spanish, Profeco reported. Two other Tulum hotels that were on their complaint list were found not operating due to a lack of business. The Kore Tulum and Villa Miramar Tulum hotels were found to have no commercial activity at the time of the visit, and the former reported that they had decided to close around June due to low occupancy, they said. Profeco also monitored 11 food and beverage places, detecting excessive prices. One overpriced product was guacamole for which tourists can pay up to 280.00 pesos for an order, where normally, an order costs between 160.00 and 226.92 pesos. The same thing happened with a simple hamburger for which tourists can be charged more than 400 pesos, they said. An order of three tacos (carne asada pastor or bistec) can cost 400.00 pesos, but should cost between 240 and 306 pesos. Other menu items such as quesadillas, were also found to be overpriced. Grocery stores were also on the federal inspection list to verify what consumers are being charged to shop in Tulum. A total of eight verifications and seven surveillance operations were carried out in order to find variations in prices. The inspections were carried out at the Super San Francisco de Asis, Nueva Wal-Mart de Mexico S. de RL de CV, Chedraui Tulum, Comercializadora Farmaceutica del Sureste SA de CV, Farmacon SA de CV and Proveedora del Panadero SA de CV (Grocery Store). Grocery stores were also part of the inspections and subsequent suspensions during the operation. Suspensions were issued at the establishments, except for Farmacon, primarily due to the lack of price displays and information regarding warranties and returns. Monitoring visits were also conducted at restaurants Burrito Amor, Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar, Encanto, Wang Tulum, Restaurante Estrada, Sabor de Mar and Negro Huitlacoxe. In all cases, they were advised to make the necessary adjustments to comply with the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC), as it was found that in some instances, they were encouraging customers to pay tips or were not displaying prices for some of the products they sold. Prices were also monitored in seven convenience stores that included OXXO, GO MART and 7 Eleven where data was obtained using the Whos Who in Prices tool for 11 products sold in the three chains. Profeco inspectors also visited Tulum convenience stores. For most of the products surveyed at 7 Eleven and OXXO, it was found that prices in Tulum are higher than the national average price, and that of the three chains monitored, prices at GO MART are higher than at the other two. November 22, 2025: In Ukraine, swarms of FPV/First Person View drones have revolutionized how wars are fought. There are few methods to defeat drone attacks. The primary defensive measure is electronic jamming of the control signal between the drone operator and the drone. Jamming is of limited effectiveness because active jammers are easy targets for drones programmed to home in on and destroy jammers. Depending on how they are programmed, drones will either land if jammed or return to where they were launched. Another technique is to equip an FPV with a kilometer or so of thin fiber optic cable. This cannot be jammed, although occasionally the cable breaks before the drone has carried out its attack. Despite those defensive measures and the small explosive payload drones carry, most of the armored vehicles damaged or destroyed in Ukraine were done in by armed drones. Over 70 percent of all Russian casualties are now the result of drone attacks. Drone warfare is increasingly common and dominating most combat zones. Tactics and techniques are also evolving as Ukraine and Russia both experiment with new tactics, and drone designs. Both nations are also increasing production of drones and the number of trained operators. Both Russia and Ukraine realize that drones provide unprecedented surveillance of the battlefield, but not all of it. That requires more drones and operators. In 2024 Ukraine established its Drone Force to coordinate production and operator training efforts. By 2025 Ukraine was producing nearly 400,000 drone a month and expects to at least triple than in 2026. The Drone Force coordinated the production of drones by civilians. This was done in homes, barns, garages or any space where production of a few dozen or a few hundred drones could be carried out. Ukraine also supported civilian drone building operations efforts to become commercial. Currently there are over 30 commercial drone manufacturers, many of them underground or abandoned tunnels to protect them Russian drone or missile attacks. Then theres the Killhouse Academy, run by the Ukrainian Army 3rd Corps. They run a six to ten day course that is free to members of the 3rd Corps but costs everyone else about $200. The course includes the basics of operating, repairing and even building your own drone. This is not every difficult, because all you have to do is modify a consumer quadcopter or fixed wing drone. The course also features a large abandoned industrial space with mockups of typical battlefield obstacles and targets for drone operators to practice on. Students learn out to operate an FPV drone and how to avoid being spotted and attacked by a Russian drone. Students are also given demonstrations of what electronic jamming can do to an FPV drone and how to deal with that. Students are also sh Killhouse also offers more technical, and more expensive, advanced courses. Graduates of these courses include teenagers expecting to be in the army eventually as well as those who want to start building drones for the troops, often soldiers they know. Many students are just curious about drones and their use in the Ukraine War. This has attracted journalists as well as elderly Ukrainians with grandchildren in the army. In 2023, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Ukrainians were building their own drones, often at home or scattered workshops. By late 2024 Ukrainians were producing over 150,000 drones a month. In 2025 Ukraine aims to produce up to four million drones. By purchasing components in bulk, thousands of Ukrainian men and women are building these drones for the armed forces or for someone they know in the military. Troops at the front also build and modify drones to fit their immediate situations. For the soldiers, designing better drones is often a matter of life or death. The Ukrainians have kept ahead of the Russians in drone technology and production. The Russian government discourages, or even outlaws, individuals building drones and centralizes drone production. This gives the Ukrainians an edge in drone quantity and quality. The Ukrainians are defending their homeland and Russia is having an increasingly difficult time justifying continued fighting and killing or disabling over a million Russians in Ukraine. All these drone developments make combat more dangerous for the troops on the ground. Drones not only keep an eye on enemy troops but are always ready to go in and put them out of action, as in dead or wounded. Troops are still fighting each other on the ground, but now they have to worry about constant surveillance and attacks from the growing number of drones hovering over the battlefield. In addition to operators there are the drone maintainers, who repair damaged or otherwise disabled drones and service those needing a battery recharge or simply a fresh battery. Ukraines military has established a Drone Academy to train drone operators in basic and advanced skills. There are courses for commanders on how best to manage and use drones. This is essential because now Ukrainian infantry battalions have nearly as many drones as troops. The American military likes to call this a force multiplier. That is, a battalion with lots of drones is more effective, and lethal, than a battalion without so many drones. The Ukrainian military is the first to go so far in this direction and appear to be benefitting from the massive use of drones. Other nations are closely following this development and preparing to adopt what works for Ukraine. Russia is more conservative in how they deal with this, even though they are also using massive numbers of drones. There are already dozens of Ukrainian companies offering training for drone operators and the Ukrainian military uses the services of these firms. Ukraine seeks to have more than 10,000 trained operators as quickly as possible. Dro Earlier in 2023 Ukraine revealed that it planned to spend over half a billion dollars on drones but did not reveal the extent of their efforts to add more capabilities to commercial drones as well as the growing number of drones being manufactured by Ukrainian companies. Ukrainian developers and manufacturers are often small groups of civilian hobbyists that proved capable of creating new features for drones, both commercial and hobbyist-created models. The Russian invasion spurred a lot of innovation, mainly among Ukrainian developers. Among the items available to commercial customers are a lot of digital video camera items as well as lighter, miniaturized computer components that can be assembled and programmed by users to perform essential tasks, like using AI apps and data from onboard video cameras of enemy forces, even if they are camouflaged or in underground bunkers. Constant combat use of these systems enables developers to address shortcomings and continually improves the hardware and software carried on these hunter killer drones. Earlier in the war two drones were needed for this but now all that tech and weapons can be carried and used by one drone. The Ukrainian military also holds competitions to find the most skilled drone operators and honor them with promotions and more challenging assignments. Wartime developers are able to improve their tech and hardware more rapidly because there is continuous feedback from users. Ukraine has an edge here because many of these developers are hobbyists who know little about peacetime development, its bureaucracy and counter-productive over-supervision. Ukrainian developers are often creating these new drone techs for friends or family members who are now in the military and eager for whatever help they can get. The Ukrainian military sees this entrepreneurial spirit as an advantage, not some form of insubordination or recklessness the way the Russian military regards unauthorized innovations. Despite that, some Russian innovators have appeared and been allowed to work. Russian commanders and civilian officials are less willing than their Ukrainian counterparts to encourage individual initiatives. Another problem is that the economic sanctions have made it more difficult for Russians to obtain the commercial tech that Ukrainians still have access to and frequently Such free access to Western and Chinese components means Ukraine can build very capable and lethal drones that are designed to carry out one or a small number of missions. That is why Ukraine and Russia are each losing thousands of drones a month. Cheap, useful, and expendable is now the rule with most battlefield drones. This innovation explains the greater success of Ukrainian drones against Russian targets on the battlefield or deep inside Russia. Despite all the innovation, the majority of these drones are basically loitering munitions that can be sent out to areas where there is known or suspected enemy activity and kill it when they find it. In the past a separate surveillance drone was needed to spot targets, usually enemy troops, and vehicles. These drones have video cameras and a link to operators who view the video on a tablet or via goggles containing small video screens while the operators have a form of handheld game controller to maneuver the drone and select a target for the drone to collide with and explode. The video comm link was a vulnerability the Russian exploited as they developed new types of electronic jammers that could disable these comm links. The new Ukrainian drones that combine finding and killing capabilities on one drone that can also detect and destroy these Russian jammers, which are usually You can see how this works in Ukraine, where the Ukrainian troops are better trained in the accurate use of rifle fire. It was Ukrainian troops who frequently used commercial quadcopters equipped with grenade or small bomb carry and release mechanisms. The Ukrainian soldiers often bought commercial drones for this and spent hours at a time sending out their quadcopter to search for targets. The quadcopter would have to frequently land to recharge. That demonstrates another 21st century development; the proliferation of electronic devices an infantryman can and often will take with him into combat. Input from Ukrainian engineers was essential because many of the most effective Soviet-era weapons engineers were Ukrainian. That meant Ukraine had a tradition of pragmatic and innovative weapons development that was mobilized after the 2014 Russian seizure of Crimea and part of Donbas. The capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers were not exactly a state secret, just not newsworthy. Foreigners familiar with weapons development knew about the Ukrainian skills and those who visited Ukraine for whatever reason, like American and other NATO military advisors, got a closer look at what those Ukrainian engineers, as well as civilian hobbyists, could do. Those skills became even more important after the invasion began and suddenly engineers and scientists in other fields began applying their skills to rapidly develop new weapons and equipment to protect Ukraine from the Russians. After the invasion began the capabilities of the Ukrainian engineers became part of the reporting on how the Ukrainians stopped and turned back the Russian attack. Playa del Carmen strengthens ties with Finland and Denmark Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Representatives from the embassies of Finland and Denmark met in Playa del Carmen to strengthen ties. Mayor Estefania Mercado held a meeting with the diplomatic representatives Thursday. She reported Friday that during her meeting with the ambassadors to Mexico, they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in matters of security, responsible tourism and sustainable development. She reiterated her commitment to international cooperation and the global projection of Playa del Carmen as a safe and reliable destination for the growing number of visitors from Nordic countries. She stressed that tourist safety is an absolute priority for her administration, and emphasized that the municipality operates under international standards to guarantee the protection of both visitors and residents. We have almost 500 patrols, and the municipality is the safest in Quintana Roo. Playa del Carmen is building a comprehensive tourist security policy based on prevention, intelligence, and coordination with diplomatic corps. Every visitor should feel safe, accompanied,and protected. That is a responsibility we take very seriously, she stated. Estefania Mercado pointed out that alliances like this strengthen the destinations global standing. Tourism competitiveness also depends on our ability to connect with the world. This meeting with the Nordic nations represents a firm step towards proactive, modern and strategic municipal diplomacy. During the meeting, opportunities for collaboration were also discussed in areas such as innovation, investment, sustainable mobility, professional training, international promotion of the destination, the environment and academic exchange between Finland and Playa del Carmen. Representing the visiting countries were the Ambassador of Finland, Ari Maki, the Ambassador of Denmark, Kim Hjlund Christensen and the Honorary Consul of Finland in Quintana Roo, Luisa Guzman Carrasco. Celebrated photographer and conservationist Beverly Joubert is lucky to be alive. She died four times by her husband Derecks count working in Botswana in March 2017. The Jouberts were in the bush in the Okavango Delta, when a buffalo, a creature they had extensive experience with, knocked Dereck down, before impaling his wife. The horn entered under her arm, passing through her chest, lacerated her neck and went up into her face. Beverly died in my arms twice and I was able to pull her back, Dereck Joubert told CNN. Then again in the medical plane, then again in the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven surgeons and eighteen hours later, Beverly Joubert began the long road to recovery. I now have 41 screws in (my) face and seven plates, so I am a little bionic, she said with a gentle smile, sitting next to her husband on a video call. I shouldnt have survived, Beverly Joubert reflected. But the incident, far from causing the couple to withdraw from the wild, only reaffirmed their commitment to protecting it, she explained. Beverly and Dereck Joubert, photographed near Selinda, Botswana, in 2005. - Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert The South African-born Jouberts are National Geographic Society Explorers at Large, and have lived in Botswana for 40 years, recording landscapes and animals across Southern Africa in still photography and more than two dozen documentary films. Now they have compiled Beverly Jouberts photography into a hefty art book titled Wild Eye: A Life in Photographs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are the expected photographs: perilous wildebeest migrations and languorous leopards. There are also the remarkable and sometimes shocking images. For instance, Beverly Jouberts photographs of lions successfully hunting elephants at night the first time it had ever been documented, the Jouberts believe. It was this mysterious thing that wed heard in the dark and never seen, said Dereck Joubert. During the dry season in 1997, wildlife began converging at the Savute watering hole in Chobe National Park, Botswana, including herds of elephants. Some confused calves were separated from their herds and became targets for lions. After a successful kill, the lions soon turned on the adults. At 2 a.m., they jumped on a 21-year-old elephant cow, Beverly Joubert said. What ensued was a long and bloody tussle, with the lions emerging victorious. It was evident to us that lions can adapt remarkably fast to the situation, she added. A lion tussles with an elephant in Chobe National Park in Botswana, 1997. This struggle lasted for days according to the Jouberts, and was so horrific to witness the couple took time off afterward. - Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert The couple documented the behavior after years of research a luxury that wouldnt be afforded to many photographers, and certainly not those who parachute in on assignment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats our life, said Dereck Joubert. These things are happening all around us, all the time Were the first to see it. If some new behavior starts emerging, you dont read about it in some scientific paper. It takes time. Theres no magic sauce here except time. The duo has forged relationships with certain creatures; their bond is reflected in Beverly Jouberts most intimate shots. Legadema, a leopard driven away by her mother after a botched hunt, is one example. The animal is one half of a famed 2004 image alongside a day-old baboon. Legadema had just killed the infants mother, and the Jouberts were anticipating the leopard would do the same to the infant. Instead, she moved into nurturing this tiny new baby, said Beverly Joubert. A leopard called Legadema next to a day-old baby baboon in Botswana, 2004. The image became central to "Eye of the Leopard" a book and film by the Jouberts. - Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert For her husband, it embodies what makes an image iconic. Its a question mark, he said. What happened before this? And whats going to happen next? Nature documentaries often have a penchant for anthropomorphism; transposing human-like narratives on animals. While saying theres a need to stop short of defining the inner lives of their subjects, Derek Joubert argued, its folly to avoid the notion that animals are like us in some way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre mammals like we are, he added. They have brains, they have reactions. Think about elephants: they have the ability to think (of) the past, present and future; to communicate Many of these sacrosanct emotions are indeed not unique to us. The Jouberts proximity to nature has made observing its struggles more heartbreaking. In Africa, lions have disappeared from 95% of their historic range, cheetahs 90% of their historic range, with leopards and other big cats confronting decline also, according to the Big Cats Initiative, which the couple manages. One can respond to that in one of two ways, said Dereck Joubert. One is to go, The world is burning, its finished. Or, What can we do about that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They chose the latter. Nearly 20 years ago, the Jouberts began leasing land from governments and communities, establishing Great Plains Conservation, a safari operation which now spans Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe. The 15 safari camps employ roughly 1,000 people, fostering an economy built around preserving nature (in turn, deterring poaching), while managing over 1.5 million acres. Proceeds help support the Great Plains Foundation, which oversees the Big Cats Initiative and other conservation programs. What we do with our work as emergency conservationists is look for opportunities within this ever-changing world to regrow and to rewild, explained Dereck Joubert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One opportunity is through animal translocation, moving animals from high density to low density areas in Southern Africa a solution becoming increasingly necessary as safe spaces for animals are fenced off, and in some cases, required to maintain genetic diversity. The alternative is culling, and conservation with a bullet is not a form of conservation, said Beverly Joubert. An elephant hoisted by a crane during a translocation project in Zimbabwe, 2022. - Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert Through multiple initiatives including Rhinos Without Borders, the Jouberts have been involved in large-scale animal translocations, including moving 100 elephants across Zimbabwe, and airlifting 87 rhinos via airplane and helicopter to a secret location in Botswana between 2016 and 2018. Translocation is not cheap, said Dereck Joubert, estimating it costs around $10,000 to move an elephant across a country, and $45,000 to move a rhino. But its paying off; Beverly Joubert notes that from the 87 rhinos translocated in Botswana, 90 calves have already been born in the wild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jouberts estimate they raise and distribute between $3-$10 million every year for conservation and community enterprise purposes. As well as employment opportunities, Great Plains has created schools and other education programs in remote areas near their camps, and distributed 7.8 million meals to Maasai children in Kenya. Along with their documentary and photography work, this, they say, will be their legacy. I think our lifes narrative needs to be built on care and compassion and being kind to everything around us elephants, school children, old grandmothers, rhinos. I think too often in our society we discard people in need, said Derek Joubert. The career retrospective book is a natural opportunity to look back on their lives. What advice would they have for their younger selves? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Embrace life, be curious and speak out, said Beverly Joubert. Speaking out is so important. If you do not speak out, animals everything around you will disappear. I would say to little Derek, Do it all again, exactly the way you did it the first time around, said her husband. Youre going to get dented. Youre going to get bruised. Youre going to get knocked by elephants. Youre going to get run over by buffalo. Youre going to crash a number of airplanes. Youre going to have scorpion stings, snake bites. Dont change a thing; its been a perfect life. He paused. I may change one thing, he added. I may say to little Dereck, Avoid buffalo a little more. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Youve done everything right to stage your home. Or at least, everything you think is right. But now, as you sit waiting for buyers to show up, youre seeing more tumbleweeds blowing through your living room than prospective buyers. Your dream of selling your home and moving into a new one feels increasingly distant. Trending Now: I Asked a Contractor and Other Experts What I Should Never Buy at Home Depot: Heres What They Said For You: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires and How You Can, Too Beyond the financial practicality of selling your home as quickly as possible, on a personal level, youre frankly feeling a little hurt. Why doesnt anyone want to see your home? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many buyers are guided by their own needs, desires, and tastes, some of which you simply cant account for, there are a few things you can adjust to make your home more appealing to house hunters. If you want to replace those tumbleweeds with real, live people strolling through your space, imagining their future there, its time to take a closer look at what might be turning them away. But first, listen to the experts on why shoppers might be skipping your listing. Your Home Feels a Little Too Lived-In If youre still living in your home while trying to sell it, you might be oblivious to certain telltale signs like lingering cooking smells, pet beds and toys, or even minor clutter that are glaringly noticeable to potential buyers. And if those buyers happen to walk in while youre whipping up your famous sauerkraut, sausage and eggs? Well, that might be enough of an ick to send them right back out the door. Lindsay Harn, a top agent at Christies International Real Estate, encourages sellers to think about the buyers experience by keeping everything as pristine as possible. She also wants you to be mindful of working around those buyers schedules, especially in the first two weeks of the listing period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be flexible and accommodating to accept the showing times that work for the buyers. Plan to have the house clean and tidy, she said. Some of our clients actually make the decision to move out, go on vacation, or stay in an Airbnb for those weeks, so they can keep their house show-ready at a moments notice. Check Out: 5 Affordable Small Cities To Live In on the West Coast Your Presentation Isnt Inspiring A picture may be worth a thousand words, but if your online listing isnt attracting buyers, those photos may be sending the wrong message. Michelle Mumoli, a New Jersey real estate broker and team principal with The Mumoli Collective at Compass, wants you to take an honest look at your online photos and ask yourself a basic question: Would you click on the photos of your home if you saw it online? she said. If the answer is no, then you need to spend some money on upgrades to make it look clickable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could mean investing in professional-quality photos or it might require an even deeper assessment, one that calls you to set aside your bias for the home youve made your own. Most sellers are sitting on a home free and clear of a mortgage that they may have purchased over 30 years ago and are emotionally attached to it, Mumoli said. Whether they say they are or not, they are. They cant see the things that they should be upgrading for a buyer. Your Realtor Might Not Know the Market Another crucial question Mumoli wants you to ask: Does your realtor have a strong handle on the market? This is an important question to ask them because if your home has older finishes and colors, it may not look as attractive to a buyer in a specific geographical location, Mumoli said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To find a realtor who really gets the market, look for someone with a solid track record in your area, ask about their recent sales and make sure they can tell you exactly what local buyers are looking for right now. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Realtor: 3 Reasons Nobody Wants To See Your Home High jewelry continues its evolution into the modern era with jaw-dropping pieces that play with shape in forward-thinking arrangements. Some danced around heavyweight stones like a 22.23-carat Ceylon sapphire perched amidst a waterfall of diamonds set in a series of chain links on Pomellatos Cascade necklace or on a curvy cocktail ring from Chopard in ethical 18-karat white gold and blue titanium set with sapphires and diamonds and cradling a 29.76-carat tanzanite. For more everyday wear (if one can be so presumptuous) a two circles of pave pink sapphires sit perpendicular each other on Van Cleef & Arpels simply stunning Ludo Secret watch in 18-karat rose gold and yellow sapphires and diamonds accent every curve of Rezas 18-karat white and blackened gold Ruban earrings. Some were positively futuristic in design. Vherniers signature look straddled 18-karat rose gold minimalism with opulence in a snaking accent of pave diamonds in the Ardis Forma di Luce necklace, while Piagets asymmetrical Australian opals were set in a cobblestone-like pattern in 18-karat white gold and diamonds with a 9.26 Madagascan sapphire perched in the center in its Flowing Curves masterpiece. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, even traditional makers added a little edge. Tiffany & Co.s high jewelry often has a more romantic flairtypically referencing Jean Schlumbergers mid-century designsbut a pair of platinum and 18-karat yellow gold drop earrings took shape in layers and swirls set with pops of crystal opals, along with diamonds and subtle hints of sapphires that took on a surprising twist. The new era of next-level gems have an undeniable cool-factor that will keep them feeling fresh well into the future. Vhernier Ardis Forma di Luce necklace in 18-karat rose gold and diamonds Reza Ruban earrings in 18-karat white and blackened gold and diamonds Chopard Red Carpet Collection ring in ethical 18-karat white gold and titanium with a 29.76-carat tanzanite, sapphires, and diamonds Advertisement Advertisement Piaget Extraleganza Collection Flowing Curves necklace in 18-karat white gold with a 9.26-carat Madagascan sapphire, 26.39 carats of Australian opals, and diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels Ludo Secret watch in 18-karat rose gold with mother-of-pearl and pink sapphires Tiffany & Co. Blue Book 2025 Collection earrings in platinum and 18-karat yellow gold with crystal opals, diamonds, and sapphires Top: Pomellato Collezione 1967 Blue Chain Cascade necklace in 18-karat white gold with a 22.23-carat Ceylon sapphire and diamonds. All prices upon request. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Click here to read the full article. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Update, Nov. 22, 2025, at 9:15 a.m.: On Friday night on X, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced that she will be resigning from Congress in January. A year after the most openly misogynist presidential candidate in modern U.S. history defeated, for the second time, an ultracompetent woman and brought a politics of unabashed male dominance to the White House and country writ large, it can feel like something of a quaint throwback to remark on why its important to have women in positions of power. The man sitting behind the Resolute Desk recently snapped Quiet! Quiet, piggy at a female reporter after she asked him about his refusal to release the Epstein Files, simply the latest in his career-long impulse to hurl sexist insults at women who challenge or question him. His secretary of defense has tweeted a video of his own pastor arguing that women shouldnt have the right to vote. His White House intervened on behalf of accused rapist and sex trafficker (and self-identified misogynist) Andrew Tate and his brother after the two flew back to the U.S., fleeing human trafficking and rape allegations in Romania (Tate faces 21 similar criminal charges in the U.K.); the Trump administration official who intervened, Paul Ingrassia, faced sexual harassment allegations after a colleagues said he intentionally canceled a female co-workers hotel room on a work trip so she would have to share one with him. The president has pushed most of the militarys highest-ranking women out of their posts. He won election in part by catering to men who resent womens increasing economic and social power. But his administration and the coalition that supports it is far from exclusively male. And the women in it tell us a lot about women in powerhow some replicate and perpetuate the same misogyny that limits their opportunities; how many women, including conservative ones, really do have unique life experiences that can shape their leadership in surprising ways; and how electing women is certainly not by itself sufficient for feminist change, but is absolutely necessary for it. The MAGA women who broke ranks to successfully force the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein are illustrative. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, and Nancy Mace arent exactly feminist firebrands or social justice warriors. But it does seem like something more than coincidence that three of the four Republican members of Congress to support the discharge petition to release the documents were women. The fourth, Thomas Massie, is a longtime Trump antagonist; the three women, though, have been among the most loyal MAGA acolytes in Congress. Theyve defied the president to whom they have historically catered over Epstein: a man widely known to be an abuser and exploiter of women and girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the House voted almost unanimously to release the Epstein files held by the Department of Justicebut only after Donald Trump told his party members that it was OK. For months before this moment, Epstein survivors and Democrats had been pushing for the documents release, while Trump and most of the GOP alternated between stonewalling and lashing out at those advocating transparency. When the issue simply refused to go away and media coverage of it was unceasing, Trump grudgingly relented. When the House voted to release the documents, Mace told a reporter, I see this as a very symbolic day, and its a very emotional day for me because of the fight that this symbolizes, not just for [Epstein survivors] but for so many of us thatll never get justice. The us there is meaningful: Mace has taken to the House floor to identify as a sexual assault survivor, and while shes far from an abortion rights advocate, she at least supports expanding contraception access and exceptions to abortion banspositions that are far from mainstream in todays extremely abortion-hostile GOP. Advertisement Greenewho announced her resignation Friday night on Xand Boebert have not made the issue quite so personal, but its clear that Epsteins victims have had an effect on them. Its far from a universal truth that women feel a visceral empathy for sexual abuse and rape survivors. But it is also the case that nearly all women have experienced something on the sexism and sexual abuse spectrum, whether thats being catcalled, hit on as a young girl by an older man, sexually harassed at work, sexualized as a child, groped, forced into sex by a partner, or worse. And nearly all women have, at one point or another, taken steps to prevent our own victimization, whether thats being careful to park in a well-lit area, not walking outside after dark, carrying our keys between our knuckles as a weapon, taking a self-defense class, covering our drink with a napkin, or texting friends details before dates. Men, of course, may take precautions too. But it really is only women who live with the pervasive threat of rape and assault in the backs of our minds. That clearly doesnt shape the politics of every female elected official. But living as a woman in the world comes with its own unique humiliations and particular pockets of power. Those experiences shape usincluding those women who run for office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Womens life experiences dont always shape us toward the feminist. Those who live in conservative communities tend to be conservative themselves, rather than chafing at the strictures put upon them, perhaps because complying with sexist cultural norms affords those women some benefits like male protection and social status, and avoiding the kind of overt and hostile sexism directed at women who break the mold. That typically means taking a subservient seat to men who believe authority is their birthright, an expectation that complicates matters for conservative women who also crave the exact kind of power and influence its considered unladylike to pursue. And so we see the women of MAGA adopting a particular (and particularly odd) set of gender norms: a heavily feminized appearance, often with the help of conspicuous plastic surgery; a penchant for guns, so no one confuses them for those wishy-washy always-the-victim liberal women; and a general claim that they are both hyperfeminine but also not like other women. They are, in other words, as tough as men and therefore deserving to be in traditionally male roles, but not actually challenging mens rightful dominance on behalf of womankind (and still carrying out their feminine duty to be hot). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberal women have to navigate complex gender politics, too, but theres less of an inherent ideological conflict between liberalism itself and women seeking power. Democratic groups have invested significant resources to elect more women. And, unsurprisingly, given liberalisms general support of gender equality and the Democratic Partys more feminist policy positions, women tend to be more liberal than men. It is not a coincidence that there are almost three times as many Democratic women in office as Republican ones. It would be absurd to celebrate Greene, Boebert, Mace, or any other MAGA women in office as feminist heroines. All three have been loyal to a president accused of many acts of sexual assault and harassment; all three are members of a party that is abjectly hostile to womens rights and have voted accordingly; none support a womans most fundamental right to make her own reproductive choices; none have spent their time in Congress advocating for women, opting instead to showboat, gun-tote, and promote conspiracy theories of varying farcicality and bigotry. When it comes to actual policymaking, a Democratic maneven a moderate onewould be better for womens rights than any female MAGA Republican currently in office. Advertisement Advertisement But womens lives and the culture we live in are not shaped by policy alone. A government made up mostly of men, even if it includes men who support womens rights, is not a representative government. It is not a righteous government. And male monopolies on power tend to be self-perpetuating: Only when a critical mass of women run and win does it begin to feel possible that women can run for office and win. The volume and position really do matter. Take, for example, the exhaustive (and exhausting) debates over whether a woman can win a presidential election: The very question works as a tool to discourage women from running, and to warn voters and party leaders away from putting another woman on the ballot. On the flip side, more women in officeincluding mediocre women, including objectively awful womennormalizes having women in office, and will hopefully break us out of the pattern of any given female elected carrying the weight of womankind on her shoulders. In my ideal world, half of the people in power would be women, and all of them would be amazing. But given our current reality, Ill settle for a world in which women who pursue power can be seen as individual people with all the flaws, inclinations toward mediocrity, and occasional bouts of insanity that seem to afflict most men in Congress, rather than being perpetually seen as avatars for their sex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, it is the case that having more women in power really does tend to be materially better for women. There is a growing body of research indicating that electing women to positions of power results in the stripping away of more barriers for everyday women to work for pay. Female politicians are more likely than their male counterparts to work on legislation related to women and children, a group that taken together makes up a huge majority of the American public. This is, of course, in the aggregate, and doesnt tell us much about any individual female politician. A more fundamental truth is that if we actually want a representative government, we need women represented in itand as long as there are conservative voters electing conservative politicians, that includes conservative women. And sometimes, as with the Epstein files, even some serially awful conservative women can surprise you. November 22, 2025: Sudan is the southern neighbor of Egypt and for the last few years has been ravaged by famine and a civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Force/RSF militias. The RSF was created in 2013 to deal with rebels in western Sudan. The RSF did that and gained combat experience which gave them an edge over the army that kept the civil war going from late 2023 to the present. What started the war was a military coup that was supposed to be a temporary condition to speed up the return of democracy. That backfired as a lot of the pro-reform civilians declared the military government another effort to restore dictatorship. Thats how Omar al Bashir, the dictator from 1989-to-2019, got his start. The form post-Bashir Sudan took is one of feuding factions and escalating fighting over scarce resources like food and gold. Before the current civil war Sudan produced over $3 billion worth of gold annually and was the third largest producer in Africa. In 2025 Sudan produced 53 tons of gold, worth nearly a billion dollars. Gold is sought by all the factions because with gold you can buy food, weapons, friends, influence or a way out of the country to somewhere safer. Safer also means safe from enslavement. Slavery continues to exist in Sudan. Since the 1990s the government encouraged the RSF in Western Sudan to raid non-Moslem black African tribes and take slaves. In 2024 the Sudan civil war escalated and moved to the capital where government and rebel RSF gunmen fought constantly. The two sides could not agree on how to run the government and decided that a death match was the only way to settle the matter. Civilians caught in the crossfire are fleeing the capital and, in some cases, if they can afford it, leaving the country. Sudan is one of the poorest nations in the world and considered the least developed nation on the planet. The last few years of civil war have led to 60 percent of the population slipping towards starvation because of persistent food shortages. Another problem Sudan has is its short existence as a nation. Modern Sudan did not appear until 1956 when the Republic of Sudan was created from Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. Before that Sudan was an Islamic religious dictatorship for fourteen years. For several thousand years before that, Sudan was always part of some other kingdom or empire. On March 26th the Sudanese army commander landed at the Khartoum airport. This marked the recent recapture of Khartoum from Sudans RSF. The war fought by these two groups has been going on for two years. Unrest is reappearing seven years after the end of Sudan's civil war. Despite RSF losing the capital, the civil war continues. The current battle for control of Khartoum has been going on since early 2023. So far, this war has displaced 15 million Sudanese and left over 100,000 dead. All this comes at a time when portions of Sudan are suffering famine because of disrupted food aid deliveries. There has been a cholera outbreak. Meanwhile the civil war has been tearing Sudan apart since early 2023. This conflict has been between the Sudanese government and major portions of the country that violently disagree with government policies. The SNC/Sovereign National Council was created by civilian and military groups to negotiate a peace deal. That effort has ended as a stalemate in the effort to restore democracy. The coup was supposed to be a temporary condition to speed things up. That backfired as a lot of the pro-reform civilians declared the military government another effort to restore dictatorship. Thats how Omar al Bashir, the dictator from 1989-to-2019, got his start. The situation in South Sudan, one of the results of Bashirs misrule, is more settled. Before the April 2023 outbreak of fighting between the RSF and the army, Sudan was planning a long period of peace, reconciliation, reform and rebuilding. By early 2025 the death toll, including civilians, was approaching 80,000. Many more people have been driven from their homes and lost their jobs. This has turned into an economic disaster and food shortages are growing. Foreign aid is often stolen by gangsters, the RSF or soldiers. Instability and violence are becoming Sudans normal state of affairs. The two Sudans became quieter in 2019 when the long-lasting Bashir dictatorship was removed by determined popular resistance. South Sudan ended its post-independence civil war when everyone realized that they were destroying what they were allegedly fighting over and maybe a shouting-match was preferable to shooting at each other. That brought peace to both Sudans for the first time since the 1989 coup when then general Bashir took power and led Sudan on a downward trajectory. The peace did not last and the fighting between government forces and those of the RSF that has been around since 1988, when they appeared as the Janjaweed Arab Sudanese militia in the west Sudan region of Darfur. Before 1988 the Janjaweed were involved with violence going on in neighboring Chad and Libya but after 1988 the Janjaweed concentrated its activities in Darfur. In 2013 the Janjaweed rebranded themselves as the RSF and evolved into paid Sudanese government enforcers in Darfur. In 2023 the Sudan government suggested that the RSF become part of the Sudanese Army. RSF refused and in April 2023 the fighting between government forces and the RSF began. At this point the RSF was powerful enough to take on the army. Currently that struggle continues. Between then and now there were some other interesting developments. For example the slavery problem continues in Sudan and sometimes gets into the news. This happened a lot in Sudan since the 1990s as the government encouraged Arabized tribes to raid non-Moslem black African tribes and take slaves. In northern Mali retreating al Qaeda men sometimes took newly enslaved blacks with them. This tolerance of slaving is one of the many reasons Sudan is one of the five most corrupt nations in the world. These five outlaw states are, according to the annual Transparency International Corruption Perception Index, North Korea, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and Somalia. Sudan is considered a bit less corrupt than South Sudan. Sudan has been behaving in other ways and in October 2020 was removed from the U.S.s State Sponsor of Terrorism/SST list. Sudan agreed to pay compensation to American victims of terror attacks, with the attack on the 2000 destroyer Cole in Yemen and the 1998 attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania the most important. Sudan was on the SST list for 27 years. Sudans 2020 transitional government agreed to peaceful relations with Israel. That eventually happened and since late 2020, Israeli governments and security forces have cooperated with their Sudanese equivalents. Recognizing Israel was a divisive issue in Sudan. Even some pro-democracy groups opposed it. As for the SST, escaping the list means Sudan now had better access to international financial and investment organizations. It will also make it much easier and legal for Sudanese to import western technology like computers, smart phones and software. Sudan now had easier access to foreign aid of all types, including life-saving medical assistance. This aid was a major consideration, for Sudans governments were always facing an extended economic crisis and shortages of food and medical supplies. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Earlier this month, Google researchers released a paper about Project Suncatcher, the companys research moonshot to build data centers in space. The papers authors dont mince words when it comes to the challenges the tech giant is facing from A.I.s energy demands, and their planned solution is to launch fleets of satellites into space and harvest energy from the sun. Googles space-based data centers wont be gigantic monolithic buildings like the data centers we have on Earth, but a constellation of solar-powered satellites carrying tensor processing units (the processors used to power Googles A.I. systems). The paper boasts that the companys data center fleet will be significantly larger than any previous or current satellite constellations in orbit. Reading the paper, I was struck by a sense of deja vu. It was all too familiar: the rapidly increasing energy demands of A.I., the need for alternative energy sources, and launching data centers into the sky to harvest energy from the sun. Sure enough, Google is going to have some stiff competition, including from its own former CEO Eric Schmidt (who took over control of Relativity Space and is also planning to launch data centers into space), Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Red Hat (owned by IBM), China, startups like Starcloud, and others. Its not hard to see where this is going, or to predict just how bad this is going to be. Having drained the Earth of its natural resources and energy, the billionaires, tech giants, and warring nations of the world will launch their satellite data centers into space, littering our atmosphere and the solar system with satellite debris, contributing to light pollution, and making it difficult for astronomers and astrophysicists to conduct any research. Without any significant regulations that prevent them from launching thousands (or even millions) of these satellite-based data centers, it will be a competition for control over space itself. The winner will be the one who can put the most satellites into orbit, at the lowest cost, for the longest time and successfully exclude others from doing the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We already know what happens when these oligarchs, corporations, and countries compete against one another. Its ugly, it leads to power consolidation, and it almost always leaves us the people, the users, the citizensworse off. After the social media wars, the algorithm and machine learning wars, and the A.I. wars, were headed toward the space data-center wars, in which the battle for control will fill the very skies above us. And I suspect fill is an understatement. As the authors of the Suncatcher paper point out, they wont be able to service any broken space-based data centers by hand the way they do on Earth. Their solution for this is redundancy: Theyre going to put more and extra processors and satellites into orbit for when the others inevitably break down. Google has many millions of TPUs in its terrestrial data centers; if theyre going to win the space data-center wars, theyre going to need millions of them in the sky, too. Multiply that by the number of competitors, and what results will be a nightmarish swarm of metal debris surrounding our planet. Its almost like they saw the cluttered graveyard of dead satellites clustered around the Earth in Wall-E and thought to themselves, That! Lets do that! Advertisement All of this, theyre doing in the name of A.I. Or, at least, thats what theyre telling us. The Project Suncatcher team claims that A.I. is a foundational general-purpose technologyakin to electricity or the steam engine, a comparison thats quite a stretch. I have yet to see any implementation of A.I. that I could consider either general-purpose or foundational, and I think its absurd to look at the hallucinating chatbots and inaccurate A.I. Google search summaries and claim that this technology is fundamental to human progress. Googles own CEO, Sundar Pichai, even told the BBC that people shouldnt blindly trust A.I. Advertisement I suspect the real reason theyre doing this has nothing to do with A.I. itself or their belief in its value (or lack of value) to humanity. At the heart of it, I believe this is a simple, straightforward, cold-blooded quest for power. Having already dominated and ravaged our world, theyve set their sights on the sky. It would be easy to put a stop to this. We need an international agreement like the Antarctic Treaty that prevents countries and corporations from launching satellites into low Earth orbit for nonscientific purposes and prohibits commercial resource extraction of any kind. Maybe then we could protect the sky, and prevent the Earths atmosphere from becoming a graveyard of broken satellites, space debris, and redundant TPUs. RBS AA Holdings (Netherlands) B.V. Vs DCIT (ITAT Delhi) AO Applied Wrong Rule, Wrong Date & Wrong FMVSection 50CA Not Attracted; Cost Must Be Actual 13.02/Share; Long-Term Capital Loss Allowed The Assessee, a Netherlands tax-resident, acquired 23.10 crore shares of its Indian subsidiary RBS Prime Services (India) Pvt. Ltd. in FY 2013-14 through a secondary purchase @ 13.02/share. In FY 2017-18, 14.67 crore shares were cancelled/reduced pursuant Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content. Three taikonauts have been stranded on the Tiangong space station for the past five days. China's space program decided to use Shenzhou-21's return capsule to return the Shenzhou-20 crew to Earth after their spacecraft was damaged by space debris. The agency signaled through an airspace closure notice on Monday that it will launch an empty vehicle next week for the marooned SZ-21 crew on the Tiangong space station. After the lifeboat's arrival, the crew will continue to see out their six-month stay in low Earth orbit. A wrench was thrown in the plans of China's space program when debris struck Shenzhou-20's docked spacecraft earlier this month. After a crack was found in a window, the agency deemed that it was unsafe for the capsule to re-enter the atmosphere occupied less than a day before its scheduled return. According to Space.com, the launch reshuffling will see Shenzhou-22 launch empty next week instead of its slated mission in April 2026. A spokesperson for China's Manned Space Agency told a state broadcaster, "The mission for launching the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft has been initiated, with preparations for all systems in full swing, including testing the spacecraft and rocket components and preparing the cargo." Read more: These Are The Most Uncomfortable Cars You Have Ever Owned NASA's strategy dealing with stranded astronauts is slighty different This handout image supplied by NASA shows Boeing and NASA teams work around NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test Starliner spacecraft after it landed uncrewed at White Sands Space Harbor, on September 6, 2024 at White Sands, New Mexico. - Nasa/Getty Images Unlike NASA, CMSA is always prepared with a backup spacecraft that can be quickly prepared for an impromptu emergency launch. America's space agency had a similar dilemma last year during the Boeing Crew Flight Test. After thruster issues cropped up on the Boeing Starliner, NASA deemed it unsafe for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to fly it back from the International Space Station unless the faults were fixed. The eight-day mission stretched on for three months until the agency returned Starliner empty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To accommodate the return of Wilmore and Williams, NASA delayed the SpaceX Crew-9 mission as well as benching two of the flight's four astronauts to leave for make seats available. The September 2024 launch also included SpaceX spacesuits for Wilmore and Williams because NASA didn't require IVA suits to be cross-compatible between different contractors in the Commercial Crew Program. The only complication for Wilmore and Williams was that Crew-9 wasn't returning to Earth any earlier for their predicament. After launching to the ISS in June 2024, the marooned duo wouldn't return to Earth until March 2025. Elon Musk claimed that he offered President Joe Biden an emergency SpaceX mission to get them back sooner and that the offer was shot down for "political reasons." However, no one at NASA heard of this so-called offer. After being directly called out on his lie, the trillion-dollar CEO threatened to crash the ISS into the ocean, a completely normal reaction for an adult. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Jalopnik. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 2:53 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI Nov. 22 (UPI) -- SpaceX launched another batch of Starlink satellites early Saturday, the record 101st flight this year from Florida's Space Coast. The Falcon 9 carrying 29 satellites into low-Earth orbit lifted off at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Pad 40 at 2:53 a.m. EST. behind the 1:59 a.m. start of the launch window. Traveling in a southeast direction, the first-stage booster landed on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas" in the Atlantic Ocean. It was its ninth flight, including three previous Starlink missions and NASA Crew-10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drone returned a Falcon 9 booster to Port Canaveral on Thursday and went back to support the latest mission. Timed exposure of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket shows the mission with 29 Starlink satellites. Lifotff was 2:53 a.m from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Pad 40 in Florida.Photo by Joe Marino/UPI A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 29 Starlink satellites at 2:53 a.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI There have been 67 Starlink missions this year from Florida, carrying 1,724 satellites. In all there have been 150 Falcon 9 launches this year, including from California. From Florida's Cape Canaveral an Kennedy Space Center, there were 93 in 2024 after 74 missions in 2023. Aside from SpaceX, Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance also launch missions from Florida's space coast. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sends 29 Starlink satellites from Florida into low-Earth orbit eventually. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been more than 9,000 Starlink satellites launched since 2019. The next SpaceX Starlink mission is scheduled for midnight Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base's Pad 4E in California. That mission will send 29 satellites into orbit. From Florida, the next SpaceX Starlink flight is scheduled for Nov. 30 from Pad 40. Russian forces fighting in Mali have failed to break the country free from a stifling fuel blockade and attacks waged by suspected jihadists, as the wider Sahel region becomes further mired in conflict. After turning its back on former colonial power France, Mali's junta government in 2021 pivoted to Russia and its notorious Wagner paramilitary group, which became the Africa Corps in June. Under the direct control of the Russian defence ministry, the Africa Corps' soldiers are tasked with battling the jihadists, who have recently increased attacks in the country's south and west. While the Wagner Group delivered victories for the Malian army in the north in 2023 with the recapture of key strongholds from suspected jihadists and Tuareg separatists, the wins were not enough to improve overall national security. Meanwhile Russian forces in Mali are accused of numerous abuses against civilians, which jihadists have exploited by presenting themselves as protectors of targeted communities, according to several reports. "The list of incidents in which Wagner has been identified as having committed atrocities includes massacres, acts of torture and rape of civilians," Geneva-based NGO Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime wrote in an October report. The region has now become the world's epicentre of "terrorism", according to the latest Global Terrorism Index. - 'Actively deployed' - Since September, the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) has imposed a blockade on several towns and attacked fuel convoys coming primarily from Senegal and Ivory Coast, through which the majority of Mali's imported goods transit. The army has struggled to secure the roads, costing the lives of drivers and soldiers alike. And it has been unable to stem the fuel shortage that is suffocating the country, including the capital Bamako. Initially limited to air support, the Africa Corps is now intervening on the ground. The corps is "actively deployed on the ground at the request of the Malian authorities to restore fuel supplies", Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said on Thursday. She specified that "ground and air escorts have been put in place". That said, efforts by the Malian army and the Africa Corps "are failing and are extremely costly", a European intelligence source told AFP. On Tuesday, JNIM threatened to intensify its blockade of Bamako, declaring that all tanker truck drivers would henceforth be considered "military targets" and "dealt with accordingly". Africa Corps' presence in Mali is part of Moscow's broader strategy to strengthen its political, economic and military influence on the continent, particularly since multiple countries in the West have distanced themselves from Russia. The group "is already in other African countries such as Libya, Niger and Burkina Faso, where they do mainly training", said Ulf Laessing, director of the Sahel programme at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali. The Africa Corps has additionally been noted in the Central African Republic and Equatorial Guinea. - 'Largely absent' from south - Unlike its Wagner predecessor, the Africa Corps is adopting a more cautious approach on the ground. It has participated in far fewer battles and relies heavily on air support, drones and fortified positions," said Heni Nsaibia, senior west Africa analyst for the ACLED conflict monitor. Africa Corps "has been largely absent from the south" except for a few operations, Nsaibia said, but it is increasingly involved in assisting Mali's army in securing fuel convoys. Russia has traditionally concentrated its operations in the north of Mali, home to rich mining resources which are of interest to Moscow. The junta hopes to take advantage of these mining sites, which are often controlled by JNIM and the Islamic State group in the Sahel -- particularly when it comes to gold, a resource also coveted by Russia. The Russian company Yadran has partnered with Mali to build a new gold refinery, expected to process 200 tonnes of gold per year. Meanwhile in mid-November, the Malian army and Russian soldiers recaptured the Intahaka mining site in the country's northern Gao region. - 'Russia's interests' - In recent weeks, Moscow has dispatched media outlets to Mali to produce glowing reports about the Africa Corps and burnish its image. "Military personnel from the defence ministry, especially the Africa Corps, defend Russia's interests always and everywhere," a Russian soldier in Mali recently told state-run Russian TV channel RT. The Africa Corps declined to answer questions from AFP earlier this week. According to ACLED data, 924 civilians were killed in incidents involving Wagner and the Malian army in 2024. Since January 2025, a further 434 have died, it said. burs-bdi/pid/bfm/gil OVER THE TABLE: Acting Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) Wendy Barton, right, presents the written 10% offer to Public Services Association (PSA) president Felisha Thomas during their meeting yesterday at the departments Alexandra Street, St Clair, office. The offer covers the 20142016 and 20172019 bargaining periods and signalled the official start of wage negotiations for thousands of public sector workers attached to the Civil Service, Tobago House of Assembly and various statutory authorities. :PROTECTING JOBS: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, third from right, shakes hands with Nutrien president and chief executive officer Ken Seitz during a meeting yesterday. Looking on from left are Nutrien Trinidad vice-president and managing director Edmond Thompson, Nutrien senior vice president of Nitrogen Operations Dean Perkins, Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and National Gas Company chairman Gerald Ramdeen. A rare species prized by birders in Southern Arizona has been unceremoniously stripped of its elegance, and at least one local expert isnt happy about the change. A leading panel of taxonomists recently announced a species split and a name change for the elegant trogon, a brightly colored red and green bird sometimes spotted in Madera Canyon and elsewhere in the sky island mountain ranges south of Tucson. The trogons in Central America will retain the elegant name while the ones found across Mexico and occasionally Southern Arizona will henceforth be known as coppery-tailed trogons. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, operators of the popular eBird online database for bird observations, posted a notice about the change last month as part of its annual taxonomic update. The move is part of a broader push to compile a single global checklist of bird species that reconciles the various names and classifications found in multiple lists produced by an alphabet soup of different ornithological organizations. Jennie MacFarland cant help but feel betrayed. I was definitely surprised. I didnt even know it was up for a split, she said. I find it kind of irritating. Why didnt they leave ours as the elegant one? MacFarland is director of bird conservation for the Tucson Bird Alliance. Since 2013, she has led the nonprofit environmental groups annual population survey of elegant trogons in the mountains south and east of Tucson. Only now it turns out that the large and exotic-looking bird she has been counting all these years is actually a slightly different kind of large and exotic-looking bird. I dont love it, MacFarland said of the new name. I dont think its as romantic. Its kind of clunky, and it doesnt sound as cool. Even the scientific name for the coppery-tailed variety seems like a slight: Trogon ambiguus, literally Latin for ambiguous or uncertain trogon. The coppery-tailed moniker has actually been around for a while. For decades, it was used to distinguish the northern variety of elegant trogon from the ones in Central America two distinct populations that are separated by geography but also feature subtle differences in plumage and in the cadence of their calls. Some taxonomists over the years have classified them as entirely separate species, while others opted to treat them as subspecies. MacFarland said the trogons we see up here do have a metallic, yellow-orange hue on the back of their tails, but the decision to declare it as a separate species is not the result of some new research or genetic analysis. Its the exact same bird. Nothing else has changed. She said revisions like this are common in the avian taxonomy world. Bird classification groups seem to go through phases of style when it comes to naming and classifying bird species, MacFarland said, with an era of lumping followed by an era of splitting like the one were in now. Its entirely possible that this bird could get relumped someday and go back to being elegant, she said. Its worth noting that the Tucson Bird Alliance underwent a name change of its own in 2024. After 75 years as the Tucson Audubon Society, board members for the local conservation group decided they no longer wished to be lumped in with John James Audubon, the 19th century slave owner and white supremecist famous for his colorful illustration of birds. Southern Arizona lies at the northern edge of the trogons range, and it serves as a nesting ground for birds from northern Mexico. They generally arrive in mid-April and fly south again with their chicks in September or October. Trogons are cavity nesters, drawn to natural hollows in sycamore trees or the holes left in oaks and pines by flickers and other birds. MacFarland said they seem to prefer wooded canyons with ample large-bodied insects such as grasshoppers and walking sticks, which the omnivores rely on through the summer to feed themselves and their hatchlings. One way to spot them is by zeroing in on their distinctive call, which is easily the least elegant thing about them. The sound has been compared to the bark of an angry chihuahua, but it also reminds MacFarland of the croaking noise a frog might make. She and her fellow surveyors generally go out looking for the birds in mid-May to avoid disturbing them when theyre trying to nest. The population count is conducted in five mountain ranges: the Santa Ritas, Chiricahuas, Huachucas, Patagonias and Atascosas. MacFarland said she also hears about occasional trogon nests in the Rincons and Galiuros, but those mountains are not included because they require too much hiking for too few sightings. Interestingly, the birds do not seem to favor the Catalinas. She said the handful of reports she has gotten in that range have come in late summer or early fall, leading her to suspect that the Galiuro trogons might occasionally use the Catalinas for a brief stopover on their way back to Mexico. The overall population in Arizona never amounts to much. The highest number on record came in 2020, when MacFarland and company counted 201 trogons across the entire survey area. Just 31 birds were sighted last year, the lowest total by far. It seems highly variable and tied to habitat conditions, MacFarland said. Ultimately, she doesnt expect the name change to diminish overall interest in the bird. As long as Southern Arizona is the only place in the U.S. to reliably find the once-elegant species, people will continue to come looking for it. The trogon is going to be a headliner for visiting birders or bird enthusiasts, no matter what its called, she said. But it could take a while for the new name to catch on, especially with people who have devoted so much time to the bird. Its going to be kind of rough for me, MacFarland said. I know Im going to still be calling it elegant for years. A recent announcement from General Motors, as reported by GM Authority, points to the fact that GM is developing "multiple variants" of a brand-new passenger car. These vehicles will be built on the rear-/all-wheel drive Alpha 2-2 platform, which is the advanced next-gen version of the Alpha 2 platform. Alpha 2 provided the underpinnings of the current Cadillac CT5, the discontinued Cadillac CT4, and the late, lamented sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, which might or might not be gone for good. While GM has committed to building the next generation of the Cadillac CT5 on the Alpha 2-2 platform, GM Authority's sources have claimed that the U.S. will be getting another vehicle built using the same underpinnings. This has unleashed a great deal of speculation as to what GM might be producing alongside the Cadillac CT5, since the automaker has said nothing about it so far. GM Authority has identified several possible candidates a sedan badged as a Chevrolet Malibu or Impala; a seventh-generation of the Camaro, produced in both convertible and coupe versions; a two-door version of the CT5 produced as a coupe and a convertible; or possibly even a four-door version of the Camaro. Other observers support the notion that it is likely either a new Chevrolet or a Cadillac, while some are hoping for a Chevy Malibu SS. Read more: Cars That Will Blow You Away In 2023 And Beyond GM's potential return to passenger cars Red and silver Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s parked on a race track - Chevrolet The readjustment of the U.S. market following the elimination of EV tax credits and delayed emission regulations is in process. The industry has realized that ICE vehicles and hybrids will be a part of the scene for the foreseeable future, and GM looks to be accepting this new reality by providing products that consumers are likely to buy in sufficient quantities to make them profitable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new vehicle on the Alpha 2-2 platform, whether it is released as a Chevrolet or a Cadillac, might even see GM return to the world of sedans, a market that automakers like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai have been very happy to serve. At this point, though, the world is just guessing what the platform-mate of the next generation of the Cadillac CT5, which our review praised for its engine but not its fit and finish, will be. Whatever comes down the production line along with the new Cadillac CT5, it is a good sign that General Motors seems to have realized that customers still want to purchase passenger cars. Passenger vehicles, including sedans, are still a versatile and viable choice for many of today's buyers at a wide variety of price points. The proof of this has been demonstrated by the Toyota Camry, which sold more than 300,000 units in 2024. Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. Associate Professor Doan Van Dien, approaching the age of 90, has donated 2 billion VND (approximately $80,000) to Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City to establish a permanent scholarship fund. His motivation? A desire to give back - to life, to his students, and to the teaching profession. Two weeks ago, Nong Lam University received an extraordinary gift: 2 billion VND from former rector Dr. Doan Van Dien, who served from 1989 to 1994. The funds are being used to establish the Doan Van Dien Scholarship Fund, aimed at supporting underprivileged students and recognizing outstanding lecturers. The news spread quickly - not because of the amount alone, but because of the touching story behind it: a nearly 90-year-old educator who has devoted his entire life to education and never kept anything for himself. All I have is a Resistance Medal Professor Doan Van Dien, former rector of Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, donated 2 billion VND to establish a scholarship fund. Photo: Le Huyen Born in 1937 (or 1936 by the lunar calendar) in Phu Yen, Doan Van Dien joined the revolutionary movement at age nine. At 17, he moved to the North to study math and physics at Hanoi National University of Education, eventually shifting to agricultural mechanical engineering. From then on, his life followed a singular path - education. He rose through the ranks as a lecturer, department head, vice-rector, and ultimately rector. He also served three times as a B cadre (northern officials assigned to southern regions), crossing the Truong Son range during wartime. After reunification, he returned to Nong Lam University (then University of Agriculture IV) to help establish the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering. Starting with just a few dozen students, he helped it grow into a reputable faculty, laying the foundation for agricultural mechanics in southern Vietnam. Five years later, he became rector during a difficult post-reform period, when education faced many hurdles and uncertainties. I met Associate Professor Dien at his modest, tree-shaded home on Hoa Hung Street in District 10, Ho Chi Minh City. Though well into his nineties, he speaks with calm clarity, his eyes still bright. He told me that despite his long career in education, he never received the title of Meritorious or Peoples Teacher, feeling he wasnt worthy. He also declined the opportunity to complete paperwork for the Labor Order medal. All I have is the Resistance Medal from the war against America - an honor many Vietnamese received, he said with quiet composure. After retiring from public service, he received a monthly pension of 6.4 million VND (around $250), which has since risen to about 11 million VND (approximately $440). Yet, retirement to him is just an administrative formality. For the past two decades, he has continued building schools and working in education because he believes in its power to transform individuals and society. After leaving Nong Lam University, he helped found Lac Hong University and later Viet Thanh High School, calling it his dream of creating a decent school. When we started Lac Hong, I dreamed of it becoming the Harvard of Dong Nai. People said I was delusional - Harvard has centuries of history and global prestige, while Lac Hong started from nothing. But I believe the Southeast region has all the right conditions to host a top-tier university, he shared. At Viet Thanh High School, he hoped to explore why so many students appeared uninspired. Many are bright and capable but lack solid foundations. I wanted to try a model of root-strengthening education to ensure students enter university with a true base, he explained. The teacher must be better than the student - but must teach so that one day the student surpasses them... In addition to his $80,000 donation to Nong Lam University, Associate Professor, Dr. Doan Van Dien also established a $40,000 scholarship fund in memory of his fallen brother Doan Van Tuong, for disadvantaged students in his hometown of Xuan Loc, now part of Dak Lak. Photo: Le Huyen Looking back on his 60-year career, Mr. Dien said he has experienced all the ups and downs of Vietnamese education. He believes education cannot be separated from production and real life. Students must learn theory to understand, practice to act, and ethics to grow. He insists that a teacher should be one step ahead of the student, but must teach in a way that ensures the student will be a step ahead after graduation. According to him, a good teacher must possess deep knowledge and broad vision to guide others - but their ultimate goal should not be to keep students behind, but to help them move forward, beyond even the teachers own achievements. A teacher must not hoard knowledge but must open minds and offer opportunities. $80,000 - savings from 20 years and a heart full of gratitude Initially, Dien had planned to donate an even larger sum to Nong Lam University, but circumstances didnt allow it. Ultimately, he contributed 2 billion VND, the result of over 20 years of dedicated work in private education. According to the agreement, the university will deposit the funds into a bank account, using the interest to provide annual scholarships to disadvantaged students and to reward deserving lecturers. The fund will be awarded every year on Opening Day and on November 20, Vietnamese Teachers' Day. He didnt stop there. He also established a 1 billion VND (around $40,000) scholarship fund in his hometown of Xuan Loc (now Dak Lak), named after his late brother Doan Van Tuong, a martyr. This fund, too, will be deposited, and the interest used to award scholarships annually and perpetually. He hopes to establish a similar fund at Lac Hong University when conditions permit. At this late stage of life, Associate Professor Dien rarely talks about achievements. Instead, he speaks of an inner fullness. When I asked how he would sustain himself in retirement after giving away most of his savings, he replied calmly, Knowing whats enough is enough. Ive given my children the tools to thrive. This part - this is to repay life, my students, and the profession. These scholarships are my way of showing gratitude to those who helped me become a teacher. Le Huyen HCM City (photo: Nguyen Hue) The recent high tide that occurred from November 5-8, peaking at 1.78m, and combined with sudden heavy rains, left many streets and residential areas in HCMC inundated under the water. Images of residents wading through deep water on streets such as Nguyen Van Linh, Tran Xuan Soan, Pham Huu Lau, Huynh Tan Phat, and Nguyen Luong Bang, along with vehicles stalling en masse have become a recurring nightmare each rainy season or tidal surge in HCMC. Pham The Bao from Pham Huu Lau Street said this years flooding level is much higher than previous years. Even though I raised my house foundation level about 5060cm above street level, it still could not stop the water from flowing in. I have never seen the water rise this high, he said. In low-lying areas along the Saigon River and canal systems, such as Binh Quoi - Thanh Da, Phu Dinh and Nha Be, daily life has been completely disrupted. Huu Toan in Binh Quoi Ward said he was exhausted from staying up all night watching the rising water, sharing: The flooding was unbearable. My family had to rent a hotel room for two days to escape the water. Beyond property damage and traffic disruption, flooding poses environmental hygiene and electrical safety risks. On the night of November 8, a teenager who was passing a flooded section near Alley 160 De Tham was electrocuted and died. According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of HCMC, the tidal level on the morning of November 6 surpassed the historic 2019 record. At the Phu An station (Saigon River), the peak tide measured at 1.78m, exceeding the previous record of 1.77m (2019). Le Dinh Quyet, Head of Forecasting at the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, said that from November until the end of 2025, the Southeast region, including HCMC, may experience around 56 major tidal surges. Why is flooding in HCMC worsening? Experts say HCMC is built on weak ground, mostly rivermarine sediment. Recent studies show that the city is subsiding at an average rate of 12cm per year, with some places sinking 45cm annually. Surveys indicate that HCMC ranks among the top 10 fastest-sinking cities in the world. Subsidence is concentrated along the Saigon River (from Saigon Bridge to Ba Son Bridge) and the southern districts, especially Binh Chanh and Binh Tan, where many residential zones and industrial parks are located. Le Trung Chon, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development Research (HCMC University of Natural Resources and Environment), said multiple factors contribute to urban subsidence, causing HCMC to sink gradually. First is excessive groundwater extraction over many years, which empties aquifers and causes land to collapse. Next is rapid urbanization and the heavy load of high-rise buildings and transportation infrastructure. Additionally, the concrete coverage of the city prevents rainwater from infiltrating the soil, leaving the ground dry, weak, and more prone to subsidence, he explained. Ho Long Phi, former Director of the Center for Water Management and Climate Change (Vietnam National University HCMC), said the root cause of persistent flooding is the imbalance between rapid urbanization and a drainage system that has not kept pace, in addition to rain, tides and subsidence. He noted that the citys concrete expansion and canal encroachment have eliminated natural water retention and drainage capacities, causing newly developed areas like the former Thu Duc City to experience unprecedented flooding. He added that while HCMC has launched major transport and urban projects (expressways, metro lines, airports), its investments in flood-control infrastructure have remained minimal compared to the citys actual needs. He acknowledged the potential contribution of the VND10,000 billion tide-control project but expressed concern that the project has been stuck for years and remains unfinished. Meanwhile, ongoing canal renovation projects (Ben Cat - Tham Luong, Xuyen Tam, Kenh Te) mainly focus on urban gentrification and environmental improvements. The drainage system is far too outdated to handle heavy rainfall. To address flooding effectively, the city needs to simultaneously upgrade and widen underground drainage pipes while rehabilitating and clearing all canals and waterways, he said. With real flood-control investment needs reaching $78 billion, HCMC should prioritize mobilizing private capital instead of relying solely on the limited state budget. Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son suggested that HCMC must plan for green infrastructure and expand water-related spaces. Green spaces are water-retention areas that reduce flooding and subsidence. The city should limit high-rise developments in weak-soil zones and preserve and connect existing waterways. Anh Phuong The Office of the Investigation Police Agency under the Ministry of Public Security has officially indicted Do Huu Tuan, former Deputy Director of the Department of Food Safety (Ministry of Health), for accepting bribes. On November 22, the Investigation Police Agency confirmed it is investigating a major criminal case involving bribery and bribery-related offenses at the Department of Food Safety and multiple companies across Hanoi and various provinces. As part of its expanded investigation, the agency announced on November 21 that 14 individuals have been indicted. Among them, eight suspects have been charged with accepting bribes. Authorities have issued arrest warrants or travel bans, depending on each suspects level of involvement. Arrest and detention orders were issued for: Do Huu Tuan, former Deputy Director of the Department of Food Safety Le Manh Hung, Head of the Food Product Management Division Vu Huy Long, Specialist at the Food Product Management Division Others were indicted and placed under restricted movement orders, including: Nguyen Thi Thu Quynh, Specialist at the Food Poisoning and Media Monitoring Division Nguyen Thi Yen, Deputy Chief of Office, Department of Food Safety Pham Hoang Giang, Specialist at the Food Product Management Division Tran Thi Hong Nhung, Specialist at the Food Product Management Division Tran Thi Tuyet, Specialist at the Standards and Testing Management Division The Supreme Peoples Procuracy has approved all procedural decisions. Legal measures were executed in full compliance with Vietnamese law. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to uncover the full scope of violations and hold all responsible individuals accountable. Dinh Hieu On November 21, the South Korean government announced a 1 million USD emergency grant. This funding will be channeled through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Vietnam, aiming to assist displaced individuals and communities affected by storms that hit northern Vietnam in late September. Storms such as Bualoi and Matmo, along with widespread flooding, caused severe damage across the country. Also on November 21, the British Embassy in Hanoi confirmed that the UK government would provide an additional 300,000 GBP in humanitarian aid to central Vietnam. This supplements an earlier donation of 500,000 GBP in October, bringing the UKs total emergency support in 2025 to 800,000 GBP (approx. 27 billion VND). During a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil announced a donation equivalent to 3.5 billion VND (approx. 143,000 USD) to assist Vietnamese citizens in overcoming flood-related hardships. Earlier, on November 17, the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi pledged a 500,000 USD emergency aid package. This funding will help the most severely impacted families meet critical needs such as temporary shelter and clean water. It follows a previous 500,000 USD relief grant from October, marking 1 million USD in total aid from the U.S. for flood response in Vietnam. Recognizing the massive scale of damage caused by two consecutive storms, the U.S. reiterated its commitment to supporting relief efforts led by the Vietnamese government. On November 13, New Zealand announced a 1 million NZD grant (approx. 15 billion VND / 615,000 USD) to help communities in Vietnam recover from recent storms and widespread flooding that forced mass evacuations and inflicted extensive damage. In October alone, numerous countries and international groups stepped forward with disaster relief. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, as of November 19, embassies, international organizations, and partners had pledged aid for areas impacted by storms No. 10 to 13 and subsequent flooding, with a total value of approximately 13.484 million USD. A relief shipment from the European Union (EU) is also expected to arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and will be distributed to Dak Lak province. The shipment includes 138 kitchen kits and 150 family tents, valued at approximately 75,660 EUR. Heavy toll from a year of storms Since the beginning of 2025, Vietnam has been struck by 11 storms (six of which made direct landfall) and four tropical depressions. More than 200 people have died, hundreds injured, and hundreds of thousands of homes have collapsed or been swept away. Agricultural losses include hundreds of thousands of hectares of destroyed crops, while thousands of transport routes were eroded or cut off. Essential infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and government offices suffered serious damage. The latest flood disaster in the South Central region has killed 72 people. Dak Lak was hit the hardest, with 44 deaths. Khanh Hoa recorded 14 fatalities, while Lam Dong and Gia Lai each had 5 deaths, and Hue and Da Nang each reported 2 deaths. As of this writing, 13 people remain missing. Tran Thuong According to investigators, the couple ran a massive illegal cosmetics smuggling operation from 2020 to 2024, in which they imported low-cost, substandard products manufactured in Guangzhou, China, and resold them under the false pretense that they were made in Hong Kong. The Ministrys investigators allege that the Mailisa founders knowingly purchased products that did not meet quality or ingredient declarations and lacked the required Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) in China. To bypass these regulatory hurdles, they collaborated with Chinese partners to forge contracts and manipulate product origin information, laundering the goods through Hong Kong to obtain false CFS documents. The cosmetics were then smuggled into Vietnam and heavily marketed as premium Hong Kong-manufactured products. By exploiting the perceived credibility of foreign brands, Mailisa was able to mark up prices significantly - sometimes several-fold - and allegedly generated illicit profits amounting to trillions of Vietnamese dong, equivalent to billions of USD. This figure stems from just three of the more than 100 core products distributed by the Mailisa network. On the basis of the collected evidence, authorities have charged eight individuals with smuggling, as defined under Article 188 of Vietnams Penal Code. Those arrested include: Phan Thi Mai, Director of Mailisa Beauty Clinic Co., Ltd. Hoang Kim Khanh, General Director Tran Dan Phuong, Chief Accountant Nguyen Thi Ngoc Truc, Accountant at MK Skincare Vuong Phuong Nghi, Director Vo Hoai Son Lu XueYi, an employee at Khai Hoan Import-Export Co., Ltd. Do Bich Thuy, a money transfer service operator in Hanoi In addition to the arrests, investigators have begun freezing assets, seizing evidence, and expanding the probe into related entities within the Mailisa business ecosystem, including MK Skincare and other affiliates. Dozens of sealed boxes containing documents were removed from Mailisa spa branches in Hanoi and Dak Lak in mid-November. Police have also executed search warrants at the couples 4,000-square-meter luxury estate in Ho Chi Minh City. Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and will be broadened to identify all individuals involved in the organized network. They have committed to thoroughly recovering assets for the state and prosecuting all offenders to the fullest extent of the law. Dinh Hieu - Dam De Prof Dr Nguyen Dinh Cu, former director of the Institute for Population and Social Issues On November 13, the General Office for Population (Ministry of Health), in cooperation with UNFPA, held a meeting to gather feedback on the draft Population Law. Nguyen Thien Nhan, a National Assembly deputy from HCMC, stressed that the Population Law will determine the countrys future over the next 50-100 years. Drafting this law now is extremely important. This is not just a golden opportunity, but a diamond one, he said. He stressed that Vietnam has only about 20 years left to make use of its golden population structure. In 1975, Vietnam had about 50 million people; 50 years later, the number exceeded 100 million. Without reaching todays scale, we would lack workers, human resources, and be unable to develop, he noted. How to encourage childbirth Expressing concern over young peoples reluctance to have children, Cu said he was stunned when a rural girl said she could not understand why women should have children. In the past, growing up meant getting married and having kids. It was natural. Therefore, the questioning surprised him. And the professor admitted that it was not easy to answer the question. He explained that the material and emotional costs of raising children are now extremely high. Parents worry when kids are small, and when kids grow up as well. Even when children succeed, parents may still suffer from constant anxiety if their children face risks or failure. In the past, elders had no pensions or stable income, so they relied on their children, so having many children was an advantage. Today, most older people do not need economic support from children, and if they need emotional support, one child would be enough, Cu said. When the benefits decrease and the costs rise, having fewer children is inevitable. So how do we solve this? he said. Cu suggested that to encourage births, the State, businesses, and the community need to share the costs of raising children with young couples. The State currently has some support policies, but they need to be expanded. He also proposed exempting or reducing contributions to community funds for families with young children, helping them ease their financial burden. "People who do not have children will never understand the joy of watching a child know how to smile, cry, roll over, crawl and walk." We have never taught that having a wife, a husband, and children is happiness. In Vietnamese tradition, family happiness - having a wife, a husband, and children - is irreplaceable, he added. "However, young people must be educated and guided to maintain and cherish that happiness. Otherwise, they will only aim to become good citizens and earn money well," Nhan said. Deputy Director of the General Office for Population and Family Planning (Ministry of Health), Pham Vu Hoang, said that the draft Law on Population has been submitted to the National Assembly by the Government. This law plays an extremely important role, directly impacting the socio-economic development of the country. The draft law focuses on four major policy groups: maintaining the replacement fertility rate; minimizing the gender imbalance at birth; adapting to population aging; and enhancing population quality. The drafting committee stated that it will continue to research and listen to the opinions of National Assembly delegates to finalize the draft law, ensuring close adherence to the Party's guidelines and resolutions, especially Resolution 21 of 2017 on population work in the new situation, and ensuring consistency within the legal system, practicality, and referencing international experience. Nhan commented that the proposed measures in the draft 2025 Population Law are insufficient to ensure that Vietnam can maintain a stable replacement fertility rate. He cited the policy impact assessment report for the draft law, in which the Ministry of Health proposes four measures to sustain replacement fertility: extending maternity leave by one additional month with a payment of VND6.2 million; granting fathers an additional five days of leave with a payment of VND695,000; giving VND2 million to parents who have a second child before age 35; and providing VND2 million to parents who have children in low-fertility areas or to ethnic minority women. In total, a woman would receive VND9-13 million per childbirth. He said the current national average regional minimum wage is VND4.17 million, which is just enough for a worker to maintain their basic living needs. To raise one child, a worker needs at least VND4.17 million per month, about VND50 million per year, VND150 million for three years, and VND900 million for 18 years. The one-time support proposed by the Ministry of Health, at VND9-13 million, accounts for only 1-1.5 percent of the cost of raising a child, he said. Phuong Thuy On November 22, authorities in Phuoc Hau commune reported that emergency repairs were underway across several damaged road sections. Provincial Road 708 - especially the stretch from Ninh Quy 2 to Ninh Quy 3 - had suffered heavy erosion but has since been restored for temporary use. Local crews work to stabilize cracked sections along Route 708. Photo courtesy of residents Floodwaters receded on November 21, revealing deep, wide fissures across the roads surface, some stretching for dozens of meters. Homes and farmlands flanking the road were damaged or swept away. Multiple segments along Route 708 were eroded and split due to the heavy floods. Photo: Resident-submitted Residents said the area had been entirely submerged and isolated before the waters subsided. Emergency responders had to assist evacuations, as roads were impassable and vehicles could not move. Rows of lighting poles on Route 703 in Ninh Phuoc commune were knocked down. Photo: Provided by residents Provincial Road 703 in Ninh Phuoc commune was also hit hard. Many sections were cracked and partially collapsed. On both sides, streetlights were flattened, and some residential buildings had their foundations exposed due to soil erosion. A downed lighting pole entangled with a power line beside a flood-damaged auto garage. Photo: Local resident A roadside house had its base fully exposed by erosion. Photo: Submitted by locals The Vietnamese film Red Rain has been officially included in the list of eligible entries for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) on November 21. The film Red Rain qualifies for Oscar competition. This marks a significant step for Red Rain as it continues its journey in the Oscar race. The next stage will involve voting to determine the Top 15 shortlisted films. Preliminary voting will take place from December 8 to 12, and the shortlist will be revealed on December 16. Final nominations are expected to be announced on January 22, 2026. Earlier, on September 30, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism selected Red Rain as Vietnams official submission to the Oscars. The films application was prepared meticulously to comply with AMPAS regulations. Directed by Meritorious Artist Dang Thai Huyen, Red Rain is adapted from a script by renowned writer Chu Lai. The film revisits the summer of 1972, depicting the fierce battle for control of Quang Tri Citadel, a strategic turning point during the war. Faced with defeat, U.S. and South Vietnamese forces launched a brutal counteroffensive in hopes of shifting momentum at the international negotiating table. Upon its August release, Red Rain quickly became a box-office phenomenon, grossing more than 700 billion VND (approx. 28.5 million USD), setting a new record for Vietnamese cinema. Director Dang Thai Huyen of Red Rain. The cast and crew of Red Rain attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 Vietnam Film Festival. Exhibition held at Palace Museum highlights artworks created by disabled artists Xinhua) 11:11, November 22, 2025 This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows a homespun Hanfu at an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) A disabled artist (R) demonstrates leather carving skills during an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 21, 2025. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows bamboo weaving artworks at an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows batik artworks at an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows a jade sculpture at an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) Representatives of disabled artists pose for a group photo during an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 21, 2025. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) This photo taken on Nov. 21, 2025 shows a phoenix coronet at an exhibition held at the Sensory Experience Gallery of the Palace Museum in Beijing, capital of China. Featuring artworks created by disabled artists from Shanghai, the exhibition kicked off here on Friday. Under the guidance of inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, these artists infused their love for life and reverence for culture into their works. (Xinhua/Cai Yang) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) In 1986, Hyundai launched the second-cheapest car the United States had ever seen: The Hyundai Excel, which had an MSRP of $4,995 (about $14,800 in 2025). Since then, it's doubled down on the affordability strategy to undercut budget car competitors like Honda and Toyota. In fact, Hyundai Motor Group's average transaction price as of April 2025 was about $37,674 (via Cox Automotive), whereas the industry average hovers just under $50,000. As such, you'll find multiple Hyundai models on Consumer Reports' list of best cheap cars. Historically, though, Hyundai's reliability especially on Consumer Reports' findings has had mixed receptions; the cars were cheap, but their reliability remained questionable. But that's been changing in recent years, and now, some of Hyundai's offerings are outranking those of rivals. Hyundai Motor Group placed second among mass market brands in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study, and now the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid ranks seventh on Consumer Reports' 2025 list of the 10 most reliable cars, with an aggregated reliability score of 79 out of 100. Consumer Reports calculates this score based on member survey data from hundreds of thousands of vehicles. It tracks 20 trouble areas across vital parts of cars, including transmission, cooling, brakes, engine, body hardware, and, for electrified cars, motor, battery, and charging. The Elantra Hybrid is the only Hyundai that made the list, and with its $25,450 starting price, it's tied for third as the cheapest on the list, after the Toyota Corolla and Toyota Corolla Hybrid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 10 States No One Should Ever Retire In What's the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid like? Gray 2025 Hyundai Elantra Sport Hybrid parked in a lot - Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock Despite not making Consumer Reports' reliability list this year, the non-hybrid Hyundai Elantra is already one of the most reliable cars to buy used. The hybrid shares the same body shell, using the same third-generation K3 compact platform. Therefore, they share the same size and space: 99.4 cubic feet for passenger volume and 14.2 cubic feet for cargo. They also have the same general features and infotainment systems, which means the hybrid carries over some of the reliability from the gas version. However, the Elantra Hybrid brings its own hybrid powertrain and a new multilink rear suspension system, which experts say should be a notable improvement from the torsion beam system used in the basic non-hybrid version. Reviews, like the one on Car and Driver, don't tout this as an exciting car to drive; the emphasis is on looks, economy, efficiency, and everyday comfort. The Elantra Hybrid pairs a relatively weak 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a 32kW electric motor and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing a combined 139 horsepower. It may not be built for speed and excitement, but drivers praise it for its smooth ride and stellar fuel economy up to 54 miles per gallon for city and highway combined on the base Blue trim, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It's a solid choice for non-enthusiast retirees or economy daily drivers who need something affordable, reliable, and comfortable. The cost of buying and maintaining a Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Red 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid driving on the road next to a Metro bus - Artistic Operations/Shutterstock The 2025 Elantra Hybrid comes in three trims: base Blue with a starting MSRP of $25,450, SEL Sport with a starting MSRP of $27,425, and Limited with a starting MSRP of $29,800. All in all, these prices are competitive for new hybrid sedans, since the base trim undercuts both the Civic Hybrid and Prius the only way to really get much lower is to buy used but cheap hybrids, which can dip well under $15,000. The Sport doesn't come with better specs but adds gloss black wheels, a spoiler, sport pedals, and quality-of-life improvements; meanwhile, the Limited adds more driver aids, upgraded audio, and even more quality-of-life improvements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the base Blue also offers the best fuel economy at 54 combined MPG compared to the 50 MPG you'd get from the other two more expensive trims. For context, 2023 model year cars have an average MPG of 27.1. The fuel economy of the base hybrid Elantra is more than double that, meaning double the savings. It also places high on the 2025 hybrid fuel economy leaderboard, although not by very much. As for maintenance, you're covered for the first 10 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) for the powertrain. Hyundai also has robust maintenance warranties, offering powertrain repairs or replacements, hybrid/electric battery guarantees of no more than 70% degradation for 10 years, roadside assistance for five years, and other packages. In short, you likely won't be spending much on this car after you buy it. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. Compiled by Le Viet Dung Viet Nam is mounting its most aggressive campaign yet against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as the country enters a decisive phase of its eight-year effort to lift the European Commission's 'yellow card' warning that has hung over its multi-billion-dollar seafood exports for years. With EU inspectors scheduled to conduct an on-site review this month, the Government has thrown the full weight of the political system from central ministries and security forces to coastal communes behind a sweeping crackdown on IUU fishing. Officials describe the coming months as a watershed sprint that will determine whether the country can finally clear the EUs restrictions. Legal overhaul Viet Nams legal response began almost immediately after Brussels issued the 'yellow card' in 2017. The National Assembly passed a new Fisheries Law later that year, which came into force in 2019, codifying for the first time a broad range of IUU violations from unlicensed fishing and trespassing into restricted sea zones to failing to install or operate vessel monitoring systems (VMS). That law was backed by the Government's two key regulations later in 2019: Decree 26 on the enforcement of the Fisheries Law and Decree 42 on administrative violations. A second wave of reforms arrived in 2024, when the Government issued a series of decrees to close loopholes and strengthen sanctions. Decree 37 and the more consequential Decree 38 tightened the legal framework and sharply increased penalties. The maximum fine for a single fisheries-related administrative violation now reaches VN1 billion (US$38,000) for individuals and VN2 billion ($76,000) for organisations. Tampering with vessel tracking systems was singled out for heavier punishment. Repeatedly disconnecting VMS equipment on vessels 24 metres or longer now carries fines of between VN500 and VN700 million ($19,000-$26,500), while fishing without a valid licence on vessels of that size can trigger penalties of up to VN1 billion. Decree 38 also expanded enforcement power: the coast guard, border guard and customs can now levy fines, and senior officials at the General Department of Customs and the Fisheries Surveillance Department can impose penalties up to VN1 billion in some cases. Last year the Supreme Peoples Court issued Resolution 04, clarifying the line between administrative and criminal violations: disabling a VMS may be prosecuted as disrupting electronic equipment, while fishing illegally in foreign waters can be charged as organising illegal exit. Tightened net The legal net tightened again in November with Decree 301, which amended Decree 38 to fill enforcement gaps. Failure to report vessel positions every six hours during a VMS malfunction can draw fines of between VN100 million and VN300 million ($3,800-$11,400); ignoring orders to return to port for VMS repairs within 10 days can cost up to VN400 million ($15,200) unless full manual reporting is provided. These legal changes have been accompanied by a more assertive political and institutional push. In 2019, Viet Nam established a National Steering Committee on combating IUU fishing, chaired by top Government leaders and connected to all coastal provinces and cities via weekly nationwide meetings. These video conferences have become a ritual of accountability, where officials review vessel data, examine problem cases and track progress in real time. At the committees 20th session on November 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pressed home the stakes: removing the yellow card is not just economic it is the matter of "honour for the nation and prestige for the Party and the State". While new laws form the legal backbone of compliance, Viet Nam has also launched a massive public-awareness drive to change daily practices among fishermen. Across coastal provinces and cities, authorities have used loudspeakers, leaflets, social media, port-side billboards, and village meetings to explain IUU rules. Thousands of sessions have brought fishermen, vessel owners, port managers, border guards, and fisheries surveillance officers together. In Quang Ngai, the border guards held 113 intensive sessions and 80 large dialogues this year, reaching more than 7,800 people. Over 2,100 fishermen there have signed written pledges not to violate IUU regulations. Some areas have used theatre and drama to spread the message. In Nghe An, guard forces staged a play, The Seaside Village in Uproar, dramatising the consequences of illegal fishing. Meanwhile, in HCM City, officials held a mock trial: defendants were sentenced symbolically to 8 or 10 years, sending a strong signal that criminal prosecution is no longer hypothetical. The Viet Nam Coast Guard now supports over 50,000 members through electronic networks sending alerts via smartphone apps, Zalo groups and SMS to share weather warnings, sea-boundary updates, and compliance reminders. 'Peak month' With the inspection approaching, the Government declared OctoberNovember 2025 as a nationwide "Peak Month Against IUU Fishing", backed by two directives Official Cable 198 and Decision 2310 that set tightly sequenced deadlines. By October 30, Viet Nam was required to activate a nationwide VMS disconnect warning system and ensure that all vessels 15m or longer used electronic fishing logbooks (e-logbooks). The same deadline applied to fully screening all imported fishery products harvested abroad under the Port State Measures Agreement. By November 15, all vessels 15m or longer had to complete port entry and exit procedures through the countrys electronic catch documentation and traceability system (eCDT). By October 5, all unresolved cases of vessels losing VMS connection had to be addressed. The PM warned that provincial and city leaders would be directly accountable if vessels in violation reappeared. Behind these tight deadlines are specific ministerial assignments: The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has been tasked with tightening control over imported aquatic products and sending inspection teams to coastal provinces and cities. The Ministry of Public Security was tasked with launching a fishing vessel and fisherman management app on the national digital ID platform VNeID before November 10 and accelerating criminal investigations into recent IUU cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been asked to accelerate negotiations with neighbouring states on monitoring mechanisms in overlapping waters and compiling data on Vietnamese fishermen detained abroad. The Ministry of National Defence, working with military-run Viettel, must digitise vessel management systems nationwide, tighten controls at border guard checkpoints to prevent unlicensed departures and eliminate 'three no' vessels those without registration, inspection or licences. Provincial and city authorities have been instructed to complete vessel registration and licensing, monitor port activity, identify at-risk vessels and keep ineligible boats anchored under tight supervision. Tangible progress Officials say these efforts are producing measurable results. Viet Nam has fully populated its national fisheries database, VNFishbase, with all 79,360 fishing vessels a 100 per cent registration rate. Roughly 96.8 per cent have valid licences. Among vessels 15m or longer the group required to install VMS the installation rate reached above 99.1 per cent in October, up from 98 per cent in 2023. The number of vessels losing VMS connection has fallen by more than 80 per cent year-on-year. Between early 2024 and November, police opened 91 criminal cases tied to IUU fishing and prosecuted 136 defendants. The number of Vietnamese vessels detained abroad has plunged from 181 in 2015 to just 13 this year. Julien Guerrier, the EUs Ambassador to Viet Nam, has expressed appreciation towards Viet Nam's efforts. "Viet Nam has completely overhauled its legislation for IUU, putting it on par with world-class legislation in this area. It has also invested a lot to equip all fishing boats longer than 15m with tracking devices," he said "A report has been sent by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to Brussels early October, with a visit of our minister to Brussels. So we are now analysing in Brussels that report. We see considerable progress. "We hope to continue the excellent cooperation with Viet Nam in order to reach as soon as possible the stage where Viet Nam would be considered as fully compliant, and the yellow card could be lifted," the diplomat noted. Several provinces and cities are already putting these plans into practice: Quang Ngai authorities say all active vessels in the province are licensed and logged in VNFishbase, with all boats 15m or longer equipped with VMS. All five fishing ports now use the eCDT system. The province has resolved every case involving VMS disconnection or boundary violations since January 2024, including two that resulted in criminal prosecution. An Giang leaders report 100 per cent VMS installation on vessels 15m or longer. Eleven inactive vessels are under daily supervision, with anchoring locations uploaded to Google Maps to prevent unlicensed departures. Commune-level officials send daily photos and coordinates through Zalo monitoring groups. Thanh Hoa's government says all large vessels have VMS, all active vessels have been registered and inspected and none have violated foreign waters this year. Thirty ineligible boats remain under strict watch and barred from entering the sea. Nghe An has upgraded IT systems at all fishing ports and is using eCDT and VMS for 100 per cent of large vessels. The province has resolved all cases of boundary violations and VMS disconnections. Quang Tri reports 4,666 registered vessels, 98.6 per cent licensing coverage and 99.2 per cent VMS installation. More than 100 ineligible vessels have been sealed and placed under constant monitoring. With new laws, digital tracking systems, criminal prosecutions and province-by-province checklists in place, officials insist Viet Nam is closer than ever to shedding its yellow card this year. VNS Ha Noi is stepping up efforts to unlock the potential of the private sector and turn the sector into a key driver of socio-economic development, with strong actions already in place. Along with science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, the capital city has identified the private sector as a key pillar of its economy, aiming to develop the sector into one of its most important growth engines, according to Truong Viet Dung, deputy chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee (the city's administration). The city aims to see 300,000350,000 enterprises operating efficiently by 2030, or about 35 businesses per 1,000 residents, equivalent to levels in Malaysia. Private companies are expected to contribute to enhancing competitiveness and expand business and production in the region. Ha Noi has set a goal for the private sector to contribute 55-60 per cent of its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) by 2030, with at least three enterprises capable of joining global value chains. Under the citys plan, by the end of 2030, the private sector will play a pioneering role in science and technology development as well as innovation and digital transformation, with at least 50 per cent of firms engaging in innovation, over 70 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using digital platforms and 70 per cent of SMEs achieving a full digital transformation. By the end of 2025, the number of active firms is expected to increase to 230,000 from the current 155,000 in Ha Noi, 97.2 per cent of which are private companies. The private sector is projected to contribute about 48 per cent of the capital citys GRDP and create nearly 80 per cent of new jobs, or 200,000 positions per year. Growing contributions Official data also show that private investment is expanding at an average of 7 per cent per year, accounting for 57.8 per cent of the city's total investment. There are also more than 350,000 business households in the city, of which over 10,000 have annual revenue exceeding VN1 billion, contributing significantly to trade and services. With a goal of GRDP growing by at least 8 per cent in 2025 to reach US$63.5 billion, Ha Noi hopes to promote the development of the private sector, digital transformation and innovation to improve productivity as well as encourage private enterprises to participate in global value chains. According to Dung, Ha Nois private businesses have many strengths. They are dynamic, responsive and adaptable, with a strong spirit of entrepreneurship. Numerous enterprises have achieved international standards, helping to uphold Ha Noi as a creative, energetic and globally integrated city. However, most enterprises remain SMEs with limited capital, uneven management capacity, and weak links to value chains. More than 80 per cent of firms have less than VN10 billion in capital and face difficulties in technology and participation in global supply chains. To address these challenges, the city is focusing on supporting innovation and digital transformation, developing a high-quality workforce, promoting supply chain links and improving mechanisms for green investment and international-standard governance. Following the issuance of Resolution 68 by the ruling Communist Party of Viet Nam on developing the private economy, Ha Noi has rolled out a series of policies and initiatives to streamline administrative procedures and improve planning transparency to attract investment. The city is also focusing on removing legal bottlenecks and improving access to land, credit and technology while promoting links between private firms and other economic sectors to establish supply chains. The municipal Peoples Council (the city's assembly) in July issued Resolution 16 on support for SMEs from 2026 to 2030, a bold policy lever aimed at concretising the Party's goal of developing the private economy. Digital momentum Ha Noi has also approved a comprehensive project to support the development of SMEs for the 20262030 period, aiming to foster innovation, strengthen competitiveness and promote private sector growth for a more sustainable economy. Under the citys resolution on innovation and start-up ecosystems, Ha Noi will provide support of up to 70 per cent of costs for capacity-building, and will also offer access to infrastructure, including high-tech parks, innovation hubs, incubators, and technology exchanges. Ha Noi has launched many policies supporting science and technology innovation. Establishing a technology exchange and innovation centre will benefit businesses and SMEs, said Trinh Thi Ngan from the Ha Noi Association of SMEs. In an effort to facilitate production and business, the city is focusing on digital transformation to enhance e-governance and service delivery through platforms like iHanoi and E-Cabinet. Municipal authorities plan to allocate VN50 billion to help SMEs go digital this year. The Ha Noi Support Centre for Enterprise and Investment Promotion is also implementing programmes to support SMEs and promote the development of the private sector in the city such as business incubation, start-up, digital transformation, human resource development, and business consultancy. The capital city should focus on promoting the development of innovative intellectual enterprises and become the countrys leading hub for innovation, finance and technology, former director of the Viet Nam Institute of Economics Tran inh Thien said. Mac Quoc Anh, vice president of the Ha Noi Association of SMEs, said that Ha Noi had consistently emphasised the importance of the private sector for the development of a modern and civilised capital city. The city had introduced a number of dedicated policies to support enterprises, such as funding for start-ups, the digital and green transformation, access to land and workforce training. Sectors with the most potential in the regional economy included supporting industries, green technology, high-quality healthcare and education, logistics, and creative services, he said. VNS HCM CITY Strengthening the Stateuniversitybusiness linkage benefits all parties and helps accelerate the transition of Vietnamese products toward greener, more sustainable development, speakers said at the Uni Tour event on November 21 in HCM City. The event, themed Applied Science for Green Vietnamese Products, was jointly organised by the High-Quality Vietnamese Goods Business Association and the University of Science (HCMUS) under Vietnam National University-HCM City. It aims to introduce businesses green models to university campuses while enhancing research and development (R&D) collaboration between enterprises and educational institutions. In her opening remarks, Vu Kim Hanh, chairwoman of the association, said one of the ni Tour programme seeks to link universities, the State, and enterprises, with a focus on connecting businesses with academic researchers to boost R&D activities. R&D activities sustain Vietnamese products in general, and the high-quality Vietnamese goods community in particular, she said. MSc Van Chi Nam, vice rector of the HCMUS, praised the associations efforts in fostering this three-party connection, noting that the initiative opens many cooperation opportunities, especially in R&D aimed at discovering new materials or optimising production processes. He described the shift toward green standards and sustainable production as irreversible, emphasising that research institutions must move one step ahead to build the scientific foundation supporting enterprises. To meet the green transition, research and training must evolve continuously. We are building new capabilities and adjusting research models to align more closely with real-world needs, Nam said. He highlighted that the university is equipped with laboratories, specialists, and facilities to handle technical challenges from enterprises, particularly those related to green standards, material transitions, process optimisation, or product quality improvement. We see tremendous opportunities to collaborate on new material solutions and more efficient processes and is ready to listen to businesses needs to jointly develop the most feasible research projects. The university aims to support businesses in creating products that are green, market-relevant, and scalable. He added that his university is training a new generation of students and trainees with scientific thinking, adaptability, and a strong sense of responsibility. Business involvement in hands-on training will improve the labour market by training talent that meets industry standards, he said, He stressed that businessuniversity cooperation extends beyond recruitment to co-developing research topics, building internship programmes, sponsoring applied research, and commissioning technical solutions. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo ai Nghiep, head of external relations at HCMUS, said the university prioritises lifelong learning and embeds professional ethics across its programmes. Drawing on years of experience working with enterprises, he noted that effective collaboration must be both technically grounded and aligned with market demands. He also noted that most university research remains at the lab scale. To turn it into commercial products, businesses need to place trust in researchers and engage from the earliest experimental stages. From a business perspective, Tu Le Thanh Vy, deputy general director of International Mix Joint-Venture Company (Intermix), said ongoing innovation is essential for attracting consumers. Rising demand for green, safe and environmentally friendly products has pushed Intermix to proactively research and apply new, sustainability-aligned ingredients. Beyond eco-certified additives, many natural ingredients, though not labelled eco, are safe and offer excellent flavour and quality. The company is now exploring how to integrate these ingredients into its premix powder product lines. For packaging, the global trend is shifting toward recycled or paper-based materials. Despite higher costs, we are committed to adopting eco-friendly packaging to offer a greener experience for Mikko Huong Xua premix powder brand, she said. We hope universities can share research on green materials, sustainable packaging, or clean ingredient sources. If suitable, these findings can be applied directly to production to advance our sustainability efforts, she added. Dr. Huynh Ky Tran, chairman of Lan Hao Cosmetics Production Company, emphasised that ethics are crucial in food and biotechnology. Consumers, particularly low-income women and workers earning only VN710 million per month, are highly vulnerable. If businesses raise prices just to fund flashy marketing and packaging, they place an unfair burden on these customers. Professionals must recognise their limits, uphold integrity, and prioritise the communitys interests over short-term gains, he stressed. VNS HA NOI Digital urban governance is seen as a strategic breakthrough, helping Ha Noi reduce transaction costs, improve transparency and complete its digital ecosystem. This, in turn, lays the foundation for building a smart city and a regional centre for innovation. The Kinh te & o thi (Economic & Urban Affairs) newspaper organised a forum on digital economy development in Ha Noi on Friday. In his opening speech, Nguyen Thanh Loi, editor-in-chief of the Economic & Urban Affairs newspaper, stated that the Party and the State had identified digital transformation and the development of the digital economy as long-term strategic directions. Resolution No 57-NQ/TW, along with a series of national programmes on the digital economy and digital society, have set clear targets: bringing the share of the digital economy to 20 per cent of GDP by 2025 and around 30 per cent by 2030. For Ha Noi, the goals are even higher than the national average. The city aims for the digital economy to contribute 2530 per cent of GRDP by 2025, reaching 40 per cent by 2030. This is not only a growth target but also reflects the determination to build a new growth model based on technology, data and innovation, he said. The digital economy is helping Viet Nam enhance its international competitiveness, attract high-quality investment and increase value in global supply chains, said Professor Dr Nguyen Thuong Lang from the National Economics University. The implementation of national data platforms, improving the digital legal framework and promoting creativity are key pillars for Viet Nam to integrate more deeply and sustainably into the global economy, he added. For Ha Noi, the potential for developing the digital economy is much greater than many other localities, thanks to relatively complete technological infrastructure, a high-quality workforce and rapid urbanisation. Dr Nguyen uc Kien, former deputy chairman of the National Assemblys Economic Committee, affirmed that the digital economy is becoming one of the most important development spaces for major cities around the world. Ha Noi has all the necessary conditions to become a regional innovation centre, he noted. However, along with opportunities, there are significant structural challenges, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for over 97 per cent of businesses in the capital. According to a survey by the Hanoi Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (HANOISME), 54 per cent of SMEs in Ha Noi do not have a dedicated IT department, and 62 per cent reported insufficient budgets to implement systematic digital transformation. The lack of standardised data, high compliance costs and increasingly stringent international standards create barriers that prevent businesses from keeping up with market speed. Building digital urban governance At the forum, experts agreed that the digital economy could only develop when urban governance played the role of the backbone. Dr Nguyen uc Kien pointed out systematic limitations such as the lack of data interoperability between agencies, adding that work processes were still heavily dependent on traditional paperwork, which results in high transaction costs for citizens and businesses. A modern government needs to operate based on data, online public services, automated processes and high transparency, he added. This is the foundation for creating a smart city, where all interactions between citizens, businesses and the state are fast, efficient and paperless, said Kien. "Urban governance must be the strongest driving force in digital transformation," he emphasised. Kien also said that a smart city must be citizen-centred. Ha Noi faces numerous challenges such as traffic congestion, air pollution and overpopulation. Developing a smart public transport system, digitising bus operations and connecting them with the metro would help citizens reduce waiting times and improve the use of public transport, he noted. Going further, Kien suggested that building digital urban governance should be associated with popularising digital thinking among citizens. When people become familiar with online public services, digital payments and interacting with the government through data platforms, the entire urban ecosystem will shift towards a more civilised and sustainable direction, he said. Digital transformation not only creates growth value but also contributes to protecting consumers' rights, ensures social security and clarifies the characteristics of a socialist-oriented market economy, he noted. VNS HA NOI Synchronous infrastructure and multimodal connectivity support the development of Ca Na as a modern coastal urban area, an international deep-water port, boosting trade, logistics services, and the attraction of high-quality human resources. Dr. Architect Truong Van Quang, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, made the remarks at a seminar on Ca Na coastal real estate with development of urban areas and international commercial ports was held on November 21 in Ha Noi by Vietnam Real Estate Electronic Magazine, in coordination with the Vietnam Real Estate Research Institute. Experts at the seminar agreed that Ca Na is becoming a new development centre and will play a special role in Khanh Hoas future development. From a coastal fishing village, Ca Na is rapidly transforming into an industrial-seaport-energy centre. Three key projects the 1,500MW LNG power complex, the 827-hectare Ca Na Industrial Park, and the comprehensive seaport are shaping a national-scale infrastructure ecosystem. Inter-regional transport networks such as the Cam Lam-Vinh Hao Expressway and the connection between the North-South Expressway and the seaport create a complete logistics corridor for the region. According to Dr. Architect Truong Van Quang, the merger of administrative boundaries between Khanh Hoa and the former Ninh Thuan Province creates a continuous marine development corridor from North Van Phong to Ca Na. Dr. Nguyen Van inh, vice chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Association, commented that this creates a 'double advantage', as South Khanh Hoa is experiencing rapid growth, especially in renewable energy and marine industries. Located on the NorthSouth gateway and designated for a future nuclear power plant, Ca Na is expected to attract a high-level workforce and develop into a technology-, service- and knowledge-based urban area. Seaport development will stimulate logistics activities, increase population size, and naturally create demand for housing, commerce, and services. In addition, seaports will attract logistics systems and goods flows, drawing more labour and increasing the local population. Industrial activities will bring in high-quality human resources, opening great potential for a technological and knowledge-based urban economy, said inh. Bui Van Doanh, director of the Vietnam Real Estate Research Institute, noted that before the merger, South Khanh Hoa focused mainly on marine economy and tourism in areas such as old Khanh Hoa, Nha Trang, and Cam Ranh. As a result, the seas of the former Ninh Thuan va Binh Thuan provinces were nearly forgotten due to limited transport and infrastructure connections. However, after the merger, the region benefits from Khanh Hoa's overall advantages while preserving the pristine, clean environment and beautiful beaches. With a large supply of clean land available for urban development and minimal overlapping planning, Doanh said that the locality can plan urban development systematically from the outset, allowing Ca Na to start later but move ahead. Currently, Trung Nam Ca Na International Port is expected to be developed into a super-heavy wharf, becoming an important destination on the international maritime route and a key link in the development of the energy and logistics industries. In the period 202530, Ca Na aims to increase the proportion of industryconstructionservices to over 90 per cent. Meanwhile, with real estate prices in Nha Trang and Cam Ranh rising, investment capital is shifting toward high-potential areas with more affordable prices, such as Ca Na. Breakthroughs in infrastructure and increasing FDI in industry and energy are driving demand for urban areas serving experts, housing for technical workers, and commercialservice zones near the port. This is why large-scale urban projects have begun to emerge in Ca Na. Among them, Ca Na New City developed by ACT Holdings Joint Stock Company stands out as one of the largest urban projects within a 50km radius. According to Kieu Anh Tuan, vice chairman and general director of ACT Holdings, the project has completed its legal procedures and infrastructure acceptance and is ready to issue land-use right certificates to customers. Its location opposite Ca Na Industrial Park which is expected to attract about 56,000 workers within 5-10 years will greatly increase demand for housing and investment. With four LNG power complexes expected to be launched in the next phase, South Khanh Hoa will welcome a large number of experts, engineers, and highly skilled workers. This creates new space for urban development while requiring housing projects to meet high standards of infrastructure, amenities, and legality. At the event, ACT Holdings and BrandLift Asia Co, Ltd signed a cooperation agreement on project business and marketing. This partnership aims to develop Ca Na New City as a sustainable urban area, supporting future industrialseaport development. VNS Since the European Commission issued a 'yellow card' warning on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese export seafood products, Viet Nams seafood industry has faced significant challenges in maintaining export flows, ensuring traceability, and meeting strict regulatory standards. Ahead of the ECs upcoming inspection, Nguyen Hoai Nam, general secretary of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, speaks to Viet Nam News about the warnings impact and the Governments corrective actions, and how the country is preparing for the road ahead. The EC has issued a 'yellow card' warning for IUU fishing for Viet Nam in 2017. How has the yellow card affected Viet Nams seafood export activities? The EUs regulations to combat IUU fishing activities took effect in 2010. Countries exporting maritime seafood products to Europe must comply with these regulations. However, in 2017, the EU issued the warning because Viet Nam's seafood products still failed to fully meet the requirements. A yellow card is a warning, not a ban, so Vietnamese seafood can still be exported to Europe. But the EU issued recommendations that Viet Nam must implement to rectify the situation within a reasonable timeframe. Over the past eight years, the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) have undertaken considerable work to implement these recommendations. Coastal localities have also made major efforts. For businesses, the regulations to prevent IUU fishing activities require them to strictly control the source of raw materials, meaning traceability of inputs for seafood processing. It ensures that raw materials are not sourced from illegal fishing or prohibited activities, or even suspected violations. As the final link in the supply chain, seafood processors must strengthen their capacity and investment to control the origin of input sources. To export seafood to the EU, each shipment must be confirmed for the origin of the materials as not originating from IUU activities by fishing ports and the Fisheries Department. These businesses must invest more resources to ensure full legal compliance. The raw materials must come from vessels that fish legally and maintain complete fishing logbooks. Fishing ports and the Fisheries Department must issue the Catch Certificate and Raw Material Certificates required by the EU. But obtaining these confirmations has significantly reduced the volume of seafood eligible for EU export, which is a major challenge for many companies. There are cases where businesses carefully verify the origin of raw materials, confirm the vessel is not on the blacklist for illegal fishing. Yet, at the final stage, when applying, they cannot receive the aforementioned certificates because authorities check vessel journey data, and find the vessel operated in non-permitted zone. For example, a vessel over 15 meters long is only allowed to fish offshore, not nearshore, but its journey data may show it stayed in the nearshore. Such violations lead authorities to conclude the raw materials were sourced illegally, and they refuse to issue a Catch Certificate. This is just one of many reasons why seafood processing enterprises often suffer losses in raw materials, costs and time. Some cannot even complete export orders. Besides that, Europe continues to monitor Viet Nam regarding its efforts to combat IUU violations. If serious or repeated violations occur, the EU could issue a red card, banning Vietnamese seafood exports to this market. Another issue is national reputation. With the yellow card, European customs inspect every Vietnamese shipment more carefully, slowing clearance. Importers, who have many other choices, may overlook Vietnamese seafood products. Combined with limited raw material supplies due to strict IUU requirements, this has lowered Viet Nams export volume to the EU. In past years, the Government and localities have implemented many corrective measures according to the ECs recommendations. What specific results has Viet Nam achieved so far? Viet Nams fishing sector began as community-based and small-scale fisheries with mostly small boats. So, the Government has issued policies to restructure the fisheries sector for sustainable marine economic development, and implemented actions under EC recommendations relating to IUU fishing. It also established a National Steering Committee on IUU Fishing Prevention and Control to deal with relevant issues. So far, the Government has achieved significant progress in improving the legal framework, including laws, decrees, circulars, directives and unprecedented administrative sanctions related to IUU violations. This provides a more complete system that aligns with both EU recommendations and Viet Nams long-term goal of sustainable fisheries development. The number of fishing vessels has reduced from over 120,000 vessels to about 83,000 vessels, as outdated vessels are retired and new vessel registrations are more strictly controlled. This helps manage fishing intensity and conserve aquatic resources. Meanwhile, almost 100 per cent of over-12m vessels are now equipped with vessel monitoring systems (VMS) as required by regulations. There are also strict penalties for violations. Besides that, the EU emphasises not just the number of violations handled but the quality of enforcement. Effective enforcement prevents recurring violations such as illegal incursions into foreign waters, disabling VMS devices, or fishing in the wrong zones. Although local enforcement has been slow, directives from the Prime Minister have recently improved the situation. We hope that during the next EU inspection, these efforts will be acknowledged, paving the way for the removal of the yellow card. What are the main challenges preventing Viet Nam from removing the yellow card? Some vessels still commit violations. The number has fallen significantly, but the EU maintains that ongoing violations mean compliance is still inadequate. For interruption in the operation of VMS equipment, the situation has improved recently after strong directives from the Prime Minister, but still requires strict monitoring. Meanwhile, the number of violations actually penalised remains too low. For example, out of 1020 violations, only a few are penalised. This weakens the deterrent effect. The EU considers strong, consistent enforcement a key criterion. Therefore, the Prime Minister has tasked the MAE, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and local authorities to coordinate and strictly handle violations. How have member enterprises of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) contributed to Viet Nams efforts to combat IUU fishing? Seafood processing enterprises play a crucial role as they handle the final stages of purchasing, processing and exporting seafood. Immediately after receiving the yellow card in 2017, VASEP held a meeting with more than 60 exporting members and proposed concrete actions to implement the EU's IUU regulations. They have maintained strict compliance with IUU rules for both domestic and imported raw materials used for EU-bound products. Each member has pledged not to purchase, process or export any products linked to IUU fishing. The list of committed enterprises is publicly posted on VASEPs website. Meanwhile, VASEP has worked regularly with the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the MAE (formerly the Directorate of Fisheries) to amend and build legal frameworks. The association has also participated in the National IUU Steering Committee to report to the Government challenges in combating IUU fishing based on real-world observations, and, to communicate policies related to this issue to fishermen and businesses. Besides that, VASEP has informed partners in Europe, the US, Japan, and other markets about Viet Nams commitments to sustainable development. So far, no VASEP member enterprise has been found violating IUU regulations. How is the seafood industry preparing for the EC's inspection in the coming time? Viet Nams best preparation is to effectively address as many issues as possible under the EU recommendations. If the inspection team sees real and positive changes in fishing vessel management and enforcement quality, that is the strongest argument for lifting the yellow card. In addition, the industry needs to have complete data on vessel journey monitoring, records of issued certificates and other documentation for the inspection team. VNS PRETORIA Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, and members of the Vietnamese community in South Africa on November 21 afternoon (local time) as part of their ongoing trip to the country for the G20 Summit and bilateral activities. Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Sy Cuong told the PM that the community is small, having settled in the country before 1990. Their lives are broadly stable, and despite the absence of major enterprises, they remain connected to the homeland. He called for greater attention to Africa and South Africa in particular, and efforts to tap new markets, strengthen cooperation frameworks and boost business connectivity. Le Hoai Nam, head of the Liaison Committee of the Vietnamese Community in South Africa, said that although the community is small, Vietnamese people in South Africa take pride in their heritage, remain deeply attached to their homeland, and are pleased with Viet Nams strong development. They actively participate in activities that foster links with their home country and help strengthen the friendship between Viet Nam and South Africa, he added. Welcoming the recent progress in bilateral relations, community members raised several proposals relating to legal status, facilitation of visas and employment for Vietnamese nationals in South Africa, access to online public services for those living far from the homeland, the organisation of community events, and Vietnamese language teaching for children through both online and in-person formats to help preserve cultural identity. They also suggested continued attention to community affairs in remote and challenging areas. They also highlighted the role of overseas intellectuals in science, technology and innovation, and recommended enhancing cooperation in education and research. PM Chinh underlined that Viet NamSouth Africa relations are rooted in long-standing traditional friendship, especially during Vietnams struggle for national liberation and reunification, and South Africas fight against apartheid and for democracy, prosperity and well-being for its people. Exchanges between the Communist Party of Viet Nam and the African National Congress date back to the 1955 AsianAfrican Conference in Bandung, Indonesia. Today, South Africa is Viet Nams largest trading partner in Africa, though economic ties still fall short of potential. Both sides must pursue deeper, more effective and mutually beneficial cooperation, he stated. The PM told participants that during this visit, the two countries leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, and committed to enhancing cooperation and investment in priority fields such as agriculture, minerals, clean energy, oil and gas exploration and petrochemicals, while promoting two-way trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Updating the community on domestic developments, PM Chinh said preparations are under way for the 14th National Party Congress, which will shape a new development era. Viet Nam is advancing institutional reform, cutting administrative procedures, attracting talent, developing human resources and strategic infrastructure, and maintaining macro-economic stability while pursuing strong growth targeting at least 8 per cent in 2025 and double-digit expansion in subsequent years based on science, technology and digital transformation. He especially shared information about severe natural disasters and flooding in Viet Nam, stressing the countrys commitment to social welfare with the spirit that no one is left behind. He called for the support of the community in disaster relief efforts. He noted that the overseas Vietnamese community has been growing in both size and geographical reach, with around six million in over 130 countries and territories, including some 4.3 million permanent residents and 600,000 experts and intellectuals. Acknowledging and commending the contributions of Vietnamese communities worldwide, including in South Africa, to the nations achievements, the Government leader affirmed that the Party and State consistently attach great importance to overseas Vietnamese and regard them as an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation. He noted that policies to support them have been incorporated into major laws, including those on land, identity, real estate business, nationality and science and technology, with new measures aimed at facilitating their return and enabling the community to shine. He instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy and representative offices to strengthen citizen protection, remain proactive and responsive, maintain open communication channels, including 24/7 support, and help translate high-level agreements into concrete programmes. He added that, in his meetings with South African leaders, he proposed that the host country continue supporting and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals to live and work stably and integrate into South African society, including through residency and labour policies. The PM expressed hope that the Vietnamese community in South Africa will continue to grow, remain united, integrate well into the local society, respect local laws, preserve Viet Nams image and reputation, maintain Vietnamese culture and language, and act as a bridge for friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and South Africa. He encouraged community members to be self-reliant and, when able, contribute to national development and bilateral relations. VNS A NANG Poland has officially opened its honorary consulate in a Nang after a year of construction, aiming to strengthen cultural exchange, investment, trade and education between the two countries while connecting central Viet Nam with Europe. The office, located on Chuong Duong Street along the Han River, will serve the central coastal provinces and cities of Ha Tinh, former Quang Tri, Quang Binh, Hue, Quang Ngai, former provinces of Quang Nam, Binh inh, Phu Yen and a Nang City. The inauguration was held to mark the 107th anniversary of Polands National Independence Day. Head of Mission from the Embassy of Poland Joanna Skoczek highlighted the consulates important role for the growing Polish community in a Nang and surrounding areas, reaffirming the Embassys full support for its activities. She said: Wherever there are Poles, there is the spirit of Poland. Skoczek also met city leaders to discuss ways to boost the presence of Polish companies and tourists in a Nang. City authorities presented investment incentives, particularly in new technologies, while cultural cooperation including the restoration of heritage sites was a key theme, continuing the legacy of Polish architect Kazimierz Kwiatkowski, known as Kazik, in Hoi An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary. Honorary Consul Piotr Frieske confirmed his commitment to fostering closer cooperation between Poland and Viet Nam in business, education and culture in this rapidly developing region. This milestone reflects the deep friendship between Poland and Viet Nam, opening new opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, education and sustainable development. I am convinced this step will further strengthen ties between Poland, a Nang and Viet Nam, he said. Viet Nam is among the top five trading partners of Poland in the Asia-Pacific region, while Poland is a leading partner in central Eastern Europe. Last year, a Polish Book Corner was opened at the citys College of Science and Education under a Nang University, supported by the Polish Embassy in Viet Nam. About 145 Polish nationals have registered for temporary residence in a Nang City. a Nang also hosts consular offices of Japan, Korea, Laos, Russia, China and Spain, while a Schengen visa application centre for Belgium, Germany and Italy opened in 2019. The city also inaugurated a joint United Kingdom and Australia Visa Application Centre in 2016. VNS HA NOI As Viet Nam grapples with extensive damage caused by recent storms and prolonged flooding, especially in the central and Central Highlands regions, the international community has offered emergency assistance to help the country overcome the crisis. Countries including the UK, the Republic of Korea (RoK), New Zealand, and the US, and international organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and UNICEF have announced aid packages in support of Viet Nams immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. On November 21, the RoK Government announced an emergency aid package worth one million USD, to be channelled through IOM Viet Nam to support storm-response activities. The assistance focuses on people who were temporarily displaced or evacuated during two major storms - Bualoi and Matmo - and subsequent severe floods that hit northern Viet Nam from late September 2025. RoK Ambassador to Viet Nam Choi Youngsam reaffirmed his countrys commitment to working closely with the Vietnamese Government and IOM to ensure that emergency support is promptly delivered to those in the most vulnerable circumstances. IOM Chief of Mission in Viet Nam Kendra Rinas said the assistance will strengthen ongoing IOM efforts to help the most vulnerable communities. According to IOM, its response and recovery plan consists of two phases: the emergency phase providing multipurpose cash assistance to meet essential needs, and the early-recovery phase that supports housing repair and reconstruction through training on climate-resilient, safe housing and conditional cash grants. The aid comes at a critical time, as Storm Fengshen (Storm No. 12) and Storm Kalmaegi (Storm No. 13) continue to affect central provinces. Also on November 21, the UK Embassy in Ha Noi announced an additional humanitarian aid package worth GBP300,000 (US$392,385) for flood-hit areas in central Viet Nam, adding to the GBP500,000 provided in October. The aid is part of a wider UK package for Viet Nam and the Philippines - two ASEAN countries severely affected by recent typhoons. Flooding remains critical in the south-central and Central Highlands provinces after prolonged heavy rainfall brought by Kalmaegi, pushing river levels in Khanh Hoa, ak Lak and Gia Lai to record highs, even surpassing previous historic flood peaks in some areas. The UKs additional aid will be implemented through UNICEF in close coordination with the Viet Nam Disaster and Dike Management Authority (VDDMA). Assistance will focus on Gia Lai province, providing emergency cash support, clean water and hygiene supplies to the hardest-hit communities. UK Ambassador to Viet Nam Iain Frew affirmed that as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner and a member of the Viet Nam Disaster Risk Reduction Partnership, the UK stands ready to cooperate closely with Viet Nam to meet urgent needs and strengthen long-term climate resilience. Earlier, on November 17, the US Embassy announced US$500,000 in emergency aid to support households and communities hardest hit by storms Fengshen and Kalmaegi, particularly in securing temporary shelter and clean water. This follows another US$500,000 the US provided in October to help Viet Nam respond to previous storms. The US emphasised its commitment to supporting Viet Nams relief efforts as communities face widespread damage from consecutive severe storms. On November 13, New Zealand announced NZ$1 million (over US$560,000) in humanitarian assistance to help Vietnamese communities recover from recent storms and widespread flooding. The aid, part of New Zealands Disaster Response Partnership, will be delivered through New Zealand non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working with Vietnamese partners. New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Caroline Beresford reaffirmed her countrys solidarity with Viet Nam as a Comprehensive Strategic Partner, expressing hope that the assistance will contribute to urgent relief efforts and help affected communities rebuild their lives. VNA/VNS PHNOM PENH A delegation from the Party Central Committees Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation led by its deputy head Trieu Tai Vinh paid a working visit to Cambodia from November 19-21 to deepen the special friendship between the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) and the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and enhance political trust and people-to-people solidarity. On November 20, the delegation had a working session with the CPP Central Committees Propaganda and Education Commission, led by deputy head Pov Sotheara. The two sides exchanged experience in communication, education and information dissemination. Pov Sotheara expressed delight at the discussion, emphasising the importance of strengthening ideological work and cooperation between the two Parties communications bodies to preserve their traditional friendship and close coordination. She thanked the CPV Central Committee for its congratulatory message marking the CPPs 74th founding anniversary, and extended warm congratulations to Viet Nam on its 80th National Day in 2025. Vinh congratulated the CPP on its achievements and strong public support, including success in post-pandemic recovery, socio-economic development and improvements in workers welfare. He underscored the importance of cooperation between the two Parties in countering misinformation aimed at undermining Viet NamCambodia relations. Both sides discussed strengthening communication and ideological education in the current context, including political training for officials, combating hostile narratives that threaten national solidarity, and guiding public opinion to maintain confidence in each Party and States policies. The same day, the delegation met with representatives of the CPP Central Committees Mass Mobilisation Commission, led by deputy head Ith Samheng. In a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the two sides highlighted the importance of closer cooperation in mass mobilisation work, especially through practical mechanisms and exchanges between current and future leaders. They also discussed ethnic and religious affairs, sharing experience in community outreach, engaging religious dignitaries and respected local figures, and promoting solidarity along the shared border. On November 19, CPP Vice President and head of the CPP Central Committees Mass Mobilisation Commission Samdech Men Sam An received the Vietnamese delegation. She expressed confidence that the visit will further strengthen cooperation, especially in educating younger generations about the shared history and fostering people-to-people exchanges in border provinces. She also commended Viet Nams development achievements under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, particularly its goals of achieving upper-middle-income status by 2030 and high-income status by 2045. Vinh hailed Cambodias progress under CPP leadership and praised Samdech Men Sam Ans contributions to mass mobilisation and national unity, as well as the Viet Nam-Cambodia ties. He noted that the visit aims to intensify cooperation in communication, mass mobilisation, ethnic and religious affairs, and border-area development, thereby strengthening solidarity between the two Parties, States and peoples. During the visit, the delegation laid flowers at the CambodiaViet Nam Friendship Monument in Phnom Penh, met with leaders of the KhmerViet Nam Association (KVA), visited the Vietnamese Embassy, and made a trip to Siem Reap. VNS Indianas highways are about to get a serious dose of horsepower, as state cops roll out a fleet of Mustang GTs to crack down on speed demons and reckless drivers. Forget those clunky old sedans; these days, police fleets are a mix of brawny SUVs and, apparently, snarling muscle cars. Ford mightve dropped the official cop package for the latest Stang, but that hasnt stopped law enforcement from tweaking these beasts for patrol work. Indianas joining a growing club, following Florida and Virginia, where departments have turned to the Mustangs 480-hp V8 to chase down modern cars that laugh at speed limits. Its not the 80s anymoretodays road warriors drive machines flirting with 500, even 600 horses, leaving some cops feeling like theyre dragging a sofa behind them in pursuit. No need for heavy mods this time around, though. The current GTs got the chops straight from the factory, no extra armor or police-grade suspension required. And Indianas giving these interceptors a retro twist, slapping on that classic blue-and-white paintjob last seen when Lyndon Johnson was in office. Even their regular cruisers are getting the same flashy makeover. So who gets these hot rods? Only the vetstroopers with 15-plus years under their belts, who had to plead their case in writing before hitting the track for specialized training. The plan? Use these screamers to scare off street racers and shut down aggressive driving before it turns ugly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, as soon as winter rears its ugly head, the Mustangs get parked like prized garage queens. Snow and ice mean back to the boring (but practical) SUVs, at least until the roads thaw and the pony cars can stretch their legs again. Cops playing hero in a Mustangguess some things do come full circle. Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. NINH BINH Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Woo Won Shik and his spouse Shin Kyunghye visited Ninh Binh province on November 22, as part of their three-day official visit to Viet Nam. Receiving the Korean guests, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee ang Xuan Phong briefed them on the provinces development orientation. He said that between 2025 and 2030, Ninh Binh aims to fully leverage its potential and advantages to achieve breakthrough growth under a new development model. The RoK has remained one of Ninh Binhs major investment partners, with 218 projects worth 2.69 billion USD, accounting for nearly 18.76 per cent of total FDI in the province. In terms of external relations, Ninh Binh has established bilateral cooperation with several Korean localities, including Asan city, Gyeonggi province, Jecheon city and Dongducheon city. These partnerships, he noted, have created an important foundation for increased exchanges and cooperation across multiple sectors. Phong highlighted the provinces cooperation with Asan city in the training programme on high-tech agricultural development, which has helped local officials, businesses, and farmers improve their awareness, management capacity, and production skills. He noted that Ninh Binh has welcomed three Korean delegations led by a National Assembly Speaker over the past five years. These visits, he said, have strengthened Ninh Binhs profile in Viet NamRoK relations and opened up new opportunities for deeper cooperation in various fields. He expressed hope that the RoK would continue to support the province in attracting Korean investment in high-tech industries, green manufacturing, tourism and culture. For his part, Speaker Woo emphasised that the province enjoys close ties with the RoK through its partnerships with various Korean localities. Ninh Binh plays an important role in advancing cooperation between the two countries. Woo noted that Ninh Binh has successfully attracted many Korean investors, contributing to the development of key industrial products, including automotive supporting industries. Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Auto Manufacturing Corporation - a member of Thanh Cong Group - stands as a prime example of the two sides successful collaboration. He pledged to encourage more Korean businesses to invest in the province. He also expressed his hope that Korean enterprises operating in Ninh Binh will continue to receive strong support and favourable conditions from local authorities. Woo proposed that the province further strengthen consular cooperation to protect the legitimate rights and ensure the safety and convenience of Korean tourists visiting Ninh Binh. He also encouraged expanded people-to-people and cultural exchanges to deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. On this occasion, Speaker Woo and his entourage visited Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Auto Manufacturing Corporation at Gian Khau industrial park and the Trang An Ecotourism Complex. VNS BRUSSELS Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang set forth major orientations to strengthen inter-regional cooperation while attending the fourth Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (IPMF-4), organised by the European Union in Brussels on November 2021. They include promoting green finance and international preferential mechanisms; enhancing technical cooperation and experience-sharing; improving resilience to climate change and natural disasters; stepping up marine resources research and monitoring; and supporting Viet Nam in developing a sustainable fisheries sector. Addressing the gathering of 64 foreign ministers and heads of delegation from EU member states and Indo-Pacific countries, the Deputy Minister also shared updates on the severe storms and flooding in Viet Nam, receiving sympathy and support from participants. During the session on sustainable development, Hang underscored the growing severity of non-traditional security challenges such as natural disasters and climate change. She affirmed that the green transition is an irreversible strategic trend for all nations, stressing that no country can tackle global challenges alone and that international cooperation remains essential. On the sidelines of the forum, Vice President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and EU foreign ministers held a roundtable with ASEAN partners to review the ASEANEU Strategic Partnership and discuss future directions ahead of the 50th anniversary of EUASEAN ties (19772027). Hang emphasised that strengthening strategic resilience is vital for both ASEAN and the EU to ensure stability, maintain growth and mitigate external shocks. She called for enhanced coordination between sectoral mechanisms on energy, the digital economy, the environment and disaster response; deeper business-to-business cooperation; expanded innovation; and stronger value-chain linkages. Viet Nam also asked the EU to continue supporting ASEAN in key areas such as renewable energy, cybersecurity, maritime security and combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. While in Brussels, the Deputy Minister held bilateral meetings with Belen Martinez Carbonell, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service; Veronika Musilova, Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of the European Council; Gordan Grlic Radman, Croatias Foreign Minister; Ana Isabel Xavier, Portugals Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; and Vidmantas Verbickas, Lithuanias Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. She also met leaders of delegations from Europe, ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. At these meetings, Hang reaffirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with the EU and its member states as the two sides mark 35 years of diplomatic relations. She called for close coordination to upgrade Viet NamEU relations, prepare high-level visits, expand cooperation in traditional areas such as trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen collaboration in emerging fields including science and technology, the blue economy, energy transition and sustainable development. She highlighted programmes such as Erasmus, Horizon Europe and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). She also urged the EU to complete the ratification of the EUViet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and to take into account Viet Nams progress in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. EU leaders and representatives praised Viet Nams active engagement at IPMF-4 and welcomed the Vietnamese diplomats proposals. They stressed that this is the right time to elevate Viet NamEU ties and promote cooperation in digital transformation, green transition, science and technology, as well as trade and investment. The EU pledged to consider Viet Nams proposals regarding EVIPA and IUU positively and expressed support for the countrys stronger participation in multilateral mechanisms, including the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). VNS JOHANNESBURG Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has expressed his hope that South Africas African National Congress (ANC) and the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) will maintain close coordination, providing a solid political foundation that helps steer and facilitate cooperation between the two countries. At a meeting with ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula in Johannesburg on the afternoon of November 21 (local time), the PM called on the two Parties to keep strengthening political trust. The meeting took place as part of PM Chinhs trip to attend the G20 Summit and conduct bilateral engagements in South Africa. PM Chinh conveyed regards from General Secretary To Lam and the leadership of the CPV to the ANCs President, Secretary General, and members. The PM praised the ANCs role in leading democratic and patriotic forces to dismantle all forms of discrimination and oppression, and to build a unified, democratic South Africa. He said the CPV and the ANC share broad common ground in their ideals and their struggles against colonialism and racial discrimination. He recalled the first friendly contacts between the two Parties at the 1955 Bandung Conference in Indonesia, calling them an important foundation for the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and South Africa. The leader said he was pleased to see the ANC continuing to anchor South Africas Government of National Unity, underscoring its steering role at a time of significant regional and global volatility. He highlighted the strong recent development of bilateral relations and Party-to-Party ties, marked by frequent exchanges and visits between leaders. Notable milestones include the April 2025 high-level phone conversation between General Secretary Lam and President of the ANC and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, which set major directions for the relationship, and President Ramaphosas state visit to Vietnam in October 2025. PM Chinh emphasised that his ongoing trip sends a strong affirmation of the long-standing, trusting friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and countries. Touching upon the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership during this trip, the leader said he believes this marks a historic milestone, opening a new phase in bilateral relations, and called on the ANC, in its capacity, to encourage South African ministries and agencies to implement the cooperation framework. The PM called on the two Parties to continue strengthening political trust, focus on effectively implementing their memorandum of understanding on cooperation signed in May 2025, and enhance exchanges and visits across channels and levels, especially the high level. He urged them to step up the sharing of experience in leadership and Party building, as well as in addressing national socio-economic issues, while boosting economic, trade, and investment cooperation in a practical, efficient manner that leverages each sides resources and strengths to complement each other for development. Regarding national development strategy, he also called on the ANC and South Africa to cooperate with and support Viet Nam in achieving its centennial goals. The PM also urged the two sides to actively coordinate and support each other more strongly in international multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), and G77, contributing to global peace, security, and stability, promoting international cooperation to tackle common challenges, and safeguarding the legitimate interests of developing countries. For his part, Secretary General Mbalula congratulated Viet Nam and lauded its impressive socio-economic achievements in recent years under the leadership of the CPV, notably sustainable growth, effective poverty reduction, and strong international integration. He called Viet Nam a model for developing countries and agreed on measures to foster bilateral ties, including strengthening economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and mutual support in multilateral forums. The ANC will continue to work closely with the CPV to advance the implementation of the new partnership framework, contributing to regional peace and development, he pledged. He said alongside maintaining and promoting good political ties, the two Parties should work to deepen practical cooperation across all areas, particularly economy. Mbalula affirmed the ANCs commitment to working with the CPV to continue building the bridge of solidarity, grounded in lasting trust, to overcome challenges together. VNS HCM CITY More than 2,000 international and domestic delegates convened in HCM City on November 21 for a major science and technology conference, exchanging research insights, exploring emerging technological trends and policy directions, and forging strategic partnerships to advance Viet Nams innovation ecosystem. The HCM City University of Technology (HCMUT), under Viet Nam National University-HCM City, opened its 19th science and technology conference, themed Strategic Technologies Clusters Connecting Intelligence Creating Innovation. Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Mai Thanh Phong, president of HCMUT, said the university aims to build a dynamic platform for academic exchange amid rapid global technological transformation. The world is witnessing unprecedented technological shifts. No nation or organisation can address major challenges alone without connection, sharing and mutual learning, he said. Phong stressed Viet Nams long-term strategic vision becoming a high middle-income economy by 2030 driven by science, technology and innovation, and achieving high-income status by 2045 through major investments in research infrastructure and frontier technologies. With nearly 70 years of development, the university continues to play a pioneering role in training high-quality human resources and advancing technological solutions in fields such as AI, semiconductors, materials science, biotechnology and digital infrastructure. It aligns its research programmes with the Governments priority technology agenda. This years conference is one of the universitys largest academic events, featuring 57 scientific sessions (including 54 international sessions), with 1,199 papers submitted by research groups worldwide. It gathers 2,085 delegates, including 372 international experts and more than 1,700 domestic scholars and industry leaders. Dr. Vo Xuan Hoai, vice president of the National Innovation Centre (NIC), said HCMUTs initiative demonstrates strong alignment with national priorities outlined in Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on innovation and digital transformation, and Decision No. 1131/Q-TTg on strategic technology products. He emphasised the countrys growing commitment to frontier technologies: Artificial intelligence and semiconductors are the core drivers of the digital economy; robotics and 6G will define the future of advanced automation and next-generation connectivity; and renewable energy will underpin sustainable development, he said. Calling the conference a strong example of the Triple Helix model connecting Government, academia and industry, he noted the participation of experts from North Carolina State University, UNIST, Qualcomm and VNQuantum. He said NIC will continue to support applied research, technology transfer and innovation through its lab-to-market approach to accelerate real-world applications. The conference also features a keynote presentation by Prof. Greg Byrd, Professor and Associate Department Head of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. He highlighted rapid progress in quantum technologies and explained key principles of quantum computing, including entanglement and the five core requirements for building functional quantum computers. These systems depend on large dilution refrigerators and specialised cryogenic equipment, he said, discussing current superconducting technologies. Progress in software and hardware is advancing rapidly, he said. Theres lots to do, and the community is growing. Quantum technologies hold promising applications ranging from materials science and pharmaceuticals to financial modelling, logistics optimisation and machine learning, he added. The conference takes place as countries worldwide intensify competition in emerging technologies central to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. HCMUT has set a goal of becoming a leading regional centre for science, technology and innovation by 2035, with a vision to 2045, guided by Resolution 57-NQ/TW. The university has identified six priority strategic clusters, including AI, semiconductors and 6G, unmanned autonomous vehicles and robotics, quantum technologies, next-generation renewable energy, and high-speed railway systems. In parallel, the VNQuantum Summit, held during the conference as part of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, brings together international experts to discuss quantum communication, algorithms, machine learning and applications in secure networks, remote sensing and advanced computation. By convening global research leaders, HCMUT seeks to strengthen collaboration, advance technology transfer and train the next generation of high-quality engineers and scientists, contributing to the countrys ambition to play a greater role in the international science and technology landscape. As part of the programme, the quantum public lecture series Quantum School, jointly organised by HCMUT and the Viet Nam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (VIASM), will take place from November 2123 at HCMUT. The three-day programme gathers around 80 participants, including students, postgraduate researchers, mathematicians and scientists interested in quantum technologies. It covers foundational mathematical and physical principles, quantum programming and algorithms, and emerging topics in quantum hardware. VNS CA MAU Thirteen fishermen have been rescued and safely brought ashore after their vessel sank in rough seas off the coast of Ca Mau Province on November 21, thanks to the rapid and coordinated response of the Border Guard and nearby fishing vessels. A fishing boat owned by Ngo Van Nghiep and captained by Luu Van Thang, was operating around 15 nautical miles east-south-east of Rach Goc Estuary in Phan Ngoc Hien Commune, when strong waves and high winds caused it to go down. The fishermen, who were engaged in offshore bottom-fishing, were thrown into the water and drifted at sea as the vessel quickly sank. After receiving the distress report from shore, the Border Guard Station at Rach Goc immediately mobilised a search and rescue operation. Four nearby fishing boats responded to the emergency call and rushed to the scene, working closely with border-guard officers to locate the drifting men. All 13 fishermen were found alive and brought safely back to land. Authorities confirmed that their health and mental state remained stable despite the ordeal. The owner estimated that the loss of the vessel amounted to nearly VN 1 billion (around US$40,000). The incident underscores the dangerous conditions faced by offshore fishing workers, who remain highly vulnerable to sudden changes in weather even when operating relatively close to shore. It also highlights the importance of well-coordinated community rescue networks, where timely communication between fishermen and authorities can make the difference between life and death. With livelihoods heavily dependent on the sea, such a financial loss is a serious setback for both owner and crew. As Viet Nam continues its efforts to modernise the fishing sector, enhancing safety equipment and improving early-warning systems remain essential in reducing risks for those who work at sea. Local officials emphasised that although all lives were saved this time, continued investment in maritime-safety infrastructure is needed to ensure fishermen across the country can operate in safer and more resilient conditions. VNS HA NOI Localities across the country are launching campaigns to assist residents affected by severe flooding in the central region and Central Highlands, reflecting a nationwide effort to help devastated communities recover. In Ha Noi, the Party Committee, Peoples Council, Peoples Committee and Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee held a programme on November 22 to support flood-hit areas. Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Committee of Ha Noi, Bui Huyen Mai said the scale of losses in the central region and Central Highlands demanded an even stronger spirit of compassion and solidarity. She called on agencies, organisations, armed forces, businesses, officials, Party members and citizens to actively contribute, stressing that every gesture of support, large or small, was meaningful. She said that natural disasters might sweep away property, but they could not erase humanity or the bond between compatriots. Immediately after the launch, city leaders and delegates donated to the campaign, with contributions at the Ha Noi Party Committee venue alone exceeding VN279 million (US$10,600). Following the Politburos assignment for Quang Ninh to directly support Lam ong in post-flood recovery, the locality has urgently mobilised resources. Food, medicine, clothing, books and essential supplies are being prepared for delivery to hard-hit communities, while authorities remain in constant contact with Lam ong to assess needs. Provincial Party Secretary Vu ai Thang said losses in Lam ong were enormous, requiring rapid and effective support. A working delegation is set to travel to the area to provide direct relief, while longer-term recovery measures will begin soon. Alongside socialised contributions and support mobilised through the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, Quang Ninh will allocate an initial VN50 billion from its budget to help restore infrastructure, housing and livelihoods. The Ministry of National Defence has ordered strengthened management and deployment of national reserve supplies to aid flood response in the central region. General Nguyen Tan Cuong, chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army and deputy minister of National Defence, instructed relevant units to propose the release of reserve goods for affected localities in accordance with regulations and ministry guidelines. In Gia Lai, emergency support has been approved for tens of thousands of residents impacted by historic flooding. Each person in households with flooded homes will receive fifteen kilogrammes of rice per month for three months. Poor, near-poor and especially disadvantaged households with flooded homes will receive VN2 million ($76) per household per month over the same period. Housing support includes VN60 million ($2,300) for completely collapsed houses, VN5 million ($190) for homes with roofs blown off, and VN2 million ($76) for partially damaged houses. Funding will come from the State budget, the Disaster Prevention Fund, socialised resources and other lawful sources. In Ha Tinh, residents and charitable groups have also mobilised to support flood-hit localities, particularly ak Lak. Local volunteer Tran Thi Lan Huong appealed online for contributions of essential goods, leading to the establishment of two collection points. Residents donated water, bread, clothing and money, and within two days the group had gathered around one thousand boxes of bottled water, nine hundred boxes of instant noodles, fresh bread, milk, dried food and about two tonnes of clothes and blankets. Volunteers planned to depart on the evening of November 22 to deliver supplies directly to isolated communities. The Huong Son Connecting Love group has been preparing nearly one thousand banh chung for affected areas, after mobilising volunteers, kitchens and ingredients through the night of November 21. The group raised more than VN40 million to provide goods for ak Lak. Meanwhile, Ha Tinh rescue teams have travelled to ak Lak and Gia Lai to help evacuate residents. au Van Man, head of the SOS Man Coi Ha Tinh rescue team, said the group arrived in Tuy Hoa Ward, ak Lak on November 20 with four inflatable boats and had rescued many people stranded by deep floodwaters, while also transporting essential supplies to affected households. The broad mobilisation from authorities, armed forces, organisations and citizens underscores a shared determination to help flood-stricken communities overcome hardship and stabilise their lives. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese and Chinese medical experts gathered in Ha Noi on Saturday at the 21st International Congress on Luobing Theory Overseas Forum to beef up cooperation in traditional medicine. Wu Guoquan, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Viet Nam, said Viet Nam and China, as long-standing neighbouring countries with a time-honoured traditional relationship, each possess a precious gem in traditional medicine. Under the leadership of both countries, traditional medicine has contributed to protecting public health and improving peoples well-being. He noted that safeguarding public health is a key area of scientific research. Traditional medicine, the cultural essence of both nations, has been widely inherited and developed around the world and serves as a bridge for medical cooperation between Viet Nam and China. Both China and Viet Nam attach great importance to traditional medicine because of its growing effectiveness in disease prevention and treatment, combining preservation of national cultural heritage with knowledge from modern medical science, he said. Xu Chunbo, deputy secretary-general of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, called for further development of traditional medicine theory as well as stronger collaboration between Chinese and foreign experts, especially Vietnamese experts. Echoing Xu Chunbos message, Associate Professor oan Quang Huy, deputy director of the Viet Nam National University of Traditional Medicine, said Viet Nams traditional medicine is gaining opportunities to engage with other medical systems, innovate development approaches suited to modern needs. He said agencies and institutions from Viet Nam and China are actively sharing achievements, discussing new research directions, strengthening the application of traditional medicine and meridian theory in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases, stroke, endocrine disorders and respiratory illnesses and promoting cooperation in training. The Viet Nam National University of Traditional Medicine has been partnering with institutions in the United States, France, Spain and China. We have cooperated with Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine since 2008, sending about 100 trainees to Tianjin each year. Since 2016, we have also worked with Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical, known for its traditional Chinese medicines, Huy said. Senior leaders of Viet Nam and China recently issued concrete guidance on cooperation in traditional medicine. In the Joint Statement issued during the state visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping to Viet Nam in April 2025, both sides affirmed to continue to promote exchanges and cooperation in healthcare, public health, prevention of infectious diseases and traditional medicine. In the joint statement issued during the state visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam To Lam to China in August 2024, the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in healthcare, public health, traditional medicine and disaster prevention and mitigation. In August 2024, Vietnamese Ministry of Health and Chinas National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine inked a memorandum of understanding on various areas, including policy information sharing, personnel training, scientific research and promoting traditional medicine culture. VNS HCM CITY Van Lang University (VLU) was honoured with the Vietnamese President's Second-Class Labour Order at a ceremony held in HCM City on November 22 to mark the 30th anniversary of VLUs establishment. Since its founding in 1995, VLU has evolved into one of the countrys leading private institutions, distinguished by its commitment to humane, inclusive education, and international integration. Over the past three decades, the university has trained more than 156,000 students, currently enrolling over 52,000 across more than 100 domestic programmes and 30 international joint programmes. Its alumni actively contribute to engineering, technology, economics, media, architecture, and health sciences, enhancing the Van Lang Brand nationwide and abroad. Global rankings reflect VLUs growing academic reputation. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, VLU ranks No 251 in Asia and within the Top 10011200 globally, with its Academic Reputation positioned 392nd worldwide. Its Performing Arts programme is ranked among the Top 51100 globally, and Art & Design falls within the Top 101150 (QS WUR by Subject 2025). The university has earned institutional and programme accreditation from respected bodies including FIBAA (Germany), NEAS (Australia), and AUN-QA. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, president of VLU, said this distinguished honour belongs to generations of faculty, staff, and students. Their dedication, responsibility, and pursuit of innovation have shaped a resilient and progressive VLU that continues to affirm its position today. The university has established partnerships with over 300 global institutions, hosting nearly 6,000 international students from 30 countries in the past five years, while more than 1,200 VULs students have studied or interned abroad, reflecting deep international integration. Liberal Sandbox educational philosophy The universitys educational philosophy emphasises Morality Will Creativity, cultivating a humane environment where learners develop their full potential. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu said: VLU has remained steadfast in upholding the three core values since its earliest days, continuously renewing them to meet the demands of each era. Responding to rapid technological and scientific change, VLU has shifted from traditional teaching toward an open liberal sandbox model. This dynamic space allows students to experiment, learn through experience, embrace failure, and cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. Education today is not merely learning to do but learning to become individuals who navigate uncertainty, innovate to adapt, and uphold kindness in both success and failure, she added. Bui Thi Van Anh, chairwoman of the University Council, said higher education in the 21st century must reaffirm the role as a beacon of thought, of academic freedom, and of human dignity. VLU aims to be an institution that inspires new ways of thinking, encourages questioning and intellectual challenge, and equips learners to learn how to change with the world rather than simply absorb existing knowledge A university cannot teach every change the world have experienced, but it can teach people how to change with the world, she said. Commitment to community, sustainable development VLU acknowledges its most valuable asset: people. It is the intellect, passion, and constant spirit of innovation of every member of the VLU family that have forged the Universitys enduring values, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi My Dieu, said. The universitys 71,000+ alumni continue to create value across Viet Nam and internationally, testifying to the lasting impact of its mission. Looking ahead, VLU is investing in modern, internationally standardised facilities, including the Van Lang Education Complex, set to open in the 2025-26 academic year. Alongside infrastructure, the university deepens internationalisation and partnerships with businesses and communities, ensuring students gain practical experience and entrepreneurial skills. A nation can only achieve true prosperity when the education system goes beyond merely training human resources, and instead empowers people to become free, humane, and creative beings, according to the university leaders. VLUs 30-year journey highlights the vitality of humanistic education and its commitment to innovation. With strong foundations, the university is poised to continue contributing meaningfully to Viet Nams education landscape, inspiring new generations and extending Vietnamese educational values to the world. VNS HA NOI The Central Relief Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee on November 22 decided to allocate VN80 billion (US$3.03 million) to assist four central provinces severely affected by recent flooding Lam ong, Khanh Hoa, ak Lak and Gia Lai with each receiving VN20 billion ($760 million). Representing the Party, State and VFF, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Tran Cam Tu handed over support to Khanh Hoa. VFF President Bui Thi Minh Hoai presented the funding to Lam ong, while Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang delivered assistance to ak Lak and Gia Lai respectively. The support reflects nationwide solidarity, with the funding to be disbursed promptly and transparently to help residents stabilise their lives and restore production. The Central Relief Committee reported that as of November 22, contributions through the VFF system had surpassed VN1.4 trillion ($53.1 million). This includes VN618.5 billion ($23.5 million) pledged by organisations via the committee but transferred directly to affected localities, notably the VN500 billion ($18.9 million) package from the Kind Heart Foundation of Vingroup, as well as donations from Ha Noi, Can Tho, Ecopark, Samsung Vietnam and Honda Vietnam. An additional VN112.596 billion ($4.26 million) was raised during the Autumn Fair, and over VN701 billion ($26.6 million) has been sent directly to the Committee in cash and essential goods. Nationwide, VFF bodies at all levels have mobilised more than VN2.8 trillion ($106.2 million) for flood relief. The Central Relief Committee alone has allocated nine support packages totalling VN678.18 billion ($25.8 million) to 23 provinces, while localities and units have provided another VN118.5 billion ($4.5 million). The Kind Heart Foundation has already disbursed over VN350 billion ($13.3 million), 70 per cent of its pledge. Meanwhile, Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Tran Luu Quang presented VN50 billion ($1.9 million) in emergency support raised from officials and residents of the city to Khanh Hoa. Earlier, a team of fifty doctors from the city arrived in Nha Trang to provide medical services, while the HCM City Military Command delivered 1,450 life jackets and rescue buoys. On November 21, the HCM City VFF Committee Committee received fifteen tonnes of relief goods, transported overnight to the central region. Additional contributions continue to arrive, including 1,000 life jackets from the municipal police; 10,000 medical kits from the Health Department; drinking water supplies from Sawaco and Sapuwa; and 30 tonnes of goods from Vinh Nghiem Pagoda worth nearly VN900 million ($34,200). VNS The event marked a clear shift from a traditional partner-networking meeting to an in-depth forum on sustainable supply-chain development, gathering more than 100 of the company's strategic suppliers. By choosing the theme Sustainable corporate governance oriented towards ESG, C.P. Vietnam asserted its long-term direction of making ESG the foundation of its business operations and the shared standard across its entire supplier ecosystem. In the context of rapidly changing environmental regulations, compliance requirements, and consumer expectations, C.P. Vietnam emphasised that ESG is no longer optional, it is a prerequisite for strengthening long-term competitiveness. At the conference, CP Vietnam presented its process for building an ESG-based supplier assessment and development system. Designed to be transparent and applicable to multiple supplier groups, the system integrates internal assessments, self-assessments, and independent reviews. The company is also rolling out support programmes to help suppliers improve in areas such as risk management, energy use, occupational safety, and environmental protection. The panel discussion captured many practical perspectives from businesses within the supply chain. Suppliers spoke candidly about the challenges of adopting ESG criteria, including investment costs for new technologies, demands for data transparency, and pressures related to management capacity. In turn, C.P. Vietnam shared lessons from its own implementation, such as optimising energy consumption, developing sustainable packaging, adopting emission-reduction models, enhancing animal-welfare management, and establishing traceability systems across the entire production chain. Chamnnan Wangakkarangkul, deputy COO and chairman of the Sustainable Supply Development Council, emphasised, ESG not only helps companies meet international standards but also creates long-term value for the entire partner network. When suppliers transition together, transparency and operational efficiency increase, thereby reducing risks and improving product quality. Drawing from insights shared at the conference, C.P. Vietnam aims to build a sustainably developed supplier ecosystem in which each partner becomes a proactive link in the ESG transition. This includes commitments to data transparency, adherence to environmental and social standards, emission reduction, circular-economy practices, and enhanced aligned governance with international requirements. The company considers supplier alignment as essential for maintaining the quality of its 3F model and meets consumer expectations for safe, transparent, and sustainable products. The event also provided an opportunity for C.P. Vietnam to recognise suppliers with outstanding contributions. However, the core message went beyond awards: the goal was to inspire businesses across the supply chain to strengthen their capabilities and embrace innovation. C.P. Vietnam believes that every supplier attending the conference can become a model case of sustainable transformation in Vietnam. Food Hero Scholarship launched to promote sustainable food development The Vietnam Foodbank Network and CP Vietnam are joining forces to empower young people to drive a more sustainable, waste-free food future in Vietnam. CP Vietnam launches campaign to support flood-hit communities CP Vietnam Corporation has kicked off a national flood assistance initiative to help communities rebuild their lives and restore livelihoods after recent natural disasters. The Japanese automaker wants to move to longer product life cycles and software-defined vehicles, but how will that affect buyers? As is the case with many carmakers, Toyota has traditionally kept its product life cycles to around five years. In such models, annual changes amount to mostly minor refreshes and option updates, while more dramatic facelifts and hardware overhauls come mid-cycle or at the end of a cars lifespan. Advertisement Advertisement According to a new report, however, that could all be about to change. As part of the broader industry shift toward software-defined vehicles (SDVs), Toyota is set to lengthen its product life cycles in line with companies like Tesla. Toyotas shift to a longer product life cycle means that it will also be moving to SDVs. - Credit: Toyota But is that a good thing? Well, its complicated. Maximum shelf life As first reported by Nikkei Asia, Toyota is supposedly looking to up the average lifespan of its flagship cars to nine years. Of course, given that the Toyota managed to squeeze a full seven out of the previous-generation RAV4, and the aging 12th-generation Corolla still has some years before its update, its not surprising that the automaker would want to extend the shelf life of other models. Toyotas next-generation Corolla concept suggests that the models replacement isnt due for a few years. - Credit: Toyota After all, doing so promises a litany of benefits. From facilitating a more stable sales environment and creating fair buying opportunities to prolonging product relevancy and allowing for more flexible pricing, Toyota is of the belief that delaying generational overhauls has the potential to pay dividends. Advertisement Advertisement Now, for its cars to stay competitive over such a period of time, this means that the automaker will instead shift its priorities to software. In other words, rather than introducing a model with minor revisions like a tweaked powertrain or an updated infotainment system, Toyota will be keeping its vehicles current after purchase through over-the-air (OTA) updates. From driving performance to infotainment, OTA updates will keep Toyotas vehicles current. - Credit: Toyota Advertisement Advertisement For buyers, this means that vehicles will invariably hold their value better, as there will be fewer visible changes (i.e., those made to the sheet metal). As such, along with maximizing forward compatibility, this will also reduce the effects of depreciation. Ghost in the machine It all sounds pretty good in theory. However, thats not to say that software-defined vehicles are without their drawbacks. Quite the contrary, in fact. The connectivity that comes with SDVs makes owners more dependent on the manufacturer for service. - Credit: Toyota As brands like Tesla have made evident time and time again, SDVs not only expose users to the possibility of bugs, but also the potential for data leaks. Be it a relatively minor glitch or something so far-reaching it requires a full-on recall, there are no two ways about it: Its downright inconvenient to be at the mercy of the manufacturer for a patch, and software-defined vehicles are ever-evolving creations. Advertisement Advertisement Its especially problematic because, if youre like most car owners, youd likely rather not be overly dependent on the brand once youve left the dealership. Toyota has already been extending its product life cycles for flagships, and the move to SDVs will further enable it do so so. - Credit: Toyota Yet, because of the capabilities yielded by OTA updates, many brands are instead making certain features only available through subscriptions, effectively locking drivers into rolling commitments, not unlike cell phone plans or streaming services. It poses potential disadvantages to the traditional dealership model, too, as customers wont need to buy a new car in order to get the latest and greatest features. Rather, theyll be able to avoid the showroom experience entirely, as new releases will instead be available via a download. Toyota isnt alone in wanting to prolong generational updates for the sake of cutting down on manufacturing costs. - Credit: Toyota A sign of the times Noteworthy as it is that Toyota is extending the life cycle of its flagships, the Japanese automaker isnt alone in this trend. Across the industry, automakers are looking towards longer production runs with an increased reliance on tech. As such, many other mainstream manufacturers like Ford and Chevrolet have embraced software-defined vehicles as well. Advertisement Advertisement While a shift to SDVs brings with it some impressive capabilities, it does also, unfortunately, introduce more subscription opportunities. And, regardless of where you stand on tech integration in vehicles, theres no denying that another month-to-month charge is the last thing we need in an age of streaming services. About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When hes not chasing the latest industry news, hes probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers. Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When hes not chasing the latest industry news, hes probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers. Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results. To date, all project components are being executed across the entire construction site under Airports Corporation of Vietnam. The construction pace has been accelerated by 3-6 months compared with the signed contract schedule, ensuring the project is fundamentally completed before December 19 and ready for operation and commercial use in the first half of 2026, in accordance with the prime ministers directives A management representative confirmed to the media that all locations have stopped serving customers. However, any formal announcement regarding the exit must come from the brands headquarters in Thailand. Across Ho Chi Minh City, Cafe Amazon stores have taken down their signage, vacated leased properties, and in several cases, have already been replaced by new tenants. The chains Vietnam social media page also now issues an automated message stating that it has officially ceased operations. The retreat had been anticipated since early October, when Central Plaza Hotel Public Co., Ltd. (Centel) notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand of its decision to dissolve ORC Coffee Passion Group (ORCG), the joint venture operating Cafe Amazon in Vietnam. ORCG is owned 40 per cent by Central Restaurants Group (a Centel subsidiary) and 60 per cent by PTTOR International Holdings (Singapore), part of PTT Oil and Retail Business. Centel cited the need to redefine business priorities and adjust to market challenges as reasons for ending the venture. By August 31, Centel had invested $1.72 million into the partnership. Cafe Amazon entered the country with its signature refreshing oasis store concept, similar to its outlets in Thailand. The chain also localised its menu, adding Vietnamese-style brewed coffee, teas, and seasonal drinks alongside Thai-style coffee and milk tea. However, growth remained limited. At the time of its exit, the brand operated around 12 stores, mainly in Ho Chi Minh City, with a few in Can Tho, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long. This footprint fell short of initial expansion ambitions and paled in comparison with Vietnams leading coffee chains. The market is dominated by strong domestic and international players such as Highlands Coffee, Phuc Long, Katinat, Trung Nguyen Legend Cafe, and Starbucks. Highlands Coffee alone boasted 928 stores as of late September, and recently reported its highest quarterly profit in two years. Across Asia, Cafe Amazon remains one of the continents largest coffee brands with more than 5,000 stores, mostly in Thailand and often located at petrol stations, a strategic advantage the brand could not replicate in Vietnam. According to Inside Retail Asia, Cafe Amazon sold more than 107 million cups of coffee in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, up nearly 5 per cent from the same period in 2024 across all markets. Going forward, the chain plans to concentrate its expansion efforts in Laos, the Philippines, Japan, Oman, and Bahrain through a franchising model. Vietnams coffee heartland embraces green standards for global reach As the global marketplace tightens its environmental and social standards, Vietnam's agricultural sector particularly the Central Highlands, home to the nation's iconic coffee stands at a critical crossroads. Nestle Vietnam honours farmers for sustainable agricultural development Nestle Vietnam held a dialogue titled The role of farmers in regenerative agriculture at its Tri An factory in Dong Nai on October 31 to honour returning farmers. Car fire closes section of Gresford Roundabout Update: the road has reopened fully. Original information below A section of the Gresford Roundabout is closed off this lunchtime. One eyewitness told Wrexham.com, Car on fire underneath bypass bridge by Charlies fire engines and police everywhere. Police have said, Please note the Gresford roundabout will be closed from the direction of Llanypwll towards Pandy / Chester Police are assisting the North Wales Fire Rescue Service with a vehicle fire Please avoid the area and consider alternative routes Hey, who turned out the lights? Scientists are finding correlations between true darkness and inner peace, with results ranging from improved mental clarity and mood to better sleep. Darkness helps the body create melatonin while also regulating the sleep-wake cycle. This, combined with results from a 2019 study that indicated that even 20 minutes in the great outdoors can lower cortisol levels by 21 percent, has travelers asking themselves whether astrotourism could help improve overall wellness, too. Its all part of a new vacation category: sleep tourism. Weve rounded up seven places where you can test the science yourself and find out whether gazing at the stars does improve your sleep. Great Basin National Park (Courtesy of Travel Nevada) Great Basin National Park, Nevada Great Basin National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park with gold-tier statusthe highest awardedan honor bestowed on communities, parks, and protected areas globally that preserve and protect dark skies by limiting light pollution. With a population of just 16, according to the 2023 Census Bureau, the town of Baker, where the Nevada national park is located, is about as desolate as it gets. At Stargazer Inn, quaint rooms open up to a courtyard of chairs and firepits where you can gaze up at the Milky Way (a phenomenon one-third of people can no longer view due to artificial light pollution). The Astronomy Amphitheater and Mather Overlook are popular sites for stargazing inside the park. // Stargazer Inn, 115 Baker Ave. (Baker), stargazernevada.com Truckee, California Tucked against the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Truckee enjoys dark skies in large part because the natural rock formations block western light pollution from the Golden States bigger cities. Truckees high-altitude perch also helps, protecting it from the elements. Try a snowshoe star tour with Tahoe Adventure Company, where winter travelers start trekking at sunset and end with hot beverages and telescope views of the surrounding landscapes in Truckee or North Lake Tahoe. At Donner Lake, youll find a combination sensory experience featuring the hushed lullaby of the lapping waves against the public docks and the eerie still of the glowing night sky, most illuminated during a new moon. // Tahoe Adventure Company, 7010 N. Lake Blvd. (Tahoe Vista), tahoeadventurecompany.com The Nevada Northern Railway's Great Basin Star Train (Courtesy of Travel Nevada) Ely, Nevada About a one-hour drive from Baker sits Ely, a slightly larger town with an affinity for cowboy culture and trains. The Nevada Northern Railway runs year-round, but its May through September Great Basin Star Train is all about reaching for the (dark) sky. The train takes the Valley Vista route above Steptoe Valley for the sunset before plunging into darkness at Star Flat, a remote desert with limited light pollution. Dont know what youre looking for? Experts are on hand to guide you, using telescopes and red lights to discover planets, galaxies, the Milky Way, and more. (Pro tip: Keep an eye out for Champagne Train offerings if you enjoy a side of bubbles with your night sky.) // Nevada Northern Railway, 1100 Ave. A (Ely), nnry.com Tonopah, Nevada USA Today once named Tonopah the number-one Stargazing Destination in America, with thousands of celestial bodies and constellations visible on a clear night. While any night is a good one to explore Tonopah Stargazing Parka secluded area off the main stretch outfitted with concrete pads that hosts monthly, guided stargazing nights from June through Octoberexperts prefer to venture to the Nevadan desert town on moonless nights for one of the best views of the Milky Way in the lower 48. // Tonopah Stargazing Park, Ray Tennant Way (Tonopah), tonopahnevada.com The stars at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley (Courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection) Death Valley National Park Death Valley National Park was awarded Gold-Tier Dark Sky Park status for its inky black night skies and monitored light pollution. In the winter, longer stretches of darkness provide the best stargazing, and with a notoriously warm climate, you wont be chased off by the cold. Within the national park, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Badwater Basin, and Harmony Borax Works are great choices for gazing. On select nights, especially in winter and spring, rangers host astronomy programs. For a more comfortable option, stay at The Inn at Death Valley , which boasts its own rooftop deck outfitted with cozy couches for canoodling under a blanket of stars. // The Inn at Death Valley, CA-190 (Death Valley), oasisatdeathvalley.com Gerlach, Nevada Its Nevadas remoteness that opens up the sky to such intense darkness. Gerlach, which sits less than two hours north of Reno, is considered by many to be the gateway to several dark-sky areas, including the surrounding Massacre Rim Wilderness Study Area , Granite Mountain Reservoir , and Black Rock Desert . Within the Black Rock Desert, High Rock Canyon is one of the most popular spots to stop and stare. The Observatory Retreat near Joshua Tree National Park (June Choi) Joshua Tree National Park President Donald Trump proposed a 50-year mortgage to solve the nations housing crisis. New Mexico real estate professionals say adding 20 more years to a home loan may make it possible for some to own a house who wouldnt be able to otherwise. But at what cost? Housing is unaffordable the median price for a single-family detached home in Albuquerque hit a record high of $379,545 in August, which only 13.5% of New Mexico renters can afford. Nationwide, the median age of a first-time homebuyer is 40, another all-time high. Paying off a home for 50 years rather than the usual 30 years would lower monthly payments, Trump said in an appearance on Fox News last week. U.S. Director of Federal Housing Bill Pulte supported the idea in a post on X: We are laser focused on ensuring the American Dream for YOUNG PEOPLE and that can only happen on the economic level of homebuying. A 50 Year Mortgage is simply a potential weapon in a WIDE arsenal of solutions that we are developing right now. STAY TUNED! Pulte wrote. Extending mortgage terms from 30 years to 50 years can modestly reduce monthly payments, making homeownership slightly more accessible for some buyers, said Chris Shain Tanner, president of the Greater Albuquerque Association of Realtors, reading a statement from the National Association of Realtors. A $420,000 home financed at a 6.3% interest rate on a 50-year loan would cost $236 less per month than a 30-year loan, though the monthly savings come with significant trade-offs for interest, the statement said. The total cost of the home would rise to around $1.1 million when paid off, with nearly $360,000 more in interest over the life of the loan. It would take almost 40 years to pay off half of the balance, Tanner said, meaning most borrowers would not begin building meaningful equity until the final decade. Longer loan terms do not address the true cause of todays affordability challenges, which is limited supply of homes in the low and middle-priced ranges, the statement said. By the time the loan is paid off, a first-time homebuyer at the median age of 40 would be 90 years old and would have paid almost double the home price in interest. If its going to take you 50 years to own an asset, youre going to pay an awful lot of interest in the process, said New Mexico economist Kelly ODonnell. A 50-year mortgage is a long time. Ad Homeownership is the primary method by which middle-income Americans build wealth, ODonnell said, and most people rely on their homes being paid off by the time they retire. If its 50 years, you will be paying a mortgage well into your retirement, she said. I would be very cautious about this, because it could do more harm than good. In Albuquerque, a low housing stock, especially of more affordable starter homes, is one of the main drivers of unaffordability, said Albuquerque real estate broker Tego Venturi. Our challenge, especially in New Mexico, is still that were short on supply, Venturi said. We need more supply in our market. In most cases, people dont hold their home loan for the entire term of their mortgage they sell their house before its fully paid off which means they could, theoretically, take advantage of the lower monthly payment by selling the home before the interest accumulates over 50 years, Venturi said. For a very small group of people who truly have no other option, it might be a way to ownership. And the thing is, ownership is still going to be a better option long-term, even on subpar terms which they definitely are than renting, he said. Venturi said he doesnt see many buyers interested in loans with longer terms than 30 years. The 50-year mortgage, should it come to fruition, will be an option to buyers who can still opt for traditional shorter mortgages. I dont see a problem with having it and offering it, but people that were to consider it, they really need to look at it and have eyes wide open when they go into it, so they understand the trade-offs, Venturi said. Mike Doyle As a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the first Gulf War and a trial attorney in New Mexico, Ive fought two kinds of battles one wearing a uniform and one in a courtroom. The first taught me discipline and sacrifice. The second has shown me how easily justice slips away from the very people who risked everything to defend it. Both careers have called to me Ive always fought for whats right and to protect and defend people. The recent study from the Center for Justice & Democracy, The Costs and Legal Obstacles Facing Americas Service Members and Veterans, puts into data what many of us in the legal community already know: Service members and veterans face staggering barriers when they try to assert their basic rights. Whether its medical negligence, toxic exposure, sexual assault or predatory financial schemes, too many of our nations defenders come home only to face new battles against systems designed to deny them recourse. The study highlights the legal roadblocks that make these injustices possible. Chief among them is the Feres doctrine a 1950 Supreme Court decision that bars active-duty service members from suing the federal government for injuries incident to service. That phrase has become a legal brick wall, shielding the government from accountability even in cases of gross negligence or medical malpractice. If a civilian patient suffers from a botched surgery, they can sue. If a soldier suffers the same fate, theyre told its part of service. That isnt patriotism its institutional abandonment. Then theres forced arbitration, a private system quietly built into countless consumer, employment and housing contracts. It strips away a veterans right to a public trial, forcing disputes into secret proceedings that overwhelmingly favor corporations. For those who fought to defend the Constitution, being denied their day in court feels like a betrayal of the very rights we swore to protect. Add to that the crushing bureaucracy that governs veterans benefits and the shortage of legal aid for those trying to navigate it. According to the centers report, legal problems are among the top unmet needs of veterans nationwide. Issues like eviction, denied benefits and consumer scams arent minor theyre destabilizing forces that can lead to homelessness, poverty and despair. In a state like New Mexico, where we pride ourselves on community and service, that should outrage us all. So, what can we do? First, Congress must finally reform the Feres doctrine. Accountability strengthens, not weakens, our military. Service members deserve the same legal protections as every other American. Second, we need to expand funding for veterans legal services. Civil legal aid programs, medical-legal partnerships and pro-bono clinics have been lifelines for those who would otherwise fall through the cracks. They should be supported and expanded not left to scrape by on donations. Third, we must end forced arbitration for service members and veterans. No corporation should be allowed to profit from denying a veteran their constitutional right to a jury trial. Finally, state and local governments including ours here in New Mexico can lead by example. We can fund legal clinics, strengthen consumer protection laws and ensure veterans housing and employment rights are actively enforced. Gratitude alone doesnt pay rent or secure justice. Action does. Every veteran knows that service doesnt end when you take off the uniform. It continues in how you live, how you advocate and how you stand up for others. Thats why Im speaking out because justice for those who served isnt charity, its a debt owed. Ad When America sends young men and women to war, we promise theyll come home to a country that honors their sacrifice. That promise must mean more than a folded flag or a parade. It must mean access to the same justice we fought to defend. As both a veteran and a trial attorney, I know this truth: A nation that denies accountability to its defenders is a nation that has forgotten what it stands for. Its time to remember. Every great city reaches a moment when its strengths align and reveal a future once just out of reach. After visiting New Mexico annually for more than a decade, Ive long believed Albuquerque is whats next and increasingly, its whats now. The citys mix of talent, culture, affordability, research capacity and quality of life gives it a foundation most regions envy. The question is no longer whether Albuquerque can compete for the jobs and industries of the future, but how quickly possibility can turn into performance. Momentum is already visible. Pacific Fusions $1 billion research facility, the Netflix expansion at ABQ Studios and Kairos Powers partnership show that Albuquerque is on the radar of decision-makers in boardrooms and research labs nationwide. People are the heart of every thriving economy and New Mexicos human capital runs deeper than many realize. The state leads the nation in Ph.D.s per capita, with expertise spanning engineering, chemistry, materials science, artificial intelligence, quantum and film production. The University of New Mexicos leadership in quantum information science strengthens that edge. Equally powerful is the creative talent that animates the regions culture. Artists, designers and makers form an ecosystem that is both authentic and exportable. Members of the creative class seek places with character, affordability and access to the outdoors and Albuquerque checks every box. Place matters. Albuquerque has invested in experiences that elevate daily life restaurants, hotels and gathering places developed by Heritage Hotels & Resorts have boosted both visitor experience and civic pride. The Rail Runners link to Santa Fe adds mobility and cultural permeability few metros can match. Affordability is another advantage. Among Mountain West cities, Albuquerque remains the most attainable, with 71% of residents owning homes. That stability attracts and retains talent, as do the regions climate, open space and recreation. Partnership is the catalyst for what comes next. New Mexico has taken deliberate steps to remove barriers and accelerate investment. The Job Training Incentive Program funds workforce development; high-wage tax credits help recruit talent; and the Local Economic Development Act offsets construction and rental costs. Industrial Revenue Bonds have financed transformative projects, including $750 million of Pacific Fusions investment. Research and Development tax credits reward invention and risk-taking. Equally significant are programs that create site product shovel-ready infrastructure that shortens time to market. The Site Readiness Program funds utilities, broadband and traffic studies. The Trade Ports bill and Utility Pre-deployment Program strengthen logistics and signals that New Mexico welcomes innovators. Together, these policies reduce friction and send a clear message: The state and city are open for business. Perhaps Albuquerques greatest long-term advantage lies in its research ecosystem. The University of New Mexicos Research 1 status, combined with Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories, forms an innovation stack matched by few regions worldwide. When aligned with the private sector through technology transfer and startup formation this capacity becomes powerful economic fuel. Cities dont transform through individual effort. They evolve when public, private, academic and community leaders choose alignment. Albuquerque has shown that in film, hospitality, site readiness and placemaking. The next chapter demands that same collaborative spirit applied to advanced manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace, bioscience, artificial intelligence and the creative industries that define identity and attract talent. The ingredients are here: a skilled workforce, world-class research, cultural richness, affordability and government partnership that accelerates progress. Whats next is not reinvention but acceleration connecting strengths, telling our story boldly and inviting the world to see what New Mexicans have long known. The future belongs to cities that align their assets with purpose. Albuquerque is ready. Ban can ang nhap e thuc hien chuc nang nay! DEAR MISS MANNERS: Ive encountered a lot of fuss about the pervasiveness of the nonapology: e.g., Im sorry youre so sensitive or Im sorry you feel that way. But what is one to say to acknowledge anothers injury, while reinforcing that you are NOT sorry and fully stand by your actions? Particularly in a social setting in which silence is not an option? I planned an outing for club members and their families to a sporting event in a nearby city. Members could buy tickets, and each person shared equally the cost of the bus trip. After the trip was finalized, one member, who had bought five tickets, informed me via text that she had a conflict and that I would need to hold the bus for 30 minutes. I replied that this would be impossible because of the precise times in the bus contract and the need for a buffer to allow for traffic delays. I told her to let me know if she couldnt rearrange her other commitment, and that I could try to sell her tickets so she could recoup her money. She only replied with OK. Needless to say, her family did not make the bus. (The camera footage of the parking area shows that they were nearly an hour late!) The day after the trip, she made a scathing post on our clubs social media page about how I refused to wait, and that thanks to me, she and her family are out hundreds of dollars. She even implied that I somehow enriched myself with the unused tickets. She has garnered sympathy in the comments from other group members who know only her side. Remaining silent is not an option, but I am not sorry for any of my actions and want to reiterate that strongly. What can be said? GENTLE READER: When a customer gives a scathing account of poor service on retail websites, Miss Manners has noticed, the better companies politely explain the full context of the situation, while still asserting their desire to make it right. This post was tantamount to a review of your excursion. If you can manage a polite, measured reply that explains the situation as you have done here (including your attempts to make it right), that may change the other club members perspective. And when they realize how much they all would have been inconvenienced by this womans excessive lateness, you may even garner sympathy. At the very least, they will have been warned about future timed events -- and you against planning them. Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to dearmissmanners@gmail.com, or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The newly appointed president of the board that regulates Alabamas utilities is calling for limits on how the data center industry uses the states power resources. Alabama Public Service Commission President Cynthia Lee Almond issued a two-page letter on Friday afternoon, speaking on behalf of herself and not the rest of the three-person board. Our standards: no free rides for big tech. The entities driving up the costs must be the entities covering the costs, she said. Data centers will be part of Alabamas future, but that future must work for everyone, not just the companies building these facilities. In her statement, Almond noted that the $14 billion, 18-building hyperscale data center campus proposed for Bessemer would consume more power and water than any site in our states history if the project is finalized. Project Marvel just moved past the first stage in the public process, when the Bessemer City Council approved the rezoning of 700 acres of rural land for industrial use earlier this week. She also noted Metas data center campus in Montgomery, which recently expanded as a $1.5 billion project. Construction employment reaches into the thousands. Permanent operational jobs follow, she said. The challenge is ensuring those benefits are realized and lasting, especially for the communities asked to host these projects and for Alabama Power customers who could be affected. Almond pointed out that utility bills have spiked in other states with a growth in data centers. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt voiced similar concerns over how the projects demand for energy could impact local residents power bills. Brad Kaaber, a representative for the data center developer Logistics Land Investment, said Tuesday that, despite the increase in demand for power that the data centers would need to operate, residents would not see an increase in their bills. And Alabama Power has promised that data center customers will have to cover their own electric costs. Alabama Power has a disciplined approach to engaging with potential large-load customers, like data centers, seeking to locate in our service territory, the utility company said in a statement to AL.com this week. This ensures those customers pay the full, fair cost to serve their needs and safeguards other Alabama Power customers from any negative impacts as a result. In addition to requiring data centers to foot the bill, Almond said that the commission requires certain contract terms to make sure data centers that ask for more power plants and transmission lines actually materialize. Alabama is already requiring demonstrations to verify proposed demand, long-term contracts, minimum building requirements, upfront reimbursement of direct costs, and even termination fees to ensure that hyperscale projects pay their own way and communities are protected, she said. And the commission will make sure data center developments dont impede the quality of service for customers, she added. Large data centers put sudden and significant stress on the electric grid, water supplies, and natural gas demand, Almond said. Our role is to ensure that Alabama Power plans for and manages such spikes so that service to other customers isnt impacted or interrupted. Gov. Kay Ivey appointed Almond to the role in June. In the past, the commission has received public pushback for high bills. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 06: Jen Shah is seen leaving Manhattan federal court after receiving a 6.5 year sentence for conspiracy to commit wire fraud on January 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images) GC Images Jen Shah will not be spending this Christmas in federal custody. PEOPLE reported that the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum will be released from prison on Dec. 10, after serving time since February 2023. Shah was sentenced to six and a half years for involvement in a nationwide telemarketing scheme. She has now served two and a half years. Everyones very grateful for the BOPs decision, especially because it means Jen will be able to reunite with her family for the holidays, Shahs manager, Chris Giovanni, told PEOPLE. Its a gift she doesnt take for granted. Giovanni said Shah, 52, is in a positive headspace while preparing for her release. Shes done a lot of reflecting and real growth during her time away, and is genuinely not the same woman as she was before. Her focus is on her family and building a healthier, more grounded life. She understands the seriousness of the mistakes she made and is excited to put this chapter behind her so that she can show everyone the woman shes worked hard to become, he added. The Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on Shahs release, citing privacy and security concerns. Shah was arrested in March 2021 arrested in March 2021 alongside Stuart Smith, her assistant, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a scheme targeting thousands of individuals older than 55. Shah pleaded guilty to the charges against her in July 2022 after pleading not guilty in April 2021. The former reality stars prison sentence was reduced several times, with a final reduction in August 2025. Before the news of her release next month, Shah was expected to spend time in prison until Aug. 30, 2026. Shah sent a letter to PEOPLE in February 2024 reflecting on her time behind bars. She discussed the pain of being away from family but said she has been humbled by stories of other women at the facility. I am most grateful for the aspects of my life that have never left me: my family and faith, she wrote. In my daily prayers, I ask God for the courage to realize I am worthy of a second chance I am finding the courage to set my fear and guilt aside." It all happened so fast. Less than a week after President Donald Trump denounced Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Georgia Republican announced that she would resign from Congress on Jan. 5. Greenes departure will cap five tumultuous years in Congress. She was first an outsider, then briefly at the center of power during House Speaker Kevin McCarthys reign. Trumps return to the White House could have heralded a new era of clout in Washington, but Greenes simmering discontent led to a split with the president. Heres a look at Greenes background and some of the most notable episodes in her tumultuous five-year career in Congress. Where did Greene come from? Greene had little involvement in politics before Trump ran for president. She and her husband had bought a commercial contracting company from Greenes father. Greene later opened a CrossFit gym in suburban Atlanta. But during the 2016 campaign, she started posting stories and videos online. Her initial commentary was a stew of conspiracy theories. Greene suggested a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas was a coordinated attack to spur support for new gun restrictions. In 2018, she endorsed the idea that the U.S. government perpetrated the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. In a video filmed at the U.S. Capitol in 2018, she claimed Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., both Muslim women, werent official members of Congress because they used Qurans rather than Bibles in their swearing-in ceremonies. How did she get elected? In 2020, Greene jumped into politics by joining a crowded Republican primary in a competitive congressional district in suburban Atlanta, where she lived. But after the incumbent in northwest Georgias strongly Republican 14th District announced his retirement, Greene shifted her candidacy there. During her campaign, Greene openly sympathized with QAnon, a conspiracy theory involving a global cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals, including U.S. government leaders, that operates a child sex trafficking ring. She eventually distanced herself, saying she got sucked into some of the things I had seen on the internet. Greene won the Republican nomination in a runoff and then cruised to election when Democrat Kevin Van Ausdal dropped out of the race. How was she received in Congress? Some of Greenes most inflammatory rhetoric wasnt publicized until after she was elected, like a 2018 claim that California wildfires were ignited by a laser beam from space controlled by the Rothschild banking family. The claim was often summarized as Jewish space lasers because the family has been the subject of antisemitic claims over the years. Greene later said she didnt know the Rothschilds were Jewish. A Democratic-led House kicked Greene off both her committees just weeks into her first term, saying shed earned the punishment by spreading by hateful and violent conspiracy theories. Eleven Republicans backed the ejections. But Greene thrived in exile, raising millions in small donations even as she continued to provoke Democrats. For example, she and two other Republican House members sued House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after they were fined for refusing to wear masks on the House floor during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Republicans won the House majority in 2022, she lined up with McCarthy, the California Republican who became House speaker. McCarthy returned Greene to committee assignments and enlisted her as a close adviser. Greene has often been at the center of drama with Democrats, including bickering with Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas and heckling President Joe Biden as a liar during one of his State of the Union speeches. How did Greene fall out with Trump? While Trump ran for a second term, Greene was a constant cheerleader, often appearing alongside him at rallies in Georgia and elsewhere. But they soon drifted apart. Greenes discontent dates back at least to May, when she announced she wouldnt run for the Senate against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Trump later claimed that he had sent Greene a poll showing that she didnt have a chance in the race. Greene also passed on running for Georgia governor, attacking a political good ole boy system and alleging it was endangering Republican control of the state. She started taking positions contrary to Trump. Greene described Israels actions in Gaza as a genocide against Palestinians, and she backed the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. She also criticized Republican leadership over the recent federal government shutdown, saying they needed a better plan to ease the sting of expiring health insurance subsidies. Greene referred to herself as America first, America only, suggesting that Trump was too focused on foreign affairs. As her criticism escalated, Trump became fed up and said he would endorse a primary challenger. After years of support, he declared, Greene was a traitor. A week later, she announced her resignation. A Trussville man has been charged in the August shooting death of another man in Birmingham. Brian Alexander Smith, 30, is charged with murder in the slaying of 41-year-old Robert Mitchell. Birmingham police arrested Smith in the 1700 block of First Avenue North. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 4:50 p.m. Friday and remains held without bond. Just after 10 p.m. on Aug. 29, West Precinct officers were dispatched on a call of a person shot in the 900 block of Sixth Lane. They arrived to find Mitchell wounded in a grassy area next to a residence. Officers performed life-saving measures on the scene until Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service arrived and rushed Mitchell to UAB Hospital where he died. Authorities at the time said Mitchell may have been shot while inside a nearby residence. A motive has not been disclosed. Ten years ago, Tim Cook challenged Alabama to do better on human rights. On Tuesday, he attended a dinner for a man U.S. intelligence agencies say ordered the murder of a journalist. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) AP This is an opinion column. A decade ago, Alabama invited one of its most successful native-born sons to take his place in the Alabama Academy of Honor. Nick Saban was also an inductee that year, but he was the second-most important person in the room. Tim Cook, the Auburn grad and CEO of Apple, was the top of the bill. He took the opportunity to give Alabama a talking-to. The state had not done enough to protect LGBTQ people and was still a place where it was legal to fire someone for being gay, Cook said. There was still work to be done to protect civil rights and human rights. Watch on Instagram or Facebook. Many times during his career, Cook has shared how he was inspired by civil rights leaders. He said he kept photographs of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in his office. At his induction into the Academy of Honor, he again quoted King, telling the crowd in the old Alabama House chamber, Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Little else matters, Cook said, more than equality and human rights. That was 10 years ago. Today, Cook is still CEO of Apple. But his stance on such things isnt as bold or unbending as it once was. On Tuesday, Cook attended a state dinner at the White House, where the guest of honor was Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. MBS, as hes known. Or, as our intelligence agencies have called him, the man who ordered the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. In 2018, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey, never to be seen alive again. What happened to him inside that consulate is too horrific to describe. And according to Americas best spies, it was done on the orders of MBS. There were reasons for Cook to be at the dinner on Tuesday, though none of them were especially good. Saudi Arabia is a rich country, and Americas tech sector has become somewhat dependent on its investment. Also, a room full of bigwigs was important to President Donald Trump, who all but said Khashoggi had it coming when a reporter asked him why MBS deserved the honor of such a dinner in the first place. In recent months, like other tech executives, Cook has bent the knee before inviting any acrimony from the White House. Along with Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others, he attended Trumps inauguration in January. Later, at the Oval Office, Cook presented Trump with an odd crystal and gold thing that can only be described as a trophy. Or perhaps weve forgotten what paying royal tribute looks like. With his presence at the White House again this week, Cook was paying a tribute of a kind, sacrificing his moral authority for the sake of peace with the Trump administration. There, he quietly ate his dinner as a conman feted a killer at the head table. If there is one thing corporate America has demonstrated in the last year its that companies dont have principles, only permanent interests. The difference between Cook and the others in that room was that he had promised to be better. And 10 years ago, he demanded Alabama be better. But when it came time to put those so-called principles into action, he buckled like so many others. In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, King wrote that the real danger isnt the bad actors its the appalling silence of the good people. Cook used to quote King about never being silent. This week, he was the silent one. Khashoggis life didnt end because he was silent. It ended because he spoke up and spoke out. His work, his life it mattered. We dont honor such greatness by keeping quiet. Tim Cook should know that. At least, he used to. This is an opinion cartoon. Police bodycam video prompts the question: Has freedom of speech become a phallacy in Fairhope, Alabama? I borrowed this freedom of speech phallacy line from Mike Turner, one of our top 5 winners - out of more than 1200 submissions - in the giant penis costume caption contest last month. Thanks again for your wordsmith talents, Mike. The video is at once funny - in a Keystone Cops kinda way - and disturbing in a downright embarrassing way - if youre a fan of the First Amendment. The body camera footage shows the 61-year-old woman protester telling the police she was in pain, unable to see and shouting that her hands were killing me while handcuffed. At one point, she is asked to provide her name. Im antifa, she says. Well played, Renea Aunt Tifa Gamble. For more on the bodycam video, read John Sharps report: Bodycam shows arrest of woman wearing penis costume at protest. A few excerpts: Newly released bodycam footage shows a Fairhope police colonel confronting and arresting a 61-year-old grandmother dressed in an inflatable penis costume during a protest last month. The footage, provided to AL.com by Renea Gambles legal team, captures Col. Andrew Babb telling Gamble her costume would not be tolerated in a town that has values. Im not going to sit here and argue with you, Babb says in the video. If my kids came by here to see this, how would I explain this? Gamble responds, Are you recording? Babb replies, How would you explain to my children what you are supposed to be? This is a family town. Im not going to have someone out here dressed like this. Its abusive. He later adds, I would hate for her grandkids to see her like this. See the video here Gambles attorneys filed a 13-page brief seeking dismissal of misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest based on the camera footage. The filing argues the arrest violated her First Amendment rights as she was engaged in political protest during the Oct. 18 No Kings demonstration along Greeno Road. The case is being heard in Fairhope Municipal Court and is due for trial on Jan. 7, 2026 at 3:00 pm. The arrest and images of a grandmother in an inflatable penis costume have generated national media attention,including being featured by late-night comedian Stephen Colbert. Read all of Sharps story here. JD Crowe is the cartoonist for Alabama Media Group andAL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award for local and state cartoons by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, X Twitter@Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler @jdcrowe@al.com. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on April 4, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Getty Images Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a once-loyal supporter of President Donald Trump who has become a critic, said Friday she is resigning from Congress in January. Greene, in a more than 10-minute video posted online, explained her decision and said shes always been despised in Washington, D.C., and just never fit in. Greenes resignation followed a public fallout with Trump in recent months, as the congresswoman criticized him for his stance on files related to Jeffrey Epstein, along with foreign policy and health care. Trump branded her a traitor and wacky and said he would endorse a challenger against her when she ran for reelection next year. She said her last day would be Jan. 5, 2026. The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Friday night. Greene was one of the most vocal and visible supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again politics, and she embraced some of his unapologetic political style. Her break with him was a notable fissure in his grip over conservatives, particularly his most ardent base. But her decision to step down in the face of his opposition put her on the same track as many of the more moderate establishment Republicans before her who went crosswise with Trump. Greene had been closely tied to the Republican president since she launched her political career five years ago. In her video Friday, she underscored her longtime loyalty to Trump except on a few issues, and said it was unfair and wrong that he attacked her for disagreeing. Loyalty should be a two-way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our districts interest, because our job title is literally representative, she said. My message to Georgias 14th district and America. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/tSoHCeAjn1 Marjorie Taylor Greene (@mtgreenee) November 22, 2025 Greene swept to office at the forefront of Trumps MAGA movement and swiftly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill for her often beyond-mainstream views. As she embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and appeared with white supremacists, Greene was opposed by party leaders but welcomed by Trump. He called her a real WINNER! Yet over time she proved a deft legislator, having aligned herself with then-GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, who would go on to become House speaker. She was a trusted voice on the right flank, until McCarthy was ousted in 2023. While there has been an onslaught of lawmakers from both parties heading for the exits ahead of next falls midterm elections, as the House struggles through an often chaotic session, Greenes announced retirement will ripple throughout the ranks and raise questions about her next moves. Greene was first elected to the House in 2020. She initially planned to run in a competitive district in northern Atlantas suburbs, but relocated to the much more conservative 14th District in Georgias northwest corner. She showed a penchant for harsh rhetoric and conspiracy theories even before her election, suggesting a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas was a coordinated attack to spur support for new gun restrictions. In 2018, she endorsed the idea that the U.S. government perpetrated the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and mused that a so-called plane had hit the Pentagon. Greene argued in 2019 that Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., both Muslim women, werent official members of Congress because they used Qurans rather than Bibles in their swearing-in ceremonies. Greene was once a sympathizer with QAnon, an online network that believes a global cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals, including U.S. government leaders, operates a child sex trafficking ring. She eventually distanced herself, saying she got sucked into some of the things I had seen on the internet. English News China achieves fruitful results in high-quality development during 14th Five-Year Plan period Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 18 Novembre 2025 Having transformed from a peripheral player to a central force in global development, Chinese modernization offers a distinct pathway to socialist advancement and national rejuvenation. This model presents a new paradigm for human progress and civilization. By Ren Zhongping The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has started its fourth plenary session in Beijing on Oct. 20. The four-day meeting aims at studying the proposals for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development, making the top-level design and strategic blueprint for China's development in the coming five years. Formulating and implementing five-year plans in a science-based way is an important approach for the CPC in governance, and serves as a vital key to understanding Chinese modernization. Academic observers globally recognize these plans as exemplary models of long-term strategic governance. Throughout the ongoing 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China has advanced economic and social development through technological innovation while accelerating its transition toward sustainable development. This integrated approach has yielded enhanced economic quality alongside measurable environmental gains. China's annual production of new energy vehicles surpassed 13 million unites, while its shipbuilding industry achieved milestone capabilities in constructing large LNG carriers, aircraft carriers and luxury cruise ships - collectively regarded as the "three crown jewels" of advanced vessel manufacturing. Concurrently, China established 6,340 nationally certified green factories and now operates the world's largest renewable energy infrastructure and clean technology supply chain, positioning it among global leaders in reducing energy intensity. According to the recently released Global Innovation Index 2025, China entered the world's top ten innovators for the first time. With the world's largest pool of R&D personnel and scientific talent, the nation has strategically prioritized innovation in its modernization agenda, evolving from the "world's factory" to a global innovation hub. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, per capita disposable income in formerly impoverished rural counties grew at an average annual rate of 7.8% (real terms) - surpassing the national rural average. This progress narrowed the urban-rural income gap from 2.56:1 (2020) to 2.34:1 (2024), while final consumption expenditure contributed approximately 60% annually to economic growth. China's domestic market, powered by over 1.4 billion people including more than 400 million middle-income consumers, demonstrates significant scale advantages and growth potential through its diverse, multi-tiered demand structure. The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, released in March this year, showed that Chinese citizens' trust in their government remains the highest in the world, while their overall optimism about the future also ranks first globally. In July, the fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" was published. International observers believe that China's governance model is more capable of delivering stability, prosperity, and freedom for its people. Since the new era began, China's institutional framework has become more complete, science-based and effective, and institutional strengths have been better transformed into governance efficiency. In May, the Private Sector Promotion Law came into effect, marking the first time that the principle of "unswervingly consolidating and developing the public sector and unswervingly encouraging, supporting and guiding the development of the non-public sector" has been written into law, and the first time the legal status of the private economy has been explicitly defined. Foreign media described this as a "milestone." China continues strengthening its market foundations through rule of law, exemplified by the Foreign Investment Law boosting investor confidence and fair competition regulations enforcing institutional constraints. These measures advance a unified national market, creating a rule-of-law environment that attracts global resources - a crucial element in Chinese modernization. During the drafting of the 15th Five-Year Plan, online public consultations garnered over 3.11 million submissions, illustrating China's whole-process people's democracy in practice. By improving democratic institutions and integrating top-level design with public participation, China aims to build consensus for advancing modernization goals. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China maintained high-level openness despite global headwinds. As of July this year, China's actual use of foreign investment during the period reached $714.87 billion, with 235,000 new foreign-invested enterprises established, an increase of 32,000 from the 13th Five-Year Plan period. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation has become the world's broadest and largest platform for international cooperation. At the Tianjin summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, calling on all countries to work together to build a more just and equitable global governance system. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the future of humanity largely depends on China. Having transformed from a peripheral player to a central force in global development, Chinese modernization offers a distinct pathway to socialist advancement and national rejuvenation. This model presents a new paradigm for human progress and civilization. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Fengyun meteorological satellites highlight robust China-Arab cooperation Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 18 Novembre 2025 China has remained the largest trading partner of the Arab states. Today, collaboration has expanded from trade and project contracting to regulatory alignment, knowledge transfer, and institutional innovation. This reaffirms that the potential of openness is boundless, that win-win cooperation is the path forward, and that collective progress is essential for global advancement. By Zhou Shanshan, People's Daily Operating around the clock to monitor global weather patterns and forecast temperature and precipitation changes, Fengyun meteorological satellites are widely regarded as integral to daily life. These satellites represent an important milestone in China's meteorological modernization and exemplify the spirit of win-win cooperation between China and the Arab states under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). At the recently concluded seventh China-Arab States Expo in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, smart meteorology displays highlighted how Fengyun satellites serve international users and strengthen disaster prevention and mitigation capacities. An AI weather presenter, proficient in both Chinese and Arabic, engaged with visitors at a meteorological technology exchange salon, showcasing advances in cross-border scientific collaboration. Beyond exhibitions, China-Arab cooperation in meteorology continues to deepen, encompassing customized services, knowledge sharing, and talent development. These efforts reflect a longstanding dialogue in science, technology and culture that extends well beyond individual events. Since Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the eight major cooperation initiatives for China-Arab cooperation in 2022, concrete progress has been made across various sectors, including meteorology. The steady expansion of trade in services highlights China's commitment to high-level opening up and underscores the tangible results of Belt and Road cooperation, contributing positively to the global economy. Despite the geographical distance, China and Arab countries face shared challenges such as water scarcity and climate change, and shoulder common responsibilities in global climate governance and food security. Their complementary strengths in resources, industries, and technologies have enabled deeper alignment between the BRI and the development strategies of Arab countries, fostering broader, more resilient cooperation. China brings not only goodwill but also strong capabilities to global collaboration. At the seventh China-Arab States Expo, QR codes embedded with data on green agriculture and hydrogen energy linked participants directly to experts and technologies, streamlining access to new partnership opportunities. The expo served as a platform for forging such connections. From delivering Chinese-grown cucumbers and eggplants to supermarkets in the United Arab Emirates within just 36 hours to contributing to major infrastructure like Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Port, China leverages its industrial base, technological prowess, and vast market to promote high-level cooperation. Through integrated industrial chains, coordinated R&D, and demand-driven solutions, China and Arab countries are building new "chains of shared opportunity." Shared benefits and inclusiveness remain central to this cooperation. Spearheaded by Ningxia, the China-Arab States Technology Transfer Center has launched demonstration projects in Mauritania, Morocco, and other countries, providing comprehensive, system-level solutions. Research teams from Ningxia University have developed advanced irrigation technologies now deployed in Oman and Egypt. Science and technology cooperation has become a strategic priority for Arab countries pursuing economic diversification. Chinese innovation is increasingly embedded in local development, offering scalable, transferable solutions that enhance local capacity and independent development. This approach reflects China's philosophy of "teaching people how to fish," propelling China-Arab cooperation from "project addition" to "capacity multiplication." China has remained the largest trading partner of the Arab states. Today, collaboration has expanded from trade and project contracting to regulatory alignment, knowledge transfer, and institutional innovation. This reaffirms that the potential of openness is boundless, that win-win cooperation is the path forward, and that collective progress is essential for global advancement. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Tang Xianzu and Shakespeare: Theater as a bridge for global cultural dialogue Shanghai seed bank hits 100 million samples in biodiversity conservation push China unveils world's first mid-infrared solar magnetic-field telescope Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Back in 2010, after President Obama had been in office for a year, it was clear that America's political divisions had reached the boiling point. I saw my country start to come apart at the seams. The American schism was almost complete and it wasn't just a political schism of two political parties. The split was even more basic. My countrymen were now divided into two distinct groups. I am not speaking of Republicans and Democrats, but rather pragmatists and idealists. Mr. Obama tapped into a basic human need the need for hope. His brand of hope was not rooted in a belief in the Almighty something the average American could hear every Sunday in church. His was packaged into a political philosophy that appealed to vast numbers of secular Americans, the disadvantaged and poor, and of course, the young who felt they had been ignored by politicians, big business, and to a large degree, the system that they had judged to be on the side of large powerful interests. By virtue of his election as a minority person, Mr. Obama had fulfilled the first of his promises to Americans that if elected he would fundamentally transform the U.S. His actual quote from a speech given in Columbia, Missouri on Oct. 30 in 2008 was: "We are five days away from fundamentally transforming the United States of America". And with his inauguration as America's 45th president a few months later, the path lay clear for him to implement his plan. There was a problem, however; his election had revealed the extent of America's many divisions and not just the political one. He did, however, have the wind in his sails with 257 Democrats in Congress and 60 in the Senate, but two years later he lost 6 Senate seats and 63 Congressional seats. Americans who had been motivated by his rhetoric to vote him into office woke up to the realities of his inability to govern and realized that the hope he promised them came at a price, and that price was the implementation of an unworkable ideology based on identity politics and the red herring of systemic racism. Mr. Obama had squandered his political mandate to effect meaningful change (the second part of his "hope and change" mantra) in America. His failure emboldened America's pragmatists and in 2014, Democrats lost another 13 seats in the House and a staggering 9 seats in the Senate; this time losing them the Senate and completing a Republican takeover of Congress. One could argue that the emergence of the MAGA ("Make America Great Again") movement was inevitable after Americans saw the failure of Obama's time in office. Americans had grown weary of speeches and empty promises and wanted action to fix their many problems, and they didn't believe Bill Clinton's wife was up to the job. They chose a man who spoke to them at gut level without lofty poetic phrases. If anything, MAGA really should have been called MARA for "Make America Real Again". The movement Donald Trump created now espouses a few very basic principles that are shared by his followers. And if my European friends want to understand the MAGA movement then they had better understand the members' ideology. Here are ten of those guiding principles: 1. God is alive and His Ten Commandments are not mere suggestions. 2. Every life is important and must be protected. 3. America's values and its Constitution are not works in progress. 4. Law, order and personal accountability are essential to a healthy democracy. 5. Individual rights are not subordinate to a collective's. 6. Citizens' rights trump those of the bureaucracy. 7. Parents are responsible for their children, and a successful family has both a father and a mother. 8. The right to speak one's mind is not subject to negotiation. 9. A person must be judged by his works and actions, not solely by his words. 10. Justice, implemented impartially, is the only thing guaranteeing equality. Granted, there are other basic principles that MAGA proponents hold dear, but those are the top ten. Others include views on the size, scope and abuse of government, unrestrained power of the elite, judicial overreach, illegal immigration, the existence of only two biological sexes, the role of men and women in society. and more. If we have learned one thing over the last ten years, it is that ideology should only supplement practicality, not replace it. After Donald Trump's loss of a second consecutive term in 2020, half of America transitioned back to its Obama days and breathed a sigh of relief that their man was back in charge. What they found out very early on, however, was that their man was not a leader. President Joseph Biden was but a pale copy of his former partner in governance, Barack Obama. Biden was not an orator, neither was he a believable straight-talker like his predecessor, Donald Trump. He was a visibly angry man and one that was swiftly approaching senility. He had no overarching vision for America, unlike Obama, and he lacked Obama's charisma. What he did have was his party's control over the House and the Senate. However, after two years, that total control vanished when Republicans gained control of the House with 222 votes. In times past, after midterm elections, American presidents typically became less political and more pragmatic. This was not the case with Joe Biden and the Democrats. They amped up their rhetoric against Trump and MAGA and hoped that American voters would once again cast a historic vote, this time for a mixed-race woman as their president. Hope was once again on the ballot, but the MAGA movement had been steadily chipping away at the administration's handling of the economy, the Democrats' identity politics, and the general malaise that had been created by the realizations that the government was being managed by an ineffectual leader whose mental capacity and decision-making ability was questionable at best. Americans' choice was simple if not extremely difficult for idealogues on the left to make. They could hire a manager who could bring the economy back on track, shrink the size of government, create opportunities for American workers and in general, "Make America Great Again" or risk everything with an unproven, lightweight politician whose main qualifications were rooted in identity politics. Americans chose the manager, and they are now realizing after nearly one year since his election that not even he can magically turn the American economy around and solve the systemic problems that face Americans like rising healthcare costs, failing schools and the growing racial and wealth divide that, if left unchecked, can tear the country asunder. It's time for Americans to circle their ideological and practical wagons around a few guiding principles and remove the labels that are attached to them. De-politicizing these principles and ascribing a different label to them such as "core American principles" is the only way to move forward in these dire, uber-political times. Stephen Helgesen is a retired American diplomat specializing in international trade. He has lived and worked in 30 countries over the course of 25 years under the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven of them on American politics, and has written more than 1,500 articles on politics, economics, and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator in Danish media. He can be reached at: stephenhelgesen@gmail.com. Image: Pexels / Pexels License While Chancellor Friedrich Merzs government is catapulting Germany into a debt spiral, long-struggling Argentina has begun paying down its liabilities. President Javier Milei is holding up a mirror to Berlins debt-addicted political class -- and the reflection is one of unmistakable failure. It took Argentinas President Milei barely six months, right in the middle of the severe economic crisis he inherited from his socialist predecessors, to clean up a completely ruined public budget. That was in June of last year. This week, the Finance Ministry in Buenos Aires reported something that, in Germany today, would probably be dismissed as fiscal mythology: In October, the Argentine state paid down 7 billion U.S. dollars in public debt, reducing total government liabilities by one percent in a single month. It was the sixth consecutive month in which the ministry managed to shrink the debt mountain, which still stands at around 83 percent of GDP. Pathetic Trickery Eighty-three percent -- incidentally, that is the level toward which Germanys debt ratio is heading at the end of next year. And if one includes what any honest fiscal assessment must include -- the governments creative accounting: special funds, off-budget operations, exemptions, and other financial shell games -- Germanys new borrowing this year is 4.3 percent of GDP, rising to 5.6 percent next year. This assumes nominal GDP even stays flat -- which is increasingly unrealistic. If Germany still had a media landscape that was both intellectually competent and professionally honest, the Merz government would be in serious trouble. Mileis market liberalization and his relentless cutting back of state activity would not be systematically buried but widely and controversially debated. They would serve as empirical proof of the ongoing failure of Berlins and Brusselss centralism. The public might rediscover something elementary: that free markets are not a zero-sum game -- that voluntary transactions make both sides better off -- and that state interventionism, the core of Berlins ideology, systematically impoverishes the middle class. The Broken Balance of Markets Germany would be having a debate about a state that -- through endless borrowing and spending programs -- is smashing market equilibria and damaging capital markets so severely that private investment collapses. Business investment in Germany is now nearly 7 percent below its long-term average. Yet this is precisely where prosperity is generated -- in the engine room of the economy, powered solely by private investment. Apparently, no one has taken the time to explain this fundamental reality to the lawyer Merz. And then there is the out-of-control regulatory regime in Berlin and Brussels, which drives German investment capital into the arms of other countries. Last year alone, 64.5 billion in net direct investment left Germany -- much of it heading to the United States. This is the opposite of what is happening in Argentina. Its sweeping deregulation and sharp reduction in fiscal burdens have turned the country into a magnet for capital -- a giant sponge attracting firms from around the world eager to tap Argentinas rich resources. A Lean State Opens the Future Mileis liberalization shows what becomes possible once this engine of prosperity is unleashed. Within just a few months, private-sector investment has more than doubled -- from $12 billion to $25 billion per year, now amounting to roughly 3 percent of GDP. Milei's declared goal is a lean state that creates room for further growth. The results are measurable -- and stunning: In just two years, Argentinas state-to-GDP ratio dropped from 41 percent to about 31 percent. Germany, meanwhile, has gone in the opposite direction. The state quota has blasted through 52 percent. And if one includes the bureaucratic costs that businesses must bear in order to carry out state-imposed tasks, the real figure is 53.5 percent. Call it socialism-lite -- a system in which markets are tolerated only so the state can harvest the fruits of their productivity to preserve the illusion of a sustainable model. The 60 billion per year that documentation requirements and other delegated state functions impose on companies constitute nothing less than the outsourcing of government operations onto private balance sheets -- hidden socialism, plain and simple. And this hidden socialism has consequences: Over the past three years, businesses have had to hire more than 325,000 people just to cope with this grotesque administrative burden. This does not create prosperity -- it destroys capital, drains resources, and suffocates entrepreneurial energy. Merz the Central Planner Friedrich Merz has placed himself at the forefront of a political philosophy that glorifies the strong state and regards free markets with deep suspicion. Put differently: The artificially created climate-economy and the newly engineered war-economy sectors -- both funded by taxes and debt, i.e., by robbing the future -- are colossal impoverishment programs. They are anti-civilizational and breathe a profoundly anti-democratic spirit because they rely on centralized command structures and the political consolidation of power. Merz is the anti-Milei -- a statist central planner whose only strategy for dealing with the Argentine president was to smear him as far right with the help of likeminded state-loyal media. A sad attempt to distract from his own bloodless and intellectually timid policies. A Pressure-Filled Arena But Javier Milei, the first genuinely libertarian politician ever to take the reins of a major state, is operating in an extremely tense environment. His gradual liberalization -- the step-by-step dismantling of the state -- provokes dissatisfaction on all sides. On one side are the Peronists and socialists, who need the strong state not out of conviction but because it sustains their vast networks of corruption. On the other side is Mileis own libertarian camp -- the purists who lament that Argentina still has a central bank and that reform is moving too slowly. They refuse to recognize that politics, if it is to be sustainable, must ensure that the speed of transformation does not cause the social body -- social security, healthcare, aid for the poor -- to collapse. A stable reform path The strong performance of Mileis Partido Libertario in the October midterms shows that he has found the right balance between reform speed and structural change. A balance that Argentinas middle class, above all, appreciates. And this is precisely what could become dangerous for Europes eco-socialists. Because Mileis success resonates far beyond Argentina. It is noticed -- particularly in the very social networks that Brussels is trying to undermine with censorship. There is a growing sense that a digital opposition is forming, learning from Argentina and preparing to confront Europes centralizers with uncomfortable truths. In Chile, the German-Chilean Jose Antonio Kast won the first round of the presidential election with a clear lead -- running on a platform that mirrors Mileis. And in Peru and Colombia, market-liberal politicians are already preparing the ground for similar movements in the coming years. Is South America -- long politically fragmented and unstable -- about to become the worlds new cradle of liberalism? From Germanys perspective, one can only hope that Mileis agenda eventually gains broader recognition here as well. It would be the foundation of a badly needed restart for a country whose fiscal, migration, and economic policies have completely derailed. Image: Govt. Press Office of Israel (If youre not an American Thinker subscriber, youre missing out on our weekly newsletter, which contains unique content from American Thinkers editors, such as this insightful essay from J.R. Dunn. And if you are a subscriber, make sure that your server hasnt been rerouting your newsletters to the spam folders.) The election of Moron Zamdani has led to the expected post-mortem cud-chewing, much of it devoted to praise for an excellent campaign on the Left and cries that the socialists are coming to git us on the Right. Neither is true. What we have here is simply the latest evidence of a derelict opposition party, unable to go so far as to field a plausible candidate in an important election. Image created using AI. When the concept of blue and red states was first employed in the late '90s, the idea was that blue states those under control of the Democrats had shifted permanently to the Left and were no longer in contention. They would remain blue Democrat havens until the end of time. Red states, on the other hand, were up for grabs. They would be targeted relentlessly until they shifted to purple and at last to blue, to remain in that state in perpetuity. It was a domestic version of the Brezhnev doctrine: Whats ours is ours whats yours will be ours. This has been disproven time and again, Scott Brown in Massachusetts, Glenn Youngkin in Virginia, and so on. A good candidate with control of the issues can take the prize though support from a viable, vigorous party is also helpful. And thats the problem. Throughout the northeast, along with scattered states in other areas of the country, the GOP is effectively moribund, unable to meet the lowest standards of action required by a political party. Large numbers of GOP organizations in these states have deteriorated to the level of elite social clubs operated by failing geriatrics who think that protecting their status is the key mission of the GOP. They cant recruit, they cant campaign, they cant canvass, they cant do much of anything apart from reaching across the aisle. They are, needless to say, opposed to any kind of reform, particularly that coming from Donald Trump and his MAGA hordes. Their fondest hope as we move deeper into the new millennium is to last out the MAGA upstarts and resume their Rip Van Winkle mode of politics. Im not speaking theoretically here. During my years of political activism in New Jersey, I encountered it constantly in interactions with the state GOP. They didnt want new blood; they didnt want new ideas; they wanted to be left alone to vegetate. This led to the nomination of politicians like John Scott, a Bergen County Republican who amused himself by insulting and antagonizing everybody he encountered, secure in the knowledge that he had a lock on the local party apparatus. (In contrast, John Lynch, longtime mayor of New Brunswick, long-term president of the NJ Senate, and widely reported to be associated with the Mob, was slick and charming to everyone he met.) When finally reaching the state house in 1992, Scotts first words were, Its our turn to belly up. Any questions as to why the GOP has lost ground in Jersey? Another such paragon was Ernie Oros, a Middlesex County Republican of the same era. (He and Scott actually served identical terms, 1992 to 1996.) Oros ran for the General Assembly shortly after Democrat governor James Florio took over and immediately raised taxes in the biggest tax hike in American history up to that time. (One of his staffers was quoted as saying, Were declaring class warfare in this state.) An easy target, youd think. But when Oros met with a group of political activists I was involved with, he was immediately asked, Which of the Florio taxes are you going to revoke first? Old Ernie gaped at us all and said, Now, hold on there we need taxes how do we keep the roads fixed up? That meeting broke up within minutes. Oros was elected regardless. We later learned that both of these legends were working directly with left-wing NGOs to get green policies enacted. The outfit in question was NJPIRG (Public Interest Research Group), a Naderite organization that had long been implicated in exploiting college students through involved funding. Scott represented Bergen County, where a large section of the Meadowlands, an enormous marshland, was located (only in New Jersey would you find a swamp called a meadow). The Meadowlands was under full federal protection, but Scott still found it worthwhile to pose as its protector and work with the greens to get useless legislation passed in Trenton. As for Ernie Oros, it seems that his hometown featured a marsh where he used to play as a kid, and hed sought election in the first place to preserve it nothing like sticking with important issues. So he was easy prey for the greens. That pair was among the best that the New Jersey Republicans could offer. I assure you that nothing has changed. The same situation prevails throughout the northeast, with few exceptions. Which brings us to New York City. Mamdani had two opponents: the deeply corrupt Andrew Cuomo, a former Democrat running as an independent, and, representing the GOP, Curtis Sliwa. Sliwa would make an interesting case study in politics as a sideshow. Hes one of New Yorks great publicity hounds and political hustlers, and has been since his appearance in 1977. Sliwa first came to public attention as the founder of the Guardian Angels, a civilian anti-crime patrol that focused on crime in the subways. Distinguished by their t-shirts and red ranger berets, they were in operation for some years with no discernible effect on crime rates. (By contrast, subway crimes dropped precipitously for weeks after Bernhard Goetz shot four muggers in 1984.) But the controversy they engendered leftists squealed in unison about vigilantes, which the group was not earned Sliwa a high profile. He exploited this for decades, gaining a talk radio show on WABC-FM, in which he appeared with rabid leftist attorney (he inherited the mantle of the infamous William Kunstler) Ron Kuby. An idea of the content can be gained from the fact that Sliwa was suspended in 2018 after talking about how hot a City Council candidate was and claiming that hed slept with three members of the council. Since most of the females on the NYC Council are lesbians, this claim is dubious. In 2025, he was the last man standing. The GOP allowed a fringe candidate with no hope of winning to represent the party in a crucial election. I dont think theres any question that the abuse handed out to Rudolf Giuliani had a lot to do with it. Giuliani was arguably the greatest mayor the city ever had. His actions after the 9/11 attack alone attained the status of legend. (Mamdani would have been up in the airliner with Mohammed Atta and company.) Before 2025, it could honestly be said that Giuliani saved New York City. Today, the best that can be said is that he bought it another twenty years. A close advisor to Donald Trump, Giuliani became, along with many others, collateral damage in the leftist witch-hunt against Trump. Virtually nobody spoke out in Giulianis defense certainly nobody in New York City, the city he had redeemed, and in particular, nobody from the New York City GOP. Under those circumstances, its only to be expected that the party would have trouble recruiting a worthwhile candidate for mayor of the city or any other office, for that matter. Who would risk their fortune, their family, their reputation, and their livelihood for a party full of chickens***s and a city packed with ingrates? Thats how a fringe candidate like Curtis Sliwa gets to act as the candidate for a major party. The result, clearly, was a sham election in which a sideshow act and a turncoat reprobate slugged it out with a candidate carefully groomed, supported, and financed by every corrupt institution in the city. Thats the only lesson to be drawn from it. The New York State GOP is in better shape, at least compared to the city. On the national level, two House members, Elise Stefanik (21st District) and Claudia Tenney (24th District), are among the most effective members of the U.S. House. If it can be done in the wilds of upstate, it can be done in the city. All it requires is nerve, backbone, clear-sightedness, and lotsa cash. If Stefanik chooses to run for governor, overall reform of the party should be on her agenda. This should act as a lesson for state and local GOP organizations across the country. This, too, could happen to you. So you must work while it is yet day. Rejuvenate your party apparatus. Give the geriatrics a plaque and send em home. Break up the cliques. Recruit new and younger members. Run off the overpaid political techs. They have their place, but actually running the party should not be in the hands of 400-pound professional hustlers. To MAGAnistas in particular: go out and get yourself elected to the party committee. Its straightforward, simple, costs little, and can be won with minor effort a few downvotes often throw a committee election. Our MAGA comrades often talk about starting a third party. I cant see the pointtheres a perfectly good party lying there that nobodys using at the moment. In August 2022, the European Union pledged to preemptively donate more than five million anti-radiation tablets [potassium iodide] to Ukraine amid fears of a Chernobyl-level catastrophe at the Russian-occupied, embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. In October 2025, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un displayed a new long-range intercontinental ballistic missile at a Pyongyang military parade, attended by foreign leaders including Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev. President Vladimir Putin announced February 21, 2023 during his Federal Assembly Presidential Address that Russia wouldnt allow the U.S. and NATO to inspect their nuclear facilities and stated that any nuclear weapons tests conducted by Americans would be countered with Russian nuclear tests. While complaining that French and British nuclear weapons arent covered by the New START treaty, February 2025 Russia announced the reason it suspended participation in the New START treaty in 2023 was due to U.S. support of Ukraine. Russia had frequently been caught violating the terms of the deal. The War Department stated China will soon have more than 1,000 nuclear warheads, a near-doubling the estimated 600 they possess right now, building 100 new nuclear weapons a year, putting them on track to reach strategic parity with the U.S. by the mid-2030s. Reports state that America is being left vulnerable in an era when Moscow, Beijing, and Pyongyang are all expanding their arsenals at breakneck speed. TASS News reports, President Donald Trump accused Russia, North Korea, China, Pakistan and other countries of secretly holding underground nuclear tests. President Trump stated, You dont necessarily know where they are testing. They test way underground you feel a little bit of vibration They test and we dont. October 29 Trump instructed the Pentagon to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing, without specification of the type of testing to be conducted. All of this taken together led Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister and head of the Geopolitical Observatory for Russias Key issues (GORK) to conclude, the world may encounter another round of a nuclear arms race. On November 11, Trump stated he no longer believed that the Ukrainian conflict will lead to World War III, but in April 2025, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Medvedev stated he believes the threat of nuclear apocalypse is still there. Would someone be crazy enough to start a nuclear exchange? One would hope not, because mutually assured destruction is not a win for anyone. Even so, a real threat for the world still exists, and is captured in President Trumps next statement, which is true for all nations with nuclear weapons. President Trump stated, And if we have em [nuclear weapons], we have to testem, otherwise you dont really know how theyre gonna work. And we dont ever want to use them. While the United States of America has the best military training and equipment on the planet, hiccups still happen and equipment occasionally fails. During a March 2025 joint training exercise with the U.S., a South Korean fighter jet accidentally dropped eight MK-82 bombs injuring multiple people. Fortunately, these were not nuclear weapons, but just imagine if they had been. It is true that this was a South Korean pilot who made the mistake, but the highly-trained and best-equipped-in-the-world U.S. military has had at least 32 incidents when the weapons involved were nuclear weapons. These incidents are called Broken Arrows, which is an unexpected event involving nuclear weapons that result in the accidental launching, firing, detonating, theft, or loss of the weapon. During the published 32 U.S. Broken Arrow incidents, 6 nuclear weapons have gone missing between the 1950s and the year 2000. One of these incidents occurred in 1958 when a B-47 bomber collided with an F-86 fighter off the coast of the state of Georgia. The B-47 was carrying a 7,600-pound Mark 15 hydrogen thermonuclear bomb with an explosive yield of 3.8 megatons, 190 times more powerful than the Fat Man bomb, which leveled Nagasaki, Japan. With the plane going down, the bomber pilot jettisoned the bomb into the waters of Wassaw Sound near Tybee Island, Georgia. While the Navy searched, the bomb was never found, but the public was reassured that the plutonium warhead had been replaced with a lead simulation. However, 1994 documents released from a 1966 Congressional Testimony revealed the Tybee Mark 15 nuclear weapon was a complete weapon. Another incident in 1961 involved a B-52 bomber flying over Eastern North Carolina carrying two armed and ready atomic bombs as part of Operation Chrome Dome. Developing a fuel leak, with pilots unable to level the plane, they dumped the fuel, but the wing started falling apart. An Onslow County native, co-pilot Adam Mattocks, stated the captain ordered everyone to bail out. Six made it out, one died in the jump, and two died as the plane crashed 12 miles North of Goldsboro, N.C. Mattocks had bailed out, crawling through a hole made by an ejection seat. Once in the air, Mattocks saw one bomb parachuting to the ground, but the parachute for the other bomb didnt open, causing it to hit the ground going an estimated 700 miles per hour. The warhead hasnt been seen since, being only one safety-switch away from exploding. Three of the four detonators were activated. Concerning the six known reported missing U.S. nuclear warheads, one is in the Mediterranean Sea, two are in the Pacific Ocean, two are in the Atlantic Ocean, and one is in Eastern North Carolina. With the U.S. being the best military in the world, but yet still having equipment problems resulting in 32 known Broken Arrow incidents, does anyone think it is safe for Russia, North Korea, China, Pakistan, and other countries to be flying around practicing drills with live nuclear weapons? This sounds like multiple opportunities to have major nuclear accidents, especially if the world is gearing up for another nuclear arms race. While the Department of Defense released a document detailing the 32 Broken Arrow incidents, a declassified document from the Defense Atomic Support Agency details hundreds more. In 1981, The Defense Monitor, stated this in their conclusion from looking at the Broken Arrow incidents: The variety of nuclear weapons accidents which have occurred in the past and the increased number of nuclear weapons suggest that more accidents and perhaps more serious accidents will occur in the future. More recently, President Trump stated, We have the best [nuclear weapons], and I was the one that renovated them and built them during a four-year period [as president]. And I hated to do it, because the destructive capability is something you dont even wanna talk about. President Trump has to deal with the cards that he was dealt, and he and his cabinet have to navigate complex world interactions, with nuclear fallout a rising possibility. Its time for Democrats in Congress to stop playing political games and start supporting our president. Mature, sensible, and sane adults understand therere more important things to consider, than merely making payback points for ones political party and cronies! D. Padgett Blakley contributed to this article. More articles by Richard Blakley can be found at Blakley on the Write. Image generated by ChatGPT. Members of all branches of the military are bound to obey the lawful orders of their superiors. Article 90 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) is clear: 890. Art. 90. Willfully disobeying superior commissioned officer Any person subject to this chapter who willfully disobeys a lawful command of that person's superior commissioned officer shall be punished In time of war, the punishment is death, otherwise its a lesser punishment. Articles 91 and 92 bind warrant officers and commissioned officers generally. Few argue with this requirement. Failing to obey orders in peacetime destroys military discipline and cohesion. Failing to instantly obey orders in war does that but also unnecessarily costs lives. Graphic: X Post A group of Democrat Congressmen and Senators, some veterans, some former spooks, have released a video urging our troops and members of our intelligence agencies to disobey unlawful orders. They dont bother to identify any such ordersthey cantbut claim: "the threats to our Constitution are coming from right here at home." As always, theyre projecting. Theyre the domestic threat. There has been backlash: "Elected Democrats just released a video encouraging members of the military to commit treason and defy orders from Trump and Hegseth," wrote the conservative account Libs of TikTok. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., added: "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." Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was on target: Graphic: X Post Yes, theyre behaving treasonously even though their actions would not conform to the text of the treason statute. They might arguably be guilty of USC 2383Rebellion or insurrection or USC 2384Seditious conspiracy but thats an argument for another time and the courts. Members of our military, Judge Advocates General excepted, are largely ignorant of the UCMJ. They may know through their training a number of actions or failings to act that violate the UCMJ, but they havent a clue about the texts of the UCMJ, of the elements of the crimes therein. Theyre also told that they may refuse an unlawful order and therein lies the problem. It's a problem for civilians too. They can resist an unlawful arrest, but virtually no one knows what comprises an unlawful arrest, and the police may use any force necessary to make a lawful arrest. That, civilian or military, is not the time to argue or resist. Civilians and members of the military dont know the law. Citizens dont know what the police know, why theyre making an arrest. This is particularly so for the military where enlisted personnel dont know what an NCO or officer giving an order knows. Those NCOs and Officers dont know what the higher-ranking officers giving them orders know, and particularly in war there isnt time for lengthy explanations and justifications. Instant obedience is essential if were to have a military. A disciplined military under civilian control is necessary if were to have a sovereign nation. Graphic: X Post The arrogant fools making that video are actively encouraging our military and intelligence personnel to substitute their uninformed judgement for that of people with greater experience, rank and knowledge. Worse, theyre inciting their political followers to ignore the UCMJ and military and intelligence agency discipline and substitute Democrat, socialist and communist preferences. Theyre encouraging the betrayal of oaths and refusal to obey the lawful orders of the Commander in Chief and his subordinates. There are surely a great many in our military, stealthily holding those political beliefs and doing what they can to subvert the lawful, constitutional authority of President Trump and SecWar Hegseth. The congressional traitors did not supply a single example of an unlawful order issued during the second Trump administration, because there have been no such orders. Unfortunately, there are likely to be many young, enlisted personnel and young commissioned officers who believe them. There are certainly many high-ranking officers who abandoned the Constitution in favor of DEI initiatives that would get them promoted. Its not at all unreasonable to suspect those congressional traitors conspired with DEI officers to enact this plot. Some young personnel will believe the traitors when they said: we have your backs. Theyll imagine theyre protected as DEI cultists, drag queens, pup players and trans troops were. Theyll refuse to obey perfectly lawful orders, and under the Trump military, theyll destroy their careers and futures. Graphic: X Post Democrats have a feral political intelligence. Theyve now established the precedent of Congressmen asserting our troops can pick and choose which orders to obey and rely on the power of the legislative branchand a promised packed Supreme Court--to back them. Thats not going to work during Trump II, but the next time a Democrat, Socialist, Communist or even an Islamist takes power, theyll pick up that precedent and use it to destroy our military and with it, our Constitutional, representative republic. Become a subscriber and get our weekly, Friday newsletter with unique content from our editors. These essays alone are worth the cost of the subscription. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. According to the Critical Race Theory, one sole race is targeted as oppressor, while another is oppressed. It falsely and negligently paints good and evil as relating only to black and white races. It slanderously and racistly describes the entire white race as oppressors and the entire black race as oppressed. Such fabrications and mendacities deserve to be labeled hate speech. There has been pushback on this theory, but not enough nor as publicly as it deserves. Critical Race Theory ignores human race history. Whether ancient or modern history, oppressors are found on every continent, in every race, and in every ethnicity. The same is true of the oppressed. More often than not, oppressors and those they oppress are of the same race. Image created using AI. I was recently reminded of a horrific incident relating to an oppressor and an oppressed young man that took place thirteen years ago. A Muslim convert to Christianity was beheaded in Somalianot only beheaded but mutilated. Farhan Haji Mose, a 25-year-old Somali convert from Islam to Christianity, was beheaded on November 16, 2012, by Al-Shabaab rebels, according to Morning Star News. His body was split into two, then carried away, only to be dumped near the beach of Barawa city, a local Christian said. Does that not describe an oppressed man and others as oppressors? Both were of the same race, the black race. That is not an isolated case. Across Africa, black Africans historically slaughtered, enslaved, or sold other black Africans, especially Christians, something thats happening even today in Nigeria, the Sudan, Uganda, Congo, and Kenya. In the Middle East, religious persecution remains endemic. Muslims rule in most nations, oppressing those of other religions. In Saudi Arabia, no one can possess a Bible or practice any religion but Islam. However, Muslims theres also been a long and bloody war between different Islam sects, one that often ends with mass massacres. Across Asia, Asians of one nationality oppressed those of the same race via mass murder, rape, and enslavement. History reports what the Japanese did to the Chinese and Koreans in World War II, and what the Chinese Communists under Mao did to the non-Communist Chinese, Christians, and the Uyghurs. In Cambodia, under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge, more than a million Cambodians were mass murdered. In South America, millions of Incas were sacrificed to idols. Same with the Aztecs of Mexico. Human sacrifices were regularly made to Huitzilopochtli at the peak of the great pyramid Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlan. Today, the drug cartels oppress the people in Colombia and Venezuela. In Europe, more history is recorded due to literacy, and it again shows an endless array of oppressors and those whom they oppressand all of it was against the same race, the white race. Remember the many religious wars, as well as the post-religious wars of Hitlers Naziism and Lenins and Stalins communism. Yes, North America had its oppressors and the oppressed, too, both interracially and intra-racially. Whites enslaved blacks and decimated Native American tribes. Within the white race, some were persecuted, such as Jews, the Irish, Eastern Europeans, etc. There were thousands of black slave owners who oppressed members of their own race. Even Native Americans enslaved other Native Americans, fought wars with each other. In one tribe, the Caddoans of Southern Texas and Louisiana, youth were treated as slaves and then cannibalized at a certain age. Native Americans also owned black slaves. The above are just some illustrations of both oppressors and oppressed being found in all races. Judaism and Christianity recognize this fact and truth due to their holy books describing evil as human depravity and occurring universally, not specific to any one group of people. Why raise this issue and support the universality of oppression and oppressors in proof of Critical Race Theorys grave and great falsehood? The sooner it is dealt the death blow it deserves, the better for everyone and especially for our nation. What can be done to resolve and put to rest such a racist theory? Recognize it as a racist and evil indoctrination that has done much damage to racial relationships. Recognize it as racist hate speech and seek to enact a law that addresses it as unlawful hate speech and bars it from being taught in taxpayer-paid public education. Critical race theory deserves a Hate Speech label and law. On Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives took a vote that no one could have predicted would be necessary, or even that anyone would think needed to be debated. Today, on a vote of 285-98, representatives did something quite remarkable. They voted to condemn socialism, as if that even deserved a vote in our country. All Republicans plus 86 Democrats voted in support of our Republic. Two Democrats voted Present and 98 felt empowered to stand with the socialists taking over their party. By that vote, 98 elected Representatives put targets on their backs and black marks on their souls. Astonishing. Image created using AI. On the day when an effective communist met with the President in Washington, our divisions were on stark display as our cities, one by one, were picked off by socialists/communists. How do you tell the difference? One way, of course, is to remind people that socialism is a totalitarian political system that uses whatever means necessary (economics, race, class, transgenderism) to take over democratic systems. In the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, an eerie obelisk appears out of nowhere, with people asking, What does it mean? Only much later do we discover that what we see is the future. The recent wins by socialists/communists in NYC, Seattle, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and lesser cities and states are not a blip, a mistake, or something we can ignore. They are another type of message from the future that we ignore at our peril. Only in America (maybe thats no longer true) can our pluralism be used to destroy us. We need to come to grips with that before we lose, and the winner completely rewrites the rules of the road, forever forestalling the actions we should be taking now before it is too late. Does anyone else notice the hypocrisy of the left that has an avid army of followers who have become used to living off other peoples money? The mayor-elect of Seattle, Katie Wilson, a progressive activist and self-described socialist, defeated incumbent Bruce Harrell to become the mayor. Unashamedly, she announced that she will no longer need her parents money to live once she receives her $101,000-a-year Mayors salary. How does someone like that get elected? Thats not a rhetorical question, either. Folks! The time has come not only to take a vote against socialism. We need a vaccine to inoculate us against the crazies that somehow think our system should protect those whose only desire, from the time they wake up, to the time they go to sleep, is to destroy America. Surely, we are too smart to allow that to happen. Its time for our own legal sanity check and to stop the nonsense that is springing up like Kudzu. If we dont do it right now, there may not be an America left at the rate these people are going. No one should be able to use our system of government or courts to destroy that which is America. We all know what that means. If you dont, you are part of the problem. God Bless America! Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com. The task at hand is to continue the amazing progress of the final Trump administration. Being a lame duck would normally curb his influencebut such is not really happening. This is doable. First, we need to round up some useful MAGA talent. Got that. Theres J.D., Kristi, Ron, Marco, Elise, etc. Second, we need to wipe out the phonies and RINOs wallowing in our way. Unfortunately for America, Ronald Reagan failed to significantly change the political dynamic in the years subsequent to his presidency. His immediate successor, George H.W. Bush, presented himself as a compassionate conservative. Compared to what? Those mean, old right-wingers who want to over-punish criminals and put American citizens first? Years ago, I was told about The Rule of 65%. It was Libertarian writ that Republicans were only slightly different from Democrats. Rather than cave into all of the goof-ball wealth redistribution schemes, Republicans would be counted on to ask for 35% lessand that would be good enough. This was showcased when Republican vice-presidential nominee Jack Kemp debated incumbent Al Gore, prior to the 1996 election. Back then, Kemp was the darling of movement conservativeswith his well-expressed interest in improving the inner cities by rolling back government interference to create enterprise zones where relaxed regulation would make it easier to start a business and profit by so doing. This all collapsed when the debates moderator brought up the subject of mandatory paid family leave. Gore gushed effusively over how beneficial such a mandate wasproviding much needed assistance to the moms and pops of America. When Kemps turn came, he folded like a cheap suit. He supported the concept of making employers subsidize the procreation of their workersbut he suggested that there should be limits on how far such mandates could go. Say, to about 65% of what Gore supported. Had Trump or a protege of his been in Kemps shoes, he/she wouldve morphed into Ronald The Great Communicator Reagan and said: There you go again. What youre really saying is that, had it not been for overarching government involvement, the thousands of years of previous human existence would not have been possible. But it did happen and has continued to happen without such government meddling. You also ignore the obvious reality that, when married people are entitled to employer provided benefits because of their family situation, you make it considerably more difficult for them to get hired in the first place. Unmarried people are thus made more desirable as employees. Employers hire workers for no other reason than to support their profitability. Businesses are NOT charities. In her epilogue to The March of Folly, Barbara Tuchman asked rhetorically why was it that weve been able to go to the moon and come back in one piecebut we still have so much trouble with governing ourselves? Her answer was simply that space travel is just a screwdriver problemwhile governing involves grappling with all kinds of competing interests, seldom if ever to please everyone. And yet theres still an awful lot of room for improvement. May I suggest the homeowners association (HOA) as an analogue for government? Primary responsibilities are limited to general security and common area maintenance in exchange for dues paid by the members, much like taxes. They have no ability to tell you who to invite to your parties or what you can eat for dinner. HOAs, however, are also vulnerable to tyranny and corruptionjust like governments. We have long been reeling from the consequences of an over-intrusive mega-state that is hell bent on micro-managing our lives. Trumps MAGA movement is attacking this problem at its source: the size and scope of the public sector. The recent shutdown only contributed to this effort, while DOGE remains the point of the spear. Continuing this process is the essence of MAGAand that requires significant effort even after Trump. The unnamed problem is a common political issue: Ideologythe philosophical emanations of cloistered intellectuals that get imposed on an innocent public. The Democrats are awash in this nonsense. The MAGA Republicans are seriously inclined to steer clear of such contrived doctrine and embrace pragmatic administration instead. In practice, MAGA has done an excellent job of discovering what amounts to embezzlementwhere money is ruthlessly taken from taxpayers and spent on useless and pointless boondoggles without any serious accountability. Such waste has been typically hidden from public scrutinybut is now being ferreted out by MAGA sleuths. A glaring example involves the payments of Medicaid and food stamps to dead people. This easily explains why the same dead people almost always vote for Democrats. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, unaltered. What is it about Democrats and their choices of honeymoon getaways? The latest, according to the Harvard Crimson, is that former Clinton Treasury Secretary and Harvard ex-president Larry Summers decided spend some of his honeymoon with then-Harvard professor Elisa New on Epstein island in 2005. According to the Harvard Crimson: In the winter of 2005, just after their wedding at Elmwood the Harvard presidents official residence Lawrence H. Summers and his wife, Elisa F. New, traded Cambridges cold for a warmer escape. But their honeymoon route brought them to what would, years later, seem a fateful stop: financier Jeffrey E. Epsteins private island in the Caribbean, a place that would become infamous as the center of Epsteins sex-trafficking operation. The couple got married on Dec. 11 in Cambridge, celebrating a cozy reception in the Harvard Art Museum. Ten days later, on Dec. 21, they boarded Epsteins plane in Bedford, Massachusetts, according to publicly available flight logs bound for Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, the standard jumping-off point for reaching Epsteins private island by helicopter. Those logs also list Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted as Epsteins partner-in-crime, and Epsteins longtime pilot, Larry Visoski, as passengers on the same flight. Steven Goldberg, a spokesperson for Summers, confirmed in a statement to The Crimson that Summers and New spent part of their honeymoon on Epsteins island during their 2005 trip, which has not been previously reported. Mr. Summers and Ms. New spent their honeymoon in St. John and Jamaica in December 2005, which was long before Mr. Epstein was arrested for the first time, Goldberg wrote. As part of that trip, they made a brief visit of less than a day to Mr. Epsteins island. What a place to bring one's new bride. The Crimson noted that the trip came after his first indictment. While young girls were being hauled in on the Lolita Express like meat for ravenous clients before they were discarded in favor of even younger girls, Summers decided that this would be the place to see and be seen, showing his new bride around. How very ... romantic. It's just yecch. And it's not the first time we have heard of creepy, bizarre, honeymoons taken by prominent Democrats. Recall that socialist Bernie Sanders decided to spend his honeymoon with his lovely bride like a commissar, flying to Moscow to vacay with the Soviet winter. He was likely subject to secret-police surveillance, bad food, rudeness, shortages, microwave attacks, and an endless sea of gray from the locals, waiting in line for their daily bread and everything else. Everyone he talked to would have sounded like a robot, giving very little information, as living in fear in a totalitarian state will do that. After that, he came home refreshed and revitalized, I suppose. He got what he wanted. Then there's Tim Walz, who went the China route, taking his honeymoon in communist China just weeks after the Tiananmen Square dissident crackdown, when China's name stank in the world press. He chose June 4, the fifth anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre as his wedding date to Gwen Whipple ahead of the trip (which included 60 schoolkids), so he would "always remember it' with Gwen. Seems Gwen wasn't enough, so massacre, nuptials, who wouldn't associate one with the other? And let's not forget Bill and Hillary Clinton, who, like the Walzes, decided to make their honeymoon a group thing, inviting all the Rodmans to the Acapulco leg of their trip in Mexico in 1975, before moving on to the next stop, which was dirt-poor Haiti, where they no doubt viewed the grinding poverty and admired all the beggars, shacks, smells, and garbage. It's not known if they had potable water or a working toilet. Then they took part in a Voodoo ceremony -- Voodoo as in occult, or black magic, with all its curses, spells and invocations of evil spirits. Sound romantic? Only to Democrats like the Clintons. In Canada, the honeymoon choices were weird, too, for Democrat coeval Pierre Trudeau, who opted to spend his ''second honeymoon" on a Caribbean holiday which apparently included a trip to Cuba. There, his lovely -- and famously promiscuous -- bride, Margaret Trudeau, apparently diddled the dictator, who had a ravenous sexual appetite, and came home with a bun in the oven, little Justin as he came to be called. Justin grew up to be Canada's prime minister like his nominal dad, but curiously inherited the distinctive looks of Fidel Castro. If so, and I think it is so, what a honeymoon that was, sex with a dictator, before the next cruise port of call. It's gross. And Democrats constantly choose 'gross,' even as they call to run the rest of our lives. They could go to Europe, to Hawaii, to Tahiti, to India or Alaska if they are feeling adventurous, or maybe take a Caribbean or Mediterranean cruise. Only a few, such as the Obamas, took what looked like a normal honeymoon up the California coast. Kamala Harris and her honey apparently didn't go anywhere at all. But with honeymoon choices like these, from all the beautiful places in the world to choose from, it's no wonder that everything they do comes up a disaster. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License In August, the FBI released its report on national crime statistics for 2024. Over 14 million crimes were reported to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) by participating law enforcement authorities, including state, county, city, university, and tribal agencies. I was unable to find any comprehensive published analysis of the 2024 data, so I did my own partial study. I was able to extract pertinent data from the FBIs Crime Data Explorer. I created six tables that I thought might be of interest to American Thinker readers: state violent crime data, state property crime data, and state total crime data. In each case, there are two charts: one showing the information in alphabetical order by state, and the other in descending order. Because the charts occupy a lot of vertical space, they appear at the bottom of this essay. Image created using AI. Based on the data I was able to extract, here are a few interesting points: The major drawback of the UCR program is that someone must report a crime to a law enforcement agency, and the agency must then report it to the feds. Thousands of crime victims, for a variety of reasons, do not report crimes, and not all agencies report all crimes they know about to the FBI. Several years ago, neither New York City nor Los Angeles reported crime to the UCR. Reporting agencies have also been known to fudge the numbers. The bottom line is that the UCR data probably significantly understates the amount of crime. To offset the reporting shortcomings of the UCR program, the Department of Justice administers the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) each year to approximately 240,000 individuals age 12 or older. The surveys are usually conducted by the Census Bureau and inquire about crime victimization, the crime details, and whether the crime was reported to authorities. Annual crime figures for NCVS are typically higher than those reported by the UCR. There are some surprises in the tables. Five of New Englands six states (sorry, Vermont) are among the ten lowest total crime states. I leave you to youre your own conclusions about why that is. Meanwhile, Colorado is #2 in the total crime ranking. Apparently, the states invitation to let Tren de Aragua gang members set up shop in the metro Denver area has not worked out very well. Its not a surprise that Washington state, Oregon, and California are all in the top ten rankings for total crime. Most of their major cities are in chaos. New Mexico is in a crime league of its own. In 2023, it ranked #1 for both per capita property crime and violent crime. For 2024, it improved to #2 for violent crime, having been beaten out of the top spot by Alaska. Nonetheless, New Mexicos total crime rate of 3468.2 per 100,000 is hundreds of points higher than runner-up Colorado and over three times as many as the scores for Idaho, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Maine. The distinctive political feature of New Mexico is that it has had single-party Democrat rule at the state level longer than any other state. By way of example, the last time Republicans held a majority in both houses of the New Mexico legislature was 1930, and the last time Republicans held a majority on the New Mexico Supreme Court was in the 1920s. Its safe to conclude that crime prevention has not been a priority of the Democrat party of New Mexico. The Charts What a difference a Trump makes! Let me take you back to the days that we had a fellow named Bush as President and Cheney as VP. For the record, I voted for them and supported the Iraq War. I don't want to start a debate, but Saddam had used chemical weapons against the Kurds, Iran, and shot at U.S. planes enforcing the no-fly zone. And it wasn't VP Dick Cheney who told us that he had chemical weapons. I recall President Clinton bombing "sites" on the day of his impeachment vote in 1998. Enough history now let's talk about VP Cheney's funeral. Who was there is what everyone is talking about. Let's check out the story: Dick Cheneys funeral was yesterday, in Washington. Cheney was a fine man and an excellent public servant. His politics were moderate, but while he was vice president, and for years afterward, he was denounced by liberals as a fascist and commonly referred to as Darth Vader. Of course, he served under BushHitler, so that was only natural. There is much you could say about this. To some extent, it reflects the realignment we have lived through in recent years. But more, I think, it reflects the fact that Democrats dont mean anything they say. Darth Vader? BushHitler? Fascist? Just kidding. We knew all along Cheney was a fine guy. Democrats smear their political opponents wantonly, not because they actually believe anything they say, but because their only object is to cling desperately to power, and lying to achieve and maintain power is one of their lesser sins. I suppose Dick Cheney should be grateful that the Democrats never actively tried to get him killed. His funeral told a different story. It was attended, by invitation, by Kamala Harris, Joe and Jill Biden, George W. and Laura Bush, and Al Gore. Also Rachel Maddow. But not President Trump or Vice President Vance, because they were not invited. Again, I admired VP Cheney and defended him when the likes of Maddow were calling him a war criminal. How does the Cheney family feel that these people suddenly love them just because there is a Trump in the White House? Did Maddow or Carville apologize to Mrs. Cheney for all the name calling and abuse? I don't know and don't care but former Congresswoman Liz Cheney should be ashamed of letting this happen. Rest in peace VP Cheney. You were a good man and that's how I remember you. I can't say that your daughter is a good woman for aligning herself with those who hated her dad only because of Trump. It's obvious that all of your critics hated you when it was convenient and loved you when it was more convenient. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Library of Congress Ive knit for decades. I used to use wool, but then I became allergic to it. Now, I use nice manmade fibers and, frankly, Im happy about that. At least Im not making a political statement, trying to decide between ethical gay sheep or the cisgendered heterosexual sheep who reject them. Today, thats the choice facing the gay knitter or fashionista. Image created using AI. And no, thats not a joke, although even Shane ONeill, the LGBTQ+ reporter at the Washington Post who brings us this story, seems to think the whole thing is a bit funny: Designer Michael Schmidt is best known for his work in metal. He made chain-mail dresses for Cher, jewelry for his longtime collaborators at Chrome Hearts and a metal gown for Doja Cat that was inspired by Tina Turner (another former client). But he is also an avid knitter and so he jumped at the chance to do a collection woven entirely from the wool of gay sheep. Wait, what? It turns out that Schmidts latest fashion entrya wool lineis sourced from a company called Rainbow Wool, which, writes ONeill, has loftier goals than merely providing source material for luxury goods. If youre wondering whats loftier than raising healthy, happy sheep that produce gorgeous wool thats processed without nasty chemicals, you are insufficiently awake to the life-threatening risk of being a gay ram: As many as one in 12 male sheep are non-procreative but show an ahem interest in other rams. These non-procreative, male-oriented (for our purposes: gay) sheep require just as much care and feeding as their procreative peers. But because they dont produce offspring, some farmers consider them an economic drag. They are often slaughtered. Business is business in the sheep world, and animals that dont reproduce will find themselves, not frolicking in the field but, instead, sitting on the table as a beautifully prepared gigot dagneau roti (roast leg of lamb) or a religiously freighted Paschal lamb. Sad, but true. But thats not the case for those animals lucky enough to have been rescued by Michael Stucke, a German sheep farmer who has more than 500 sheepsome of which, incidentally, get slaughtered for their meat. The lucky homosexual wool-givers, though, dont end up on the dinner plate. Instead, they are given cute names such as Marvin Gay and Jean Woll Gaultier. You can seeand sponsorthem at the Rainbow Wool website. The problem with sheep and homosexuality, of course, is that when you think of sheep, you do think of sex, whether its the joke of Gene Wilders love for the feminine Daisy in Woody Allens 1972 Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid To Ask) or the apparent fact that Muslim in lands where single men have no contact with women, are allowed to find comfort with sheep and other animals. (For a laugh, read Mark Steyn on the subject.) Thats why its just...so...wrong that Rainbow Wool partnered with...Grindr to promote gay wool fashion. For those who dont know, Grindr advertises itself as The worlds largest social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people. Do not click on the link unless you want a very R-rated experience. The message I get is that this app is about sex, not relationships. But back to Grindr and the gay wool partnership: Tristan Pineiro, Grindrs senior vice president of brand marketing, was immediately interested in partnering with Rainbow Wool. Its a great, feel-good story, but theres also a message at the heart of it, Pineiro said. Its not just a fluffy story. Rainbow Wool was hoping Grindr would sponsor some sheep on the farm or work together on an ad campaign on the app. But Pineiro envisioned something bigger: a fashion show using the wool from gay sheep. The name: I Wool Survive. And that, my friends, is how Grindr ended up sponsoring Michael Schmidts gay wool fashion show. All I can say is that Im glad that my allergy to wool means that, when it comes to knitting, Im not on the horns of an ethical dilemma. For me, its definitely better knitting through chemistry. Between 1951 and 1992, the United States conducted 928 atomic tests at the Nevada Test Site about 65 miles (105 km) northwest of the city of Las Vegas. Exactly one hundred of these tests were atmospheric, whose mushroom clouds could be seen for almost 100 miles (160 km), drawing fascinated tourists to the desert city of Las Vegas. Even as far away as Los Angeles, located some 240 miles (386 km) away, as the crow files, the unearthly glow of the atomic bomb illuminated the dark sky turning night into day. These extraordinary but fairly regular events were covered in leading newspapers with photographs accompanied by nonchalant captions. Los Angeles had two dawns yesterday, wrote the Times after one pre-dawn test in the 1950s. Los Angeles Civic Center buildings by Nevada A Bomb blast, 1955, wrote another, which writer Geoff Manaugh calls an incredible statement in any context, stranger than science fiction. An atomic bomb lights up the night sky over Los Angeles City, on March 7, 1955. The glow lasted 20 seconds beginning at 5:20. An interesting theme in the handwritten captions accompanying these photos, observes the Wired, is the regular reminder that the blast is much more powerful than any previous, which makes sense given that during this period the yields of nuclear tests were definitely on the rise. There are also pictures of people enjoying the spectacle that demonstrate the morbid fascination that many Americans had with nuclear weapons at the time. One such event was broadcast live by local TV channels of Los Angles on April 22, 1952. The event got surprisingly high ratings for 5:30 in the morning. Geoff Manaugh puts this in eloquence. In retrospect, however, the event has an unsettling naivete, like a photo of school kids playing with mercury or a home movie of a parent renovating a babys bedroom with lead-based paint. That the terrifying and sublime effects of atomic explosions have always lent themselves well to photography takes on an especially strange irony here, in this metropolis of film and sunlight: that a city would so casually use this unnatural luminosity to take a photo of itself for the morning paper, careless of the danger as the seductive allure of these midcentury detonations drew near. Related: How to Watch a Nuclear Explosion Los Angeles Civic Center buildings by Nevada A Bomb blast, 1955. Photo credit: Wesselmann/USC Digital Library View of Atom Bomb blast seen in Los Angeles, 1951. Photo credit: McCarty/USC Digital Library "Today's atomic explosion, largest yet set off on the Nevada test range, was clearly visible in Los Angeles, as remarkable photo shows. Staff photographer Perry Folwer was ready with his camera on a tripod on the roof of the Herald-Express building when the blast occurred at 5:48 a.m. Reporter Jack Smith, who also saw yesterday's explosion, points towards the great white flash that clearly silhouetted mountains to the east." Photo credit: Perry Fowler, February 2, 1951. From the Herald-Examiner, May 7, 1952. "Atomic blast gives Los Angeles a early 'sunrise.' It was still night in Los Angeles at 5:15 a.m. today when the 'early sunrise' flashed momentarily on the northeastern horizon. The flash came from the latest atomic blast in Nevada. Photo above was taken from top of hill at Sixth and St. Paul streets. City Hall and its beacon clearly show." An atomic bomb from testing in Nevada lights the sky in this photograph taken on March 1, 1955 from the Los Angeles Times Mirror Building. Atomic blast seen from the San Fernando Valley, March 7, 1955. "Atomic fire lights pre-dawn valley skies. Blazing light from biggest atomic blast in current Yucca Flats, Nev., tests illuminates Valley skies -- 275 air miles away -- at 5:20 a.m. today, 20 minutes after explosion. Photo was taken from Mulholland Drive. Cluster of lights at left is Lockheed Air Terminal. At right is Burbank residential and business district." Photo credit: Bob Steele. From the Herald-Examiner, dated March 7, 1955. "This is another version of how the atomic bomb blast in Nevada looked over Los Angeles from the roof of the Statler Hotel. Note the sharpness of City Hall (right background), the Richfield Building (right foreground) and other buildings. Ridge of mountains is also sharply outlined." From the Herald-Examiner, June 4, 1953. "Evidence that today's atomic bomb, detonated at Yucca Flat, Nevada, was the most powerful of all in the series is revealed in this picture taken here. The sky is as bright as day, but even more notable is the fact that downtown buildings are not only silhouetted, as in previous atomic explosions, but actually are illuminated on this side, the side farthest away from blast source." From the Herald-Examiner, May 5, 1955. "Early risers were a bit disappointed this morning when they went to roof of a downtown Los Angeles building to see the flash from the big atomic blast in Nevada. Because of heavy layer of clouds between here and there, they saw only a faint glimmer. Blast was at 5:10 a.m." From Herald-Examiner May 7, 1952. "Today's atomic blast on Yucca Flat proving grounds in Nevada was plainly visible to early risers at 5:15 a.m. in Los Angeles. Photo taken from the roof of the Herald-Express building, shows blast lighting up the northeastern horizon." An un-credited, undated photo of an 'atomic dawn' taken from an unknown location. The best views were had from Las Vegas, and the city fully capitalized on the atomic spectacle. Detonation times were advertised beforehand and so were the best spots for watching. Casinos, hotels and inns flaunted their north-facing vistas, offering special atomic cocktails and Dawn Bomb Parties. In this picture, a mushroom cloud is seen from Las Vegas city. Photo credit: Citylab/Las Vegas News Bureau The flash of detonation. Photo credit: Citylab/Las Vegas News Bureau Tourists watch mushroom cloud from the poolside. Photo credit: Citylab/Las Vegas News Bureau Photo credit: Citylab/Las Vegas News Bureau Photo credit: Citylab/Las Vegas News Bureau The Devi Mahatmya series vividly illustrates the narrative of Hinduisms Divine Mother (DCMS/PA Wire) A unique collection of vibrant Hindu paintings has been placed under an export bar, preventing their departure from the UK. The Devi Mahatmya series, which vividly illustrates the narrative of Hinduisms Divine Mother, is valued at 280,000, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). A DCMS spokesperson highlighted that the 56 paintings offer a significant opportunity for the study of this artistic genre. The export prohibition aims to provide a UK gallery or institution with sufficient time to acquire the works for the nation. This nearly complete series portrays one of Hinduisms most crucial narratives, utilising gold and silver paint to depict scenes ranging from serene worship to intense battles. Among the 200-year-old artworks is a painting showing the defeated gods Vishnu and Shiva appealing for assistance, a scene believed to be unique to this particular collection. Among the 200-year-old artworks is a painting showing the defeated gods Vishnu and Shiva appealing for assistance, a scene believed to be unique to this particular collection. (DCMS/PA Wire) The spokesman said there are no other comparable series surviving in the UK, and the paintings are a reminder of the cultural connection between the UK and the Punjab region. More than a million Hindus live in the UK, with the paintings presenting an opportunity for their culture to be both researched and celebrated. Culture Minister Baroness Twycross said: This series is not only beautiful, but unique in the UK. With no other near-complete similar narratives existing in our country, its vitally important we take the chance now to keep this series in the UK and allow researchers crucial time to unlock its secrets. The decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (RCEWA). Committee member Pippa Shirley said: In these small, jewel-like paintings, an epic unfolds before our eyes. We see the Devi, the divine mother of Hinduism in her various manifestations, as the terrifying, multi-armed Kali slaying demons in ferocious battles contrasted with scenes of courtly life, worship and serene landscapes populated by a menagerie of animals. They were prompts for storytelling, recitations of Sanskrit hymns, at weddings or family gatherings and are remarkable for their completeness. They throw light on artistic workshop practices and raise questions about social and devotional use and collecting this kind of material in the colonial period. They are also a powerful statement of divine female power. With no comparable set in the country, it is important that they remain here so they can be more fully understood and enjoyed by the widest possible audience. The former Duke of York has been summoned by US congressmen to give evidence about his relationship with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein - Davidoff Studios Photography Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify to the US Congress over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, Sir Keir Starmer has suggested. The former Duke of York has been summoned by congressmen to give evidence about his relationship with the paedophile financier, ahead of the publication of the Epstein files. Sir Keir has largely avoided commenting on Mr Mountbatten-Windsors involvement with Epstein, following protocol that the Government does not criticise the Royal family. But following the former princes decision to renounce his remaining titles last month, the Prime Minister suggested that he should now go public with his knowledge of Epsteins contacts and behaviour. Asked by reporters travelling with him at the G20 summit in Johannesburg whether Mr Mountbatten-Windsor should appear, Sir Keir said he would not comment on his particular case and in the end, that will be a decision for him. But he added: My general position is, if you have relevant information, you should be prepared to share it. Prince Andrew with Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of rape and sexual assault - AFP/ US District Court/ The congressional committee investigating Epstein does not have the power to compel foreign witnesses to appear, and has so far been ignored by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who missed a deadline to respond to his official summons last week. The House Oversight Committee requested that he sit for a transcribed interview about his relationship with Epstein, as part of a congressional attempt to reveal more of Epsteins contacts. He was told in a letter: Allegations against you, along with your long-standing friendship with Mr Epstein, indicate that you may possess knowledge of his activities. Suhas Subramanyam, a Democrat who sits on the committee, said Andrew has been hiding from us, and I think he will continue to try to hide from people doing meaningful investigations of this matter. This week, Donald Trump signed a bill that will force the Justice Department to release a cache of Epsteins emails within 30 days, with some exemptions. The US president had previously resisted publishing the emails, which could include further evidence of his own association with the disgraced financier, calling the push for release a Democrat-led hoax to deflect attention away from his work. But he changed his mind after significant pushback from congressional Republicans and Epstein victims. On signing the bill, which passed with just one objection, he wrote: 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! Speaking about Mr Mountbatten-Windsors potential involvement in the congressional investigation, Sir Keir added: A general principle Ive held for a very long time is that anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it. The Labour government last month rejected calls for a debate on whether to strip Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of his remaining title, the dukedom of York, which can only be removed by Parliament. A Downing Street spokesman said at the time: We know that the Royal family would not want to take time from other important issues. Mr Mountbatten-Windsors association with Epstein, which included visits to his private island, Little St James, has plagued him for more than five years. The former prince paid an out-of-court settlement to Virginia Giuffre in 2022 after she accused him of sexual assault and rape, without admitting wrongdoing. Ms Giuffre died by suicide in April. He stood down from all royal duties in 2019 and renounced his remaining titles last month, with the agreement of the King, amid concern from Buckingham Palace that his personal life was distracting from the work of the monarchy. In a statement released at the time, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor said he would no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me, adding: As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me. A pro-Israeli demonstration against the BBC in response to its documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone - SOPA Images The BBCs manipulation of Donald Trumps speech has dominated the headlines, and this is no surprise. If this kind of misleading editing had originated in a Russian bot farm, the BBC would probably have described it as an attempt at election interference. But it is vital that we do not lose sight of what Michael Prescott, the whistleblower, has warned may be a far deeper and more corrosive failure inside the BBC its reporting of the Israel-Hamas war. As Mr Prescott very clearly states in his report, the BBC needs to accept it has systemic issues with the coverage. Only then can the process properly begin to fix the problem. Now new evidence has emerged that makes even clearer just how entrenched and wide-ranging this bias has become. A forensic analysis of 2,500 BBC News headlines on the conflict since Oct 7, by the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera), is precisely the kind of painstaking examination the BBC should have commissioned itself. What it reveals is a newsroom whose portrayal of the conflict has lost sight of the BBCs commitment to impartiality. The figures are stark. BBC headlines were three times more likely to be critical of Israel than the terrorists of Hamas, who started the war with a pogrom and went on to use innocent Palestinians as human shields throughout the conflict. Claims of genocide, famine and starvation appeared 45 times, while references to Hamas war crimes appeared just once. Just a single headline covered a series of filmed public executions by Hamas of their opponents, yet 33 separate headlines in just two months promoted claims unsupported by video or photographic evidence that Israel had killed civilians at US-funded aid sites. This imbalance was not confined to the aggregate data. It was reflected in the work of senior correspondents whose reporting sets the tone for the entire newsroom. The output of Jeremy Bowen and Fergal Keane, so often presented as the BBCs unimpeachable authorities on the region, repeatedly cast Israel as the primary moral actor while softening the language applied to Hamas. The vast majority of Jeremy Bowens articles highlighted allegations against Israel, rather than Hamas In the case of Mr Bowen, of the 60 articles he penned, 33 had headlines that held Israel to account while only three took Hamas to task. These statistics are shocking but also unsurprising when you consider the influence of BBC Arabic, the BBCs most toxic open secret. The Prescott report documented how contributors with records of anti-Jewish hatred had been platformed on the channel. No other newsroom in Britain would tolerate this. Yet the BBC consistently denies BBC Arabic has a systemic problem and the channel continues to be relied upon as a news-gathering service for the wider BBC. In attempting to deny the obvious on BBC Arabic, the BBC is trying to take licence-fee payers for fools. Contrast this with the BBCs response to other failings. The corporation rushed to apologise to Donald Trump. Richard Burgess, a senior news executive, is reported to have admitted to staff this week that he did not think any of us would say that the BBC had got its coverage of gender identity right. Where the BBC chooses to be accountable, it can be. When it comes to Israel, it refuses to take responsibility and continues to gaslight the Jewish community. This refusal has consequences. The absence of transparency about the BBCs failures is deepening the anguish of British Jews and feeding the increasingly hostile atmosphere they face in this country. It is impossible to ignore the link between what dominates our news feeds and the climate on our streets. Weeks after the bombshell of the Prescott report, only one question now remains: how much evidence does the BBC need before it summons the courage to admit it has a problem with its coverage of Israel and finally do something about it? Danny Cohen is the former director of BBC Television Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola paid tribute to Enes Unal after the Turkish forward bounced back from his injury nightmare by snatching a point against West Ham. Unal was making only his second substitute appearance since recovering from a second ACL injury he suffered in January. A minute after coming on, the 28-year-old lashed in Bournemouths equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw. Everyone is so happy and so pleased when these things happen, said Cherries boss Iraola. Ten months fighting almost alone, with the physios, but you have been through difficult moments with a small pain, with the knee swelling and you start and then you have to stop. Also, as its a second ACL in the same knee, its a process he knows very well. Everyone was so happy for him because if we can put him close to the box Enes a great finisher. Also he had a chance to score a third one. He didnt score, but we are very happy because in a moment where weve lost important offensive players, to recover Enes is good. West Ham led 2-0 through a first-half Callum Wilson brace on his first appearance at Bournemouth since he left to join Newcastle in 2020. Bournemouth were thrown a lifeline when Max Kilman slid in and scooped the ball away from Evanilson with his arm. Iraola insisted after the Hammers defender should have been sent off but had to be content with a penalty which Marcus Tavernier converted. Unal then equalised with a superb turn and shot before Tavernier lifted a glorious chance to win it over the crossbar at the death. I think weve been much better than West Ham, added Iraola. I think even in the first half we conceded two goals, but we were not worse than West Ham. Now because youre losing 2-0 they will say, No, first half is for West Ham. No, first half weve been better than West Ham, but we conceded two goals that we shouldnt have conceded. But in the second half weve been miles better than West Ham and we had so many chances that for us its a bad point. For West Ham it is now three matches without defeat and an escape from the relegation zone, but a first away win under boss Nuno Espirito Santo eluded them again. We managed to achieve a barrier at the London Stadium, we achieved a win. Now lets try to improve our away form, he said. Today was a good chance. You can look, OK, it slipped away from our hands. But Im positive because the effort of the players was there. We were punished the same way we punished Bournemouth, they punished us. And its very tough. Bridgerton star Genevieve Chenneour said she was attacked by a stranger in London minutes before an audition, months after someone attempted to snatch her phone. Ms Chenneour, who plays Miss Clara Livingston in the Netflix period drama, fought off a thief who tried to steal her phone at a cafe in February. In a post to Instagram, the actor said a man struck her and pushed her "up against the wall", just as she was arriving for an audition on Thursday (20 November) in Oxford Circus. "It's so nerve-racking for me to be out in central London now", she added, holding back tears. The Independent has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment. The Daily Mails bid to buy the Telegraph will be reviewed by the government (AFP/Getty) The publisher of the Daily Mail has agreed a 500 million deal to buy Telegraph Media Group. Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) agreed to purchase the Telegraph from Redbird IMI after an attempted purchase by the Abu Dhabi-backed investment firm was blocked by the then Tory government. DMGT and Redbird IMI have now entered a period of exclusive talks in which they will finalise the deal and prepare regulatory submissions, which they expect to happen quickly. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is set to review the potential new deal, which was announced on Saturday morning. A spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: The Secretary of State notes the announcement of a prospective new deal. She will review any new buyer acquiring the Telegraph in line with the public interest and foreign state influence media mergers regimes set out in legislation. Lord Rothermere says the Telegraph has a remarkable history (PA Wire) DMGT Chairman Lord Rothermere said: I have long admired the Daily Telegraph. My family and I have an enduring love of newspapers and for the journalists who make them. The Daily Telegraph is Britains largest and best quality broadsheet newspaper, and I have grown up respecting it. It has a remarkable history and has played a vital role in shaping Britains national debate over many decades. Chris Evans is an excellent editor, and we intend to give him the resources to invest in the newsroom. Under our ownership, the Daily Telegraph will become a global brand, just as the Daily Mail has. The purchase would see the Telegraph become part of DMGTs stable of media organisations, which also includes Metro, The I Paper and New Scientist. The media group says it will invest substantially in the Telegraph, accelerating its international expansion with a particular focus on the US. It says the Telegraph would remain editorially independent from DMGTs other titles. A spokesman for RedBird IMI said: DMGT and RedBird IMI have worked swiftly to reach the agreement announced today, which will shortly be submitted to the Secretary of State. Maksym Kuliev and Anna Kulieva, along with their seven-year-old daughter Yeseniia, live with LED lights and head torches. Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian Valentyna Ivanivna showed off her new head torch. It was a present from her grandson, she said. Most evenings she wears it while doing household chores: cooking dinner, washing up and stacking plates. Its impossible to plan anything without power. You cant even invite people round for a cup of tea because the kettle wont work. Its stressful and exhausting for everyone, she explained. Ivanivna lives in Chernihiv, an ancient Ukrainian city known for its early medieval cathedrals. The border with Belarus and Russia is a short drive away, across a landscape of pine forests, villages with geese and the occasional wandering moose. In 2022, Russian troops invaded and occupied most of the oblast. They bombed and laid siege to Chernihiv, pulling out after six weeks and rolling north. Over the autumn, Russias war dramatically returned in the shape of thousands of killer drones. The Kremlin has launched a determined attempt to plunge the whole of Ukraine into darkness, stepping up an existing campaign of mass destruction. It has targeted thermal power plants, substations and rescue workers as they battle to save the electricity network from one aerial attack after another. Ukraine is now facing its coldest and most difficult winter since 2022. Blackouts have become a part of everyday life, not just in far-flung hamlets but in the capital, Kyiv, as well. In an interview this month between the Guardian and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the lights failed in the presidents palace. Cafes, restaurants and shops function as best as they can, against a noisy hum from pavement generators. Chernihiv is the worst-affected region, together with Sumy and Kharkiv, which also border Russia. We are without power for 14 hours a day. Today it went off at 5.30am, came back at 10.30am and disappeared at 13.30. Some districts have no power at all, Ivanivna said. During blackouts the lift in her nine-storey apartment building doesnt work. Nor does the electric pump that supplies water. Theres [no water] above the fourth floor, she said. Related: Ukraine facing widespread power cuts after generating capacity reduced to zero by Russian attacks She and her friend Liudmyla Mykolayivna are regular visitors to an invincibility point a warm tent located in a shopping centre car park. It offers power sockets, Starlink internet and tea and coffee. Mykolayivna, a 68-year-old pensioner, plugged her phone into an extension cable and logged on to TikTok. As well as social media, she said she enjoyed novels and detective stories, reading them with a torch at home while sitting in the enveloping dark. Adam Davidenko, a 33-year-old courier, said: Russia is a terrorist country. They cant defeat us militarily, so they decided to kill us with cold and to leave us without baths. He said the electricity company had switched off the connection in his flat, which he shares with two cats, because he was too poor to pay the bill. I was unemployed for a long time. We survive. We dont live. I burn firewood to stay warm. I sometimes think about suicide, he said. Two weeks ago, the Russians destroyed one of Chernihiv oblasts last generation units. The regional power company, Chernihivoblenergo, had built two protective walls, made from concrete and sand, around the 110kV substation. There was, however, no roof. It would have been impractical to construct one, and there was no time or money to build a new facility underground. Over three days, Russian Shahed drones dive-bombed the complex. A Russian spy drone captured the moment one of its two transformers exploded, sending flames high into a night sky; the footage appeared on Telegram. Attempts by Ukrainian soldiers to shoot down subsequent drones using small arms fire were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, strike drones killed two workers as they drove from another damaged site. The Russians are trying to make a total blackout for the civilian population. Theres nothing military here. Its deliberate genocide against peaceful people, Serhii Pereverz, the firms deputy director, said. The facility was beyond repair, he admitted, walking between twisted relay cables and a burnt-out metal shell. Smoke puffed from a second transformer; oil continued to burn. Nearby was a 2 metre-deep crater, gouged into soft sandy earth. Lying on the grass was wreckage from numerous Russian drones. All were Geran-2s, a model originally made in Iran and now produced by Russia. The name was printed in bright yellow letters on a piece of tailfin, together with the serial number 2441. Pereverz said he and his colleagues were doing everything they could to keep the lights switched on. We do repair work so the electricity supply continues. Sometimes our methods are quite cunning. We are cleverer than the Russians. Most of our customers understand [why their power doesnt work]. A few dont. At Chernihivs hospital No 2, the director, Vladyslav Kukhar, said non-urgent operations were frequently cancelled because of an absence of power. Kukhar said the building relied on a generator and a large backup battery. He had himself bought four power banks. This situation weighs on the soul. Theres a psychological and emotional cost. Our doctors and nurses are people too, who live in the city. They have to put up with everything, he said. Public anger over the lack of electricity has grown amid a major government corruption scandal. Earlier this month, detectives arrived at the Kyiv apartment of Zelenskyys friend and former business partner Timur Mindich. Mindich had left hours earlier, escaping to Poland, amid claims that he organised a large-scale bribery scheme featuring the state nuclear agency Energoatom. Other alleged beneficiaries included ministers two of whom have resigned and senior officials. Andriy Podverbnyi, a Chernihiv journalist, said local residents were angry at the revelations. Corruption has always been a problem in post-Soviet countries. Even so, the news was an unpleasant surprise. For the guys on the frontline and for those living with no or little power, its like a knife in the back, he said. He added: The scheme was primitive. The people involved were clearly confident they wouldnt get caught. Podverbnyi walked though the citys main alleyway, decorated with photos of fallen soldiers who had died fighting Russia. He said many young people had left Chernihiv, reducing its prewar population of 280,000. Despite everything, Im an optimist. Weve been through German, Soviet and Russian occupation. The Germans burnt down my grandmothers village. We are strong and resilient. The Russians wont succeed in breaking us, he said. The situation is perhaps hardest for families with children. Anna Kulieva said she and her husband, Maksym, worried about their seven-year-old daughter Yeseniia, especially when bombs fell. Weve got used to everything apart from the absence of the lift, since we live on the eighth floor. In general, 2022 was worse. So no complaints. We worry about our childs education when theres no electricity, she said. Kulieva pottered around her tiny two-room home wearing a head torch; an LED light illuminated the kitchen table and Yeseniias classwork. You cant bathe your child. Or clean your apartment. Children go to school, but there are a lot of air raids and Shaheds. The power goes off and they sit in the dark for a few hours. But they dont get a quality education under these conditions. We hope it will improve, Kulieva said. The neighbourhood beyond the familys tower block was shrouded in blackness. Portable lamps in other apartments threw out dainty rectangles of light. The baroque golden domes of St Catherines church built in the 17th century to commemorate a Cossack victory over the Ottomans were dimly visible in the grey distance. A collar attached to a dog, out with its owner, appeared as a red crescent bouncing in the street below. Kulieva said her family did not intend to leave, despite the war and the fact the Russians next door once regarded as brothers had betrayed Ukraine. People here are amazing. Theres incredible unity. The more time you spend in this community, the more you value people around you, she said. She added: I believe we will overcome our economic and political problems. The most important thing is to stay human. And to carry on raising our children in this spirit. Its not hard to live without a light in your home. Its hard to live without a light in your heart. Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect, walked out of their meeting on Friday afternoon with an unlikely alliance, agreeing to work together on housing, food prices and cost-of-living concerns that have defined both their political appeals to working-class voters. We agreed a lot more than I would have thought, Trump said in the Oval Office, sometimes jumping in to shield Mamdani from aggressive questioning from the press. The sit-down which many had anticipated would be contentious, given months of intense rhetoric in which Trump branded Mamdani a communist lunatic instead produced camaraderie, warm words and concrete pledges of cooperation between the Republican president and the self-described democratic socialist who secured a commanding electoral victory earlier at the beginning of November with over 50% of the vote. I feel very confident that he can do a very good job, Trump said after the meeting, offering praise for his ideological opposite. The better he does, the happier I am. I will say theres no difference in party. Theres no difference in anything, and were going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York. The president congratulated Mamdani on his mayoral victory, describing it as an incredible race against smart people and the two politicians shook hands. Trump added that he had already seen signs the young politician might surprise both conservative and liberal observers alike. For Mamdani, the meeting represented vindication of his strategy to focus the discussion on economic issues rather than ideological divides. He described the meeting as productive and focused on a place of shared admiration and love, which is New York City. We spoke about rent, we spoke about groceries, we spoke about utilities, we spoke about the different ways in which people are being pushed out, Mamdani told reporters after emerging from the Oval Office. Trump added: We had some interesting conversation, and some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have. He pointed to their agreement on lowering crime and building housing. The meeting marked the first face-to-face discussion between the combative Republican president and the defiant democratic socialist. For Mamdani, a leftwing state assemblymember until his shock primary victory, the sit-down presented an early test of his ability to negotiate with a president who controls vast federal resources that the city depends upon. Mamdanis team made the first move in reaching out for a meeting, all while Trump earlier threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if Mamdani took office, though he has since suggested a more conciliatory posture, telling Fox News: Im so torn, because I would like to see the new mayor do well, because I love New York. The administration has deployed multiple pressure tactics ahead of the meeting. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have signaled plans to escalate operations in New York City, while a number of rightwing congressional Republicans suggested investigating whether Mamdanis citizenship is valid, despite his naturalization in 2018 after immigrating from Uganda as a child. Mamdanis team spent Thursday preparing for the encounter through calls with Kathy Hochul, New Yorks governor, Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, and the civil rights leader Al Sharpton to strategize the approach. He also spoke with Robert Wolf, the former chief executive of UBS Americas and a known ally of Barack Obama. When asked on Thursday whether he feared receiving hostile treatment similar to the contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraines president, earlier this year where Trump accused Zelenskyy of gambling with world war III Mamdani brushed aside concerns. Ill stand up for New Yorkers every single day, he replied. Related: Trump may yet impose a Ukraine deal but it threatens to be a disaster for Kyiv The incoming mayor had framed the meeting as an opportunity to advance his central campaign platform: making New York more affordable. His promises include free public buses, government-run grocery stores, rent freezes for more than 1m stabilized units, and the citys first universal childcare program. I view this meeting as an opportunity for me to make my case, Mamdani said on Thursday. It behooves me to ensure that I leave no stone unturned in looking to make this city more affordable. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, similarly said Trumps willingness to meet was evidence of his openness to dialogue across political divides. President Trump is willing to meet with anyone and talk to anyone and to try to do whats right on behalf of the American people, whether they live in blue states or red states, or blue cities, Leavitt said. But the underlying tensions were not subtle. Trump got directly involved in the mayoral election, dismissing the candidate from his own party, Curtis Sliwa, as a lightweight and instead endorsing Andrew Cuomo, the Independent, formerly Democratic governor, while branding Mamdani a little communist. The Trump administration also yanked federal aid for critical infrastructure projects including the Gateway Tunnel between New York and New Jersey and the Second Avenue subway line during budget negotiations. Among New York voters, Trump garnered only 27% approval compared with 70% disapproval in CNNs exit polling from the mayoral election. However, 10% of Trumps 2024 voters also cast ballots for Mamdani, suggesting there is indeed overlap in their populist economic messaging, despite their vast ideological differences. European Union judges could hit Britain with huge fines if Sir Keir Starmer presses ahead with a radical smoking ban. The Government wants to stop everyone born after Jan 1, 2009 from ever being able to buy cigarettes by raising the legal smoking age by one year, every year. But Greece, Slovakia and Romania have told the European Commission that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill risks breaking EU law if it is applied in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is subject to hundreds of Single Market rules and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, because of the Windsor Framework. This was agreed to prevent a hard post-Brexit border with Ireland, an EU member, which could jeopardise the peace secured by the Good Friday Agreement. If Sir Keir insists on the ban applying in Northern Ireland, Brussels could sue the UK in EUs highest court, slap tariffs on British products or cancel the Brexit trade deal. But not imposing the ban in Northern Ireland to please the EU would create a new smoking border to add to the Frameworks Irish Sea customs border with Britain, infuriating unionists. b' ' A government spokesman said: We believe the Bill is consistent with the Windsor Framework, and it will apply UK-wide. The bill has not been blocked, and its passage has not been delayed. Labour is currently negotiating a reset deal for closer post-Brexit relations with the EU. It notified Brussels of the legislation in August, under the terms of the Windsor Framework, which gives Northern Ireland, the UKs poorest region, unique access to both the EU and UK markets. A European Commission spokesman told The Telegraph the notification process was to ensure the planned measures were compatible with the principles of the EU Single Market. Greece, Romania and Slovakia have submitted detailed opinions to Brussels, arguing that the ban would lead to more trade on the black market, break EU rules on the free movement of goods and distort the Single Market. The spokesman said: It is now for the UK in respect of Northern Ireland to report on the action it proposes to take in view of the detailed opinions. The Commission will comment on that reaction. In the meantime, the Commission has no comments to offer on the substance of the matters subject to this procedure. There are some worrying precedents for the Government, which suggest it is on a collision course with the EU. Ireland ditched plans for its own generational smoking ban last year after receiving legal advice that it was incompatible with EU Single Market rules and the blocs Tobacco Products Directive. Dublin raised the legal smoking age to 21, which is the highest in Europe, instead. If the smoking ban is applied in Northern Ireland, there will be problems enforcing it because of the porous Irish border and weaker rules in Ireland. Denmark also planned a smoke-free generation ban but was forced to shelve it in 2022 for similar legal reasons. The submission of a detailed opinion means the ban cannot be adopted until Feb 18, 2026 at the earliest. The Government wants the ban to take effect on Jan 1, 2027. The bill is with the House of Lords after passing the Commons. Health is a devolved power, which means the ban must be backed by Stormont to take effect in Northern Ireland. Scotland and the Northern Ireland Assembly support the ban. If Brussels and London disagree on whether the ban can be imposed in Northern Ireland, there will be extensive talks in joint committees in an attempt to defuse the row. b' ' If those lengthy procedures fail, Brussels could launch legal action. Under the Windsor Framework, the final arbiter of EU law as it applies in Northern Ireland is the European Court of Justice (ECJ). If Britain were to defy a ruling from EU judges, the Commission could resort to tariffs or cancelling the trade deal for breaking Brexit obligations agreed by previous Conservative governments. The ECJ can apply two kinds of fines; a lump sum or a daily fine which accrues until the state being fined is compliant with EU law. Its largest lump sum fine on a member state was 175.8m on Hungary with an additional daily fine of 880,000 for breaking European laws on asylum. If Britain were to defy a ruling from EU judges, the Commission could resort to tariffs or cancelling the trade deal for breaking Brexit obligations agreed by previous Conservative governments. Katy Hayward, a professor of political sociology at Queens University Belfast and an expert on the Irish border and Brexit, said both sides would try to avoid a court battle. She said: The UK and EU committed in the Windsor Framework to making every attempt, through dialogue, to arrive at mutually satisfactory resolutions of any problems its implementation gives rise to. Their wish to avoid conflict is even more acute now, as they negotiate new agreements for a closer relationship. Robin Swann, the Ulster Unionist Party MP for South Antrim, called on the Government to negotiate firmly with Brussels. He said: When I served as health minister in the NI Executive, I worked hard towards a smoke-free generation because, unfortunately, smoking kills over 2,200 people in Northern Ireland every year. The EU objections, through the Windsor Framework mechanism, must not be allowed to exclude Northern Ireland from the UKs intergenerational smoking ban. Public health cannot take second place to the EUs single-market rules. Other unionists, who fear the treaty makes a united Ireland more likely, predicted that Sir Keir would ultimately cave to Brussels. Jim Allister, the MP for North Antrim, said: My expectation, on past experience, is that sadly HMG will accept disapplication in NI another Irish Sea border. Quite outrageous, of course, that a foreign law can trump the will of UK sovereign parliament, but that is the reality of EU colonial rule in Northern Ireland. Lord Dodds, the DUP peer, said: I believe the Government would not hesitate for a second to abandon NI if there is a challenge rather than ensure all of the UK is covered by the law. They would rather bend the knee to EU diktat than stand up for their own countrys sovereignty. Lord Frost, Britains former Brexit negotiator, said: The smoking ban is a poor idea, but its precisely such controversial proposals that illustrate the problem most clearly: that the Windsor Framework allows the EU to stop our Parliament passing laws that cover all of the UK. That cant be allowed to last. The sooner the Tory and Reform parties firmly commit to scrapping it, and treating Northern Ireland as a full part of the UK again, the better. 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. 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. 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). Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy leave their home Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 in Paris as Nicolas Sarkozy heads to prison to serve time for a criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will publish a book about his recent time behind bars, titled "Diary of a Prisoner," on December 10, his publisher Fayard announced on Friday. The house is part of the media group controlled by conservative billionaire Vincent Bollore Sarkozy trailed the release in a post on X, writing that in prison "the noise is, unfortunately, constant" and that "the inner life of man becomes stronger in prison." He spent three weeks in detention there this autumn. The former head of state, who governed France from 2007 to 2012, was convicted on Sept. 25 of participating in a criminal organization over alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. He was released pending appeal on Nov. 10, and his appeal against the conviction is scheduled to be heard from March 16 to June 3. The former French president was freed from jail this month after serving just three weeks of a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy. The 70-year-old, who led France between 2007 and 2012, will remain under judicial supervision pending an appeal hearing over the conviction, a Paris court ruled. He returned home to his wife, Carla Bruni, and will be banned from leaving France until the appeal. He could be required to wear an electronic tag while living at home, and may also have to provide bail money and check in regularly with the authorities as part of the arrangement. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in September for a failed coup and was under house arrest. Photograph: Luis Nova/AP Brazils former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro has claimed he tried to damage his electronic ankle monitor out of curiosity after he was arrested at his villa owing to suspicions he was poised to abscond. In a video released by the supreme court, Bolsonaro who was recently sentenced to 27 years in prison for masterminding a military coup can be heard admitting to a security official that he had used a soldering iron to tamper with the black tag. The video showed the device badly damaged and burned on both sides, but still attached to his ankle. Bolsonaro was arrested shortly after 6am on Saturday by federal police after a supreme court judge issued a preventive arrest warrant because he was poised to flee to a foreign embassy. The 70-year-old politician was taken to a federal police base, seven miles from the presidential palace he occupied from 2019 to 2022, when he lost the election and tried to launch a military coup. The arrest of Bolsonaro, who had been living under house arrest in the capital, Brasilia, since August, was ordered by the supreme court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, as a result of fears the former president might make a run for one of Brasilias many diplomatic compounds to avoid punishment for the failed power grab. In September, Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison over a scheme to stop the 2022 election winner, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, taking office. However, the court has yet to order Bolsonaros imprisonment for those crimes while a series of legal procedures and appeals play out. Amid growing speculation that Bolsonaro would be imprisoned in the coming days, supporters had been planning to hold a vigil on Saturday night outside the luxury condominium where their leader has been living under house arrest. The protest had been called by Bolsonaros senator son, Flavio Bolsonaro, in a social media video: Are you going to fight for your country or are you going to watch everything on your mobile phone while sitting at home on your sofa? He invited Bolsonaristas to come and fight with us. In his ruling ordering Bolsonaros arrest on Saturday morning, Moraes said it was possible the vigil could be used as a diversion to help the former president escape to a foreign embassy. Adding to those suspicions, Moraes said Bolsonaros electronic ankle monitor had been tampered with at 12.08am on Saturday. That suggested the convict had planned to break the ankle monitor in order to ensure the success of his escape, aided by the confusion caused by the protest called by his son. Moraes noted how Bolsonaro, who counts the US president, Donald Trump, among his international allies, lived about 15 minutes from the US embassy. In August, Bolsonaro was accused of seeking asylum in Argentina, where another rightwing ally, Javier Milei, holds power. In 2024, Bolsonaro mysteriously spent two nights inside the embassy of Hungary. Speculation that Bolsonaros arrest was imminent had reached fever pitch in recent days as allies voiced outrage at the prospect of the former president being sent to a maximum security prison in Brasilia called Papuda. Lula supporters have voiced satisfaction that the ex-president appeared jail bound. The message to Brazil, and to the world, is that crime doesnt pay, said Reimont Otoni, a Workers party (PT) congressman, noting how Bolsonaros plot included a conspiracy to assassinate Lula. Bolsonaros evangelical wife, Michelle Bolsonaro, responded to her husbands arrest by posting an excerpt from Psalm 121 on social media. The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore, it said. Congressman Sostenes Cavalcante, one of Bolsonaros closest allies, called the arrest the biggest [act of] political persecution in Brazilian history. Bolsonaros lawyers voiced profound perplexity at their clients detention in a sparsely decorated 12 sq metre police bedroom and vowed to appeal against a decision they claimed would put the former presidents life at risk, given his delicate health. Taliria Petrone, a leftwing congresswoman from Rio, captured the joy among progressives, as Bolsonaros detractors were filmed opening bottles of sparkling wine and setting off fireworks outside the federal police HQ. Today the alarm clock sounded different: it was the news of Bolsonaros arrest illuminating the morning, she tweeted, adding: Brazil smiles. A wonderful day. Petra Costa, a film-maker and the director of documentaries about Bolsonaros attacks on Brazilian democracy, was also celebrating. Brazil just succeeded where America failed. Bringing a former president who assaulted democracy to justice, she wrote on Facebook. Fisher Stevens has spoken of his delight at Sir David Beckham receiving his knighthood - and revealed he was among the select few invited to celebrate the milestone earlier this month. The former England captain, 50, was honoured at Windsor Castle on November 4 for his services to sport and charity. That evening, he marked the occasion with an intimate dinner hosted by Gordon Ramsay at the chefs Michelin-starred restaurant in Chelsea. Sir David, Lady Victoria, 51, and their children, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, were seen leaving at around 1am after an evening that featured champagne and Beckhams favourite 600 bottle of Chateau Margaux. His parents Ted and Sandra, Victorias parents Tony and Jackie Adams, family friend Dave Gardner, Cruzs girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 29, and Gordon and Tana Ramsay were also in attendance. Victorias sister, Louise Adams, joined the celebrations with her children Libby, Finley and Tallulah, who shared snippets from inside the lively dinner on social media. Sir David Beckham with Lady Beckham after receiving his knighthood earlier this month (PA Wire) Stevens, too, toasted the occasion. Speaking to the Standard, the actor and filmmaker said: I did! We celebrated, a bunch of us. Hes a good man, very happy for him. Asked whether he now considers himself part of the extended Beckham fold, he laughed: Not really. Hes a good man and Im really happy for him even though Im a Liverpool supporter. Stevens, who directed Netflixs hit Beckham docuseries, suggested that the project has spurred him on to his next major docuseries though he stopped short of revealing the subject. Yeah, Im doing another bunch of things, he said. Something thats kind of a David Beckham series but not with David Beckham, with somebody else I cant mention yet, but soon. The Succession star was speaking at the London premiere of his new film Song Sung Blue, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson alongside Michael Imperioli and Jim Belushi. The film is about a real-life couple from Milwaukee, Mike (Jackman) and Claire Sardina (Hudson), who form a popular Neil Diamond tribute band called Lightning and Thunder. Stevens pictured at the London premiere for Song Sung Blue alongside Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson and Craig Brewer (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) The movie is a musical drama based on a 2008 documentary of the same name and follows their journey of love and their dream of performing. Stevens, who plays the couples manager and dentist Dr. Dave Watson, said the cast bonded so closely that none of them wanted filming to end. I had never worked with any of them before. I knew pretty much everybody from being so old and in showbiz for so long, he joked. It was one of those magical things where everybody couldnt wait to get to work. We loved working, we loved putting on the clothes, we loved talking in the accents. It was a kind of bummer when it ended often you cant wait for your movies to end. This one we just wanted to keep going. Director Craig Brewer, known for Footloose and Hustle & Flow, praised Hudson and Jackmans partnership on set. The A-listers attended the event at the Picturehouse Central (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) Not only am I in love with their acting and in love with their singing, but seeing them as people really being there for each other, he said. When youve got to do a movie where people really have to get to raw emotions, its lonely out there on that tightrope you need a net, and they found it in each other. There would be times Hugh was doing an emotional scene, Id call cut, and Kate would be there talking to him, being a cheerleader and the same in reverse. Thats special. Song Sung Blue is released in UK and Irish cinemas on January 1, 2026 Robert Purkiss, 38, is fighting extradition to Kenya - Solent News & Photo Agency A former British soldier has denied murdering a Kenyan woman found dead in a septic tank and said he does not believe he ever met her. Robert Purkiss, 38, is fighting extradition to Kenya, where he is wanted for the alleged murder of Agnes Wanjiru, 21. The former lance corporal and medic in the Duke of Lancaster Regiment is accused of stabbing her to death near a British military base in March 2012. Westminster Magistrates Court heard earlier this month that a post-mortem showed that the young mother may have still been alive when she was dumped in the septic tank of a hotel. Wanjirus significantly decomposed body was found two months after she was last seen partying with British soldiers at a hotel in central Nanyuki town, where Britain has a military training ground. A 2cm stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung were identified by a forensic pathologist. Speaking publicly for the first time, Mr Purkiss said: I did not kill Agnes Wanjiru, I do not believe I ever met her either. Neither would I joke about killing a woman. Agnes Wanjirus body was found two months after she was last seen partying with British soldiers at a hotel in central Nanyuki town The court was told that Mr Purkiss had joked about the death on social media in 2018. Mr Purkiss allegedly responded with a smiling face emoji after a colleague posted a picture of himself outside the hotel with the comment if you know you know, while referencing the septic tank. When a member of the social media group asked him, do you get choked up?, he replied: Come to think of it, I have had a sore throat today. Mr Purkiss is also alleged to have confessed to killing Ms Wanjiru to another soldier, saying it was drunken sex gone wrong, the court heard. But Mr Purkiss told the Daily Mail he only heard about the killing after leaving Kenya. He said: I only heard about the incident weeks later when I was on a military exercise in Canada. Only much later than that was I told a body had been found in a tank. I never booked the hotel room, cant remember ever being in it. I think we were back in camp by midnight. The father of two added: There is no basis in fact to any suggestion I murdered Agnes Wanjiru. I am sorry if that is hard for her family to hear, but it was not me. Rose Wanyua Wanjiku is campaigning for justice for her sister - DANIEL IRUNGU/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The IT worker from Wiltshire was arrested by the National Crime Agency after a warrant was issued by Kenyas director of public prosecutions in September. Mr Purkiss was stationed in Kenya for a six-week training exercise at the time of the alleged murder. David Josse KC, representing Mr Purkiss, told Westminster magistrates court on Nov 7 that the former soldier vehemently denies murder and has received Ministry of Defence funding to help pay for his defence. Mr Purkiss was remanded into custody and will appear at the same court on Monday for a further bail application hearing. An inquest in 2018 concluded Ms Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers after she was discovered near the British Army base. Police in Concord, North Carolina, say 18-year-old Nasir Ahmad Bostic and a juvenile suspect, both critically injured, will face assault with a deadly weapon charges (Getty Images) Four people were shot Friday night during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Concord, North Carolina. Three of the victims are in critical condition, while one is in stable condition, according to the polices last update. Officials say the shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. on Union Street near Corbin Avenue, and involved two people who knew each other. Authorities have identified one suspect as 18-year-old Nasir Ahmad Bostic, who was also shot and is hospitalized in critical condition. He faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, and an arrest warrant will be served when he is released from the hospital. The second suspected shooter is a juvenile who was also injured and is in critical condition; they face similar charges. A third person, a 17-year-old, has been charged with accessory after the fact and inciting a riot. Three of the victims are in critical condition, while one is in stable condition (Getty Images) Emergency responders, including police, fire, and EMS, were already on site for the ceremony and acted quickly to provide aid and evacuate people. Police are reviewing video footage of the event and interviewing witnesses as part of their investigation. The city says the annual Christmas parade would still proceed on Saturday with additional security measures in place. "We are a resilient community and will not let the senseless actions of a few individuals steal another tradition from us," Mayor Bill Dusch said in a statement Saturday. Some families may choose to stay home and we understand and respect their decision. We also know that many find comfort, harmony, and healing in community and our parade has provided that for our City for nearly a century." Concord, which has a population of about 105,000, is located roughly 25 miles northeast of Charlotte. Grey Dawning and an ice-cool Harry Skelton gained Betfair Chase revenge on last years winner Royale Pagaille to continue Dan Skeltons dream run of form at Haydock. Ousted in a ding-dong tussle with Venetia Williams dual winner 12 months ago, there was no mistake this time around, with Skelton never in a rush aboard the 10-11 favourite, as he allowed Handstands and Royale Pagaille to match strides early and head out for the final circuit in unison. Rebecca Curtis Haiti Couleurs was disappointingly never a factor, while Gordon Elliotts Stellar Story could also never get involved, but there were three with a chance turning for home, where Charlie Deutsch had inched clear of Handstands who was under a drive from Ben Jones. Harry Skelton celebrates on Grey Dawning (Danny Lawson for The Jockey Club) Although Royale Pagaille jumped three out with an advantage, Grey Dawning was hot on his tail travelling menacingly and Skelton in the saddle remained motionless as Grey Dawning joined his old rival two out and played with his prey down to the last before storming to a two-and-three-quarter-length success. It was an emotional success for the Skeltons, as Harrys wife Bridget gave birth to a baby daughter less than 48 hours previously. As the crowd sang theres only one Dan Skelton, the trainer said: Its been a phenomenal day. Ill never forget when Protektorat won this too, they are special moments. Owners are the lifeblood of this sport and to give Robert Kirkland a day like this is special. Leaving here last year I was sick as Id never been so convinced a horse would win and he lost. It felt like one that got away. That was something else pic.twitter.com/PHvUfgOFWf Nick Robson (@ValueRacingPlus) November 22, 2025 Im proud of the whole team, but Im most proud of Grey Dawning, he had such a hard race last year he could have cried off but not him, 365 days later hes back to do it again. He had such a grueller last year he could have left his whole season, but I got him back for Kelso and Aintree and only Gaelic Warrior could beat him at Aintree. I think he might just have one more run before the Gold Cup, I dont know where, probably the Cotswold if the ground isnt too bad or he could even go straight there. I know the public dont really want to hear that but he cant go right-handed so he cant run in the King George, the race for Protektorat is Windsor so he cant go there and the Denman is too close. Maybe he could go to Ireland, well see. I do think hes a contender for the Gold Cup, I have huge respect for the favourite (Inothewayurthinkin) and we have to step up again, but theyll have seen that today and maybe think we are players. Harry Skelton cut an emotional figure in the aftermath of victory (Danny Lawson for The Jockey Club) Of his brother, who was visibly emotional in the paddock, he added: Its been a really full-on 48 hours for Harry, hed love to be with his new baby right now but hes been a thorough professional. Ten years ago he might have kicked on at the top of the straight, but he was taking a pull two out today. Harrys got a lot of experience now, but also he knows if he makes a mistake we dont hold it against each other. The winning rider said: Its taken 365 days for him to come and show people what he really can do. Last year just didnt work out when the heavens opened, but today he was brilliant. Clare and Tom (Messenger) our assistant who rides him out every day they look after him and got him in shape for me to go out and enjoy that. Its all been going on we had the birth of our daughter, Anna. Im really proud of Bridget and just really looking forward to getting home to be honest! Sportsmen are used to everything, high emotions, but when your wife gives birth and they are all all right thats all that matters.we want to do and the horses are in flying form. Harry and Dan Skelton with winning owner Robert Kirkland (Danny Lawson for The Jockey Club) Williams, meanwhile, was rightly proud of Royale Pagaille. Hes amazing and you have to be thrilled, she said. We will probably wait with him now and come back here for the Peter Marsh in January. It wasnt his ground today so hes had to go out and make it because he couldnt allow it to become a sprint like the graduation race was earlier. So hes had to do it the hard way. He jumped spectacularly and still had a chance halfway up the run-in. A Lamborghini belonging to a West London councillor has been pictured parking in disabled spaces at the council offices, apparently without a blue badge on display. Hounslow Labour has told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it is investigating photos that show a light blue Lamborghini Urus SE SUV parked at Hounslow House civic centre in Hounslow, which belongs to Labour Hounslow Heath Councillor Farhaan Rehman. The pictures relate to two separate instances where the car was parked in different disabled spaces. No finding of fault has yet been made against Cllr Rehman, and the Labour Councillor has not responded to requests for comment from the LDRS. While the parking spaces are owned and managed by Hounslow Council, the local authority said it was a matter for Hounslow Labour. However if a general member of the public was caught parking in a disabled bay in the borough without a blue badge, it would be a matter for the council and they could face a fixed penalty notice of 160. (LDRS) The Labour investigation comes only one week after the LDRS revealed that Hounslow Council had fined a single-mum and mental health nurse, Loretta Alvarez, 1,000 for fly-tipping an envelope when her council bins were full. She told the LDRS that, if Cllr Rehman had parked in the bays himself without a blue badge, it would make her feel as if elected officials conduct themselves differently than other members of the public are expected to act. She said: It [would make] you think, there clearly is a hierarchy, [it would make me feel that] he thinks he can get away with it, and probably can because hes a councillor. But me, a normal person, getting on, paying my bills, Id have to pay that. Jack Emsley is the Conservative councillor for Chiswick Homefields. He told the LDRS he believes Cllr Rehman should be deselected as a Labour candidate ahead of the 2026 local elections, if he is found to have breached parking rules. He said: Given the misery Hounslow Labour have caused residents in Chiswick, where they have raked in millions of pounds from PCNs for parking and traffic offences, I expect they will take a similar zero-tolerance approach to Cllr Rehman and dump him as a Labour candidate in next years elections [if they find he is at fault]. Anything less would be an appalling double standard of one rule for Hounslow Labour councillors, and another for everyone else. Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of former President John F. Kennedy, has criticized her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s policies as health secretary as she disclosed she has terminal cancer. In a poignant essay, A Battle with My Blood, written for The New Yorker, the 35-year-old daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg revealed she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, with a rare mutation called Inversion 3. I could not be cured by a standard course of treatment, Schlossberg said, listing the extensive treatment she would have to undergo, including a few months of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, followed by more regular chemo to try and prevent the cancer from returning. As I spent more and more of my life under the care of doctors, nurses, and researchers striving to improve the lives of others, I watched as Bobby cut nearly a half billion dollars for research into mRNA vaccines, technology that could be used against certain cancers, she added, criticizing RFK Jr.s decision to slash important vaccine funding. Schlossberg ultimately underwent initial rounds of chemo before receiving a stem cell transplant from her older sister, Rose, who was a match. The transplant was a success and put her in remission, but she soon relapsed. Her doctor told her that her rare form of cancer liked to come back. Tatiana Schlossberg has been diagnosed with terminal cancer (Getty Images for goop) Prince William, left, meets siblings Jack and Tatiana Schlossberg and their mother, Caroline Kennedy, in 2022 (AFP via Getty Images) She entered several different clinical trials. However, during the latest clinical trial, my doctor told me that he could keep me alive for a year, maybe, she wrote. Schlossberg received the diagnosis in May 2024, after the birth of her second child with husband George Moran. The couple, who have been married since 2017, also have a three-year-old son. My doctor noticed that my blood count looked strange. A normal white-blood-cell count is around four to eleven thousand cells per microlitre. Mine was a hundred and thirty-one thousand cells per microlitre, she said. It could just be something related to pregnancy and delivery, the doctor said, or it could be leukemia. Schlossberg added that her immediate family has been extremely supportive through her cancer treatment. My parents and my brother and sister, too, have been raising my children and sitting in my various hospital rooms almost every day for the last year and a half, she said. They have held my hand unflinchingly while I have suffered, trying not to show their pain and sadness in order to protect me from it. This has been a great gift, even though I feel their pain every day. As well as her sister Rose, 37, Schlossberg has a brother, Jack, 32 JFKs only grandson who recently announced his intention to run for New Yorks 12th congressional district. The Kennedy family has been hit with a series of tragedies over the past 70 years. Schlossbergs article in The New Yorker was published on the 62nd anniversary of her grandfather, President John F. Kennedy, being assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His brother, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968 while campaigning for the White House. JFKs son John F. Kennedy Jr. was killed in a plane crash in 1999 along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette. Mary Richardson Kennedy, wife of RFK Jr., died from suicide in 2016; Saoirse Kennedy Hill, RFKs granddaughter, died of a drug overdose in 2019; and Maeve Kennedy McKean, another granddaughter of RFK, died with her eight-year-old son Gideon during a canoeing trip in 2020. Im A Celebritys Kelly Brooks husband has described the magical moment he first met her. Jeremy Parisi, who married the Heart radio presenter in 2022, spoke about his relationship with his wife when he appeared on ITVs Lorraine on Thursday (20 November). In a rare interview, Parisi said he had been watching Kelly every night as she settles into camp life in the Australian jungle. He said: She seems to be OK. I think she will be fine because she is with her friends. Symbolism was everywhere as Brazils Cop30 drew to a close. First, there was the Africa Pavillion dramatically bursting into flames on Thursday afternoon, which along with the daily bursts of Amazonian rainfall that flooded a number of meeting rooms over the two weeks gave the impression that climate-induced extreme weather was right there in the room with us in Belem. Then, there was the news that, after much squabbling between the two countries, the next UN climate conference, Cop31, is set to be hosted by the Australian government in the Turkish city resort of Anatalya, with a pre-Cop world leaders summit set to be held on a Pacific island. Quite how this will all pan out is anyones guess at this stage but the decision reflects something of just how hard countries seem to be finding it to agree on anything at the moment. Nearly a full day after Cop30 was supposed to finish and several hours after two massive cruise ships hosting national delegations departed from Belem the final decision document set to drive climate policy back home, or Global Mutirao as it is being called here, was released by the Brazilian presidency. As ever with UN climate conferences, it was a compromise but one that seemed to be defined by a resignation of ambition, rather than an attempt at genuine trade-offs. At the heart of the outcome was a failure from rich countries grappling as they are with weakening political consensus around climate , and cuts to aid budgets to commit to a target to triple aid available for poorer countries to adapt to climate change by 2030. Instead, the deadline has been pushed back to 2035, while it is to be part of an existing promise to deliver $300bn in climate finance agreed to last year, rather than additional finance, which is what the worlds least developed countries have been asking for . The symbolism was hard to escape when part of the conference site burst into flames on Thursday (Kevin Munyoli) Meanwhile, the promise of a roadmap to assist countries move away from fossil fuels which had been backed by Brazils President Lula at the opening of Cop30 failed to appear in the text following intense lobbying from Saudi Arabia and others. The language calling for improved interim emissions targets, which the UN said ahead of Cop30 would only reduce emissions by around 10 per cent by 2035, was also notably weak. Parties worked on the agreement throughout the night, and negotiators appeared exhausted as they gathered for the final plenary in Belem. I was there the entire night, and we came to an agreement at 8am this morning, Emmanuel Yarkpawolo, chief negotiator for Liberia, told The Independent. There are some outcomes that are good It shows us that multilateralism is still working, and the Paris Agreement is working. Without it, the planet will be in a very bad condition. As Yarkpawolo attests, reaching any sort of deal is an achievement, given how far apart countries have been. But it is undeniable that Cop30 has failed to meet the twin challenges of closing the gap in ambition on decarbonisation, as well as boosting the amount of money available for poorer countries as climate impacts escalate. Cop30 was a failure for the communities on the front lines of the climate crisis, said Debbie Hillier, UNFCCC policy lead at the NGO Mercy Corps. Ten years after the Paris Agreement in what was meant to be the implementation COP leaders left Belem, Brazil, without the commitments needed to protect people already living with the devastating consequences of climate change. Adaptation finance is not abstract, she continued. It determines whether farmers can protect their crops, whether coastal communities can reinforce shorelines, whether health systems can withstand climate-related disease outbreaks, and whether countries can build resilience rather than lose hard-won development gains. Mohamed Adow, director of Nairobi-based think tank Power Shift Africa, described Cop30 as baby steps in the right direction but added that keeping the process alive alone will not cool the planet. Sol Oyuela, from WaterAid, said that the ambition in the wider package agreed to in Belem ultimately fails those most impacted by climate change. An attendee of Cop30 arrived at the conference hall with his luggage as negotiations continued on Saturday (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) At the closing plenary on Saturday, with Amazonian rain echoing through the hall, there was serious disquiet among delegates around Brazils management of the process, with complaints around transparency of proceedings and concerns that some countries were being ignored. But more broadly in Belem, there has been a sense that these talks have floundered due to a failure of other powerful pro-climate countries to take on a leadership role. The EU, distracted by the war in Ukraine as well as the rise of the populist right, was not the moral authority it has previously been. The UK, with a weak government and a Budget on the horizon, arguably failed to live up to its former climate mantle while the prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, formerly one of the worlds foremost climate champions when Governor of the Bank of England, formally launched plans to double the countrys liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity in the middle of Cop. The US which has traditionally been the country best able to exert pressure on key blocker Saudi Arabia was of course completely absent from the conference, while hopes that China, the worlds biggest emitter and by far the worlds biggest producer of renewable technology , would take up a climate leadership mantle at the summit failed to materialise. China has been under very little pressure in negotiating rooms at Cop30, which is largely the result of an absent US and fragmented EU, Kate Logan, who has been following negotiations closely for the Asia Society Policy Institute, told The Independent. Officials see little incentive to actively push ambition, especially as they can point to Chinas leadership in bringing down the cost of clean technologies globally. China, the EU and the rest of the worlds great powers can continue to hash climate out year after year at UN climate conferences, but as the clock keeps ticking towards irreversible climate breakdown, it is the worlds least developed countries who are set to suffer more and more . The Cop process may be in need of some reform, acknowledged Mohamed Adow to The Independent after the publication of the final outcome. The need for unanimous voting means that all it takes is for one country to veto progress, which gives undue power to the fossil fuel nations to block changes. Thankfully we can still find some solace in the fact that in the real world, clean energy technology is still advancing at speed, and the benefits of wind and solar are being embraced at rapid scale. Lewis Hamilton endured a new F1 career low at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as he qualified slowest in the field for the first time in his career on pure pace. In treacherous wet conditions on the Vegas strip, Hamilton struggled throughout as the whole grid eventually switched to full-wet tyres, rarely used in modern-day F1. Yet Hamilton who has recorded some of his best-ever victories in wet conditions could not optimise his Ferrari car and will start the race in 20th, having ended up 2.3 seconds slower than teammate Charles Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton qualified dead last for the Las Vegas Grand Prix (Getty Images) The 40-year-old, who is yet to record a podium with his new team, was hindered on his final push lap due to yellow flags in the final sector and then thought he crossed the timed line on the start-finish straight too late to start another lap. Slow-motion replays have shown, however, that Hamilton actually could have started another push lap, as he crossed the line while the lights were still green. "I don't really have words for it," a deflated Hamilton said in the media pen afterwards. "It's obviously not good enough. I just couldn't get temperature into the tyres, had a lot of understeer and I think one of my front brakes was glazed so I was really struggling to stop it in the corners. "It's very annoying, of course, because in P3 the car was feeling awesome and I thought it was going to be a great day and it turned out to be the worst. It can't get much worse than that." It marks a new career low: Hamilton has never qualified last on the grid previously without extenuating circumstances. Leclerc eventually qualified ninth on the grid, while Lando Norris took pole position in another giant step towards a maiden F1 world championship for the Briton. Hamilton also has the ignominy of being the first Ferrari driver to qualify dead-last since Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Explaining his issues further at the end of Q1, Hamilton added: "I got yellow flags in the last corner and coming into Turn 17 there were yellow flags, so I had to have a lift and when I came to the line there was red. Hamilton has endured a nightmare first season with Ferrari (Getty Images) "It was very slippery and the first set of tyres didn't work for us and I just struggled to generate the heat in the tyres for some reason. "It's a shame because the guys have done such a great job and the car was feeling awesome in FP3 and I really felt like we had good pace, but then the rain came. There's not a lot to say, to be honest." Hamilton is known for his mastery of wet conditions but not on Friday night in Vegas (Getty Images) The latest chapter in Hamiltons year to forget arrived 11 days after he was told by Ferrari chairman John Elkann to talk less and focus on his driving. Prior to that, Hamilton described his debut season in red as a nightmare. He has now been out-qualified by Leclerc 17 times this year and is 66 points behind the Monegasque in the drivers standings. Asked for his overriding feeling, Hamilton said: I dont really have an answer. It obviously feels horrible; it doesnt feel good. I just have to let it go and try and come back tomorrow. I have done everything I could possibly do in terms of preparation. I felt like we were quickest after practice, and then you come out in qualifying 20th, and this year is definitely the hardest year. We have a quick car. But it will be really hard to come back from last. Lorent Tolaj scored the winner against his former club as Plymouth moved off the bottom of League One with a 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers Port Vale. The Swiss striker settled a low-quality contest moments after half-time, scoring his seventh league goal since signing for Argyle from Vale in August. Victory ended the Pilgrims five-match winless league run and moved them above their opponents in the table to 22nd place. As for the Valiants, they now find themselves bottom of the standings, having gone seven league games without a win and failed to find the net in six of those. Vale looked the more likely side to break the deadlock in a goalless first half, with Connor Hall heading just wide from Kyle Johns cross and Devante Cole somehow not making any contact with Jaheim Headleys low delivery when only a couple of yards out. However, it was the visitors who took the lead within seconds of the restart as the returning Tolaj poked the ball home from Matthew Sorinolas centre. The hosts showed plenty of endeavour in their search for an equaliser, with Ruari Paton forcing a good save out of Conor Hazard just after the hour mark. But their league goal drought stretched to five matches to turn up the pressure on manager Darren Moore. Manchester Uniteds Matheus Cunha missed a Christmas lights switch-on event in Altrincham after organisers revealed the forward suffered an accident in training on Saturday. The 26-year-old has impressed since joining from Wolves in the summer and looked set to retain his starting role in the Red Devils return to Premier League action against Everton on Monday. But a surprise source has sparked concern over Cunhas availability after the Brazil international pulled out of Altrinchams Neon Noel Christmas lights switch-on event on Saturday. In a social media post, Visit Altrincham said: Unfortunately Matheus Cunha has had an accident in training today and will not be able to attend tonights Christmas Lights Switch on in Altrincham due to medical reasons. Cunha had been due to switch on the lights in Altrincham with Sam Aston, who plays Chesney in Coronation Street. United sources later told PA that Cunha sustained a knock in training, which is considered a minor issue. Benjamin Sesko, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have already been ruled out of the match against Everton, while Kobbie Mainoo is a doubt. Marjorie Taylor Greene - a one-time MAGA ally who has turned into a fierce critic of Donald Trump - has unexpectedly announced she is resigning from Congress. Her relationship with the president has deteriorated in recent months, and she had vocally campaigned for the justice department to release all of its files concerning the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Trump has been fiercely critical about Ms Greene on Truth Social - describing her as a "lunatic". In a statement posted on X, she wrote: "Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for." Ms Greene went on to confirm her last day in office will be on January 5 - with Mr Trump telling ABC that it is "great news for the country". The US president later posted on his Truth Social platform: "Marjorie 'Traitor' Brown, because of PLUMMETING Poll Numbers, and not wanting to face a Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement (where she would have no chance of winning!), has decided to call it 'quits.'" He added: "For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD. "Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country! President DJT." The hard-right Republican was one of the most aggressive spokespeople for the Make America Great Again movement - and had become infamous for her combative encounters with journalists, including Sky's Martha Kelner. She was known for her susceptibility to conspiracy theories, and was widely denounced for comparing COVID-19 masks and vaccinations to the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust. On social media, she had made posts advocating violence against Democrat opponents - and casting doubt on the 9/11 terror attacks and the school mass shootings at Parkland and Sandy Hook. The bond between Ms Greene and Mr Trump started to break down after she lambasted his foreign policy - describing it as "America Last". Mr Trump branded her a "traitor" and "wacky" and said he would endorse a challenger against her when she ran for reelection next year. In a brief phone call on Friday night, the US president told ABC News that Ms Greene's resignation was "great news for the country." He said had no plans to speak with her but wishes her well. Last week, Mr Trump had announced that he was withdrawing his support and endorsement for the 51-year-old, who had been expected to run for re-election in Georgia's 14th congressional district next November. In her resignation statement, Ms Greene said: "I have too much self-respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms." Read more US news: Trump says Ukraine will have to accept peace plan President orders release of Jeffrey Epstein files A few days ago, Ms Greene had warned the breakdown in relations with the White House had led to her construction company receiving a pipe bomb threat. She had written on X: "President Trump's unwarranted and vicious attacks against me were a dog whistle to dangerous radicals that could lead to serious attacks on me and my family." Ms Greene went on to warn his inflammatory rhetoric "puts blood in the water and creates a feeding frenzy that could ultimately lead to a harmful or even deadly outcome". Credit: X/Marjorie Taylor Greene Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her resignation from Congress after a bitter falling out with Donald Trump. In a fiery statement published days after the US president called her a traitor, the 51-year-old Republican congresswoman said she was quitting after Mr Trump had tried to destroy her. I refuse to be a battered wife, hoping it all goes away and gets better, Ms Greene said in a lengthy video posted to her X account on Friday evening. A self-professed outsider who never believed she fit in to the Washington establishment, Ms Greene claimed she had been cast aside by the president and the Maga political machine along with the common Americans in her constituency. Ms Greene said her last day in office would be Jan 5 next year. Mr Trump suggested Ms Greene had quit because she didnt want to face a primary election she would have no chance of winning because whoever challenged her would have had the US presidents backing. Ms Taylor Greene had long been an ally of Mr Trump before their public feud - AFP Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social network: For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went bad. Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our country. A source told CNN that Ms Greene, who represents Georgias 14th district in the US House of Representatives, had considered resigning for the past week after the former allies fell out in a public spat over the Epstein files. Ms Greene and Mr Trump fought after she sided with the Democrats to push for the release of more files relating to Jeffrey Epstein, the paedophile financier. She also vowed to read a list of Epsteins powerful clients on the House floor, should his victims compile one. Mr Trump said Ms Greenes association with Thomas Massie, the Republican congressman who co-led the bipartisan petition to force a vote on the release of the documents, did not help her. Sharing Mr Trumps Truth Social post on Ms Greenes departure, Mr Massie wrote: Im sad to see one of my best friends Marjorie Taylor Greene leave Congress. She was one of the brave few who fought with me to release the Epstein files. The threats against us have been insane. Speaking on Saturday, Mr Trump said he was open to reconciling with Ms Greene, whom he described as a nice person. I just disagreed with her philosophy, he said, adding: I said go your own way and once I left her, she resigned. She would never have survived the primary, but I think shes a nice person. All our country does is fund foreign wars The former Trump loyalist also became critical of what she called the US presidents lack of focus on domestic policy, claiming that all our country does is fund foreign countries and foreign wars, and never does anything to help the American people. Last week, Mr Trump had had enough. He announced that he was withdrawing his support from Ms Greene and would back primary challenges for her seat in the 2026 midterm elections. He also called her a ranting lunatic who had gone far-Left. On Friday evening, Ms Greene said she had decided to leave to avoid a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president that we all fought for, adding that the Republican party was likely to lose the midterm elections in 2026. Ms Greene was elected to Congress in 2020 and, for five years, was one of the US presidents strongest backers, defending him through numerous scandals and enduring what she characterised as never-ending personal attacks from her opponents. However, in recent weeks, their relationship had soured. The congresswoman said her advocacy for releasing the Epstein files had caused a rupture within the Maga base - Reuters Ms Greene, one of the most powerful and outspoken figures in the Maga movement, claimed their falling-out resulted from her vocal support for the release of the Epstein files, which include several emails alleging that Mr Trump had spent time with one of Epsteins victims. Mr Trump has vociferously denied wrongdoing and has called the files a hoax, while claiming without evidence that Epstein had deep ties with Democrats. Over the next several days, Mr Trump called her a traitor and a disgrace. Ms Greene hit back, accusing the president she once loyally defended of inciting death threats against her. Loyalty should be a two-way street, she said in the video announcing her resignation. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, who I fought for. The dramatic falling out should not be seen in isolation. It is the culmination of a new divide in Mr Trumps Maga coalition between America First and Trump First. A growing number within Mr Trumps base have become disillusioned with the presidents foreign policy, economic priorities, freedom of speech and position on foreign visas. Trump calls resignation great news In a phone call with ABC News on Friday night, Mr Trump called Ms Greenes resignation great news for the country. The congresswoman announced her resignation in a video filmed at her home in Georgia, and was shown sitting on her couch with her Christmas tree in the background. I ran for Congress in 2020, and have fought every single day believing that Make America Great Again meant America First, Ms Greene said in her nearly 11-minute-long message. My only goal and desire has ever been to hold the Republican Party accountable for the promises it makes to the American people and put America first. Her resignation will narrow the Republican majority in the House to 218 members over the Democrats 213. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Ms Greene ended her video with the message that it is up to common American people to understand that Washington is gradually destroying our country. Ill be here by their side to rebuild it, she said. My self-worth is not defined by a man. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks during a press conference on the Epstein files transparency bill. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday evening she will be resigning from office effective 5 January 2026, in the wake of souring relations with President Donald Trump, mostly recently over a vote to force the release of files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. In a four-page statement, the Georgia congresswoman said the legislative branch had been sidelined and accused Republican leaders of refusing to advance conservative priorities such as border security or America First policies. Until recently, Greene had been one of the most vocal and visible supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again movement, crediting him with inspiring her to run for Congress in 2020. But in recent months, the congresswoman had become a surprising critic of the Trump administration taking on the president not just over the release of the Epstein files, but also his administrations support for Israel, and extending expiring Obamacare subsidies. She began questioning whether Trump was truly an America first president. No matter which way the political pendulum swings, Republican or Democrat, nothing ever gets better for the common American man or woman, Greene said. When the common American people finally realize and understand that the political industrial complex of both parties is ripping this country apart, that not one elected leader like me is able to stop Washingtons machine from gradually destroying our country, and instead the reality is that they, common Americans, the people, possess the real power over Washington, then Ill be here by their side to rebuild it. Related: Will Marjorie Taylor Greene turn the Maga movement against Trump? | Arwa Mahdawi Until then Im going back to the people I love, to live life to the fullest as I always have, and look forward to a new path ahead, Greene added. In a phone conversation with an ABC News reporter, Trump was quoted as saying Greenes resignation was great news. He added that Greene hadnt given him notice but it doesnt matter, you know but I think its great. I think she should be happy. Previously, Trump has called Greene a traitor and wacky and said he would endorse a challenger against her when she ran for re-election next year. In a social media post last week, Trump speculated that Greene had turned against him because he advised her not to run for Senate and claimed she was upset that I dont return her phone calls. In response, Greene accused Trump of lying and said she believed it was her persistent calls for his administration to release the Epstein files that sent him over the edge. Greene did not give the House speaker, Mike Johnson, advance notice of her resignation, according to NBC News. Her departure in January will narrow Johnsons already razor-thin majority, leaving him less room to maneuver. Greene explained her decision in a 10-minute social media video posted on X on Friday night. In her resignation statement, she said: I have fought harder than almost any other elected Republican to elect Donald Trump and Republicans to power Through it all I have never changed or went back on my campaign promises America First should mean America First and only Americans First, with no other foreign country ever being attached to America First in our halls of government. Last week, Greene said she had been contacted by private security firms with warnings for my safety after Trump announced he was withdrawing his support for and endorsement of her. In a post on X, Greene said that a hotbed of threats against me are being fueled and egged on by the most powerful man in the world, without referring to Trump by name, adding it was the man I supported and helped get elected. Greene reiterated these threats in her statement, saying that she has faced never ending personal attacks, death threats, lawfare, ridiculous slander and lies about me, that most people could never withstand even for a day. Her resignation comes after months of opinions that go against those of the White House and some of her Republican colleagues. Earlier this month, Trump pushed back against criticism from Greene, saying she had lost her way after she accused him of paying too much attention to foreign affairs and not enough to the rising cost of living in the US points she also addressed in her Friday statement. Greene said she had broken with the US president over several issues, including the issuing of H-1B visas to skilled foreign workers, a ban on AI regulation, 50-year mortgage scams, involvement in foreign wars, and the release of files related to the crimes of Epstein, the late pedophile Trump socialized with for more than 15 years. Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the president of the United States, whom I fought for, Greene said. Greene has been an outspoken opponent of Israels war on Gaza, with US support, calling it a genocide. If I am cast aside by Maga Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that cant even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well, Greene said. Her resignation comes halfway through her third term in the US House of Representatives. In her resignation speech, she did not say what she would do next but hinted at a future in politics, saying: When the common American people finally realize and understand that the Political Industrial Complex of both parties is ripping this country apart [and] that they, common Americans, The People, possess the real power over Washington, then Ill be here by their side to rebuild it. Political strategist Shermichael Singleton said Greene might be looking at future plan. If I were advising her, hey, you might be able to get through this brief moment in time, Singleton told CNN. But perhaps she thought otherwise. Maybe shes looking at future plans. But this is a big shocker. Trump won her district in the 2024 presidential race with 68% of the vote; Greene won re-election with 64%. Despite strong support for Trump, voters in Greenes district seemed to be unaffected by the representatives scuffle with the president, according to NBC News. A school dormitory after gunmen attacked the girls' boarding school in Kebbi state on Monday. Photograph: Africa Independent Television/AIT/Reuters Unknown gunmen have abducted 215 schoolchildren and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in central Nigeria, the second mass abduction in the country in a week. The latest kidnapping, in Papiri community in Niger state, came against the backdrop of Donald Trumps threat to intervene militarily to end a Christian genocide, which the Nigerian government has denied is happening. Abubakar Usman, the state government secretary, said in a statement: The Niger state government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St Marys School in Agwara local government area. The Niger State Police Command said the abductions took place in the early hours, and that military and security forces have since been deployed to the community. Dauda Chekula, 62, said that four of his grandchildren, ranging in age from seven to 10, were among the schoolchildren abducted. We dont know what is happening now, because we have not heard anything since this morning, Chekula told the Associated Press. The children who were able to escape have scattered. Some of them ran back to their houses and the only information we are getting is that the attackers are still moving with the remaining children into the bush. Niger, the biggest of the countrys 36 states, runs west from the capital, Abuja, to neighbouring Benin. The incident in the early hours of Friday is the third documented mass school abduction in the state in the last decade. In the last attack in Niger state, in May 2021, 135 pupils were abducted from an Islamic seminary, six of whom died while being held. On Monday, gunmen stormed a girls boarding school in neighbouring Kebbi state, abducting 25 schoolgirls and killing the vice-principal. According to local reports, security forces had relayed information about the plot and spent the night guarding the school but left the scene early. The heavily armed security personnel spent time taking photographs with the students, only to abandon them 30 minutes before the attack, the state governor said. Afterward, Nigerias president, Bola Tinubu, ordered the junior defence minister Bello Matawalle to relocate to the state to help with rescue efforts. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but analysts and locals say gangs often target schools, travellers and remote villagers in kidnappings for ransom. Authorities say the gunmen are mostly former herders who have taken up arms against farming communities after clashes over strained resources. Africas most populous country is beset by multiple overlapping insecurity crises across its central and northern states, of which kidnapping for ransom is just one facet. On Monday, the extremist group Islamic West Africa Province (Iswap) claimed responsibility for the death of a Nigerian general in north-eastern Borno state. Iswap released footage of his death as well as WhatsApp chats about a failed rescue attempt. Earlier this week, gunmen abducted 38 worshippers from a church in Kwara state, Niger states southern neighbour, after a brutal attack that left at least two dead, according to church officials. The attack was seen by millions of people due to a live stream of the service that was taking place. The kidnappers have since demanded a ransom of 100m naira (52,662) a person, a possible indication that the kidnapping was financially motivated rather than ideological. Related: Why is Donald Trump threatening military intervention in Nigeria? Regardless of motive, the scale and frequency of the attacks and kidnappings has heightened pressure on the government as it endeavours to avoid an escalating diplomatic row with the Trump administration, which has classified Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC), a designation given to countries where the government is deemed to have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedoms. US lawmakers including Ted Cruz have helped spread claims of a Christian genocide being under way in Nigeria. Trump has since said that US forces could go guns-a-blazing into Nigeria if the country fails to protect its Christian population. There has been a flurry of activity on Capitol Hill and in the Vatican as the situation has unfolded. Jonathan Pratt, a senior official with the US Bureau of African Affairs, told Congress on Thursday: Terrorists, separatists, bandits and criminal militias in Nigeria are all over the country, with ongoing attacks often deliberately targeting Christian communities. Nigerias government has rejected claims of an anti-Christian genocide and says the victims of the attacks are from all faiths. On Wednesday, Tinubu announced he was cancelling planned trips to South Africa and Angola this weekend for the G20 and AU-EU summits respectively. Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump spoke briefly during a summit of European and Middle Eastern leaders on Gaza in Egypt on Oct 13 - Evan Vucci /Getty Sir Keir Starmer may prefer playing the role of a global statesman to the more mundane duties of running the country. But, as US President Donald Trumps latest peace proposal for ending the Ukraine war demonstrates, his ability to influence key events is negligible. Just as Iraq became the defining foreign policy issue of Tony Blairs tenure in Downing Street, the Ukraine conflict has the potential to be every bit as challenging, especially if Trump is allowed to proceed with his wholesale sell-out of the Ukrainian cause. For all Blairs shortcomings, at least he was able to exert a modicum of influence over the Bush White House. He cajoled President George W Bush to seek UN backing for his confrontation with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, even though most of the key players in the Bush administration thought it would be a waste of time which turned out to be the case. By contrast, Never Here Keir appears incapable of making any meaningful impression on the Trump administration, and this despite his constant efforts to lobby support both in Washington and Europe for the Ukrainian cause. Sir Keir continues to clock up the air miles, attending the G20 Leaders Summit in Johannesburg on Nov 22 - Yves Herman/Reuters Among the many unpalatable terms set out in Trumps latest proposals for ending the Ukraine conflict is the demand that, in return for a lasting ceasefire, Ukraine will be barred from hosting foreign troops and receiving any weaponry such as long-range missiles that could pose a threat to Russias security. At a stroke, Trump has dismissed the one concrete proposal Starmer has put forward for maintaining support for Ukraine once hostilities cease, namely his idea of creating a coalition of the willing to safeguard Kyivs future security. While Starmer has struggled to define the coalitions precise format first there were to be British boots on the ground, then there were none the concept has nevertheless helped to crystallise thinking among Ukraines European allies about the practical measures they could take to protect Ukraine against any future acts of Russian aggression. Foremost among these has been the suggestion that Ukraine be brought into the Nato fold another initiative that has been roundly rejected by Trump. Indeed, it is abundantly clear that neither Starmer, who continues to boast about the special bond he has established with the US president, nor any other European leader was consulted by the White House during its bilateral talks with Moscow that resulted in the abomination of a deal now being offered to the Ukrainian people. Starmers inability to exercise any meaningful influence over Trump on the vital issue of Ukraine is hardly surprising - Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/AFP If Starmer had any genuine cachet in the White House, then at the very least the Trump administration might have shown the basic courtesy of consulting Downing Street about his post-conflict proposals for Ukraine. Instead Starmer finds himself in the humiliating position of seeing all of his suggestions, from establishing a coalition of the willing to Ukraines membership of Nato, completely dismissed. Starmers inability to exercise any meaningful influence over Trump on the vital issue of Ukraine which has all the potential to provoke World War Three if not handled properly is hardly surprising given his inability to provide clear and effective leadership on key global issues. This, after all, is a prime minister who seems prepared to approve Chinas plans to build a mega-embassy in the heart of London at a time when Beijing is emerging as the most serious long-term threat to our national security. No doubt if Trump had the power to block the development, he would. Nor is this the first time Trump has completely ignored Starmer on a key global issue. Trumps wide-ranging peace plan to end the Gaza conflict was conceived without any meaningful input from the British premier, who seemed more interested in demonising Israel than having any viable proposals for bringing peace to Gaza. So while Starmer continues clocking up the air miles, attending meaningless summits in countries as far afield as Brazil and South Africa in the past week alone, his ability to bring any influence to bear on the great issues of the day is non-existent. People protest the legislatures efforts to change the states congressional district maps in Jefferson City, Missouri, 10 September 2025. Photograph: Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star via Getty Images When canvassers fan out across neighborhoods, they usually rely on sophisticated lists that will tell them things like a voters political party and how likely they are to support a given cause. Jill Imbler isnt bothering with any of that. The 69-year-old has lived in Moberly a Missouri town of about 14,000 people her entire life. She doesnt use a GPS when she drives around, knows where people live, and what time theyre likely to be home. And theres a pretty good chance that she, or one of her six siblings, knows them personally. She also knows theres a pretty good chance they dont agree with her politically. Imbler is the President of the Randolph county Democrat club, and Randolph county is just about as Republican as you can get. Donald Trump won the county by more than 50 points in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections. He also handily carried the state in all three elections. But Imbler nevertheless started collecting signatures to repeal a new congressional map abruptly passed by Missouri Republicans in mid-September. At the request of Donald Trump, Republicans called a special legislative session and carved out the Kansas City congressional district of longtime Democratic representative Emanuel Cleaver, and replaced it with a Republican one. It was part of a nationwide push by Trump to get about half a dozen Republican-controlled states to rejigger maps to find more GOP seats ahead of the 2026 midterms. But Missouri offers something distinct: a chance for voters to rebuke politicians and stop the map from going into effect. A provision added to the Missouri constitution in 1908 allows voters to pause most enacted laws from going into effect and put them up for a referendum if they gather enough signatures. Since 1908, Missouri voters have used the citizens veto process about two dozen times. In nearly every case, voters have chosen to repeal the statute they have been asked to vote on. The Missouri legislature approved the map in mid-September and Governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, signed it into law at the end of the month. Imbler, her husband Lynn, and canvassers across Missouri have until 11 December to turn in more than 106,000 signatures that must come from six of the states eight congressional districts. If they can, the new map will be on hold until voters decide whether to adopt it in a 2026 referendum. Canvassers say they have already collected more than 200,000 signatures and say they plan to turn in more. We turn in signatures, the map goes on hold, said Richard Von Glahn, the executive director of People not Politicians, the group leading the signature gathering effort. The Missouri effort is being closely watched amid an all out mid-decade redistricting war between Democrats and Republicans that will shape which party controls the US House of Representatives. Republicans currently have a razor-thin three seat majority, but have redrawn congressional districts in Missouri, Texas and North Carolina to add as many as seven seats. (The Texas map was recently struck down by a three-judge panel, but the US supreme court temporarily halted the ruling on Friday while an appeal is pending.) Democrats are poised to counter those gains with their own redrawn maps in California and Virginia. Recognizing the huge consequences of the Missouri effort, outside groups have poured money into the campaign. Committees on both sides have raised about $7m, which includes funds from national Republicans opposing the effort. Imbler, a retired teachers aide, ran for a few local offices in the 90s, and said she was outraged when she saw Missouri lawmakers move to weaken ballot referendums approved by Missouri voters last year that protected abortion and raised the minimum wage. I realized, wait a minute, we dont have the final say, she said over a cup of coffee at the Bean, a coffee shop just a few blocks from the old train depot at the center of town. It pissed me off I realized this is not right. When we first took this on, there were several comments made about oh my gosh, youre actually going to go door to door here in Moberly, she said. I said, Yeah Im going to. If the door shuts in my face, it shuts in my face. But on a warm fall afternoon earlier this month, doors werent closing in front of Imbler at all. As Imbler popped door to door at an apartment complex for retirees, she barely had to mention gerrymandering before people would say they were willing to sign. Have you heard about the gerrymandering, where theyre redistricting all the congressional districts, she would begin. They changed all of our congressional districts to try to push the power so Republicans can have most of the seats. Theyre trying to get Emanuel Cleaver out, she said. Normally we do that at the end of the decade after a census, and Governor Kehoe decided he hasnt given us any reason for why he decided to do it in the middle of the decade, she added. Nearly everyone she spoke with over the course of an hour decided to sign. I feel that way because I think theyre manipulating to stack their votes up in one spot, said one of the voters who signed the petition. I think things need to be left alone, said another voter who signed. Theres some things that shouldnt be changed. Imbler has been making a similar pitch across Moberly since early October when she began collecting signatures. A few weeks ago, she said she had been in Cairo, a tiny town just outside of Moberly, to track down a man who had wanted to sign. She left her phone number with him and told him to pass it along to anyone else who might be interested. By the time she got home, she had gotten nine more signatures on the gerrymandering petition. People know me. I mean, if I dont know you personally, I either taught your kid, or I went to school with your brother, or I rode the bus with your sister, or worked with you, she said. When people see that this is an issue that Im willing to get out and ask for signatures for, they understand Im not a radical either way. Her tour also included a stop at a local motorcycle shop in town in late October during a toy drive. Imbler went to school with the two men who now run the shop and they agreed to let her set up a table in their showroom. She and Lynn set up a table in between a Trump 2024 sign and a rebel flag. [They] were willing to sign and willing to agree that this isnt about Democrat or Republican, this is about the vote of the people, she said. By the end of the day they collected 56 signatures. Recognizing the likelihood of the new map being blocked, Republicans have launched an all-out effort to halt the referendum. Missouri secretary of state Denny Hoskins, a Republican, is trying to get more than 90,000 signatures thrown out. A group funded by the Republican National Committee recently sent out a text message encouraging people to withdraw their signatures on the petitions. The Missouri attorney general has also filed a separate lawsuit based on a fringe legal theory arguing that the state legislature has the exclusive power to draw congressional districts, so it cannot be overturned through a citizens veto. A shadowy group has offered canvassers $5,000 to stop collecting signatures, the Kansas City Star reported. This isnt an easy undertaking. Its not just something you do because maybe youre a little upset, Von Glahn said. Its really reserved for major infractions of the legislature. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. It was a red-letter day for brothers Connor and Daniel King at Punchestown, as Oscars Brother continued his climb up the novice chasing ranks to land the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase. Fresh from making all to open his account over fences at Galway last month, the 7-4 favourite was to the fore again, taking the step up to Grade Two level in his stride with some sure-footed jumping to see off Henry de Bromheads Koktail Divin by three lengths. Delighted trainer Connor King said: Weve always liked him. He did well over hurdles and we always hoped hed be a better chaser. Ive been keeping my eye on this race for a long time. I remember there were only three runners in it last year and thinking it would be a nice race to aim for. I think he jumped better the last day, but he got the job done. Looking to future plans, King added: Its disappointing for us they have got rid of the three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown (at Christmas). Limerick is two-miles-five (Faugheen Novices Chase) and it will probably be heavy ground so that might suit him, and we could travel as well. Staying races are his thing and theres plenty to look forward to. I still think theres loads left in him and hes always fresh after his races. I dont think we have got to the bottom of him. There was an all-Willie Mullins finish to the Conway Piling Beginners Chase where Grade Three-winning hurdler Kitzbuhel (8-15 favourite) made the perfect introduction over the larger obstacles, edging out stablemate Kaid dAuthie by a length and a quarter. The five-year-old could now meet Oscars Brother over the Christmas period. Mullins said: He needed that. It was a nice performance, he jumped economically and Paul (Townend, jockey) was happy hed improve from it. Well look for a race after Christmas, maybe the one at Limerick. Quinta Do Lago (6-5 favourite) confirmed the promise of his easy win at Cork when knuckling down to take the opening Total Event Rental 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle. Jessica Harringtons charge was given a quote of 50-1 by Paddy Power for the Triumph Hurdle, with the trainers daughter and assistant Kate Harrington confirming Cheltenham would be on the agenda. She said: I was a little worried he lacked that bit of experience against horses from the Flat. He looked like he was beaten turning in, but he put his head down and came through a tight gap between horses. Were going to aim towards Cheltenham, but well see how he comes out of this first. Gordon Elliotts Santo Sospir (11-8 favourite) gamely landed the Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle, after which stable representative Lisa ONeill said: I think further will definitely suit him and he handles those ground conditions, so hell have loads of options for the winter. Hopefully he can step up to graded level. It may feel like a rip in the time-space continuum. On one side of the tear, theres a universe in which America is run by a wannabe king who uses the invasion of an ally as an opportunity for profit, who lies, cheats and backstabs his friends. On the other stand Americas closest comrades, insisting that Washingtons a force for good. There is only one reality, and it is time to confront it. America is no longer the leader of the West, let alone the rest of the world. Its got the biggest armed forces. It has the biggest economy and the widest cultural reach the world has ever seen. But its democracy is collapsing, and it has been captured by a cult of ignorant grifters. They are in bed with tech-bro fantasists who believe they can control the media and bend minds, while genetically engineering their way to a master class ruling the world as high-technocrats. Europes leaders gathered in Johannesburg for the G20 over the weekend. They went into huddles at the meeting to decide how to react to Donald Trumps latest pro-Russian plan for Ukraine to surrender, and American business (the Trump Organization?) to profit. The question they need to ask themselves is whether now is the time to stop bothering with the grovelling and flattery, in return for keeping the Toddler-in-Chief from throwing a king-sized tantrum? The answer, according to a senior Western source intimately involved in the real-world security of Europe and the UK, is to just tell him to f*** off. Sorely tempting, of course. Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last August. The new peace plan has been roundly criticised for favouring Russia (AFP/Getty) And the source is right to explain that the time is now overdue for Europe, Canada, the UK and many other allies to establish military and intelligence independence from the US. Why? Because the US is so busy eviscerating its own democracy that within a year, it will more closely resemble the Russia of Vladimir Putin than anything that would be recognised as a Western democracy. Trump has been defoliating every branch of Americas complex constitutional structures. The judiciary itself, the lawyers that serve it, the security and military forces, his Republican Party, the Federal Reserve bank and the media are all being turned to an authoritarian agenda that will endure among his heirs, political or personal. Trumps 28-point plan for peace in Ukraine was cooked up between Steve Witkoff, his envoy to the Middle East, and Moscow. Witkoff is witless. He uses his personal cell phone on trips to Moscow and Tel Aviv, where its contents are doubtless plundered in real time. His pro-Russian plan for Ukraine was agreed with Kirill Alexandrovich Dmitriev, a Russian businessman and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which has at least $10bn of Russian government funds to co-invest in the Russian economy. Dmitriev has been sanctioned by the US Treasury doing business with him is illegal for an American, but Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, was also there. Kirill Dmitriev talks to Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg in April this year (Reuters) The US side of this group was also behind the Gaza ceasefire deal. There has been no ceasefire in Gaza, but the deal, worked out with Israel but with no Palestinian participation, will (if it works) effectively outsource the Israeli occupation, or control over, Gaza to foreign armies with no long-term prospect of peace for either Israelis or Palestinians. No one is telling Trump that. For a sense of why not, heres part of what Witkoff said during a sycophantic show session of the US cabinet in August this year: Your team is nothing short of incredible, and theres only one thing I wish for, that that Nobel committee finally gets its act together and realises that you are the single finest candidate since the Nobel Peace this Nobel award was ever talked about, to receive that reward. Your success is game-changing out in the world today, and I hope everybody one day wakes up and realises that. Thank you, sir. Witkoff knows how to handle Trump, he thinks. By saying the 47th president is a finer candidate than Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Elie Wiesel and Mother Theresa, he hopes to ensure his role at the centre of things, no matter how little he comprehends of them. He also knows that, along with the flattery, Trump wants to see a profit. The Ukraine offer is for Putin to be given the pre-prepared defensive lines that Ukraine has built in its fortress belt in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson provinces without a shot being fired. In return, Ukraine will give up its long-range weapons, halve its armed forces, forever forsake joining Nato, and sign up to Belarus-style vassal status under the Kremlin. And the new bit of this old Russian set of demands is that American companies get 50 per cent of the profits from a $100bn reconstruction fund for Ukraine, using frozen Kremlin assets. Thats on top of the extortionate minerals deal that Zelensky signed with the Trump administration, which promises American control of 50 per cent of the profits from Ukraines as-yet-untapped mineral resources. Volodymyr Zelensky has been given until Thursday to sign up to a deal heavily favouring Russia (AFP/Getty) Both are great deals for Russia. And for Trumps industry buddies. Moscow smashes it, America rebuilds it, and Ukraine pays protection money to Washington forever. Trump has set next Thursday for Ukraine to sign up. Its unclear what the or else can be because the US no longer supplies Ukraine with weapons. Intelligence support does come from Washington but the European Union, the UK and others have been working hard to prepare Ukraine for when this flow of critical data is cut, because America cannot be trusted as an ally. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, set out a route to a smarter way to deal with Trumps plan to profit from Ukraines surrender without ever mentioning Americas president herself. Our position has not changed. For any peace plan to succeed, it has to be supported by Ukraine, and it has to be supported by Europe. If Russia really wanted peace, they would have accepted the unconditional ceasefire offer already in March. Russias hybrid actions in Europe are increasingly brazen. Russia is committing state-sponsored terrorism, she said, adding that the EU, which has no forces, has many ways we can respond. One of these should be not to tell Trump to eff off. As every parent knows, when a toddler is heading into a tantrum, the best way to bring it back to reality is to ignore it. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has not replied to a request by a US Congress committee to be interviewed in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images Related: Latest Epstein emails cast further doubt on Andrews claim of cutting ties Keir Starmer has increased the pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to cooperate with a congressional investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, saying those who are caught up in child sexual offence cases should disclose any information they have. Asked whether Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last month, should respond to the US House oversight committee, the prime minister said those with relevant information should share it. The former prince had a long friendship with Epstein and is alleged to have sexually assaulted one of his victims, Virginia Giuffre allegations he denies. Starmers comments came after Mountbatten-Windsor failed to respond to an interview request from the committee, prompting an angry response from two of its members. Starmer said: I wont comment on his particular case. But as a general principle Ive held for a very long time is that anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kind of cases should give that evidence to those that need it. He added that Mountbatten-Windsors response would be a decision for him but said: My general position is if you have relevant information you should be prepared to share it. Related: Former prince Andrew accused of hiding from US Houses Epstein inquiry The committee is conducting an inquiry into Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. As part of that investigation, members of the committee wrote to Mountbatten-Windsor asking for an interview and giving him a deadline of 20 November to respond. Two Democrats on the committee said this week the former prince had not responded by the deadline. Robert Garcia, the most senior Democrat on the committee, and his colleague Suhas Subramanyam said in a statement Andrews silence speaks volumes. The documents weve reviewed, along with public records and Virginia Roberts Giuffres testimony, raise serious questions he must answer, yet he continues to hide, the pair said. Our work will move forward with or without him, and we will hold anyone who was involved in these crimes accountable, no matter their wealth, status, or political party. We will get justice for the survivors. Despite their comments, the Democrats are unlikely to be able to compel Mountbatten-Windsor to speak to them without the backing of the Republicans, who chair the committee and are in the majority. Related: The banality of evil: how Epsteins powerful friends normalised him James Comer, the Republican who chairs the committee, has not said whether he would seek to force the former prince to testify, though the subject of Epstein remains highly sensitive for his party, given President Donald Trumps involvement in it. Earlier this week Trump signed into law the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which will compel the attorney general, Pam Bondi, to release documents related to the governments handling of his case within 30 days. If Congress did decide to issue a subpoena, Mountbatten-Windsor who has denied wrongdoing could avoid the legal penalties for non-compliance by not coming to the US. Marjorie Taylor Greene talks with reporters after a meeting at the Capitol Hill Club in September 2025. Photograph: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images The Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is used to delivering shocks to American politics, mainly to her Democratic and liberal opponents who have long seen her as a rightwing firebrand, but latterly to her own side as she rebelled against Donald Trump over the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Her dramatic announcement of her resignation on Friday was a typical act: out of the blue, full of punchy language and rage and mostly unexpected by people on both sides of the political aisle. She railed against the political industrial complex and said not one elected leader like me is able to stop Washingtons machine from gradually destroying our country. Greene long known as MTG will now leave Congress in January. She gave little hint of what she plans to do next, though it was rumored that one of her reasons for falling out with Trump was in part an opposition to her running for Senate in her home state. But, officially at least, Greenes resignation letter said: Im going back to the people I love, to live life to the fullest as I always have, and look forward to a new path ahead. Here are some career highlights: Early writing career Greene began her public career properly in 2017 when she began writing for a conspiracy-laden website called American Truth Seekers. She also joined the conservative group, the Family America Project, and began to become a political activist. Running for Congress (and winning) After considering several different Georgia congressional districts Greene settled on the 14th district for the 2020 election. She ran as an unabashed pro-Trump candidate in the Republican primary, though she was not endorsed by him. She wielded an assault rifle, slammed socialism and antifa and staked out the extremist positions she became famous for. When she faced a Republican runoff in the party primary, Trump finally backed her and she romped home to easily win the reliably red seat in the general election. Trump loyalist from the start On her first day in office after the 2020 election victory of Joe Biden, Greene wore a face mask that stated: Trump won. Trump, in fact, had not won the election. But it showed Greenes trademark style: bold, far right, conspiracy minded. Baseless conspiracy theories Despite winning repeated elections in her seat, Greene became a symbol for Democrats at least of the extremist, conspiracy-orientated mindset of the Maga movement. She was famed for endorsing the idea of violence or the death penalty against her opponents, once telling a follower who asked if they could hang the former president, Barack Obama, that the stage is being set. A 2018 Facebook post was unearthed in which she appeared to suggest a wildfire was caused by a space laser controlled by a prominent Jewish banking family. She was critical of the climate crisis and close to believing that the government could control the weather. Growing dissent But, despite her record, over the past year Greene has broken with Trump and the broader Maga movement on several key issues. One was support for Israel, where Greenes condemnation of Israels war on Gaza often stood to the left of many Democrats as she labeled the actions a genocide. The second was the release of the Epstein files, which she endorsed in the face of strong opposition from Trump himself. Trump breaks with Greene On 14 November Trump posted on Truth Social that he was abandoning Greene. All I see Wacky Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN! he wrote, suggesting that she was angry at him for not wanting her to run for the US Senate. He slammed her for opposing the party and accused her of moving left. She has gone Far Left, even doing The View, with their Low IQ Republican hating Anchors, he added. Greene announces her resignation A week later Greene gave her definitive response, announcing she was resigning from her seat in Congress in January. Her letter of resignation summed up her astonishingly fast rise and, perhaps, fall. It was full of loyalty to the ideas of Trump and Maga, even while decrying their failures. If I am cast aside by MAGA Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that cant even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well, she raged. Katya Jones and Lewis Cope topped the leaderboard with a Charleston to an Arctic Monkeys cover (BBC/Guy Levy) (CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy) Strictly Come Dancing took us on our annual trip to a sparkly Blackpool, with judge Anton Du Beke proclaiming it to be the best trip to the north in the show's history. Six couples made full use of the springy floor and gave it their all, flanked by stunning extra dancers. Sadly, we were one couple short this week, as La Voix was forced to sit out due to a leg injury and will be leaving the competition. An extravagant opening number from Steps, backed by the professional dancers, judges and remaining celebrities, set the tone for a glitzy night in the famous Tower Ballroom. With a bit of Arctic Monkeys, a dash of S Club 7 and some Supertramp, the Blackpool special didn't disappoint. Here are the highlights... Steps medley provides the perfect start Steps kicked off Blackpool week in style. (BBC/Guy Levy) (CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy) Iconic 1990s band Steps kicked things off in style with some of their most famous hits yes, even that one. It would have been a Tragedy if they hadn't, to be honest. The professional dancers all decked out in blue and silver backed the group and were soon joined by the four judges as well as the remaining celebrities. La Voix exits Strictly after leg injury Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman shared some news before the show began (BBC One screenshot) Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed that La Voix, who was missing from Blackpool due to injury, has sadly had to withdraw from the competition. Earlier this week, the drag star said a 'niggle' in the leg slowly got 'worse and worse'. She told spin-off show It Takes Two on Wednesday: "We tried on Monday to learn this weeks dance, but it was clear that I was really struggling and in pain. La Voix watched from the audience after being forced to withdraw through injury (BBC One screenshot) Since La Voix is unable to continue in the competition, the hosts then revealed there would not be an elimination this week, leaving all six celebrities knowing their place in week 10 was secure from the off. The show will say a proper goodbye to La Voix and partner Aljaz Skorjanec in the results show. La Voix later wrote on Instagram, confirming her departure in an emotional goodbye post. "With the guidance of the medical team and a heavy, heavy heart, I have to officially withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing," she wrote. "What upsets me most is feeling like Ive let my wonderful partner down. Im devastated not to be able to continue the adventure with him, but Im endlessly grateful for everything hes given me throughout this experience." "This isnt the ending I imagined, but Ill cherish every moment I had on that dancefloor," the statement concluded. Lewis Cope gets another 40 Lewis Cope and Katya Jones get their perfect score (BBC One screenshot) Lewis Cope and Katya Jones scored the second full house of the series, three weeks after their first in Halloween week. Their Charleston to I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys wowed with intricate kicks, flicks and plenty of character. Motsi Mabuse hailed the actor's "insane energy" while Shirley Ballas complimented the "Blackpool extravaganza". "Wow, unbelievable," added Du Beke, who declared Cope had "cracked the dancing malarky." Upstairs with Winkleman, Cope acknowledged the extra dancers "bringing something to the room they can't" before celebrating 10s across the board. Karen Carney visits a fortune teller Karen Carney and Carlos Gu visited a fortune teller (BBC One screenshot) To get in the mood for her Paso Doble, Karen Carney and her partner, Carlos Gu, visited a local fortune teller to see how the future was looking. On the dance floor, the former England international stunned with an intense routine to the classical music "O Fortuna" from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. "That's how you score a goal, that's for sure!" began Craig Revel Horwood as the couple received their comments. "You are absolutely incredible," he added as the audience broke into applause. Karen Carney brought intensity to the paso doble in Blackpool. (BBC/Guy Levy) (CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy) A look at the Blackpool leaderboard Strictly Come Dancing does Blackpool leaderboard (BBC One screenshot) Cope sat pretty at the top of the scoreboard with a full set of 10s, closely followed by Carney and George Clarke, just one off the full house. Meanwhile, Balvinder Sopal scored the lowest of the night with 33 for her Argentine Tango to The Logical Song by Supertramp. As nobody is going home this weekend, all points and votes will be carried over to next week when the dance-off will return. Strictly Come Dancing's results show airs Sunday, November 23, at 7.15pm on BBC One. This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/strictly-come-dancing-week-9-highlights-blackpool-bbc-201849818.html China donates winter relief supplies to Palestinian families in West Bank Xinhua) 11:14, November 22, 2025 RAMALLAH, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- A donation ceremony was held on Thursday in the Far'a camp in the northern West Bank to distribute winter relief supplies from China to Palestinian families. The supplies were donated by the Chinese office in Palestine through the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation. Head of the office Zeng Jixin said during the ceremony that China consistently and firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, always stands with the Palestinian people, and provides humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian side to the best of its ability. China consistently believes that the implementation of the two-state solution is the only viable path to the comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, Zeng said. China has organized winter donation activities in several refugee camps across Palestine for four consecutive years, and this year's donation of blankets and electric heaters is expected to benefit about 2,000 refugee and low-income families in four West Bank governorates: Tubas, Jenin, Tulkarm and Hebron, he said. China will continue to convey warmth and friendship through concrete actions, reflecting the profound bond between the peoples of China and Palestine, he added. "I extend my sincere thanks to China for all the support it provides to Palestine, especially the support that strengthens the resilience of our people, including providing necessities such as winter clothing and food packages," Maisoon al-Qadoomi, coordinator of Palestine projects at the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation, told Xinhua during the ceremony. "We are very proud of this cooperation and this partnership (with the Chinese side), and we cherish it greatly. We are constantly working to strengthen and enhance it in order to help our people from needy families," she said. The two sides on Thursday also visited local families in the northern Jordan Valley and donated blankets and electric heaters there. Farmer Lotfi Bani Odeh, 65, expressed gratitude for the relief supplies, saying the donation "strengthens the resilience of our people here, who remain steadfast on our land." (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) England suffered another Ashes nightmare Down Under after falling to a humiliating two-day defeat in the first Test against Australia. A two-month tour that began with high hopes of regaining the urn just 48 hours earlier lurched towards a brutal eight-wicket loss that was their fastest since their last two-day capitulation in 1921. Englands error-prone batting was found wanting for the second day in a row as they tossed away a strong position and opened the door to a thrashing at the hands of 69-ball centurion Travis Head. A disappointing start to the series. We're beaten in Perth. pic.twitter.com/gsmjButBLy England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 22, 2025 Sterling work by their pace attack somehow turned their day one effort of 172 into a first-innings lead of 40, and just after lunch that had swelled to 105 for the lost of a single wicket. But they proceeded to lose nine for 99 a job for the emergency services in any country as the worst fears of England fans came true. Some late blows from the tail left Australia chasing 205, the highest score of the match, but they walked it as Head smashed the English attack to all parts. Stepping up as makeshift opener with Usman Khawaja nursing back pain he hammered 123 in 83 balls, the second-quickest Ashes hundred ever, as a crestfallen bowling group saw their previous menace evaporate. But the real fault lay with the batters who pressed them back into service so soon. England were unforgivably loose in losing all 20 wickets in just 67.5 overs and their inability to keep out a Baggy Green attack shorn of key men Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will cut deep. In their absence Mitchell Starc was unstoppable, taking combined figures of 10 for 133. Travis Head raises his bat as he walks off the field after being dismissed (Robbie Stephenson/PA) Australia were bowled out for 132 in the morning, Brydon Carse taking the final scalp, but Englands problems began almost immediately as Zak Crawley was dismissed for his second duck of the match. On both occasions he has failed to see out the first over from Starc and looks in a torrid place. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope restored calm in a stand of 65 as the lead ticked past three figures but Scott Boland had Duckett caught behind to kickstart the chaos. A ruinous sequence followed as Pope, Harry Brook and Joe Root were dismissed in the space of six deliveries without a run added to the total. Pope, who led a charmed life for his 33, finally provided the edge he had been threatening against Boland, who then got the dangerous Brook for nought as he fenced at his third delivery. Starc then picked up the baton. Following career-best figures of seven for 58 in the first innings, as well as a second rout of Crawley in the morning, he sent Roots stumps flying off a big inside edge before having Englands inspirational captain Ben Stokes caught in the cordon. Mitchell Starc impressed once again (Robbie Stephenson/PA) Jamie Smith was controversially given caught behind off Brendan Doggett, with a painfully long DRS review going with the bowler. From 104 for seven, England piled on a lively 50 partnership as Gus Atkinson and Carse took on a ring of boundary fielders, sharing three fours and four sixes. But their luck ran out as the home side quelled the counter-attack just before the tea break, with Bolands four for 33 the pick. Khawajas fitness issues prompted a creative rethink, with the swashbuckling Head emerging to play a magical innings. Englands Joe Root walks off after being dismissed (Robbie Stephenson/PA) His presence instantly changed the terms of the debate, presenting England with a confident strokemaker rather than a tentative prodder. It proved an inspired decision as he took the pressure off rookie partner Jake Weatherald following his first-day duck. Head offered immediate impetus and blasts of adrenaline, uppercutting Carse for six straight over the wicketkeepers head and carving him extravagantly over deep third. As English heads dropped, he began flexing stepping inside the line of a 90mph ball from Mark Wood and whipping six more beyond fine leg. The speed gun showed that the quicks had lost their collective mojo and Carses dismissal of Weatherald for 23 barely lightened the mood. Head was in a rush to finish it, peppering the boundaries with abandon before holing out to allow skipper Steve Smith the honour of the winning runs. Marjorie Taylor Greene at a campaign event in Atlanta in October 2024. Photograph: John Bazemore/AP Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican Georgia congresswoman who had a dramatic blow-up with Donald Trump despite being his longtime ally, announced on Friday she would be resigning which the president called great news. Loyalty should be a two-way street, Greene said in a lengthy resignation statement shared on social media, adding that it was unfair and wrong that Trump turned on her for disagreeing with him. Trump, who last week announced he was withdrawing his support of Greene, appeared to celebrate her resignation. I think its great news for the country. Its great, he told an ABC News reporter. When asked if Greene had informed him, Trump said: Nah, it doesnt matter, you know, but I think its great. I think she should be happy. Greene had said last week she was the subject of a hotbed of threats after Trump withdrew his support for and endorsement of her. Greene reiterated those threats in her statement, saying she had faced never-ending personal attacks, death threats, lawfare, ridiculous slander and lies about me, that most people could never withstand even for a day. The Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, posted on social media: Im going to be honest I didnt see this coming but the threats that come with being on the opposite side of Trump ARE REAL! The move sent shock waves through US politics. The Republican political strategist Shermichael Singleton called it a big shocker. Maybe shes looking at future plans, Singleton told CNN. Greene may have an ally in the Democratic congressman Ro Khanna, who worked with her to pass the bill to release the files related to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. MTG is likely to be a formidable 2028 candidate, Khanna told NBC News. Her stances on Epstein, on regulating AI, and anti-war are more in touch with Maga voters than JD Vance. Maga influencer Steve Bannon told the New York Times the House is not big enough for Greenes ambitions or personality. She had her committee assignments pulled by Pelosi in her first term and rose to be a national figure. We havent seen or heard the last of M.T.G, he wrote in a text message. Some observers couldnt help but point out the strange turn of events a one-time Trump ally resigning hours after an Oval Office meeting in which Trump heaped praise on Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old democratic socialist mayor-elect of New York City whom he had called a 100% Communist Lunatic. Trump glazed Mamdani so hard Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress, Malcolm Kenyatta, a Democratic National Committee vice chair, wrote on X. Salleigh Grubbs, who used to chair the party in Cobb county which overlaps with Greenes 14th congressional district in north-west Georgia, said she was heartbroken. MTG put it all on the line time after time. She fought for her district and put America First. What more could anyone have wanted? she wrote on X. Shawn Harris, a Georgia Democrat running for Congress in Greenes solidly Republican district, sought to rally supporters in response to the announcement. As youve likely heard, Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her resignation effective January 5, 2026, Harris said in a post on social media on Friday. Get ready Georgia! Teachers, farmers, veterans, EVERYONE, I need your support. Her split with Trump made her an even bigger national sensation, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgias biggest newspaper, in its coverage of her resignation. Vanity Fair is looking at all the facts after Olivia Nuzzis former partner made shocking new allegations, including accusing her of having an affair with Mark Sanford, according to a report. Political journalist Ryan Lizza, Nuzzis ex-fiance, wrote a Substack essay titled Part 1: How I Found Out in which he described finding an incomplete love letter in 2020 addressed to another man. He went on to accuse Nuzzi of sleeping with Mark Sanford, the former GOP South Carolina governor and one-time presidential candidate. Nuzzi wrote a 2019 article for New York Magazine about Sanfords failed 2020 bid, raising concerns for her current employer about her compliance with journalistic ethics, according to the New York Times. We were taken by surprise, and we are looking at all the facts, a spokesperson for Vanity Fair told the paper about Lizzas allegations. A lawyer for Nuzzi denied the allegations, pointing out that her upcoming tell-all book American Canto only mentions one improper relationship. In American Canto, Ms. Nuzzi discusses the only instance in her long career as a journalist in which she had an improper relationship with someone she was covering, a lawyer for Nuzzi told the NYT, noting his client would not dignify efforts to impugn her character with any future response. Vanity Fair is reporting reviewing its ties to Olivia Nuzzi after her ex-partner made shocking allegations about an affair with Mark Sanford (AFP via Getty Images) The Independent has asked the magazine and a lawyer for Nuzzi for comment. Lizzas essay was published weeks before American Cantos release on December 2. I flipped to another page and saw a name and the first line of an unfinished love letter to him that included enough details to confirm a physical relationship and the hint of some kind of falling out, Lizza claimed. My heart stopped when I realized who he was. He was a famous politician, 32 years older than Olivia, and well-known for a sex scandal. His explosive essay also mentioned another figure: political commentator Keith Olbermann. Nuzzi had an unusual relationship with Olbermann, whom Lizza alleged paid for her to attend college, gifted her Tom Ford and Herve Leger dresses and some $15,000 worth of Cartier jewelry and lived with her in Manhattan. Ryan Lizza claimed he found Nuzzis partly written love letter to former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, whom she had profiled in 2019 (Getty Images for Politicon) Olbermann, a frequent critic of the current administration, confirmed to the NYT that the pair once lived together in a Trump building on the Upper East Side, if you can believe the irony. He came across Nuzzis writing on Twitter and thought shed be a good fit for a show he hosted at the time, he said. Instead of a professional relationship, however, they had a romantic one. It was marriage-y, he told the paper, noting they got puppies and tattoos together. It was very much an at-home-with-the-dogs sort of thing. One of the things that drew us together is that neither of us really liked people, he continued. Nuzzi fired back at Olbermann's comments, telling the NYT: I have not ever before and will not now acknowledge any claims made by this person. Before joining Vanity Fair this year, Nuzzi was the Washington correspondent for New York Magazine. She parted ways with her old gig in October 2024 after reports of a previously undisclosed personal relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was the subject of one of her pieces. In an excerpt of her forthcoming book, published in Vanity Fair this week, Nuzzi wrote about a character she dubbed the Politician, whose description and mention of a brain worm bears a resemblance to that of Health and Human Services Secretary. I did not like to think about it just as later I would not like to think about the worm in his brain that other people found so funny. I loved his brain. I hated the idea of an intruder therein, she wrote. Guernsey has turquoise seas that wouldn't look out of place in Barbados or Bermuda (Matt Ray / The Independent) After years of searching out the worlds best beginner surf spots, from Hawaiis Sunset Beach on Oahu, to Polzeath in Cornwall, I certainly wasnt expecting to have one of the best surf sessions of my life in the Atlantic waters off the coast of Guernsey. This self-governing crown dependency wears its Britishness on its sleeve. The street signs and country lanes, studded with pastel-painted homes, certainly look familiar, but if you stand still for a moment and breathe the place in, it suddenly feels very different. The plants, wildlife and scenery have a semi-tropical vibe to them. Even the air feels softer and warmer here, reminding me that while Guernsey is 70 miles from the south coast of England, its only 30 miles off Normandy. Despite being just nine miles long and three wide, the island has a host of long sandy beaches, secluded rocky coves and dramatic sea cliffs to explore. Its entirely possible to surf the Atlantic swell or sunbathe on the wide-open sands of Vazon Bay on the low-lying west coast, then hop onto an e-bike and traverse the island to the 90m-high craggy cliffs and Pirates cove of Petit Bot for a paddleboarding adventure. This part of the Atlantic coast boasts long sandy beaches, which are perfect for both sunbathing in the summer and surfing year-round (Matt Ray / The Independent) Staying on such a small island, I felt intimately connected to the sea. And because the water was so clear and clean, as if lit with underwater turquoise lights, it always looked inviting. As soon as I woke up in my room at the Peninsula Hotel, Id feel the itch to take a dip. Fortunately, the hotel is just down the road from Rousse Battery, and its long pier, built out into the bay with large stone blocks, providing the ideal platform for a pre-breakfast swim. I took a mask and snorkel and spent an absorbing 45 minutes searching among the sunken boulders. Sea grasses waved in the current and I was overjoyed to spot the multicoloured scales of a large rainbow wrasse as I swam overhead, whose iridescent bands of purple, orange and turquoise made it look more like an escapee from a tropical aquarium than a fish in British waters. Guernsey has a plethora of viewpoints around its coast, often aligned with defensive fortifications built in centuries past, and then bolstered by the bunker-building spree embarked upon by occupying Nazi forces in the Second World War; indeed, 2025 is the 80th anniversary of the islands liberation. Some of the most recognisable forts are the circular and distinctively utilitarian Guernsey Loophole Towers, which were constructed between 1778 and 1799 to ward off potential invasion by the French. Of the 15 constructed, 12 still stand and with their isolated, uniform design, they look surprisingly modern. These landmarks combine with a well-signposted and maintained network of trails, some of which form the continuous Guernsey coastal path, enjoyed by walkers and trail-runners with strong knees. Steep sections of the path around the eastern and southern coast offer access to some secluded beaches that you could only get to otherwise by boat. Later on, as I hiked atop these same high, rugged cliffs I was halted in my tracks as wisps of mist were blown away and the sea a hundred metres below suddenly burned a Caribbean blue as it gently lapped at a blazing crescent of white sand. Read more: These islands look like Barbados but theyre in the UK End of the day in Guernsey with the sun setting behind the shore (Matt Ray / The Independent) No wonder Pierre-Auguste Renoir produced some of his greatest works here, on a summer holiday in 1883. This is celebrated by the Renoir Walk in Moulin Huet Valley, which follows the painters footsteps and features five empty picture frames. These are placed in the exact locations Renoir composed his works, and allow you to line up the views he painted, of Moulin Huet Bay and the craggy Pea Stacks, within the frames. Its a nice idea but most people I saw on this trail just popped their faces into them for a seaside selfie and a more 21st-century artistic composition. It was early evening when I met Nick Hall, the contagiously enthusiastic surf instructor and manager of Guernsey Surf School, which operates in Vazon Bay. The surf shack is overlooked by one of the 18th-century isolated towers, which I spotted from a distance. After donning my wetsuit (the water isnt too cold but you do need a suit to surf) I headed out into the Atlantic swell. The waves were in the 2ft range, very clean, and the wave interval made them relatively easy to catch. Theres a surprisingly well established surf culture in Guernsey, and this beach break is known as the best on the island, particularly for learning. There are no rocks, the locals are friendly and the line-up doesnt get too crowded. As Nick explained, many of the surfers here are beginners or improvers, working hard on the basics and enjoying the benign conditions of a very approachable beach break. Paddleboarding allowed Matt to explore hidden coves (Matt Ray / The Independent) Read more: The best lesser-known European beach destinations A quick paddle out back beyond the breaking waves allowed me a moment to sit on my surfboard and soak in the view. The gentle arc of the bay sheltered the white sands of the beach, guarded by the outstretched arm of the headland, and tipped by Fort Hommet to the east. The scene was unlike anything Id seen before on a surfing beach; a mixture of white tropical sands, centuries-old fortresses nestled amid hedgerows, crystal-clear seawater and Atlantic breakers sent in directly from the open ocean. I popped up onto my feet and rode right on a long, flowing line of green, chased by white surf, almost all the way to the beach. My smile widened until I let out an involuntary whoop of pure joy. Later, with sea salt in my hair, I enjoyed a proper pint of Rocquette, the crisply dry, sparkling local cider at the Rockmount pub as I watched the last pink glimmers of the sun sink into the sea. That first sip briefly transported me back to a family roadtrip through Normandys gites and ripening apple orchards, and reflected that Guernsey is an island that delivers an intoxicating blend of the familiar and the exotic. Coasteering offers a unique viewpoint of the island (Matt Ray / The Independent) The next morning I headed to the rocky beauty spot of Petit Bot beach with local guide Antony Ford Parker, founder of Outdoor Guernsey, which runs paddleboarding, sea kayaking, coasteering and caving tours on the island. On paddleboards we headed out of sight of Petit Bot beach, around the red rocks of the headland, and into Portelet Bay. Antony gleefully regaled me with accounts of discovering lost smugglers caves within the cliffs, which are only accessible on certain tides. Guernseys tidal range is one of the worlds highest, at 10 metres. Further along the coast, we came to a huge crevasse in the rock called Les Sommelieus Cave. Paddling into it, I experienced the swell lifting me up like a giants palm as surf boomed out of sight, deep inside the cliff like Neptunes grumbling snore. Later, at La Moye, Antony pointed at a small, insignificant looking crease in the cliffs: If you swim through there, you come into this massive cave thats totally hidden. No one knew it was there until one of our guides, Solita, decided to swim in and discovered it a few years ago. Coasteering involves climbing, scrambling, jumping and swimming around the coastline (Matt Ray / The Independent) One of the most famous landmarks in Guernsey, the Pea Stacks, is a series of rock towers sticking out into the sea. At the right tide, you can adventure down into a maze of colossal, pressure-transformed granite platforms, pools and chasms. This is how I found myself once again wetsuited up, this time with a helmet and buoyancy aid to experience coasteering with Alfie from Outdoor Guernsey. I was led through a wondrous world of seaweed-cloaked boulders, squeezing between slabs of rough pink stone and nerve-racking leaps off high boulders into deep rock pools, thick with swaying kelp. Coasteering was a way to explore these otherwise impenetrable towers of stone that really brought the titanic proportions of this adventure island to life. By the time I clambered out of that amphibious environment, and up the cliffs to rejoin the coastal path, I felt like a changed person, as if Id connected on a primal level with the landscape, and myself. I was able to appreciate this beautifully rugged coastline in a completely different way. Even as I struggled to get out of my wetsuit in the car park, I almost felt sorry for the tourists huddled at the top of the cliffs around Jerbourg Point, bearing witness to the glorious panorama but on some fundamental level never able to fully reach out and touch it. Read more: Want the Lake District all to yourself? Walk the Cumbria Way Last light in Guernsey (Matt Ray / The Independent) How to get there I flew out from London City airport on Guernseys own airline, Aurigny, which also flies direct from London Gatwick and regional airports. Brittany Ferries runs a high-speed car ferry from Poole and Portsmouth, which takes three hours. Getting around Guernsey is a small island, easily explored by hire car, although you can also get around on an e-bike (or regular bike) from Go Guernsey. Where to eat Theres no shortage of seaside dining options on Guernsey. A popular pub diner is the Puffin and Oyster, where I had an amazingly satisfying beer-battered haddock and chips. For the buzz of a city restaurant, visit The Slaughterhouse in Guernseys capital, St Peter Port. Here youll find top-quality steaks and grilled seafood, which can be enjoyed on the raised terrace overlooking Havelet Bay. And the interior of the island is no slouch I had a fabulous lunch of locally-caught, pan-fried sea bass and steamed green vegetables at the rustic former 18th-century manor house, Les Douvres. For lighter, post-surfing bites and burgers, Vistas Cafe is perfectly positioned overlooking the surf spot of Vazon Bay. Where to stay The Peninsula Hotel This seaside hotel has large, comfortable suites and views of traditional fishing boats bobbing at anchor in Grand Havre Bay. Its conveniently located to access the wide-open south coast beaches, with a private outdoor pool to enjoy a dip and a cold sundowner. The Carlton Inn A good budget option is the two-star Carlton Inn with en-suite rooms in the country lanes of St Martin, which also houses the Wicked Wolf pub that serves food from 5.30pm. Book now Matt was hosted on his trip by Visit Guernsey and partners. Read more: Secret UK beaches to visit for peace and quiet Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine faces one of the most difficult moments in its history, after Donald Trump demanded Kyiv accepts within days a US-backed peace plan that would force it to give up territory to Russia and make other painful concessions. Trump confirmed on Friday morning that next Thursday Thanksgiving in the US would be an acceptable deadline for Zelenskyy to sign the deal, which European and Ukrainian officials have said amounts to a capitulation. In a sombre 10-minute speech outside his presidential palace, Zelenskyy said his country had an impossible choice. It could keep its national dignity or risk losing a major partner in the shape of a US administration apparently determined to end the conflict on Moscows brutal terms. Now the pressure on Ukraine is one of the heaviest, he said. Its options included agreeing to Trumps 28-point proposal or an extremely difficult winter, which has already seen Russia destroy much of the countrys energy infrastructure, with millions of people left without heating and in the dark. Agreeing to the US-Russian plan could leave Ukraine without freedom, dignity and justice, he said. It would also mean believing someone who has already attacked us twice, he said, adding that he would never sacrifice Ukraines interests or go against its constitution. We did not betray Ukraine then [in 2022], and we will not do so now, he declared. Speaking on Fox radio, Trump said he thought Thursday was an appropriate time for Zelenskyy to sign the deal, and said he believed Ukraine could not prevent Russias army from taking the Donbas territories by force. The US president is pursuing an aggressive timeline to end the conflict, US officials indicated, and intends to heap unprecedented pressure on Kyiv. Trump is also threatening to cut vital intelligence sharing and weapons supplies for Ukraine if it fails to agree, reports suggest. A US official, when asked whether the US could cut off intelligence sharing or logistical support if Kyiv did not sign the deal, said: It was strongly implied to the Ukrainians that the United States expects them to agree to a peace deal. Any changes will be decided upon by the president himself. On Friday, European leaders pushed back on the proposal, which Ukrainian politicians say is absurd. Speaking at the White House later on Friday, Trump repeated that he had expected to resolve the war much sooner given his good relationship with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, adding, It does take two to tango. Referring to Zelenskyy, Trump said: Hell have to like it, and if he doesnt like it, then you know, they should just keep fighting at some point hes going to have to accept something. Related: Trump may yet impose a Ukraine deal but it threatens to be a disaster for Kyiv The 28-point plan envisages Ukraine giving up the eastern Donbas region including areas it currently controls and shrinking the size of its army. It rules out the deployment of European peacekeepers and says Kyiv must relinquish long-range weapons and not join Nato. On Friday, Zelenskyy spoke by telephone with the US vice-president, JD Vance, who has previously pressured Ukraine to make a deal with Russia to end the war as quickly as possible. Following the hour-long call, Zelenskyy gave a cautious statement that the two sides had managed to cover a lot of details of the American sides proposals for ending the war, and were working to make the path forward dignified and truly effective for achieving a lasting peace. Both countries appointed their national security advisers to continue negotiations on the text of the draft peace plan. Western allies including Frances president, Emmanuel Macron, Germanys chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and Britains Keir Starmer spoke to Zelenskyy on Friday in a show of solidarity. They reaffirmed their support for Kyiv and said any agreement to end the conflict had to be genuinely fair and take into account Ukraines own red lines. In contrast to the Trump proposal, which calls for Ukraine to abandon several major cities, they said the existing line of contact should be the starting point for territorial discussions. The text also had to take into account the long-term interests of Europe and Ukraine, they stressed. The British prime minister urged a just and lasting peace. He said: Thats what the president of America wants. Thats what we all want, and so we need to work from where we are to that end. But the principle that Ukraine must determine its future under its sovereignty is a fundamental principle. Starmer is set to meet Ukraines allies at the Johannesburg G20 summit on Saturday to seek to strengthen a US-drafted plan. G7 leaders plus others from the G20 will discuss the deal on the sidelines of the South African meeting shunned by Donald Trump. The EUs foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, warned that a peace deal that rewarded invasion would set a very dangerous global precedent. If you just give in to the aggression, then you invite more aggression, she said, adding that countries other than Russia could develop an appetite for neighbouring territory. In his address, Zelenskyy paid tribute to Ukrainians who had bravely endured almost four years of full-scale invasion. He hinted that despite their daily heroism, compromises may need to be made. Our people really, really want this war to end. We are, of course, strong, but even the strongest metal can break. Dont forget that, he declared. Zelenskyy said he would work calmly and constructively with Washington over its plan, offering alternatives. It was drafted by Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putins envoy, and Steve Witkoff, Trumps special representative, during a meeting in Miami. Europe and Ukraine were excluded from discussions. Related: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: why should I be afraid of Donald Trump? Ukraines president said he was working to ensure national interests were respected. Now practically every hour there are meetings, phone calls and work on issues that could change a lot, he wrote on Telegram. He said his country welcomed US diplomatic efforts but wanted real peace that would not be broken by a third [Russian] invasion. Ukrainian government insiders believe that relations between Kyiv and Washington have improved dramatically since February, when Trump and Vance berated Zelenskyy and tossed him out of the Oval Office. Kyiv faces the unappealing prospect of provoking Trumps wrath once again if it fails to swiftly accept his Moscow-drafted deal. In the immediate aftermath of the White House row, Trump briefly suspended intelligence sharing with Kyiv, cutting off a crucial channel of battlefield information for Ukraines frontline units. The US has stopped supplying Ukraine with direct military aid, but still provides advanced weapons systems to Kyiv under the UNs prioritised Ukraine requirements list (Purl) initiative, in which European partners pay for them. A delegation of senior US military officials led by the army secretary, Dan Driscoll, held talks with Zelenskyy on Thursday in Kyiv. Trump has named Driscoll Vances friend and former classmate as his newest special representative. The group of American generals was likely to fly to Moscow at the end of next week to discuss the peace plan with the Kremlin, US sources said. Putin confirmed on Friday that Moscow had recieved a copy of the US plan, which he said could lay the foundation for an end to the war. I believe that it could lay the foundation for a final peace settlement, he said. A person close to the Kremlin said that while Putin liked the overall contours of the peace proposal, it fell short of other Kremlin demands. These include a legally binding guarantee that Nato will not expand further east, as well as enshrining Ukraines neutral status in its constitution. As for potential EU membership, the source said Moscow would only consider it if it excluded a military component, citing Austrias model of neutrality as an example. US officials have said the text was hammered out after consultations with Rustem Umerov, Ukraines national security and defence council secretary, and a close Zelenskyy ally. Umerov a former defence minister made several modifications, they added. He denied this, saying Kyiv would not accept terms that violated its sovereignty. The reaction from Ukrainian civil society has been overwhelmingly negative. People have variously dismissed the plan as one-sided and tantamount to Ukraines abject surrender. It comes as Zelenskyy is under immense pressure at home after a corruption scandal involving his former business partner and at least two of his ministers. The plan also failed to win over senior European commentators. Constanze Stelzenmuller of the Brookings Institute described its drafting as appalling and said its substance was outrageous. If enacted, it would lead to Russia becoming the apex predator in Europe, she observed. Truly marks the complete enshittification of diplomacy, she added on X. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, an ally of the US president, expressed opposition to the Trump administration plan. Ukraine being asked to halve the size of its army is unacceptable. I am waiting to see a counter-proposal from Zelenskys government, he posted on X. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, banned the puberty blockers because of unacceptable safety risks - Toby Melville/Reuters The NHS will prescribe banned puberty blockers in what parents have branded a betrayal of children. The drugs will be given to more than 200 children, potentially as young as eight, who think they may be transgender, as part of a clinical trial. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, banned the drugs last year because of unacceptable safety risks, but they can still be administered as part of clinical trials for patients who meet certain criteria. For the NHS trial, being run by Kings College London (KCL), children who show a persisting desire for the drugs and are deemed by gender doctors as standing a reasonable prospect of benefit could be eligible. Children will be screened for neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, but participants who are deemed to have such conditions will not be excluded from the trial. While researchers running the trial acknowledged that children faced potential harm in their cognitive and sexual development, they claimed the risks of not prescribing the drugs could include depression and self-harm. NHS failing to protect patients from harm A spokesman for the Bayswater Support Group, which supports more than 600 parents of trans-identifying children, said: The decision to proceed with yet another trial of puberty blockers represents a profound betrayal of children by the NHS, a service whose stated aim is to improve health and wellbeing, not create lifelong medical patients. This trial will continue a shameful history in gender medicine of pathologising non-conformity and sends a message to children that their healthy body may need fixing with medicines or surgery. By opting to put a whole new group of children onto puberty blockers, the NHS has bowed to political and ideological pressure and is failing in its duty to protect its patients from harm. The NHS trial was recommended in the Cass Review, the report by Baroness Cass who said there was remarkably weak evidence to support the use of puberty blockers in gender-questioning children and more research was needed. The review by Baroness Cass concluded that more research into the use of puberty blockers was needed - Yui Mok/PA Banning the drugs was one of Mr Streetings first actions in office, and made permanent after an independent report by the Commission on Human Medicines said they could cause issues with brain maturation, sexual development and lower bone mineral density. That decision was criticised by some Labour MPs and trans activists, but Mr Streeting now faces a backlash from concerned parents and doctors over the new trial. The trial was delayed as it sought ethical approval, but is expected to start in the New Year, with an estimated 226 children being given the puberty-suppressing hormones over three years. There is no minimum age beyond having to have begun puberty, which can begin from as young as eight in some girls, raising the prospect of primary school children being enrolled. The trial says that children must have received sufficient psychological support to be eligible, have stable physical and mental health, and get parental consent. At the end of the trial, children will be allowed to continue taking the blockers which are only legal in a research environment if it is clinically appropriate. Disgusting to again put children on these drugs Keira Bell, who was given life-changing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones as a teenage patient at the now-shutdown Tavistock but regretted it, is planning to launch a legal challenge against the trial. She said: I think its disgusting that were again putting children on these drugs. This is all in the name of a new study whereas in fact the Tavistock conducted its own study years ago. The Secretary of State then banned these drugs as unsafe. Have we forgotten about the children that have already suffered from puberty blockers? she said. Keira Bell is planning to launch a legal challenge against the trial - Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPA/Shutterstock Children recruited will be split into two groups, with half starting the drugs immediately and the other half being made to wait for 12 months. Prof Emily Simonoff, research lead and professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at KCL, said it allows us to explore additional interesting questions, such as does the amount of time on receiving puberty suppression lead to increased effects, if they exist. At the end of the trial, each young person will be reviewed individually and clinically to look at their ongoing care needs, which may include remaining on puberty-suppressing hormones, if thats deemed clinically appropriate for them, she added. Prof Simonoff said the 12-month delay group gave enough time to see evidence of benefits and risks of harm, as well as whether young people and their parents change their minds. They will have their heart, bone and brains tested throughout, as well as taking questionnaires about their mental state, during the trial. Dr David Bell, a former psychiatrist and a whistleblower who first raised concerns at Tavistock, said the trial was neither safe nor will it provide meaningful evidence. UK law, derived from European law and the Declaration of Helsinki, says that research on children should not disrupt their normal stages of development without good reason, he said. There is no sound scientific rationale for puberty suppression improving lasting health for children with gender-related distress. The trial design is incapable of answering the important questions about risk that have been raised to cognitive function, bone health, fertility and long-term health. It is unethical as it will be exposing children to risk for no clear benefit. Dr Bell said the design is likely to produce a spurious difference between the groups who get the puberty blockers straight away and those who have to wait a year. He added: This wont be meaningful but will be an artefact of the design. As it will be parents who have to give consent because it is for children under 16, they will have to consent to possible harm to their childs future fertility. It is difficult to understand how any parent could consent to that. A separate, simultaneous study will look at the brain health of children who are not taking puberty blockers for comparison. The researchers say this approach will give them sufficient time to assess the difference between being on the drugs and not, without restricting anyone from using them. No ethical justification However, critics believe the trials results could show bias with those starting puberty blockers first more likely to be happier as a result of getting what they want, even if its not the best thing for them. Health officials had hoped to start the trial earlier this year, but it faced delays to receiving regulatory and ethical approval amid concerns about whether it was appropriate to prescribe the drugs to children despite there being no evidence they work. Dr Alice Hodkinson, a member of doctor group Biology in Medicine, said there was no ethical justification for subjecting another 200 children to puberty blockers. She said that approving this trial signals that ideology, not safeguarding, is still steering decision-making and urged the NHS to prioritise rigorous analysis of the existing cohort of 2,000 children who have already received puberty blockers, instead of experimenting on any further children. The second study is called Pathways Connect and will look at the brain development of youngsters taking puberty blockers and those who are not. About 250 young people are expected to take part including around 150 from the clinical trial of puberty blockers and 100 who are accessing non-medical gender care. Prof Simonoff said: We know that adolescence is a time of rapid brain development and rapid accrual of new thinking abilities, and people have raised the theoretical risk that interfering with puberty during this important time might impact brain development and cognition. The Pathways research programme is being led by KCL, and is co-sponsored by KCL and the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: Young people with gender incongruence need access to high-quality, safe and effective care. We are following the Cass Review, which was clear that the evidence on care for these children is lacking, and proposed this research to help provide it. Medical care must always be based on solid evidence, and childrens safety must come first. A conveyor belt to lifelong harm By Keira Bell In 2020 I became a claimant in a Judicial Review against The Tavistocks Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) to challenge the idea that under-18s could provide informed consent for puberty blockers. The High Court ruled that it was highly unlikely for a child aged 13 or under to provide informed consent, it was doubtful that 14 and 15-year-olds could, and that those over 16 should be referred to the courts if there is any doubt about their capacity to consent. Despite this ruling being overturned in the Court of Appeal on a point of law, this process exposed the insanity that was taking place not only at The Tavistock but across the Western world. Now, the nation is about to commence hundreds of under-16s on a puberty blocker trial. They claim this is to gain the evidence to inform clinical practice. However, I and many others believe this to be a deeply unethical, disgusting experiment on the children of this nation. A trial of puberty blockers has already been conducted. In 2011, GIDS and University College London Hospitals (UCLH) studied 44 children between 12 and 15 over three years the early intervention study. They kept the findings in the dark until the 2020 court proceedings forced them to reveal this information. What was revealed was that at best the blockers did nothing to improve childrens mental health. For some, it worsened. I am a testament to this. It sent me into a menopause-like state: hot flushes, brain fog, worsened depression, anxiety and my bone density drastically decreased. It did not provide a pause to think and reflect like these doctors claim. In fact, I became more desperate to start cross-sex hormones (testosterone) and escape the compounded hell I was experiencing, which I did a year later. I also went ahead with a double-mastectomy at age 20. I am included in the statistic of 98 per cent of children who proceed further down the pathway once they are initiated on puberty blockers. I suffered at the age of 16 and I can only imagine the level of physiological damage that these children who are younger than I was will experience if this trial goes ahead. It is rightly described as a conveyor belt that will undoubtedly lead to infertility and lack of sexual function, to name only a couple. A child cannot fully understand these effects, let alone those that are unknown. Puberty is the antidote to gender dysphoria for 85 per cent of children, who reconcile with their sex when they are left alone. Many of these children have mental health comorbidities, are autistic and/or same-sex attracted. They deserve holistic treatment and to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Not to be made life-long medical patients, coupled with a life of confusion and disorientation. Puberty does not happen in a vacuum. It is not some magical process isolated from the rest of the body. Neil Evanss trial on sheep revealed that memory and cognition was impaired from puberty blockers and their cognition did not recover once ceased. UCLH told me they were reversible when I signed the form. The ideologically captured NHS itself lied on its guidance and stated these drugs are reversible until the 2020 ruling forced them to reflect the facts we dont know. Yes, puberty blockers are prescribed for precocious puberty a developmental abnormality. They are also used to chemically castrate adult sex offenders. It is inexcusable to inject this substance into vulnerable children who are experiencing a complex psychological issue, when they are likely to recover without it. The horrifying concept of providing puberty blockers to children was originally created and tailored for boys, where this process was to allow them to pass as a woman later in life. This, of course ignoring all the negative, life-altering effects. However, most patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria for the past 10-plus years have been female, where puberty blockers are unnecessary to pass as men. Not only is the prospect of a trial negatively life-altering, but it lacks any superficial benefits. Why are we not utilising the evidence we already have? Did those of us who already had this treatment do it in vain? Puberty is rough for everyone, but it is necessary. Three years after his triumphant Oscar win for The Whale, Brendan Fraser has found his next deeply personal project in an unlikely place: Tokyo. In Hikaris Rental Family, Fraser plays Philip, an American actor adrift in Japan who discovers unexpected purpose and genuine human connection when hes hired to play a surrogate family member for people struggling with loneliness. More from Variety The film arrives at a moment when its themes feel particularly urgent. This film really doesnt have a declared villain, Fraser says on the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, settling into a conversation about the project that took him back overseas. I mean, there are obstacles, of course, but theyre really our social, personal constructs. For Fraser, the appeal was immediate and multifaceted. Automatically, selfishly, I thought, dream job, he admits with characteristic self-awareness. Going overseas. Location is vacant till you get there and like, oh, wow, I gotta do some work here. Learn enough Japanese to have passable dialogue. Going to have to run around Tokyo and its a busy, busy place. But beyond the logistical challenges was something deeper a script that treated its unusual premise with intelligence and emotional honesty. The premise itself is rooted in reality. Three hundred rental family agencies are operating in Tokyo, a business that has existed since the 1980s. In a society grappling with the actual public health issues Fraser describes around solitude and loneliness, these agencies serve a specific need. Sometimes people just want you to look them in the eyes and to let them know that you know that they exist, and thats enough, Fraser says. But this film does go further than that and asks, what happens after that, when make-believe falls away and feelings and attachments become authentic, what is the result? Frasers collaboration with director Hikari began with what he describes as an hours-long lunch that turned into an exploration of art and shared sensibilities. I think pretty much we were talking about most anything but the film in an affected way, he recalls. I know we were finding a kinship with one another in the things that interested us in our approach to the work. The director, whose name means light, fire, energy, brought personal investment to the material, having experienced events in her own life that connected to the storys themes. Playing Philip allowed Fraser to explore his own relationship with loneliness, a universal experience that takes on particular dimensions in the public eye. When asked about his own encounters with isolation, Fraser is thoughtfully candid: I try to chase it away. I try to keep myself busy. Or sometimes Ill accept it and sit in it. And its possible to feel alone, although you are not. You dont want to intrude on anyones personal life. But I think you can identify with even having company doesnt give you a sense of feeling less lonely. Yet theres hope in his perspective, a recognition of what truly sustains us. Secretly, when I do sit down for a cup of coffee with a friend I havent seen in a while, Im kind of doing that, he says about the rental family concept. Theres a reason why we call your brother, and it refuels you. It really does. It really does give you something that you cant buy or ingest or wear or any of that. As Fraser continues this remarkable second act of his career, hes balancing intimate character studies with blockbuster possibilities. The World War II drama Pressure is awaiting release, and, perhaps most exciting for fans, a potential return to the The Mummy franchise looms on the horizon. I am very hopeful that this comes to fruition, Fraser says carefully, acknowledging the speculation thats been swirling. Its what they want. Its what theyve been begging for, from me. And Ive been peppered with the question: Will there be another? Hey, look, if the stars align in the right way, I hope I have happy news for you. When asked about other franchise opportunities specifically the upcoming Legend of Zelda film adaptation Frasers enthusiasm is palpable. A devoted gamer who admits to distracting himself with his Nintendo DS playing as Link in Hyrule, hes unequivocal: yes, if there was a part for him, but he doesnt think there is. Its this combination of childlike wonder and hard-earned wisdom that makes Fraser such a compelling figure in Hollywoods current landscape. On this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Fraser discusses his role in Hikaris moving dramedy. In addition, he teases where he thinks his The Mummy character would be today and how much he loves The Legend of Zelda (and the changes he wants to make to the video game). Listen below! Read excerpts from her interview below, which has been edited and condensed for clarity. The film centers on a rental family agency, a real business in Tokyo. How did you first react to this premise? Well, you can rent just about anything in Tokyo. You can rent a hedgehog. Ive done it. Why not be able to rent a family? Tokyo is so busy as it is; there is a real need for connection, because a lot of people find themselves wrapped up in company and also feeling like they have not had fulfillment from their own family members, so they rent them, if only for an hour or two or three, someone to sit quietly with them or to attend an event. You can even have someone stand in at a wedding or hire the so-called extras at a funeral if you need to, just to let people know that theyre seen and theyre heard, and that has real value. And I know there are some ethical and moral issues surrounding the whole thing. And thats the point: when you make believe about reality, what do you get? And so thats the sort of blurry area in between that Hikari directs this story. What drew you to this project specifically? I did need to look for something that would follow up on the events of the Oscar, and I put aside whatever the expectations or pressures would have been placed on me, and really wanted to do whatever it took to keep myself interested. And when I heard about this project, Rental Family, it seemed unusual, maybe something that would have been on the blacklist. You know, liked, but not loved. To read it and to see that it was unsentimental, it was not mawkish, it took a very focused look at what it means to have found family and that, yes, it shot in Tokyo those ticked the right boxes for me. I absolutely adored my first meeting with Hikari. I think we sat down for lunch that turned into no joke we went up in the library of this hotel in the city, looking at art books, and I think pretty much we were talking about most anything but the film in an affected way. I know we found a kinship in the things that interested us and in our approach to the work. And above all that, she is her namesake: Hikari means light, fire, energy. She is that. The film explores loneliness as a central theme. How does Brendan Fraser experience loneliness? It feels like sometimes it feels like solitude, which, as Akira Emoto, the actor in our film, did point out, isnt necessarily a negative thing. I mean, it allows you to have contemplation and reflection, which can be very helpful. But at the same time, in the absence of connection, it can be damaging. What do I do? Sure, I have activities and things that I do. I can grind my gears along with it. I can distract myself with my Nintendo DS and play as Link, flying around Hyrule. I try to chase it away. I try to keep myself busy. Or sometimes Ill accept it and sit in it. And its possible to feel alone, although you are not. You dont want to intrude on anyones personal life. But I think you can identify with even having company doesnt give you a sense of feeling less lonely. But I dont know if I would ever go so far as to hire a surrogate, normally, that is. But I do know that secretly, when I do sit down for a cup of coffee with a friend I havent seen in a while, Im doing that. Theres a reason why we call your brother, and it refuels you. It really does. It really does give you something you cant buy, ingest, wear, or any of that. With SAG contract negotiations coming up and your Encino Man co-star Sean Astin now president of SAG-AFTRA, what are your thoughts on AI and the future of acting? It strikes me as a form of plagiarism, and thats not good. I mean, yeah, sure, steal from the best, as the phrase goes, but appropriating it without permission and manipulating ones image, voice or likeness to behave youre a puppet on a string. In the long term, the objective is to enrich oneself. Thats not fair without asking permission, as it were. Not acknowledging that that is an issue wont make it go away. Im not clever enough to understand what guardrails should be put in place, so to speak. But I do believe that the conversation needs to take place and a lot faster than the development of that technology, because that seems to redo itself every time we blink. I was honestly wondering about this: 25, 26 years ago, when I would go into the valley somewhere and put on a leotard and get scanned, as you would for special effects in films or the development of plastic dolls, or whatever. And after asking questions like, Who owns this data? I never got answers. And I thought, well, I guess its stuck in a silo somewhere. And it made me wonder then, not being able to imagine where we are now: what if Marilyn Monroe had been scanned? Pick any luminary movie star, politician, whatever would they be all right with this? Would they accept this? Do you really have permission to do this just because you take ownership of someones work, because you want to? I dont know. I really am conflicted about that. I wont stand in the way of progress, but I have to find out if theres a happy medium. What does that happy medium look like? For instance, around 2008, thats pretty much when everything went from analog to digital. Thats the real turn of the tide that I recall. Journey to the Center of the Earth was a film I shot in Montreal in 2007. First take, first day, we finished. Some rocks were caving in, and we got the shot, and the first AD said, Okay, lets move on. And the first AC, through muscle memory, I guess, put a flashlight in his teeth and reached over to the camera to check the gate. And he stopped himself and turned and looked at everyone with wide eyes. And we all had this same-time epiphany: there is no gate. Theres no reason to have a gate. Theres no magazine or film on top of it. So it was funny, but also, were like, Oh shit, weve just gone from horse and cart to internal combustion engine. It was an indicator of how things were changing. I mean, not only was that film conceived to be shot in 3D with the technology at the time, but it did usher in a period of change, and the ramifications of that affect the very human aspect of what it takes to create a project or film. So what I want to know is: wheres the gate? Can you talk about Sean Astins leadership at SAG-AFTRA? Sean Astin is an excellent communicator. Ive seen him plenty of times over the years at fan conventions around the country. Hes a favorite. Theres always a long line waiting to meet him at his table, and it takes a long time, and he does. He looks everyone in the eye, he gives them their time, and he counsels them. And many people do feel that he is the guy who will drag you up a hill, whether you think its good for you or not. He will not let you fail. And thats just who Sean is. You have another film coming, Pressure from Focus Features, about the D-Day invasion. Can you tell us about it? Anthony Maras directed it. Andrew Scott is in it I saw him in Vanya. Oh my God, over two hours on the stage, he played about 37 characters, and it was incredible. His character is that of a scientist, a meteorologist, and a biologist, a Scotsman named James Stagg, who advised the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the weekend before the invasion of Normandy Beach on Tuesday, June 6, 1944. The whole operation, Operation Overlord, was scheduled for Monday, June 5. It is said to have been delayed by bad weather. Imagine if they had gone on Monday in bad weather. It would have been an absolute disaster, and the face of history would have been changed. And it all came down to one sort of nerdy man saying, if you go now, these storms will not allow the men to land on the beach. Waves will be 12 feet. There will be cloud cover. The Air Force cant identify targets. They will die. In those days, predicting the weather was kind of just looking out the window and looking at analog reports from years prior. If it wasnt raining in 1928, it wont rain on this very same day. The scientist, the meteorologist, said, No, give me the data. Thats what we want to rely on as the answer. So Eisenhower had to decide whom to listen to. And years later, when Walter Cronkite interviewed him returning to the beach of Normandy and asked about that, he said, Well, they just happen to have better weathermen than the Germans. For whatever I just told you about my thoughts on AI, there is a practical application that is incredibly useful. The archival footage that was upscaled from what was in the Library of Congress you may be really familiar with those types of images, but you can actually see the breath come from their mouths with the sound mixing. You can see the scatter of sand. This was footage that was taken in 1944, and it looks like it was shot the day before yesterday. Theres been news about you potentially returning to The Mummy franchise. What can you share? I am very hopeful that this comes to fruition. Its what they want. Its what theyve been begging for, from me. And Ive been peppered with the question, will there be another? Hey, look, if the stars align, I hope I have happy news for you. What was news to me I was eating a bowl of noodles there, and the trades got itchy trigger fingers to report something. But in fact, what they said was speculation. So its in the ether. But official things need to happen, contracts need to be signed, and hopefully, a lot of money gets paid to people who deserve it. Where do you think Rick OConnell and his family would be now? Well, hopefully alive and well. I dont know. They seem pretty devoted to their son and their lifestyle. Id like to see Evelyn stand up to the Benbridge Scholars, to stand up to the boys club, as it were, which is nice. I dont know. What would you tell people who are struggling right now, especially during the holidays? Rental Family is about overcoming apathy, and thats important because the real struggle is from within. Are you going to do something about this, or are you not? The only way to overcome that obstacle is to do it together. Ask for help. I didnt know you could ask for help until that was pointed out to me, and I did, and, surprise, I got it from the most remarkable places people you love, people who are closest to you, professionals with the credentials to take care of your needs. Ask for help. If for reasons of mental health, holidays are a tricky time, and I dont say this lightly if your family is driving you up the wall, and Im not trying to be funny: rent one. Come and see Rental Family. It will take you youll feel like you were in Japan for a couple of hours. Youre gonna see a kid who is amazing in this. Shes really terrific. Something special. You cant not fall for this kid. And filmmaker Hikari cares deeply about these issues, and shes a positive influence because she acknowledges that, yes, there are prickly, sharp edges to these world issues. But in a world so divided, this is whats needed now more than ever. Also on this episode, Oscar nominee Kate Hudson discusses her role in Song Sung Blue. Additionally, the Awards Circuit Roundtable takes you inside the Governors Awards, how big Wicked: For Good will be, and whats expected with Thanksgiving around the corner. Varietys Awards Circuit podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, Awards Circuit features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A U-Haul truck is pictured. Photo: Greg Bishop / The Center Square (The Center Square) Florida welcomes a new taxpayer about every two minutes while California loses one about every minute, according to new data. An analysis of data from the IRS conducted by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation found that Florida, Texas and North Carolina gain new taxpayers faster than any other state in the country. Florida gains a new taxpayer every 2 minutes and 9 seconds; Texas gains one every 2 minutes and 53 seconds; and North Carolina gains a new taxpayer every 6 minutes and 21 seconds. Andrew Wilford, director of the Interstate Commerce Initiative at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, said state policies are attracting people and generating revenue. He estimated Florida is collecting $4 billion more per year for its budget from people moving to the Sunshine State. Welcoming people moving from other states means more job creators, more innovators, and a larger tax base from the economic activity that they generate, Wilford said. States like Florida and Texas attract people because they have no income tax, but also their ability to attract people means a stronger economy that can generate added revenue from sales, property, and business taxes. South Carolina and Tennessee follow close behind as they gain a new taxpayer every 7 minutes and 30 seconds and 8 minutes and 42 seconds, respectively Wilford said he was not surprised to see Tennessee high on the list of states taxpayers migrate toward. The state has a good business climate and no income tax, and the data shows people like that, Wilford said. NTU calculated its data based on most recent IRS surveys of how many taxpayers move into and out of a state each year. The states losing taxpayers most frequently are California, New York and Illinois. California loses a taxpayer every 1 minute and 44 seconds; New York loses a taxpayer every 2 minutes and 23 seconds; and Illinois loses a taxpayer every 6 minutes and 4 seconds. Massachusetts lost a resident every 11 minutes and 38 seconds while New Jersey lost one every 14 minutes and 14 seconds. States losing population have attempted to reduce income taxes to keep businesses and individuals in the state. Vermont, which gains a new resident every 6 days, attempted to cover moving expenses for people moving to the state. In California, legislators are trying to ease zoning restrictions to make it easier for people to stay and incentivize more moves into the state. In some states, the number of people entering and leaving is almost equal. In Mississippi, one person leaves every 13 hours, and in New Mexico, one leaves every 7 hours. Wilford said he needs to take a closer look at some of the data in these states to determine accuracy. In New Mexico, population gains are largely driven by people ages 55 to 64 but the state is losing young people, Wilford said. Mississippi is gaining population from a wealthy tax bracket. Wilford said the COVID-19 public health emergency also played a role in the dramatic shifts of state migration. California saw a lost $9 billion in taxpayer funds during 2018, this number dramatically increased to $29 billion lost in 2020. On the other hand, Florida tax gains increased substantially, rising from $17 billion to $39 billion between 2018 and 2020. The pandemic and COVID policies accelerated a trend that was already happening, Wilford said. Many more Americans today are working remotely some of the time, and we see continued moves that reflect that. Candace Owens has been putting out conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirks death.MEGA; Candace Owens/YouTube Conspiracy theorist Candace Owens has shared her latest beliefs regarding Charlie Kirk's assassination, calling out "missing surveillance video" of his alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, RadarOnline.comcan reveal. The conservative pundit took to her X account to post an article claiming surveillance video of Robinson is missing from the sheriff's office. Owens Claims 'Footage of Tyler Robinson Turning Himself In Does Not Exist' Owens said footage of Robinson may have 'never existed in the first place.'Candace Owens/YouTube "You honestly cannot make this up," Owens shared, alongside the article. "Footage of Tyler Robinson turning himself into police does not exist. The footage simply does not exist anymore, or maybe it never existed in the first place. You decide!" According to the article the conservative mouthpiece attached, a news station is investigating "uncovered possible missing surveillance video of Tyler Robinson turning himself in to the Washington County Sheriffs Office just days after allegedly shooting and killing Charlie Kirk." What Did the Washington County Sheriff Say About Footage of Robinson? Nate Brooksby, the Washington County Sheriff, said their job was not to interview Robinson.MEGA Nate Brooksby, the Washington County Sheriff, said on September 17 their "job" was "to get" Robinson there, "not to interview." "Within the hour, my friend drove Tyler and his parents to my office, where he was greeted by plainclothes detectives," he added. The news station put in a public records request, demanding to see footage of Robinson entering the Washington County Jail/holding area. They also asked for a video of Robinson in a holding room. "We do not have any records responsive to this portion of the request, as Tyler Robinson did not go to or enter the jail area," a records officer with the Sheriff's office claimed. They also denied holding the room video as part of the investigation. The Records Officer Claims 'Footage Is No Longer Available' A news channel has been trying to obtain surveillance video of Robinson. MEGA The news channel made another attempt to obtain the video in a more general fashion, asking for "surveillance video showing Tyler Robinson walking into Washington County Sheriffs Office." A records officer responded with the following: "Our office does not have any applicable records responsive to this request, as the surveillance footage is no longer available after the 30-day retention period." They then inquired if the video was shared with any law enforcement or legal agency, to which the department claimed, "It is my understanding it was never sent out to any agency." Robinson remains in jail as the suspect who assassinated Kirk.MEGA Rudy Bautista, a criminal defense attorney from Utah, insisted he hopes "this video is available." "If in fact it has been destroyed and not preserved, it's very concerning," he continued. "And if it has, then it's very concerning that they're telling you they don't have it. If they no longer have it, I would have expected to say that this video has been provided to the Utah County law enforcement. But instead, this letter leads, in my opinion, as trying to shut the door and not give you free access to the press." He also noted video evidence of Robinson turning himself in would be "crucial for the defense work of mitigation." Robinson currently remains in prison and is still considered the main suspect in the assassination of Kirk. ..... 2119151919 28.... 1. Ukraine's sovereignty will be confirmed 2. A full and comprehensive non-aggression agreement will be concluded between Russia, Ukraine, and Europe. All ambiguities of the last 30 years will be considered resolved 3. It is expected that Russia will not invade neighboring countries, and NATO will not expand further 4. A dialogue will be held between Russia and NATO mediated by the USA to resolve all security issues and create conditions for de-escalation, 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 people 7. Ukraine agrees to enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO, and NATO agrees to include in its charters a provision that Ukraine will not be admitted in the future 8. NATO agrees not to deploy troops in Ukraine 9. European fighters will be deployed in Poland 10. 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 new territory and all other benefits of this deal will be canceled ?? If Ukraine launches a missile at Moscow or Saint Petersburg without reason, the security guarantee will be considered invalid 11. Ukraine has the right to 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 for Ukraine's recovery, including but not limited to: a. Creation of the Ukraine Development Fund to invest in rapidly growing sectors, including technology, data centers, and artificial intelligence b. The US will cooperate with Ukraine for joint restoration, development, modernization, and operation of Ukraine's gas infrastructure, including pipelines and storage c. Joint efforts to restore territories affected by the war for recovery, reconstruction, and modernization of cities and residential areas d. Infrastructure development e. Mining of minerals and natural resources f. The World Bank will develop a special financing package to accelerate these efforts 13. Russia will be reintegrated into the global economy: a. Sanctions removal will be discussed and agreed upon gradually and individually b. The US will conclude a long-term economic cooperation agreement aimed at mutual development in energy, natural resources, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, data centers, rare earth metal mining projects in the Arctic, and other mutually beneficial corporate opportunities c. Russia will be invited to return to the G8 14. Frozen funds will be used as follows: $100 billion of frozen Russian assets will be invested in US-led efforts to restore and invest in Ukraine. The US will receive 50% of the profits from this enterprise. Europe will add $100 billion to increase the volume of investments available for Ukraine's recovery. Frozen European funds will be unfrozen. The remaining frozen Russian funds will be invested in a separate US-Russian investment instrument that will implement joint projects in certain areas. This fund will aim to strengthen relations and increase common interests to create a strong motivation not to return to conflict 15. A joint US-Russian security working group will be created to facilitate and ensure the implementation of all provisions of this agreement 16. Russia will legally enshrine a policy of non-aggression towards Europe and Ukraine 17. The US and Russia will agree to extend the treaties on nuclear non-proliferation and control, including the New START Treaty 18. Ukraine agrees to be a nuclear-free state in accordance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty 19. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant will be operated under the supervision of the IAEA, and the electricity produced will be distributed equally between Russia and Ukraine - 50:50 20. Both countries commit to implementing educational programs in schools and society aimed at understanding and tolerance of different cultures and eliminating racism and prejudice: a. Ukraine will adopt EU rules on religious tolerance and protection of linguistic minorities b. Both countries will agree to abolish all discriminatory measures and guarantee the rights of Ukrainian and Russian media and education c. All Nazi ideology and activities must be rejected and banned 21. Territories: a. Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk will be recognized de facto as Russian, including by the US b. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia will be frozen along the line of contact, which will mean de facto recognition along the line of contact c. Russia renounces other agreed territories (likely referring to the parts of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions captured by Russia - Editor), which it controls outside the five regions d. Ukrainian forces will withdraw from the part of Donetsk region 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 22. After agreeing on future territorial arrangements, both Russia and Ukraine commit not to change these arrangements by force. Any security guarantees will not apply in case of violation of this commitment 23. Russia will not obstruct Ukraine's use of the Dnipro River for commercial activities, and agreements will be reached on free transportation of grain through the Black Sea 24. A humanitarian committee will be established to resolve outstanding issues: a. All remaining prisoners and bodies will be exchanged on a "all for all" basis b. All civilian detainees and hostages will be returned, including children c. A family reunification program will be implemented d. Measures will be taken to alleviate the suffering of conflict victims 25. Ukraine will hold elections within 100 days 26. All parties involved in this conflict will receive full amnesty for actions during the war and agree not to make claims or consider 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 Trump. Sanctions will be imposed for violations 28. Once all parties agree to this memorandum, a ceasefire will take effect immediately after both sides withdraw to agreed points to begin implementing the agreement 28 / buddy buddy A top Costa Rican official said the country is still willing to accept Kilmar Abrego Garcia, contradicting statements made by U.S. government officials in court earlier this week. "Costa Rica's offer to receive Mr. Abrego Garcia for humanitarian reasons remains in place," Mario Zamora, Costa Rica's minister of security, told ABC News in a statement. "My letter dated August 25, 2025, is the official position of the government." In the letter, which ABC News obtained in August, Zamora said the country is willing to provide Abrego Garcia with refugee status or residency. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: FILES-LIBERIA-US-SALVADOR-JUSTICE-POLITICS-IMMIGRATION-RIGHTS ICE official struggles to answer questions about Abrego Garcia's potential deportation Zamora's statement comes one day after John Cantu, a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement Official, testified in U.S. District Court in Maryland that removal to Costa Rica, Abrego Garcia's preferred destination, is "not an option at the moment." "Mr. Cantu, when you say Costa Rica is not an option for removal ... where does that come from?" U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis interjected. "Counsel," Cantu said, referring to a State Department attorney. During the hearing, Cantu also struggled to answer questions about a sworn declaration he signed regarding the government's communications with Costa Rica. "Sitting here today, you could not tell me whether anyone from the State Department has been in touch with Costa Rica since Aug. 21, to determine whether communications have changed?" asked Sascha Rand, an attorney for Abrego Garcia. Trump administration moves to dissolve ban on Abrego Garcia's removal to deport him to Liberia "That's right," Cantu replied. Before Thursday's hearing, DOJ attorneys had also repeatedly said in court filings that Costa Rica was off the table without providing an explanation. Abrego Garcia's attorneys have argued the government has "cycled through" four third-country destinations -- Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and now Liberia -- without providing "the notice, opportunity to be heard and individualized assessment that due process requires." In a statement, Abrego Garcia's attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said, "The government has lost all credibility in its denials that anything other than punishment is motivating its desperate insistence on sending my client to an African country, any African country." Earlier this month, DOJ attorneys argued in court filings that the preliminary injunction blocking Abrego Garcia's removal to Liberia should be dissolved because the government received assurances from the government of the West African country that he will not be persecuted or tortured. Judge says he will move forward with contempt inquiry into AEA deportations Abrego Garcia, who had been living in Maryland with his wife and children, was deported in March to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison -- despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation to that country due to fear of persecution -- after the Trump administration claimed he was a member of the criminal gang MS-13, which he denies. He was brought back to the U.S. in June to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His criminal trial is scheduled to begin in January. Abrego Garcia's deportation is currently blocked by Xinis pending the resolution of the habeas case challenging his removal. He is currently being held in a detention facility in Pennsylvania. FILE PHOTO: Federal agents detain a man in a parking lot in the Avondale neighborhood following a confrontation during immigration raids, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska/File Photo By Bianca Flowers (Reuters) -Chicago will not apply for federal community violence intervention grants after the Trump administration reshaped the program to focus on law enforcement and immigration, the city said this week, calling the new stipulations an effort to politicize public safety. "The city of Chicago does not intend to apply for any federal grants that require the city to comply with President Trump's political aims," Mayor Brandon Johnson's press office said in a statement first shared with Reuters. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed it has shifted the focus of the grant, which was originally intended to support community violence-prevention efforts. Chicago officials and the Trump administration hold conflicting notions about what constitutes effective violence prevention. Johnson characterized the administration's decision to rescind more than $800 million in violence prevention grants in April as "politically motivated." The move to shun the new grants marks the latest flashpoint between the city and the administration over its aggressive immigration crackdown. Chicago previously sued the Trump administration over conditions it called "illegal restrictions" on other community policing grants. The DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday about Chicago's decision to avoid seeking the grant funding. Chicago is the only U.S. city so far to say publicly that it will not apply for the funding, even as cities such as Newark, New Jersey, and Columbia, South Carolina, told Reuters they are moving ahead with applications. Several cities benefited in the past from the grants, when money was given directly to community-based organizations. In late September, the DOJ announced that it was changing its Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative to exclude community organizations from direct funding and prohibit services for undocumented residents. It also cut total funding of the program to $34.6 million. The grants were first appropriated in 2022 with $50 million for CVI and an additional $50 million was allocated over five years under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Last week, a DOJ spokesperson confirmed the program shift in a statement and said the funding will also be used to hire more law enforcement officers, purchase equipment and "build criminal justice system capacity." The rewrite of the grants "reflects our belief that the best way to prevent violence in our communities is through robust support for law enforcement," the statement said. However, two former DOJ officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, as well as community interventionists and gun violence experts, said the agency's goals deviate from the programs original intent. The new goals, they said, reflect a broader ideological shift that steers resources away from historically marginalized communities impacted by crime. "Now, the funds must pass through a government agency," said Jordan Costa, associate director for the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention. Community-based organizations can only be subrecipients, and they would presumably have to comply with the same mandates." SOME SEE 'OVERREACH' BY ADMINISTRATION President Donald Trump has made immigration crackdowns a cornerstone of his political agenda. He has also sought to strip federal grants from cities that refuse to comply with requests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain suspected undocumented immigrants. "I don't know how tying immigration into gang violence intervention even makes sense," said Renee Hall, president of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. "This is just another overreach of the administration in an effort to further its agenda." White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Reuters in a statement last week that the administration has been successful in its approach to mitigating crime. "Any insinuation that the Trump administration isnt successfully combatting dangerous crime is false and uninformed." In Columbia, South Carolina, Deputy Chief of Police Melron Kelly said earlier this month that his grant staff submitted an application for funding and is seeking answers to what cooperation with immigration enforcement would entail. "There are always some parameters when you ask for federal dollars - but not specific to how you're going to enforce the law or what laws to enforce," said Kelly. (Reporting by Bianca Flowers in Chicago; Editing by Kat Stafford and Matthew Lewis) This 2023 photo provided by Safiah Mohammed shows Dr. Ali Almudhwahi, left, with his daughter, Youmna. (Safiah Mohammed via AP) CAIRO (AP) Ahmed al-Yamani's family went from joy of celebrating his daughter's wedding to terror the next day, when masked troops stormed into their home in Sanaa, Yemen's capital held by the country's Iran-backed Houthi rebels, and arrested him. The family didn't hear from him for months. His only crime, they suspect, was having worked for local humanitarian groups. Al-Yamani is among dozens of Yemeni workers with aid groups, United Nations agencies and nongovernmental organizations who have been detained since last year by the Houthis in the rebel-held northern part of the country. The crackdown has seen homes and offices raided, families terrorized and smartphones, laptops and documents confiscated. Though some U.N. staffers have been released, most aid workers have been held for months without official charges or trials. The rebels say they are spies for the West and Israel, claims their families deny. Family's home raided The Houthis burst into al-Yamanis home on June 6, 2024, as his family was sleeping and grabbed the 52-year-old. They pointed their guns at his family members, including his younger son Abdelrahman. They thrashed the home and confiscated all their documents, as well as the deed to the house, al-Yamani's elder son said. During the search, al-Yamani's wife and mother were guarded by five female Houthi personnel in a separate room. They left the house with my father in an armored vehicle and took his car, Khaled al-Yemeni, 28, the elder son, told The Associated Press over the phone from France, where he now lives. Al-Yemeni spells the name differently from the rest of his family. The raids, which started at the end of May 2024, saw dozens of aid workers arrested, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. For months, their families were not informed of their whereabouts and they had no contact with them, amounting to enforced disappearances, the report says. Arrests take a toll Dr. Ali Mudhwahi, 56 and a public health consultant with UNICEF, was also arrested in June 2024. The Houthis raided his office, interrogated him and his colleagues for hours, then blindfolded and took him away. Eight months later, he called his family for the first time, his wife Safiah Mohammed said. To this day, she and the couple's 12-year-old daughter do not know where he is held. Since that first call, Mohammed who was not in Yemen when her husband was arrested said there have been phone calls once every month or two, lasting only a few minutes. In the last three calls, his voice sounded exhausted," Mohammed said over the phone. "I can sense hes not okay. A doctor from Sanaa told the AP that his brother, who worked with UNESCO, was arrested last year and a cousin, also a staffer for another U.N. agency, was arrested in September. The Houthis had summoned the cousin for questioning several times before. One day, he did not come back, said the doctor, who also lives abroad and who spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his relatives' safety. As for his brother, the doctor said the family is now allowed to call him every few months but not for more than 10 minutes. Families have become ghosts of people Since al-Yamani's arrest, the family has seen him once, on Aug. 16. They received instructions from the Houthis to show up at a meeting spot and were driven by bus with blacked-out windows to an unknown location. Once the bus stopped, al-Yamani was brought in and his wife, mother and son Abdelrahman were able to talk to him for a short while. According to the family, he appeared gaunt and had lost a lot of weight, said Khaled al-Yemeni, adding that he has spoken with his father three times since his arrest. The pain of the families over their loved ones' detentions has left many of them feeling numb. "We're ghosts of people," the Sanaa doctor said. Mohammed said she tells her daughter her father is away on work missions, something the child remembers from earlier days. They took the head of my family. They took our sole provider," she said. "Im trying to hide my pain from my daughter but ... Im worried. Military campaign causes more concern The families became even more terrified when the United States and Israel launched an air and naval campaign against the Houthis in response to the rebels missile and drone attacks on Israel and on ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis said their actions were in solidarity with the Palestinians over the war in Gaza. As Israeli strikes hit residential areas, Houthi military sites and prison facilities in Sanaa and the port of Hodeida, they worried whether their loved ones were held in any of those places. According to Hazam al-Assad of the Houthis' political bureau, those detained, including workers with international groups and nonprofits, are involved in espionage and providing coordinates and information to Israel about possible targets. They "were in possession of advanced spying devices and eavesdropping equipment for intercepting calls and identifying locations, al-Assad told the AP, adding that the cases would be referred to judicial authorities in time. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq denounced the arrests and said accusations against U.N. staffers are baseless and extremely distressing. Our staff are impartial humanitarian and development professionals," Haq said. In October, the Houthis released a dozen U.N. international staffers after detaining them in Sanaa the previous weekend, according to the world body, which said the 12 then left Yemen. However, 59 Yemenis working for the U.N. are still detained, as well as many other NGO and civil society personnel from various diplomatic missions. Disappointed with the United Nations Al-Yamani's last job was in March 2022, with the nonprofit Direct Aid Society that has offices both in the Houthi-held north and in southern Yemen, where the internationally recognized government is based. Khaled al-Yemeni says he has reached out to all his father's past employers, as well as U.N. offices in Yemen, but was told they have to prioritize the release of their own, current employees. Yemen has been torn by a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis captured Sanaa and most of the country's north, forcing out the government. The war, which has stalled over the past years, has killed more than 150,000 people, both fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. The U.N. is actively engaging with the Houthis to secure the immediate and unconditional release and safe return of all detained," Haq said. We fully share the families goal," Haq said. "We stand with them in their frustration and anxiety. Al-Yemeni and Mohammed say they regularly post about the detained to draw attention to their cases. But in his posts calling for action, al-Yemeni says he is careful to appeal for sympathy from the Houthis, rather than say something that could provoke them. Pool Agence France Press Big Tech is jamming preemption of state AI laws into the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) at the last minute, but it is unclear if they are fully aware of what it would actually mean. If Congress prohibits states from implementing AI policies that would protect their citizens, it would have far-reaching consequences. True conservatives in Congress must uphold their pro-American values and refuse to support any preemption effort that would ultimately be a coronation of Big Tech as our countrys new rulers. The United States is the dominant leader in AI on the global stage, and we are in a high-stakes race with adversaries - especially China - to maintain that advantage. We cannot afford to cut corners on oversight and safety while Big Tech develops AI systems at a rapid pace. States are best positioned to test thoughtful safeguards that address the most pressing concerns - from public safety to protecting children. The federal government, by contrast, is lagging behind. States have been laboratories of democracy on every pressing issue of our time. The issue of AI should not be any different. The federal government is behind the states in terms of simply thinking about the ramifications of AI, and Congress should allow the states to try to find effective policy solutions that cater to our most imminent concerns. Preemption is a clear violation of the principle of federalism inherent in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. Additionally, this provision is a blatant cover for Big Tech. It allows Big Tech to continue to exploit kids, creators, and conservatives. This provision will not empower small businesses and entrepreneurs in AI because they simply dont have $40 billion in funding to put toward artificial general intelligence (AGI) development and $100 million bonuses to hand out to potential employees. They are already shut out of the industry by people like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who popularized the "patchwork" characterization of state policies that is now being used in smaller circles in support of preemption. If we intend to outpace China on AI, we must abandon misguided proposals that undermine federalism. The federal government should focus on enacting strong, strategic measures that protect our national security and prevent U.S. technologies and advanced chips from ending up in the wrong hands. The GAIN AI Act, which is currently in the NDAA, ensures that American buyers, not foreign competitors, get first dibs on high-performance AI chips. Paired with strong export controls, these measures are exactly the kind of smart, targeted policy that keeps our data and technology secure. Meanwhile, David Sacks and Nvidias Jensen Huang are encouraging a one-size-fits-all federal AI standard, insisting Congress fold it into the NDAA and warning of "overregulation by the states." But federal overreach, not state action, is the true threat to innovation, intellectual-property protections, and Americas ability to outpace China. States are already stepping up with targeted safeguards. If we truly care about competitiveness, national security, and federalism, we need to defend states authority. There are many potential dangers that we will face as AI systems become more advanced. Things like deep fakes and virtual companions with nefarious intentions are only the beginning. Hypothetical blackmail will lead to actual blackmail - and potentially, human loss of control of AI. I am a staunch supporter of American innovation, and I know that our country has what it takes to continue to lead the world in AI. In fact, we must lead in AI in order to ensure the democratic deployment of AI technology. Yet, if we do not allow states to enact basic policies to address AI today, we will be ill-equipped to address the consequences of the advanced AI revolution tomorrow. Conservatives are the face of the growing, bipartisan opposition to preemption, and I expect more to join them in their efforts to defeat this provision once and for all. The stakes for AI are higher than ever, and they will continue to grow in unimaginable ways in as little as a few years. Congress must allow states to protect their citizens from potential harm - or we will all bear the consequences. Brendan Steinhauser is CEO of The Alliance for Secure AI, a nonprofit organization that educates policymakers and the public about the implications of advanced AI. An aerial view shows organized rows of solar panel arrays installed on farmland. Photo: Mark Stebnicki / Pexels (The Center Square) - First Solar on Friday unveiled its $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, bringing more than 800 jobs to the local economy. The New Iberia plant spans approximately 2.4 million square feet and has a footprint about 11 times the size of the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, according to First Solar. More than 700 people currently work at the plant, which began producing solar panels months ahead of schedule in July. The company said it expects to employ 826 workers at the facility by the end of the year. Manufacturing positions pay $90,000 per year on average, according to First Solar. First Solar said the plants technology automatically finds defects in solar panels during production, while AI-powered tools enable technicians to make operating adjustments and guide decision making. This is, beyond doubt, one of the most advanced solar manufacturing facilities in the world and it represents the very best of American manufacturing innovation, said Kuntal Kumar Verma, First Solars chief manufacturing officer. Along with its sister facilities in Ohio and Alabama, this factory demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to help American factory workers reach their full potential. Our fleet offers proof that AI can help realize productivity gains that allow us to out-innovate the competition and run our operations smarter, better, and faster, said Verma. The New Iberia facility produces the companys Series 7 modules using American materials that include glass from Illinois and Ohio and steel produced in Mississippi, which is then fabricated in Louisiana into backrails. The plant is not dependent on Chinese crystalline silicon supply chains, First Solar said. First Solars American manufacturing plants will be able to produce solar panels capable of generating 14 gigawatts of power in 2026 and 17.7 gigawatts in 2027. The Iberia Parish facility will have annual nameplate capacity of 3.5 gigawatts, the company said. Getty A Florida girl is suing the School Board of Brevard County (stock photo above) NEED TO KNOW The School Board of Brevard County is being sued by a Florida high school student and her father, alleging the student was strip-searched four times The father also alleges that school officials falsely reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families that he had impregnated his daughter The father alleges that even after a pediatrician said his daughter was not and never had been pregnant, school staff spread this rumor by interviewing students about the false claim A Florida high school student claims she was strip-searched four times by school officials and now she's suing. That is just one of the allegations made by a female student, identified in the suit only by her initials, M.D., and her father in a federal lawsuit against the School Board of Brevard County and assistant principal Carrie Humphrys of Eau Gallie High School. The complaint, a copy of which was obtained by PEOPLE, also accuses the school of falsely reporting the student's father to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and accusing him of molesting his daughter and getting her pregnant. The father also alleges that school staff then spread this false rumor around school by conducting interviews with students even after a pediatrician produced a record to show M.D. was not and never had been pregnant. Brevard Public Schools' Director of Communications Yvete Cruz tells PEOPLE that district employees "have never conducted strip searches, and we never will," while declining to comment on the other allegations made in the complaint. U.S. Dist Court for the Central Dist of Florida M.D. writes about one alleged strip search where a male was present The complaint alleges that the problems between the student's family and school district date back to August 2023, when the student was attending Johnson Middle School in Melbourne, a city located approximately 50 miles southeast of Orlando. The father claims he reported that his daughter and others were being subjected to frequent racial slurs and misogynistic comments from fellow students, but the school did nothing in response. He then filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education against the district, alleging an ongoing lack of action to protect students of color and accusing Brevard County Schools of falsifying documents regarding reports of violence and bullying, according to that complaint. The father accuses the school board of labeling his family as "whistleblowers" and launching a campaign of retaliatory measures against him and his daughter. The complaint alleges that these measures were a concerted effort that began when M.D. started her freshman year at Eau Gallie High School in 2024. Examples provided in the complaint include allegations that several teachers "changed M.D.'s grades to lower grades and refused to correct them until [the father] produced records confirming M.D. did the work" and one teacher making "a disparaging comment about [the father] for unknown reasons." The complaint alleges that on Sept. 18, 2024, "school official(s) at Eau Gallie High School called DCF and stated that M.D. was pregnant and molested by [the father]." An investigation was opened by DCF, according to the father and local police became involved as well, coming to the house and questioning M.D., according to the complaint. The father claims that he took M.D. to her pediatrician, who produced a report stating she was not and never had been pregnant. But even after producing this report to officials, the school began interviewing students about the allegation allowing "the pregnancy and molestation accusation to spread like wildfire," according to the complaint. U.S. Dist Court for the Central Dist of Florida M.D. writes about the impact a false report claiming her father got her pregnant had on her Three weeks later, M.D. was subjected to her first of four strip searches, alleges the complaint one of which was allegedly conducted while a man was in the room. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. M.D. was allegedly made to lift her shirt and expose her breasts each time, while sometimes shaking so that possible contraband might fall out. There was never any contraband discovered on M.D.'s person, and at no point was the father alerted to the fact that his daughter would be strip-searched by the school, the complaint alleges. A letter purportedly sent by Principal Keith Barton to the father after one of these alleged strip searches which was filed as an exhibit in the complaint says that "staff did not follow district policy" requiring searches be conducted by and in the presence of individuals "of the student's gender." The letter does not specify the nature of that search. Read the original article on People Marjorie Taylor Greene came into Congress as one of Donald Trump's staunchest defenders. Sworn into office just days before the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, Greene supported the president - and echoed his contention that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen" - when many in the Republican Party disavowed him. Now, five years later, Greene will leave Congress having been branded a "traitor" by the man she once revered. Over the course of just a handful of months, Greene broke with Trump in the most dramatic fashion. Although Greene had criticised Trump's decision to launch airstrikes on Iran, his support for Israel during the Gaza War and a lack of sufficient regulation of big technology companies earlier this year, the final fracture began over Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted paedophile who had connections to the wealthy and powerful. She condemned Trump's unwillingness to order his justice department to fully release its files on the case, and appeared alongside Epstein's victims and Democrats - to force a House vote on the matter. It didn't end there, however. Greene would also question Republican strategy during the recent government shutdown, siding with Democrats in calling on her party to address expiring healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans. She publicly berated Trump for what she said was an undue emphasis on foreign policy at the expense of addressing economic and affordability concerns. "The American people aren't motivated by foreign wars or bailouts for other countries," she wrote on X earlier this month. "They want leaders who show up, do the job, and fight for them every single day!" Greene spoke at a press conference alongside US lawmakers and Epstein's accusers at the US Capitol in September [Getty Images] Greene continued to insist that she supported Trump, but it became increasingly clear that she has a view of the "America First" movement that differs from the US president's. An activist turned congresswoman who made her name railing against the political establishment had now found that the Maga "Make America Great Again" - movement she supported had become the establishment. And as the weight of Trump's power focused on her ouster she broke for the exits with a few parting shots. "I refuse to be a 'battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better," she said in her resignation statement. "If I am cast aside by Maga Inc and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders, and the elite donor class that can't even relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well." Throughout her career, she often embraced controversy and leaned into conflict. A gym instructor in Georgia, she began engaging in politics in 2016, as Trump started his successful campaign for the White House. She made frequent trips to Washington DC, where she would berate Democratic members of Congress for what she said were their socialist and pro-Islam policies. She promoted baseless QAnon conspiracy theories, questioning whether shootings in a US school were "staged" and alleging that the Democratic party was secretly run by a group of powerful paedophiles. Once in Congress, she clashed with Democrats - and members of her own party. Although she renounced some of her past conspiratorial views, the House voted to remove her from her committee assignments shortly after she took office. When Republicans returned to power in Congress she had a political rehabilitation of sorts, working with then Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to consolidate conservative support in the chamber. When McCarthy was ousted, Greene fought with his replacement, Mike Johnson, and launched an unsuccessful bid to remove him as well. In 2023, she was expelled from the conservative House Freedom Caucus. She had become a political wildcard still despised by many on the left but also viewed with suspicion by conservatives. She still had close ties with Trump, which gave her influence in Washington. And then she didn't. Greene and Trump on the campaign trail in 2024 [AFP via Getty Images] In a brief interview on Friday night, Trump told ABC News that Greene's departure from Congress was "great news for the country". He would later post on Truth Social that Greene "went bad" but that he would "always appreciate Marjorie and thank her for her service to our country". Greene said she will return to her home in Georgia and a "new path ahead". Although she had reportedly expressed interest in the state's governor race next year, she recently said she would not seek that office or seek to unseat incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. Her decision to resign effective 5 January, however, leaves open the possibility that she could change her mind and run for office in a state where Republican politicians, like the current Georgia governor Brian Kemp, have shown that it is possible to win elections even without Trump's support. The move also allows Greene to reposition herself politically, as the Republican Party begins grappling with an environment where public support for Trump - particularly his handling of the economy - appears to be souring and the president, limited by the constitution, will never appear on a presidential ballot again. At 51, Greene's tenure in Congress may be at an end, but her involvement in American political life may be far from over. More on this story A storefront sign reading Come in, We Are Open displayed on a shop window. Photo: Tim Mossholder / Pexels Small business grants announced Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have announced nearly $10 million in state taxpayer funding for 47 small businesses through the Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program. The grantees are businesses owned by Socially Economically Disadvantaged Individuals with a maximum of 25 full-time permanent employees or Very Small Businesses with less than 10 employees. New Naperville DMV A new Illinois DMV will be opened in Naperville Monday. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias office will hold an event with area legislators at the facility on Diehl Road. The secretarys office says for the first time, the Naperville DMV location will have a one-stop-shop model deployed with employees cross trained for faster service. Treasurer's auction The Illinois Treasurers Office is conducting an online Icash auction of unclaimed property from Nov. 21 to Nov. 30. Treasurer Michael Frerichs said the auction includes Flying Eagle coins from the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln wheat pennies and other vintage items. Shoppers can view the auction items on the HiBid website. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said Nov. 21 she will resign from her post in January, an announcement that is shocking supporters in her district. Her decision comes after she publicly opposed policies of President Donald Trump, whom she has often supported, and Trump withdrew his endorsement of her. "My self-worth is not defined by a man but instead by God, who created everything in existence," Greene said. Here are a few things to know about Greene. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign. See photos of her House career. U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) announces her resignation from her position, in this screen grab from a statement released on social media, November 21, 2025. Marjorie Taylor Greene via X/Handout via Reuters Who is Marjorie Taylor Greene? Greene, 51, grew up outside of Atlanta. She attended the University of Georgia and went on to be part-owner in her father's construction company and then co-owner of a CrossFit gym. She has three grown children. Loyalists who know her describe her as kind, intelligent, and maternal. Her constituents say she fights for them. But she also earned a firebrand reputation for heckling President Joe Biden and otherwise sparring with her liberal colleagues. What state is Marjorie Taylor Greene from? Greene is from Georgia. She represents the 14th Congressional District, which is in the northwest area of the state and mostly includes rural areas. It is a heavily Republican district whose elections are usually decided in the primary. The keeper of MAGA? How Marjorie Taylor Greene took on Trump and stayed true to her base What are Marjorie Taylor Greene's politics? Greene is considered far-right. She subscribes to a mantle called America First that supports isolationist foreign policy and promotes a focus on domestic issues. The philosophy goes hand in hand with Make America Great Again, or MAGA. Greene has voted against funding foreign wars in Ukraine and Gaza. She opposes transgender women playing in girls' sports, supports hardline immigration policies and supports policies that help working-class Americans. What happened with Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump? Greene spent more than a month doing television interviews in which she publicly disagreed with the president, despite her longtime support of him. She also vocally and forcefully advocated for a bill Trump opposed to force the release of law enforcement files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. On Nov. 14, Trump withdrew his endorsement of her and encouraged people in her district to challenge her in the 2026 Republican primary. Greene said this lead to threats against her, and that she feared for her safety. She also responded to the nickname "traitor" by saying a traitor is someone who prioritizes foreign countries. Why did Marjorie Taylor Greene resign? In a social media video, Greene described how frustrated she was with trying to get things done in Washington for ordinary people. She said she did not want to put her constituents through a bruising primary battle against a Trump-supported candidate. But she also said she was leaving to spend time with her family. I missed precious time with my family that I can never get back, Greene said. She said she had to leave her mother's side while her father was having brain surgery to remove a cancer in order to go to Congress and vote against Trump's impeachment. More: Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns from Congress to go back to real life What did Donald Trump say about Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation? Trump told ABC News that Americans should be happy Greene is resigning. "I think it's great news for the country," he said "It's great." While two have had a close relationship in the past, including phone conversations, Trump told ABC News that Greene did not tell him before making her announcement. "Nah, it doesn't matter, you know, but I think it's great," Trump said. "I think she should be happy." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is MTG? What to know as the congresswoman resigns. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, during a news conference outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Credit - Graeme SloanBloomberg via Getty Images Marjorie Taylor Greene is leaving Congress, but that may not be the end of her political ambitions. The Georgia lawmaker has privately told allies that she has considered running for president in 2028, according to two people who have spoken with her directly about the prospect and three others familiar with her thinking. The possibility comes amid the dramatic rupture in Greenes relationship with President Donald Trump, which contributed to her decision to announce on Friday that she would resign from the House of Representatives in January. Greene did not respond to multiple calls and text messages seeking comment. A spokesperson for the congresswoman also did not reply to multiple requests for comment. NOTUS previously reported that Greene was telling people she wanted to run for president. A hard-right firebrand who built her name as one of Trumps fiercest defenders, Greene has become an unexpected critic of the President in recent months. She has challenged Trumps insistence that costs are falling, criticized his handling of the U.S.Israel relationship, and, most provocatively, pushed him to force the Justice Department to release the Epstein files over his initial objections. Trump responded by calling Greene a traitor and publicly disowning her. "I am withdrawing my support and Endorsement of Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, of the Great State of Georgia, he wrote on Truth Social. I understand that wonderful, Conservative people are thinking about primarying Marjorie in her District of Georgia, that they too are fed up with her and her antics and, if the right person runs, they will have my Complete and Unyielding Support. If Greene ultimately decides to run for president, House GOP members familiar with her thinking say they suspect she could play a role akin to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2024: a candidate capable of siphoning off votes from the GOP nominee, positioning her to leverage that political capital into a possible role within a future Republican administration. Greene first burst onto the national scene during the 2020 election cycle. When she arrived in Congress in January 2021, she demonstrated a flair for provocation and emerged as a thorn in the side of congressional Republican leadership. She attacked adversaries and cemented her status as one of the most controversial figures in the MAGA movement. Read More: On the Campaign Trail With Marjorie Taylor Greene. Earlier this year, Trump privately discouraged her from running for Georgia governor or senator, showing polls suggesting she would lose a statewide race, according to a senior White House official. Greenes posture toward the president then shifted, according to sources close to her. She has since emerged as an unlikely critic of Trump across a range of issues, to the bewilderment of many in his movement. After Greene announced her resignationdeclaring that loyalty should be a two-way streetTrump celebrated her departure. I think its great news for the country, he told ABC News. Asked whether Greene had informed him beforehand, he shrugged it off: Nah, it doesnt matter but I think its great. I think she should be happy. Contact us at letters@time.com. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves to supporters during a demonstration in Caracas, Venezuela on November 13. - Pedro Mattey/Anadolu/Getty Images What will become of Nicolas Maduro? With a $50 million bounty on his head, the CIA openly active in Caracas and US forces mustering in the Caribbean, pundits and politicians throughout the Americas are opining on the Venezuelan presidents fate. Some are counting on the United States deposing him, Saddam Hussein-style (or Salvador Allende-style, or Manuel Noriega-style). In the past two weeks, prominent neoconservatives Bret Stephens and Elliott Abrams have argued in favor of overthrowing Maduro outright in columns in the New York Times and Foreign Affairs. Others wonder if Maduro might leave of his own volition. On Wednesday, the foreign minister of Colombia, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy, suggested that Maduros negotiated exit from the presidency would be the healthiest option available. I believe he has indeed considered it, that there could be a way out, a transition, where he can leave without having to go to jail, and where someone can come in who can make that transition and where there can be legitimate elections, Villavicencio Mapy told Bloomberg News. It would be the healthiest thing to do. Soon after, Colombias leftist government clarified that the ministers comment should not be construed as an endorsement of Maduro relinquishing power, emphasizing that Colombia has no interest in interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. Defiance despite a bad year Its been a difficult year for Maduro, who became president of Venezuela in 2013 after the death of its charismatic leftist president Hugo Chavez. His self-proclaimed victory in the 2024 Venezuelan election was disputed by the countrys opposition and went unrecognized by most of the Western world. The US has long considered him a criminal, accusing him of heading a criminal structure known as el Cartel de los Soles (the Cartel of the Suns), which most experts say does not technically exist. Recently, the Trump administration labeled el Cartel de los Soles a terrorist group, creating a potential opening for US military strikes in Venezuela. To make matters worse for the embattled president, his political enemy, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, won the Nobel Peace Prize in October. From hiding, Machado has warned that Maduros time as president is coming to an end, promising a new era for Venezuela. CNN spoke to experts about what might lie in store for the Chavista leader, all of whom agreed that Maduro and his government are extremely unlikely to forfeit power willingly. Elias Ferrer, a Caracas-based risk consultant at Orinoco Research, said that Maduro and his colleagues are keenly aware that leaving power without a guarantee of immunity may result in prison time or extradition to the United States. The US is one of the few countries in the world that if you mess with them, they can chase you until the end of the world, said Ferrer. They are facing a very real danger. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez promised that her country would not surrender in a speech on Thursday at a cultural event in Caracas. What Venezuela is experiencing today, I would not call dangerous times, no, but rather times of historic definition, of historic insurgency, so that they know that this people will not surrender, this people cannot be blackmailed, Rodriguez said. David Smilde, a Venezuela expert and professor at Tulane University, told CNN that many observers underestimate how committed Maduro and his circle are to Chavismo, the socialist movement named after Hugo Chavez and the states guiding ideology. They are worried about their safety, and they are worried about their wealth, Smilde said. But they also think of themselves as revolutionaries, as an anti-imperialist, historically important project that has thumbed its nose at the United States, thumbed its nose at Venezuelas dominant political class and has done their own thing now for 25 years. I think that for Maduro to accept any kind of transition, Smilde continued, There would have to be some sort of path for Chavismo to be a viable political force, for there not to be a witch hunt for Chavistas afterwards. Off-ramp for Maduro Brian Fonseca, professor at Florida International University, said that a satisfactory off-ramp for Maduro might be exile in Russia, but not without pressure from within his own inner circle. I think there has to be enough pressure mounted within the political or the military elite that ultimately push him out. I dont think hes going to go willfully, Fonseca said. On the other hand, Ferrer told CNN that he doesnt see Maduro or his circle accepting exile. I dont think they want to go into exile in Russia or Cuba or anything like that, Ferrer said. They want essentially something very pragmatic, where Maduro and his friends can still be the economic elite of the country, and can trust whoevers in charge of the armed forces. Hold the champagne Smilde cautioned against any hopes that the eventual end of Maduros presidency would signify the end of the regime. Because of his lack of charisma, what hes had to do is construct this pyramid of people that are benefiting in some way, Smilde said. If you just take Maduro off of that pyramid, the pyramid is still there and theres a lot of people with a lot of interest in things continuing on the way they are. The professor recalled when Hugo Chavez died in 2013, many wrongly assumed that his political project had come to an end. I was getting on a plane to Caracas, Smilde said. I was walking through first class. There were all these Venezuelans sipping champagne, hugging each other, saying its over, Chavez is dead. And so here we are. Nothing actually changed. That leader left, and then you had a leader thats worse. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An Ohio officer who shot and killed a pregnant Black mother in a supermarket parking lot after she was accused of shoplifting has been acquitted of all charges, including murder, after multiple days of deliberation. Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb could have faced up to life in prison for the shooting death of Ta'Kiya Young. The courtroom was silent as the verdicts were read aloud by the judge on Friday. Grubb appeared stalwart, while Young's grandmother, who is raising her two sons, collapsed into sobs at the decision. She could be heard shouting "It's not right! This is not right!" Grubb and Moynihan had approached Young's parked car on Aug. 24, 2023, about a report that she was suspected of stealing alcohol from a Kroger store in the Columbus suburb. She partially lowered her window and protested as both officers cursed at her and yelled at her to get out. Bodycam video showed Grubb had his left hand on the car's hood while pointing his gun at her with his right. Young could be heard asking them, "Are you going to shoot me?" Then, she put on a turn signal and her car rolled slowly forward toward Grubb, who fired a single bullet into her chest, the recording showed. Moments later, after the car came to a stop against the building, they broke the driver's side window. Police said they tried to save her life, but she was mortally wounded. Young and her unborn daughter were pronounced dead at a hospital. Jurors were shown the body cam video and heard expert testimony during the two-week trial. They heard from Sgt. Erick Moynihan, the officer who with Grubb had ordered Young out of her car. Grubb attended the trial but did not testify. He submitted a statement read into the record by a special agent for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. This image from bodycam video released by the Blendon Township Police on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, shows a bullet hole in the windshield of a car with Ta'Kiya Young inside after she was shot by a police officer outside a grocery store in Blendon Township, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, on Aug. 24. The pregnant Black mother was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting. Her unborn daughter did not survive. The image was pixelated by the source. / Credit: / AP In the statement, Grubb said he had positioned himself in front of Young's vehicle to provide backup and to protect other people in the parking lot. He said he drew his gun after he heard Young fail to comply with Moynihan's commands. When her car moved toward him, he said, he felt the vehicle hit his legs and shins and begin to lift his body off the ground as he shot. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David Young, no relation to Ta'Kiya, dropped four of 10 counts relating to the death of Young's unborn daughter, agreeing with defense attorneys that prosecutors failed to present proof that Grubb knew Young was pregnant when he shot her. Sean Walton, an attorney for the Young family, called the outcome "an American tragedy," lamenting what he said is a dual system of justice in the U.S. The family's legal team vowed to continue its fight in civil court, where her estate sued the township and police chief over department practices in August. The federal lawsuit filed against the police chief alleges that Grubb was not was not trained or supervised properly and "recklessly escalated" his response to the situation. Grubb's attorney, Mark Collins, said that Grubb cried after the verdict was read. In his comments, Collins also criticized protests that occurred at the courthouse during the trial, and said that Grubb should never have been subject to felony murder charges. "For the rest of his life, he has to deal with this," Collins said. "You didn't get to hear from him because the government put his statement on, but he feels he took a life on duty and realizing, in his life after the fact, he has to walk around with that. And that is a difficult situation." Sneak peek: Who Wanted Nicki Lenway Dead? Judge slams senior ICE official for "worst of all" answers on Kilmar Abrego Garcia case Trump administration case against John Bolton in court A man in Lagos reads local newspapers with headlines on gunmen abducting schoolchildren and staff of the St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri community in Nigeria, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Credit - Sunday AlambaAssociated Press More than 300 schoolchildren are believed to have been abducted from a Catholic school in Nigeria on Friday, one of the worst mass kidnappings ever recorded in the country. Armed men reportedly attacked the Catholic school of St. Marys in Niger state, and abducted 303 pupils and 12 teachers, both males and females of varying ages, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), an umbrella group of Christian organizations in the country. Fifty of the children managed to escape their captors on Friday and Saturday and were reunited with their parents, CAN said. The attack capped a week of similar kidnappings across Nigeria that targeted both Christians and Muslims, some of which appeared to be financially motivated. On Monday, 25 Muslim school girls were kidnapped from a school in Kebbi in an armed attack that resulted in the death of the schools Vice Principal, and another 64 people were abducted from their homes in Zamfara state, which borders Kebbi, local media reported. The next day, a live stream captured a gunman attacking a Christ Apostolic Church in Oke Isegun in the Kwara State, leaving two dead and over 30 people abducted and missing. One church official told Reuters that the kidnappers had demanded around $69,000 in ransom per person. Read More: How to Actually Stop the Violence in Nigeria The attacks come just weeks after President Donald Trump warned he would send the U.S. military guns-a-blazing to Nigeria over reports of attacks on Christians in the West African nation. The State Department said Sunday the U.S. condemned the abduction at St. Marys Catholic School and the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. "Those responsible for these crimes must be swiftly captured and held accountable. The Nigerian government must act decisively and do more to protect Christians and ensure Nigerians can live, learn, and practice their religion freely without fear or terror," it added in a post on X. The latest attacks on Christians are likely to pile more pressure on Nigerias government and raise the possibility of the Trump Administration taking more direct action in the country. If confirmed, the Niger attack would exceed the mass abduction of 276 schoolgirls by the Islamist terror group Boko Haram in 2014, which drew global outrage and an international campaign to free them. But experts say the motivations behind the spate of abductions are complex and not necessarily driven by religious motivations. A report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies released last year noted a dramatic increase in abductions by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits. The report noted a shift by these groups towards mass abductions because they increase the possibility of government ransom payments, which are more substantial than what can be cobbled together by individual ransoms. Schools are targeted because they are often not well protected, experts say. Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the CAN chairman in Niger in the north of the country, said his organization was working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely," in a statement, according to Reuters. It took everybody by surprise One woman, Dominic Adamu, whose daughters attend the school but were not abducted, told the BBC that Everybody is weak... it took everybody by surprise. Another woman whose nieces, ages six and 13, were taken, told the outlet. I just want them to come home. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, but as authorities are deployed in the area in an attempt to find and rescue those kidnapped, Fridays mass abduction is an example of a larger issue of kidnapping by extremists in the areaand it is the third such attack in the country in a week. Nigerias President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cancelled his attendance at the G20 summit in South Africa following the abductions. Speaking after the Monday attacks, but before the Niger abductions, Tinubu said he was fully apprised of the recent uptick in violent extremism in pockets across the country, and I have directed our security agencies to respond with urgency, clarity, and decisive action. I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State, he said on X. Amina Hassan, wife of the vice principal of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, where gunmen on Monday attacked the school dormitory, abducted schoolgirls and killed her husband, stands in front of the room where he was killed, in Kebbi, Nigeria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Tunde OmolehinAssociated Press Our forces need the full cooperation of every community. Sharing information can save lives and protect our children, he added. Niger Gov. Umaru Bago told reporters Saturday that all schools in the Niger state have been shut down after meeting with security officials in Minna. It is the decision of stakeholders today to close all schools in Niger state, Bago said. All schools in Niger are closed till further notice. So we have declared Christmas holiday for all primary and secondary schools in Niger state. Pope Leo made a plea on Sunday for the immediate release of the kidnapped schoolchildren. "I make a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages," the Pope said at the end of a mass in St. Peter's Square in Rome. A country of particular concern On Nov. 2, Trump told his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to prepare for possible action in Nigeria if violence against Christians continued. If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and 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, Trump posted on his Truth Social account, calling on the Nigerian government to act fast. The Trump Administration designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern, as Trump said that Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. Meanwhile, Nigerias President responded to Trumps statements on X, saying it does not reflect our national reality. While it is documented that Nigeria has been dealing with insurgencies from jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State, statistics from the Council of Foreign Relations affirm that more Muslims than Christians have been victims of violence despite Boko Harams murderous hostility to Christians. Still, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has maintained that the countrywhich is split relatively evenly between Muslims and Christiansthat violence affects both populations in large numbers. Popular U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj has emerged as a strong voice in support of Trumps attention towards the plight of Christians in Nigeria. The rapper spoke at a special U.N. event titled Combating Christian Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria this week. Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart... simply because of how they pray, Minaj said in her speech on Tuesday. The attack on St. Marys School happened as Nigerian officials, including Nigerian National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau this week in the United States. Contact us at letters@time.com. The dome of the California State Capitol is shown in Sacramento with U.S. and California state flags flying in the foreground. Photo: Leo_Visions / Unsplash (The Center Square) - The Legislative Analysts Office released its outlook on the 2026-27 budget, highlighting the states weak position and an $18 billion shortfall. The nonpartisan office releases the report annually to give the Legislature an idea of its starting point before the Assembly and Senate convene each January. The main causes of the 2026-27 budget problems, the Legislative Analysts Office reported, include obligations to school and community college funding established by the passage of Proposition 98, which California voters passed in 1988. Main causes also include debt and reserve deposit requirements, which the state has to pay for in its annual budget, as established by Proposition 2, passed in 2014. The funds the Legislature would have to allocate to pay for the expenses related to those two propositions would exceed almost all of the $11 billion gain in revenue the state raked in during the last year. The Legislative Analysts Office told The Center Square on Friday that the states personal income tax collection is high because many high-income workers in California work in the technology industry, one of the states largest and wealthiest industries. Much of that personal wealth for those who work in tech is tied to investment assets, like stocks, according to the office. With the uptick in the stock market associated with that excitement over artificial intelligence, concerns about that longevity fueled the Legislative Analysts Offices middle-ground approach to the budget outlook. Were trying to look at how sustainable that is, and were looking at these indicators that are telling us that the stock market is likely overheated, said Carolyn Chu, chief deputy legislative assistant for the Legislative Analyst's Office. The run-up in the stock market is driven by many of these AI or AI-adjacent companies," Chu told The Center Square. "We also look at how the stock market tends to react to major innovations in technology, and often, the stock market overreacts to major innovations in technology, even when that technology can be quite transformative. While there is some doubt that the development of AI technology will continue fueling a rise in the stock market long-term, the budget outlook says AI is the one bright spot for potential revenue in the coming year. Excitement over AI technology hasnt just been the main driver of strong income tax collection over the last two years in California, according to the budget outlook, but has also served to increase the stock market by 50% in the last two years. Most of these gains come from the meteoric rise in the value of a handful of tech companies that investors believe will be major beneficiaries of recent advances in AI, the outlook reads. These companies have made big bets on AI, spending hundreds of billions of dollars on data centers and offering extraordinary pay packages to recruit AI researchers. That overheated market has a few key signs, according to the Legislative Analysts Office, namely that investors are borrowing more to invest and households are becoming more invested in the stock market than they have been in 70 years. Higher personal income tax collection in California, because it is tied so closely to the stock market, could also hold the potential to go down if a downturn in the stock market occurs, the Legislative Analyst's Office said. If it does, income tax collection will go down, leading to less revenue for the state to work with in its budget. Moving ahead in forming a budget while knowing the financial challenges the state faces is imperative, the Legislative Analyst's Office said, especially since it could have implications for programs and services many residents of the state depend on. For the legislature to build in some of this insurance against a market turn is important, Chu told The Center Square. It is a challenge the legislature faces, because the lions share of spending that the legislature has control over does support services that support low-income Californians. Some legislators have already spoken out about the Legislative Analyst's Offices findings in the annual budget outlook, with state Sen. Megan Dahle, R-Bieber, writing in an e-newsletter sent on Friday that the states budget outlook is not an early Christmas present. California has seen booms and busts and their effect on state budgets before, Dahle wrote in the newsletter. Youve probably heard of the past few years budget deficits which were largely resolved through one-time fixes including internal borrowing and reserves. The state has fewer options left for those solutions which means the coming budget year will demand difficult decisions and hard looks at what state programs are working and getting the taxpayers their moneys worth. The nonpartisan California Budget & Policy Center also responded to the release of the budget outlook in a press release on Wednesday, saying that the most affluent Californians are continuing to do well financially, while the majority still struggle to afford basic amenities. While these stronger-than-expected returns have boosted state revenues, they reflect a deeply unequal economy: one in which a small number of wealthy investors are doing exceptionally well, even as everyday Californians continue to struggle with rising costs and a weak labor market, said Scott Graves, the budget director at the California Budget & Policy Center. Rising costs in health and safety net programs signal that Californians need and value access to affordable health care and other supports, especially as federal funding continues to erode. Legislators who sit on budget and fiscal committees were not available on Friday to answer The Center Square's questions. Staff from Gov. Gavin Newsoms office were also unavailable. People arrive at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, on Nov. 7. (COP 30 Press Office / Anadolu / Getty Images) As representatives from nearly 200 nations were wrapping up talks at the United Nations COP30 climate summit this week, the United States was not only absent, but the Trump administration also introduced a series of sweeping proposals to roll back environmental protections and encourage fossil fuel drilling. The United Nations Climate Change Conference ended Friday in the Brazilian city of Belem, where delegates gathered to hammer out a road map to phase out fossil fuels, boost climate action and limit global warming. For the first time in the summits history, the U.S. one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases did not send a delegation. Instead, the Trump administration this week announced a plan to open up new oil drilling off the coasts of California and Florida for the first time in decades and proposed rule changes to weaken the Endangered Species Act and limit the Environmental Protection Agencys authority to protect wetlands and streams. These rules double down on the administrations refusal to confront the climate crisis in a serious way and, in fact, move us in the opposite direction, said Jessie Ritter, associate vice president of waters and coasts for the National Wildlife Federation, a conservation group. Indigenous people take part in a demonstration during the COP30 conference on Nov. 17. (Pablo Porciuncula / AFP / Getty Images) The White House told NBC News on Friday that this weeks historic announcements aim to further President Trumps American energy dominance agenda. President Trump is reversing government overreach, restoring energy security, and protecting American jobs by rolling back excessive, burdensome regulations and creating new opportunities to DRILL, BABY, DRILL, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement. President Trump serves the American people, not radical climate activists who have fallen victim to the biggest scam of the century. Ritter said the new proposals signal to the world just how much the U.S. has stepped back from any meaningful climate action. I doubt that this surprises folks who have been watching in the international arena, she said. But its unfortunate, given the example the U.S. sets and what our leadership, or lack thereof, emboldens other countries to do. The Trump administration's announcement on Thursday that it intends to open up roughly 1.27 billion acres of coastal U.S. waters for oil drilling drew bipartisan pushback. Although the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association for the oil and gas industry, hailed the program as a historic step toward unleashing our nations vast offshore resources, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., pushed to uphold the current moratorium on drilling, which Trump extended during his first term. I have been speaking to @SecretaryBurgum and made my expectations clear that this moratorium must remain in place, and that in any plan, Floridas coasts must remain off the table for oil drilling to protect Floridas tourism, environment, and military training opportunities, Scott wrote Thursday on X, referring to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Across the country, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X that Donald Trumps idiotic proposal to sell off Californias coasts to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water. We will not stand by as our coastal economy and communities are put in danger, he said. The drilling directive came just three days after the Trump administration proposed major limits to the Clean Water Act of 1972 that would undo protections from pollution and runoff for most of the countrys small streams and wetlands. The rule would narrow the definition of which bodies qualify as waters of the United States under the act. If finalized, the changes would mean that the smallest share of freshwater resources would be under federal protection since the law was enacted, according to Jon Devine, who heads the water policy team at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group. By EPAs own estimate, only about 19% of the countrys wetlands would be protected against unregulated destruction and development if this were finalized, Devine said. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Aug. 26. (Aaron Schwartz / Bloomberg / Getty Images) Wetlands act as buffers against flooding by absorbing and storing water during extreme rainfall and other high-runoff events. As the world warms, coastal and inland flooding is expected to become more frequent and severe. Many of the places that we already have in the U.S. that are increasingly flood-prone due to climate change are going to be even more in harms way, Devine said. Wetlands and streams also feed into other bodies of water that serve as critical drinking water supplies across the country, so critics fear the policy could make drinking water unsafe in some communities. The third major environmental rollback announced this week was a set of four rules that would erode protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The proposed changes aim to make it easier to remove species classified as threatened or endangered and harder to add new protected species and their habitats to the list. The rules, if passed, would also allow the government to consider economic impacts in decisions to list or delist species. Red wolves shown at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science in 2017. (Salwan Georges / The Washington Post / Getty Images file) Taken together, Ritter said, these three proposals are consistent with the Trump administrations deregulatory agenda. These decisions prioritize short-term gain, often for a few industries and special interests, at the expense of things that have been widely bipartisan and important issues for people for decades, Ritter said. The impacts of the changes might not all be apparent right away, she added, but the scale of the long-term consequences could be immense. Its truly not an exaggeration that this is going to touch all Americans in some way, she said. Everything is connected, and its hubris to think that we can have these massive negative effects on our streams and wetlands, our animals, our coastal waters, without impacts to humans. Courtesy Dateline For as long as she can remember, Heather Thiel believed her father was a killer. She was so convinced that she twice urged authorities to examine whether he was responsible for a horrific, unsolved double murder that shook rural Wisconsin more than three decades ago. But her role in the investigation into the slaying of Tim Mumbrue and Tanna Togstad led to an outcome she never could have imagined: three years ago, authorities concluded that her cousin, not her now-deceased father, fatally stabbed the couple on March 21, 1992. Just as head-spinning, that cousin, Tony Haase, was acquitted in the murders earlier this year. During a nearly monthlong trial, Haases lawyers made the case that the evidence pointed at Heather Thiels dead father, Jeff Thiel. For Heather Thiel, who is 40 and works at a group home for mentally ill adults, the whiplash of the last three years left her questioning longstanding beliefs and wrestling with a familiar feeling. I wish there was a definite answer, she said. Now, I feel like we still dont know for sure. Fixated on murder On March 11, 1995, Jeff Thiel pointed a shotgun at a law enforcement officer after he was pulled over in a traffic stop. The officer retreated to his car, and Jeff Thiel, whod worked in the maintenance department of an iron foundry in a rural community east of Green Bay, escaped, Haases defense attorney said at trial. Heather Thiel. (Courtesy Dateline) He blew through a roadblock and fled the state, said the attorney, John Birdsall. Nearly three months later, in a hotel room in Washington state, Jeff Thiel died by suicide, according to his daughter. He was 44. Heather Thiel, who was 11 when her mother told her the news, can still recall her response: I said, Whens the party? Heather Thiel described her father as a scary and abusive parent who killed neighborhood pets and would casually and routinely threaten to shoot her mother. Her mom, Marie Stanchik, also believed her ex-husband was a killer. In an interview with authorities three years ago, she recalled how his ultimate dream was to kill somebody. Jeff Thiel. (Courtesy Dateline) He used to tell me that all the time, Stanchik said, according to audio of the interview. Hes had a gun in my face and said if I ever call the cops on him, hes gonna use it. Jeff Thiel also had a thing for knives, said Heather Thiel, who has memories of him sitting in a recliner with sharpening tools and blades. Because he worked at a foundry, she said she came to believe he easily could have brought a murder weapon to work with him and melted it down. And there was this comment, which she said her father made the day Togstad and Mumbrue were killed: Its funny how you can get away with murder these days. A suspect from the start The murders were brutal. They were found in the bedroom of Togstads farmhouse. Mumbrue, 34, was stabbed 27 times, according to a forensic pathologist who testified at Haases trial. His throat had been cut. Togstad, 23, had been stabbed once in the chest and appeared to have been sexually assaulted. Tanna Togstad and Tim Umbrue. (Courtesy Dateline) Even Togstads dog, a terrier named Scruffy, was fatally stabbed. According to one of the original detectives who investigated the case, authorities focused on Jeff Thiel as a possible suspect early on. With his background and build and strength, he was certainly a person that we had to go after, said Al Kraeger, who retired from the Waupaca County Sheriffs Department six years ago. But physical evidence soon cleared those suspicions for law enforcement, said Capt. Nick Traeger of the Waupaca County Sheriffs Department. In 1996, just as DNA was revolutionizing forensic sciences, an analysis eliminated Jeff Thiel as the person who sexually assaulted Togstad, Traeger told Dateline. A blood sample taken from the clothes he was wearing at the time of his suicide did not match semen found on Togstad, the captain said. Heather Thiel said she knew none of this. And as the years passed and no arrests were made, she said she would tell anyone who would listen that her father was probably responsible for the murders. In 2010, she saw a billboard authorities had put up seeking information about the killings and called the listed phone number. According to a law enforcement summary of the interview that followed, Heather Thiel told investigators about her fathers habit of killing animals and his casual comments about murder. She told them that hed wanted to be with Togstad and had an obsession with knives. And she told them that hed taken his own life after fleeing from law enforcement. I had spent my whole life thinking my dad did this and maybe Id get answers, Heather Thiel said. But then, literally nothing came of it. One of the investigators who interviewed Heather Thiel, Mike Sasse of the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, said that they did nothing with her information because he already knew that DNA had eliminated Jeff Thiel as a suspect years earlier. Now, could he have been a peripheral character in the murders? Sasse added. At that time, yes, he could have been. A confession from a night in a 'drunken stupor' More than a decade passed and still, there were no arrests. Then, on April 8, 2022, Heather Thiel found herself speaking to law enforcement again. This time, her mother was present for the interview, according to a case report from the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. Authorities were interested in obtaining their DNA and learning about the familys allegations against Jeff Thiel, the report states. During the interview, Heather Thiel said she raised the same concerns that shed detailed for Sasse in 2010. She provided a buccal swab, she said, as well as access to a family tree shed been developing on a genealogy site. She turned on her profile, and it was like the Christmas tree lit up, said Traeger, one of the investigators who interviewed her. The mystery DNA obtained from the crime scene did not match Jeff Thiel, Traeger said, but it did match someone else in the family Heather Thiels cousin, Tony Haase, a father of four with no criminal record who worked at the same iron foundry as Jeff Thiel. Authorities confirmed the link by surreptitiously collecting Haases DNA from a pen during a traffic stop, Traeger said. During interviews with authorities, Haase, 54, denied that he had anything to do with the murders. When one of the officers told him that his DNA was found at the crime scene, he said: I still dont buy it, a video of the interview shows. Tony Haase. (Courtesy Dateline) But as investigators continued to press Haase, he admitted that over the years hed had little clicks or memories that made him wonder if hed been involved in the killings. He said he remembered a barbell in the house crime scene photos showed one in the bedroom then leaving the house and vomiting outside, according to the video. In an interview at the sheriffs office, investigators said this latter detail was a natural human response following an extreme event. Haase described how his father had been killed in an accident while racing snowmobiles with Togstads father, and how on the night the couple was killed, he was drunk and all he could think about was the accident. I didnt go there to hurt nobody, he told investigators. I honestly can tell you that I dont know what started, what happened, what started it all. Asked why it took so long for him to acknowledge what hed done, Haase said: Because I didnt want it to sound like I had this planned. On Aug. 11, 2022, Haase was arrested for the murders of Togstad and Mumbrue. A probable cause affidavit filed in Waupaca Circuit Court said that at the time of the killings hed been in a drunken stupor. Doubt surrounds murder trial Heather Thiel was shocked. She didnt know her cousin well but said he didnt seem to have a mean bone in his body. The arrest also prompted some self-reflection. I was like, how could I have had it wrong? she said. If I was wrong about my dad and it was actually my cousin well, sorry, you should pay for what you did. Jeff Thiel, however, continued to loom over the case as Haases trial approached. In a pretrial hearing in May, Haases attorneys said that because Jeff Thiels genetic profile had not been excluded from all of the blood evidence gathered at the crime scene, they should be able to argue at trial that he was still a possible suspect in the murders. Prosecutors objected, but the judge sided with the defense, a transcript shows. So the state asked to exhume Jeff Thiels remains to carry out additional DNA testing a process that Waupaca County District Attorney Kat Turner said would allow them to exclude him from physical evidence gathered at the scene. In June, Jeff Thiels remains were disinterred from a Waupaca County cemetery. The DNA analyst worked on nothing but that until he had the analysis complete, Turner told Dateline. And again, excluded Jeff Thiel from all of the blood evidence that was available. In the pretrial proceedings, Haases lawyers sought to bar that evidence because they said they didnt have time to prepare a response before trial, which was scheduled to start two weeks later. Prosecutors again objected, Turner said, but the judge ruled that if the trial started as scheduled, the state would be prohibited from presenting any DNA evidence related to Jeff Thiel. Instead of delaying the trial and challenging the ruling a process that could have taken years, Turner said the prosecution forged ahead. Turner said that decision was made after consulting with victims families and weighing the challenge of trying an old case in which investigators and scientists were becoming sick or dying. 'Somebody who has no conscience' Haases trial began in July in a Waupaca County courthouse. His attorneys argued that Haases confession had been coerced investigators planted false memories in an hourslong interrogation and they said the male DNA found on Togstads body had been degraded by years of testing and storage. As evidence of Jeff Thiels involvement in the murders, attorney John Birdsall cited an apparent motive Tanna had rejected Jeff Thiels advances and he linked Jeff Thiels habit of killing pets to Scruffys death. This was killed by somebody who has no conscience, who has absolutely no problem killing anything in its path, he said in his closing argument. Thats Jeff. Amy Ohtani, the assistant attorney general who also prosecuted the case, described the defenses strategy as an effort to weave together a fantasy to keep you from paying attention to the actual evidence. The DNA had been properly collected, preserved and tested, she said in her closing argument, and the idea that Haases admissions were false was a distraction. Jeff Thiel, she said, was the perfect scapegoat. Jeff Thiel. (Courtesy Dateline) At trial, she said, hed been described by family members as an absolutely terrible person but wasnt there to defend himself and there was no evidence actually linking him to the crime. Jeff Thiel sounds like he was a terrible guy, she said. But that doesnt mean he killed Tim and Tanna. On the fourth day of deliberations, the jury acquitted Haase of the murders. For his cousin, that decision was the right one. Heather Thiel had come to doubt the forensics that excluded her father from the murders and linked her cousin to them, she said, and she believed Haase had been coerced into making a false confession. Although the trial produced no definitive answers, Heather Thiel said, the proceedings prompted her to return to a long-held position about who killed Mumbrue and Togstad. Until proven otherwise, I will always believe its my dad, she said. Marijan Janzikovic shows the picture of his late wife Alenka Curin Janzekovic, who in 2023 travelled to Switzerland to end her life after years of unbearable pain, in Sv. Tomaz, Slovenia, November 20, 2025. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic Marijan Janzikovic shows the picture of his late wife Alenka Curin Janzekovic, who in 2023 travelled to Switzerland to end her life after years of unbearable pain, in Sv. Tomaz, Slovenia, November 20, 2025. REUTERS/Borut Zivulovic By Borut Zivulovic SVETI TOMAZ, Slovenia (Reuters) -Slovenia will on Sunday vote on a law that proposes legalising assisted dying for some terminally ill adults, following other European countries that have made the change. The parliament of the small European Union member passed the law in July, but a citizens' initiative led by right-wing politician Ales Primc forced a referendum on Sunday, the results of which will be binding. Supporters of the law, which allows assisted suicide for adults facing unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement, say that it will alleviate unnecessary pain. Those against say society should care for the sick, not help them die. Marijan Janzekovic, an 86-year-old who lives in the town of Sveti Tomaz, east of Ljubljana, supports the bill. His wife Alenka Curin-Janzekovic was wheelchair-bound and in pain for years from diabetes-related illnesses before he took her to a Swiss clinic in 2023 to end her life. She was in a wheelchair ... and in pain so bad my heart hurt just by watching her, he told Reuters, looking at her photo in his phone and clutching a pendant with her ashes. 'LETS CARE FOR THE SICK AND DYING' Opponents say the law is inhumane and violates Slovenias constitution, which declares human life inviolable. Catholic Archbishop Stanislav Zore said the state should focus on palliative care instead. Lets care for the sick and dying, but not offer them suicide, he said. The law will be rejected if a majority of participating voters oppose it, on condition they constitute at least 20% of the 1.692 million electorate. Assisted dying is already permitted in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium and several U.S. states. Britains lower house voted to legalise it earlier this year, though the bill awaits approval in the upper parliament chamber. Britain's bill allows assisted suicide only to terminally ill adults with less than six months to live, an approval of two doctors, judicial oversight, and self-administration of the medication. Slovenia's law is similar. It requires the approval of two doctors but also cooling-off periods, and self-administration of the medication. Alongside terminal conditions, the Netherlands and Belgium both cover non-terminal diagnoses such as psychiatric illnesses, and allow euthanasia administered by a doctor, alongside assisted suicide. Ljubljana resident Maria, 25, said doctors' opinions should prevail: If they are against it, theres definitely something to it. In contrast, 44-year-old Bruce Milord said he planned to vote 'yes'. Everybody has the right to decide about their life and death. (Reporting by Borut Yivulovic and Antionio Bronic, Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Edward McAllister and Ros Russell) The Fabia family, who are from the Philippines, begin putting up their decorations in September [BBC] How early is too early to put up the Christmas tree? For the Fabia family, the festive season starts in September. They are from the Philippines, which has the longest festive period in the world, beginning in September and lasting through to January. They call these the "ber" months, with September, October, November and December all ending in "ber". Russel Fabia said: "Filipinos are known to be really happy people, so from September we start getting Christmas decorations up, music, Christmas songs." Ms Fabia said people in Guernsey were amazed to see their Christmas decorations up early [BBC] Ms Fabia said she did not know when the tradition started but people had become "more creative and more imaginative" as time went on. She said in the Philippines Christmas carollers typically visit houses beginning in November and in return families exchange gifts, money or food. "I think those practices keep this spirit of Christmas alive from the time you start in September until December," she said. She said another popular tradition in the Philippines was Simbang Gabi, which involves "going to church every night for nine days until Christmas Eve". With the decorations going up before other holidays such as Halloween, Ms Fabia said she would resort to covering her Christmas tree with a curtain to make it appear spooky. After Halloween is over, she said, people view the early decorations with confusion - and have even stopped to take photos to share on social media. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Photo: Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, speaks at the Young Americans for Liberty National Convention in Kissimmee, Fla., Aug. 2, 2024. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cropped from Original (The Center Square) An anti-Sharia law movement is being led by Texas Republicans, including Texas governor and members of Congress. Gov. Greg Abbott this week issued three directives targeting Islamic groups, first designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on Islamic American Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations. On the same day, he issued his second directive, calling for the investigation of the Islamic Tribunal in north Texas. U.S. Rep. Keith Self, a Republican representing the district where the tribunal is located, called for Sharia law to be banned in the U.S. Sharia is the law of Islam, Self said in a fiery speech on the House Floor. Sharia is dangerous. Western values form the basis for the Founding of America, namely that rights come from our Creator; ours is a Christian-based culture. Sharia, on the other hand, is a culture of violence and domination, totally anathema to the concept of individual freedom. The United States Constitution and Sharia are fundamentally at odds with one another. The Constitution begins with We the People, Sharia states, Allah has said. Followers of Sharia believe Muhammad received a divine legal code that stands supreme over all man-made laws. While Western civilization has evolved, Islam has not. Islam is stuck in the 8th century, and if they succeed at imposing their beliefs on us, we will be dragged back into the Dark Age. Self also pointed to Sharia legal punishments viewed as normative, including stoning to death adulterers, public beatings of women, amputating hands of thieves, and executing Christians and Jews in accordance with the Quran. The tribunal in north Texas constitution states, Stoning adulterers, cutting of the hands, polyandry and the like (all can be traced in the relevant literature and can be explained in their Islamic legal mentality and rational context in fairness and justice), are mainly a part of Islamic Criminal Law. Last month, Self, joined Republican U.S. Reps. Chip Roy of Texas, Randy Fine of Florida and Tim Burchett of Tennessee in introducing the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act. America is facing an existential threat - the spread of Sharia Law, Roy said. From Texas to every state in the union, instances of Sharia Law adherents have threatened the American way of life, seeking to replace our legal system and Constitution with an incompatible ideology that diminishes the rights of women, children, and individuals of different faiths. Roy, who has authored numerous border security measures, said, Americas immigration system must be fortified to counter the importation of Sharia adherents the preservation of our constitutional republic and its people depend on it." The two-page bill would direct the U.S, attorney general and secretaries of the departments of Homeland Security and State to prevent foreign nationals who observe Sharia from entering the U.S. or from remaining in the country. Any foreign national who provides false statements about their adherence to Sharia Law would have their immigration benefits, visa or admittance to the country revoked and be considered inadmissible or deportable and removed from the U.S., according to the bill language. The bill also includes a clause that states, once signed into law, the provisions are nonreviewable and final, and shall not be subject to review by any court. This provision was included to prevent activist courts and judges from upending a final decision from agencies that find Sharia adherents removable from the U.S., said Roy, who is running for Texas attorney general and has made banning Sharia law a part of his platform. Prior to all of their actions, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, filed a bill multiple times over the past 10 years to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 to ban all Muslim Brotherhood members from the U.S., The Center Square reported. The Muslim Brotherhood is a terrorist organization, Cruz maintains. Its members are committed to the overthrow and destruction of America and other non-Islamist governments across the world, and pose an acute threat to American national security interests, he said when introducing the bill again in July. American allies in the Middle East and Europe have already labeled the Brotherhood a terrorist organization, and the United States should do the same, and do so expeditiously. The bill would make Muslim Brotherhood members ineligible for visas or admittance to the U.S., revoke visas of all non-U.S. citizens who are confirmed Muslim Brotherhood members and require their deportation. It also would require the secretary of State to impose sanctions on all groups directly or indirectly controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, including Hamas. From the start, Emmanuel Macron believed he could manage Donald Trump. In private conversations with European counterparts early in Trumps first term, Macron reportedly boasted that he could "handle" the American president flatter him, reason with him and keep him inside the Western fold. For a time, it worked: Trump was treated to a red-carpet Bastille Day parade in Paris and called the young French leader a "great friend." But the relationship soon turned into a running spectacle. The two leaders chemistry has always mixed cooperation with rivalry. Trumps Swipe At Weak Leaders Highlights The Shifting Global Influence Of Western Nations Macrons sparring with Trump is more than personality its projection. Each clash, phone call or quip feeds a larger mission: to show that Europe can act like a power again. Read On The Fox News App As Trump reasserts "America First," Macron is trying to define what "Europe First" might look like an alliance that can stand up to Washington, Moscow or Beijing without flinching. France's President Emmanuel Macron's sparring with President Donald Trump is more than personality its projection. While the U.S. plans to boycott the 2025 G-20 leaders summit because South Africa is hosting, Macron is visiting Johannesburg a sign of his willingness to go where Washington wont. Earlier in the week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Macron signed a deal for Kyiv to buy 100 French Rafale jets instead of U.S.-made fighters, a move that underscored Frances push for European defense autonomy and sidelined American manufacturers at a politically sensitive moment. "Zelenskyy slaps the face of a nation that saved him," said former Rep. Mike Garcia, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot. "After receiving nearly $180 billion in American aid, including free aircraft, Zelenskyy turns to others when its time for Ukraine to actually pay for weapons systems." Before that, Macron recognized a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly over U.S. objections, prompting Trump to accuse him of "honoring Hamas." "As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state," Trump said during his U.N. General Assembly address. And in June, Macron visited Greenland in a show of European unity a symbolic warning to Trump to step back from his long-voiced ambitions to control the island. Trump repeatedly has floated the prospect of purchasing Greenland from Denmark, drawn by its wealth of oil and minerals locked deep below ice and Arctic defense positioning. "Macron has always seen himself in the European context as the leader of European defense efforts," said Liana Fix, senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations. Each move, she said, asserts Europes autonomy and "at times seems designed to remind Trump that America no longer dictates every script." Still, the two leaders agree on one key point: Europe must shoulder more of its own defense. "Years ago, Macron proposed the idea that Europe should become more independent from the United States," Fix said. "Now, with the election of Donald Trump, the reaction of many Europeans was perhaps Macron was right." Their rapport swings between camaraderie and confrontation. "I want to be able to get along with the world not the French, though," Trump told Fox News Laura Ingraham Nov. 10. "The Chinese, they spy on us, they steal our intellectual property," Ingraham replied. "Do you think the French are better?" "Yeah," she said. "Im not so sure," Trump shot back, citing French tariffs. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the TrumpMacron relationship Thursday. "The relationship remains very strong," she said at a White House press briefing. "President Trump speaks quite frequently with Emmanuel Macron. I think they have a good working relationship. But the president is not shy to point out when he has disagreements with world leaders as well. And he's done that with respect to Mr. Macron." At Septembers U.N. General Assembly, Macron phoned Trump from the sidewalk to complain that the presidents motorcade was causing a traffic jam. "Guess what, Im waiting in the street because everything is frozen for you," Macron said in a moment caught on video. Frances embassy in Washington joined the fun on X, posting: "Its a good thing our presidents have each other on speed dial If youve ever had to walk through NYC during UNGA, this is 110% relatable content." France Says Un Recognition Of Palestinian State Is A Blow To Hamas Not A Gift France's President Emmanuel Macron said his nation would recognize a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly. With Germany distracted by domestic politics and Britain outside the European Union, Macron has seized the space to lead. He casts France not just as a nation but as Europes voice of resolve, urging the continent to "think for itself" and invest in its own defense. "Macron sees himself as the leader of Europes defense efforts," Fix said. "Hes been consistent about wanting Europeans to buy less off the shelf from the United States and invest more in their own defense industry." But that vision runs into Europes limits. Fix noted that Germany is on track to surpass France in defense spending, projected to reach 162 billion euros by 2029 levels France "simply doesnt have the financial flexibility to match." Even within the EU, she said, leadership is more collective than Macron sometimes portrays. "Its a shared effort. Macron sees himself as one among many but the most important among many." At home, his authority is under strain. Fix said Macrons "leadership ambition in Europe and with the United States is undermined by domestic instability," pointing to his struggles to form a government and his partys poor outlook in upcoming elections. That political weakness "inevitably weakens his hand abroad." Click Here To Download The Fox News App Still, Macron remains one of the few European leaders willing to trade punches and pleasantries with Trump in full view of the world. "Its a difficult line for all European leaders," Fix said. "They have to charm Trump to fulfill Europes security needs, even though the Trump administration is hugely unpopular at home. They have to swallow some bitter pills." For Macron, that line between charm and challenge has become the essence of leadership and the stage on which hes chosen to stand. Original article source: Trumps America First collides with Macrons Europe First in face-off over Western dominance AP The communist decisively charmed the fascist. When New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump met for the first time at the White House, all previous invectives were forgotten. They laughed. They bonded over a shared affection for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. When cameras were rolling, they practically bear-hugged in the Oval Office. And in a tremendous display of ideological flexibility, Trump, at one point, motioned to Mamdani and said of the democratic socialist, "Some of his ideas really are the same ideas that I have." It was not immediately clear if that included free bussing or free childcare or government-run grocery stores or more stringent rent control or higher taxes on the wealthy. The self-described socialist ran on those ideas successfully. And to the delight of the left, the mayor-elect repeatedly called Trump a "fascist." The president, in turn, called Mamdani a "communist." And hours before the bromance burgeoned, 86 Democrats joined 199 Republicans to pass a bipartisan resolution denouncing the "horrors of socialism," splitting the liberal party. But none of it seemed to matter as the two populists cast aside long-held beliefs long enough to bask in the warm glow of their new friendship. In the head-spinning moment, the New York Post grasped for a point of ideological certainty and reminded Mamdani how he had just called Trump "a despot who betrayed his country." A reporter from the hometown paper of both men confronted the mayor-elect, now smiling next to the president, with his words from the day before when he accused Trump of advancing "a fascist agenda." Mamdani was sheepish for just a moment. "We are very clear about our positions and our views," he said, dodging the question before pivoting to insist that he and Trump had a "shared purpose," namely confronting "a cost-of-living crisis." Then Trump rescued his new friend. "Ive been called much worse than a despot," Trump joked, "so its not that insulting." The president may not be personally insulted, but his hopes of retaining majorities in Congress could be severely damaged. Mamdani was the one bright spot for Republicans in the blue wave that came crashing down on Trumps party in the off-year elections. Speaker Mike Johnson told RealClearPolitics the day after those elections that he was prepared to make Mamdani the face of the Democratic Party. The next leader of the biggest metropolis in America, he said, was about to become the biggest liberal liability for Democrats. "The reason Im optimistic is theyve handed the keys to the kingdom to the Marxist," Johnson predicted, "and he will destroy it." But the president does not think so. At least not now, after his visit with Mamdani. "I think youre going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor," Trump said, promising to help Mamdani "make everybodys dream come true." It was a stark reversal given how Trump had floated the idea of cutting off all federal funding to the city just weeks earlier. And then the president made it personal. Mamdani had provided Republicans with a foil to depict New York as a socialist hellhole on the Hudson, that is, right until Trump took that talking point away from them. The billionaire real estate mogul said he would "absolutely" feel comfortable moving back to Manhattan under Mamdani. "I really would," Trump replied when asked about returning to his hometown, "especially after the meeting." Trump even managed to neuter the campaign of Rep. Elise Stefanik. She is running for governor of New York and has accused Democrats of embracing, not just a socialist in Mamdani, but "a jihadist," given his past criticisms of Israel. When asked if he believed he was standing next to a jihadist, the president demurred that sometimes politicians say things to the public just to get elected. "No, I dont. But shes out there campaigning, and you know, you say things sometimes in a campaign. Shes a very capable person. But youd really have to ask her about that," Trump said. "I met with a man who is a very rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again." Stefanik attempted damage control by pointing to the record. "We all want NYC to succeed," she wrote in a social media post after the meeting wrapped. "But well have to agree to disagree on this one." "If he walks like a jihadist, if he talks like a jihadist, if he campaigns like a jihadist, if he supports jihadists," she continued, "hes a jihadist." Stefanik included a screen grab of the front page of a recent copy of the New York Post. On the cover: a picture of a smiling Mamdani posing with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing who has been linked to other terrorist activity in the United States More than politics, the Trump family previously looked at Mamdani as a threat to their New York real-estate empire. The president has changed his residence to Florida, but his children maintain a robust presence in the city. Eric Trump previously blasted the Democratic Socialist as a threat to the metropolis and even to the free-enterprise system. "This should not be a social experiment. They should just have somebody who can be a good leader, do the basics, and get the hell out of the way," Eric Trump told RCP, "and honestly, the capitalists in New York will take care of the rest." A card-carrying member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani ascribes to the view of that party that "capitalism is a system designed by the owning class to exploit the rest of us for their own profit." As far as a political capital goes, he gained plenty after his meeting with Trump - the president just humanized the face of the liberal opposition. Karoline Leavitt had previewed the meeting as the unthinkable. "Tomorrow we have a communist coming to the White House because that is who the Democrat Party elected as the mayor of the largest city in the country," she told reporters 24 hours before the Trump-Mamdani bromance blossomed. That kind of rhetoric had conservatives hoping for fireworks before the meeting. They were crestfallen afterwards. "Trumps Mamdani message is as useless and unhelpful as his affordability message," a senior Republican official in the business of helping the GOP keep their majorities texted RCP. A veteran of Trumps 2024 campaign dismissed the detente in the Oval Office as just another photo-op. The Republican operative texted, "Is the midterm next week? No. This bromance wont last long, so it wont matter." Trump and Mamdani remain on a collision course. "There is nothing to beef over right now," the Trump campaign official said, "so they are starting with a clean slate, apparently." Philip Wegmann is White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics. President Donald Trump said Saturday his proposed peace deal is not his final offer to Ukraine, underscoring that his administration is pushing hard to end the war. The White House has given Kyiv a Thanksgiving deadline to accept the terms or risk losing U.S. support. But European leaders are voicing concern over provisions that would require Ukraine to cede territory to Russia and limit the size of its military. Asked by reporters Saturday whether this was his last offer, Trump replied, "No." "Wed like to get to peace," Trump said. "One way or another well get it ended." Aaron Schwartz/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to the media while on his way to board Marine One to depart for Joint Base Andrews, from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., Nov. 22, 2025. Trump's remarks came as the administration sent top officials overseas to push for the proposal. Earlier this week, the White House presented Kyiv with a new 28-point peace plan drawn up in coordination with Moscow that contains conditions that are widely seen in Ukraine as effectively demanding the country's capitulation. A U.S. delegation that includes Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and envoy Steve Witkoff will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, with a Ukrainian delegation, a top U.S. official told ABC News Saturday. Win Mcnamee/Getty Images - PHOTO: President Trump Meets With The Crown Prince And Prime Minister Of Saudi Arabia At The White House Putin, Zelenskyy respond to Trump's peace plan Additionally, the official said there are plans for the U.S. delegation to hold a separate meeting with a Russian delegation. No details were provided about the location of the planned meeting with the Russians. On Saturday, a bipartisan group of senators added another wrinkle to the delicate negotiations over the peace plan, saying they were told by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a phone call that the 28-point plan was not developed by the U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Rubio called the senators while on his flight to Geneva. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., who was on the phone call, said in a joint press conference Saturday that the 28-point plan "is not our peace plan; it is a proposal that was received" and that the U.S. acted as an intermediary in sharing it with Ukraine. Kelly Clark/AP - PHOTO: Canada US Ukraine Sen. Angus King, independent of Maine, described the plan as a "Russian wish list." In a statement on social media Saturday evening, Rubio denied the senators' claims, asserting "the peace proposal was authored by the U.S." Rubio did not directly respond to the senators' characterization of his message to them. He the proposal as "a strong framework for ongoing negotiations," adding, "It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine." Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office said Saturday that "consultations on steps to end the war will take place in the coming days." Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP - PHOTO: In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 20, 2025. "Yesterday, the President of Ukraine approved the composition of the Ukrainian delegation and the directives for the relevant talks," the president's office said in a statement posted on social media. "We anticipate constructive work and are ready to advance as swiftly as possible to achieve a real peace." "Ukraine never wanted this war and will make every effort to end it with a dignified peace," the statement continued. "Ukraine will never be an obstacle for peace, and the representatives of the Ukrainian state will defend legitimate interests of the Ukrainian people and the foundations of European security. We are grateful for our European partners willingness to help." Rustem Umerov, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said in a post Saturday, "we are starting consultations between high-ranking officials of Ukraine and the United States on the possible parameters of a future peace agreement in Switzerland." Ukranian Presidential Press Service, Handout via AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: In this handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on Nov. 20, 2025, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky looks on during a meeting with US Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll in Kyiv, Ukraine. Driscoll and Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George led an American delegation to Kyiv on Wednesday, with a U.S. official confirming to ABC News that the group was read in on the new peace plan. The U.S. military officials are the most senior delegation to visit Ukraine since President Donald Trump took office in January. US revives Ukraine-Russia peace push with Zelenskyy on the defensive "Since the first days of the war, we have taken one, extremely simple position: Ukraine needs peace," Zelenskyy said in his Friday evening address. "And a real peace -- one that will not be broken by a third invasion." Driscoll met with Zelenskyy for an hour on Thursday and discussed "a collaborative plan to achieve peace in Ukraine," according to a U.S. official. "This is a comprehensive plan to end the war," the official said of the plan, which was described as a collaboration between the U.S. and Ukraine. Office of the President of Ukraine/AP - PHOTO: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivers an address to the nation in Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 21, 2025. The plan includes a number of maximalist demands that the Kremlin has long demanded and that have been previously dismissed as non-starters for Kyiv, including that Ukraine cut its armed forced by more than half and cede swaths of territory not yet occupied by Russia, according to a Ukrainian official. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: In this Aug. 18, 2025, file photo, Secretary of State Marco Rubio joins President Donald Trump as he meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C. Ukraine would also be forbidden from possessing long-range weapons, while Moscow would retain virtually all the territory it has occupied -- and receive some form of recognition of its 2014 seizure of Crimea under the latest proposed U.S. plan. Several foreign allies expressed criticism and concern over the U.S.'s proposal. European Union leaders, joined by the Canadian and Japanese prime ministers, released a joint statement from the G20 summit in South Africa saying the proposal "includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace." The statement singles out Ukraine having to cede land to Russia and limit the size of its military as two main issues in the plan. However, they added that they see it as "a basis which will require additional work." ABC News' Ivan Pereira and Oleksiy Pshemyskiy contributed to this report. When Texas Sen. Ted Cruz spoke out at the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting last month, Ron Nehring, Cruzs former advisor who served as his campaign spokesperson in 2016, took notice. There, Cruz offered one of the most critical appraisals of his own party: that it had made space for antisemitism to thrive within its ranks. "In the last six months, I have seen more antisemitism on the right than Ive seen in my entire life. This is a poison, and I believe we are facing an existential crisis in our party and in our country, Cruz said. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP - PHOTO: Sen. Ted Cruz attends a hearing on the nomination of Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, for Commandant of the Coast Guard, Nov. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill. He continued later, saying some Republicans are "complicit in that evil" by giving oxygen to those who hold these toxic views, seeming to take veiled aim at Tucker Carlson, who recently told white supremacist Nick Fuentes that he dislikes Christian Zionists "more than anybody." (Carlson has since apologized for those remarks.) "There are some people who are embraced at the highest level in government who have said there is no one they hate more than Christian Zionists [...] if you sit there with someone who says Adolf Hitler was very, very cool, and that their mission is to combat and defeat global Jew-ery, and you say nothing? Then you are a coward and you are complicit in that evil, Cruz said. 2028 presidential hopefuls flock to key battleground states: Where have they traveled? Nehring said he saw Cruz being intentional -- stepping out ahead of a percolating issue and "truly displaying leadership." "He is the most prominent national Republican figure to weigh in on the danger of allowing a small group of 'influencers' who have either expressed antisemitic views or have played footsie with those who do," Nehring told ABC News. And, while he has not heard about any formal plans for his old boss to run for president in 2028, despite rumor and speculation, he said he believes Cruz would be a formidable contender as the fractures within the GOP leave members eager for a united way forward. Who's running for president in 2028 and who's not? "A lot of people in the conservative movement are looking at each other in terms of, well, who's going to say what? What's the proper direction? People are literally looking for leadership and he's offering that and, and running for president is a similar kind of exercise. You're showing the direction, you're showing the way," Nehring said. Nehring suggests looking at politicians' travel schedules and slate of candidate endorsements to get an early read on potential ambitions, too: "presidential candidates work hard to make friends to establish those relationships well in advance." Cruz himself danced around his White House ambitions in a recent interview with Fox News amid reports he was considering another go after his bid in 2016. NOTUS reports that the White House believes Cruz is intentionally posturing himself against Vice President JD Vance to ready a run. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images - PHOTO: Senator Ted Cruz and Senator JD Vance during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., March 2, 2023. ABC News has reached out to Cruzs office for comment. Cruzs RJC remarks took place in a state critical to the Republican's presidential nominating calendar: Nevada. Cruz was also scheduled to attend an event in Iowa, another key early-voting state, but had to cancel due to Senate votes. And he has backed a slate of Republicans in nationally watched races, for example, supporting Rep. Ashley Hinson in her Iowa Senate race; Rep. Byron Donalds in Floridas gubernatorial race; and is boosting New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in his reelection bid. Cruz was the first Republican to announce a run for the White House in 2016. Vance, possible 2028 candidate, viewed by supporters as Trump's 'enforcer' with midterm 1 year away Sarah Isgur, ABC News legal contributor and veteran of Republican presidential campaigns, finds Cruz would be a tireless force. "Underestimate Ted at your peril," Isgur said. "Hes got high name ID, an eager donor base, a huge platform that he alone controls, and a wide-open lane with conservatives in the party. Plus nobody outworks Ted. Its never been confirmed whether he sleeps at all, said Isgur, who once served as the political director for Cruzs PAC. That "huge platform" is his ascendant podcast, "The Verdict," with a viewership seemingly more expansive than other politician-hosted shows. His program is ranked No. 45 overall on Apples news podcast charts, the only politician-led program to crack the top 200. When it first launched, tied to President Donald Trumps impeachment trial in 2020, the podcast shot to No. 1 on the iTunes charts, according to Politico. Cruz may face challenges over several controversies he has been involved in, including his questioning of the 2020 election results and his 2021 trip to Cancun, Mexico, as Texas reeled from a historic storm. Still, Cruz really knows how to push the internets buttons, said Kyle Tharp, author of the "Chaotic Era" newsletter that tracks media and politics. Tharp said he sees the Texas senator as one of the "OG influencer politicians." Hes very savvy at using social media to get his message across, hes not afraid to sort of buck his partys orthodoxy on a number of issues. That has not made him a lot of friends in Washington, and I think audiences appreciate that authenticity," Tharp said. If there is reality to Cruz's reignited presidential ambitions, his vast audience is an invaluable asset, building favors with elected officials by having them on his show, and upping his cache, Tharp explained. His podcast could also double as a testing ground for his rhetoric, particularly as the GOP schisms surrounding global internationalism continue to swell and conservative commentators such as Carlson and Candace Owens grow in prominence. As the Candace's and Tuckers start to take over the conservative movement, where does that leave Ted Cruz? Does that give him a bigger platform as a different voice, or does he get drowned out?, Tharp said. For Garza, standing up felt like the only option. Robert Garza thought he was walking into a standard salary discussion when he met with a superior at Campbell Soup Company. Instead, he sat through what he says was an hour-long tirade that left him feeling sick. Garza suggested to Local 4 News that he felt, something wasnt right with Martin, a vice president and chief information security officer at the food company (1). What Garza heard and also recorded would ultimately cost him his job. Now, the Monroe, Michigan resident is suing Campbell's, claiming he was fired in retaliation for trying to do the right thing. Must Read An explosive meeting Garza began working remotely as a security analyst for Campbell's Camden, New Jersey headquarters in September 2024. Later that year, he met with Bally at a restaurant to discuss his compensation. But the conversation quickly veered off course. According to Garza's lawsuit filed in Wayne County Circuit Court (2), Bally launched into what the complaint describes as a "disgusting" rant about the company's products and employees. The recording, which lasted over an hour and 15 minutes, allegedly captured Bally making racist remarks about Indian coworkers and disparaging comments about Campbell's customers. "We have s--t for f--king poor people. Who buys our s--t? I dont buy Campbells products barely anymore. Its not healthy now that I know what the fs in it," Bally allegedly said in the recording. "Bioengineered meat -- I dont wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer." The rant didn't stop there. According to the lawsuit, Bally made several derogatory comments about Indian employees, calling them "idiots" and saying they "couldn't think for their fing selves." Garza also alleges in the filing that Bally admitted to regularly coming to work high from marijuana edibles. "He has no filter," Garza said. "He thinks he's a C-level executive at a Fortune 500 company and he can do whatever he wants because he's an executive." Speaking up and paying the price Garza kept the recording to himself at first. He said he felt "pure disgust" after the meeting and needed time to process what he'd heard. But in January 2025, he decided he couldn't stay silent. He went to his direct supervisor, J.D. Aupperle, to report Bally's behavior particularly the racist comments about their coworkers. "He was really sticking up for other people," said Zachary Runyan, Garza's attorney. "He went to his boss and said, 'Martin is saying this about Indian coworkers we have, he's saying this about people who buy our food who keep our company open, and I don't think that should be allowed.'" Twenty days later, Garza was blindsided. He was fired on Jan. 30, 2025. "The response to Robert sticking up for other people is he gets fired, which is ridiculous," Runyan said. The termination was especially shocking, Garza said, because Bally had praised his work performance during that same December meeting. According to Runyan, Garza had never received any disciplinary action or write-ups. "He had never had any disciplinary action, they had never written him up for work performance," Runyan said. Garza said he received no follow-up from Human Resources or anyone else at Campbell's. No investigation. No explanation. Just a termination. It took him 10 months to find another job. Read more: 22 US states are already in a recession protect your savings with these 10 essential money moves ASAP Campbell's response The lawsuit accuses Campbell Soup Company of maintaining a racially hostile work environment and retaliating against Garza for raising concerns. It names the company, Bally and Aupperle as defendants. Garza is particularly frustrated by the disconnect between Campbell's public image and how he was treated. "They have a motto: 'We treat you like family here at Campbell's come work for us,'" he said. "'We treat our employees like family.' That's not the case." Campbell Soup Company issued a statement Thursday evening saying, "If accurate, the comments in the recording are unacceptable. They do not reflect our values and the culture of our company. We are actively investigating this matter." But for Garza, that response feels too little, too late. He calls the company's handling of the situation "simply terrible." What workers should know If you witness workplace misconduct whether it's discrimination, harassment or something else that violates company policy here are some steps you can take: Document everything. Keep detailed records of what happened, when and who was involved. If your state allows one-party consent recording, that can be powerful evidence (3). Report through proper channels. Go to HR or use your company's ethics hotline. Put your complaint in writing so there's a record (4). Know your rights. Federal law protects employees from retaliation when they report discrimination or harassment. If you're fired or demoted after making a complaint, you may have legal recourse. Consult an employment attorney. If you believe you've been retaliated against, talk to a lawyer who specializes in employment law. Many offer free consultations. **Consider outside agencies. **The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates discrimination complaints. You typically have 180 days to file a charge (5). For Garza, standing up felt like the only option even if it cost him everything. Now he's hoping the legal system will prove he made the right choice. What To Read Next Join 200,000+ readers and get Moneywises best stories and exclusive interviews first clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now. Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. Detroit Local 4 News (1); Law.com (2) Barrett & Farahany (3); U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (4); EEOC (5) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. The BBC joined coastguards on the front line of Europe's uneasy standoff with Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" [Getty Images] Out on the western Baltic, a coastguard officer radios a nearby, sanctioned oil tanker. "Swedish Coastguard calling Do you consent to answer a few questions for us? Over." Through heavy static, barely audible answers crackle over from a crew member, who gradually lists the ship's insurance details, flag state and last port of call Suez, Egypt. "I think this ship will go up to Russia and get oil," says Swedish investigator, Jonatan Tholin. This is the front line of Europe's uneasy standoff with Russia's so-called "shadow fleet"; a term that commonly refers to hundreds of tankers used to bypass a price cap on Russian oil exports. After the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many Western countries imposed sanctions on Russian energy, which Moscow is accused of dodging by shipping oil on aged tankers often with obscure ownership or insurance. European coastguards and navies are regularly coming in contact with vessels in Russia's shadow fleet which they suspect are transporting oil [BBC] Some "shadow" ships are even suspected of undersea sabotage, illicit drone launches or "spoofing" their location data. Out on the waves, where freedom of navigation is a golden rule, the ability and appetite of coastal countries to intervene is limited, even though the risk they face is escalating. As the BBC has learned, a growing network of "shadow" ships are sailing without a valid national flag, which can render vessels stateless and without proper insurance. That is a troubling trend, given many are practically "floating rust buckets", says senior maritime intelligence analyst at Windward AI, Michelle Wiese Bockmann. If there is an accident, like a billion-dollar oil spill, "good luck with trying to find somebody responsible to pick up any cost". Driven by record sanctions and tighter enforcement, the number of falsely flagged ships globally has more than doubled this year to over 450, most of them tankers, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) database. The BBC has been tracking one ship that appears to have sailed without a valid flag. The head of Estonia's navy, Commodore Ivo Vark, says that vessels travel back and forth, past Estonia, to major Russian oil terminals [BBC] The head of Estonia's navy, Commodore Ivo Vark, says they have seen dozens of such passing vessels this year whereas they used to see just one or two. The rise is alarming, he tells me, as we talk in his office overlooking the Gulf of Finland, a narrow gateway to the major Russian oil terminals of Ust-Luga and Primorsk. What's more, he suggests, it's brazen: "There's no secret made about it." We spot the tanker Unity on the MarineTraffic app, the day we board an Estonian (British-built) Minehunter that is also used in Nato's Baltic Sentry patrols to protect critical infrastructure. Journeying east, Unity is over 100 miles away but sailing in our direction. The BBC has investigated its history and it offers an illuminating insight into the enigmatic life of a shadow ship. Tracking data shows that Unity has passed through the English Channel four times in the last twelve months, including journeys between Russian ports and India; a key oil customer that has not signed up to the price cap. Originally known as Ocean Explorer, the tanker was built in 2009 and flew the flag of Singapore for more than a decade. Back in 2019, it was named in a UN report for alleged involvement in a ship-to-ship transfer with a vessel that had been sanctioned for its role in transporting fuel to North Korea - which is among other countries also charged with utilising elusive shadow ships. By late 2021, the vessel which that year operated under the name Ocean Vela took the flag of the Marshall Islands but was struck from that list in 2024, a registry spokesperson told us, because the ship's then-operator and beneficial owning company had been sanctioned by the UK. The tanker appears to have had three further names since 2021 (Beks Swan, March and Unity) and three further flags (Panama, Russia and Gambia) but always retains a unique IMO number. In August, ship broadcasting data shows Unity claimed the flag of Lesotho which was designated as "false". Lesotho is a small, landlocked African enclave kingdom that, according to the IMO, does not have an official registry. Over the past year, Unity has made several voyages to and from Russian oil ports [BBC] The BBC has tried to contact Unity's listed owner, a Dubai-registered company called FMTC Ship Charter LLC, but our emails and our calls went unanswered. The beneficial owners of 60% of shadow fleet vessels remain essentially unknown, according to maritime intelligence company Windward AI. Opaque ownership structures and frequent name or flag changes have become a signature trait of the shadow fleet as a means of avoiding detection. Purged from reputable registries and having circled the drain of poor-quality alternatives, some ships are now at a point "where they just don't even bother at all", says Michelle Wiese Bockmann. Unity's most recent journey saw it sail through the North Sea in late October before entering the Baltic and passing countries including Sweden and Estonia - the point at which we spotted it. By 6 November, it was anchored outside the Russian port of Ust-Luga where it remains at the time of publication. The tanker was added to the UK and EU's ever-growing list of sanctioned vessels earlier this year but, like so many others, continues to do business despite other difficulties. Back in January, it reportedly sheltered in the English Channel after suffering a mechanical failure during a storm. The following August it was reportedly detained at a Russian port due to technical issues and unpaid wages. At the time of publication the vessel was anchored just outside the major Russian oil port, Ust-Luga [Planet Labs] Unity is just one of hundreds of vessels subject to UK and EU service and port bans as both London and Brussels try to increase pressure on the Kremlin. Nevertheless, Russian revenues from crude and oil product sales were $13.1bn (9.95bn) in October alone, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) - although this was down by $2.3bn when compared with the same month a year ago. Analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air finds that "shadow" tankers, either sanctioned or suspected, account for 62% of shipped Russian crude oil exports, while China and India are by far the biggest customers for crude, followed by Turkey and the European Union itself. While politicians talk of toughening action, navy and coastguard officers point out that a country's power to act fades the further you go out to sea. The right of innocent passage remains a cornerstone of maritime law, but stateless vessels technically are not entitled to it. Countries such as France, Finland and Estonia have detained ships, and they can do so where a crime is suspected, however such drastic controls remain a relatively rare event. "There's a complexity associated with it," argues Commodore Ivo Vark. "With the Russian presence next to our borders, the risk of escalation is too high to do it on a regular basis." The Estonians speak from experience. When they attempted to intercept a flagless tanker in May, Russia briefly deployed a fighter jet and has "constantly" had about two naval vessels in the Gulf of Finland since, says Commodore Vark. The fear of escalation sits alongside broader concerns of commercial retaliation if a more aggressive approach were to be taken. "Every day in the Baltic, there's suspicious activity," a Nato official told the BBC, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Nevertheless, the official added, "we don't want to be cowboys and jumping on ships. The act of monitoring ships is a deterrent in itself". "Freedom of navigation is the lifeblood of all of our economies." Back on the bridge of the Swedish coastguard ship, the radio call with the sanctioned tanker has wrapped up. "Thank you for your co-operation," says the officer as the vessel carries on towards Russia. The exchange lasted just over five minutes. "You need to see it in a larger perspective," says investigator Jonatan Tholin when I suggest these measures appear less than muscular: "This information can be used in our maritime surveillance." But as Europe steps up checks and watches the waves, Windward's Michelle Wiese Bockmann spies something else: "You can literally see the international rules-based order crumbling through the sanctions-circumventing tactics of these vessels." There is a lot at stake for the environment and on security, she says, and meanwhile "the dark fleet is getting darker". The BBC approached Russia's embassy in London for comment. In response, a spokesman said that the West's "anti-Russian sanctions" were "illegitimate" and "undermine established principles of global commerce". "Labelling ships used to export Russian oil as 'shadow fleet' is discriminatory and misleading," the embassy said, and instances of invalid flags were typically down to "easily resolved" issues such as administrative delays. It was sanctioning countries, the spokesperson said, that had "heightened" the risks by "forcing shipowners and operators to navigate an increasingly fragmented and restrictive regulatory landscape". Additional reporting by Adrienne Murray, Michael Steininger and Ali Zaidi Soybean farmers are hopeful about resumed trade between the U.S. and China, but uncertainty remains. (ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFPGetty Images) China just placed its largest order of U.S. soybeans in two years, offering a sign of improving trade conditions after months of China snubbing American soybean farmers. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the sale of 792,000 metric tons of soybeans to China. The move follows a meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the end of last month to ease trade tensions, with China committing to resume orders of U.S. soybeans and purchase 12 million tons of of the crop by the end of the year, as well as at least 25 million tons in each of the next three years. Earlier this month, China bought 332,000 tons of U.S. soybeans, bringing the total so far in November to more than 1 million tons. COFCO, Chinas largest state-owned agriculture and food business, had not ordered soybeans from the U.S. since May and had not purchased the crop since the 2025 U.S. harvest season began. These fresh purchases offer hope for U.S. farmers following months of tariff disputes that disincentivized China from purchasing American soybeans and effectively priced them out of the global market. Its a good start, industry leaders said, but farmers want more assurance of a steady market moving forward. We want to trust what weve heard, Todd Main, the director of market development at the Illinois Soybean Association, told Fortune. At the same time, farmers are fed up with the uncertainty that has unaccompanied the trade policy of the Trump administration. We are concerned about the volatility in the trade relationships, Main continued. Its hard for people to make planswhether thats farmers planning for next years crop, or buyers that are planning to make big investments in equipment or facilities or what have youwhere theres lots of instability. In 2024, soybeans made up about 20% of U.S. cash crop receipts, worth about $46.8 billion, according to USDA data. While about a quarter of those soybeans went to China, retaliatory tariffs as a result of trade disputes with Beijing hobbled the U.S. soybean industry while South American countries gobbled up market share. Brazil and Argentina are replacing U.S. farmers, with Brazil making up about 71% of Chinas soybean imports, according to the American Soybean Association. Three decades ago, Brazil accounted for just 2% of those imports. A new trade era Even with thawing relations between the U.S. and China, soybean farmers have reason to be on edge about restoring trade ties. For one, the USDAs figures for soybean exports could be skewed and harder for economists and farmers to interpret. The USDA may not be releasing up-to-date weekly export summaries for the rest of the year as a result of the shutdown slowing down the release of key data. Therefore, farmers and economists rely more on the USDA reporting flash sales, or crop purchases that exceed a certain volume and warrant their own report. Not everyone is sold on Chinas commitment, either. StoneX chief commodities economist Arlan Suderman said in a note earlier this month that Chinas data provided no evidence to support the notion that there will be a substantial increase in state purchases to meet the 12 million metric ton commitment for calendar year 2025 as stated by the White House and that Chinas soybean processors have zero financial incentive to buy more U.S. supply because of the more affordable options from South America. Main is likewise skeptical. He said during Trumps first term, China and the U.S. similarly made an agreement to resume soybean trade, but there was a delay in initial follow-through from China. The threat of future trade tensions hasnt completely disappeared. The consequences of reopened tariff disputes between the U.S. and China would mean Brazil and Argentina would once again have another opportunity to expand their dominion over Chinas soybean import market. Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of soybeans, and so the real concern has been, if we have another trade war, were incentivizing faster expansion in South America, which has long-run effects for us, Scott Gerlt, chief economist for the American Soybean Association, told Fortune. Still, soybean farmers arent completely at the mercy of fragile trade relations. Even before the 2025 slate of tariffs, soybean farmers have made inroads to diversify demand for their crops, including opening soybean excellence centers meant to provide training and best practices globally for soybean producers, as well as expand infrastructure to be able to process and distribute more soybeans domestically, according to Main. Others have found other trade partners, such as Southeast Asian buyers to partially offset lost business from China. Its not going to be just, OK, everythings all betteror, everythings a disaster, Main said. Its going to be somewhere in between going forward. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Gas prices start at $4.09 a gallon at a Chevron station in the Las Vegas area, August 2025. Photo: Dave Mason / The Center Square (The Center Square) - Decades-long taxes at the pump and on property value have been extended to support infrastructure and police with little fanfare, while Nevada voters were left out of the equation. The Fuel Revenue Indexing tax has funded around $1 billion for infrastructure upgrades since it was voted in by ballot in 2016. A 0.2% property tax was also renewed after voters approved it in 1996. Both taxes were renewed by the seven-person Clark County Commission despite calls for updated voter approval. The county is the state's most populous as well as home to Las Vegas. Im not going to argue whether the fuel revenue index tax has helped this community, Commissioner April Becker (District C) told the commission. Yes, we need roads, and we need people put to work. But it should have been done the correct way, which is by a vote of the people. Becker was the sole dissenting voice on a 6-1 vote to renew the FRI fuel tax Tuesday. FRI was put to ballot as Question 5 in 2016 and won over 56% of votes, according to Ballotpedia). The 2016 vote on FRI renewed the tax from 2014. The FRI has taxed roughly $1 billion to go toward more than 700 infrastructure projects in Southern Nevada since it was first issued in 2014, according to the Nevada Regional Transportation Commission. A fuel tax is a regressive tax, said Becker. What does that mean? It means that it hurts the poorest people in our community. Why? Because if you drive a nice shiny new car, or you drive a car that you werent really sure its a junker if it was going to start this morning. When you go fill up your gas, youre paying the same amount of tax either way. Several local leaders were present to express support for the tax extension. Thanks to the FRI, millions of dollars have been invested in critical infrastructure projects throughout Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley told the commission. Gov. Joe Lombardo publicly supported and signed AB 530 from this summers legislative session that allowed for the 10-year extension of FRI ahead of a Dec. 31, 2026 deadline. He also expressed concern that voters were not asked to renew the program. I would have strongly preferred that AB 530 go before Southern Nevada voters directly, Lombardo said in May. To avoid similar situations in the future, my office is exploring a statutory amendment to require all sunset bills to automatically go back to the ballot before the sunset expires. Politicians should not be the sole arbiters of sunset extensions, and if passed, this amendment would return the vote to the people. The county-level votes may have gone under the radar, with the commission meeting in the middle of the 36th Nevada legislative special session. The session has seen several highly publicized legislation such as the Republican governors criminal justice bill and Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jaureguis film tax incentives bill go to vote, with billions of dollars in public spending on the line. Jauregui is a Democrat from Clark County. The property tax provision renewed a 0.2% tax on a propertys market value, with the major exception being that tax collection can only increase 3% and 8% for residential and commercial property respectively. It taxes property in Las Vegas and unincorporated areas of Clark County. It was approved by voters in 1996 and pays for about 825 Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department jobs, about 25% of the department. The agency provides law enforcement in both the city and unincorporated areas. The decades-long property tax was set to expire in 2027, but SB 451 from this summer allowed for its renewal for another 30 years until 2057. Nobody spoke in opposition to the property tax at the Clark County Commissions public hearing Tuesday. The only public comment came from the Vegas Chamber. The chamber strongly supports funding for more than 800 LVMPD officers because it is critical to public safety in Southern Nevada, said Vegas Chamber Manager of Political Affairs Taylor Avery. Properly funding Metro promotes economic growth by combatting crime, which fosters a secure environment for businesses, residents and visitors. The property tax renewal promptly received unanimous approval by the commission. Canadian Olympian turned drug kingpin Ryan Wedding was allegedly advised to eliminate an FBI witness by a man who was known as cocaine lawyer. Deepak Balwant Paradkar, 62, a Canadian criminal defense attorney allegedly worked hand-in-hand with Wedding, an ex-Winter Olympics snowboarder, to try and thwart police efforts into his multi-billion-dollar cocaine trafficking operation. CBC Paradkar, who is known as Napoleon for his tough courtroom antics, according to the Toronto Star, was arrested Tuesday and is awaiting extradition to the United States. Paradkar is accused of helping Wedding find out how authorities were able to intercept some of his cocaine shipments and trying to arrange new routes to evade further seizures. US Department of the Treasury The lawyer allegedly reached out to law enforcement officers to find out how they foiled the shipments and advised Wedding and his team to take out FBI witness Jonathan Acabedo-Garcia in order to put an end to a federal investigation. Wedding allegedly released a photo of Garcia online resulting in his killing in Medellin, Colombia, in January 2025. According to the U.S. Attorneys indictment, Paradkars aliass included cocaine_lawyer, Deepaj Emergency, Descartes, and criminal_lawyer@me.com. His instagram page, which was reviewed by the Toronto Star, was taken down in 2017, but boasted of his admiration for cocaine. In one post Paradkar showed off a photo of his yellow Lamborghini with a caption that read, cocaine pays lol!!! BBC Another post featured police photos of seizes drugs and guns with the caption, 100 kilos of K 4 kilos of cocaine, 5 guns, Uzi, glock NOT GUILTY! At the time of the posts he was reprimanded by the Ontario Law Society for the inappropriate posts, according to the Toronto Star. I treat trials like wars, Paradkar told the Toronto Star in June 2013. Ive been emulating Napoleon since I was 16 because he came from nothing and became one of the great generals. Paradkar was born in India and moved to Canada at 7-years-old. He is the son of a Presbyterian minister and has said he was inspired by spiritual gurus like Deepakl Chopra, Anthony Robbins and Napoleon Hill. I believe if you can see where you want to be in life, you shoot for the stars, Paradkar told the Toranto Star. CBC This is not the first time Paradkar participated in illegal activity with a client. He was slated to represent serial killer Dellen Millard but suddenly dropped off the case in 2016. Later it was revealed he unlawfully smuggled letters between Millard and his girlfriend with the intent to influence witnesses involved in the upcoming trial, according to Financial Express. Paradkar was one of ten defendants arrested Tuesday who allegedly worked with cartel to smuggle about 60 metric tons of cocaine a year from Colombia through Mexico and into California before it was moved into the U.S. and Canada. Wedding is believed to be on the lam in Mexico and is currently on the FBIs Most Wanted List. The reward for his capture is now up to $15 million dollars. 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,said United States Attorney Bill Essayli at a press conference. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade said that President Trump and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani had gotten along fantastic during their Friday meeting and that J.D. Vance was jealous. I think J.D. Vance is jealous, the Fox & Friends host said. I think the president wants to use him [Mamdani] as a running mate. They really got along fantastic. Kilmeade noted that the president sounded complimentary when talking about Mamdani and that they had exchanged a friendly handshake during their conversation. Trump met Mamdani on Friday at the White House after months of the two men trading barbs. The president previously threatened to withhold funding from New York City if Mamdani won the general election. He is going to have problems with Washington like no Mayor in the history of our once great city, Trump wrote on his social platform Truth Social in August. Remember, he needs the money from me, as President, in order to fulfill all of his fake communist promises. He wont be getting any of it, so whats the point of voting for him? He continued. The president struck a markedly different tone after the two men met. He praised Mamdani in the Oval Office, saying he felt confident the mayor-elect can do a very good job. I think youre going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor, Trump told reporters. The better he does, the happier I am. Theres no difference in party, theres no difference in anything, he said. And were going to be helping him to make everybodys dream come true. Having a strong and very safe New York. Trump added that he would live in New York City under Mamdani in response to a reporters question. Yeah, I would, he said. I really would. Especially after the meeting. Kilmeade said the mood and room at Mamdani and Trumps meeting was pretty different from their comments about one another over the past few months. This was a love fest. This was a respect fest, Kilmeade said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. News / National by Stephen Jakes HARARE - Controversial businessman Wicknell Chivhayo has claimed that Zimbabwe is blessed with a new generation of millionaires who are not only accumulating wealth but also making a difference in society.Posting on his X account, Chivhayo counted himself among those millionaires and praised others such as Scott Sakupwanya, Elder Kudakwashe Tagwirei, and Paul Tungwarara for their contributions to national development."In a world where wealth is often hoarded and success kept behind closed doors, we are witnessing something extraordinary a generation of millionaires who are not just making money, but making a difference," Chivhayo said.He described these figures as nation-builders, dream-enablers, and symbols of possibility, noting their philanthropy and community investments."From gifting cars and sponsoring education to investing in communities and empowering youth, their actions speak louder than any speech," he added.Chivhayo argued that if Zimbabwe had "just 10 more like them," the country would be far ahead, citing the ripple effects of their generosity.He also credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa for creating an environment where indigenous entrepreneurs can thrive since 2017."The empowerment of local millionaires is not just economic - it's patriotic. Zimbabwe is rising, and it's rising with its own sons and daughters at the forefront," Chivhayo said.Zimbabwe Wicknell Chivhayo millionaires,Zimbabwe Scott Sakupwanya philanthropy,Zimbabwe Kudakwashe Tagwirei empowerment,Zimbabwe Paul Tungwarara business,Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa entrepreneurship,Zimbabwe millionaire generation making difference,Zimbabwe philanthropy gifting cars education,Zimbabwe indigenous entrepreneurs rise,Zimbabwe Stephen Jakes report,Zimbabwe wealth circulation giving back 22 November 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more As the international community focuses on COP30 in Belem, Brazil, comparisons with last years COP29 in Baku naturally arise. A minor fire incident at the COP30 venue - quickly contained thanks to prompt action by Brazilian emergency services - served as a reminder of the challenges any host country faces when organizing an event of such scale and complexity. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, and Brazilian officials have stressed that the investigation will clarify the cause. Azerbaijan has expressed full solidarity with Brazil, recognizing that unforeseen situations can occur anywhere and that what ultimately matters is the shared global commitment to advancing climate action. Against this backdrop, COP29 remains notable for the clarity of its outcomes and the strong foundations it laid for future conferences, including COP30. For Azerbaijan, hosting COP29 was not only a major national responsibility but also an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the global climate agenda. The country mobilized significant resources to ensure a smooth, effective, and inclusive summit, resulting in unanimous praise from participating states - an acknowledgment of both Azerbaijans organizational capacity and its dedication to international cooperation. A defining achievement of COP29 was the adoption of the Baku Finance Goal (BFG) - a groundbreaking commitment to mobilize $1.3 trillion annually for developing countries. By establishing clear expectations for developed nations to contribute at least $300 billion annually by 2035, the BFG significantly elevated global climate finance ambitions and provided a reliable framework that COP30 and future COPs can build upon. For the first time since the signing of the Paris Agreement, Article 6 was fully operationalized at COP29. This long-awaited step unlocked regulated international carbon markets, ensuring transparency, environmental integrity, and new opportunities for global emissions reductions. This achievement provides a technical foundation that will support future negotiations, including those underway in Belem. COP29 also fully institutionalized the Loss and Damage Fund, with pledged contributions already exceeding $730 million. For small island states and climate-vulnerable nations, this marks a significant advancement. Azerbaijan made prioritizing support for these countries a central element of its presidency - a commitment fully aligned with Brazils own focus on climate justice at COP30. Another major achievement was the adoption of the Baku Adaptation Roadmap and the Global Adaptation Target document. These decisions ensure that adaptation - critical for many developing countries - receives systematic attention within future COP processes. This forward-looking framework is designed to assist all host nations, including Brazil, as they navigate evolving climate negotiations. COP29 paid special attention to the urgent climate challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS)one of the most climate-vulnerable groups in the world. Azerbaijan brought together representatives of SIDS, climate experts, and international stakeholders to highlight the fragility of island ecosystems, the risks of sea-level rise, and the critical need for targeted adaptation financing. Azerbaijan has made significant efforts to elevate the voices of SIDS and address their climate-related losses, particularly where environmental threats are most severe. This included emphasizing biodiversity protection, resilience building, and the importance of ensuring that climate finance mechanisms specifically address the unique needs of highly vulnerable regions. The prominence of these issues at COP30 in Brazil is, in many ways, a continuation of the Baku initiative and reflects the momentum Azerbaijan helped generate. COP29 also succeeded in finalizing the long-awaited 10-year Lima Work Programme on Gender, demonstrating Azerbaijans ability to build consensus around sensitive and long-negotiated issues. This outcome strengthens the practical and inclusive dimensions of global climate diplomacy. While COP29 produced substantial breakthroughs, Azerbaijan views its achievements not as a point of competition but as a foundation for global progress. Azerbaijan remains ready to support Brazils COP30 presidency in any capacitythrough knowledge-sharing, climate finance expertise, adaptation frameworks, or technical coordination. Both countries bring complementary strengths: Azerbaijan in institutional and financial frameworks, and Brazil in biodiversity conservation and climate justice. COP29 demonstrated that with determination, diplomacy, and careful planning, a host country can deliver major outcomes that shape global climate policy. Azerbaijan is proud to have contributed to this progress and remains committed to supporting Brazil and all COP30 participants as they work to advance key climate priorities. In an era of accelerating environmental challenges, the continuity between COP presidencies - and the spirit of cooperation between nations like Azerbaijan and Brazilwill remain essential for achieving shared climate goals. News / National by Stephen Jakes HARARE - Former Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Jonathan Moyo has hailed retired General Philip Valerio Sibanda for maintaining a scandal-free record throughout his more than 50 years of military service.Writing on his X account, Moyo described Sibanda as an "Officer and a Gentleman" whose career embodied dedication, valour, and professionalism."From his heroic contributions during the National Liberation Struggle - rising with distinction through the ranks post-independenceto leading United Nations peacekeeping missions, commanding the Zimbabwe National Army from 2003 to 2017, and serving as Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces since 2017, he has exemplified level-headed leadership and remained scandal-free throughout," Moyo posted.Moyo further praised Sibanda as a pillar of integrity and honour, noting that his leadership inspired generations of soldiers and citizens alike."A true pillar of professionalism, integrity, and honour in the ZDF, his career was not merely served but masterfully led. Well done, Generalmay your legacy endure!" he added.President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently retired Sibanda, appointing General Matutu as his successor. 22 November 2025 16:27 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. Trade with Iran accounted for 1.27% of Azerbaijans total foreign trade during the period. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 22 November 2025 16:58 (UTC+04:00) by Mazahir Afandiyev The draft Law On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026 is currently being widely discussed in the Milli Majlis. The real economic indicators and financial justifications presented by the Minister of Finance and the Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts provide grounds to say that the state budget will be used efficiently next year. As most members of parliament have noted, the budget package submitted to the Milli Majlis for 2026 reflects strengthened principles of transparency and flexibility in governance, as well as an institutional approach in budget policy. The fact that this years budget discussions coincide with the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty also gives special significance to the deliberations on the draft law. It should be noted that the revenues of the 2026 state budget are projected at 38 billion 609 million manats, while expenditures are forecast at 41 billion 703 million manats. Overall, 2025 is characterized by the weakening of the global economy and sluggish international trade against the background of rising geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions worldwide. Despite all this, positive dynamics have been observed in Azerbaijans macroeconomic environment: economic growth has continued, progress has been maintained in diversifying the economy, expanding non-oil and non-gas exports, and improving the business environment. As a result, Azerbaijans strategic foreign currency reserves have already reached 82.5 billion USD, while the countrys external public debt has dropped to only 6% of GDP. It should be especially emphasized that President Ilham Aliyevs instructions on developing the non-oil sector and gradually reducing dependence on oil in budget policy have been consistently implemented, producing notable results. This policy is a critical strategic line for ensuring Azerbaijans long-term economic security. It is no coincidence that in recent years, efforts toward developing and diversifying the non-oil sector have expanded significantly, and today, the process of replacing oil revenues in the state budget is being carried out with great precision. Figures presented by the Ministry of Finance also show that dependence on oil revenues will continue to decrease in the 2026 budget. For example, the transfer from the State Oil Fund to the state budget will be 1 billion 646 million manats (11.4%) less than in 2025. This reduction demonstrates not only the growth of the non-oil sector but also the tangible results of efforts to diversify budget revenues. The foundation of these achievements lies in the farsighted decision of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev to establish the State Oil Fund under his decree dated 29 December 1999. This strategic step ensured the efficient use of oil revenues and helped create an important financial reserve for future generations. Today, the Funds assets play a decisive role in ensuring the countrys financial security. One of the most inspiring aspects of the 2026 state budget for every Azerbaijani is the allocation of funds for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the liberated territories, the rapid integration of the resurgent Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions into the national economy, and the demonstration of substantial progress in securing sustainable financial support for these processes. It is no secret that the Washington Declaration, signed trilaterally in the United States on 8 August this year, brought the prospect of lasting peace in the South Caucasus even closer. This, in turn, dictates the allocation of operational funds to ensure the Great Return to the liberated territories, the rebuilding of cities and villages, the creation of modern infrastructure in these areas, as well as to guarantee border protection, ensure the Azerbaijani Armys readiness for any threats, and maintain peace and security. For this purpose, the 2026 state budget envisages 3 billion 500 million manats for the reconstruction and restoration of the liberated territories, and nearly 8 billion 715 million manats for defense, national security, judicial authorities, and law-enforcement agencies. At the same time, it should be noted that in todays world, where global competition is rapidly increasing, the sustainability of peace and the future development of nations are directly linked to digitalization. In this regard, the inclusion of priorities aligned with the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the 2026 state budget is particularly important. It is commendable that the budget allocates funding for measures under the Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20252028 and the Information and Cybersecurity Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20232030. These programs will ensure Azerbaijans transition to a new stage of digital transformation, facilitate the formation of an innovative economy, and strengthen institutional measures in the field of cybersecurity. Azerbaijans advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and high technologies will enhance efficiency in public administration and increase the competitiveness of the private sector. A crucial factor behind these achievements is the governments effective execution of global challenges within the framework of efficient state governance. For many years, Azerbaijan has established reliable partnerships with international organizationsparticularly the United Nationsbased on principles of mutual respect and cooperation. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted unanimously by all UN member states in 2015, have long been implemented at a high level in Azerbaijan and have become one of the key components of the countrys strategic development course. The Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, within its cooperation with the Chamber of Accounts, also pays attention to the implementation of SDG goals. The inclusion of SDGs in the Chambers opinion on the state budget document for the first time in 2023 is considered an important milestone. Starting from 2024, the preparation of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) within the context of reforms carried out for the implementation of SDGs has been underway. The 2026 state budget is noteworthy in this regard as well. More than 15 billion manats allocated to the sectors of education, agriculture, environmental protection, and social welfare and social security are associated with eight SDG goals in total. This is a clear example of Azerbaijans consistent policy aimed at improving social welfare, strengthening environmental security, and ensuring inclusive development. Thus, the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026 is a document shaped in accordance with real economic conditions, national priorities, and long-term development strategy. Particular attention is drawn to areas such as reducing dependence on oil in the budget structure, supporting the non-oil sector, expanding social welfare programs, and financing high-tech fields. Ensuring the sensitive execution of monetary and fiscal policies and maintaining macroeconomic stability remain among the key priorities in forming the state budget. In the current reality, this is considered one of the crucial conditions for securing the resilience of the national economy. ---- Mazahir Afandiyev is a Member of Milli Majlis (Azerbaijan's Parliament). 22 November 2025 15:28 (UTC+04:00) A delegation led by Luis Grasso, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and OSCE PA Special Representative for the South Caucasus, will visit Armenia from November 22 to 26, the press service of the Armenian parliament reported, Azernews reports citing Armenian media. During the visit, the delegation is scheduled to meet with Sargis Khandanyan, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly, to discuss regional developments and cooperation in the South Caucasus. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group was formally dissolved on September 1, 2025, following a joint appeal from Azerbaijan and Armenia. This decision was made by the OSCE Ministerial Council and was the result of a joint request from the two countries, which they submitted after an August 8 summit. The Minsk Group was established in 1992 to mediate the Garabagh conflict but had not achieved a lasting settlement. Elina Valtonen, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finlands Minister for Foreign Affairs, welcomed the joint decision by Azerbaijan and Armenia to dissolve the OSCE Minsk Group, expressing hope that the process will be completed by December 2025. 22 November 2025 11:35 (UTC+04:00) Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, head of Baku Media Center Arzu Aliyeva, and Alena Aliyeva visited the Citrus Valley farm in Lankaran, Azernews reports. The owner of the farm, Raftara Shukurova, stated that Citrus Valley, one of Azerbaijans first agro-gastro-ecotourism destinations, welcomed more than 15,000 tourists in 2024. According to her, guests of the farm can observe agricultural processes, particularly fruit harvesting, taste local dishes and learn how to prepare them, participate in master classes, and become acquainted with the surrounding environment. During the visit, Leyla Aliyeva, Arzu Aliyeva and Alena Aliyeva viewed the conditions created on the farm, inspected the products, held a sincere conversation with the employees, and wished them success in their work. The visit concluded with commemorative photos taken with the farm staff. 22 November 2025 12:00 (UTC+04:00) The UK has taken a significant step toward deepening its engagement with one of the worlds most strategically important regions, as the Eurasia Policy Council (EPC), an independent, non-partisan think tank focused on the geopolitics, economics and environmental security of Central Asia and the wider Eurasian space, was officially launched at the House of Lords, Azernews reports. Hosted by Lord Qurban Hussain, the high-profile ceremony brought together an audience of senior British politicians, members of both Houses of Parliament, former diplomats, experts from Oxford, SOAS and Kings College London, executives from the energy and infrastructure sectors, international NGOs, and national media representatives. The event was marked by an unprecedented level of regional participation, with official delegations and senior figures from Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Iran attending underscoring the EPCs ambition to become a bridge between London, Brussels and the rapidly evolving states of Eurasia. In his opening remarks, Lord Hussain emphasized the timeliness of the initiative amid rising geopolitical tensions and climate challenges. Eurasia stands at the crossroads of the worlds most acute challenges great-power competition, economic instability and the existential threat of climate change, he said. The Eurasia Policy Council offers the neutral, expert-led space required to address these complexities with intellectual rigour, dignity and a shared commitment to peace. Afzal Khan MP, a long-time advocate of closer UKCentral Asia ties, called the launch both timely and essential. At a moment when multilateral institutions are under strain, the EPC will help Britain and Europe forge deeper, more resilient relationships with a region indispensable for energy security, critical minerals and the future of the rules-based order, he said. Salman Sheikh, a leading strategist on Eurasian and Middle Eastern affairs, highlighted the growing economic potential of the region. Eurasia is emerging as a hub for green energy, rare-earth elements and new transport corridors. The EPC will promote evidence-based partnerships that deliver inclusive growth rather than zero-sum competition. Addressing environmental risks, climate-security expert Dr Robert Hamilton warned that ecological pressures are becoming major destabilizing forces. By placing climate resilience at the heart of its agenda, the EPC is showing both courage and foresight, he said, pointing to water scarcity in the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins, glacial retreat in the Tian Shan and Pamir mountains, and the disruptive pace of the global energy transition. The EPC outlined four core pillars of its mission: Rigorous, peer-reviewed research on geopolitical and economic developments High-level diplomatic and Track-1.5 dialogue between the UK, EU and Eurasian states Promotion of sustainable investment and green technology transfer Building climate resilience, with a focus on water management, renewable energy and disaster-risk reduction Closing the event, EPC Co-Founders Raza Syed and Prof. Shabnam Delfani stated: This launch marks the start of a sustained British and European commitment to engage with Eurasia not as a distant periphery, but as an indispensable partner in tackling shared global challenges. The EPCs first flagship report dedicated to water security and regional governance in Central Asia will be published in spring 2026, followed by its inaugural annual conference in London next autumn. As competition intensifies from the Black Sea to Chinas western frontier and climate pressures reshape economies across the region, the newly established Eurasia Policy Council positions itself as a key actor in Britains foreign-policy landscape, advancing independent analysis and trusted dialogue at a critical moment. 22 November 2025 18:22 (UTC+04:00) President Volodymyr Zelensky, together with several European leaders, is working to amend key provisions of the US-proposed peace plan ahead of the November 27 deadline, Azernews reports, citing RBK-Ukraine and Bloomberg. According to the report, European partners are attempting to secure additional time for Ukraine to refine a new ceasefire framework with Russia, as concerns grow over the implications of the plan put forward by US President Donald Trump. The proposed 28-point plan envisions Ukraine recognizing Crimea, Donbass and other occupied territories as part of Russia. It also requires Kyiv to abandon its pursuit of NATO membership, although it leaves room for deeper economic cooperation with the EU. In exchange, Moscow would receive partial sanctions relief and the chance to rejoin an expanded G8 format. Other provisions include placing the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant under international oversight, dividing its energy output between Russia and Ukraine, and reducing the size of the Ukrainian army. Reconstruction efforts would rely partly on frozen Russian assets, though mechanisms for this remain undefined. Critics argue that the proposal heavily favors Moscow and risks undermining Ukraines sovereignty, prompting Kyiv and European leaders to push for significant revisions before any further steps are taken. 22 November 2025 20:50 (UTC+04:00) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged students in his country to contact their colleagues in the United States and tell them to speak out against war, Azernews reports. His comments coincide with heightened tensions with the US as Washington continues to bolster its military presence in the Caribbean. "No more war, Venezuela wants peace," Maduro told students assembled outside the presidential palace in Caracas, as broadcast by Venezolana de Television. Earlier on Friday, the US issued a notice to air missions (NOTAM) near the coast of Venezuela, further raising fears of a military escalation in the region. 22 November 2025 21:21 (UTC+04:00) Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday by federal police, his spokesman Fabio Wajngarten reported, Azernews reports. According to the spokesman, Bolsonaro was taken into protective custody, just days before starting his 27-year prison sentence. "IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. On a Saturday. With completely compromised health status. SHAMEFUL. [November] 26 is right around the corner," Wajngarten wrote on X. The former president was sentenced back in September to 27 years and three months in prison for leading a coup attempt to remain in power, after he lost elections to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022. 22 November 2025 21:50 (UTC+04:00) The COP30 climate talks in Brazil have reached a tentative deal after negotiators resolved a protracted standoff over action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and provide climate finance. The two-week conference, billed as a chance to show that nations can still join forces to tackle climate change despite the absence of the United States, had been scheduled to end on Friday but dragged into overtime. The European Union had been pressing for language on the move away from fossil fuels, but had come up against stiff resistance from the Arab Group of nations including top oil exporter Saudi Arabia. The impasse was resolved after all-night negotiations led by host nation Brazil, according to negotiators. A draft deal issued on Saturday showed countries had agreed on steps to help speed up climate action, review related trade barriers, and triple the money given to developing countries to help them withstand extreme weather events. The European Union's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, said on Saturday that the proposed accord was acceptable, even though the bloc would have liked more. "We should support it because at least it is going in the right direction," he said. The Brazilian presidency scheduled a closing plenary session. Any deal needs a consensus to be approved. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago said on Saturday that the presidency would publish a side text on fossil fuels as well as on protecting forests - instead of adding them to the official agreement - as there had been no consensus on these issues at the global climate talks. "I will announce that the Brazilian presidency will do the two 'roadmaps' because visibly we did not have maturity to reach consensus. I believe if we do it under the presidency we will have results," he said. The decision to triple climate finance by 2035, meanwhile, will be part of the COP30 agreement, resolving a key demand from poorer nations struggling to cope with climate impacts. Separately, a Leaders' Declaration from a G20 meeting in South Africa stressed the seriousness of climate change, in a snub to U.S. President Donald Trump. 22 November 2025 22:22 (UTC+04:00) Iran has sought help to fight a devastating fire in UNESCO-listed forests in its north, with neighbouring Turkiye sending firefighting planes, Iran's top environmental official said on Saturday, Azernews reports via Reuters. The fire threatens the Hyrcanian forests, which stretch along the southern Caspian Sea coast and date back 50 million years. They are home to 3,200 plant species - a "floral biodiversity ... remarkable at the global level", according to UNESCO, opens new tab, which listed them as a World Heritage site in 2019. "Two firefighting aircraft (and) one helicopter ... are being dispatched by the Turkish government today. There is also the capacity to have cooperation from Russia if needed," Vice-President Shina Ansari told state television. Two Iranian Ilyushin firefighting aircraft, seven helicopters and about 400 firefighters are battling the blaze, which follows a drought marked by rain levels across Iran at 85% below average. The fire reignited last Saturday following media reports that it was put out after breaking out in late October. Meanwhile, the head of a provincial nature protection unit said unauthorised hunters may have started the blaze and Reza Aflatouni, the head of Iran's forestry body, suggested that the fire may be linked to illegal efforts to destroy forested areas in order to build private residences, according to Iranian media reports. News / National by Stephen Jakes HARARE - The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has dismissed reports claiming that Cabangani Mathe (37) escaped from police custody on November 14, clarifying instead that the suspect fled from Plumtree Prison, where he was serving a 20-year sentence for rape.In a statement posted on their official X account, police said:"The ZRP dismisses allegations that Cabangani Mathe escaped from police custody on November 14. For the record, the suspect escaped from Plumtree Prison where he was serving a 20-year sentence for rape."Authorities further revealed that Mathe also had pending cases before the courts, including murder and engaging in sexual intercourse with a young person.The police urged media houses and social media users to exercise caution and verify information with relevant authorities before publishing or sharing reports that may mislead the public and fuel speculation. 22 November 2025 22:55 (UTC+04:00) The U.S. and Chinese militaries this week held "frank and constructive" maritime security talks, the Chinese navy said on Saturday, as the two superpowers gradually restore military-to-military communications after several months of trade tensions, Azernews reports via Reuters. The working-level meetings took place November 18-20 in Hawaii, according to a posting on the official social media account of the People's Liberation Army Navy. U.S. and Chinese military officials previously held talks in April - the first such working-level meeting on military issues since the beginning of the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump. The twice-yearly talks are known as the military maritime consultative agreement (MMCA) working group. "The two sides had frank and constructive exchanges ... mainly exchanging views on the current maritime and air security situation between China and the U.S.," China's navy said in its posted statement. China also criticised U.S. freedom-of-navigation operations in the statement. These are frequently carried out in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, international waters over which China claims sovereignty. "China ... resolutely opposes any infringement and provocation," China's navy said in its statement, referring to those maritime and overflight transits by U.S. forces. Both sides also discussed "typical cases of naval and air encounters between the two militaries ... to help the front-line naval and air forces of China and the U.S. interact more professionally and safely," it said. 22 November 2025 23:33 (UTC+04:00) United States President Donald Trump said on Saturday that his 28-point peace plan for Ukraine is not his "final proposal" to Kiev, Azernews reports. "We are trying to end it one way or another. We must finish it. This should have happened a long time ago," Trump told reporters before leaving the White House. When asked what would happen if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky refused the proposed plan, the US president said that "then he [Zelensky] can continue to fight with all his might." Earlier today, the Ukrainian officials announcedthat talks on the peace plan between Washington and Kiev will take place in the coming days in Switzerland. High Risk of Sneaker Waves on Oregon Coast / Washington Extended to Monday Published 11/21/25 at 2:55 a.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Manzanita, Oregon) An increased risk of sneaker waves along the north Oregon coast and south Washington coast continues into Sunday and perhaps Monday, with the original message from National Weather Service (NWS) getting extended through the weekend. Down south, the high surf advisory is over but somewhat high waves remain. Beach hazards statement remains in effect through late Sunday night, the NWS said of the area from Florence to Raymond, Wash. This includes Yachats, Newport, Lincoln City, Pacific City, Oceanside, Rockaway Beach, Manzanita, Cannon Beach, Seaside, Long Beach and Ocean Park. Some parts of the NWS site show the statement extended into Monday. Even so, it's not a constant danger and has not interrupted the glass float drops in Lincoln City. The NWS warns of possible sneaker waves, which can surge much farther up the beach than normal, sweeping over rocks and jetties. These waves can suddenly knock people off their feet and pull them into the frigid ocean, creating a risk of serious injury or drowning. Stay observant of incoming waves, the NWS said. Weather pundits note that such statements are issued when surf conditions pose potentially life-threatening dangers. Visitors are urged to use caution near the water, remain vigilant, and keep a close watch on children. Extra care is advised for those taking part in razor clam digs, as sneaker waves can strike without warning. Authorities recommend staying out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions. The big culprit behind sneaker waves is the long period between them. This allows wave sets to bunch up and combine into a stronger, more powerful wave that shoots up the beach. In this case, waves will be around 13 feet on Friday with a period of 17 seconds which is definitely a recipe for powerful waves. Saturday sees similar wave height with a period of 16 seconds, and Sunday gets up to a period of 15 seconds. Early Monday is also in that range. On the southern coast, the waves are just below advisory levels this week, the NWS said. That could, however, pop up again. For full weather forecasts as well as wave forecasts for each area: Washington Coast Weather Astoria / Warrenton Weather Seaside Weather Cannon Beach Manzanita Weather / Waves Nehalem Bay / Wheeler Rockaway Beach Waves, Weather Oceanside/Tillamook Pacific City Weather, Waves Lincoln City Waves, Weather Depoe Bay Weather Newport Waves, Weather Yachats Florence Coos Bay - North Bend - Charleston Bandon Weather Port Orford Weather Gold Beach Weather Brookings Weather Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Oregon Coast's Rogue Ales Abruptly Closes All Operations - Newport, Portland,... Over 60 people now unemployed. Company owed 100s of thousands in taxes, rent. Salem, Monmouth, restaurant reviews Laidback Rockaway Beach, Ocean in View from Hidden Oregon Coast Condo Rental Luxury and an unstoppable view meet. Rockaway Beach hotel reviews, lodging news New Oregon Coast Hotel with Old World Charm Like stepping back in time on the beachfront in Seaside, except with modern amenities around you. Seaside hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel review Oregon coast on the downlow (rates, that is), in Lincoln City and Cannon Beach Exceptional hotel deals in Cannon Beach and Lincoln City. Cannon Beach reviews, Lincoln City reviews More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Investigation of Young Whale Incident on Oregon Coast Already Makes New Finds Published 11/19/25 at 6:55 p.m. By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Newport, Oregon) - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is assisting in the investigation of a juvenile humpback whale that became entangled and stranded earlier this week near Yachats. The investigation includes the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Fisheries department (known as NOAA Fisheries). (Photo of the Yachats whale courtesy Washington Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network) The whale was caught in gear identified by NOAA Fisheries as belonging to the Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery. After efforts to free the animal from the surf were unsuccessful, veterinarians with the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network euthanized it on Nov. 17. NOAA Fisheries attributed the gear to the 20232024 Oregon commercial Dungeness crab fishery, the agency said. Initial reports from those on the scene indicated it was not a commercial device, as the story was breaking over the weekend. Justin Ainsworth, Marine Resources Program Manager for ODFW, said the exact cause of the stranding remains under review. Whale entanglement has been at the forefront for us over the past few years. The stranding of this young whale over the weekend underscores the importance of the work we have been doing in partnership with Oregons crab fleet to reduce the risk of entanglement, Ainsworth said. Preliminary information from scientists on the scene indicates the whale was likely in a weakened and ill state before it encountered the gear. A necropsy team examined the whale on site Tuesday to assess its condition and gather insight into the circumstances surrounding the incident. While NOAA Fisheries leads entanglement response efforts, ODFW supports investigations by interviewing gear owners and supplying relevant fishery data when Oregon gear is involved. Photo Leigh Torres / OSU The Oregon Dungeness Crab Commission has funded research at Oregon State University to study whale distribution and its interaction with crab fishing areas. Marine biologists report that humpback whale populations along the West Coast are increasing by approximately eight percent annually, resulting in more frequent contact with crab gear. To mitigate entanglement risks, ODFW has implemented several regulatory changes in the commercial Dungeness crab fishery, including a 20 percent reduction in pot limits and a seasonal restriction on crabbing beyond 40 fathoms starting May 1. Additional programs target the retrieval of lost crab pots to further reduce hazards. In 2026, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will receive updates on crab fishery management, including a five-year review of entanglement prevention efforts, the status of the Conservation Plan and Take Reduction Team, and potential changes to season opening protocols. The Commission will also consider new regulations such as electronic vessel monitoring, criteria for experimental gear permits, and revised season start criteria. This week, ODFW is collaborating with commercial crabbers and fishery managers in California and Washington to finalize plans for the upcoming Dungeness crab season, with an announcement expected Friday. On the scene were Pacific Marine Mammal Center, SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, & Research, Cascadia Research Collective, Oregon State Parks, Oregon State Fish and Wildlife Department, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon State Police and Oregon State Universitys Marine Mammal Institute. Experts came in from California, Oregon and Washington. One of the many rumors still floating on social is that no experts were there, when in fact there were many. Efforts to free the whale proved unworkable, even when professional teams arrived and took over. They employed an innovative method using block and tackle in an urgent effort to free the whale, but were ultimately unable to return the animal to the water, NOAA said. The public outcry on social media was and still is tremendous, but largely fueled only by emotion and a lack of understanding of the matter or actual physics. Personal attacks on the scientists and experts involved are still numerous. One of the big misconceptions is how returning a stranded whale to the ocean works in the real world. This almost never works: it's rare when it does. NOAA Fisheries explained some of the many reasons why: A whales body is adapted to the buoyancy of water. Its own body weight causes immense pressure once it is stranded, which can lead to respiratory and circulatory collapse, the agency said. Refloating stranded large whales is challenging, and there are limited options. Simply pulling a large whale back into the ocean is considered inhumane - it can dislocate the tail, cause paralysis, or even break the spinal cord. The rope and pulley system the Network members attempted is still difficult and not always successful. Another option, dredging a channel for a whale, has historically resulted in the whale drowning. Social media was filled with such suggestions especially digging a trench. These suggestions by armchair engineers would've resulted in a more gruesome kind of death for the whale. Hotels in Yachats - Where to eat - Yachats Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW OREGON COAST HOTEL REVIEWS (hit refresh to see different reviews) Sweeping Designs, Sights of N. Oregon Coast's Arch Cape, Away At Last Rental A mere 200 steps from the beach, near Cannon Beach. hotel reviews, lodging Six Historic Inns of the Oregon Coast With a Strong Time Travel Vibe Serious charm in Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Oceanside, Lincoln City, Newport. Logding reviews, hotels Manzanita Hotel Review: Oregon Coast Inn Gets New Life as Forest Getaway, New... Nehalem River Inn is nearly 100 years old. Nehalem Hotel Review New Oregon Coast Hotel with Old World Charm Like stepping back in time on the beachfront in Seaside, except with modern amenities around you. Seaside hotel reviews, Cannon Beach hotel review More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles) Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted News / National by Staff reporter The road network in Matebeleland has sharply deteriorated following recent rains, raising safety concerns for motorists, particularly as the festive season approaches. Opposition figures and development practitioners have blamed poor maintenance, administrative inefficiency, and corruption for worsening travel conditions.Freedom Alliance chairperson Mqondisi Ndebele highlighted the heightened risks for travelers crossing borders from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Eswatini, and South Africa. "Many drive long distances and switch from well-maintained highways to hazardous roads in Nkayi, Tsholotsho, Lupane, Kezi, or Sogwala," he said. Ndebele also criticized the convoluted border clearance process at Beitbridge, noting multiple checkpoints that duplicate procedures already handled at the border post.The state of infrastructure is equally concerning, with bridges such as Tshangane lacking rails and Gwelo bridge reported as broken. Ndebele called for urgent repairs to roads and bridges to ensure safe travel.Development practitioner Thembelani Dube attributed the poor road conditions to substandard workmanship by contractors and inadequate oversight from authorities. "The motoring public bears the brunt as vehicles' suspensions are constantly damaged, and commuting is consistently delayed," he said.The Mthwakazi Republic Party's president, Mqondisi Moyo, condemned the proliferation of roadblocks, describing them as harassment targeting residents returning from South Africa. "Confiscating household goods and foodstuffs is not revenue collection. Checking Zimbabwean citizens' passports inland is not border control. It is state-sanctioned harassment, intimidation, and oppression," Moyo said. He noted that large-scale commercial transporters face minimal scrutiny, while impoverished families carrying small essential items are disproportionately punished.The worsening state of roads, coupled with administrative inefficiencies and increased roadblocks, has left motorists vulnerable, prompting calls for urgent government intervention to improve road safety and restore efficient travel conditions across Matebeleland. The Muslim terrorist group al-Shabaab, based in Somalia is notorious for its slaughter of civilians, not only within Somalia but also in neighbors like Kenya. Now it has emerged that its largest single funder is the state of Minnesota, through welfare checks delivered to Somali refugees engaged in welfare and Medicaid fraud who then send the money to al-Shabaab. Some estimates, including that of the Minnesota US Attorney put the missing welfare money at over a billion dollars. President Trump has reacted to this welfare fraud funding of terrorism by revoking the protected status of Somalis living in the US. They will now be subject to deportation. Temporary Protected Status has allowed Somalis who arrive in the US to legally live and work here. There are now 86,000 of them in Minnesota. Trump also cited Somali crime gangs operating in the US. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15316095/Trump-Minnesota-Somali-deportation-protections-TPS-Waltz-Omar.html https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trump-ends-tps-somalis-minnesota-after-explosive-report-reveals-welfare-fraud-network https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/breaking-trump-announces-he-is-terminating-temporary-protected/ Belfast business strongly considering return for Line of Duty offering that outsold beyond wildest dreams Local fans have welcomed the news of series seven, while firms continue to capitalise on the shows success Martin Compston and Vicky McClure during Line Of Duty filming in west Belfast in 2020 (Peter Morrison) Niamh Campbell Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 08:31 Fans of Line Of Duty have a renewed passion for catching bent coppers as do local businesses who have benefited from the shows success with season seven scheduled for filming in Belfast in the new year. Five products with both matte and shimmer options and with prices to suit all pockets I love to travel, and am fortunate enough that my career frequently provides opportunities to do so. What I do not enjoy, however, is packing, and what I enjoy even less is unpacking. Packing at least holds the promise of all the fun youre going to have, while unpacking means the fun is over and youre simply returning to your normal life. This means I frequently struggle to find the motivation to do it, and have been known to leave suitcases full for months at a time. (Apologies to Type A readers who have just recoiled with horror.) This doesnt only apply to clothing, either. Because I am rich with product via this work, I often have several full make-up bags on the go, each with a selection of products which I deem essential for travel. One such product is an eyeshadow palette from which I can create both a simple matte eye, or a showstopper packed with shimmer a dream for travel. Here are some of my favourites: Charlotte Tilbury Charlottes Palette of Beautifying Eye Trends 1. Charlotte Tilbury Charlottes Palette of Beautifying Eye Trends (49). I love these palettes, which contain nine beautifully formulated mattes and shimmers in six different colour stories. My current favourite is Super Neutral, which is packed with cool-toned taupes, greys and beiges, but if you prefer warm tones, Sensual Sunset will work for you. They blend well and are compact, fitting easily into your make-up bag. Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Palette 2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Palette (29). Anastasias eyeshadow palettes had beauty fans in a chokehold in the 2000s, and while the market is more saturated now, there is no doubt that the brands formulas are still winners. This little palette contains nine shadows in golds, pinks and neutrals in a mix of matte, shimmer and metallic formulas. Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette 3. Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette (Nature) (66). Mario Dedivanovic made his name as Kim Kardashians make-up artist, and his brand has gone from strength to strength since it launched five years ago. His eyeshadow formulas are beautiful and blend like a dream. This 12-shade palette takes inspiration from nature and is filled with earthy tones from browns to creams and greens. Kiko Milano Glamour Multi Finish Eyeshadow Palette 4. Kiko Milano Glamour Multi Finish Eyeshadow Palette (16.99). I am thrilled that Kiko Milano has landed on our shores. The brand consistently outperforms its price tag via beautifully packaged, high-performing formulas. This sleek, black, nine-shadow palette comes in six colourways, from blues to mauves to burgundies and earthy tones theres something for everyone. Wycon Cosmetics Pink Power Eyeshadow Palette 5. Wycon Cosmetics Pink Power Eyeshadow Palette (28). I discovered this Italian beauty brand via TikTok, where people were raving about its eyeshadow formulas, and I had to get my hands on some. This palette contains nine buildable rosy shades in a mix of finishes, all of which work beautifully together. Aside from that, the prices of this brand across the board are highly accessible. Im excited to try more. Buying Irish Luna Haircare Luna Haircare has been slowly expanding into styling over the last while, and the brands latest launches are a dry shampoo (13.50) and dry texture spray (13.50). Both products are designed to boost the hairs appearance in a jiffy, with the dry shampoo using lightweight starches to absorb oil and revive the roots, and the texture spray offering body and volume boost without stiffness. Both of these products are an essential part of my haircare routine, and its great to have an Irish option. Something old... Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames Multichrome Pigments It was love at first sight for me when I encountered Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames Multichrome Pigments (35.45 via cultbeauty.com), launched in 2021. These liquid shadows shift in colour depending on your angle, making a dramatic and impactful eye look easy to achieve. Simply use the doe-foot applicator to apply them across the lid and then blend with a brush or your finger to smudge the edges and youre done. As with all of Myricks products, the formula is a dream it blends easily and wont move until you want it to with eye make-up remover. If you choose to use these, though, you need to be comfortable with people asking you about it. Ive never worn them out without spending the evening talking about them. Something new... About Face Holographic Eye Paints About Face is the beauty brand by pop star Halsey, which until recently was hard to get your hands on in Ireland. Now, the line is available in Space NK, and when I saw the brands Holographic Eye Paints (20), I had to give them a go. They appeared so similar to my beloved Twin Flames, I needed to know how they performed. Unfortunately, the formula isnt as good as the Danessa Myricks version they crease and shift as you wear them. Its not so bad that I dont want to wear them though, and if you cant bring yourself to spend the extra money on the OG formula, then Holographic Eye Paints will certainly fill a gap. Just dont expect the application to remain perfect. Beloved CS Lewis book marks 75 years: There is a real place for Narnia, and it's in Belfast As an iconic childrens book turns 75 this year, Aine Toner speaks to a host of experts about Belfast born CS Lewiss appreciation for his home Jo Zebedee, owner of The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus Aine Toner Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 09:31 CS Lewiss significance has never been forgotten in Northern Ireland, but it remains important to acknowledge that the academic and author came from this part of the world. Motorists queue up for a parking space at the RVH car park. Pic: Peter Morrison Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said a new modular style car park is being considered to ease pressure at Northern Irelands busiest hospital. DUP MLA Philip Brett asked the Health Minister whether his Department is engaging with staff impacted by the proposed staff car parking pass changes to be implemented in January 2026 at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The Belfast Telegraph previously reported how the Belfast Trust has paused a staff parking application process after it identified significant risks associated with the plans. More than 4,000 staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast had applied for around 1,500 permits to allow them to park on site at the hospitals car park when new legislation granting free parking for staff and patients is introduced next year. Mr Brett also urged Mr Nesbitt to detail what consideration is being given to improving car parking at and near the hospital site for staff, including at the derelict Broadway tower blocks site. In response, Mr Nesbitt said: The Belfast Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust have confirmed that the criteria-based parking permit application process for the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) has been paused and all staff who have previously held a car parking permit will retain their permit. The Trust will now consider the feasibility of increasing the number of available permits, the potential to provide alternative transport solutions, and their ability to reduce demand at the RVH site. Motorists queue up for a parking space at the RVH car park. Pic: Peter Morrison News Catch Up - Friday 21st November In relation to improving car parking and addressing the tower blocks, the health minister added: The Department of Healths regional Hospital Parking Charges working group meets regularly with regional HSC Trust representatives, including the Belfast HSC Trust, to discuss any car parking policy issues. The Belfast HSC Trust undertook a scoping exercise for the addition of a modular style car park on the RVH site. Trust staff met with Departmental officials in October 2024 to discuss delivery options and potential for capital funding. In advance of developing more detailed proposals for modular style parking, the Trust have decided it would be prudent to engage with the Planning Service to determine the likelihood of achieving the required planning approval. The development of options to alleviate car parking issues at RVH are restricted by the severe financial challenges facing the Department. The demolition of the derelict Broadway tower blocks site and redevelopment of the site cannot proceed until the necessary funds are secured. The tree was deliberately cut down overnight in September 2023, prompting a national outcry and a police investigation (John Millar/National Trust/PA) The first saplings grown from the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree are to be planted as National Tree Week kicks off, the National Trust has said. Five saplings will go in the ground on Saturday, with more than half of the 49 trees of hope from the sycamore that stood for more than a century in a dip in Hadrians Wall expected to be planted over the course of the week. The tree was deliberately cut down overnight in September 2023, prompting a national outcry and a police investigation. The saplings have been grown from seeds and material retrieved from the felled tree (James Dobson/National Trust/PA) Earlier this year, Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers were found guilty of its illegal felling and were sentenced to more than four years in prison. The saplings 49 to mark the sycamores height in feet when it was cut down were grown from the seeds and material rescued from the felled tree, which grew on land cared for by the National Trust, and were nurtured at the charitys plant conservation centre. The first places to plant the trees, which are now between four and six feet tall, include the Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, where a teenage trio set up a project to rescue their citys trees. Saplings will also be planted on Saturday at a site commemorating the Minnie Pit mining disaster in Staffordshire and at the former military base and location of the protest camp at Greenham Common, Berkshire, which reopened to the public in 2000. The Sycamore Gap tree was illegally felled in 2023, with two men later jailed for the crime (Owen Humphreys/PA) Later in the week, saplings will be planted at The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds, at Hexham General Hospital in Northumberland, and at a veterans charity, Veterans in Crisis, in Sunderland. Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trusts Hadrians Wall properties, said: Its incredible to think that this weekend, the first offspring of this very famous tree will be planted it feels like just yesterday that those tentative first shoots appeared. Over the next couple of years, the saplings will really start to take shape, and because sycamores are so hardy, were confident theyll be able to withstand a range of conditions. The very first sapling grown from the Sycamore Gap tree was gifted to the King last summer and will be planted on behalf of the nation at a later date. More than 500 applications were received to host one of the 49 saplings, the National Trust said. One of the successful applicants is the Tree Amigos, who set up their Tree Sanctuary for unwanted trees in 2023, and will be planting their tree of hope on Sowe Common North on Saturday. Martina Irwin, a co-founder of the Tree Sanctuary, said: Planting the sapling today will be really special and gives us a great opportunity to connect even more people, especially young people, to nature. Weve chosen to plant it among some other saved trees that we have planted on Sowe Common, serving as a beacon to inspire respect, understanding, and a sense of responsibility toward all trees. We hope the planting of the Sycamore Gap tree sapling will encourage the next generation of young Tree Amigos to join in with future tree-planting projects in Coventry. Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said: It was the quick-thinking of our conservationists in the aftermath of the felling that has allowed the Sycamore Gap tree to live on. More than 500 applications were received to host one of the 49 saplings, the National Trust said (James Dobson/National Trust/PA) The team has cared for these 49 hopeful saplings beautifully and theyre now ready to be given to communities, where theyll become a source of inspiration, a place to reflect, a home for nature, or simply a reminder that there are always good things worth fighting for, even after something so senseless. Were looking forward to seeing them thrive. Early next month, an additional sapling which was given to the school closest to the Sycamore Gap, Henshaw Church of England Primary School, will be planted in its grounds. And another 15 saplings will be planted in each of the UKs national parks in early 2026, including one in Northumberland where the original sycamore stood. Sir Keir Starmer and other international leaders have called the US-drafted peace plan for Ukraine a basis which will require additional work, as they expressed concerns about the proposal to limit Kyivs armed forces. In a joint statement issued on Saturday following their meeting at the Johannesburg G20 summit, shunned by Donald Trump, the leaders also stressed that borders must not be changed by force. Washington reportedly pressed Kyiv to accept the agreement it secretly drafted with Russia, which would see the invaded country make major concessions including surrendering territory, cutting the size of its army and giving up its path to Nato membership. In their response, the Prime Minister and 12 other European and international leaders said: We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work. We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraines armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack. We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members respectively. We take this opportunity to underline the strength of our continued support to Ukraine. We will continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the US over the coming days. (left to right) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Frances President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Leon Neal/PA) Alongside the UK, the statement was issued by France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Ireland, the EU Commission and EU Council. The Prime Minister held 25-minute talks with Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, before the meeting was expanded to include the other G7 and G20 leaders. The 28-point plan is said to have been negotiated by the US presidents special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies left out of the process. Officials from the US and Ukraine are expected to hold talks in Geneva on Sunday, with Mr Witkoff and US secretary of state Marco Rubio to attend for the US, according to a person familiar with the plans. National security advisers from the UK, France and Germany are also expected to be there. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a video address to his nation, said Ukrainian representatives at the talks in Switzerland know how to protect Ukrainian national interests and exactly what is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out another invasion. Real peace is always based on security and justice, the Ukrainian leader added. Mr Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday he wanted a response to the peace plan from Ukraine by Thursday, while suggesting an extension could be possible. Donald Trump has given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky until Thursday to respond to the deal (Leon Neal/PA) He told reporters on Friday that Mr Zelensky is going to have to approve it. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who like Mr Trump is not attending the gathering of the worlds leading economies, on Friday cautiously welcomed the US proposal, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement. But he said the plan had not been discussed with the Russian side in any substantive way and that he assumed this was because the US had not been able to get Ukraines consent. Earlier on Friday, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine faced one of the most difficult moments in its history, facing a choice between losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe has ushered in a new era of domestic aviation with the launch of RIDA Falcon Air, a new airline that commenced its inaugural flight between Harare and the border town of Beitbridge. The maiden voyage marked the beginning of a scheduled weekly service, promising to significantly improve travel and trade in the southern region.The inaugural flight carried a high-profile delegation, including Dr. Micheal Musanjika, acting deputy chief secretary, and Christopher Shumba, director general of the Rural and Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), along with senior government and customs officials. The aircraft completed the journey in one hour and thirty minutes, landing in Beitbridge at 10:15 am, a significant reduction from the six-hour road trip between the two locations.Upon arrival, the delegation was welcomed by local leaders, including Ms. Latiso Dlamini-Maseko, Provincial Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matebeleland South, alongside members of the Beitbridge community, who turned out to witness the historic event.The introduction of a regular weekly flight is expected to boost trade, tourism, and administrative efficiency. Officials and business stakeholders anticipate that the air link will streamline the movement of traders and government personnel, enhancing connectivity to Zimbabwe's busiest inland port.RIDA Falcon Air management highlighted the service's potential to provide a faster, more convenient alternative to the often long and challenging road journey, though ticket prices were not disclosed in the initial launch report. The airline is seen as a strategic move to strengthen regional trade, ease transport bottlenecks, and foster economic activity between Harare and Beitbridge. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will meet with Ukraines allies at the G20 summit to discuss peace efforts (Leon Neal/PA) Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet Ukraines allies at the Johannesburg G20 summit on Saturday to seek to strengthen a US-drafted plan to end the war with Russia. Washington reportedly pressed Kyiv to accept the agreement which would see the invaded country make major concessions including giving up territory and cutting the size of its army. Western nations are scrambling to respond to the proposals that appeared to catch them off guard. G7 leaders plus others from the G20 will discuss the deal on the sidelines of the South African meeting shunned by Donald Trump. The 28-point plan is said to have been negotiated by the US presidents special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies left out of the process. Ahead of Saturdays talks, Sir Keir said: Ukraines friends and partners will meet in the margins of the G20 summit to discuss how we can secure a full ceasefire and create the space for meaningful peace negotiations. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content We will discuss the current proposal on the table, and in support of President Trumps push for peace, look at how we can strengthen this plan for the next phase of negotiations. He continued there is only one country around the G20 table that is not calling for a ceasefire as he condemned Moscow for sending nearly 1,000 drones and 54 precision guided missiles in the past week alone. The Prime Minister said: Ukraine has been ready to negotiate for months, while Russia has stalled and continued its murderous rampage. That is why we must all work together, with both the US and Ukraine, to secure a just and lasting peace once and for all. We will continue to co-ordinate closely with Washington and Kyiv to achieve that. Sir Keir will not visit Washington next week, it is understood, amid reports that European leaders including Frances Emmanuel Macron, Germanys Friedrich Merz and Italys Giorgia Meloni are considering visiting Mr Trump to discuss his plan. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who like Mr Trump is not attending the gathering of the worlds leading economies, on Friday cautiously welcomed the US proposal, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visits a Johannesburg train depot with UK-built carriages (Leon NealPA) But he said the plan had not been discussed with the Russian side in any substantive way and that he assumed this was because the US had not been able to get Ukraines consent. Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address to his nation that it faced one of the most difficult moments in its history, facing a choice between losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. It followed his 40-minute call with Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Merz, in which the European leaders emphasised that Ukraine must determine its future under its sovereignty. The Prime Minister said they had emphasised to Mr Zelensky their support for Ukraine and the fundamental principle that Kyiv should be in charge of its own destiny. Mr Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday he wanted a response to the peace plan from Ukraine by Thursday, while suggesting an extension could be possible. The US president is boycotting the November 22-23 leaders summit over widely rejected claims that white people are being persecuted in South Africa. Sir Keir Starmer meets South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the G20 summit (Leon Neal/PA) It was unclear whether there would be any involvement in the meeting of Ukraines allies. Asked what it meant to strengthen Washingtons plans, Downing Street declined to get ahead of those discussions but denied they were viewed as weak by friends of Kyiv. Pressed on whether Britain had been cut out of Mr Trumps peace negotiations, Sir Keirs spokesman said he did not accept that at all as he stressed the excellent relationship between the US and UK leaders. The Prime Ministers language has been cautiously diplomatic and has praised US efforts to end the four-year conflict. No 10 has defended the Labour leaders attendance at the G20 summit coming days before the Budget is expected to raise taxes and despite the US presidents absence saying he would use it to shore up support for Kyiv and strike business deals. He will announce a 4 billion maritime agreement in a call with Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto on Saturday. Led by British defence firm Babcock, the programme will see the two countries jointly develop capability for Indonesias navy, creating 1,000 jobs in Rosyth, Bristol and Plymouth. These two are hand-in-hand in thinking shooting and bombing was alright. Whos on the other side of the argument? The rest of us Enoch Burke pictured outside the entrance to Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath. Photo: Gerry Mooney Having previously spent over 500 days inside the walls of the Dublin jail, controversial and outspoken schoolteacher Enoch Burke is back for a fresh stint his fourth, to be precise. As the judge issued yet another ruling against him this week, Burkes behaviour at the grounds of Wilsons Hospital School was described in the strongest of terms: grotesque, a baleful and malign presence, and an intruder stalking the school. Its beginning to feel like a never-ending story, with the Burke family a recurring fixture in Irish media for the past three years. What began as a workplace dispute over his objection to transgenderism, has spiralled into an ongoing and costly legal saga, one that has already seen him fined 225,000 for contempt. So, how might this saga ultimately conclude for one of the countrys most headline-grabbing families? And who is footing the bill for the Burkes evangelical campaign? Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, and Conal Thomas, Political Reporter with the Irish Independent, analyse Enoch Burkes latest legal entanglement, and examine how the Burkes are financing their costly campaigns. Bishop Darren McCartney, Bishop George Davison (standing) and the Rev Geoffrey Haugh on the water Fun was the order of the day as rectors, deans, curates and bishops gathered for a retreat at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Co Cavan. Crossbow attack victim charged with assaulting ex tells court: Its a set up Judge rules accused was in breach of bail conditions after he messaged his former partner Alan Dunleavy John Toner Sat 22 Nov 2025 at 15:45 An alleged domestic abuser forced to flee his home after a crossbow attack has appeared in court accused of pestering his ex. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Cloudy this morning. A few snow showers developing during the afternoon. High around 25F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy with snow showers around before midnight. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. Note, this article was updated to add that Kayla Thompson was later appointed clerk of the elementary school district during a rescheduled meeting. BENNINGTON Area school boards have begun the process of appointing a district clerk to replace Cassandra Barbeau, who is stepping down from her roles as clerk of three local districts, as well as clerk of the town of Bennington. Barbeau, whose last official official day as town clerk is December 5, said she would be using remaining vacation time until then and is in the process of moving to North Carolina. She recommended her assistant town clerk, Kayla Thompson, as her replacement, and the Bennington Select Board approved the appointment on November 10. The appointments to the elected town and school clerk posts will be until the next March town meeting, when Thompson would be required to run for the open positions. On Wednesday, the Mount Anthony Union School District Board accepted Barbeaus resignation and voted to appoint Thompson as district clerk. The Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District Board had the resignation and appointment on its agenda for a November 18 meeting, but the session was postponed because of technical problems with the Zoom program. Chairman Christopher Murphy said Friday that another meeting was set for next week. Because the Zoom link wasnt working, we did not hold the meeting as scheduled, he said in an email. We had warned it with an online option, and we were given legal guidance to not proceed with the meeting with the absence of that online option. He added, An [elementary school district] meeting is going to be warned for this coming Tuesday night, at which point we will take up the issue of appointing a new clerk. Murphy said after the rescheduled board meeting that Thompson was appointed clerk of the elementary school district as well. The Southwest Vermont Regional Technical School District board, which Barbeau also served as the elected district clerk, voted unanimously on November 10 to appoint Thompson to the clerks position. Thompson grew up in Bennington and graduated from Mount Anthony Union High School. She previously worked as an intensive needs paraeducator for 10 years in local schools, at the elementary and middle school levels. She was appointed assistant Bennington town clerk in January 2015. MILL RIVER When the sale of Limestone Farm became a matter of record last week, county and area dairymen and others were not sure whether to offer the former owners congratulations or condolences. PITTSFIELD When Judge Joan McMenemy asked 3-year-old Mariah whose lap she was sitting on during her adoption hearing, she didnt hesitate to say Mama. And who was next to her? Dada. Well, that's all we have to do here, folks, McMenemy said. Mariah knows who Mom and Dad are. Mariah was one of three children adopted Friday in Berkshire Juvenile Court, and 133 kids across the state, on National Adoption Day, which the Berkshire court calls the happiest day of the year. The day, which is technically Sunday, is meant to finalize adoptions before Thanksgiving. The courthouse lobby was filled with balloons, toys and cookies with kids' names on them, as families, friends and caseworkers gathered to celebrate the children and their forever families. One by one, families stepped into the courtroom to make it official. In a room where people are typically on their best behavior, McMenemy encouraged kids to be kids, letting them run around and laugh, and giving them the chance to talk about how much they love their siblings. After official words were said, McMenemy invited the whole family to have a group hug and then join her on the bench for Mariah to sign her certificate and take some pictures. Mariah first met Sara and Stefan Christian, and their two biological sons, Rowen Christian, 3, and Jake Newton, 5, in April 2024, right after her second birthday. She first joined the household as one of the family's first foster placements. At first, she didnt talk or even respond to her name, but eventually she spoke her first words and started to play with the other kids. By the end of May 2024, Mariah was fully ingrained in the family, who loved her as their own. When the foster child's goal changed to adoption, both parents knew she belonged with them permanently. When you give birth and you hold the baby for that first time, its like a dopamine rush and you just instantly have all these emotions, Sara said. And the very first time I held Mariah, I felt all the same emotions I felt when I held my two boys and thats how I knew that adoption was for our family. There are 8,562 children in state foster care, as of Nov. 1, according to state Department of Children and Families data provided by Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange. The couple started fostering two years ago when the family of four decided their four-bedroom house could be a safe place for kids who needed a home, even just temporarily. So far, they have fostered over a dozen kids, including two they are currently caring for. Six months into fostering, I realized that I love them just as much as my biological kids and it didnt matter to me if I had birthed them or not, Sara said. Aside from her name formally being Mariah Christian, not much else is going to change in the family's daily life. Im one of the luckiest judges in the whole state, McMenemy said as she entered the courtroom filled with family and friends of the Christians. She added that Adoption Day is one of the best days of the year for everyone who works even a little bit adjacent to the foster system. As the proceeding continued, it wasnt long before four of the kids were running in circles, laughing around the courtroom, and bringing life to a room that doesnt always get it. McMenemy continued speaking with the parents, encouraging the kids to keep being kids as she did. You guys look like regular people, but on a day like today, you guys are like superheroes, McMenemy said. Adding later that Thousands of kids are waiting to find their Sara and Stefan. What Stefan loves the most about fostering is getting to be a part of many of these kids' firsts their first haircut, barbecue, vacations and a lot of the time, their first words. There are a lot of kids out there that need a safe place to be, Stefan said. And we have the means to give them, so that's kind of our way of being back. One of those people in the audience was Mariahs birth grandmother, who remains a part of her life and is supportive of the whole family. Its a hectic lifestyle being foster parents. One day, they will have a hard, but ultimately happy, goodbye as kids are reunited. But then a few days later, another kid will join the family. Its also very rewarding to see reunification, Sara said. When you see the parents did a ton of work and turned their life around and just seeing them go through all these hoops is just as rewarding as when you have an adoption. The entire process is full of emotion and ups and downs. Sara said foster parents are told they arent really theirs until the adoption happens because anyone can come forward before that. As rewarding as it is, it's also a really hard process, Sara said. You get attached to these kids. You spend every day with them, Sara said. But when you forget the case files and you are just present with them, it makes everything a little bit easier and a little bit lighter, Sara said. Shortly before 10 a.m. Friday, Mariah was back in her mom's lap, remnants of the cookie she had just eaten with her name on it and the glass of orange juice she drank still lingering, as McMenemy asked her one more question. Hey Mariah, are you ready to be adopted? Yes, she said quietly with a smile on her face, looking between her mom and the judge as her brothers continued to run around the room. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close News / National by Staff reporter Cement prices in Zimbabwe have risen sharply over the past two months, climbing by 42 percent amid surging demand, constrained imports and inconsistent local production. A survey by this publication shows that the price of a 50kg bag has increased from US$12 to about US$17, a significant US$5 jump that has placed both commercial projects and homebuilders under pressure.Industry players say the spike reflects an "unprecedented" construction boom that has pushed demand to levels far beyond those typically seen between April and November, the period when building activity normally peaks. A cement trader in Harare noted that demand remained strong despite the rising prices, while hardware operator Forum Gwatidzo described this year's buying pressure as incomparable to previous cycles.For many ordinary Zimbabweans, the increases have been financially crippling. Grace Murombedzi, who is constructing an eight-room house in Manresa, said she budgeted for cement at US$12 a bag and did not anticipate such a steep rise. She said the 42 percent increase had shredded her projections and rendered her initial budget unsustainable, as her project requires hundreds of bags.Zimbabwe traditionally relies on cement imports from Zambia to supplement domestic supply, but these inflows have declined sharply after several major importers exhausted their import quotas. The drop in imports has coincided with instability in local production. Although the country has an installed annual capacity of 2.6 million tonnes, actual output has been uneven due to persistent operational challenges. Power shortages, aging infrastructure and financial distress at key producers, including Khayah Cement, have all contributed to shortages.The strained supply chain has left the market extremely tight, affecting both large infrastructure developments and individual construction projects. However, relief may be in sight. The new Huaxin Cement plant in Chegutu is expected to start operating in the first quarter of next year, eventually adding about 800 000 tonnes of new capacity annually. Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has acknowledged the periodic shortages but said Zimbabwe is on track to achieve self-sufficiency in cement production once the Chegutu plant is fully operational.Ndlovu also pointed to upcoming investments, including a cement plant proposed by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, who recently visited Zimbabwe on a scouting mission. He said the project, along with several smaller new facilities in the Hwange area, would expand the country's production footprint and help stabilise supplies, particularly in Matebeleland North where consumers stand to benefit from reduced transportation costs.The construction boom has also fuelled heightened demand for other building materials such as bricks, aggregate stones, sand and timber, further illustrating the intense pressure facing Zimbabwe's infrastructure sector. As demand continues to surge, stakeholders anticipate that the market will only stabilise once new production capacity comes online next year. Nanjing hosts int'l dialogue on sustainable waterfront city development Xinhua) 11:19, November 22, 2025 NANJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- From Wednesday to Friday, mayors and representatives from 10 countries gathered in Nanjing, a city along the Yangtze River, to share urban governance experiences and discuss sustainable development trends for waterfront cities worldwide. Themed "Flowing Rivers, Converging Future," the Global Mayors Dialogue brought together participants from Brunei, Egypt, Germany, Italy, China and other countries. Through visits to schools, cultural sites and riverside areas, the attendees gained a multidimensional understanding of the city, known for its economic vitality and rich cultural heritage in eastern China. During a tour of Nanjing's 600-year-old city wall, international guests marveled at its impressive engineering and meticulous preservation. "This is my first time visiting Nanjing's city wall. The wisdom of our ancestors inspires me with deep respect and pride as an overseas Chinese," said Gan Tian Loo, chairman of the working committee for the historic urban area of Malaysia's Malacca. He expressed his anticipation for collaboration between Malacca and Nanjing on city wall preservation. In Nanjing's Xiaoxihu neighborhood, cafes and bookstores stand alongside traditional courtyard houses, creating a harmonious blend where the daily lives of local residents intertwine effortlessly with new commercial spaces. Alessandro Rapinese, mayor of Como, Italy, emphasized that Nanjing's dedication to cultural preservation aligns with Como's approach. "We face similar challenges and are solving them in similar ways -- protecting heritage while allowing people to live within it." Balancing urbanization and ecological protection poses a common challenge for cities worldwide. Nanjing, where endangered finless porpoises can be observed near its urban core along the Yangtze River, offers an inspiring model showcasing how economic development and biodiversity can thrive in harmony. "The beautiful Yangtze River reminds me of the Danube River," said arko Mi in, mayor of Novi Sad, Serbia. He described Nanjing as a unique example where skyscrapers and nature reserves coexist harmoniously. As a city in the Danube region, Novi Sad also boasts natural reserves near its urban area and aims to learn from Nanjing's experience in conserving urban endangered species. Mohamed Higazy, a board member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that Nanjing "respects its past while looking to the future." He added that many Chinese cities serve as models for embracing modernity while honoring tradition -- a theme central to the dialogue. Li Zhongjun, acting mayor of Nanjing, expressed hope that the event would strengthen intercity cooperation and help address practical challenges faced by urban areas worldwide. (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) News / National by Staff reporter The death of a Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officer has sparked controversy, with starkly conflicting accounts from the police and the deceased's family over what transpired during his final hours.In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi alleged that the officer, Tawanda Marumahoko (32), was part of a gang that staged a US$10 000 armed robbery involving a bread delivery truck near Chinhoyi Heroes Acre on 14 November 2025.Nyathi said the driver, Kenneth Tsvarisai, initially reported being robbed by unknown assailants while transporting bread from Banket to Chinhoyi. However, investigations revealed inconsistencies, leading detectives to conclude that the robbery had been orchestrated. Tsvarisai was arrested the following day after allegedly providing inside information and assisting in the plan.Under interrogation, Tsvarisai reportedly implicated Marumahoko. Police said they recovered US$4 680 believed to be part of the stolen money, and that Marumahoko admitted using US$300 to hire a lawyer upon learning of Tsvarisai's arrest. Detectives further claimed he led them to the crime scene, where they recovered a blowgun loaded with eight rounds.But the circumstances surrounding Marumahoko's death have triggered alarm.According to the police version, Marumahoko attempted to flee during indications at the crime scene and was caught and flogged by a mob attempting a citizen's arrest. He was later taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, where he died upon admission.Police, however, have not stated how he managed to escape from custody, nor have they announced any arrests relating to the assault that caused his death - despite acknowledging he was fatally injured in the beating. Nyathi said investigations into the circumstances of his death are underway.Marumahoko's family strongly disputes the official account, claiming the story of a fleeing suspect and a spontaneous mob attack is a cover-up for police torture.His wife, Mary Muzama, said her husband was arrested in Chinhoyi on Saturday morning, with detectives later accompanying him home to collect unspecified items. She alleges he was badly assaulted while in custody at Chinhoyi Police Station, and that she was also detained, beaten for nearly four hours and had her phone confiscated.Muzama says the first time she saw her husband at around 5pm, he could neither walk nor sit."His legs were swollen, the right one was bleeding and he kept falling. His forehead was also swollen," she said.She further alleged that some officers threatened to kill him, claiming he was a "problematic" suspect who often slipped through the system.According to Muzama, when she last saw him alive, he could not make any movement, yet police told her he would be taken for indications - something she insists he was physically incapable of doing.The family says they have not been allowed access to his body.His uncle, Office Marumahoko, said:"We are still in shock over what happened. And besides, they still have the body of our son. It's painful."The family also questioned the police claim that a mob emerged in a "bushy area where there are no homes," arguing that this explanation appeared only later and seemed designed to sanitise the circumstances of the death.The incident comes amid long-standing concerns over the safety of suspects during crime indications, a procedure meant to reconstruct events and collect evidence.Over the years, numerous suspects - many in leg irons - have died during these operations, with police often claiming they attempted to flee or disarm officers. The pattern has fuelled public scepticism, with critics warning that crime indications have become synonymous with intimidation, fear and, at times, fatal outcomes.Meanwhile, police say the hunt continues for two additional suspects, identified only as William and Spencer, who are allegedly linked to the staged robbery. A young woman was fighting for her life in a Cork hospital after she was struck by a truck and seriously injured at a road in Limerick, Saturday. The 19-year-old student was struck by the truck at a pedestrian crossing on the R463, at Corbally Road, around 12.30 pm. The injured teen was initially taken from the scene by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick. She was later transferred to Cork University Hospital with serious head injuries. Cork is recognised as having a major trauma centre and neurosurgery unit that provides treatment for patients requiring emergency head trauma support. A statement released by the gardai appealed for witnesses and road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and who were travelling on the Corbally Road in Limerick city between 11:45am and 12:45pm, 22nd November 2025. Advertisement Gardai asked that dash cam footage or any other type of video footage be sent to investigating Gardai. Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the collision involving a truck and a pedestrian on the Corbally Road that occurred shortly before 12:30pm, the Garda statement read. The female pedestrian was brought to University Hospital Limerick for treatment of serious injuries. No other injuries were reported. The driver of the truck was treated at the scene for shock. Gardai closed the road to allow Garda Forensic Collision Investigators conduct a technical examination of the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Keir Starmer is meeting with allies of Ukraine at the Johannesburg G20 summit on Saturday to seek to strengthen a plan secretly drafted by the US to end the war with Russia. Washington reportedly pressed Kyiv to accept the agreement which would see the invaded country make major concessions including giving up territory and cutting the size of its army. Western nations are scrambling to respond to the proposals on the sidelines of the South African meeting shunned by Donald Trump. The British Prime Minister held 25-minute talks with Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz, before the meeting was expanded to include a dozen G7 and G20 leaders including from Japan, Canada, Italy, Norway and the European Union. Starmer held 25-minute talks with Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Friedrich Merz (Leon Neal/PA) The 28-point plan is said to have been negotiated by the US presidents special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies left out of the process. Before Saturdays summit, where media access is limited, Mr Starmer said: Ukraines friends and partners will meet in the margins of the G20 summit to discuss how we can secure a full ceasefire and create the space for meaningful peace negotiations. Advertisement We will discuss the current proposal on the table, and in support of President Trumps push for peace, look at how we can strengthen this plan for the next phase of negotiations. He continued there is only one country around the G20 table that is not calling for a ceasefire as he condemned Moscow for sending nearly 1,000 drones and 54 precision guided missiles in the past week alone. The Prime Minister said: Ukraine has been ready to negotiate for months, while Russia has stalled and continued its murderous rampage. That is why we must all work together, with both the US and Ukraine, to secure a just and lasting peace once and for all. We will continue to co-ordinate closely with Washington and Kyiv to achieve that. Keir Starmer condemned Moscow (Leon Neal/PA) Russian President Vladimir Putin, who like Mr Trump is not attending the gathering of the worlds leading economies, on Friday cautiously welcomed the US proposal, saying it could form the basis of a final peace settlement. But he said the plan had not been discussed with the Russian side in any substantive way and that he assumed this was because the US had not been able to get Ukraines consent. Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address to his nation that it faced one of the most difficult moments in its history, facing a choice between losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner. Advertisement It followed his 40-minute call with Keir Starmer, Mr Macron and Mr Merz, in which the European leaders emphasised that Ukraine must determine its future under its sovereignty. The Prime Minister said they had emphasised to Mr Zelensky their support for Ukraine and the fundamental principle that Kyiv should be in charge of its own destiny. Mr Trump told Fox News Radio on Friday he wanted a response to the peace plan from Ukraine by Thursday, while suggesting an extension could be possible. Donald Trump has given Ukraine a deadline of Thursday to respond to the US-drafted peace plan (Leon Neal/PA) The US president is boycotting the November 22-23 leaders summit over widely rejected claims that white people are being persecuted in South Africa. Asked what it meant to strengthen Washingtons plans, Downing Street declined to get ahead of those discussions but denied they were viewed as weak by friends of Kyiv. Pressed on whether Britain had been cut out of Mr Trumps peace negotiations, Starmers spokesman said he did not accept that at all as he stressed the excellent relationship between the US and UK leaders. The Prime Ministers language has been cautiously diplomatic and has praised US efforts to end the four-year conflict. No 10 has defended the Labour leaders attendance at the G20 summit coming days before the Budget is expected to raise taxes and despite the US presidents absence saying he would use it to shore up support for Kyiv and strike business deals. He will announce a 4 billion maritime agreement in a call with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday. Led by British defence firm Babcock, the programme will see the two countries jointly develop capability for Indonesias navy, creating 1,000 jobs in Rosyth, Bristol and Plymouth. Advertisement Exclusive CultureArt & designArt Bendigo Art Gallery closes for massive $45 million redevelopment Kerrie O'Brien November 23, 2025 4:30am 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 11 View all comments Bendigo Art Gallery will close its doors at the end of this month, in preparation for a massive $45 million redevelopment. When completed in early 2028, the new gallery will include a huge exhibition space on the second level, a learning centre and a dedicated space for cultural materials belonging to local First Nations people, the Dja Dja Wurrung. An artists impression of the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment. The City of Greater Bendigo contributed $9 million to the project, while the Victorian government provided $21 million. Another $4 million came from the gallerys board, with philanthropy raising $9.35 million, including from the Sidney Myer Fund and the Ian Potter Foundation, which contributed $4 million and $3 million, respectively. The gallery is also seeking project funding from the federal government. Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot says the redevelopment has been a critical part of her remit since her appointment in 2019. You dont get to do this very often, so youve just got to knuckle down and enjoy it, she says. Youre doing this for the next generation. Advertisement Bridgfoot says she is thrilled about the new gallery, but feels a tinge of sadness at closing the doors. The redevelopment is so extensive, it means the entire gallery and grounds will become a construction site, so it is not viable to remain open. The treasured collection would not be safe, let alone staff. Like many cultural institutions, weve outgrown our facilities. Weve got this incredible international exhibition program but when the shows roll into town, they take over everything else, she says. Wed like to establish the gallery as a destination all year round, and reach more diverse people in the community. Bendigo Art Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot. Penny Stephens The redevelopment has five aims: enhanced gallery spaces; a learning centre; a childrens gallery; retail and hospitality, and accessibility. Because the gallery is owned and run by Bendigo City Council, all staff will be redeployed while the doors are shut; some staff will work with neighbouring cultural institutions. Advertisement Related Article Literature State Library proposes major cuts to staff and services Melbourne-based architects Jackson Clements Burrows designed the building, in partnership with Clare Design, which designed Brisbanes Gallery of Modern Art. While tourism is part of the equation, its also about drawing in locals and regional and rural communities, according to Bridgfoot. To be able to provide a free arts offering for people who maybe have never been in to a gallery before, to come and do something constructive and creative with their kids is really important, she says. People enjoy having a creative licence to just make something with no expectation. Advertisement Construction work, to begin early next year, will update the facade and internal gallery spaces, while historic features of the original building remain intact. The revamp comes after another of Victorias major regional cultural venues, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, closed for renovations in March. It is due to reopen in late 2026. The gallery worked closely with traditional owners, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, to co-design elements of the revamped building, as well as a purpose-built place for all cultural artefacts to be known as the Traditional Owner Place of Keeping. Weve worked on a repatriation project with them and weve got a list of objects that are scattered around major museums all around Europe and the UK, including the British Museum, Bridgfoot says. An artists impression of the childrens learning centre. So were going to be working with them on international repatriation projects, and well have a collection space for those artefacts to come back on to Country, as well as an interpretive exhibition space adjacent to that. Advertisement The new ground floor includes a dedicated space for the gallerys contemporary Australian and First Nations collections and entry will be free. Across 1000 square metres on the first floor, a new international gallery will house the blockbuster ticketed shows events such as Elvis: Direct from Graceland and Frida Kahlo: In her own image. Recent big shows highlighted how much the gallery needed to expand, with queues in the entrance area extending out the front door, and crowds leaving little room to move in the exhibition spaces. Bridgfoot at the gallerys entry during the Frida Kahlo show earlier this year. Penny Stephens A new learning centre will have a childrens art studio, workshop space and theatrette on the ground floor, while an interactive childrens gallery will open seven days a week, with a space for hands-on activities. Advertisement To fill the gap while the gallery closes, a series of offsite events will be staged, starting in March with a massive Lego show, a collaboration with Bendigos Discovery Science and Technology Centre. Curiosity: Building Breakthroughs in Lego Bricks is pitched at lovers of all things space-related. Its centrepiece is a 7.5 metre tall replica of the NASA Space Launch system rocket, designed by Ryan Brickman McNaught, using 460,000 pieces of Lego. McNaught, who was born in Shepparton and went to school in Bendigo, spent 563 hours designing and building the piece with his team. Inside the gallery. Bendigo Art Gallery Theres also a life-size model of the Mars Rover Perseverance and Mars Helicopter Ingenuity, made from Lego, female scientists reimagined again in Lego an enormous periodic table, plus models of bridges and spacecraft from around the world. Visitors can build their own creations as well. Advertisement Bridgfoot also chairs the Australian division of the International Council of Museums, based in Paris. As well as managing the gallery and its redevelopment, she spends a lot of time thinking about the big picture. What we need to do as cultural leaders is reinforce the intrinsic value of the arts and what that does for peoples mental health and wellbeing, she says. And all the other wonderful things that come from that communing, having cultural experiences together, shared experiences. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. CORRECTION An earlier version of this article said the gallery was due to reopen in early 2026. Its been updated to say the re-opening is scheduled for late 2026. The November 22 edition Reach for the stars is a phrase that is often bandied about when people are being urged to chase their dreams. It seems unassuming Aussie Adam Gilmour took this advice quite literally. His attempt to launch his companys Australian-made rocket has made global headlines not least after the mission suffered a spectacular setback earlier this year, crashing shortly after liftoff in North Queensland. Liam Mannix, national science writer for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, looks at what makes Gilmour tick and the drivers behind this ambitious goal in todays cover story. Also to file under unassuming: the identical twins in the Two of Us column, Bruno and Otto Bell. A childhood fascination with creepy-crawlies has evolved into the pair becoming widely known experts in weevils and snails. And for anyone who might be thinking about reneging on their weekend plans, Katrina Stricklands Quick Take on why we cant keep our social commitments any more is required reading. Melissa Stevens, editor Advertisement NationalProperty market Opinion The safest way to build wealth in Australia is to do nothing Jack Toohey Author November 22, 2025 4:00am November 22, 2025 4:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 49 View all comments When I started a business in my early 20s, it felt like now or never. My business partner and I could still live at home. We didnt have partners, kids or mortgages. If it all went under in a few years, wed have a soft place to land and enough time to retrain and re-enter the workforce. Even in high school, Id given up hope of owning a home by any conventional means. Prices were rising much faster than wages, and it didnt look like that would ever change. My thinking was that if buying a home was going to be possible, it would have to be through owning a business that could scale in a way that I couldnt as an individual worker. The system is geared towards building wealth through property rather than through innovation or hard work. Sam Bennett And I was lucky to even have that option a business partner willing to take the same gamble, and the safety net to try. For most people facing the same housing reality, there is no now or never moment. Theres just never. So we tried. But as the business grew to 15 staff, housing costs were a constant backdrop in every conversation. In pay discussions, staff would bluntly tell me that rent was their biggest stressor. I understood, because I felt it, too. To cover my own rent in Sydney, I worked weekends as a DJ. Advertisement Its not that the business wasnt successful. Its that the housing market grew faster than we could. Our margins shrank as rents rose. Our capacity to innovate or take risks deflated while property values ballooned. We were creating something new every day but the gains were flowing to the people who already owned something old: property. Jack Toohey: After I started my business, to cover my own rent in Sydney, I worked weekends as a DJ. Flavio Brancaleone Australia finds itself in a paradox. Passive property ownership appears more financially rewarding than productive work on paper. Weve tied up vast sums in housing speculation when we could be using that money to create something new new businesses, new technology, new solutions to old problems. But if we keep telling ourselves we can get richer by doing nothing, why would we bother doing something? This distorted reward system directs our motivation away from productivity and towards property speculation. Banks, with their property fixation, have set up a series of hurdles for young would-be entrepreneurs. Want a business loan? Sure, just put up your house as collateral. Oh, you dont own a house? Well, tough luck, mate. Advertisement You might need a loan to get property, but you also need property to get a loan. By the time youve jumped through all the hoops, youre likely to be well into your 30s or 40s. Your prime years of energy and innovation were spent paying off a mortgage rather than building a business. Weve created a system in which the safe bet is always property, and innovation is seen as a risky luxury. Its a system that rewards speculation over creation, passive ownership over active entrepreneurship. Jack Toohey and his colleagues. We have $11 trillion tied up in residential real estate, yet our entire annual GDP everything we produce and do is only $2.6 trillion. Most of that property value never shows up in GDP because its paper wealth, just sitting there, not actual economic activity. The opportunity cost of our fixation on property is difficult to fully grasp. Anyway, lets try. Imagine if, instead of funnelling billions into housing speculation (mostly debt for houses that already exist), we redirected that capital towards transformative investments. We could be building world-class public transport systems that slash commuting times and reduce emissions. We could be pioneering renewable energy technologies, positioning Australia as a global leader in the fight against climate change. We could be funding even more groundbreaking medical research, unlocking cures for the diseases that plague humanity. We could be nurturing new industries that create high-skilled, high-paying jobs, future-proofing our economy against global turmoil. Advertisement These investments would do more than create real economic growth theyd increase productivity, generate sustainable employment and, yes, boost incomes. And guess what? The houses would still be there, still holding their fundamental value as shelter, as safety, as homes. We would channel our energy and our money into the world around us, which in turn would become more efficient, more innovative, more liveable. Related Article Opinion Science It took a teacher to put CSIRO tragedy in a nutshell: Why would her students pursue science? Ryan Winn Science and Technology Australia CEO Theres more: wed all have extra disposable income to spend on things that truly enrich our lives, from family barbecues to cultural experiences activities that stimulate the economy as well as our hearts and minds. In the 2023-24 financial year, the Australian government invested $12.6 billion in research and development in all sectors. In the same period, the ABS found, Australians borrowed $324 billion for housing 80 per cent of which went to buying homes that already existed, not building new ones. Thats nearly 26 times our total federal R&D spend. Put another way: we take out as much in mortgages every two weeks as we (collectively, as taxpayers) spend all year on the scientific research, technological development and innovation that could shape our nations future. Sure, but what about private sector investment? you might ask. Well, I went looking for that too. The most recent data available puts private business investment in R&D at $20.6 billion in 2021-22. Still more than $300 billion short of what we borrowed for housing in 2023-24. Advertisement Imagine if we realigned our national priorities and clawed even just a little bit of that money from housing and invested it in R&D. If Australia were to increase our total R&D spending from its current (below-average) 1.68 per cent of GDP to match Germanys 3.1 per cent, the public and private sectors combined would need to invest an additional $31 billion a year. Thats less than 10 per cent of what we currently pour into housing loans every year. More than big tech or scientific breakthroughs, we could be creating a national culture where everyday Australians felt empowered to take risks, start businesses and pursue their passions without fear of destitution. By reorienting our economy towards real productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship, we could create genuine wealth and opportunity for all Australians, not only those lucky enough to own property. We could foster a culture where opening anything whether its a corner cafe or a clean-energy venture didnt carry the risk of homelessness. Again, the houses would still be there. But alongside them, we could have a more dynamic and equitable economy one where hard work, creativity and risk-taking are rewarded more than simply owning an artificially appreciating asset. Owning a home the Australian Dream doesnt need to be chucked in the bin, but our economy should work for everyone, not only property owners. It should be creating real value, not inflating the perceived value of existing assets. True wealth comes from what we create, contribute and share within our communities, not what we own. Jack Toohey is a creative director. This is an edited excerpt from his book Better Things Are Possible: How rebellious hope will change the world. Advertisement NationalVictoriaCity life Lifes a blast in Montrose, but the locals just want peace and quiet Adam Carey November 22, 2025 3:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share For the past 60 years, residents in Montrose have endured regular blasting from the vast stone quarry that lies in their otherwise leafy suburb. The noise of it makes you jump out of your skin sometimes. The air blast rattles the windows. Sometimes, its so significant you actually feel like its an earthquake, and pictures go skew-whiff on the walls, says Kim Wormald. Montrose resident Kim Wormald lives 500 metres from the quarry and wants it to close for good. Joe Armao Wormald lives 500 metres south of the quarry, which is operated by Boral, on a secluded bush block at the base of Mount Dandenong. A forested ridge provides a natural buffer between her home and the quarry, and a habitat for native animals such as the powerful owl and southern greater glider. Boral wants to expand the quarrys size from about 39 to 52 hectares, more than three times the size of the MCG. But this expansion would mean carving 26 million tonnes of rock out of the ridge and bringing the pit significantly closer to homes. Advertisement Wormald said the companys latest proposal came as a horrific shock to the community, as many had thought the quarry was near the end of its life. But this is not the first time Boral has sought to expand the site. We went through an expansion proposal from Boral back in the 90s, and we won that. And then they tried again in the 2000s with a slightly smaller proposal that went to an EES [environment effects statement], and that one failed, too, she said. The quarry has operated close to homes in Montrose for about 60 years. Joe Armao Wormald is a member of the volunteer Montrose Environment Group, which is spearheading a grassroots campaign against the latest expansion plan, recruiting school leaders, councillors and a government MP. Boral submitted its expansion proposal directly to Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, bypassing the Yarra Ranges Shire Council that twice blocked its previous proposals. Advertisement The application comes two months after the Allan government committed to fast-track approval processes for quarries as a way to feed record demand for raw materials for construction. Twelve months out from a state election, the decision is a test of the pull between the governments hunger for raw materials for its Big Build agenda, and its attunement to local health and environmental concerns in a marginally Labor-leaning seat that has never been considered safe. Boral wants to expand its quarry. Joe Armao On Wednesday, Labor MP for Monbulk Daniela De Martino rose in parliament to condemn the expansion in a constituent question to her more senior colleague, Kilkenny. The incredibly close proximity of the proposed expansion to local schools and early childhood learning centres and residents, the removal of the ridge and bushland which provide natural buffer zones from the dust and noise as well as the environmental impacts of the proposed removal of bushland are worrying for us all, De Martino said. Advertisement Annabel Brown, principal of Ghilgai Steiner School, about one kilometre south of the quarry, travelled to Sydney this month to take the fight to the board of Borals parent company, SGH, at its annual general meeting. Brown said she was concerned about the Steiner schools young children being exposed to dangerous dust particulates and noise. Paul Barton, acting principal of Ghilgai Steiner School in Kilsyth, says he does not want to see the government take a shortcut on approvals. Joe Armao Currently, we dont experience a whole lot of effects because the blasting and the mining action is generally down quite deep in the pit, Brown said. But this expansion would bring it 33 acres [13.4 hectares] in the direction of our school, and with all of the action close to the surface, so its particularly concerning. Advertisement Paul Barton, Ghilgais acting principal, said it would be difficult to explain the quarry expansion to the schools children if it went ahead without an environmental effects statement. We teach them the government is there to look after us. And when we have a government that looks like its about to take a big shortcut on health and safety, its in contrast with what were teaching. Boral was fined $180,000 in 2023 for failing to provide a safe workplace, after several Montrose quarry workers were exposed to unsafe levels of potentially lethal silica dust. The company has provided conflicting information about the amount of rock remaining in the quarry. In its referral to the Department of Transport and Planning in October, the company said the quarry had just 18 months supply before it was exhausted. If the proposal is rejected, Victoria would prematurely lose a significant source of quality construction aggregates that is well located to serve the Melbourne market, Boral said. Advertisement But this week, it confirmed to The Age that there was, in fact, eight to 10 years supply remaining. Boral wants to expand its quarry to 52 hectares. Joe Armao The $380 million expansion project would extend the size of the pit by 12.7 hectares, claiming almost nine hectares of native vegetation and 262 large native trees. A Boral spokesperson said the proposal was developed using suitably qualified, independent environmental assessments. The project has considered how to avoid or minimise impacts associated with dust, vibration, air quality and noise, with robust and best-practice modelling that has been verified using site data collected at Montrose Quarry, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Related Article City life People are heartbroken as quarry given green light in new suburb The spokesperson said strict national safety regulations applied to protect neighbouring homes, buildings and public places from the potential effects of blasting that were well below the vibration levels which could cause structural or cosmetic damage to structures. An Allan government spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment while the project was under consideration. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Leaked recordings reveal the churchs leadership swinging back at the prime minister labelling it a cult and how it plans to deal with a tax office probe. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share The leaders of extremist religious sect the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church this week tightened their grip over every aspect of their members lives and finances, while rejecting the prime ministers accusation that theyre a cult. Leaked audio from the churchs annual conference, Strive 26, held on Monday and obtained by this masthead, features Dean and Charles Hales two of the ultra-wealthy sons of the Man of God, Bruce Hales pressuring the Brethren saints to give more money and to hand over more financial information to centrally controlled companies. The church is facing an ongoing Australian Taxation Office investigation, scrutiny from a parliamentary committee over its widespread support for Peter Dutton at the last election, and a number of audits of its publicly funded school system. A recent service of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The sect, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, is a closed organisation which preaches a hatred for people outside the church. Its followers, known to each other as saints, are taught Hales is so close to the Lord Jesus that he can feel his heartbeat. The Strive 26 conference, conducted over Zoom, and at which all Brethren households globally were expected to be present, is designed to shore up the churchs vast ecosystem. The ecosystem is a multi-billion dollar network of entities, overseen by a Global Advisory Panel of senior Brethren members, including the church itself and its charities and investment vehicles, as well as Brethren members individual businesses, schools, church properties and its public-facing charity, the Rapid Relief Team. Advertisement Individual Brethren businesses were heavily encouraged to divulge all their financial affairs to a central business run by church elders, and to invite Brethren board advisers to help their companies prosper. The Hales brothers celebrated at the conference that properties housing all gospel halls globally had recently been pulled under the control of trustees operating out of the PBCC headquarters in Sydney. The PBCC says this is to standardise their operation, to give access to world-class advice and to reduce costs. Families were also told that all school children should have proprietary Brethren spyware called Streamline 3 on their phones for their protection. A spokesman denied these moves were an attempt to centralise control or influence over individuals, private businesses or church properties. Gareth Hales (left) with Charles Hales, sons of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church head Bruce Hales. Nine A key purpose of the Strive 26 meeting was to tap church members for a single, rolled up donation to fund its various enterprises, which the church leaders call one number. I believe the whole ecosystem costs about $430 million per annum to run and the school makes up $370 [million] of that, Charles Hales told the global meeting of Brethren members. Advertisement This years global one number need is $261 million Australian dollars, another speaker announced the equivalent of $5000 for every man, woman and child member of the church globally. Separate church documents say its purpose is elevating circumstances and accelerating prosperity. According to a church insider, speaking anonymously for fear of the consequences of being identified: They say, Give what you can give until it hurts. Were not a cult The churchs leaders spent considerable time saying it was not a cult a sore point after Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses campaign-trail accusation spurred by its deployment of thousands of members to campaign for Dutton. Loading PBCC is a system of care, compassion and teaching to help us move forward in every area of our lives, one Australian speaker told the flock. Were a Christian church, not a cult. Were not controlling business, were not political influencers. Dean Hales, who is widely regarded as his fathers possible successor as Elect Vessel of the church, likewise said: We have guidelines, we have direction, we have ministry, we have the Holy Bible and the scriptures that we seek to lead and abide our lives by. But theres no ultimate control. Advertisement His brother, Charles, another potential leader, said there was further proof in how often children attended church. Its not even an hour a night. In some instances, it might only be half an hour. So to call the PBCC a group that brainwashes the oncoming generation could not be further from the truth, he said. Still, they said adults and children should spend time every day reading ministry the transcribed words of Bruce Hales, whos also known as the Minister of the Lord in the Recovery of the Truth. Its all those daily disciplines of righteousness that sets you up for prosperity We have to keep at it day in, day out, Dean Hales told the meeting. The identities of all speakers were not always clear to this masthead, but one said: We couldnt be further from a cult. These men [Bruce Hales, his father and other former Brethren leaders] theyve led us, theyve taught us, theyve fathered us, theyve shepherded us. Theres nothing more they could have done for us Thats every step of our lives we have been shown the way. A church spokesman accused this masthead of repeating the lie to the point that it was even echoed by the prime minister. It had resulted in personal attacks on members and was upsetting, hurtful and untrue. Advertisement US sociologist and cultic studies expert Dr Janja Lalich says a cult is characterised by zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader, and that cult adherents regard the leaders belief system, ideology, and practices as the truth, as law. Peer pressure is used to influence members behaviour and the cult discourages questioning, doubt and dissent. Cults also claim a special, exalted status for themselves, their leaders and members, she says. The Brethren describe themselves as the saints; they revere the words of Mr Bruce, which are printed and passed to every Brethren household globally. They claim to have special light and they have a raft of strict and inflexible rules. If members leave the church, or are withdrawn from (excommunicated) they stand to lose their businesses and livelihoods, access to their families and their entire social circle. The ATO investigation In March last year, the Australian Taxation Office mounted an unannounced raid on the global headquarters of the Brethren ecosystems parent company, the charity Universal Business Team, or UBT. Weeks later, its linked accounting firm shut down. Advertisement Advertisement PoliticsFederalImmigration Backpacker boom: Brits lead surge in working holiday visas Australia is issuing a record number of working holiday visas, with UK backpackers taking advantage of Morrison-era rule changes. Natassia Chrysanthos November 22, 2025 7:00pm 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 Australia is giving out a record number of short-term visas to backpackers, adding to the growth of temporary residents in the migration system. There were 321,000 working holiday visas issued last financial year, up more than a third on the previous year. Young people from the United Kingdom are leading the trend, making up a quarter of all backpacker visas as they take advantage of the Morrison-era trade agreement that lifted the maximum age for British working holidaymakers and shed a requirement they spend 88 days each year doing regional work. Working holiday visa holders James Thomas from Kent, and Carly Cole from Essex, at Bondi. Sitthixay Ditthavong Last financial year was the first time young Brits were no longer required to work and live in regional Australia to extend their stay. The number of visas issued to working holidaymakers from the United Kingdom soared from about 47,000 in 2023-34 to a record 79,000 in 2024-25. Advertisement The raised eligible age for Brits, from 30 to 35, which came into effect the year before, resulted in 9100 visas being issued to that age group last financial year. They are also staying longer overall: there were 28,600 second-year visas given to UK residents last financial year, up from 6300 the year before, and 8400 third-year visas, up from 680. Visas issued to UK residents outstrip those from other leading nations, including France (42,000 visas issued in 2024-25), Ireland (24,100), Japan (16,000) and Germany (16,000). These visa holders still must work regionally to stay longer in Australia. Before the 321,000 working holidaymaker visas issued in 2024-25, the highest number granted in one year was 258,000 in 2012-13. The boom is being driven by a strong local jobs market and comparably tougher economic conditions for young people overseas. Many of Australias long-standing working holidaymaker agreements, including with the UK, are uncapped. Advertisement It is a dynamic that is making Australias annual temporary migrant intake increasingly unpredictable. As the Coalition challenges Labor over its consistent failure to meet its migration forecasts, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is returning fire by demanding Opposition Leader Sussan Ley outline where she would make cuts. Youre not in a proper policy conversation until you start to say: OK, which visa class? Which category? Because everything you change has an impact, Burke said this week. Related Article Updated Immigration Heads of biggest banks intervene in nations migration debate Ley has promised to bring immigration down former Coalition leader Peter Dutton had also pledged to cut net migration by 100,000 more people than Labor and cited working holidaymakers as an area it would have to consider. There are many streams representing the different migrants who come here ... working holidaymakers, skilled visas, family reunions, humanitarian intake, and of course international students. They all play a role, Ley said, when pressed on her plans this week. Advertisement Limiting working holidaymakers would be unpopular among the Nationals, whose regional seats rely on their labour. Matthew Heyes, founder of employment site Backpacker Job Board, said there had been a clear surge in the visa class this year, with global economic conditions a driving force. Australia has just set a new record for visa grants, and the first quarter suggests we will go even higher, he said. Were seeing issues like the cost of living and stagnant wages motivate young people to make the trip. Former Immigration Department deputy secretary Abul Rizvi said the working holidaymaker program was going from strength to strength, particularly since the third-year visa was introduced by the Morrison government. There were almost 34,000 third-year visas issued to working holidaymakers from all countries last financial year, compared to about 7500 the year before. Advertisement Demand was inevitably going to be strong when we made it more generous, as we did. Australia is popular among Brits, and this is the first year weve seen the full effect of the agreement initially negotiated by Scott Morrison, Rizvi said. It will have to peak at some stage, and it depends very much on our labour market our labour market is certainly strong, and the UKs is not as strong. Related Article Immigration Thousands of Australians claim theres been unprecedented migration. Heres what the numbers say Rizvi said working holidaymakers would continue to make a high contribution to net migration as long as policies around the visa were facilitative. Both sides of politics have to take that into account when and if they set targets for net migration, he said. Advertisement Rizvi said any changes to working holidaymaker arrangements which have been made with 50 individual countries would have to be negotiated with relevant governments, which was unlikely. The key tightening change [would be] to withdraw the third visa, other than for Brits, and that would force more to go home earlier and reduce the impact on net overseas migration, Rizvi said. The third visa was implemented without negotiation by the Coalition unilaterally, so it could be withdrawn. That would be the easiest one to implement, and would have a rapid impact on net overseas migration. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalExtreme weather Total bill for BoMs new website came in at $96 million Mike Foley November 23, 2025 12:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 423 View all comments The Bureau of Meteorologys unpopular new website cost millions of dollars more than previously reported, with the agencys new chief revealing the price tag for the heavily criticised redesign was actually $96 million. In his first interview since stepping into the role two weeks ago, new bureau chief Dr Stuart Minchin said he intended to be transparent and admit mistakes the agency made, after its website changes were lambasted as destructive storms hit south-east Australia last month. Bureau of Meteorology chief executive Stuart Minchin. Alex Ellinghausen Media reports revealed that the website, criticised as difficult to navigate and over changes to its radar map that made place names difficult to read, had cost significantly more than the $4.1 million originally stated by the bureau, as this figure did not include a $78 million website design contract for private consultancy Accenture Australia. But Minchin said the total cost of the redesign, completed under former chief Dr Andrew Johnson, was even higher than reported. Advertisement Ive looked into it. The total cost, when you add the Accenture work, the security testing and everything else, its about $96 million, he said. Related Article Opinion Software The $4.1 million question: How did the BOM get its new website so wrong? David Swan Technology editor While the then acting bureau chief, Dr Peter Stone, issued a mea culpa one week after the new website was launched, he stopped short of conceding a mistake had been made, instead saying it would take time for some to adjust to the changes, and the bureau would do more to help people do so. Environment Minister Murray Watt then called for the bureaus top brass to report to state ministers and explain what they would do to address the public fallout, which resulted in a swift reversion of the radar to the old version. Minchin said he had a lot of respect for the former chief Johnson but that they had different styles. Advertisement Im really coming in trying to be open and transparent about how we approach things, being open to saying when weve got things wrong, he said. When youre criticised and bashed regularly, its easy to get defensive, but I dont think thats helpful. The website disaster came after the bureau last year sent a false tsunami warning to half the country during a transition to new software. The message was marked as test but sparked alarm among many in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, and the agency was forced to apologise. Minchin acknowledged another of the bureaus public mistakes, when it asked people using popular phrase the BoM to switch to the Bureau in 2022, spurring another ministerial rebuke. Then-environment minister Tanya Plibersek said at the time that the bureaus focus should be on weather, not branding. Advertisement Minchin said it was an incredible privilege to lead the agency, which he refers to as the BoM. Related Article Analysis Extreme weather How two images portray the same storm amid confusion over BoM upgrade There are few roles where your science can be immediately impactful to every person on their daily lives and their safety, he said. Minchins career began at the nations top science agency, the CSIRO, working in water management. He went on to lead the environmental division of Geoscience Australia, where he led the undersea search for MH370, the Malaysia Airlines flight that disappeared over the Indian Ocean in 2014. He then moved to become director-general of the Pacific Community, the principal scientific and technical organisation in the region. Advertisement An element of the openness Minchin said he will bring to the role is explaining the challenges the bureau will confront, including weather changes caused by global warming that creates more volatile weather systems. The climate science says that when theres a change in the average climate, you get more extremes, he said. Were going to have to make use of new technologies and new innovations. AI [artificial intelligence], for example, is going to play a huge role in weather forecasting in the future. We have to use it very carefully because AI modelling is based in many cases on pattern recognition from the past. But in a changeable environment, where the weather is not always doing exactly what it did in the past, you cant just plug in AI and hope for the best. Complaining about inaccurate forecasts is a national pastime, but Minchin said one of his priorities is communicating the bureaus track record. Advertisement The agencys statistics show the forecasted maximum temperature has improved by two days in the past decade, so the four-day prediction is now as accurate as a two-day outlook in 2015. I think a lot of the criticism that comes to the bureau at times is misunderstanding, or people not understanding the complexity of what were dealing with. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. News / National by Staff reporter Matebeleland South Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa has demanded clarity from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) over the establishment of a new inland checkpoint in Gwanda, describing it as an unnecessary burden that has effectively created a "second border post" inside the country. The checkpoint, situated roughly 150 kilometres from the Beitbridge Border Post, has triggered widespread frustration among travellers, cross-border traders and families arriving from South Africa.Raising a Point of National Interest in the Senate on Tuesday, Senator Mlotshwa said ZIMRA officers at the Gwanda point were stopping every bus and vehicle with South African number plates to conduct searches, double-check customs declarations and, in some cases, confiscate goods where duty had not been paid. She said travellers were being delayed for hours, with some buses ordered to offload all luggage for inspection."This has become a second border post, yet ZIMRA already has full authority, equipment and manpower at Beitbridge, our official port of entry," Mlotshwa said. "Thousands of citizens are being frustrated daily, and the system undermines the ease of doing business in our country."Passengers have complained for weeks about the inland checkpoint, which requires them to produce stamped customs declaration forms. Any mismatch between declared and undeclared goods has resulted in on-the-spot duty demands or confiscations, sparking anger among travellers who admit that many people either fail to declare goods at the border or understate their value to avoid high duty charges.Mlotshwa insisted the checkpoint was not an appropriate solution, arguing that the measure raises questions about governance, policy consistency and the treatment of citizens. She listed five major concerns: duplication of border-control functions, economic disruption, humanitarian and safety risks, lack of transparency, and the contradiction between government policy and practice."Parliament cannot stand by while travellers cleared at Beitbridge are subjected to a second clearance in Gwanda," she said. "This is inefficient, costly and unnecessary." The senator formally requested explanations from Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and ZIMRA Commissioner-General Regina Chinamasa, questioning the legal basis, purpose and necessity of the inland checkpoint.The Deputy President of the Senate advised Mlotshwa to submit her questions in writing to the relevant ministry.Commenting on the issue, Zimbabwe Communist Party (ZCP) General Secretary Nqabutho Nicholas Mabhena called for a nuanced understanding of the public outrage, saying the debate must consider the interplay between duty avoidance, protection of local industry and inconsistencies in government policy. He acknowledged that many travellers prefer avoiding duty charges but warned that ZIMRA's current approach appeared to target ordinary citizens while large retailers continued importing foreign goods with minimal scrutiny."What is wrong is for ZIMRA to target all of us while big supermarkets stock goods bought from South Africa," Mabhena said. "Our supermarkets must sell locally made products. Protecting local industry should not translate into exploiting the ordinary citizen."Mabhena emphasised that while the ZCP supports measures that protect domestic industries and contribute to economic growth, such efforts must be accompanied by strict accountability on how duty revenue is used. He urged authorities to ensure transparency and tough anti-corruption measures."The money collected from borders must be used correctly. Any corrupt officials should be prosecuted," he said. "If it means hanging them, we must not tolerate corruption."He added that lessons could be drawn from China's anti-corruption strategies, arguing that strong enforcement and ideological discipline had helped lift millions out of poverty.As the controversy grows, travellers continue to express concern over delays and perceived harassment at the Gwanda checkpoint, with many calling for the system to be dismantled or relocated back to Beitbridge, where border formalities legally belong. Advertisement Updated WorldNorth AmericaUS politics Marjorie Taylor Greene to quit US Congress after fallout with Trump Michelle L. Price , Lisa Mascaro and Jeff Amy Updated November 22, 2025 12:45pm ,first published November 22, 2025 11:41am 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: Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a loyal supporter-turned-critic of US President Donald Trump who faced his political retribution if she sought re-election, said she is resigning from Congress. In a 10-minute video posted online on Saturday (AEDT), Greene said she didnt want her sweet congressional district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for. I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better, she said. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. Bloomberg Trump said Greenes announcement that she was quitting was great news for the country, Americas ABC News reported. Advertisement I think its great news for the country. Its great, ABC News quoted Trump as saying in an interview. Nah, it doesnt matter, you know but I think its great. I think she should be happy, Trump said when asked if Greene had given him a heads-up. Greenes resignation followed a recent public fallout with the US president, as the congresswoman criticised the presidents foreign policy focus and his reluctance to release more documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. View post on X Trump branded her a traitor and wacky and said he would endorse a challenger against her when she ran for re-election next year. Advertisement Greene said her last day would be January 5, 2026. Her resignation will narrow the Republican majority in the House to 218 members over the Democrats 213. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Related Article Trump's America Dont be stupid: How Trump is losing his grip on MAGA The White House did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Conservative influencer Laura Loomer said Greenes departure from Congress would hamper Trumps agenda ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. She wants the Democrats to win, Loomer said on the social platform X. Greene was one of the most vocal and visible supporters of Trumps Make America Great Again politics, and she embraced some of his unapologetic political style. Advertisement Her break with him was a notable fissure in his grip over conservatives, particularly his most ardent base. But her decision to step down in the face of his opposition put her on the same track as many of the more moderate establishment Republicans before her who went crosswise with Trump. The congresswoman, who recorded the video announcing her resignation while sitting in her living room wearing a cross necklace and with a Christmas tree and a peace lily plant behind her, said, My life is filled with happiness, and my true convictions remain unchanged, because my self-worth is not defined by a man, but instead by God. Loading Greene had been closely tied to the Republican president since she launched her political career in 2020. In her video, she underscored her longtime loyalty to Trump except on a few issues, and said it was unfair and wrong that he attacked her for disagreeing. Advertisement Loyalty should be a two-way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our districts interest, because our job title is literally representative, she said. Greene swept to office at the forefront of Trumps MAGA movement and swiftly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill for her often beyond-mainstream views. In her video, Greene said she had always been despised in Washington and just never fit in. Greene speaking ahead of then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump at a campaign event in Atlanta in late 2024. AP As she embraced the QAnon conspiracy theory and appeared with white supremacists, Greene was opposed by party leaders but welcomed by Trump. He called her a real WINNER! Yet over time she proved a deft legislator, having aligned herself with then-Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, who would go on to become House speaker. She was a trusted voice on the right flank, until McCarthy was ousted in 2023. Advertisement While there has been an onslaught of lawmakers from both parties heading for the exits ahead of next years midterm elections, as the House struggles through an often chaotic session, Greenes announced retirement will ripple throughout the ranks and raise questions about her next moves. She was first elected to the House in 2020. She initially planned to run in a competitive district in northern Atlantas suburbs, but relocated to the much more conservative 14th District in Georgias northwest corner. Greene at a rally with Trump in 2021. AP The opening in her district means Republican Governor Brian Kemp will have to set a special election date within 10 days of Greenes resignation. Such a special election would include party primaries and a general election to fill out the remainder of Greenes term through January 2027. Those elections could take place before the party primaries in May for the next two-year term. Even before her election, Greene showed a penchant for harsh rhetoric and conspiracy theories, suggesting a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas was a coordinated attack to spur support for new gun restrictions. In 2018, she endorsed the idea that the US government perpetrated the attacks on September 11, 2001, and mused that a so-called plane had hit the Pentagon. Advertisement She was once a sympathiser with QAnon, an online network that believes a global cabal of Satan-worshipping cannibals, including US government leaders, operates a child sex-trafficking ring. She eventually distanced herself, saying she got sucked into some of the things I had seen on the internet. When Trump was out of power between his first and second terms, Greene was often a surrogate for his views and brash style in Washington. Greene before Trump addressed a joint session of Congress in March. AP While then-president Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address in 2022, Greene stood up and began chanting build the wall, referring to the U.S.-Mexico border wall that Trump began in his first term. Last year, when Biden gave his last State of the Union address, Greene again drew attention as she confronted him over border security and the killing of a nursing student from Georgia by an immigrant in the country illegally. Advertisement Greene, wearing a red MAGA hat and a T-shirt about Riley, handed the president a button that said Say Her Name. The congresswoman then shouted that at the president midway through his speech. But this year, her first serving with Trump in the White House, cracks began to appear slowly in her steadfast support before it broke wide open. Greenes discontent dates back at least to May, when she announced she wouldnt run for the Senate against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, while attacking Republican donors and consultants who feared she couldnt win. Greene took the side of the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, much to the chagrin of Trump. AP Greenes restlessness only intensified in July, when she announced she wouldnt run for Georgia governor, either. Advertisement She was also frustrated with the Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, which worked in lockstep with the president. Greene said in her video that the legislature has been mostly sidelined since Republicans took unified control of Washington in January and her bills just sit collecting dust. Thats how it is for most members of Congress bills, she said. The speaker never brings them to the floor for a vote. Republicans will likely lose the midterms elections next year, Greene said, and then shed be expected to defend the president against impeachment after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me. Its all so absurd and completely unserious, she said. Advertisement AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaAnimal attacks So close he felt its fur: Grizzly bear mauls schoolchildren in Canada Maiya Keidan November 22, 2025 10:46am 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 Toronto: A grizzly bear attacked a group of primary school students on a walking trail in Canada, seriously injuring three children and a teacher. The attack happened in the town of Bella Coola about 700 kilometres northwest of Vancouver on the central coast of the western province of British Columbia. Students and teachers were walking along a trail when a grizzly bear burst out of the forest and attacked them. Alamy Officers were still searching for the animal on Saturday (AEDT), and residents had been told to remain indoors until further notice. The group of about 20 students and teachers had stopped along a trail near the river when the grizzly burst out of the forest and attacked, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) said. Advertisement Several teachers intervened, using bear spray and a bear banger a loud, exploding device used to deter wildlife to drive the bear away. Parent Veronica Schooner said her 10-year-old son, Alvarez, was among the children from the years 4-5 class who were attacked while they were on a walk. Teachers tried desperately to drive the grizzly away from the pupils. Eleven people were hurt. ABC America/Mike James He was so close to the animal he even felt its fur, she said. He was running for his life, she told The Canadian Press. He said that bear ran so close to him, but it was going after somebody else. Advertisement Schooner said a lot of people tried to halt the attack but one male teacher got the whole brunt of it and was among the people taken by helicopter from the scene. She said some children were hit with bear spray as the teachers fought off the bear. I want to thank the teachers for their heroism, B.C. Premier David Eby said at a press conference on Friday. I want to send my heart out to the parents and kids and loved ones and everyone who has been injured and is in hospital right now, and I hope for their quick recovery. Advertisement Schooner said Alvarez was limping and that his shoes were muddy from running for safety. While her son was traumatised, she said his thoughts were with his classmates. He keeps crying for his friends, and oh my goodness, right away he started praying for his friends, she said. Loading Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to four patients and took them to hospital, the Provincial Health Services Authority told Reuters by email. Two patients were in a critical condition and two in a serious condition. A further seven people were cared for at the scene but did not require transportation to hospital. Advertisement Related Article Animal attacks Japans going on a bear hunt. Its hoping to catch a big one Corporal Madonna Saunderson, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, described the victims injuries as very serious at the very least, The Canadian Press reported. Authorities have not yet disclosed the ages or genders of the pupils. The group was from the Acwsalcta School, run by the Indigenous Nuxalk Nation, which was closed on Friday. Its hard to know what to say during this very difficult time. We are so grateful for our team and our students, the school said in a Facebook post, adding that counselling services had been made available. The Nuxalk Nation chief and council said in a statement on Friday that the bear attack had affected children and so many loved ones. Advertisement We remain in close contact with the families, and we understand that those who were injured are receiving the highest level of care, it said. BCCOS said the bear had not yet been captured. Officers are armed. Remain indoors and off the highway, Nuxalk Nation said in a social media post. BCCOS inspector Kevin Van Damme told The New York Times it was extremely rare for any bear to attack a large group of people. I really need to stress how dangerous this situation is with this bear at large, Van Damme said. Advertisement Reuters, 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. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Animal attacks Canada CARLOW Youth Training celebrated its 40th birthday on 18 November with an event at their premises in Askea Business Park. The service was founded by the late Harry Slattery and first opened its doors in 1985. Kathy Murphy, Geraldine Nangle and Mary Mahon of Carlow Youth Training Over the last four decades, it has provided training and educational courses for 16- to 21-year-olds at all Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) levels across a variety of subjects. The celebratory event was attended by students and staff past and present, members of local community agencies and more. Kathy Murphy, Geraldine Nangle and Mary Mahon of Carlow Youth Training Harry Slattery founded the centre all those years ago, and it was great to have his wife Pauline and a good cohort of his family members here on Tuesday to acknowledge it, said the centres general manager JJ Grace. Ms Slattery unveiled a memorial plaque alongside cllr Andrea Dalton, chairwoman of the Kilkenny Carlow Education Training Board, to recognise the 40 years. Pauline Slattery and members of her family pictured at Carlow Youth Training's 40th anniversary celebrations Mr Grace said: Mayor of Carlow cllr Paul Doogue described us as a hidden gem and thats exactly how we work here. When people need us, they find us. Schooling isnt for everybody, and were an alternative for that. General manager JJ Grace It is a place for people to get back into education or employment, or even apprenticeships down the line. Carlow Youth Training offers courses and certificates in a range of qualifications, including fashion design, construction, beauty therapy, gym instruction, hairdressing and barbering. For more information, visit info@carlowyouthtraining.org or phone 059 9132245 and ask for JJ. Tom Tuite A Co Fermanagh contractor caught driving around Dublin with fake registration plates and an allegedly stolen wheel clamp sitting beside him has been remanded in custody. Eugene Wynne, 45, with an address at Teemore Road, Derrylin, Enniskillen, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday. The father of three faces two counts of fraudulent use of a vehicle registration plate, criminal damage to a Dublin City Council wheel clamp, and possessing it as stolen property. He is also accused of driving without insurance, a licence, road tax or an NCT certificate, at Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on November 21st. Garda Gareth Mitchell objected to bail, telling Judge Michele Finan was observed driving on a public road bearing false front and back registration plates. He could not provide any documentation for himself and the vehicle, and sitting beside him in the front passenger wheel arch was a damaged, stolen Dublin city council clamp. A check of the licence plate number showed no matches, and further inspection revealed that the van was Irish-registered but had no tax, insurance, or NCT. The court heard there was body-cam footage, but it was not shown in court. The garda feared that if released, he would likely fail to appear in court and was a flight risk because he resided outside the jurisdiction. Defence solicitor Paul Kelly told Judge Finan the accused lived at the same address for 21 years and was currently working in Dublin. The solicitor said he had been instructed that the van belonged to someone else, and the court heard it was registered to a company in Co. Cavan. Mr Wynne, who has yet to enter a plea, deferred the bail application and was held to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Thursday. News / National by Staff reporter Prominent lawyer Advocate Thabani Mpofu has categorically dismissed allegations of a conflict of interest involving High Court judge Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa, describing claims made by an anonymous whistle-blower as "simply false."The allegations, contained in a letter addressed to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) and copied to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), suggested that Advocate Mpofu had a close professional relationship with Munangati-Manongwa and continued to receive instructions from Munangati and Associates, a law firm said to still be associated with the judge. The whistle-blower argued that such links created an uneven playing field for litigants unaware of the alleged connection.In a detailed rebuttal, Advocate Mpofu refuted all claims. He said he had no involvement in the first two cases mentioned in the letter, was never briefed on them, and had never appeared before the judge or any judge in relation to those matters. "The names are completely foreign to me and have never been revealed even in my power naps," he added.Regarding a third matter highlighted in the whistle-blower's letter, Mpofu clarified that he had been briefed by a completely different and well-established law firm, and that the litigant he represented had no connection to the case referenced in the letter. He also noted that the matter never proceeded as it was withdrawn.Addressing suggestions of a personal link with fellow lawyer Webster Chikwanha, Mpofu dismissed the claims outright. "I do not know who Webster Chikwanha is I have no friend by the name Webster. I have no friend by the name Chikwanha. No complaint has ever been raised against me which the Webster Chikwanha would have suppressed," he stated.The whistle-blower had urged that Justice Munangati-Manongwa should not preside over any matters involving Advocate Mpofu and called on ZACC to investigate the claims. Cases cited included HC 2312/24 Collin Zondai Makoni vs The State, HC 1518/24 - Thelma Chimbanga vs L Gono Enterprises, and HC 8108/24 - Blue Star Logistics vs Harare Motorways.At the time of publication, neither ZACC, the JSC, nor Justice Munangati-Manongwa had issued a response, leaving Advocate Mpofu's statement as the strongest rebuttal to the allegations. The lawyer's response emphasizes his firm denial of any impropriety and underscores his position that the claims are unfounded. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is now accepting orders for its annual collectible state waterfowl stamp, featuring the award-winning artwork from the 2025 Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. This years stamp showcases a great piece created by 16-year-old Glory Malone of Dover, whose talent earned her the Best of Show honor in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service competition. Proceeds from stamp sales support habitat improvement efforts across the state. TWRA has taken the Best of Show-winning artwork each year since 1999 from the states Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest to create the collectible stamp. Glory used acrylic paint, colored pencil, and alcohol marker to portray a male ruddy duck for her Best of Show winner. Glorys winning drawing was selected from 1,464 individuals who competed in four age groups. The Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp program is an art contest managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service designed to teach students the importance of conserving wetland habitats and waterfowl. It pairs science, the arts, and other core subjects to creatively teach greater awareness of our natural resources. As part of the program, students are invited to participate in an annual art competition. The public is invited to purchase the collectible stamps. Each state stamp is numbered and printed in full color, measuring 1 2/8 by 2 inches. In addition to this years stamp, all previous stamps since 1999 are available. Stamps are $11 each and may be ordered by completing the Wildlife Stamp order form, located in the Wildlife and Biodiversity section of the TWRA website. The form can be mailed: TWRA Sales Office PO Box 41729 Nashville, TN 37204 The public is reminded that the State of Tennessee Waterfowl stamp is voluntary and not required to hunt. However, the Federal Duck stamp is required to hunt waterfowl in Tennessee. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways. The Volunteer Courtesy Shuttle drivers at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga serve hospital patients and visitors, without wanting anything in return. This year, the drivers were able to pay forward the generosity of some of the passengers they served.Officials said, "These volunteers offer a vital service: providing free rides and compassionate assistance across our extensive campus."From 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, these dedicated volunteers ensure patients and visitors can easily reach any hospital entrance from their cars.While the volunteers graciously decline tips for this service, the profound gratitude of passengers often leads them to insist on giving.""When this happens, our shuttle drivers consistently turn the money over to Volunteer Services," Jean Payne, Memorial Volunteer Services director said. "Each year, we then compile these funds to make a donation to a worthy cause.""This year, these Memorial Volunteers proudly donated $1,000 to The Forgotten Child Fund," officials said. "This organization is powered entirely by volunteers - including Chattanooga Firefighters, Hamilton County EMS, Hamilton County Sheriff employees and other community groups - and ensures that 100 percent of donations directly support their mission: to make sure no child is forgotten on Christmas Day."We are proud of our Volunteer Courtesy Shuttle drivers for their daily service and for transforming the generosity of grateful passengers into a meaningful contribution that will bring joy to many children this holiday season." Hamilton County Schools has been recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education with the Advancing District accountability designation for the first time since 2019.Officials said, "This designation is a part of the states accountability system, which is determined through multiple factors, including student growth, academic achievement, grade band success rates, chronic absenteeism rates, English Language Proficiency Assessment performance and graduation rates. This status comes on the heels of the district's highest-ever graduation rate of 94.2 percent."Ive often said that a healthy school district cannot be measured by just one thing.Im really proud of the work happening in our schools every day, said Dr. Justin Robertson, HCS superintendent. This recognition confirms what weve already been seeing - our students are learning and our schools are creating meaningful connections with kids. This progress does not happen overnight, but is a result of dedicated teachers and staff, proven strategies and consistency in support and leadership.Officials said, "The state sets district status according to five levels: Exemplary, Advancing, Satisfactory, Marginal and In Need of Improvement. For the last few years, HCS has been designated as Satisfactory, moving up to the Advancing category reflects strategic decision making by the Hamilton County Board of Education, measurable improvements in student outcomes, and the district systems of support."This year, the district has seen notable improvement and progress in key grade bands such as high school and early learning. Over the last few years, the district has invested in supports at key grade levels, especially focusing on transition grades such as middle school and high school transition. The development and implementation of freshman academies has shown exceptional progress in setting students on a successful track earlier in high school, a proven strategy for ensuring high school students make it to graduation."With focused support, the district saw increases in overall success rates in core content areas in high school as well as growth in both elementary and high school subject areas."The district has also focused resources on proactive approaches to reducing barriers to student learning, such as chronic absenteeism. The district has prioritized systems and structures that identify and assist families needing additional outreach and provide direct intervention. These district efforts have been strengthened through partnerships with key local leaders and organizations through the Hamilton County Childrens Cabinet and Out-of-School Time Alliance."Fostering student connection and engagement remains central to the districts approach. The expansion of advisories and student clubs has helped create school cultures that promote students finding their strengths and developing joy in learning. Building these relationships with students has contributed to increased student attendance and engagement in learning inside and outside of the classroom."The Advancing District accountability designation is a testament to the work of HCS teachers, students and leaders. Looking ahead, the district will continue to focus on data-backed strategies for student learning, building relationships with students and families and developing impactful teachers and leaders."Im extremely proud of our school district. This recognition is the result of years of hard work and a steady focus on student success, said Joe Smith, Hamilton County Board of Education chairman. It speaks to the intentional decisions made by the school board, the leadership of Dr. Robertson and his team, the commitment of our principals and, most importantly, the work of our teachers every day in their classrooms. This is their achievement, and I am grateful to be a part of it. Dear Members of the Hamilton County School Board,On behalf of the Hamilton County Principals Association, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for your unanimous vote to approve five vendors for student mental health support. Your decision sends a strong message about your commitment to the well-being of our students and the families we proudly serve.As building leaders, we see every day how essential student mental health is to their social, emotional, and academic success.We work closely with students and families to provide as much support as possible, and having access to a variety of high-quality services helps us respond to needs in meaningful and effective ways.We have always agreed and advocated that parents and students should have choices, and the final say in what supports work best for them. Your action respects that choice while giving schools the tools we need to guide and support families.We are truly grateful that you recognized this need and chose to move forward in such a thoughtful and unified way. Knowing that you stand behind this work means a great deal to all of us. Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to the students of Hamilton County.With appreciation,Rashaad Williams, presidentJill Levine, vice-presidentJesse Goins, secretaryJamelie Johns, treasurerGreg Wilkey, parliamentarian News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa has called for Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei to undergo training at the party's Herbert Chitepo Ideological College.The Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology, a highly controversial institution named after the late liberation struggle stalwart Herbert Chitepo, is designed to instill political orientation, ideological grounding, and indoctrination for members of the ruling party. The school seeks to uphold and teach principles that interpret Zimbabwe's history, present, and future through a framework aligned with Zanu-PF's stated ideological positions.The party claims to be rooted in socialism, anti-imperialism, Pan-Africanism, and the values of the liberation struggle, with an emphasis on the decolonisation of Zimbabwe. Mutsvangwa's call for Chiwenga and Tagwirei to attend the college underscores ongoing factional tensions within the party as it continues to assert ideological conformity among its top leadership. The TBI said a murder suspect who was shot and killed by law enforcement on Monday night had pointed a gun at deputies. At the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney General Courtney Lynch, TBI agents are investigating the circumstances leading to the officer-involved shooting that occurred in Marion County. reliminary information indicates that around 8:45 p.m., the Sequatchie County Sheriffs Department was investigating a homicide at a residence off Dandy Road on Signal Mountain. Investigators made contact with Queen via telephone, and he refused to surrender to law enforcement. With the assistance of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the 12 th Judicial Drug Task Force, investigators were able to locate Queen off Big Fork Road on Signal Mountain. Law enforcement made contact with Queen and attempted negotiations for his surrender, during which time he brandished a firearm, pointing it at officers, who then fired their service weapons striking him. Queen was pronounced deceased at the scene. No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident. TBI agents continue to work to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for her review and consideration. The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters; that decision rests with the District Attorney General requesting TBIs involvement. One of the deadliest battles of the Vietnam War ended on Thanksgiving Day, 23 November 1967. That was the Battle of Dak To and the final assault on Hill 875 by the 4th Infantry Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade. In the spring of 1967, battles with North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces in the central highlands led to the launch of Operation Greeley search and destroy missions conducted by elements of the 4th Infantry and 173rd Airborne, along with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).Operation Greeley took place between 17 June and 11 October in and around Dak To. The heated Battle of Dak To and Hill 875 was at the end of Operation Greeley over three weeks between 3 and 23 November. On the morning of 19 November, three companies of the 2/503rd Infantry, each with 110 men, moved into ready positions from which to assault Hill 875. Two platoons of Company A prepared to assault with the classic two up one back formation that had been effectively utilized since World War I. They followed Companies C and D moving up the hill slope. Within an hour of beginning the assault, American units were 300 meters from the hilltop when NVA machine-gunners opened fire on them, also utilizing B-40 rockets and 57mm recoilless rifles. It was an ambush that would cost our forces enormous casualties. After being pinned down for three hours, the Company A platoons retreated up the slope so they would not be cut off from the Company B and C platoons. NVA fighters stayed on their heels, but against overwhelming enemy forces, machine-gunner PFC Carlos Lozada stayed behind in an exposed position to provide Company A cover fire with his M60. He continued taking out NVA enemy soldiers until he was shot to death. This is his story. Carlos was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, but grew up in New York City. He joined the Army right after completing high school. In June of 1967, then-21-year-old Lozada was deployed to Vietnam and assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 503 Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. His heroic actions on 20 November defending his fellow soldiers on Hill 875 would earn him a Medal of Honor. According to his MoH citation: "While serving as a machine gunner with 1st Platoon, Company A, PFC Lozada was part of a four-man early warning outpost, located 35 meters from his companys lines. At 1400 hours a North Vietnamese Army company rapidly approached the outpost along a well-defended trail. PFC Lozada alerted his comrades and commenced firing at the enemy who were within 10 meters of the outpost. His heavy and accurate machine-gun fire killed at least 20 North Vietnamese soldiers and completely disrupted their initial attack. PFC Lozada remained in an exposed position and continued to pour deadly fire upon the enemy despite the urgent pleas of his comrades to withdraw. The enemy continued their assault, attempting to envelop the outpost. At the same time enemy forces launched a heavy attack on the forward west flank of Company A with the intent to cut them off from their battalion. Company A was given the order to withdraw." His citation continues: "PFC Lozada apparently realized that if he abandoned his position there would be nothing to hold back the surging North Vietnamese soldiers and that the entire company withdrawal would be jeopardized. He called for his comrades to move back and that he would stay and provide cover for them. He made this decision realizing that the enemy was converging on three sides of his position and only meters away, and a delay in withdrawal meant almost certain death. PFC Lozada continued to deliver a heavy, accurate volume of suppressive fire against the enemy until he was mortally wounded and had to be carried during the withdrawal. His heroic deed served as an example and an inspiration to his comrades throughout the ensuing four-day battle." His citation concludes: PFC Lozadas actions are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army. Carlos was one of three members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade to received the Medal of Honor for their actions, the other two being Army Chaplain MAJ Charles J. Watters and PFC John A. Barnes III, also posthumous awards. Carlos was also one of five Puerto Ricans who received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. On 23 November, two days after Carlos was killed, the 2nd and 4th Battalions of the 503rd and the 1/12th Infantry renewed their assault on Hill 875, and as they finally reached the crest, the NVA abandoned and retreated from their positions. Hill 875 was one of the deadliest battles because it was the site of the worst friendly fire incident during the Vietnam War. On the first evening of the attack, a Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bomber dropped two 250-pound Mark 81 Snakeye bombs into the 2/503rds perimeter. One of the bombs exploded in a tree burst above the center of the 2/503rds position, the location of the command groups, medics, and wounded. There were 42 Americans killed and another 45 wounded. By the end of the Hill 875 assault, concluding the three-week Battle of Dak To, Americans suffered 361 killed, 1,441 wounded, and 15 missing. There were also 40 helicopters lost in the battle. Another 73 ARVN soldiers were killed and 290 wounded. There were 1,664 NVA and Viet Cong killed and more than 2,000 wounded. PFC Carlos Lozada: An ordinary man faced with extraordinary circumstances, he summoned the greatest measure of courage to place his life in imminent peril to save others. Your example of valor a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty is eternal. "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends." (John 15:13) Live your life worthy of his sacrifice. Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate -- 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform -- Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen -- standing in harm's way in defense of American Liberty, honoring their oath "to support and defend" our Constitution, and for the families awaiting their safe return. Pray also for our Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support our historic hometown National Medal of Honor Heritage Center. Make a check payable to National MoH Sustaining Fund and mail to: Generosity Trust, 345 Frazier Avenue, Unit 205 Chattanooga TN 37405. Two Hamilton County Sheriff deputies were involved in a deputy-involved shooting at a gas station located at the corner of Highway 58 and Murray Hills Drive. The two deputies involved in the incident were uninjured and one suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. It happened around 1 a.m. As is standard procedure, Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp has directed the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to conduct an inquiry into the facts of this mornings deputy-involved shooting. Those findings will be shared with General Wamp once they have completed their inquiry. As per policy, the deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave. Outspoken Georgia House 14 Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she plans to resign from Congress early next year after her fallout with President Trump. She once was a Trump favorite, but they recently had disagreements over release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and other issues. The president in recent days had called her a "traitor" and a "lunatic." He had said he did not plan to endorse her for re-election. In an announcement and video on X, she said her last day in Congress will be Jan. 5. She said, "Standing up for American women who were raped at 14 years old, trafficked and used by rich, powerful men should not result in me being called a traitor." Rep. Greene also said, "I have too much self-respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms." She added, I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better." Rep. Greene said she traveled the country and spent millions of her own money in defense of President Trump. LGBT flags are displayed in front of the United Methodist Church. | Wikimedia Commons/Joe Mabel A bishop within the United Methodist Church is raising urgent concerns about the denominations escalating financial problems, warning leaders that its financial house is on fire. During last weeks final meeting of the year for the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), board members reviewed the state of denominational funding. GCFA Board President Bishop David Graves delivered a stark message, emphasizing that the mainline denomination is facing serious fiscal strain. The church's financial house is on fire, Graves said, according to United Methodist News. My intent is not to create fear but to address the reality with honesty and urgency. He stressed that in an emergency, priorities must be clear. 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. A key concern is the rates of apportionments, or shares of UMC giving that sustain denomination ministries apart from individual member congregations. GCFA reported that total revenue from requested apportionments was about $14.8 million less than the previous year. The projected apportionment collection rate of 83.6% mirrors levels seen during the worst years of the Great Recession in 20092010, according to UM News. Earlier this year, in February 2024, GCFA approved a proposed 20252028 denominational budget of roughly $346.7 millionthe smallest UMC budget since 1984. This represents a drastic decrease from the approximately $604 million budget approved at the 2016 General Conference. UM News attributed the financial downturn to both economic challenges and the departure of several thousand congregations over recent years, driven by internal conflict over LGBT issues. The UMC has long wrestled with whether to revise its Book of Discipline to permit same-sex marriage ceremonies and to ordain clergy in same-sex relationships. Although past attempts to amend these rules were unsuccessful, many progressive UMC leaders refused to abide by or enforce existing restrictions, prompting widespread frustration and leading many conservative congregations to leave the denomination entirely. At the 2024 General Conferenceheld after more than 7,500 primarily conservative churches had already departeddelegates voted to remove the rules from the Book of Discipline. Home News Christian school head teacher, parents spar over 'KPop Demon Hunters' Teacher says students are taught to reject evil rather than engage with it A Church of England primary school has told families to discourage their students from singing songs from a popular animated musical, citing concerns that the films demon-themed content conflicts with Christian values. The move has drawn criticism from parents who say the ban is unnecessary and unfair to children who enjoy the movie. Lilliput Church of England Infant School in Poole, Dorset, recently issued guidance asking parents to speak to their children about not performing or singing songs from the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters during school hours, The Telegraph reported. In a message sent to families, acting head teacher Lloyd Allington said the films references to demons were deeply uncomfortable for some members of the schools Christian community. The term K-pop is short for Korean popular music, a genre that originated in South Korea. KPop Demon Hunters has drawn attention for blending typical teen themes with a supernatural plot. Released in June, the movie follows a fictional K-pop girl group that secretly fights demons and features a rival group called the Saja Boys, a demon boy band whose music explores themes such as temptation and seduction. It has become the most-watched film in Netflixs history and spawned a commercially successful soundtrack. The movies lead single, Golden, topped U.K. charts for 10 weeks and was performed by the Royal Air Force band during the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Another track, Soda Pop, was featured on BBCs Strictly Come Dancing. The schools concerns stemmed from the films use of supernatural imagery and themes. Allington wrote that while parents had the right to choose what media their children engaged with at home, the school was responsible for maintaining an environment sensitive to its faith-based ethos. He noted that for some Christians, references to demons, even in fictional or humorous contexts, were spiritually troubling and could be viewed as contrary to a faith that teaches children to reject evil. EJAE, a songwriter who served as the singing voice for one of the main characters in the film and wrote several of the songs featured in the movie, talked about her Christian upbringing and the meaning behind the song Your Idol in an earlier interview with Forbes. Your Idol is sung in the film by the demon boy band The Saja Boys and is about the obsession of fans [because the Saja Boys] want them to be obsessed [to control them]. That sounds like what an Idol is, EJAE, who has worked with several K-pop bands, said. I was raised Christian and remembered its a sin to idolize something. So, it was like a twist of Ill be your Idol. It was kinda creepy. Your Idol was inspired by EXOs songs MAMA and Obsession, she said. This is a valuable opportunity to explore the diversity of beliefs within our community and consider how we can support those of faith who find these themes challenging, Allington said in the letter. He added that the schools request reflected its commitment to fostering a Christian environment and not an attempt to police childrens personal preferences or beliefs. One father told the BBC he found the schools guidance ridiculous and a bit of an imposition. Identifying himself as an atheist, he said his daughter and her classmates had been enjoying singing the songs together and even performed them at after-school clubs. Its just a harmless, a nice little thing for them to do to get their confidence up, he said. Another parent said the situation was unprecedented and suggested the school had likely felt pressured into taking a stand on the issue. Despite the criticism, the parent noted that they generally held the school in high regard. Following the response from parents, the school revised its message. In a second letter issued Monday, Allington acknowledged that many parents viewed the film positively, pointing to its messages about courage, kindness and teamwork. He thanked families who had shared their perspectives and said the school recognized the value some saw in the films themes. He clarified that the school was not asking families to discourage their children from enjoying the movie or its songs outside school, nor would teachers convey that message in class. Instead, the focus would be on helping students understand that their classmates may hold different religious views and that respectful dialogue was part of the schools values. The school, which serves children ages 4 to 7 and is a voluntary-controlled school under the Diocese of Salisbury, said no disciplinary action would be taken against students who sing songs from the film or wear related merchandise. Home News Marjorie Taylor Greene announces resignation after Trump spat Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said Friday night she would resign from Congress in early January. The announcement followed a public breakdown in her relationship with President Donald Trump over issues including the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files. In a statement posted to X, Greene said her final day as representative of Georgias 14th District will be Jan. 5, 2026, citing Trumps alleged recent attacks on her as a key reason for her decision. Trump had called Greene a traitor and a lunatic after she supported a bill requiring the Department of Justice to disclose its Epstein investigation records, The Christian Post reported earlier this week. Trumps statement was posted last Friday to Truth Social as Greene threw her support behind a bipartisan discharge petition in the U.S. House of Representatives to force the Epstein Files Transparency Act out of committee for a floor vote. The bill overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 427-1 on Tuesday afternoon, with Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., being the only vote against the measure. Hours later, the U.S. Senate agreed with unanimous consent to pass the bill, sending it to the presidents desk. The bill would force the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files related to the investigation into the late convicted sex offender. Trump has signaled his willingness to sign the bill, despite formerly dismissing ongoing concerns about Epstein and his sex trafficking network that involved powerful figures internationally. Trump said he no longer supported Greene and would instead back the right person in a future Republican primary for her seat. Greene had once been among Trumps most prominent defenders, campaigning nationally on his behalf and regularly defending him in interviews and appearances. There had also been rumors and speculation that Greene had been considering either a run for governor of Georgia or U.S. Senate but was reportedly dissuaded from running for Senate under pressure from her Republican colleagues and the president, who didn't believe she could win a general election. However, Green told her constituents and supporters in a lengthy post on X not to believe such rumors, and if she had been running for governor, "the entire world would know it." I am humbled and grateful by the massive statewide support that I have to run for Governor, and if I wanted to run we all know I would win. Its not even debatable, she wrote. Greene said she had remained loyal to Trump throughout her time in Congress, opposing his second impeachment in 2021 and aligning with him on most legislative issues. But she said she had been targeted unfairly for opposing foreign wars, calling for an end to H1B visa programs that she believes replace Americans' jobs, and pressing for the Epstein records release. Loyalty should be a two way street and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our districts interest because our job title is literally, Representative, she wrote. She also referenced Trumps decision to withdraw his endorsement and support a primary challenger, writing, I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better. Greene wrote that her resignation was motivated in part by her desire to avoid a divisive and damaging primary campaign, which she said would harm her district and the Republican Party. I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, she said. Greene said her rift with Trump began after she criticized his foreign policy focus and accused the federal government of failing on conservative goals like immigration and healthcare. She said her legislative proposals, including limiting visas, cutting taxes and banning experimental trans procedures for children and teens, had stalled due to party inaction. She cited personal sacrifices for Trump, including missing her fathers cancer surgery to vote against his impeachment in 2021. She reaffirmed her priorities of ending foreign wars, restricting immigration and defunding NPR and PBS, and said Congress had become incapable of reform. Though she gave no clear plans, Greene suggested she might stay politically engaged, warning that if she is pushed out, so are the working-class Americans she said she represents. Trump responded to the resignation by telling ABC News that its great news for the country. Georgias 14th District is heavily conservative and is expected to remain in Republican hands once a special election is held. Home News Petition issues new challenges Indias anti-conversion laws allowing demolition, property seizures NEW DELHI Indias Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Rajasthan government regarding a petition challenging the states anti-conversion law, which allows officials to demolish homes and seize property based on mere allegations of forcible conversion. While petitions earlier this month challenged the provisions allowing officials to demolish homes and seize property, Mondays petition challenges the definition of conversion, allurement, force, coercion, misinformation and online solicitation. It also challenges prison terms and prior declarations to submit to the district magistrate to convert. After instructing Rajasthan officials to respond to two other challenges to the law earlier this month, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the state to provide a response to the constitutional challenge against the anti-conversion legislation filed by the Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued the notice to the state and other respondents, directing them to file their replies within four weeks. The Jaipur Catholic Welfare Societys legal counsel, senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, argued that the challenge raises questions about the legislatures authority to enact such legislation and whether the statute exceeds constitutional boundaries. When the justices observed that similar constitutional challenges were already pending before the court, Dhavan maintained that his clients petition presented distinct legal arguments. The bench agreed to formally notify the respondents and set the case for consideration in four weeks. The petition has been linked with other pending challenges to anti-conversion legislation. Nath and Mehta had already directed the state government to respond within four weeks to two Public Interest Litigations, one petition filed by advocate and researcher M. Huzaifa and veteran human rights activist John Dayal, and another filed by Dashrath Kumar Hinunia. Both petitions specifically contest the constitutionality of Sections 5(6), 10(3), 12, and 13 of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025, which grants sweeping powers to executive authorities to forfeit and demolish private properties linked to conversion cases without judicial oversight. The Act was passed by the Rajasthan state assembly on Sept. 9, received the governors assent on Oct. 3 and came into force on Oct. 29, just five days before the Supreme Court on Nov. 3 issued notice on the two petitions challenging it. Dayal told Morning Star News that the law represents executive overreach that bypasses judicial oversight. He warned that the provisions enable officials to demolish homes and seize property based solely on unproven allegations that disproportionately target religious minorities. Rajasthan has weaponized the law to legitimize what the Supreme Court called unconstitutional just last year, Dayal said. Its licensed demolition. Bureaucrats now wield bulldozers as instruments of persecution. The court must choose: constitutional governance or administrative tyranny against minorities. No due process The challenged provisions mark an unprecedented expansion of state power over religious freedom and property rights within Indias federal system. Section 5(6) permits the forfeiture of any property where unlawful conversion is merely alleged, following an inquiry conducted by a gazetted officer appointed by the district magistrate or the state government. Gazetted officers are mid-level government officials with the authority to authenticate documents and perform administrative functions, rather than judicial authorities doing so. Section 10(3) empowers the state government to permanently cancel registration or licenses of institutions found violating any provision of the Act, confiscate their property, freeze financial accounts and impose penalties of 10 million Indian Rupees ($112,713 USD), effectively barring them from operating in the state. Section 12 makes properties where forcible conversions or fraudulent mass conversions allegedly take place liable to forfeiture and confiscation by the district magistrate or any person appointed by the state government after holding an inquiry. Section 13 allows the demolition of illegal or unauthorized structures on such properties following inquiry by any gazetted officer. The section requires only a show-cause notice, returnable within 15 days or as prescribed by local municipal laws, whichever is later, before demolition proceeds. For structures in public places or where a court has ordered demolition, the Act allows demolition within 72 hours of issuing a show-cause notice. Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for Hinunia during the hearing, described Rajasthans legislation as the most egregious among similar anti-conversion laws enacted by various Indian states. He highlighted that fines for forcible mass conversions, defined in the Act as converting more than two people, are mind-boggling and can reach up to 2 million rupees ($22,542 USD), with punishment ranging from a minimum of 20 years to life imprisonment. Senior Advocate Abhay Mahadeo Thipsay represented the petition filed by Huzaifa and Dayal, which was facilitated by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights. Constitutional violations The petitioners argue that these provisions amount to punitive demolitions and collective punishment, and that they violate the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 21, 22, and 300A of Indias Constitution. Article 14 guarantees equality before law, Article 21 protects life and personal liberty, Article 22 provides procedural safeguards for arrests, and Article 300A protects the right to property. By empowering administrative officers to carry out demolitions and forfeitures without trial, the petitioners contend the Act enables executive punishment without judicial adjudication, thereby dismantling the doctrine of separation of powers. The petition argues that by allowing district magistrates or gazetted officers to order demolition or forfeiture through summary inquiries, the Act effectively replaces judicial oversight with arbitrary administrative authority. The petition filed by Huzaifa and Dayal particularly challenges Section 5(6), which permits confiscation of properties of even innocent owners with or without consent. The petitioners term this a shocking institutionalization of collective punishment and vicarious liability. What makes this law particularly insidious is how it institutionalizes collective punishment, Dayal told Morning Star News. An entire family loses their home based on allegations against one member. Innocent property owners become collateral damage in the states crusade against religious minorities. The Supreme Court must recognize this for what it is: systematic dispossession masquerading as legislation. The petitioners argue that the Rajasthan law conflicts with the Supreme Courts 2024 ruling in In Re: Directions in the Matter of Demolition of Structures, which held that the executive cannot order demolition or impose punitive measures without due process, notice and judicial oversight. They contend that Sections 5(6), 10(3), 12 and 13 allow property to be seized or demolished on the basis of allegations and an administrative inquiry, seeking to give legislative cover to practices the Supreme Court has already found unconstitutional. The petitioners warn such measures disproportionately affect minority and marginalized communities, threatening their right to shelter, livelihood and due process. Broader legal battle The Rajasthan challenge is part of a broader legal battle over anti-conversion laws across India. In September, another Supreme Court bench sought responses from several states on petitions seeking stays on their respective anti-conversion laws, including those enacted by Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand and Karnataka. The court made clear it would consider staying the operation of such laws once replies were filed. In the Nov. 3 hearing on the Rajasthan petitions, the Supreme Court bench questioned the petitioners about why they were aggrieved by the enactment and why the petitions were not filed before the Rajasthan High Court. Senior Advocate Ahmadi informed the court that similar challenges to anti-conversion laws of several states are pending before the Supreme Court and have been transferred from other courts to it. The Rev. Vijayesh Lal, general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, told Morning Star News that the courts decision is crucial for religious freedom across India. The Evangelical Fellowship of India successfully challenged similar discriminatory provisions in Himachal Pradesh in 2012, Lal said. Rajasthan mirrors disturbing patterns in other BJP-governed states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where anti-conversion laws embolden vigilante groups to target Christians under the guise of preventing forced conversion. The reconversion exemption legitimizing conversion to Hinduism while criminalizing Christianity exposes the true discriminatory intent. We are hopeful the Supreme Court will uphold constitutional guarantees of equality and religious freedom. Wave of attacks The legal challenge comes after a wave of violence against Christians erupted in Rajasthan following passage of the anti-conversion bill in September, even before it received the governors assent required to become law. The September attacks revealed the laws true purpose, Dayal said. Before the governor even signed it, mobs attacked churches, police detained Christians, and properties were raided. The legislation didnt prevent violence; it unleashed it. Now the state wants legal cover to finish what the vigilantes started. Morning Star News documented nine incidents of harassment and assault in September alone, including an attack on the Hindustan Bible Institute in Pratap Nagar, Jaipur on Sept. 23, where about 50 members of the Hindu extremist Bajrang Dal baselessly accused officials of fraudulent conversion, leading to police detention of two institute guests and confiscation of electronic devices and documents. Civil society groups documented attacks across multiple districts of mob violence at religious gatherings, police harassment, a break-in at a childrens hostel and assault of Christian staff members. This excludes the attack and arrest of Pastor Wazir Singh of Hanumangarh District on Sept. 28. While he was arrested, his wife and sons, ages 14 and 10, fled on a motorbike in the middle of the night to Haryana 80 miles away to escape a planned attack by the villagers. A source said the courts intervention offers crucial hope for Rajasthans Christian community. The situation for Christians in Rajasthan remains tense since September, with churches facing constant surveillance and pastors fearing arrest, the source told Morning Star News. The property demolition provisions create a terrifying reality where families could lose their homes on allegations alone. We are hopeful the court will protect our constitutional rights and strike down these discriminatory provisions that target religious minorities. Harshest penalties in India The Rajasthan legislation prescribes penalties among the most severe in India for alleged religious conversion violations. The law mandates imprisonment of seven to 14 years and fines up to 500,000 rupees ($5,636 USD) for general conversion cases involving what the state defines as fraudulent means. Enhanced penalties target conversions involving minors, women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and persons with disabilities, carrying prison terms of 10 to 20 years and minimum fines of 1 million Rupees ($11,271 USD). Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are Indias most marginalized communities, historically considered untouchable under the Hindu caste system and granted special constitutional protections. Mass conversions through fraudulent means face punishment of 20 years to life imprisonment with fines of at least 2.5 million rupees ($28,178 USD). The law also criminalizes receiving foreign or illegal funds for conversion activities, punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and minimum fines of 2 million rupees ($22,543 USD). Repeat offenders face life imprisonment with heavy penalties. All offenses under the Act are classified as cognizable and non-bailable under Indian law, meaning police can arrest without warrants, and courts rarely grant bail while cases are pending. One of the laws most controversial provisions exempts reconversion to ones ancestral religion from all penalties and procedures. Hindu nationalist groups interpret this as legitimizing conversion to Hinduism while criminalizing conversion to Christianity or Islam, creating what critics argue is discriminatory treatment violating Indias constitutional guarantee of equality. Escalation The 2025 legislation represents Rajasthans third and most severe attempt at regulating religious conversion since Indias independence. The state assembly previously passed anti-conversion bills in 2006 and 2008, but both failed to receive required gubernatorial or presidential assent for implementation. The 2006 Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Bill prohibited conversion through force, allurement or fraudulent means with penalties of two to five years in prison and fines up to 50,000 rupees ($564 USD). The 2008 attempt introduced enhanced penalties for conversion of vulnerable groups and provisions for cancelling registration of organizations found guilty of violations, but it too failed to become law. The evolution from 2006 to 2025 shows dramatic escalation in both scope and severity. The current law expanded prohibited grounds to include misrepresentation, coercion, undue influence and conversion by marriage. It introduced mandatory advance declaration procedures requiring public display of personal details including names, addresses and religions involved. Post-conversion, another declaration must be filed within 60 days, and the converted person must appear personally before the district magistrate. Maximum penalties increased from five years to life imprisonment, while fines jumped from thousands to millions of rupees. Most significantly, the 2025 law introduces property confiscation and demolition provisions entirely absent from earlier attempts, representing an unprecedented expansion of state power over religious freedom and property rights. Rising Persecution Rajasthan joined 11 other Indian states with anti-conversion laws under the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since the BJP came to power in 2014, incidents of violence and harassment against Christians have increased dramatically, jumping from just over 100 in 2014 to more than 800 in 2024. Christians comprise just 2.3 percent of Indias 1.4 billion people. In Rajasthan, Christians represent only 0.14 percent of the 68 million population. Open Doors ranks India 11th on its 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, a dramatic decline from 31st place in 2013. The Supreme Court will hear the matter after the Rajasthan government files its response. The outcome could have significant implications for religious freedom and minority rights across India, as similar anti-conversion laws in other states face parallel constitutional challenges. This article was originally published at Morning Star News News / National by Staff reporter Bethal Muzaya, who arrived in Ireland three years ago to work as a healthcare assistant, is facing a prolonged and distressing wait to reunite with her family. Under the General Employment Permit, she secured accommodation and began working with autistic children. After a year, she applied for a family reunification visa for her husband and two children, but her application was denied, prompting her to lodge an appeal. She has now been waiting 18 months for a decision.Tragedy struck in August when Ms. Muzaya received news that her husband had died suddenly in Zimbabwe, leaving her children without a surviving parent. Speaking about her ordeal, she said, "I don't know what to do anymore, my kids are back home, they need me, I need them and now that they've lost their father, I'm the only surviving parent."Unlike those holding Critical Skills Employment Permits, workers like Ms. Muzaya face lengthy delays for family reunification, even when they have stable employment and housing.The issue was highlighted at a rally outside Leinster House on Thursday, organised by Migrant Rights Centre Ireland to protest the inequities between permit categories. Angelina Nyoni, a support worker from County Cavan, shared her own struggles, having spent her 50th birthday alone, separated from her partner and 12-year-old son. She has also had her family reunification application rejected and is still awaiting a response to her appeal.Nyoni described the emotional toll of separation: "You don't know what it means to go home to an empty house. You cry in bed. You cry on your way to work, and then you get to work and you do your best, you get home again, and cry yourself to sleep." She added that working with children who sometimes call her "mum" has been especially painful.Dave Gibney, campaigns coordinator at Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, argued that the policy is economically and socially illogical. "Employers who hire the workers want the policy changed and workers also want the policy changed migrant workers already contribute hundreds of millions of euro in taxes. If they were allowed to bring their spouses in, those spouses would also work, which would mean hundreds of millions more," he said.Income thresholds for family reunification further complicate matters for healthcare workers. To bring one child, a migrant must earn 36,000, and for two children, 42,000 - well above the typical healthcare worker salary of 30,000 - 33,000.The Department of Justice confirmed that two reviews are underway: one examining the policy for non-EEA family reunification, last amended in 2016, and another reviewing provisions for people granted International Protection in the context of EU migration reforms. A spokesperson noted that Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan will present both reviews to Cabinet next week.For Ms. Muzaya, Nyoni, and other migrant workers, these changes cannot come soon enough, as families remain separated and vulnerable while waiting for an often slow and opaque system to deliver justice. Home Opinion Israel and Palestine: The two-state problem Benjamin Franklin once observed, Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other. In other words, experience eventually instructs those slow to understand but in matters of national security and biblical truth, time is not a luxury we possess. This week, the U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.-drafted resolution intended to bring lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The intentions behind it are understandable; we all desire peace. But peace must be pursued with clear eyes, anchored in both biblical truth and historical reality. Over the last 53 years, roughly a dozen major peace proposals have not only failed but have, tragically, helped cultivate the violent ideology that erupted on October 7, 2023. Each of those proposals rested on the same false premise: that Israel would or could surrender the land at the heart of its nation to create a Palestinian state. Such a concession would be suicidal for Israels security. Worse still, the continual promise dangled by the international community and now again by the United States fuels rather than calms hostility. It signals to Palestinian leaders that the world still believes the lie that Israel and the Jewish people stand in the way of their identity, prosperity, and future. In other words, the Jews are the problem. It is telling that the only successful peace agreements Egypt-Israel, Jordan-Israel, and the Abraham Accords have all been negotiated between Israel and sovereign states, not the Palestinians. This underscores a hard but necessary truth: regional peace is achievable, but only when it does not demand Israel relinquish sovereignty over land that is at the very core of its identity, history, and covenant. I was reminded of this in the spring of 2005, when I sat in a meeting here in Washington as Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and senior members of the Bush administration laid out the Gaza disengagement as a bold new path to peace. My objection came in the form of a single question: Is this consistent with what the Bible says about the land and the Jewish people? I didnt get an answer on that day. But October 7 provided the tragic answer. In the aftermath of that horrific day, I walked through a kibbutz where walls were spattered with the blood of women and children. I stood at the site of the Nova music festival and felt the weight of knowing that American policy decisions helped create the conditions that allowed such evil to flourish. I led the delegation I was with in a prayer of repentance for what America allowed. I am determined not to remain silent while new seeds are being planted that could yield an even darker harvest. I close with another quote, from the prophet Jeremiah: They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace! when there is no peace. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Home Opinion My real heroes: These women facing unplanned pregnancy In todays world, we speak about heroes all the time. When somebody does something unselfish, dangerous and lifesaving, its easy to see them in a heroic way, especially when what they did affected you personally. But what if we identified a group of heroes and elevated them to a higher level, which made what they did elevated? My wife, Sherry, and I cautiously followed Gods calling for us to adopt a 10-month-old baby girl from China. We had three biological children already, and together as a family, we walked in faith and added a fourth. Foreign adoptions were new during this time, so as you can imagine, we received all kinds of feedback. Knowing this was Gods choice, we faithfully pressed on. After all, Mia was easy to love. (Note: Sherry and I adopted before Brad and Angelina, so we started the trend.) Shortly after, we felt called to adopt twin boys from Korea. They suffered from mental delays and at two and a half years old, couldnt walk or eat solid foods. I can tell you today, those boys taught Sherry and me a lot of what we didnt know about parenting. We thought we were the experienced parents, but we quickly learned otherwise. God doesnt give you more than you can handle, and this was no exception. By this time, we heard comments like, they are so blessed to have you as parents, or they are so lucky, or you both are amazing people for adopting. We appreciated the kind words, but knew inside we were the blessed ones. God wasnt finished. We adopted two more children, one from Vietnam (Zane) and another from China (Isabella). Our family was now complete with eight! God finally said, Eight is enough! Over time, Sherry and I recognized that what those biological mothers from all over Asia did was simply remarkable. They were our heroes! All of them risking judgment, ridicule, sorrow and sometimes persecution, chose life for their child whom they knew they couldnt keep. They all had challenges to face. I guarantee the choice for life was not the easiest of paths. If they followed the majority in Asia, they would have chosen abortion, and our five kids would not be in this world today. In America, we assume most women would not consider placing their child for adoption because it goes against everything the world believes in, like wealth, success, career, college, your body, greed, selfishness and godlessness. But why did those four mothers in Asia choose life? They were told the same thing. Roughly five babies are placed for adoption out of 1,000 born in the U.S., yet over 3,000 abortions are done daily. Working for Save the Storks, a life-affirming national ministry, I have learned that millions of women and men feel pain and regret from choosing abortion. Some of those are speaking out about the pain it caused them, so that others consider a different choice, which is much needed. But still, millions choose abortion. What if being so unselfish, so courageous, and yes, so heroic, was celebrated today? As Christians, we often see the sin in other peoples choices yet overlook the sin in our own lives. What if everybody stopped being judgmental and began to love unconditionally? What if we stopped pointing out what was done and began to help them through what could be? How do we create more heroes today? Allow all women facing an unplanned pregnancy to learn the path for placing their baby through adoption. As a society, show her love and support for her bravery. Elevate those women who stand for adoption to be heroes. And most of all, stop judging them for being afraid of the future. Parents, be very careful in how you react to your daughter or son being faced with an unplanned pregnancy. Your reaction could lead them to a decision that haunts them the rest of their lives, and damage the relationship you have together, forever! Lets show unconditional love and support on the path to parenting or adoption. As Jesus said: Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. Lets love those who need us now and help lead them to be heroes! Home Opinion My fellow Evangelicals: We have to make marriage look worth choosing Earlier this week, Pew Research Center dropped a sobering data point into the cultural conversation. Using survey work from the University of Michigan, they asked 12th graders a simple question: Do you want to get married someday? As of 2023, the overall percentage of participants who answered in the affirmative was 67% a 13% decrease from 1993. Perhaps the most noteworthy piece of data from the study, though, was that while the percentage of boys who claimed to desire marriage has remained virtually unchanged over 30 years, the percentage of girls expressing the same desire has decreased by fully 22 percentage points. As the study did not include qualitative data or open-ended questions, the findings do not provide us with reasons why students responded the way they did. We dont get girls own reasoning whether its fear of divorce, a drive for independence, disillusionment with what marriage looks like around them, or something else entirely. All we know is that across the board, fewer young people picture marriage in their future, and girls, once the most marriage-minded, are now the ones turning away in the greatest numbers. Perhaps predictably, conservative pundits have rushed to point the finger at feminism. And to be fair, in a culture saturated with leftist and neo-feminist talking points, its not hard to see why. Girls are raised on a steady drip of boss babe empowerment that equates independence with isolation and tells them a man is, at best, optional decor. Pop-culture influencers cheer on the idea of freezing your eggs so you can live your real life first: travel hard, hook up freely, chase the wild oats before you even think about motherhood. Add in the growing normalization of throuples, polyamory, and every conceivable alternative arrangement, and you end up with a message that treats lifelong monogamy as archaic and marriage as a limiting, vaguely oppressive relic. When thats the ambient noise of girlhood, its not exactly shocking that fewer young women imagine marriage as something worth wanting. But we expect the left to war against traditional family. Theyve been doing it for decades, so its not entirely new or unsurprising when they do. And we can blame them if we want, but that strikes me as rather fatalistic, and it fails to contend with a more important question I think wed mostly rather avoid: Why, in all the years the conservative right has tirelessly claimed to champion family, have we failed to actually make family life look compelling, joyful, or worth aspiring to? Why havent we built communities where marriage is strengthened, not strained, where men are formed into the kind of husbands women want to marry, and where women arent left carrying the emotional load alone? Why hasnt our rhetoric translated into a lived reality thats visibly better than the chaos offered elsewhere? Ive spent a whole lot of blog space these past few years punching right for the greater good. Ive never hesitated to call out the blind spots in my own political and religious camps, especially the ones that alienate the very women we claim were trying to reach. I dont enjoy being a leaky faucet in these conversations, but the data are drawing a giant X on the map right now, and I find myself praying wed finally get strategic about our messaging instead of repeating the same tired mistakes. Because lets be honest: there is no shortage of Get married and pop out more babies than you can afford rhetoric on the right. Its everywhere, often wrapped in hollow praise of motherhood as the highest calling, usually delivered by men who openly belittle any woman whose life doesnt fit their stay-at-home wife template. Sure, I can think of countless left-coded narratives that discourage women from marrying. And of course, widespread porn addiction is warping relationships on a scale we havent even begun to reckon with. All of that is real. All of that matters. But the right is the side preaching that marriage is noble, essential, and foundational. So its worth asking what women actually hear from that same side: They hear men shouting, repeal the 19th, laughing off dehumanizing comments as locker-room talk. They watch influencers rank womens value like livestock, dismiss anyone over 25 as used-up, and then watch allegedly Christian commentators hand platforms to misogynists like Nick Fuentes and Andrew Tate, men who have nothing remotely moral, let alone Christlike, to offer. They hear their intelligence mocked as rebellion, their accomplishments dismissed as feminist pride, and their boundaries treated as evidence of being difficult. Theyre told to revere marriage but only a version of marriage built on rigid obedience and rigid roles, with a thousand warnings about what happens to women who step out of line. They watch conservative voices rush to empathize with violent men while interrogating battered women about their purity, their decisions, and their failure to submit enough. So with messaging like this coming from the very people insisting marriage is the pinnacle of a womans life is it any surprise so many young women are looking at the landscape and saying, Why on earth would I sign up for that? And of course, we cant dodge the deeper question: What have these young people actually seen marriage look like? Is it any better inside the Church than outside? Is there less abuse? Less porn addiction? More peace, reverence, love, and stability? Or have we simply wrapped the same dysfunction in religious language and hoped no one would notice? We can preach marriage until were blue in the face, but if we truly want young people to choose it, the most powerful thing we can do is live out marriages that are healthy, joyful, and visibly good. That will always speak louder than demonizing those who have reservations. You can write an entire epistle about the glory of apple pie but until someone tastes it for themselves and finds it sweet, its just words on a page. Marriage is no different. The witness of a beautiful life will always out-preach the loudest sermon. And just to be clear, modeling a healthy marriage does not mean curating a perfect tradwife Instagram aesthetic. It doesnt look like staging your life into neat, tidy gender cages with perfect angel children sitting stiffly in a pew so the world can applaud your holiness. In fact, the more energy you spend trying to make a marriage look healthy, the more suspicious it becomes to a generation that can smell manufactured virtue and curated fakery from a mile away. A genuinely healthy marriage isnt a performance. Its not a costume or a brand. Its not matching outfits and Bible verses under perfect lighting. A genuinely healthy marriage is lived in the real world. Its forgiveness after a hard conversation. Its the shared load of dishes and bills, Its tenderness that doesnt need to be advertised to be true. And todays young women (and young men) need to see that marriage generates true joy. They need to see that marriage, at its best, is not a cage or a competition, but a refuge, something that strengthens you, steadies you, and makes the hard parts of life more bearable because youre no longer carrying them alone. The next generation is not demanding a flawless institution or a fantasy version of marriage that never existed in the first place. What they are asking for is evidence, real, lived evidence that marriage can still be something good. Something healing. Something worth the risk. And if we want them to believe that, then the burden is on us, not them. Its on us to build marriages that are safer than the world outside. Its on us to raise sons who honor women and daughters who know they deserve honor. Its on us to create communities where commitment is nurtured instead of mocked, where vulnerability is met with compassion instead of control, where covenant actually means something. If we want a generation to choose marriage, we have to make marriage look like a place worth choosing. The future of marriage wont be secured by lectures, shame campaigns, or partisan blame. It will be secured by people whose lives quietly and consistently testify, This is good. This is possible. Come and see. Originally published at Honest to Goodness. News / National by Staff reporter A faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has issued a strongly worded rebuke to Zanu-PF politicians, accusing them of exploiting ex-combatants for political gain amid intensifying succession battles within the ruling party.The statement, released by the Andrease Ethan Mathibela-led faction, came after businessman and newly co-opted Zanu-PF central committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei pledged funeral cover for war veterans during a Harare inter-district meeting on Wednesday.The association dismissed the offer as demeaning and politically manipulative, insisting that genuine empowerment - not funeral policies - is what ex-combatants deserve after their sacrifices during the liberation struggle."The ZNLWVA notes with profound concern, disbelief and indignation the recent utterances by a novice politician proposing funeral policies as a form of empowerment for the gallant veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle," the statement said."Such a proposal is not only misguided, it is an insult, a curse and a direct assault on the dignity of those who liberated this nation."Mathibela said it was unacceptable for liberation fighters to be reduced to beneficiaries of burial schemes when many continue to struggle with poverty, poor healthcare access and lack of economic opportunity."War veterans did not sacrifice their youth, their futures, their limbs, their health, and in many cases, their very lives, so that one day they could be empowered' with burial schemes," he said.The backlash comes as war veterans have long bemoaned being sidelined while party loyalists, chiefs and legislators receive luxury vehicles, housing and other benefits. Many ex-combatants, meanwhile, survive on meagre pensions and inconsistent welfare support."We fought for freedom, land, sovereignty, justice, and generational dignity. To reduce this monumental legacy to a funeral policy is to trivialise the liberation struggle and belittle its heroes, both living and departed," Mathibela said, warning that such proposals reflect ignorance of the liberation ethos and a worrying decline in political leadership.He urged the government to prioritise meaningful empowerment, including access to land with title deeds, improved medical services, decent pensions and business capitalisation."No serious, patriotic or informed leader, new or old, should ever propose such a degrading initiative," he said."War veterans are nation builders, not charity cases waiting for burial handouts."The association insisted that respect for ex-combatants is a constitutional and moral duty, warning political actors against using liberation fighters as tools in internal power contests.Tagwirei reportedly pledged funeral policies worth US$2,500 each for Harare-based war veterans and their spouses, triggering the fierce backlash. Like many Americans, Jake Cousineau is busy preparing to host Thanksgiving dinner. As an educator and personal finance author, hes applying some financial strategies to help reduce the costs. For starters, hes asking his guests to bring dishes to share. The typical model of Thanksgiving where one person cooks is wildly inefficient, Cousineau says. Not only does the host take on the bulk of the work and expenses, but they often cook so much that food is wasted. Cousineau, author of Face Your Financial Fears, isnt afraid to ask his guests to bring side dishes to round out the meal and containers to take home leftovers. That way, the costs are distributed more evenly and less food is wasted. Money and food experts also suggest planning your meal in advance, shopping early and getting creative with recipes. Make a meal plan Make sure you go in with a plan, says Sarah Schweisthal, personal finance educator at YNAB, a budgeting app. If you go grocery shopping without mapping out your dishes and the ingredients you need first, then its easy to overspend on items you dont need. Schweisthal suggests looking up recipes, estimating the cost of ingredients and adjusting from there. You can price it out and then decide to cut back, she says. You can also check what you already have in your pantry. Planning in advance allows you to shop early or set aside funds in the weeks prior to Thanksgiving to pay for those grocery purchases, she says. Similarly, carefully selecting recipes makes it easier to choose ones that feel fancy without adding to the cost. Kelsey Jane Youngman, senior service editor at the food publications Bon Appetit and Epicurious, suggests skipping out-of-season produce and turning to a classic staple like sweet potatoes with a hot honey butter drizzle, which feels luxurious but isnt costly. Get help from AI Browse your pantry and ask an AI tool like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to generate a recipe based on those ingredients to help trim your shopping list, Cousineau says. I tell ChatGPT I have these five things and ask it what I can make, he says. He recently typed in chicken, bell peppers and soy sauce. The chatbot suggested a tasty rice bowl. ChatGPT is very good at helping you clean out the cupboard, Cousineau says. For Thanksgiving, it can help you save money by using what you already have. Shop early For ingredients you dont have at home, shop soon to find savings, says Annie Berger, a culinary consultant and recipe writer at Meal Better, a website that helps families tackle dinner. Thanksgiving food sales often start early, she says, which means you can save by purchasing shelf- or fridge-stable items like pie shells, puff pastry and canned goods in advance. Shop them when they go on sale, and then use them in a couple weeks, she suggests. Similarly, frozen vegetables are your friend at Thanksgiving, she says, because they are budget-friendly and can save you the hassle of rinsing and chopping. If you have room in your freezer, you can also buy a frozen turkey early, although Berger has an alternative money-saving approach: Consider serving a smaller bird such as duck or chicken instead of turkey. Emphasize the presentation Looking for the bougie element of Thanksgiving? Sometimes, elevating a dish to the next level can be as simple as adding chives or putting it in a nicer bowl, Cousineau says. Turn the lights down low, light candles and use lamps to set the mood at no extra cost, he adds. My wife has a rule, No overhead lights at any point, he says. The softer lighting creates a cozier, more intimate atmosphere for the holiday, distinguishing it from an everyday meal. This is the time to go crazy with your garnishes, Berger says. Its a nice way to elevate a dish without having to buy a ton of ingredients. Throwing pomegranate seeds or dried cherries over a side dish can make it feel extra special, she adds. Transform leftovers Like Cousineau, Berger prefers to avoid food waste. Her tactic is to transform leftovers into new meals by changing the flavor profile. For example, she turns extra turkey into congee with rice, butternut squash, green beans and chili crisp. Youngman suggests turkey melts, soup and sweet potato oatmeal from leftover casserole or pie filling. Hungry yet? Start planning. And keep this in mind: A little creativity can go a long way in saving money, making great food and reducing waste, even when youre hosting a full table. More From NerdWallet Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article How to Plan a Bougie Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget originally appeared on NerdWallet. News / National by Staff reporter A Bulawayo couple has appeared before the regional magistrates' court on allegations of defrauding a local woman of US$60 000 through a fake investment deal involving a non-existent National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) tender.Stephen Chitofu (51) and his wife, Lakidzani Chitofu (46), on Thursday pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned before regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere. They were remanded to December 2 for continuation of trial.Prosecutors told the court that the alleged fraud dates back to February 2023, when the complainant, Alves Francis, approached a man identified as Maqhawe Mpofu - who is still on the run - seeking investment opportunities worth US$60 000.Mpofu allegedly introduced Francis to the Chitofus, who are accused of falsely claiming that Stephen was employed by NRZ and had secured a lucrative tender requiring capital to initiate. The couple allegedly told Francis that her money would be used to kickstart the project, promising substantial returns.To bolster their credibility, Stephen reportedly claimed ownership of a property at 13 Dent Bernard Road in Waterford, Bulawayo, which he allegedly pledged as security for the investment. Investigations later revealed the house did not belong to him.Relying on the alleged misrepresentations, Francis transferred the full US$60 000 to the couple as part of the investment arrangement.The prosecution said it was later established that no such NRZ tender existed, and the accused had no links to the parastatal or any valid business venture. Francis subsequently filed a police report, leading to the arrest of Stephen and Lakidzani, while Mpofu remains at large.The trial continues next month. News / National by Staff reporter Bus operators have accused law enforcement agencies of harassment and unlawful penalties over passenger smuggling cases, arguing that they are being unfairly punished for offences committed by travellers and border officials.In a strongly worded letter dated 21 November 2025, the Zimbabwe Passengers Transporters Organisation (ZPTO), through their lawyer Admire Rubaya, wrote to the ZIMRA Commissioner General protesting the impounding of buses and the imposition of a US$5,000 penalty whenever a passenger is found with undeclared goods. The letter was copied to the Police Commissioner General, the Ministry of Finance and the President's Office.According to the operators, buses already cleared at official border posts are being intercepted at newly created "inland borders" where law enforcement agents - including ZACC, ZRP, CID and ZIMRA - allegedly re-search buses and punish operators for goods that should have been detected earlier.The operators argue that these checkpoints - often set up only kilometres from official border posts - duplicate border processes, undermine efficiency, and have become breeding grounds for corruption.Rubaya wrote:"You have created inland border posts along major roads. What boggles the mind is why you are installing unofficial inland border posts to do exactly what ZIMRA officials at the official port of entry would have already done."He said such duplication reflects a breakdown in operational trust:"This creates a perplexing allegory of a gatekeeper who, after meticulously checking a passport at the gate, is followed by another who demands to see it again a mile down the road."Operators say bus crews and passengers are being harassed at these spots, with some officers allegedly soliciting bribes.ZPTO argues that bus operators cannot be held liable for goods that border officials would have inspected and cleared."The buses only reload passengers and cargo after ZIMRA officials are satisfied that all goods have been declared. Transporters do not control border clearance and are not at the border when these processes occur."Despite this, buses are being impounded while the passengers with smuggled goods - and the border officers who cleared them - face no consequences.Rubaya described this as a coordinated "revenue-generating scheme":"Passengers found with improperly cleared goods are released without charge, but operators must pay US$5 000 to have their buses released."He added that the penalty cannot be justified:"There is no obligation at law for bus operators to ensure every passenger has properly cleared goods before the bus leaves the border."Rubaya also accused authorities of selective application of the law:"No aircraft has ever been impounded because a passenger was found carrying drugs or improperly cleared goods. Why are bus operators being treated differently?"Call for reform and respect for ease of doing business' goalsOperators emphasised that they support anti-smuggling efforts but said current enforcement methods are destroying the transport industry and fuelling corruption.They urged ZIMRA and law enforcement agencies to adopt a rational approach aligned with national economic goals:"We know your aims are for stability and security, but there must be a better way - one that aligns with our shared aspiration of attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030."The ZPTO insists that if crews are complicit in smuggling, they - not bus owners - should be prosecuted.The organisation has requested an urgent meeting with authorities to resolve what it describes as destructive, unlawful and economically damaging practices. The next generation of Nickelodeon fans are about to think that the answer to the question, Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? is SpongeBob big guy pants okay. On December 19, 2025, Paramount Pictures will release the fourth theatrical film in their SpongeBob SquarePants cinematic universe, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, a moment that will undoubtedly make the now-in-their-mid-30s OG fans of the franchise ask, Wait, there are four SpongeBob movies now? Yes, Millennials who grew up with the voice of Tom Kenny blasting out of a CRT and straight into our newly-forming memories are no longer the target audience for SpongeBob SquarePants. The creative decisions made by the current custodians of the SpongeBob IP are aimed at a much younger demographic, and, thus, may seem strange and alienating to nostalgic adults nowhere is that more apparent than in the soundtrack. Don't Miss Not only is hit rapper Ice Spice a voice actor in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, but she also composed and performed an original song for the film, and it has us older fans wishing that Squidwards clarinet would finally burst our eardrums. Like millions of Americans, Isis Naija Ice Spice Gaston grew up watching SpongeBob SquarePants, and, even before she got involved with The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, she said that the series had a huge impact on her. The only animated character I ever had a crush on was like, SpongeBob, Ice Spice admitted in a 2023 interview. Hes very integrated in my life. Advertisement Ice Spice also has a single inspired by SpongeBob, titled Bikini Bottom, the lyrics of which are beyond inappropriate for the new movie, hence the need for a bespoke song. Ice Spice credited her public love for SpongeBob with landing her a part in the new film, along with an entry in the soundtrack: Judging from the YouTube comments, the younger generation of SpongeBob fans seem excited that a young star like Ice Spice is both involved in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and shares their passion for the franchise. Seeing as Ice Spice's affection for the series extends past the undoubtedly generous check that Nickelodeon cut for her involvement, I realize and respect that my personal distaste for Big Guy is well-outweighed by the genuine enthusiasm it's generating among the 6-7 generation. Advertisement Still, as a grumpy unc, I'd rather listen to Electric Zoo on repeat for 12 hours than withstand another 12 seconds of Big Guy, and I know I'm not alone in that feeling: News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Republic Police have arrested two men in Harare and Masvingo in connection with separate murder cases arising from disputes that escalated into fatal violence.In Harare, police confirmed the arrest of Luckman Kamangile (27), a Honda Fit driver accused of killing Amos Karumba (40) following an argument over ZiG 20 change. The altercation occurred on 19 November in the Walter Mukamba area of Ruwa.In Masvingo, police arrested Kainos Masekesa (32) for allegedly fatally assaulting his wife, Trish Sithembile Masaiti (20), at Mackyey Compound in Mkwasine. Masekesa is said to have attacked her with fists, logs and a hoe on 20 November during a domestic dispute reportedly triggered by accusations of infidelity. Masaiti succumbed to her injuries.Police urged the public to seek peaceful conflict-resolution mechanisms, warning that minor disagreements can quickly escalate with tragic consequences."The ZRP continues to urge communities to value the sanctity of life and desist from resorting to violence," the police said. The US federal government is rolling back mandates intended to protect critical infrastructure following the widespread Salt Typhoon attacks. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has reversed a January 2025 Declaratory Ruling requiring US telecom providers to adopt and certify stricter cybersecurity measures. The ruling took effect under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), which requires telecom providers and manufacturers to design their services and equipment in a way that allows for surveillance when legally requested by law enforcement. But the reversal has been slammed by the FCCs own commissioner, and security experts are looking askance. Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike fired a suspicious insider last month, according to a report from TechCrunch. The terminated worker allegedly provided information about the companys internal systems to a prominent hacking group. The firing came to light after Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters published screenshots this week in a public Telegram channel showing dashboards containing CrowdStrike company resources, including an Okta dashboard for accessing internal apps. While the hackers claimed to have attained access to CrowdStrike via a Salesforce-ecosystem breach involving customer engagement vendor Gainsight, CrowdStrike representatives denied that claim, saying instead the screenshots were related to the firing, in which the company determined [the insider] shared pictures of his computer screen externally. News / National by Staff reporter Government says it remains fully committed to compensating former white commercial farmers and is on track to meet all obligations within the agreed timelines, with most beneficiaries already receiving payments. This was confirmed by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, who outlined the progress and mechanisms guiding the compensation programme.In an interview this week, Prof Ncube said compensation was being handled under two frameworks: farmers protected under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPPA) and those covered by the US$3.5 billion Global Compensation Deed."In conformity with the Constitution, the Government agreed to compensate farmers and signed an agreement with them, to compensate them for the land and improvements that they lost," he said.Prof Ncube explained that BIPPA farmers - who invested after independence and lost land and improvements - were entitled to full cash compensation. The Government paid US$20 million towards this last year and will match that amount again this year, he said, adding that the four-year schedule for the programme was progressing smoothly."For the first category, the BIPPA farmers, the programme is going well. Last year we paid about US$20 million, and again this year we will pay a similar amount. By the end, we are going to make sure that is done."He said Government had also begun honouring commitments to the broader group of farmers under the US$3.5 billion compensation arrangement. These farmers received 10-year treasury bills, which Government is servicing through cash coupon payments."Regarding the farmers on the US$3.5 billion compensation deed, those payments have started. We are servicing the coupon on the 10-year bonds that we issued. If we find a mechanism to pay faster, we will endeavour to do so. That programme is also underway, and on both fronts we are making a lot of progress," he said.Prof Ncube emphasised the difference between the two categories, noting that BIPPA farmers receive direct cash payments, while other farmers are compensated through treasury bills that ultimately mature into full settlements.He also highlighted the strong recovery of Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, saying the resurgence in wheat, maize and horticulture production signalled stability and renewed confidence."It's wonderful that the agricultural sector is performing so well. This is to say that Zimbabwe agriculture is back," he said.Zimbabwe's fast-track land reform programme, launched to correct colonial-era land ownership imbalances, saw land redistributed from a white minority to the black majority. Government has since intensified efforts to provide title deeds to landholders to strengthen tenure security and unlock economic value. Tunis hosts forum to boost China-Africa cooperation in medicine Xinhua) 13:46, November 22, 2025 Tunisian Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani addresses the first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 21, 2025. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) TUNIS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine opened on Friday in the Tunisian capital, bringing together officials, medical experts, and business representatives from China and across Africa. Co-organized by the Tunisian Health Ministry and China's National Health Commission, the two-day forum aims to strengthen public health cooperation and deepen medical exchanges between China and African countries. In a video address, Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, said China is ready to work with African partners to bolster public health systems and expand cooperation in areas including infectious disease control and maternal and child health. Tunisian Health Minister Mustapha Ferjani said the forum sought to build an equitable China-Africa partnership, reflecting Tunisia's view of health as a fundamental human right. He noted Tunisia's long-standing role as a bridge for China-Africa medical cooperation, dating back to the first Chinese medical mission in 1973. Ferjani described the forum as an unprecedented platform combining Tunisian expertise, Chinese scientific capacity and African ambitions for health development. Hundreds of medical professionals from China and more than a dozen African countries are attending the event. Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, delivers a video speech at the first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 21, 2025. The forum opened on Friday in the Tunisian capital, bringing together officials, medical experts, and business representatives from China and across Africa. Co-organized by the Tunisian Health Ministry and China's National Health Commission, the two-day forum aims to strengthen public health cooperation and deepen medical exchanges between China and African countries. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) Guests attend the first Tunis Forum on the Development of Sino-African Medicine in Tunis, Tunisia, Nov. 21, 2025. The forum opened on Friday in the Tunisian capital, bringing together officials, medical experts, and business representatives from China and across Africa. Co-organized by the Tunisian Health Ministry and China's National Health Commission, the two-day forum aims to strengthen public health cooperation and deepen medical exchanges between China and African countries. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua) (Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Kou Jie) News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa has cautioned party members against launching early campaigns to succeed President Emmerson Mnangagwa ahead of the party's 2027 elective congress.The congress, scheduled a year before Mnangagwa's second and final term expires in 2028, comes amid internal speculation over succession. The party recently adopted a resolution at its annual conference to extend Mnangagwa's tenure to 2030, although the President has publicly stated he does not intend to stay beyond 2028.Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga is widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Mnangagwa, while businessman Kudakwashe Tagwireirecently co-opted into the Zanu-PF central committeehas drawn attention in Harare's inter-district meetings, raising concerns among senior party officials that these gatherings may serve as a campaign platform.Tagwirei has denied having presidential ambitions, but insiders note that the meetings effectively function as marketing ahead of potential contenders.Speaking at a press conference, Mutsvangwa urged aspirants to "hold their horses" until the party officially announces a vacancy."Having ambition has no provision in the constitution. People should hold their horses until the announcement; everyone should rally behind President Emmerson Mnangagwa," Mutsvangwa said.He added: "For anyone within the party that thinks they are the candidate ahead of the party announcing a vacancy, there is no natural successor. Anyone who declares themselves a candidate prematurely is acting wrongly."Mutsvangwa reaffirmed that the party's Resolution Number 1 from the Bulawayo conference confirmed Mnangagwa as party leader until 2030, though the President has reiterated he will not serve beyond 2028. The 2027 congress, he said, will determine the party's succession path.He also advised party members with presidential ambitions to enrol at the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology to deepen their understanding of Zanu-PF principles."It's never too late to enrol at Chitepo School of Ideology so that they can understand the party ideology. The mere fact that the President has said he will not go beyond 2028 does not give others a go. Having ambition is not the basis for succession," Mutsvangwa said.He emphasised that the succession race remains open, with many members eligible to contend. Even potential constitutional amendments, which Zanu-PF is reportedly pursuing through its parliamentary two-thirds majority, cannot make any office bearer an automatic beneficiary. Gents, buckle up. I'm about to let you in on a dirty secret us women have known for a long time, but don't want to admit. We have quietly become far better at cheating than you. Not morally better, not more noble, just significantly more sophisticated. How do I know? Because I've watched more friends cheat than I care to admit - and not a single partner ever suspected a thing. One of them is three years deep into her affair and her husband is still blissfully unaware. My theory was confirmed when I spoke to private investigator Oliver Laurence from Periculum Security Group on my podcast. He didn't even hesitate when I asked the big question: who cheats smarter, men or women? 'Women,' he said instantly. 'By a mile.' According to him, female cheaters are almost impossible to catch because they plan every detail, erase all evidence and think ten steps ahead. Men, on the other hand, leave digital fingerprints everywhere. As Laurence put it, 'Guys get lazy. They get complacent and they make silly mistakes.' Over the past six months, he said his firm handled 25 cheating investigations, 22 of which came from men convinced their wives were the ones stepping out. Laurence said female cheaters are almost impossible to catch because they plan every detail, erase all evidence and think ten steps ahead I've watched more friends cheat than I care to admit - and not a single partner ever suspected a thing So, while men might cheat more impulsively, women are quietly leading in strategic, undetectable infidelity. Even the professionals can't believe how hard it is to catch them. And it all comes down to one thing: technology. Women have become the Olympic gymnasts of digital deception, bending, twisting and arching their way through every loophole Silicon Valley has unknowingly handed them. Men, however, have the digital acuity of an octogenarian, treating their tech like a backpack they leave open on the floor. When I asked New York divorce lawyer James Sexton why men get exposed so spectacularly while women seem to glide under the radar, he didn't mince words. Smart phones, he declared, have 'caught more men cheating than every private investigator combined.' According to him, men get busted because they sync everything. They reuse passwords. They connect their phone to every tablet, laptop, smart watch, TV, and even the kids' devices without thinking twice. Sexton has seen it play out like this many times: The husband is upstairs in the bathroom sexting his mistress, thinking he's being discreet, but downstairs his messages are lighting up the family iPad like a fireworks display. The kids are playing Minecraft when suddenly the screen freezes, and a little voice calls out, 'Mommy, why does my game keep stopping?' Moments later, mom is staring at a naughty photo of her husband and a stream of real-time messages about his plans for tomorrow's 'boys' night.' In fact, these syncing disasters are so common that Sexton calls them 'the Divorce Lawyer Relief Act of 2025.' Because let's be honest, history has shown us that men cheat the same way many of them cook: with enthusiasm, no preparation, and a complete inability to clean up after themselves. Take one of my male friends, for example. He came home blind drunk, parked himself on the couch, texted his mistress and then passed out, leaving his phone unlocked. Rookie mistake. His wife swooped on in and had a good ol' scroll. Safe to say, that divorce came with plenty of (screenshotted) receipts. Women, on the other hand, cheat like they are working for the CIA. They don't allow their devices to sync automatically. They don't share accounts. They turn off message previews. They cover their tracks as they go. Digital tools originally built for privacy and safety have morphed into perfect accessories for an illicit romance. Even something innocent like a phone update becomes a gift these days, there's even a hidden photo album that requires facial recognition to access. And many quietly use it for far more devious purposes than storing ugly screenshots of ex boyfriends. Digital tools originally built for privacy and safety have morphed into perfect accessories for an illicit romance Then there are the vault apps. If you've never heard of them, lucky you, you're probably a good person. For the uninitiated, these look like innocent calculator or notes apps. Enter the right passcode, however, and the whole thing flips open like a trapdoor revealing hidden photo galleries, messages and contact lists. A woman could store her entire affair in an app disguised as 'Calendar Pro' and her husband would scroll right past it. Another favorite are apps like Snapchat the perfect digital confessional. The messages evaporate automatically, doing all the heavy lifting. While I consider myself far too Millennial for such an app, I recently learned a 53-year-old colleague uses it to send her 25-year-old lover saucy pics. Then there is the art of location manipulation. My girlfriends know exactly how to switch off location sharing without sending an alert to their partners. There are loopholes everywhere including how to display a decoy location if you know where to look. And before they've even stepped back into their home, they've scrubbed the Uber history. Cleared the call logs. Trashed text threads. They delete deleted messages. Then they delete the deleted history. In short: women do not leave crumbs. Men, meanwhile, are so sloppy they DM their mistress from their main Instagram account and accidentally post a boomerang of their hotel room view. They forget to turn off their location sharing before sneaking to a 'work drinks' that suspiciously always involves the same blonde girl from marketing. Worse, they send photos of their mistress to the boys' group chat. (And yes, gents, we check those, too.) But the reason women get away with cheating isn't just the tools. It's intent. Men cheat impulsively. Women cheat strategically. That's why many women choose to have flings with married partners: discretion. They're not going after the younger, single secretary who is likely to go rogue at any moment with a confession. They are cheating with a man already entangled in his own family situation. And relationship therapists have long said that by the time a woman cheats, she has already checked out, planned the timeline, selected the safest partner and ensured the affair won't blow up her life. One large survey analysis found women are more likely than men to admit to emotional affairs and online infidelity, which lines up perfectly with what I see in real life: by the time a woman cheats, she's been emotionally gone for a long time. They're only going to get 'caught' when they decide the relationship is over. Even as BBC News was reeling from an avalanche of assaults on biased reporting covering everything from Donald Trump to Israel to transgender issues made all the more potent by the fact they were revealed in an internal memo the official line was clear. Whatever its faults, there was never a greater need for a publicly funded broadcaster such as the BBC to impartially inform the people and keep the rest of the media honest. In theory, there is merit to that argument: we are awash in fake news, barmy conspiracy theories, downright lies and echo chambers delivering only what their audience wants to hear. A corrective to all that which we could trust would be warmly welcomed. But the words in theory are doing a lot of heavy lifting in that last sentence for in practice I fear it is mission impossible. Instead of shining a light through the fog of digital distortion which increasingly blights all our efforts to learn the truth, BBC News has become part of the problem, not the solution. Instead of rigorously reinforcing its impartial credentials as never before, it has squandered them by becoming monopolised by liberal-Left wokery and progressive groupthink. Many (though not all) of those who run the BBC know this. They regularly pledge to do something about it. They see the market advantage of being the gold standard for news and current affairs when so much around is tarnished and unreliable. They understand impartiality is a sine qua non if the BBC is to remain compulsorily funded by all of us. But nothing ever happens. Indeed, things only get worse. Instead of shining a light through the fog of digital distortion which increasingly blights all our efforts to learn the truth, BBC News has become part of the problem, not the solution, writes Andrew Neil The BBC has faced criticism over the years for its coverage of everything from Donald Trump to Israel to tansgender issues BBC News has always tilted a tad Left. But it was largely populated by journalists professional enough to leave their own opinions at the studio door and committed to a core mission of impartial and unbiased reporting. I saw this first hand in the many years I spent at the BBC. I doubt many I worked with shared my views. But there were no ideological clashes, no feeling I was in the midst of some Left-wing cabal. Different views didnt matter. We were united in a commitment to hold politicians to account whatever their persuasion. But times change. A new generation now dominates the newsroom, more activist than journalist, more committed than impartial, more uniformly Left than ever before, intolerant of opinions that challenge their truth, in the jargon. Mark Urban, until recently a stalwart BBC journalist of the old school, has written tellingly about how recent generational changes brought in a younger, more dirigiste kind of progressivism the language of lived experience, dont be a bystander, and formulas such as silence is violence, entered the editorial conversation. He reveals how one producer with strong views on trans issues tried to veto an interview bid for JK Rowling, saying she was very problematic another of our journalists told [Spectator columnist] Rod Liddle to his face that they were dead against inviting him on. With these values and attitudes now dominating BBC newsrooms its hard to see it ever becoming the gold standard for anything, never mind impartiality. Its possible, I suppose, that a strong head of news could root it out. In practice, I suspect the problem is endemic, a systemic feature of the beast rather than a bug which can be squashed. It is not just a problem for the BBC. It is true of public service broadcasters across the democratic world. All lean Left, all are in thrall to a new generation of Leftish activist-journalists obsessed with matters of cultural identity, race and gender. Ive recently returned from Australia where ABC, the equivalent of the BBC, is regarded by the centre-Right as more Left-wing than the BBC. On a previous visit, I appeared on ABCs version of Question Time in which the other four panellists were all pretty much cut from the same political cloth. As you can imagine, it made for pretty dull viewing. Sir Robbie Gibb joined the BBC's board of directors in 2021, having served as director of communications for Theresa May when she was in Downing Street With these values and attitudes now dominating BBC newsrooms its hard to see it ever becoming the gold standard for anything, never mind impartiality, writes Andrew Neil No surprise, the shows ratings slowly collapsed. But rather than spice it up with some contrary opinions they let it be canned. In other words, ABC preferred demise to giving a platform to views with which it didnt agree. In America, the TV and radio stations of the Corporation For Public Broadcasting are even more Left than ABC. President Trump recently cut off their funding, which sounded petty. But when you listen to their relentless liberal-Left output its hard to see why the US taxpayer should be funding them. Canadas public service broadcaster, CBC, is regarded as so hostile to the countrys Conservatives that theyre committed to ending public funding. In France and Germany, the public service soul sisters of the BBC also skew markedly Left. Why should this be? For a start, all media trends Left just look at the news on Sky, Channel 4 and even ITV these days unless there is a concerted effort to stop it. That is especially true of public service broadcasting, which is immune to the pressures of the marketplace and attracts those naturally hostile to the profit motive and capitalist endeavour. They are overwhelmingly liberal arts graduates touting progressive politics, who flock to our great metropolises to pursue their careers which is exactly where the BBC does its hiring, whether its London, Manchester or Glasgow. The fact our big cities are now solidly Left-wing fiefdoms which they were not a generation ago only adds to the in-built bias of the BBC employment pool. This will not be easily put right. I doubt it ever will. The one person whos recently been robust in rooting out bias, BBC non-executive director Robbie Gibb, a good friend and colleague, has been pilloried as leading a Right-wing coup for his efforts. A nonsense, of course. But the claim was weaponised by journalists within the BBC, who are clearly prone to believing their own fake news and conspiracy theories. They then mobilised their allies across the huge swathes of the British media where the Left is strong, who then unleashed a torrent of abuse and disinformation on him, pour encourager les autres. Its probably worked. I doubt anyone else will now go where Gibb wasnt afraid to tread. But it raises fundamental questions about the purpose of the BBC in todays hectic media environment. For if BBC News cannot be counted on to provide a properly impartial service, then the millions who dont share its biases will wonder why they should still pay the licence fee for a news service which seems to disparage their values. Add in the fact that some of the best British drama these days (Slow Horses, Adolescence, Day Of The Jackal, Black Doves, Ludwig, Department Q) are made by US streamers, not the BBC, and the two major justifications for the licence fee impartial news and high-quality British drama are suddenly swept from underneath it. The BBC is lucky Labour is in power. Governments of the Left see the BBC as ballast to counter what they still think is a powerful Right-wing Fleet Street. So, though a compulsory poll tax is fast becoming unsustainable, the Government will renew the licence fee (or some version thereof). This will secure the comfortable lives of those whose salaries and social status depend on the BBC into the next decade. But will it now secure the BBCs future? Without radical reform it is destined to decline, the licence fee subject to relentless attrition. The number of TV licences fell by 300,000 in the year to March. Around 3.6million households now say, rightly or wrongly, they dont need a licence. It is estimated that licence fee evasion and cancellation cost the BBC 1billion last year, even though two million enforcement visits were made to peoples homes. No amount of arm-twisting will stem the tide. Licence fee evasion will reach epidemic proportions in the years to come as a younger generation revolts against paying for something they dont watch. Therein lie the seeds of the BBCs inevitable demise on its current trajectory, destined to be the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders of the digital age. Keep his name out ya mouth! That's reportedly what the world's most famous helicopter mom Melania Trump told stepson Eric Trump after he recently breached the topic of baby brother Barron. In an interview with Megyn Kelly, Eric shed a little light on that infamous Inauguration Day exchange between Barron and out-stumbling President Joe Biden. There's long been speculation from lip readers and TDS sufferers that Barron cursed at Poor Old Joe adding insult to injury as his daddy kicked the Bidens to the curb. But Eric shut that down. '[Barron said] something so polite I almost wouldn't even get it right,' Eric claimed, 'like, "Congratulations and best of luck to you", or something like that. Something very respectful.' 'He just doesn't have that in him,' Eric continued. 'He's a nice guy. He's probably thinking it... but he's too courteous to actually go out there and say it.' Aww. Sounds like a sweet kid, right? Well, apparently, the First Lady wasn't having it. There has long been speculation from lip readers and TDS sufferers that Barron cursed at Poor Old Joe - adding insult to injury as his daddy kicked the Bidens to the curb. 'Melania does not want Barron discussed. Ever,' a source reportedly told journalist Rob Shuter. 'She told Eric to shut his mouth,' the source continued, '[Melania] protects that boy like a lioness. 'He's in college. He wants a quiet life. Headlines and memes are the last thing she wants for him.' I've reached out to the White House to confirm this reporting, but it's not a stretch to say it rings true. A source told People in August, 'Melania watches Barron constantly in an effort to be sure nobody messes with him or bullies him, as this is a constant worry with her. She always knows where he is and what he's doing.' And, can you blame her? Barron is 19, he's 6ft 9in and reportedly has a personal net worth underpinned by a $150 million crypto portfolio. (Did you have a nine-figure net worth at 19? I had an unreliable VW Beetle and a pack-a-day smoking habit.) This kid is a gossip magnet. As I wrote a few weeks ago, there was a brouhaha over whispers that had Barron shut down an entire floor of the family's Fifth Avenue rambler for a date! When he changes his Starbucks order there's a dumpster dive for deeper meaning. Some of his fellow NYU co-eds and former high school classmates have even been happy to spill the beans of his love life. So, it was no surprise when it was reported in September that Barron left those cruel New York lefties behind for the warm embrace of mommy inside their White House fortress. Barron is 19, he's 6ft 9in and reportedly has a personal net worth underpinned by a $150 million crypto portfolio Barron's reportedly taking classes at NYU's DC campus and President Trump let slip in a recent interview with Laura Ingraham that his youngest may be camped out in the Lincoln bedroom. 'He's here, he's right upstairs,' Don told Laura. It all seems very quaint and I absolutely can see where Melania is coming from but doesn't it all seem a bit much? Ironically, Barron may be the most intriguing member of the First Family, but only because we know so little about him. Take it from a mother who watched her college-age daughter slog through the social cruelties of the pandemic: I know this ain't easy. Worry is built into modern parenting. But, as anxiety-inducing as it may be, my unsolicited advice to the First Lady is to put concern aside and let your little birdie spread his gangly wings. If Barron is not let out of the nest, he'll never learn to fly like a real Trump. And, if the reports are true, he's a good kid. So maybe, we'll stop craning our necks to find him if he comes out of hiding. Drooling with Dimwits Dancing With the Stars contestant Dylan Efron got a boost from his nearly unrecognizable celebrity brother Zac. But it seems like Zefron's 'corrective' surgeries may have messed with the former Disney kid's brain. He was caught on hot mic asking if three scores of nine from the judges was a good result. Yes, dear, unlike your SAT score. Stick to acting, you lantern-jawed jock! Dancing With the Stars contestant Dylan Efron got a boost from his nearly unrecognizable celebrity brother Zac Baby daddy energy Pete Davidson's pregnant girlfriend Elsie Hewitt has revealed that she told her baby-daddy he'd be 'the father of my children' on their very first date. Seems like this PYT may have been desperate to lock down Pete's BDE. But considering Davidson has dated the likes of Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande and a laundry list of other famous babes, may it have been wiser to WED first? If only I had taste Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh's fashion philosophy seems to be: everything, everywhere, all at once. At the premier for the latest Wicked movie, she sashayed down the green carpet in a shapeless, highlighter-yellow tulle dress that can only be described as either an upside down feather duster or a radioactive cupcake. Maybe there's still time to beg the Wizard for some fashion sense! Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh's fashion philosophy seems to be: everything, everywhere, all at once Good lord! Former British Ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson is in another puddle of his own making. Mandelson was ousted from his comfy perch in September after newly released files showed that, according to a government minister, the 'depth and extent' of Mandelson's relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was 'materially different' from what was previously known. But now, Mandelson's been caught on camera by the Daily Mail urinating on a London street corner. If he thought he was in deep doo-doo before, this embarrassing tinkle tickets could really cost him. Gorgeous granny Paulina Porizkova turned a video that was supposed to show her getting ready into a softcore striptease. 'If you're like me, you will also zero in on the shape of my body and hopefully think with relief "ah, she's not perfect either",' wrote the Polish-born supermodel. Give me a break. No 60-year-old poses for a selfie to be blasted out on social media unless they are supremely confident. If she wasn't 60, she'd know that this is what Only Fans is for. Paulina Porizkova turned a video that was supposed to show her getting ready into a softcore striptease Olivia Snoozi Are you itching to read former New York Magazine writer Olivia Nuzzi's new book, 'American Canto'? Don't bother. Here's a little greasy taste of her clunky adolescent prose about you guessed it our raspy voiced HHS Secretary: 'He desired. He desired desiring. He desired being desired. He desired desire itself' Maybe Nuzzi should have called the book American Psycho? As the cameras panned across the veterans striding proudly down Whitehall two Sundays ago, one lens fell on a tall, lantern-jawed figure in a dark grey suit and green Royal Marines beret. The BBCs main announcer didnt seem to notice him, or if they did, didnt think his presence was worthy of comment. But an increasingly significant number of Labour MPs have noticed him. To the extent that some of them have begun to quietly discuss whether he should become their next leader. Al Carns name is now in the frame, one MP told me. It may seem too soon. But to be honest, the party is becoming desperate. And a few people are starting to think it might be time to take a gamble. Carns, the recently elected member for Birmingham Selly Oak, certainly has the perfect CV for leading the mission impossible that is the task of dragging Labour back from political oblivion. A former officer in the elite Special Boat Service, he was mentioned in dispatches, and won the Military Cross for his service in Afghanistan. More recently he was involved in some shadowy activities advising the Ukrainians in their fight against the Russians. As one admirer claimed: Carns is the real deal. He comes with a proper action grip. For the past 16 months, Labours Action Man has been languishing in relative obscurity first as veterans minister, and more recently as minister for the Armed Forces. But according to one colleague, this anonymity has not been through choice. Hes offered to do the media round a number of times, one fellow backbencher reveals, but Morgan [McSweeney, the Prime Ministers chief of staff] doesnt like the idea of using him too much. He thinks he might overshadow Starmer. Finding someone who can shunt our hopelessly inadequate Prime Minister into the shade is whats currently topping the agenda of the Parliamentary Labour Party But finding someone who can shunt our hopelessly inadequate Prime Minister into the shade is whats currently topping the agenda of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Which is why Carns name is now being floated. On Friday he was finally allowed out of barracks by Downing Street to lead Labours response to the jailing of Reforms former Welsh leader Nathan Gill. No patriotic British political party should allow pro-Russian elements to covertly have an influence on our political system, he chided in his steely, Aberdeen brogue. Which is also precisely why Carns is starting to attract attention. According to friends, he is becoming increasingly frustrated at what he sees as his partys failure to take the gloves off with Nigel Farage, and tackle him head-on over his flag-waving populism. Al is really angry we havent been pushing back harder over the whole flag and country agenda, one MP told me. Another pointed to Carns exploits in May, where he and some former Special Forces friends completed an arduous charity trek to the top of Mount Everest. Youve got people like Farage and Robert Jenrick running around bragging about putting British flags up on lamp-posts, one said. Als just put one on the top of Everest. A number of Carns fellow MPs remain sceptical of whether he can be considered as a serious replacement for Starmer so soon in his political career. But friends say he enjoys some serious backing among his fellow backbenchers, and even some ministers. When the deputy leadership opened up, Al was seriously considering standing, and started canvassing for support. Hed got 44 names, but then No 10 stepped in and told him to park it. They wanted everyone throwing their weight behind Bridget [Phillipson, the Education Secretary]. Al Carns (pictured at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday), the recently elected member for Birmingham Selly Oak, certainly has the perfect CV for leading the mission impossible that is the task of dragging Labour back from political oblivion Other critics point to Carns lack of significant front-rank political experience. They cant be serious? What are his politics? What does anyone really know about the guy? one bemused MP told me. But again, his allies counter by pointing to his impressive CV. Carns served as a senior military adviser to three Tory defence secretaries, and is said to have a good hands-on knowledge of the defence and foreign affairs briefs. As another backbencher told me: Hes got experience. Remember that question Ed [Miliband] got, Are you tough enough to stand up to Vladimir Putin? Well, Al Carns was in Ukraine literally telling the Ukrainians how to sink Putins ships. One MP I spoke to questioned whether, following the disastrous experiment with Keir Starmer, Labour MPs and perhaps even more significantly, Labour members would really consider handing the leadership to someone who was a political empty-slate. I dont see someone getting another blank cheque to shape the party in their image unless everyone has a crystal-clear picture of what that image is going to be. But there are some people who take the opposite view, and think that if Labour are to have any chance of reversing their political death spiral, they have to reach across to a whole new generation, unaligned with the failure of the past 16 months, and untainted by the stigma of decades of perceived establishment betrayal. Theres no point in getting rid of Keir only to create a new government that is packed full of all the same people who were sitting around the Cabinet table while everything went to s***, said one. Whatever the reality, the fact that some of Carns colleagues are even having a discussion about him potentially replacing Starmer is instructive. First, it shows just how embedded the prospect of his removal is in the psyche of Sir Keirs MPs. Its all anyone talks about now, one admitted. It also shows how the search to identify Starmers replacement has now moved beyond Labours established factions. Its been an open secret that Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham have been on manoeuvres for several months. But the fact the plotters are now flirting with outsiders like Al Carns shows how far and wide the discontent over Starmer has spread. It also shows the extent of Labour MPs desperation. At Westminster last week there was mounting speculation among some backbenchers that Keir Starmer has privately made the decision to step down in the New Year. One who chatted to him in the Commons earlier in the week expressed surprise at how relaxed he was. He was very chilled, they told me. Not like someone who had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Or expects to have them for that much longer. A minister pointed to the letter to his son Starmer had penned to mark International Mens Day. I thought that was an odd thing for him to do, they said. Hes not keen on talking about his family like that. I thought there was something valedictory about it. This may just be wishful thinking. As could the idea of ushering Labours very own Action Man into No 10. But one thing is certain. If Al Carns does choose to move against Keir Starmer, the PM wont hear him coming until its too late. Mrs Hitchens remembers as I had forgotten that I was in almost complete despair over the Covid panic after about two weeks of national hysteria. As far as I could make out, I was the only national newspaper commentator in the country who had any doubts about the wisdom of closing Britain down and deliberately going bankrupt to pay for it. The scale and fury of the abuse was unlike anything else I had experienced. Anti-social media erupted in derision and spite. During that period, I was frequently accused of deliberately seeking to kill people, once of helping to bring about the death of a specific person. The doors of the BBC, once ajar, became almost completely closed to me. Then, thank heaven, I discovered, buried deep on page 64 of The Times newspaper, an article by former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption, attacking the legal basis of Alexander Boris Johnsons mass house arrest. He concluded: There is a difference between law and official instructions. It is the difference between a democracy and a police state. Liberty and the rule of law are surely worth something even in the face of a pandemic. As far as I could make out, I was the only national newspaper commentator in the country who had any doubts about the wisdom of closing Britain down and deliberately going bankrupt to pay for it, writes Peter Hitchens I knew that Lady Halletts (pictured) ridiculous inquiry would report as it did, and I have many times predicted its weary conclusion... and so it will happen again soon in some form or other And, as I knew that Sumption was (and is) a considerable mind and a first-class lawyer, I concluded that I was not in fact crazy, and the struggle against the Great Panic was not pointless. People who might readily dismiss me could not do the same to him. So I took various steps to rescue the article from the tomb in which The Times had hidden it, and suddenly I was not alone after all. And I kept it up afterwards for many months. I wont try to fight this battle again. What I said is all on the record. What I learned during those stupid days was that huge numbers of people, a large majority, actually do not want to be free. They welcome being ordered about. And that if you seek power, the best way to get it is to spread fear, and then claim to be the peoples protector. I knew that Lady Halletts ridiculous inquiry would report as it did, and I have many times predicted its weary conclusion. And so it will happen again soon in some form or other. Except that the next time we will already be bankrupt, while countless numbers of people have already abandoned full-time education, or lost the work discipline that a major country needs to survive. So it will be worse, and we will end up even poorer than before. Hollywood is too kind to this jackbooted bully Russell Crowe as Hermann Goering in the questionable new film about the Nuremberg war crimes trials The repulsive liar and drug abuser Hermann Goering is the star of a questionable new film about the Nuremberg war crimes trials. This seems to me to be a pity. Goering is shown as cunning, even charming. At one point he boasts that he has never been beaten. Actually, he was humiliated in Nazi Germanys Supreme Court in 1933 by a very brave Communist, Georgi Dimitrov. Dimitrov was falsely accused of burning down the German Parliament building, the Reichstag. The Nazis, who had almost certainly burned down the building themselves, made this the excuse to abolish what was left of German freedom. Dimitrov made mincemeat of a jackbooted, menacing Goering, in one of the great real-life courtroom dramas of the time, which has now sadly been forgotten. It would make a better film than this one. Russell Crowe, left, is a fine actor, but should his talents be used to humanise this pagan bully? The film also misrepresents a meeting between the American chief prosecutor, Robert Jackson, and Pope Pius XII. It uses it to slander the Pope as soft on the Nazis, now a fashionable view among atheists and leftists. The Vatican may not have done all it could, but the Nazi response to Church protests was to commit even more murders. In July 1942, when Dutch Catholic bishops cried out against persecution of Dutch Jews, the Nazis retaliated by murdering more than 200 Jewish converts to Christianity, who had until then been spared. So you can see why church leaders hesitated to raise their voices. But as is the way with films, many will see this stuff and think it true. A stately symbol reduced to squalor The Oxford old-fashioned Royal Mail pillar box turned into a filthy litter bin by passers-by Last Tuesday I found what had until recently been a fine old-fashioned Royal Mail pillar box, turned into a filthy litter bin by passers-by. This was on a busy street in Oxford, full of small shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs. I was, for a second, taken back to a visit I made in 1992 to the devastated Somali capital of Mogadishu, once an elegant Italian-style metropolis, but at that time reduced to a terrifying squalid slum by human conflict and moral decay. I learned from that journey how quickly apparent civilisation can slump into barbarism. Royal Mail has explained to me how it came about. The box was being prepared for conversion into a more modern interactive device, and so its front door was taken off and the gap protected by a sheet of plastic. But my point is this. Why was the trash dumped there of all places? These stately red cylinders, with their crowns and monograms, are symbols of trust, tradition, authority and order. Left defenceless, you might hope they would be left unharmed. But something in the modern British mind hates authority and tradition, and enjoys undermining them. The police have already gone. How long before the remaining restraints disappear too? Then what will be safe from the slobs who did this? The road to Mogadishu may be rather shorter than we thought it was. I never want to go there again, and I very much dont want it to come and visit me, either. Don't worry, it will be over soon. No, not the winter weather, or Keir Starmer's premiership (although come to think of it). I mean the daily speculation about what will or won't be in Rachel Reeves' confounded Budget. The Chancellor presumably put off the event for as long as she could for two reasons: a forlorn hope that something would turn up and she would be spared coming back for a second helping of tax rises having promised not to; and to give her plenty of time to prepare the public for another raid on their finances. No doubt this seemed like a good idea at the time. But the effect is that in terms of political news apart from the odd entertaining resignation, the continued shambles over migration, sinister plans for compulsory digital ID and a spate of accidental prisoner releases that could be called a comedy of errors if it weren't so serious the country has been talking about Reeves and her avaricious intentions since summer. The business of managing expectations, or 'pitch rolling' as they call it in Westminster, has included rumoured new taxes on homes, cars, pensions, partnerships and gambling, as well as changes to National Insurance and ISA allowances, and a new levy on overseas investors who have the temerity (or sense) to leave the country. The pitch was rolled for an income tax rise, then abruptly de-rolled. Even Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has started referring to it as the 'hokey-cokey Budget'. While the voters might not know what's coming specifically on Wednesday, they know in general. Asked in one of my focus groups last week what she was expecting from the Budget, one woman said: 'A smaller Christmas present.' Yet knowing what is on the way doesn't make people any less cross about it. I found the overwhelming majority of voters felt that they are already 'doing their bit' in the Chancellor's pitch-rolling words and many resented being asked for ever-more tax with nothing to show in return. The anger is compounded by the growing conviction that Britain's dire economic situation can no longer be blamed on the Tory inheritance. Most voters believe Reeves is planning to raise tax again because of decisions made by the Labour Government, rather than factors outside its control. Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured) at the start of the week, holding talks with farmers at an emergency food and farming summit Most voters believe we spend too much, rather than tax too little. They remember Reeves and Starmer abandoning any attempt to control the ballooning cost of welfare. Hiking taxes while scrapping the two-child benefit cap, which Labour MPs loathe but most voters want to keep, would add insult to injury. Despite all this, surprisingly little has moved in the past few months in the big political picture. Reform have taken the lead, the Conservatives have somewhat stabilised their position, and Labour have dropped gently into a battle for third place with the Greens. But recent dramas have not really changed how people see the parties. Labour have disappointed many of those who elected them, but some still give them the benefit of the doubt after 14 years of the Tories. Reform offers potentially dramatic change, but there are doubts over the coherence of their plans and whether the party harbours elements of bigotry or prejudice. And despite ideas such as scrapping stamp duty being noticed, the Conservatives are still battling to get a hearing or make an impression on the national consciousness. This was always going to be the case, whoever led the Tories and whatever they did or said. As I advised in the introduction to Losing It, my aptly named (if I say so myself) analysis of the party's 2024 defeat: 'Having just booted you out of office, people have seen and heard quite enough of you for a while You won't be able to get anyone to look at you until they are ready. But when they do look, you have to be ready too.' That moment may well be approaching. The 'push factor' away from Labour will need to reach a certain intensity before any 'pull factor' towards the Tories takes effect. The Budget on top of the Government's other failings, not to mention growing doubts over the future of Starmer's leadership could give many a reason to look more seriously at the alternatives. The fact that the Budget response is made by the leader of the official Opposition is a huge opportunity for Kemi Badenoch. Rachel Reeves (pictured) delivering a speech at 9 Downing Street ahead of the forthcoming Budget this Wednesday More voters will see it than watch PMQs, or saw clips of her conference speech. Notoriously, it is one of Parliament's most demanding occasions. But answering a blizzard of announcements at perilously short notice is only one part of it, and the least important. Nailing the Government's cackhanded economic management is another part, but this is the easiest people do it every day, up and down the country. And while she needs to echo people's anger, this in itself just fuels the idea that new ideas are needed. Most importantly, this is Badenoch's chance to show those ideas. She must have a serious analysis that explains not just how Labour are failing, but why: why spending is out of control, why public services get no better despite ever-higher taxes, why Britain is so unproductive and living standards so stagnant, and why successive governments have seemed powerless to do anything about it. And she must show that tough solutions are there, if we have the appetite for them. At her best, Badenoch is able to convey ideas in a way that combines principle, humour and a knack for telling home truths. This is a moment for her to seize. Paradoxical as it may seem, the worse Labour get, the better the Conservatives have to be. Lord Ashcroft is a businessman, philanthropist, author and pollster. His research is at LordAshcroftPolls.com. X/Facebook @LordAshcroft People with blood type A may be at higher risk of developing autoimmune liver disease, resulting in potentially life-threatening damage, a study has found. In contrast, those with blood type B are significantly less likely to develop primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a type of liver disease that can eventually lead to organ failure. Blood type is determined by a person's genetic make-up, based on the expression of A, B or H antigens on the surface of red blood cells. People will fall under one of four types: A, B, AB and O which are then further categorised into positive and negative subtypes. In the UK, just under half of people are O, more than a third are A, with B and AB making up around 10 and five per cent each. But just one in 12 people have O- blood. they are classified as 'universal donors', meaning their blood can be given to anyone via transfusion in an emergency. Analysis of over 1,200 patients, 114 of which had been diagnosed with autoimmune liver disease, found that the most frequent blood type in patients with chronic liver disease was A, followed by O, B and AB respectively. There are several types of the chronic disease, including autoimmune hepatitis, where the immune system attacks and damages the liver. Eventually the liver can become so damaged that it stops working properly. Analysis of 114 liver disease patients and over 1,100 healthy people finds links between blood group and risk of the potentially deadly condition PBC is another type of liver disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver's bile ducts, causing bile to build up in the liver leading to scarring, cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. The condition does not always cause symptoms but some people may experience bone and joint aches, itchy skin, dry eyes and mouth and abdominal pain around the liver. For others, it is only spotted after having a routine blood test for another reason. 'It could be said that people with blood type A were more likely to develop PBC than people with blood types AB and O,' said Dr Yi Hong, an expert in transfusion medicine at Xi'an Gaoxin Hospital and study lead author. In the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, researchers compared the blood types of 114 patients with a previous diagnosis of autoimmune liver disease with 1,167 healthy individuals. Of the 114 patients, 44 had autoimmune hepatitis and 70 were diagnosed with PBC. They found that blood group A was most common among patients with both forms of chronic liver disease, followed by groups O, B and AB. Compared to healthy controls, there was a significant difference in blood-type distribution among patients with PBC but not among patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Specifically, they found that people with type B blood were less likely to develop PBC whilst patients with blood type A were at a significantly higher risk. There are often no signs that you have autoimmune liver disease and symptoms can be vague The researchers said this could be because individuals with type A blood 'carry' more high-risk antigens for autoimmune liver disease through a process called linkage disequilibrium. Previous studies have shown that type As are more likely to carry carry specific alleles, called HLA-DRB1*03:01 and DRB1*04:01 which have been associated with autoimmune liver disease. In the immune system, these genes lay a crucial role in distinguishing they body's own cells from foreign invaders, such as pathogens and cancer cells. However, these mechanisms were not directly tested in the study. The researchers added: 'We also discovered that females were more susceptible to autoimmune liver disease than males, and the reasons for this gender difference might be determined by sex hormones, fetal micro-chimerism and genetic factors.' The incidence also increased with age. Overall, the researchers concluded, their findings support the inclusion of blood type analysis in clinical settings to identify patients at risk of autoimmune liver disease, particularly PBC. In the minds of many people, liver disease is synonymous with alcohol and obesity. Your browser does not support iframes. Yet in those with autoimmune liver diseases, problems emerge when the immune systemwhich is meant to protect the body against illnessgoes haywire and attacks the organ. This leads to irreversible scarring, or cirrhosis, which eventually causes the liver to fail. The illnesses can go hand in hand with other conditions that involve the immune system, such as type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. But many sufferers are otherwise in perfect health. By the time most sufferers are diagnosed, about a third already have significant cirrhosis. In the early stages, the only symptom many patients experience is fatigue and patients often dont seek medical help. If they do visit a doctor, their symptoms may be dismissed as simply a virus. Without a transplant, treatment includes immune-system and inflammation-dampening steroids. But these must be taken for life, and have side effects including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and skin reactions. In some patients, the drug can even make the liver cirrhosis worse. At that point, the liver can spiral into rapid failure, often leaving patients with just days or weeks to live. Over time, this damage can affect liver cells and increase the risk of developing cancer. The only option at that point is a transplant, which cures the condition. But the number of patients needing livers, due to all types of liver disease, is more than double the number available. Experts warn that both main types of autoimmune liver disease, primary biliary cholangitis and autoimmune hepatitis, are on the increase. No one is sure why, although common viral infections and environmental toxins have been suggested as potential triggers. News / National by Staff reporter Sunday Mail Editor Edmund Kudzayi, who was arrested on Thursday, is expected to appear in court today facing charges of undermining the authority of President Mugabe and subverting or attempting to subvert a constitutionally-elected Government.Kudzayi's lawyer, Mr Joseph Mandizha of Mandizha and Company, yesterday said Kudzayi would also face another charge of keeping ammunition in an unsecure place.It is an offence under the Firearms Act to keep live bullets at an unsecure place."I can confirm that we are going to court tomorrow," said Mr Mandizha without giving further details of the case.Speaking about Kudzayi's arrest in Bulawayo yesterday, Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said the decision to resolve any charges levelled against Kudzayi through the legal route was at the heart of a constitutional democracy.Prof Moyo, who was addressing a Business Environment Studies College's mass communication graduation ceremony, said a criminal trial was far better than a political trial."It's very good to know people have an opportunity to resolve an issue through the legal process in terms of our law, in terms of our Constitution," he said."That's always far better than seeking to resolve an issue through other means. That is the essence of constitutional democracy, that a matter, however important, is ultimately resolved in terms of the law."I think all rational, fair minded people would say or understand that when police take action or when law enforcement agents take action, it should be to give us, from a legal, constitutional view, some relief that at least the rule of law or the course of justice is taking place."It's much easier for everyone concerned, especially when you take into account that there's no individual and indeed no institution that is above the law."Kudzayi recently replaced Brezhnev Malaba as head at the nation's biggest weekly newspaper.But Prof Moyo said resolving issues through legal channels was at the heart of a constitutional democracy.He commended the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group's stance on the matter, after the company offered to cooperate fully with investigators."I'm very pleased that Zimpapers has made it very clear they're a law abiding institution, and that they're going to fully cooperate with the law enforcement authorities in terms of the law," said Prof Moyo."And I, therefore, don't want anyone asking anything else and if you do, you'll have a monologue because I would not participate in the dialogue."Kudzayi was arrested on Thursday after a police launched a pre-dawn raid at his home and office at Herald House, with the police saying the arrest had to do "with publications that he did".On the same day, police also visited The Zimbabwe Independent offices looking for the editor of the paper Dumisani Muleya's home addressCharges relating to Muleya or his whereabouts could not be ascertained yesterday. The consumer champion uncovered the best value Christmas essentials With just over a month to go until Christmas, the race to stock the freezer and pantry with festive supplies is on. Luckily, Consumer champion Which? has put together a list of 'Best Buys' to help Britons save money on Christmas essentials after releasing the results of its festive taste test. Which? invited a panel of bakers, wine experts, chefs, and consumer panels to judge the best champagne, mince pies and smoked salmon on the shelves this year, from major supermarkets to premium brands. Thrifty revellers will be delighted to discover that Which? has uncovered a Best Buy champagne, top-rated mince pies and unbeatable smoked salmon that can all be bought for a very pocket-friendly total of 21. In fact, the winners of this year's champagne competition saw very budget-friendly supermarket options triumph over industry favourite Moet et Chandon, while the best smoked salmon is only 3.09 for 100g. Harry Rose, Which? Magazine Editor, said: 'Christmas can sometimes feel like its more about spending money than spending time with loved ones and costs can quickly spiral - especially if you are the one hosting. 'Our expert taste tests prove that top-notch bubbly doesn't require a hefty price tag. 'You can secure our entire Best Buy Christmas spread delicious champagne, moreish mince pies, and great-tasting smoked salmonand still have change leftover compared to buying just one bottle of Moet or Veuve.' Which? Champagne winner: Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut, 26 Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne topped the scoreboard among Which?'s champagne test and gained praise for its 'decadent' flavour Champagne lovers can raise a glass with Tesco Finest Premier Cru Brut Champagne, which gained an overall score of 84 per cent. The testers praised the Champagne, which is produced by Union Champagne, and described it as a 'decadent champagne with a proportion of reserve wine giving lovely truffle notes'. The group comprises almost 2,000 growers across the Champagne region, with about 90 per cent of its grapes sourced from prestigious Grand or Premier Cru sites They also said the celebratory tipple had 'an elegant, long-lasting bubble'. One expert added she would be stocking up for her upcoming get-togethers Which? Champagne Best Buy: Lidl Comte de Senneval Brut Champagne, 13.99 Lidl's Comte de Senneval Brut Champagne came in second place with a score of 82% and was also named Best Buy at just 13.99 In second place was Lidl's Comte de Senneval Brut Champagne with a score of 82 per cent, and it was also named Which?'s Best Buy for its extremely affordable price tag of just 13.99. This bubbly was given yet another badge for Great Value and was described by the panel as having a 'pretty nose of gentle nuts and honeysuckle' and a 'zippy palate of pineapple and mango'. But how did the premium champagne brands like Moet et Chandon and Veuve Clicquot compare? Both of these did well in the tests, but did not make the cut due to their inflated price tags - a bottle of Moet et Chandon starts at around 45, while the cheapest bottle of Veuve Clicquot is about 50. Each supermarket was asked to put forward their best non-vintage champagne up to 50, whilst premium brands were selected by a Which? Market Analyst meeting the same criteria. They were judged by a panel of four independent wine experts, including Masters of Wine Sam Caporn, Peter McCombie and Ray O'Connor, and drinks writer and author Helen McGinn, who is also the co-chair of the International Wine Challenge. Each champagne was judged on aroma and flavour, and was blind-tasted. Which? Mince Pie winner: Waitrose Brown Butter Mince Pies, 4 for 6 Waitrose's Brown Butter Mince Pies were a firm favourite among Which? testers - one of whom confess they would pass the pies off as their own Waitrose's Brown Butter Mince Pies were named the winner of Which?'s mince pies test for the second year running The consumer champion named Waitrose as the mince pie champion for the second row in a year, again for the supermarket's Waitrose Brown Butter Mince Pies. At 4 for six mince pies, Which? testers scored them at an impressive 78 per cent. The panel especially loved the 'moreish' brown butter pastry, which they said was a little crumbly but robust enough to contain the generous filling. Testers also loved that the filling had a 'classic Christmassy aroma' and comprised of an 'impressive' variety of fruits, including vine fruits, glace cheeries and apricots, as well as slivered almonds that added a 'lovely nuttiness'. One expert even admitted that they would happily pass Waitrose's mince pies off as their own, which was quite the endorsement. Which? Mince Pie runners-up: M&S Collection Mince Pies, 4 for 6 and Iceland Luxury Mince Pies, 3 for 6 M&S Collection Mince Pies scored highly in Which?'s taste test, and were praised for having a generous amount of filling and a 'lovely citrussy aroma' Two other supermarket mince pies did well in Which?'s extensive testing, including M&S Collection Mince Pies, which scored a healthy 74 per cent. The pies were described as having a generous amount of filling that was packed with fruity flavour and balanced spice and zest levels, as well as a 'lovely citrussy aroma'. Iceland Luxury Mince Pies were also well-reviewed by the testers, who gave them a 73 per cent score. The testers enjoyed the delicate, buttery pastry and moist filling. Their only criticism was that they could have done with more spices, but at 3, they offered decent value for money. The mince pies were judged on taste, appearance, texture and aroma, and were served to the testers warm from the oven to give the flavours the best chance to shine. Which?'s expert tasting panel for mince pies included baker and food writer Dan Lepard, pastry chef and bakery owner Anna Higham, Bake Off: The Professionals finalist Darryl Collins, and Martha Collison, a baking expert and cookbook author. Which? Smoked Salmon Best Buy and Great Value: Aldi Specially Selected Mild & Delicate Smoked Salmon, 3.09 for 100g Which? testers said they loved the 'gentle smoky flavour' of Aldi's Specially Selected Mild & Delicate Smoked Salmon, which was also named Great Value Which said: 'Our tasters loved its gentle smoky flavour, balanced saltiness and good thickness'. Budget supermarket Aldi came out on top for smoked salmon, both for offering 'excellent taste' and a great price. While the testers scored two smoked salmon products at 70 per cent, earning both of them a joint Best Buy title, Aldi's smoked salmon was one of the cheapest packs tested, which also earned it the Great Value recommendation The testers said they loved the 'gentle smoky flavour' in the salmon, as well as the well-balanced saltiness, adding that it had a 'good thickness'. Which? Smoked Salmon Best Buy: Mowi Organic Scottish Smoked Salmon, 8.05 for 100g Mowi Organic Scottish Smoked Salmon scored well for 'fantastic flavour' and it was also the only organic smoked salmon tested by Which? This premium brand of smoked salmon is available in a number of supermarkets, including Sainsbury's, Ocado, Waitrose, and even Fortnum & Mason. It was named a joint Best Buy as it also scored a good 70%, based on flavour, aroma, appearance and texture. Testers said it had 'fantastic flavour, with a lovely subtle smokiness and satisfying texture'. Which? brought together 72 fans of smoked salmon for a specialist tasting, who blind tasted slices from 10 packs of mild and delicate smoked salmon. Each slice was carefully scored for colour, thickness, saltiness and flavour intensity. READ MORE: Meghan Markle teases 'something big is coming' in new post It's a shear-ious phenomenon. While hair transplants may have traditionally been a cosmetic procedure marketed towards balding men, it looks like there's a big shift happening as more and more women are opting for the cutting-edge treatment in recent years. Hair transplants aim to help patients look like they have a fuller head of hair, as doctors take grafts from various areas of the body that have healthy growth and move them to the balding or thinning areas. The procedure was introduced to the mainstream in the 1950s, according to Chicago Hair Institute, and has continued to evolve throughout the decades. According to a survey published by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery in October, the percentage of female hair restoration patients treated in 2024 increased by 16.5 percent from 2021. On social media, many women are documenting their hair transplant journeys, too, showing off the dramatic results of the procedure that typically comes with a cost anywhere between $6,000 to $15,000 depending on factors such as extent of loss, number of grafts and surgeon's expertise. TikTok influencer Lucy Tough, who goes by the username @hausoflt, has shared her hair transplant with her 64,200 followers on TikTok, as she revealed that she underwent two procedures for optimal growth. The results were quite substantial, as she had tons of new growth at her hairline, back of the head, and temples. While hair transplants may have traditionally been a cosmetic procedure marketed towards balding men, it looks like there's a big shift happening as more and more women are opting for the cutting-edge treatment in recent years (stock image) Yas Labidi, another social media influencer, also shared her hair transplant online, as she flew to Turkey to get hers done. In just one year, she saw such a big difference that she labeled it as the 'best thing' that she had ever done. The increase in female hair transplants is something that New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach has seen personally in her own practice. It's an increase that she believes is due to social media and more open conversations around the once-taboo topic. 'I have personally seen a huge rise in women's hair transplants at my practice,' Dr. Rabach of Rabach Aesthetics told Daily Mail exclusively. 'I think that there are many reasons for this. I think there's a broader acceptance of cosmetic enhancements and women are starting to view hair transplantation like they are face lifts and other cosmetic surgery enhancements,' she said. 'Women are seeking them out proactively and preemptively. There's more discussion between women about them where friends are talking to other friends which just increases the overall discussion.' Rabach also explained that the conversation around hair has changed, too, especially on social media. 'I have personally seen a huge rise in women's hair transplants at my practice,' Dr. Rabach of Rabach Aesthetics told Daily Mail exclusively, as a before (top) and after (bottom) is seen here on one of her patients According to a survey published by the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery in October, the percentage of female hair restoration patients treated in 2024 increased by 16.5 percent from 2021, as a before (top) and after (bottom) is seen on one of Dr. Rabach's patients She said that many are now talking about the problems related to hair loss and thinning - like hair supplements, hair loss after taking GLP-1 medications, and hair loss around perimenopause and menopause. 'Women are becoming aware that hair thinning, and pattern loss is not only a discussion for men, but has become a normal discussion for women as well,' Rabach said. 'In addition and most importantly very advanced techniques have made hair transplantation for women a game changer,' she continued. 'For example we now extract the donor hair in a scarless way. Tiny individual hair are removed from the back of the scalp using a tiny punch tool,' she explained. 'There's no linear scar a faster recovery and they can wear almost every hairstyle with it without anyone knowing they had it.' Traditionally, hair transplants would see patients shaving the 'donor' area, which is typically the back or sides of the scalp. But now, thanks to modern technology, some techniques, like the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) don't require shaving. 'The long hair FUE technique also allows for women to leave their entire head with long hair so that the donor site hair extraction is completely undetectable,' Dr. Rabach told Daily Mail. But now, thanks to modern technology, some techniques, like the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) don't require shaving, as another one of Dr. Rabach's patients is seen here with a before (left) and after (right) 'Women are becoming aware that hair thinning, and pattern loss is not only a discussion for men, but has become a normal discussion for women as well,' Rabach said 'In the past the most common method was FUT, which shaves the back of the head, and shaves the top of the head to place the grafts,' she said. 'For women with long hair, shaving the head at all would mean a very long recovery and a very detectable procedure.' But Rabach isn't the only doctor who has seen an increase in female hair transplants in her practice. Manchester-based Dr. Aziz Elgindi has seen a rise in women's hair transplants, too, from all the way across the pond. 'I perform a lot of FUT (Follicular Unit Transplantation) hair transplants for women as this method suits most as it doesn't require shaving of the donor are (back and sides of the head),' Dr. Elgindi of Harley Street Hair Transplant Clinics told Daily Mail exclusively. Dr. Elgindi said that in his experience, one of the reasons why people get hair transplants is so that they can 'feel better' and 'more confident' in themselves. He also shared that hair transplants can provide a more youthful-looking appearance for patients. It's a same-day procedure, too, meaning that patients leave just a few hours later. 'For women with really long hair, we do a procedure called a no shave follicular unit extraction,' Rabach told Daily Mail, as a before (top) and after (bottom) is seen on one of her patients In Rabach's office, she says that a female hair transplant typically takes anywhere from six to eight hours. Patients will typically come in after eating breakfast, Rabach said, and then are given an oral medication that will help them relax. 'For women with really long hair, we do a procedure called a no shave follicular unit extraction,' Rabach told Daily Mail. 'In this procedure, tiny areas about the width of a pinky finger are shaved in rows with long hair in between,' she shared. 'The area where the hair will be extracted from is cleaned and numbed with local numbing medication. This is the only part of the procedure that may be a little uncomfortable,' she continued, adding that if patients are in pain, she will also offer them Pro-Nox, a type of laughing gas. After that, 'hair is meticulously extracted in those short areas leaving leaving normal hair in between.' 'Extracted graphs are examined and sorted under the microscope,' Rabach said. 'We look at the number of hairs in the quality and thickness, and then we choose, which hairs are for the very top of the hairline, and which we use for greater density to ensure that the grass are placed in the most aesthetically pleasing way.' 'Then, the hair that's been extracted gets grafted to the front of the scalp, where hair density needs to be 'maintained.' 'We are able to place the hair with the correct angle direction and density, and with a pattern matching the normal hair so that the grafted hairs look completely normal and natural,' Rabach said. However, it can take up to one year to have all of the hair from the transplant fully grow in. Rabach made it clear that hair transplants can also be done for other areas of the skin - like 'beards, eyebrows eyelashes or other cosmetic or reconstructive reasons.' 'Many people also get corrective hair procedures to fix over plugged eyebrows, to increase density after prior failed medical treatment, to correct old hair transplant techniques that look unnatural or don't take into consideration that further hair thinning occurs,' she said. It's not something to be scared of, either - and you may be back at work sooner than you think. 'I think patients are mostly surprised how quickly they bounced back from the surgery. And how comfortable the overall surgery is,' Rabach explained. 'The recovery time is really quick with the extraction sites usually healing within a week. Redness healing within one to three weeks and a final result after a year.' READ MORE: Meghan Markle teases 'something big is coming' in new email The star has never spoken publicly about going under the knife or injections Iconic actress Meg Ryan has been lauded over the years for her stunningly youthful looks, especially as she's aged gracefully in the public eye. The star has never spoken publicly, nor confirmed or denied anything about going under the knife or receiving cosmetic injections, but some rumors have swirled as she's made various public appearances recently. Back in 2023, Ryan - who just turned 64 on November 19 - sparked surgery speculation after she stepped out to support her friend Michael J. Fox at a screening for his documentary, Still, in New York City, according to The New York Post. At the time, some fans even compared her looks to that of to Madonna. Her appearance at the 2025 Oscar Awards last Spring also had fans buzzing about her visage. Though Ryan has never addressed any possibility of plastic surgery publicly, it's hard to imagine what she may look like if she hadn't aged in the eyes of Hollywood. Now, new dramatic, computer-generated images have revealed the answer to that question. Artificial intelligence was told to analyze photos of the blonde beauty when she was younger and make a variety of predictions about what she should look like at age 64. Now, new dramatic, computer-generated images have revealed the answer to what Meg Ryan may have looked if she wasn't in the Hollywood microscope Artificial intelligence was told to analyze photos of the blonde beauty when she was younger and make a variety of predictions about what she should look like at age 64 The shocking images follow a 2023 interview the actress did with Glamour Magazine , as she seemingly responded to those plastic surgery rumors The results were drastically different from what she looks like now, as the computer-generated images showed her with wrinkles around her forehead and eyes, as well as graying hair. Daily Mail reached out to Ryan's rep for comment. The shocking images follow a 2023 interview the actress did with Glamour Magazine, as she seemingly responded to those plastic surgery rumors. The actress explained that she has learned to block out the chatter about her looks and even her relationships over the years. 'I can't pay attention to it. I just can't,' she told Glamour of the 'gossip culture' at the time. 'It's not worth it. Of course that would hurt someone's feelings, but there are so many more interesting things to think about. Meanness and hatred are just so stupid,' she explained. During the interview, she also shared her philosophy on aging and getting older in the public eye. 'There's a time in your teens and 20s where you're trying on personalities to figure out who you are, who to be,' the You've Got Mail actress explained at the time. During the 2023 interview, she also shared her philosophy on aging and getting older in the public eye, as she's also seen here at the Met Gala in 2024 Ryan is seen here in her hit movie, When Harry Met Sally, which premiered in 1989 Speculation comes as Ryan has seemingly made a return to the public eye after taking an eight-year break from acting, as she's seen here at the 2025 Oscar Awards 'I took a giant break because I felt like there's just so many other parts of my experience as a human being I wanted to develop,' Ryan told People in an October 2023 interview as she's seen here in You've Got Mail in 1998 'With age, you get to a place where you say what you mean without thinking about how it's going to land. You just say what you want,' she said. Plus, during a 2024 interview with The Times of London, Ryan also brushed off questions about plastic surgery speculation. 'Move on,' she said at the time. Speculation comes as Ryan has seemingly made a return to the public eye after taking an eight-year break from acting. 'I took a giant break because I felt like there's just so many other parts of my experience as a human being I wanted to develop,' Ryan told People in an October 2023 interview. Ryan has two children - one son, Jack Quaid, 33, whom she shares with ex Dennis Quaid, and daughter Daisy True Ryan, 21, who she adopted in 2006. 'It's nice to think of it as a job and not a lifestyle. And that is a great way of navigating it for me,' she said. No investment fund can completely immunise investors from a correction in stock markets, but there are some which provide a comfort blanket in the form of regular dividends. Such funds are badged as 'equity income' and deliver returns comprising a mix of income and (hopefully) capital gain. Most are either set up to invest across global stock markets or concentrate on dividend-friendly UK companies. Yet Far Eastern equity income funds are becoming increasingly popular, in response to the willingness of the region's leading companies to pay shareholders a decent dividend. Among them is London-listed Aberdeen Asian Income. Over the past five years, more than half of the return (57 per cent) that it has generated for investors has come from dividends. It has also increased annual income payments to shareholders for 16 years on the trot. The fund, valued at 360 million, paid shareholders dividends worth 14.43p in the last financial year ending December 31, 2024. This year it is on course to beat this figure. With one quarterly payment yet to be declared, it has already distributed 11.78p of income. To put these payments into perspective, the trust's share price is 2.56 and the annual dividend yield is an attractive 5.8 per cent. 'Income provides shareholders with a more stable investment journey,' says Isaac Thong who runs the fund from Aberdeen's offices in Singapore. 'It's a counter to market volatility and investment risk.' Like many investment experts, Thong is concerned that global stock markets could fall sharply if the share price bubble in the United States built around a concentrated number of companies leading the charge on artificial intelligence (AI) was to burst. Yet he believes the fund's portfolio, built around 54 stocks, is capable of withstanding the worst. 'Yes, we hold companies involved in AI,' he says, 'but they are the pick and shovels necessary for complex AI models to function.' He says these companies the likes of Accton, ASE and Quanta Computer in Taiwan and Samsung Electronics in South Korea currently trade at earnings multiples much lower than those for AI businesses in the US, such as Broadcom and Nvidia. In other words, their share prices are not as inflated, so would not fall as sharply if the bursting of the AI investment bubble caused global markets to correct. For companies to get into the Aberdeen fund, they must be paying shareholders a dividend. If at any time in the future they skipped a payment, Thong would disinvest unless it was the result of an unavoidable event such as an enforced lockdown in response to the return of an aggressive strain of Covid. 'The common portfolio thread is that all holdings are high-quality businesses run by great management,' he says. 'They create lots of cash, a big chunk of which is passed on to shareholders.' Thong took over at the fund's helm in June. Since then he's changed the portfolio's geographic shape, increasing exposure to Chinese and Indian companies while reducing positions in Singapore and Taiwan. He also increased the range of companies held to include those with extremely low or high annual dividend yields. The result is exposure to the likes of Chinese tech giant Tencent (with a yield below 1 per cent) and Bank Mandiri, listed in Indonesia with a yield just below 10 per cent. The fund's market ticker is AAIF and identification code is B0P6J83. Annual charges total 0.85 per cent. A leading British entrepreneur has cancelled 20million of investment as Rachel Reeves launches an inheritance tax raid on family firms. Steve Perez, the founder of Global Brands, the drinks company behind Hooch and VK, was planning to expand his plant at Clay Cross in Derbyshire and to build an extension and spa at the nearby Peak Edge Hotel in Chesterfield. The investments would have created nearly 100 jobs adding to the 400 he already employs. But the projects have been abandoned after the Chancellor announced plans to hit family firms with inheritance tax of 20 per cent from April next year. 'I have absolutely stopped investing in my business, because the more I invest the bigger the tax bill my family are going to have to pay,' said Perez, 68, who set up Global Brands in 1997. 'There are unemployed people here in Derbyshire who if it wasn't for this policy would be employed. We are not employing people and growing the business. The business is on ice.' Change of mind: Steve Perez is the founder of Global Brands, the company behind the alcoholic lemonade, Hooch He continued: 'The people they are hurting most are the working people. 'The Government just doesn't understand. It is impossible for us as a business to plan for the long term because we don't know how much the tax bill will be. But the better the business does, the larger the tax bill. 'They say they are going for growth. This is the absolute opposite. I'm not going to grow my business because the more I grow it the bigger the tax bill my family have got.' Perez is planning to leave the business to his son but fears the family could be landed with an inheritance tax bill of between 10million and 20million. That is because of reforms to so-called 'business property relief' (BPR) and 'agricultural property relief' (APR) announced in the Budget last year. The changes dubbed the 'family firm tax' and 'family farm tax' mean that from April 2026 any assets worth over 1million will be hit with death duties of 20 per cent. The move has triggered outrage among farmers who have driven convoys of tractors through central London in protest. Family firms are now also making their voices heard. Perez warns his family may not be able to afford the tax bill when he dies. 'So, the business will have to be sold,' he said. 'I haven't sold it because I am responsible to my employees and unfortunately the manufacturing and the business will be moved away from Chesterfield. I don't want my employees to be made redundant because a multinational has bought the business or my family has had to cut chunks out to pay a tax bill.' Perez urged the Chancellor to change tack in the Budget this week. 'This is a bigger problem for the working people than the millionaires who the government are trying to go after because it's their jobs and futures that are being put at risk,' he said. 'She should be honest and say she can see what has happened, which is growth has slowed and unemployment has gone up. What she needs to do is say: 'Actually, I've got it wrong.' 'Then we can get investing again and employment people again.' At kitchen tables up and down the country families are talking about the Budget, apprehensively waiting to see what the Chancellor announces. For farming families, up at 4am to milk the herd or out in all weathers checking their crops, the fear is not of what might come, but what they already know is in store. At the last Budget, farming communities were rocked by the Government's decision to tax estates when farmers die instead of letting them pass to the next generation. For many, it was the final straw. We see Britain's food story from both sides. One of us represents the farmers who grow and rear the nation's food. The other buys those products for millions of customers every week. And we've come together with one simple message for the Chancellor ahead of this week's Budget: think again on inheritance tax for Britain's family farms. Mowed down: Farmers protested against the tax changes over the summer Tax isn't the only problem farmers face. The weather is increasingly extreme, with this year's harvest hit by one of the driest springs in a century. Not to mention huge global instability, continuously high energy and fertiliser costs, and planning red tape that is holding back vital infrastructure such as reservoirs, greenhouses and barns. Against that backdrop, changes to inheritance tax have injected even more uncertainty and hammered confidence to the lowest levels ever recorded. Family farms might look wealthy on paper, but most of that value is tied up in land and buildings that are passed from generation to generation the value never actually hits their bank accounts. But now, when a loved one dies, the tax bill will need to be paid in hard cash. That's money most farms simply don't have. United we stand: Tom Bradshaw President Of The National Farmers' Union (above right) and Alex Freudmann Managing Director Of M&S Food It's an unacceptable position to put our elderly farmers in, particularly those who aren't expecting to live for the next seven years and have no ability to plan to prevent their children being saddled with crippling tax bills. Bills which would destroy the farm they've worked so hard to build. Even for those farms that might be able to scrabble together the cash to pay, it comes at the cost of vital investment in the food and farming sector worth 153 billion to the economy and providing 4.2 million jobs. Worse still, farmers could be forced to sell some or all of their business to pay, making many farms unviable for the future. Ultimately, these changes make it harder to get affordable, fresh food to families across the country. Why would we want to risk our food security in this way and make feeding ourselves so precarious? The Chancellor has options. Independent tax experts have proposed a common-sense safeguard: a 'minimum share rule'. Under this, if a farm makes up the majority of a family's estate, it would be protected from inheritance tax. If the 'farm' is just a token slice of a broader investment portfolio, it wouldn't be. That's fair. It enables genuine, working family farms to continue producing food for the nation, while ensuring tax reliefs aren't abused. And it could raise the same funds for the Treasury. A rare winwin. Chancellor, this is in your hands. Think again on inheritance tax. Save our family farms, safeguard our food security, and send a clear message that this country still backs the people who feed it. British steelmakers are warning of an 'existential threat' to the industry from looming EU trade tariffs next year. Bosses want urgent action from the Government as fears grow of a double whammy of a hit to the UK's biggest export market that would also threaten to divert cheap imports towards Britain. 'Thousands' of jobs are said to be at risk in the sector which employs 33,700 people unless ministers double down on negotiations with Brussels and bring in protection measures. The EU plans to halve its annual tariff-free steel import quota to 18 million tons next year, while doubling duty on excess imports from 25 to 50 per cent. This means exporting steel to the EU is likely to become more expensive for the UK, while cheap steel from other countries, notably China, will be driven to Britain which has lower trade barriers. Last week it was reported that the Government was mulling 'retaliatory' action against Brussels after its own assessment found the EU measures would have a 'significant impact' on UK steel producers. Ministers stress they are still trying to strike a deal. Concern: British steelmakers are warning of an 'existential threat' to the industry from looming EU trade tariffs next year But Gareth Stace, head of trade body UK Steel, warned Britain's 'hugely oversized' import quotas would be useless in stopping a flood of cheap imports as they are set at levels above market demand. He said replacement quotas, to be introduced next year, would have to be set low for types of steel that the UK produces in 'abundance', adding: 'We need the Government to come out strongly to protect the UK from this flood of what would be originating from China state-sponsored steel.' The plea comes as the Government seeks a buyer for British Steel, which runs the country's last blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, and Speciality Steels UK (SSUK). European firms are said to be considering bids for SSUK, which employs 1,500 staff, so they can access US markets with only 25 per cent tariffs against the 50 per cent Washington levies on the EU. A source close to one big steelmaker warned the EU trade barriers posed an 'existential threat' to UK industry but Stace added: 'That is almost an understatement. 'The EU accounts for 80 per cent of our exports. If we don't get a deal, most of our sector would be devastated. There would be job losses in the thousands. We are a sitting duck.' The issue is piling further pressure on the sector after the US this year U-turned on a deal not to levy tariffs on British steel imports. Bosses are becoming increasingly frustrated at the delay in Labour's steel strategy, setting out how 2.5 billion will be spent to support the industry up to 2029. Industry Minister Chris McDonald said the Government remained committed to 'a bright and sustainable future for steelmaking in the UK' and was 'determined to address the issues' facing the sector, with its Steel Strategy to be published 'later this year'. The chief executive of one of Britain's major business lenders has warned Rachel Reeves that a tax on banks would damage the UK's economic growth engine. Rishi Khosla, head of OakNorth, which provides loans to small firms often shunned by big banks, told The Mail on Sunday that a new levy on bank profits would leave them with 'less capital to lend' to growing firms. 'The UK already has one of the highest effective tax rates for banks in the developed world. 'If investors in British banks see continually lower returns here than elsewhere, they'll simply deploy their capital in other markets, leaving even less money to fund UK businesses and growth,' Khosla said. 'Less capital to spend': Rachel Reeves has been warned that a tax on banks would damage the UK's economic growth engine Banks were expected to be spared a new levy after Reeves indicated she wanted to protect the sector. But they were back in her sights last week with reports that Reeves was mulling a last-minute raid on their profits. Khosla also said the recent exodus of entrepreneurs should be a 'wake-up call' for Reeves not to impose more taxes, adding: 'We need to be doing everything we can to keep and attract them, not push them away.' Businesses are braced for a battering this week as the Chancellor lines up a string of tax rises for firms in her Budget. On November 25 last year, after her first Budget whacked up taxes on firms, Rachel Reeves told bosses at the Confederation of British Industry that she was 'not coming back with more borrowing and more taxes'. But firms look set to be squeezed again as the Chancellor struggles to fill a 30 billion hole in the nation's finances. Rises in the minimum wage and greater rights for workers have put employers, particularly in retail and hospitality, in a vice. Now a raid on workplace pension contributions by capping tax-free salary sacrifice is set to push up costs further. Companies that run large properties such as warehouses, shops and bars also stand to be hit with higher business rates. Squeezed: Businesses are braced for a battering as the Chancellor lines up a string of tax rises for firms in her Budget Gambling firms face a new betting tax and last week banks found themselves in the Chancellor's crosshairs as she mulls a windfall tax on their profits. Bosses have called for leniency from Reeves ahead of Wednesday's expected tax barrage. Shevaun Haviland, head of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 'Another rise in the tax burden on firms is the wrong choice.' She noted the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions in last year's Budget had hit confidence when firms were dealing with other broadsides such as Donald Trump's tariffs. Call for leniency: Shevaun Haviland 'Firms' backs are against the wall,' she said. 'The answer to Reeves' problem is to use the Budget to support them to grow.' Emma McClarkin at the British Beer and Pub Association said a repeat of last year's tax-raising would 'bury' the sector, adding: 'Reeves has a choice undo devastating and unsustainable tax burdens or oversee more job losses and closures.' UKHospitality chair Kate Nicholls said the Budget would be 'make or break' for high streets, adding: 'If the Government wants to get people back to work and revitalise high streets, it needs hospitality firing on all cylinders, not being taxed out.' Others warned the tax burden was discouraging entrepreneurs from setting up businesses. Jesse Wilson, head of beer brand Jubel, said: 'The juice is not worth the squeeze any more.' 'You run a huge risk starting a business and the potential rewards aren't there. The cost of employing people is really hard. It feels like a never-ending loop.' Family-owned firms called on the Chancellor to rethink capping inheritance tax relief on passing down firms. From April, there will be a 1 million limit on tax relief for business property. Nick Showering, whose 180-year-old family cider mill in Somerset is behind brands such as Babycham, said: 'Many families will have to sell or break up their companies often to the benefit of private equity or foreign buyers, who won't face this tax. Meanwhile Steve Hare, boss of FTSE 100 software giant Sage, told The Mail on Sunday businesses had voiced their frustrations to Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the incessant leaking of policy ideas, arguing 'it creates uncertainty'. He said: 'If politicians need to do things that balance the books they must stick to those choices.' The Daily Mail can today reveal the full list of military bases that could be retrofitted to house asylum seekers. Our map shows all 2,177 sites in Britain which could soon be commandeered by the Home Office to accommodate migrants as the government scrambles to move away from using hotels. As part of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to reform the 'broken' asylum system, the department is working with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to identify 'appropriate' military sites. But when asked by the Daily Mail, officials refused to narrow down or provide any clues about which sites could be targeted. So far, the Home Office has taken control of four military bases to house asylum seekers. However, officials say the Home Office is hoping to house as many as 10,000 asylum seekers on military sites, meaning it will need around a dozen more military sites. The constituencies with the most potential sites are Aldershot (37), East Wiltshire (35), Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber (32) and Richmond and Northallerton (25). Out of the 650 UK constituencies, 591 of them have at least one base. Your browser does not support iframes. The MoD does not routinely publish details about the locations of military bases, but the list was released in response to a parliamentary question last week. The four military bases currently in use are: MDP Wethersfield , a former RAF base in Essex, has housed asylum seekers since July 2023. It is located in a completely isolated area in the countryside, near the airfield. It has increased its housing stock by adding portacabins. Capacity: 1,245. , a former RAF base in Essex, has housed asylum seekers since July 2023. It is located in a completely isolated area in the countryside, near the airfield. It has increased its housing stock by adding portacabins. Capacity: 1,245. Napier Barracks , a former military base in the east of Folkestone, Kent. It has housed asylum seekers since September 2020 but is set to close in December. It was built in WW1 and was earmarked for demolition prior to its current use. Capacity: 328. , a former military base in the east of Folkestone, Kent. It has housed asylum seekers since September 2020 but is set to close in December. It was built in WW1 and was earmarked for demolition prior to its current use. Capacity: 328. Cameron Barracks in Inverness , Scottish Highlands. This Victorian-era housing is located on a hilltop on the east side of the city, within walking distance of the city centre. Since December 2023 it has been used to house Afghan resettlement families but is changing to asylum seekers for 12 months. Capacity: 300. , Scottish Highlands. This Victorian-era housing is located on a hilltop on the east side of the city, within walking distance of the city centre. Since December 2023 it has been used to house Afghan resettlement families but is changing to asylum seekers for 12 months. Capacity: 300. Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex. Located on the outskirts of the town, which has a population of 20,000, it was previously used to accommodate Afghan families evacuated in 2021. It will also be used to house asylum seekers for 12 months. Capacity: 540. The transition to military sites will have to be done quickly, as the Labour government has promised to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the end of the parliament in 2029. According to the latest figures, more than 32,000 asylum seekers out of a total 103,000 are languishing in expensive hotel accommodation. Their soaring use was criticised as 'squandering' billions of pounds in a recent damning report by the Home Affairs select committee. Shabana Mahmood is understood to be looking at a number of potential military bases the Home Office could commandeer to house asylum seekers MDP Wethersfield: A former RAF base in Essex, it has housed asylum seekers since July 2023 MDP Wethersfield: It has increased its housing stock by adding portacabins. Pictured: July 24, 2024 Napier Barracks: A former WW1 military base in the east of Folkestone, Kent. Pictured: June 2021 Cameron Barracks: This Victorian-era housing is located on a hilltop on the east side of Inverness, Scottish Highlands. Pictured: October 2025 Crowborough Training Camp: Located on the outskirts of the East Sussex town, it was previously used to accommodate Afghan families. Pictured: October 2025 MPs questioned why the government was putting the foreigners up in such extravagant accommodation, while many Brits are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The widespread use of asylum hotels, including luxurious buildings in desirable areas, has proven highly unpopular with the British public. Ms Mahmood's drastic policy change this week outlined that the government is aware that the nature of accommodation itself can be a 'pull factor' for the migrants. Its report said: 'Intelligence suggests that the prospect of a paid-for hotel bed is used to lure asylum seekers into small boats.' As an alternative, it said it will move to a 'large site' model, including military bases, for asylum accommodation, which have proved controversial in the past for having allegedly 'prison-like' conditions. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently told the BBC he told Home Office and MoD officials to 'go faster, go further' to locate appropriate military sites. But critics have rejected the plans, claiming that they allow the government to 'pretend' to do something about the problem. Robert Bates, research director at the Centre for Migration Control, told the Daily Mail: 'Using unfenced military bases, rather than hotels, allows the government to pretend that it is taking tough action but will do nothing to dissuade illegal migrants from crossing the channel. The widespread use of asylum hotels, including luxurious buildings in desirable areas, has proven very unpopular with the British public. Pictured: Protestors at the Bell Hotel in Epping in August 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Many of these sites are on the outskirts of small towns and villages and this move will have a huge cultural and societal impact on the areas. It is entirely inappropriate to damage small communities in this way. 'Military bases should only be used if illegal migrants are going to be detained. 'Allowing them to roam free in erstwhile undisturbed parts of the country will simply mean we see even more harrowing stories of crime being committed against British nationals.' Not much is known about the sites under consideration, but all four currently in use had some pre-built housing, as well as laundry facilities, communal spaces, faith and worship facilities. Last month, Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, confirmed that the government was also looking to build pre-fabricated, modular units to help increase capacity at some locations. The move comes as the costs of the Home Office accommodation contracts have more than tripled from 4.5bn in 2019 to 4.5bn in 2029. A bed at an asylum hotel costs 145 per person per night, compared to 109 at Napier Barracks in Kent or 132 at MDP Wethersfield in Essex. But the Home Affairs Committee report, which was published this month, stated that although the large sites are cheaper per night, they are actually pricier than hotels when the high cost of setting them up is factored in. Crowborough Training Camp: Workers preparing the site for asylum seekers. Pictured: October 2025 Crowborough Training Camp: Inside one the rooms set to be occupied by asylum seekers. Pictured: October 2025 Crowborough, East Sussex: Protestors hold placards and march through the town centre over plans to house 600 male asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp. Pictured: Sunday, November 16 Nevertheless, the Home Office has said 'lessons have been learned' from their inherited acquisitions of large sites under the previous Tory government, and it will use this information to 'inform its future accommodation procurement'. Downing Street has so far indicated that some higher costs of moving asylum seekers from hotels into military sites would be worthwhile because the issue has become 'an issue of public confidence'. Several European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands, already use a large site strategy for dealing with their asylum seekers. The change to large sites shows that Labour has made yet another major U-turn, having previously criticised the Conservative government over the practice. Within weeks of coming to power, they scrapped housing them in the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, and also abandoned plans to turn RAF Scampton, the former Dambusters base in Lincolnshire, into asylum accommodation. Sir Keir initially pledged to end asylum housing at RAF Wethersfield but he has since changed his mind and it has been expanded to accommodate more migrants. Ms Mahmood is understood to believe the bigger sites offer a way to end the use of asylum hotels, and could act as a deterrent due to their less appealing nature. The Home Office believes the large sites will also 'reduce the impact on communities'. But when it announced last month that asylum seekers would soon be getting housed at Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex, there was a predictable public backlash. Inverness city centre: Locals gathered on Saturday, November 15, to protest over the plans for Cameron Barracks RAF Scampton, pictured, the base from which the Dambusters mission was launched in World War II, is a possibility for housing migrants What is an asylum seeker? Asylum is protection given by a country to someone fleeing from persecution in their own country. An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for asylum and is awaiting a decision on whether they will be granted refugee status. An asylum applicant who does not qualify for refugee status may still be granted leave to remain in the UK for humanitarian or other reasons. An asylum seeker whose application is refused at initial decision may appeal the decision through an appeal process and, if successful, may be granted leave to remain. Advertisement Both sites have seen widespread public protests and political opposition from local politicians concerned for their safety. Luke Pollard, the defence minister, said last month that if the 'proof of concept 'is achieved with the two sites in Inverness and East Sussex, more could follow. The largest site currently in use is the MDP Wethersfield, a former RAF base in Essex. The High Court was told in 2024 that it was like a 'prison' - after three migrants brought a case against a former home secretary describing tensions and outbreaks of violence within its walls. Due to its isolated location, migrants have to take a shuttle bus service to reach any of the three nearby towns, which run seven days a week, 365 days a year. In the past, the MoD has been criticised for long-standing problems in maintaining their homes, with issues such as damp, mould, heating and hot water reported. Alp Mehmet, of Migration Watch UK, told the Mail: 'If asylum seekers are to be moved from hotels and multiple-occupancy housing to suitably adapted military camps in remote locations, there must be adequate policing and no question of a bus or taxi service to the nearest town or village. 'Under current law and rules, those placed in such accommodation must be free to come and go as they please. This practice should end, as should the provision of additional financial support (50 per week). MDP Wethersfield: One of the bedrooms at the site before the asylum seekers moved in. Pictured: July 2023 MDP Wethersfield: The dining room and canteen before the asylum seekers moved in MDP Wethersfield: The Briefing Centre where migrants are processed Your browser does not support iframes. 'However, these changes will only be possible once we are no longer bound by the ECHR and the Human Rights Act. The sooner we give notice to leave the former and repeal the latter, the sooner we can address the problem.' This month, the Daily Mail revealed that further plans have been drawn up to send small boat migrants to six military bases around the country. The bases include two sites in Norfolk, West Tofts and Wretham; Knook Camp in Wiltshire; Brunswick Camp in Surrey; Warcop in Cumbria; and Castlemartin in Pembrokeshire. All the sites have been upgraded since 2020 and would be able to accept migrants immediately, defence sources have confirmed. West Tofts and Wretham are located in a desirable part of south Norfolk, near the English Heritage prehistoric site Grime's Graves. Knook Camp is four miles from the market town of Warminster, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Brunswick Camp is on the outskirts of Woking in the Surrey commuter belt, Warcop training camp lies on the edge of the Pennines and Castlemartin is just a few miles from sandy beaches in Pembrokeshire. The government is also understood to be reconsidering the use of Linton and Catterick Garrison in Rishi Sunak's constituency in North Yorkshire, although it is unclear how advanced the plans are, according to The Telegraph. Your browser does not support iframes. Despite the Home Office insisting that all of its military sites are strict 'no alcohol zones' with 24/7 security, the safety of nearby residents has been a major concern. Locals in Crowborough said they have already installed panic alarms in their homes amid safety fears, while raising concerns about the 600 migrants registering with GPs in the county, with some already struggling to book appointments. Areas which have a large asylum seeker population have previously seen an apparent uptick in crimes being committed. In Bournemouth, which has three hotels designated for them, there have been so many offences that some in the town have even started up so-called 'vigilante' groups to patrol the streets at night. But Ms Mahmood has bullishly continued with her proposals, which have been described as the biggest change in asylum policy for a generation. Inspired by Denmark's crackdown, the plans will quadruple the length of time asylum seekers wait for permanent settlement to 20 years. There will be reviews of refugee status every 30 months, with people returned if their home countries have become safe. Other changes mooted include weakening the right to a family life under the European Convention on Human Rights and restricting the number of appeals allowed against refusals for asylum. The Home Office has also announced a ban on visas from three African countries Angola, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo if they do not co-operate more on the removal of illegal migrants. The Home Office released details of the new plan in a 33-page document on Monday, November 17 Green deputy leader Rachel Millward is leading opposition to the housing of 600 asylum seekers in her local area at Crowborough Training Camp - despite her party's vow to 'welcome' migrants However, Ms Mahmood's 'moral mission' is facing massive resistance from Labour MPs, who accused her of trying to ape Reform's hardline policies. And when the new military sites are identified, there will undoubtedly be opposition from local residents. Even those who have in the past talked about vowing to 'welcome' migrants, such as Green deputy leader Rachel Millward, seemed to change their tune when it was announced that hundreds of asylum seekers would be coming to their constituency. Last week, she said her 'strong objection' to the use of Crowborough training camp for housing migrants was based on 'safety' fears for both locals and asylum seekers themselves. She added that 'quite clearly accommodating 600 men on one site with no right to work brings significant risks'. Immigration expert Mr Bates added: 'Local Lib Dem and Green Party politicians are in for a rude awakening when the areas they represent are transformed overnight by the sudden introduction of dozens of young men. 'Perhaps this collision with reality will cause them to drop the open border fantasies that they love to parrot on the national stage.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels in this country. 'This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country. 'We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery.' News / Religion by Edson Mapani and Simbarashe Sithole HARARE Religious ZANU-PF affiliate Masowe for Economic Development (Masowe4ED) has joined the nation in mourning the passing of Archbishop Paul Mwazha, the revered leader and founder of the Apostolic African Church (AAC), who died at the age of 107. In a heartfelt statement, Masowe4ED chairperson and leader of the Graspa Johane Masowe sect, Mr Onwell Vengesai (Madzibaba Terbnage), described Mwazha as a towering figure whose vision and teachings will continue to guide apostolic believers for generations.It is with deep sorrow and reverence that Masowe4ED acknowledges the passing on of Archbishop Paul Mwazha of the Apostolic African Church (AAC), a towering figure in the history of apostolic faith and one of the most enduring pioneers of the white garment tradition in Zimbabwe. His departure marks the end of an era, yet his vision and teaching will continue to illuminate the path of Apostolic for generations to come, the statement read.Masowe4ED noted that Mwazhas life was anchored on faith, discipline, and cultural identity, fostering unity among believers. His establishment of the AAC and commitment to the white garment dress code gave apostolic followers a distinct identity and spiritual cohesion.The organisation further highlighted that Mwazhas ideological grounding upheld virtues of humility, purity, and communal worship, laying the foundation for other white garment movements such as Johane Masowe, which transcended denominational boundaries.Through his leadership, Mwazhas apostolic churches preserved tsika dzeChipostorithe dignity, customs, and moral discipline that define the Vapostori way of life. His teachings emphasised respect for tradition, unity among believers, and the sanctity of spiritual service. These values remain central to the identity of Apostolic churches today and will continue to reinforce the beliefs of the white garment faithful, Masowe4ED said.Mwazhas passing has been described as the end of an era for apostolic Christianity in Zimbabwe, with his legacy expected to endure through the communities he inspired. It was an ordinary Wednesday morning in October when Amy Gray took her dog Reggie for a run on their usual route. It was something they did every week - a short break from her busy schedule caring for her five young children and training as a nurse. But unimaginable tragedy struck when Amy, 42, and her pet were struck down and killed by a Land Rover while crossing the road on the busy A8 in Port Glasgow. Emergency services rushed to her aid but the mother - whose youngest child turned one in July - died at the scene. As investigations take place into the cause of the crash on October 29, Amy's grieving family are left with the agonising thought that just a few seconds could have changed everything. Her brother-in-law Daniel Hagen, who was very close to Amy, told the Daily Mail: 'Had she forgotten her phone or her fit bit or anything, that could have made a difference. That's the hardest part. 'She was on her morning run. She was very fit, and that was her usual route. 'I believe it was just a series of unfortunate events. Everything that could have gone wrong that day did. A few seconds either way and Amy would still be with us. It was a proper case of wrong place, wrong time.' Amy Gray, 42, and her dog Reggie (pictured) died after being hit by a Land Rover on their morning run in October Amy was survived by her younger sister Emma (left, pictured with their father Ian) and both parents Amy had two young children with her partner David and a nine-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, while her partner also had two more children Mr Hagen, who is married to Amy's younger sister Emma, described his sister-in-law as 'the best kind of person' who could 'make things funny with her laugh'. 'Amy was the best kind of person. Not just because she's gone, it really is true,' he said. 'Amy was just lovely - everyone loved her, because she was so nice and kind. She really loved everyone; everyone she met she could see something in them that was worth getting to know.' He added: 'She was so happy, smiley, funny, and she could make things even funnier than they were meant to be. She could make them funny with her laugh. 'She'd go over things in her mind and she'd just burst out laughing, and it would have everyone else laughing. Her laugh was so loud and that was funny itself.' Mr Hagen recalled the morning of the tragic crash, saying he'd gone to the gym in the morning - somewhere Amy often went with him - before heading to work. He was driving at around 7.30am when he noticed lots of cars travelling towards him, despite being on a quiet street away from the main road. 'As I was driving to work there were lots of cars coming towards me, and I'm thinking ah, something has happened on the main road,' he said. 'I never in my wildest dreams would have thought Amy was the reason for the diversion.' Amy, who had just started nursing at university, is pictured with one of her young children Amy and her long-term partner David shared five children between them Amy, pictured with her family, was described as 'the best kind of person' by her brother-in-law Amy, described as 'so nice and kind', is pictured with her daughter The mother is pictured holding a birthday cake surrounded by children He then received a call from his wife that something 'really bad' had happened, and that he needed to leave work. 'I'm just standing by the phone waiting and that was when Emma called me, and told me Amy had passed away. I said did I hear that correctly, there must be a mistake or something.' Mr Hagen explained Amy and her partner David shared five children between them -Bethany, Harrison, Ava, Torin and Lucy. Amy had a nine-year-old daughter from a previous relationship while David had two, and they had two young children - aged two and one - together. The family have been forced to set up a GoFundMe to help support David and the five children, which has so far raised more than 56,000. Generous strangers have donated to the fund, having been moved by the tragedy, including what appears to be a 5,000 donation from author Leigh Rivers. Mr Hagen said Amy just recently started nursing at university, and had just been given her placement the day before. 'They gave her her first placement on the Isle of Tiree, which is an eight and a half hour journey from her house, so that was her last big drama the day before. She was panicking, saying I can't go to the Isle of Tiree,' he said. 'My wife's response was to laugh and she was saying it's not funny, but they sorted it out that night. That was just the kind of drama that made Amy funny. I think that was the last thing Amy and I had spoken about.' A funeral service to celebrate Amy's life was held at Greenock Crematorium on Saturday, November 15. The Daily Mail has contacted Police Scotland for comment. Sixty-two years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as thousands of supporters watched his motorcade pass through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas. It's an event so thoroughly etched into the collective American psyche that even people who were born decades after November 22, 1963, have a vivid understanding of what happened that day. Kennedy's death put a brutal end to the tenure of the youngest person ever elected to the world's most powerful office, a tragedy that retraumatized a nation that hadn't dealt with a presidential assassination since William McKinley was killed in 1901. After the two attempts on Donald Trump's life last year - one of which involved a bullet grazing his ear during a campaign rally - Americans have once again been served the uncomfortable reminder that presidents, even with their Secret Service protection, are vulnerable to attacks. The effects of the Kennedy assassination reverberated long after the day it happened. From then on, people were much more willing to entertain conspiracy theories thanks to widespread skepticism over the 'single bullet theory' and inconsistences with Kennedy's autopsy. There's also the fact that just 29 percent of Americans believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, according to a 2023 Gallup poll. Sixty-five percent believe there was a conspiracy involved. What made Kennedy's murder different from McKinley's, James A. Garfield's and Abraham Lincoln's, was that there were high-definition photos capturing the moments before, during and after the two bullets struck. Pictures taken by reporters and bystanders show a startling juxtaposition that day. Jubilant crowds welcomed the 35th president one second, and the next, panicked throngs dove to the ground as First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy cradled the mangled head of her husband. President John F. Kennedy smiles at the crowd that had gathered along the presidential motorcade route in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963 There were up to 200,000 people who came out to see Kennedy pass by that day. It was a Friday First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was in the limousine seated to her husband's left Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, were seated in the middle row of the dark blue, modified 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible. In the front row were two Secret Service agents Kennedy's head slumps over after he is shot. Jackie Kennedy can be seen trying to help him A news crew tries to capture the assassination while a couple and their toddler get down as the shots ring out The view from the sixth floor window of the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas, from which Lee Harvey Oswald is believed to have assassinated Kennedy Kennedy was in Texas with his wife and Vice President Lyndon B Johnson the day of his assassination and the day prior to shore up support among Democrats in the state ahead of the 1964 election. On November 21, he visited San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth. The next morning, he took a short flight to Dallas, landing in Love Field. Kennedy greeted his supporters and departed from the airport in his open-top limousine at 11.55am. Seated to his left was the first lady, his wife of 10 years. In front of him, in the second row sat Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie. And in the very front of the vehicle were two Secret Service agents. The dark blue, modified 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible was headed for the Dallas Trade Mart, where Kennedy was slated to give a speech focused on how America was in the strongest position it had ever been on the world stage. At around 12.30pm, the motorcade turned onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy was shot twice in quick succession. One of the bullets also struck Governor Connally. Right before he was shot, Nellie Connally referenced the people cheering for Kennedy and said to him: 'Well, Mr. President, you can't say there aren't some people in Dallas who love you.' According to the Warren Commission, three shots were fired in total. The first bullet missed, while the second struck Kennedy near the base of the back of his neck and exited out of the front of his neck. The third bullet entered the back of his head on the right and exited out the same side, causing the massive wound that ultimately killed him. Secret Service Agent Clint Hill is seen jumping onto the presidential limousine to protect the president and the first lady. He later testify that Jackie Kennedy reached for bits of her husband's skull that were on lying on the trunk Another family is seen dropping to the ground after shots were fired at Dealey Plaza The limousine with Kennedy and Governor Connally, both of whom were struck with gunfire, speeds off to Parkland Memorial Hospital The shirt worn by John F. Kennedy on the day he was assassinated is seen covered in blood A man standing on the corner of 125th St. in Harlem reads the latest edition of the New York Post, which reported the news of the Kennedy's death Lee Harvey Oswald is arrested by Dallas police officers roughly 45 minutes after shooting Kennedy. He also murdered Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit, who recognized him A Dallas policeman holds up the rifle used to kill Kennedy Secret Service Agent Clint Hill was on the running board of the car immediately behind Kennedy's limousine and was seen diving onto it to protect the president after the first shot was fired. Hill later testified in front of Congress that he heard the next shot before he got to the president. He also recalled Jackie Kennedy climbing into the trunk to reach for a piece of the president's skull that had been blown off. Jackie Kennedy later said she had no memory of this. Governor Connally and his wife both said they remembered her saying: 'They have killed my husband. I have his brains in my hand.' The president's car immediately sped out of Dealey Plaza and rushed to Parkland Memorial Hospital. At 12.38pm, eight minutes after he was shot, Kennedy arrived at the emergency room. Dr Kenneth Salyer, a 27-year-old resident at the hospital, told CBS News in 2013 that Kennedy was still breathing when he got there. 'It's sort of agonal, labored, close-to-your-last sort of breaths. But he still was breathing,' Salyer said. Doctors tried to save him, but those who were there said there was nothing that could be done to keep him alive, given the damage to his head. Oswald is carried into an ambulance on November 24, 1963. He was shot by Jack Ruby just two days after the Kennedy assassination The funeral procession for Kennedy in front of the Capitol Building on November 25, 1963, three days after he was killed Jacqueline and Caroline Kennedy, wife and daughter of Kennedy, kneel at his coffin Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1pm and by 2pm, Jackie Kennedy was escorting his remains to Air Force One. Oswald was arrested about 45 minutes after Kennedy was shot. The 24-year-old ex-Marine had killed Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit, who stopped him on the street because he resembled the suspect description. Two days later, on November 24, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby as he was being escorted to the county jail by police officers. Kennedy had a state funeral on November 25. More than 250,000 people walked past his American flag-draped coffin as it lay in the Capitol Rotunda. A 14-year-old girl was allegedly kept locked in her bedroom with surveillance cameras and starved for at least two years by her morbidly obese family who ordered 'multiple daily grocery deliveries.' The youngster weighed just 35lbs and was on the brink of death when police found her at home in Wisconsin after a 911 call from her father. She was taken to hospital where she told staff she believed the last time she had gone outside the home was when she was either ten or 12 years old, according to a criminal complaint viewed by the Daily Mail. Police arrested four people, including the teenager's father, Walter Goodman, 47, on multiple counts of chronic neglect of a child. His wife, Melissa, 50, and daughter, Savanna LeFever, 29, as well as LeFever's partner Kayla Stemler, 27, were all living at the Green Earth Trailer Court in Oneida with the victim and are facing the same charges. Officers discovered the teenage girl in critical condition on August 21 after Walter called 911 to report that his daughter, whom he claimed was autistic, was almost comatose and had not eaten in days, according to the criminal complaint. The girl was allegedly given limited bathroom access and forced to sleep on the floor. She was not allowed to speak, and if she did, it was to a camera that was set up in her locked bedroom, according to the filing. The cameras would allegedly monitor the girl like Big Brother. Text messages revealed in the document showed the suspects told each other to 'only give her water at specific times,' and that 'she is not to be out of her room at all.' As well as other messages between each other that said to take the girl's mattress from her. A photo of a pair of seemingly loving parents before Walter, left, and Melissa Goodman, right, faced multiple counts of chronic neglect of a child The girl told police that she had not been outside the home at the Green Earth Trailer Court in Oneida for at least two years Walter, 47, has been charged with multiple counts of chronic neglect of a child The cops who first arrived at the scene noted that the girl's bones were very prominent and that she looked as if she were six or eight years old. Walter claimed to the responding officers that the victim didn't like to eat and she had not been seen by a doctor in a year and a half because the last time they went, the medic acted 'weird', according to the document. Her father told one of the cops that he put a bucket in his daughter's room because she was throwing up and mentioned he had a camera watching her because she had a history of self-abuse. When officers asked where her mother was, Walter responded: 'She's a wh*re.' Melissa is not the mother of the victim. The Goodmans's young son, who had lymphoma, posted several times online praising the duo for their love and support. He noted on Facebook that his parents stood by his side and supported him during his battle with cancer. In a November 2023 post he wrote: 'Heres a happy happy birthday to my mother Melissa Goodman, because without you, I wouldnt be here. 'Youve helped me through so much in my life and I cannot thank you enough for that. Through ups and downs and highs and lows you have been by my side and Ive been by yours. 'Together we are unstoppable! So lets celebrate today like theres no tomorrow. Love you mom.' And in an August 2024 post, he said: 'Happy birthday dad. From everything thats happened, u have stuck with us. That I cant thank you enough for. 'We all love you (even tho sometimes u are a little annoying lol). But I love you so much, and I hope you have many more to come.' Melissa, 50, Walter's wife, was placed into custody on the same charges as her husband Savanna LeFever, 29, is Melissa's daughter and has also been charged Pam Medina, a neighbor from across the street, told NBC 26 about the girl's condition when authorities arrived: 'I remember they carried her out she looked very small her head just kind of fell to the side. I didn't even know a child lived there.' Medina noted that she would watch multiple grocery deliveries go to the house daily. 'If I'd known that, I would have been beating them girls up. I'd go all the way in there just to pull her out,' she added. The girl was taken to St Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, where nurses said she was suffering from pressure sores, a massive bruise on the right side of her forehead, weighed 35lbs, and was also hypothermic. Medical staff diagnosed the teenager with severe malnutrition. She also had signs of multiorgan dysfunction, including acute respiratory failure, cardiac dysfunction, severe acute hepatitis, pancreatitis, coagulopathy, hypothermia, hypoglycemia and electrolyte derangements, according to the complaint. Feeding tubes had to be administered to the girl until she was able to eat on her own. On August 25, her condition improved, and she began to communicate with medical staff by writing on a piece of paper. Nurses said she wrote: 'I'm hungry,' 'I need a snack,' 'Can I watch TV?' 'I need to poop' and 'I can't breathe.' She wrote three different times asking when she could eat. Kayla Stemler, 27, LeFever's partner, was also with the victim and faces the same charges During police interviews, the victim said that she still had love for her family members. LeFever is pictured in police custody According to the complaint, about a week later, the victim tried chocolate pudding and asked for another. While eating the second, the girl said: 'My dad will be so mad.' When asked what he would be mad about, she is said to have replied: 'He doesn't like when I eat this much.' And when staff told her she would be having three meals a day, her eyes lit up, and she asked for food like pancakes, M&Ms, tacos and also stated she was looking forward to having vegetables. When she was first taken to the hospital, her father said that she ate three meals per day and snacks, would sometimes vomit due to eating too fast, needed to be monitored while eating, and would sometimes refuse meals due to her 'autism' diagnosis, according to the document. As an occupational therapist was evaluating the victim, they asked her how often she would bathe, to which she replied: 'Whenever they would let me,' she added, 'maybe weekly or monthly, I don't really know.' The girl also lacked a lot of basic skills and knowledge. She needed help pressing the sink buttons because of her limited strength. When the staff offered her deodorant, she said she didn't know what it was. She also noted that she didn't remember how long it had been since she'd been able to lift her arms all the way up. The girl also added that sometime before being hospitalized, she was no longer able to get to the bathroom on her own, and that she needed to push herself up on furniture and hold onto objects and was no longer able to get up and walk, as noted in the complaint. Stemler during a court appearance. A neighbor said she would see regular grocery deliveries to the home Walter is expected to return to court in the coming weeks Julie DuQuaine, Outagamie County assistant district attorney, said to Fox 11 News: 'She has now since been released from the hospital and is gaining weight and doing better. 'I was able to observe photographs of her, and she looked like a skeleton. She was just literally skin and bones at 35 pounds.' DuQuaine added that the victim was neglected for several years and has not been in school since COVID. The outlet spoke to the victim's grandparents, who said they saw their granddaughter recently and she has gained weight, grown, and was 'doing well.' Despite the years of alleged abuse, the girl reportedly still said during a police interview that she had love for her family, but also no longer wanted to be locked in her room or be monitored with a camera. The arrests came on November 10. Walter, LeFever, and Stemler are expected to return to court in the coming weeks. Melissa's initial appearance was held on November 13. The Daily Mail has reached out to LeFever, Stemler and the Goodmans for comment. Parents in one of Manhattan's richest ZIP codes are at a breaking point. Mothers are whispering about danger, arguing in private Facebook forums and wondering aloud whether the city they built their lives around is slipping toward the chaos they thought had been left behind. Now, they are going to war with each other. What began as a handful of rattled posts has spiraled into a full-blown panic inside the Upper East Side's biggest mom groups. Members are threatening to flee, families are turning on each other and lifelong New Yorkers are admitting, often for the first time, that they no longer feel safe in the place they once called home - and it's all because Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani was elected as the new mayor. The mayoral vote in the neighborhood - the home of Gossip Girl and where houses cost an average of $1.6million - was so divisive that one side of a street would vote for Mamdani, and the other would vote for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Inside the closed Facebook groups Moms of the Upper East Side (MUES) and UES Mommas, with a combined membership of nearly 80,000 parents, the arguments have become so fierce that some say they barely recognize the community they once relied on. Threads have exploded into all-out brawls over safety, policing, taxes and whether their children should be taking the subway. Longtime friendships have fractured, and moderators have pleaded for calm as feeds fill up with posts from parents accusing each other of overreacting, fearmongering or refusing to face what they believe is a brewing crisis. Upper East Side mom and single mother Robin Reiter (pictured), 49, has a 13-year-old son and has lived in New York for the last 23 years. She is an active member of both MUES and UES Mommas Facebook groups The actions of some prompted the groups' moderators to create 'Anonymous Posting Rules' that stated: 'You may not attack or threaten other members while anonymous (or ever.)' Robin Reiter, 49, an Upper East Side mom and active member of both Facebook groups, told the Daily Mail that an article in New York Magazine poured gasoline on the fire by portraying the mothers as hysterical after Mamdani won the election. Many Upper East Side residents voted for Andrew Cuomo, partly because he positioned himself as supporting Israel and partly because of his tough-on-crime agenda. Still, despite Cuomo's potential for a comeback, Mamdani won by a margin of 181,056 votes. New York Magazine highlighted the explosive reaction from the Cuomo supporters, with some moms expressing fear and shock over Mamdani's socialist and progressive views. In contrast, others in the group hit back, labelling some of the moms as racist and Islamophobic. In the comments section under the New York Magazine story, one reader expressed how they love 'when useless, obnoxious rich people get their panties in a bunch.' They went on to say that 'these are people who are far more worried about their status and what it says about them than the actual raising of their children. They have nannies for that.' Also in the comments section, a reader who identified herself as 'another Jewish mother' accused Reiter of 'bigotry' and 'fear mongering,' and then told her, 'as a mother, you should be ashamed of yourself.' 'There is no antisemitism,' the woman wrote. 'Not supporting the state of Israel is not antisemitic. Your quoted statements that Mamdani wants Jews dead are totally delusional, and your message here is disingenuous.' What began as a handful of rattled posts has spiraled into a full-blown panic inside the Upper East Side's biggest mom groups Pictured: Some of the backlash Reiter received after expressing her concerns about some of Mamadani's policies She told the Daily Mail she felt that she was 'reduced to a zip code' and people were not hearing what she was saying Reiter said she has a 'thick skin' but was very 'sad' with the responses that were posted Reiter told the Daily Mail the piece was not an accurate portrayal of the community. 'Many felt that they were misrepresented as this kind of privileged, catty group of whiny complainers, like, "Oh my gosh, you're going to have to give up your nannies," and, "Oh my gosh, you're going to have to give up your six-bedroom apartments," and that's really not what it is at all. 'I'm a single mom who works very long hours to pay for my kid, so [that] I could live here because it is a safe neighborhood and it has great schools.' Reiter, who is Jewish, said the collective fear of anti-Semitism and Mamdani's socialist and progressive views is not a meltdown or hysteria. 'We're moms who are generally afraid for what's going to happen.' Reiter said the infighting and chaos broke out in the Facebook group after Mamdani's win, but added that most backlash came from the public after the New York Magazine piece. Though she describes herself as having a 'pretty thick skin,' she said she found the overall responses 'sad.' 'I was reduced to a zip code instead of what I was saying,' she told the Daily Mail. 'It's honestly unbelievable that speaking openly about the rise of anti-Semitism in New York - something very real, very visible, and very frightening - had led to strangers calling me "privileged," "racist" and "Islamophobic."' In October 2023 - the month of the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas - the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force recorded a 214 percent increase in anti-Jewish incidents compared to the same month in 2022 (69 and 22 incidents, respectively). Reiter told the Daily Mail she has 'seen a dramatic rise in antisemitism... This neighborhood is really targeted heavily, and we're afraid. We have kids here and it's a scary time for us.' Reiter said 'None of [the backlash] reflects what I actually said. It reflects people's need to shove me into whatever caricature makes it easier for them to ignore the issue. Reducing me to a zip code is not activism - it's cowardice.' She said that anyone who disagrees with her perspective is welcome to 'debate my words.' But, she added, 'attacking my neighborhood, my character and my motives only proves the point: This city has become so toxic that people would rather weaponize labels than face reality. 'Imagine being more outraged by my apartment than by anti-Semitism. That tells me everything I need to know.' Their fears were sparked by the city's newly elected leadership and what many mothers in the community believe will be a return to the '80s - a dangerous era in New York when the crack epidemic surged and violent crimes and homelessness were rampant. One of Mamdani's proposals is the creation of a Department of Community Safety - a preventative approach to addressing many of the public safety issues facing New Yorkers - aimed at 'fill[ing] the gaps' of existing services. However, the proposals haven't made Reiter, who has lived in the city for the last 23 years, feel any safer. Instead, they have caused her to consider moving away from the life she has built for herself and her 13-year-old son. 'My son has a great group of friends [in NYC], and I have a successful business, and it's heartbreaking to feel like I have to leave, even when I don't want to leave,' she told the Daily Mail. Her son travels on public transportation, and will begin taking the subway by himself next year when he starts high school. She said talk of replacing police officers with social workers in some situations is alarming. During the Democratic mayoral primary on June 24, Reiter said she and a friend traveled to 120th Street in Harlem and stood near a polling station to warn community members about what she believes are the risks of democratic socialism. 'We were trying to educate voters... and [explain] why Cuomo was the better choice for New York City,' she said. While some have told Reiter she is getting carried away in her efforts, she disagrees. Pictured: Reiter standing near a polling station in Harlem handing out pamphlets during the Democratic mayoral primary in June. 'We were trying to educate voters... and [explain] why Cuomo was the better choice for New York City,' she told Daily Mail 'It's infuriating when people try to sort of downplay it and make us seem like, "Well, you're overreacting, you're being neurotic, you're going to be fine, you survived [former mayor Bill] De Blasio." 'Yes, I survived De Blasio's policies, but that's not what this is about. That's not why [some people] want to leave. We want to leave because we don't feel safe as Jews.' She said the most alarming issue has been the new Mayor's refusal to condemn the phrase 'Globalize the Intifada.' She called it 'terrifying' and 'very telling about who he is.' While the phrase has been widely seen as a call to violence against Jews, Mamdani has stated that he had seen it as a rallying cry for Palestinian human rights. In a July meeting with New York City business leaders, the mayor-elect said he understood the fear it could cause, and claimed he would discourage its use in the future, two meeting attendees told CNN. Another Upper East Side mom, Jill K, 50, told the Daily Mail that she shares Reiter's concerns and volunteered for Andrew Cuomo's campaign out of fear. Jill K said she doesn't believe Mamdani 'has the city's best interest' at heart, and claims 'his policies are not good for New York.' She raised the concern of Mamdani's lack of political experience compared to Cuomo, and said his change of stance on defunding the police led her to believe he 'is making a lot of false promises.' She also questioned his refusal to denounce Hamas, and said he does not recognize Israel as a Jewish state. Throughout his campaign, Mamdani has held the position that he supported Israel as 'a state with equal rights' for all citizens, rather than one with any sort of 'hierarchy' based on religion, race or other factors. Jill K's 23-year-old son disagrees with her. He told the Daily Mail that he voted for Mamdani because he supports his anti-billionaire stance. 'I like that he wants to give people who are struggling more resources,' he said. And much like her son, there are many Upper East Siders who are not panicking. Sixty-two-year-old entrepreneur Liz G, who left the Upper East Side after September 11, 2001, is now planning to return. She is unfazed by the new mayor. 'What are people so afraid of?' Liz G asked. She describes herself as a 'Depublican' and a 'Remocrat,' and says the new Mayor speaks to young people crushed by debt and locked out of home ownership. 'He is an educated man. Educated people will be open to hearing what you have to say if they are truly intelligent.' But others say the anxiety is real, and based on factors other than anti-Semitism. Lisa N, 52, a stay-at-home mom, told the Daily Mail that she thought for sure Mamdani would lose the race until early vote counts rolled in. 'I couldn't stop talking about it and my husband kept telling me there is nothing I can do. I was devastated.' When she checked the Facebook groups, she saw dozens of other mothers raging. Zohran Mamdani (pictured), 34, will be the first Muslim and South Asian Mayor of New York City 'That was me to a T,' she said. 'Nothing is free,' she said, referencing Mamdani's proposed policies to reduce costs for New Yorkers. 'Free buses. Free this. Free that.' Lisa N also called him 'soft on crime' and said she is afraid the city will slide backward, becoming 'like it was back in the '80s.' She also questioned how someone can become mayor after just seven years of US citizenship. The 34-year-old Mamdani was born in Uganda and lived in South Africa before moving to New York City at age seven with his parents. He officially became a naturalized citizen in 2018. Mamdani will be the first Muslim mayor of New York City, and the youngest person to hold the office. '[Mamdani] is not who I see running the finance capital of the world. I don't know if he can make all these decisions,' Lisa N told the Daily Mail. 'I hate that he is living in a $2,000 a month apartment and making $160,000 a year. (The New York Times reported that Mamdani's current salary as a state assemblyman is $142,000 a year.) That, for me, makes me think he is a fraud. I am not confident with him running the city. The whole thing is a mess, and it's scary.' It's fair to say the British immigration system is rarely praised for its efficiency. But did it really have to leap into action and block an Italian man from visiting the UK with his British partner? That's the question being asked by 65yearold artist and PR professional Mary StuartMiller, who was left stunned when Border Force knocked back Domenico Celentano, her partner of nine years, as he tried to enter the UK on Monday. Italian national Mr Celentano, 45, was hauled away from his partner by stern officials in Calais who fingerprinted him and even took his mugshot as if he was a common criminal before asking him questions about his religion. The irony? He doesn't actually want to stay in the UK and was in fact coming to help Mary pack up her things and what little was left of her life here after more than a decade living in Europe. The pair had been to view a flat in the Netherlands earlier the same day Mr Celentano was stopped. 'He felt like a criminal, like a terrorist, the way he was treated,' Mary told the Daily Mail. 'He didn't really understand what was going on. It was way over the top.' Mary, originally from Surrey, has spent most of the last 12 years in Rome, where the vast majority of her personal possessions currently sit in a storage unit. It was in the Italian capital that she met Domenico, who offered to help her cook for Project Rome, the homeless charity she established to feed thousands that made her national news. Mary Stuart-Miller with her partner Domenico Celentano, who was refused entry to the UK on Monday She believes Border Force officials suspected her of trying to bring him into the UK to live illegally (pictured together in 2017) Last December she rented a home in Haslemere, Surrey, on a short-term basis so she had a place to recover from a series of operations she was having in the UK, with her partner by her side. But Border Force has sought to claim Domenico has been illegally living in Britain despite the fact the pair are hoping to buy a house in Italy. They told all of this to unimpressed immigration officers who nonetheless declared his 'centre of life' to be the UK, turning him away for not being a 'genuine visitor'. Mary suspects Home Office officials have looked dimly upon the fact her partner has spent almost nine of the last 12 months in the UK across two visits. He accompanied her to Hazelmere, supporting her as she recovered from two cataract surgeries and the removal of her gallbladder between December and March. They then left for France but returned within days as Mary's mother's health declined. She died on April 13 at a care home in Dorset; Mary and Domenico stayed in the UK for her funeral and the scattering of her ashes, which took months to arrange. Home Office rules state that EU residents can be in the UK for up to six months at a time without a visa; the edicts are less clear on how often they can return. To Mary, it seems Domenico has paid a heavy price for his compassion. There was also the small matter of their 20year age gap, which Mary feels aroused suspicion. She continued: 'I kept saying to him, "Let's leave as soon as the funeral is done, I just want to leave. Let's go back to Italy. Let's look at getting a place, empty the storage. 'He said we should wait a bit longer; my family wanted to distribute my mum's ashes and my younger sister's ashes on the 17th of August. 'I said, "Okay, you win. We'll stay in the UK. Let's do that, and then draw a line under it". And I honestly don't see where we went wrong. 'There is an age difference between us. I'm 20 years older, and I frankly think that they took one look at me and thought, "She's trying to bring somebody into the UK as a favour so he can work and live". And it couldn't be further from the truth.' Mary and Domenico travelled across Greece and Italy during September and October before making the decision to clear out the Hazelmere house and end the lease. She had phoned the Home Office for advice on bringing him to the UK, and was told her partner could come as an Italian resident for no more than six months. She claims Border Force officials did not believe that he was only visiting the UK temporarily to help her clear out a rented house The brutal letter spelling out that, despite their intention to buy a house in Italy, the Home Office decided Domenico's 'centre of life' was in the UK 'Several people reiterated, it's absolutely fine after six months, as long as you go out of the UK for a bit, you can then come back,' she recalls. 'We were ever mindful that we were adhering to the rules.' 'We would go overseas, have a holiday, find ourselves a property in either Holland or Italy, and conclude the story in England. That's what we were trying to do.' Domenico applied for his electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required for all EU visitors not requiring a visa as of April in which he openly declared that he was currently unemployed. It was approved almost immediately. Early on Monday, they viewed an apartment in Axel, in the Netherlands. The town is a short twohour drive from Calais, making it easy for Mary to visit her 93yearold father as well as her grownup son and two daughters in the UK. And at the gates on a rainy afternoon in northern France, as they frantically rushed for their Eurotunnel train, the couple solemnly swore to the border officials that they would leave the UK no later than February. 'My wish was to go back, pack everything up, and come straight back [to Europe]. But Domenico said, "Let's take a little bit longer," so I said to the lady in the booth: maximum February,' she recalls. It was then that Border Force which has seen almost 40,000 people arrive into the UK by small boat this year alone swung into uncharacteristic action. 'She confiscated his passport, stamped mine, and told me to go park around the back of the office then they separated us. They didn't want me to talk to him,' Mary says. 'They took him in a room with a translator, were told exactly what I had said, then took him into a celltype room, took his fingerprints and took his photograph. They really gave him an inquisition, asking him his religion. Why ask that?' Mary says attempts to prove that they had been in a longterm relationship for several years were rebuffed. Domenico was then handed a wad of papers from Border Force telling him, effectively, to get stuffed having spent too long in the UK for their liking. Mary and Domenico pictured in Amsterdam. The pair had been to view an apartment to let in the Netherlands the day the Italian was stopped from entering Britain The UK border as seen at Calais (file picture), where Domenico was refused entry The rejection letter brutally declared: 'While you've tried to follow Visitor Rules, they are for short stays of up to six months not for repeated sixmonth periods interrupted by brief trips abroad. 'I do not deem there to be any compelling or compassionate reasons to set aside the immigration rules in this case.' Mary continued: 'They said his "centre of life" is in the UK. But he's got a son in Italy. We've got the contents of our house from Italy in storage in Rome. We've seen an apartment in Holland. Our intention is to return to Rome. 'They wouldn't listen. They just wouldn't.' Mary and Domenico were unceremoniously escorted back to France but refused to go to Britain without him. 'I've been by his side for nine years. The longest we've left each other is probably the three hours he was in the detention centre. What was I meant to do leave him in the street in France without the car?' The pair immediately returned to the Netherlands, where they have been staying in an Airbnb for 115 Euros (101) a night. They have since been told the Axel apartment is theirs, at least ensuring they will have somewhere to live. The irony is not lost in Mary, who met her future husband while running a homeless charity in Rome. 'I phoned a Governmentrecommended immigration adviser, and his advice was: "You should have lied,"' she scoffs. 'He said I should have lied and told them I was coming back in two weeks. There's no way I would have ever followed that.' She now fears Domenico has a 'black mark' against his name, which could make future visits difficult. The only viable option may be to pay up to 5,000 for a nonmarried partner residency visa, despite the fact he does not want to live in the UK. It is endemic, she suggests, of the problems with the UK's immigration system as a whole. She concluded: 'Why has England got an immigration problem? Because the people that are controlling it aren't qualified enough, or capable of making the right decisions. It makes me angry. It's made Domenico even more angry. 'We don't want to come back after this. The last thing he wants is to ever set foot in the UK again.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'Border Force will fully consider evidence when deciding to refuse entry to the UK, as part of our work to maintain a fair and controlled immigration system.' Tom Player had never seen a dead body before Monday. High up on the desolate Chilean mountain, in the middle of a fierce and icy blizzard that pelted snow at him at 120mph, he found the unresponsive body of Julian Garcia Pimentel, from Mexico, lying on his front with his eyes wide open. As a London-based composer, who had most recently worked on John Lewis' latest Christmas advertisement, with little first aid training, Tom certainly wasn't prepared for what he witnessed on the freezing peak in Torres Del Paine. Nor was he prepared to mount an ad-hoc rescue mission to try and locate his friend, Victoria Bond, who had gone missing on their way back down from the mountain. Victoria, a 40-year-old woman from Cornwall who worked in PR, was tragically among the five people who perished on Monday after a snowstorm with winds of up to 120mph hit the Torres del Paine nature reserve, Chile's most visited foreign tourist spot. Her death, along with two German nationals and two from Mexico, came amid horrific weather that hit the Patagonian park - famed for its granite peaks, glaciers and wildlife - that plunged trekkers into a deluge of ice, snow and rain, worsened by the perilously high wind speeds. Multiple survivors of the Patagonia tragedy have alleged that failings by park authorities and managers of the campsites forced them to become their own rescuers and healers. They told the Daily Mail that despite the horrific conditions seen throughout the day, staff at the park, who appeared to be under-trained, told them it was safe to go up. They also claim that park rangers with CONAF, the authority in charge of Chile's parks, were not at the nearest campsite, where they may have been able to launch a professional rescue operation, and did not arrive for several hours after they were contacted. Survivors also said that a rescue operation was not launched until the following morning, due to the horrific weather conditions. And they told the Daily Mail that managers for Vertice, the company that runs campsites in Torres Del Paine, were allegedly obstructive in their efforts to care for survivors. A rescue team at the end of the searching and recovery operation on November 19, 2025, for the tourists who died in Torres del Paine, Magallanes region, Chile Cornwall-based PR worker Victoria Bond, 40, died alongside other foreign tourists in Chile The Daily Mail has contacted both CONAF and Vertice for comment. CONAF said earlier this week that it will 'review the safety and communication protocols in the park's circuits together with the concessionaires, with the aim of strengthening prevention and emergency response capacity' in light of the tragedy. Sources have also told the Daily Mail police are investigating the incident. But for people like Tom, this is too little, too late. He told the Mail: 'There were so many failures on top of each other that led to this. It's a tragedy that should have been avoided. 'They could have just said, sorry, it's closed today, which they later did but only because they were dead bodies on there, not because they were worried about people's safety.' Multiple survivors said they were also told by staff that it was fine for them to go up, despite the weather conditions. Maeve, an experienced hiker and skier from California who was in Torres Del Paine told the Daily Mail: 'These [staff] from Chile... did not suggest that we don't go, we trusted them. We figured they were encouraging us to go. 'We thought "it'll be okay. It'll be really challenging, but we'll fine".' Tom said he was told the same thing: 'We'd been shown the weather forecast at the Los Peros camp, which is managed by Vertice. And they said, oh, it's normal.' But the hike up was utterly perilous, and survivors say it was made worse by being told by staff it was fine to go up as they did not bring the proper equipment with them. Survivors said though they all started the hike at different times and as separate groups, they all coalesced into one to support each other going up in the horrific conditions. Victoria shared footage of her and the other trekkers crossing raging rivers under drizzle and grey skies Lydia Birch (pictured) was one of the people who survived the tragedy Maeve said: 'Navigating was extremely difficult, which we were not warned about. They're the worst winter conditions I've been out in. People were becoming hypothermic, a lot of people got frostnip and frostbite on their fingers. A lot of people did not have adequate equipment. Some people didn't even have gloves on. 'There was a real risk in stopping at all because as soon as we paused on the mountain, we started to lose our body heat very quickly. There was no way I could've taken my backpack off and put on another layer.' Tom added: 'I've been in windy situations before, but it's quite hard to describe how forceful the wind was. You could not stand up. All of us are also carrying 15 kilo backpacks with everything on them, all our tents, our food for the week, our cooking apparatus, all our clothes, all our water. 'The gusts were especially unpredictable. You can't just kind of change your body position and lean into the wind. You have to almost crouch. Some of them were so strong that it knocked us completely over, and we had to crawl on all fours until the gust had passed.' The decision was made to turn back, but going down brought its own troubles. Chris said: 'Some people slid down the mountain. It was icy, really treacherous conditions, [with] really strong winds. People couldn't see in front or behind [themselves].' Chris said: 'It was pretty terrifying. I slid down the mountain once at a very high speed and I couldn't stop. It was just sheet ice. 'I was just trying to dig my heels and poles in, but nothing was stopping me. I aimed for some rocks to try and break the speed. Victoria, pictured in a boat in Cornwall, had shared updates about the trek in Patagonia before her death Patagonian Torres del Paine nature reserve, Chile's most visited foreign tourist spot (File image) 'I wasn't wearing a helmet, so could have easily just flipped over. It was just about OK, just a few scratches. But it's hard to breathe because the snow was so intense. 'You couldn't see. You could barely see the person in front of you, especially going up, the wind and the snow was blowing into our eyes. 'You just couldn't look up. It was too painful. I wore glasses at one point, but they just got completely covered in ice. That didn't really help either.' He said others struggled going down as well, and were keenly aware of how wrong the descent could go: 'I saw lots of people sliding at the very steep bit when it was icy.' Tom said that after he came back down the mountain, he ran into the campsite and tried to find Victoria, as she had been separated from the group. 'I ran into the common room, and I shouted: is Victoria here? It was silent. I looked in all of the other rooms, and I realised that there was a real problem. 'I went to the reception. I said we've got a missing person on the mountain. We can't locate Victoria. He said that he was shocked by the campsite's staff's initial response. Tom Player (pictured) said he went back up the mountain to look for his friend Chilean rescue teams prepare to search for five tourists killed during a powerful snowstorm in Torres del Paine National Park, in the southern Patagonia region, Chile, in this handout photo distributed on November 19, 2025 'The staff didn't react in the way I expected them to. They said, oh, let me just finish this booking. I was just kind of baffled by that. 'I spoke to staff later and it's quite clear that they weren't trained. Some of them were very new on the job and they feel absolutely terrible about the situation. 'I don't want to make it sound like that it's a personal failure on any of them, but a procedural failure.' After guzzling an energy drink and a couple of energy bars, he and a staff member called Brayan mounted a search and rescue mission, despite having already spent multiple hours trekking up and down the perilous mountain in treacherous conditions. Taking equipment from campers, including bottles of hot water, sleeping bags and matts, he and Brayan rushed up the mountain to try and find Victoria: 'I was looking for Victoria. That's the only thing I had in my mind.' The pair of them first came across Cristina, Julian's wife who later died. 'She managed to kind of sit up and wave for help. She was very hypothermic, so we gave her a coat, we gave her hot water and we sat with her. She was getting cared for, and we didnt need to both be with her, so I told Brayan that I was going to continue up on my own.' Trekking up on his own, he found Julian. He said Cristina told him he may have had a head concussion and a broken knee. But Tom found him with his face down in the snow and his eyes wide open, completely unresponsive. Handout picture released by Chile's Carabineros, shows a rescue team searching for tourists who died in Torres del Paine, Magallanes Region on November 18, 2025 Victoria Bond, 40, from Truro, died in the Torres del Paine national park on Monday 'I thought do I know for sure he's dead? Is there anything I can do? I wrapped him up and I put down a camping mat to get him off the floor so he wasn't losing body heat to the floor', he said. 'But honestly, it didn't help enough. I stopped and listened to his breath. He wasnt breathing, he was completely unresponsive, and his eyes were open. And I thought, I've got to carry on.' He found a second person while trekking up on his own. Thinking it was Victoria, he said he rushed up to meet them, though it did not turn out to be her. Tom said: 'She was slumped on the floor and I was able to make eye contact with her. I thought here's someone I might be able to save.' He said he took off one of his coats and gave it to her, before wrapping her up in a sleeping bag and trying to get her to drink warm water: 'She couldn't even open her mouth to gulp. It just fell out the sides of her mouth.' After finally getting her to drink the warm water, he ran back down to the camp to pick up some additional gear to help her. He said he put her in another sleeping bag, and gave her an uninsulated bottle with hot water in it to warm her up further before he went up further to try and find Victoria. 'I thought okay, I've done everything I can here. I need to carry on. I need to carry on and look for Victoria..' But as he trudged through the biting cold, he came to the sudden realisation that he might die on the mountain if he wasn't careful. He was forced to make a decision that likely haunt him for the rest of his life. Tom said: 'My heart said: You've got to go on, you've got to try. My head said: This insanely risky and dangerous and you could lose your life.' Tom said: 'I looked into the wind and I couldn't see anything in this wall of 100mph snow coming at you. You couldn't look where you're going. There's no visibility. I thought I've got to turn back. 'I was running on adrenaline. If I tripped and fell and hurt myself, no one was coming. It was such a difficult decision. I had to turn around, come down and try to get some help. I knew that she must still be up there somewhere. 'My heart said: You've got to go on, you've got to try. My head said: This insanely risky and dangerous and you could lose your life.' So he came back down, tragically without his friend: 'I was done by then, I was so exhausted.' But the troubles in Torres Del Paine were not over. Lydia Birch, an emergency doctor from Australia who had arrived in Chile on November 10 with her friend, was one of those forced to step up and save lives. After making her way up in treacherous conditions, she and her group somehow made it back to their base camp, where Lydia helped set up a treatment space. She said: 'Our medical team was entirely comprised of international doctors, a paramedic and a nurse practitioner who were hiking the trail.' At the treatment space, she saw 'at least four head injuries', frostbite and severe distress from those who went up. Maeve Cain (pictured) also survived the tragedy Multiple survivors told the Daily Mail that CONAF rangers were nowhere to be found when they initially came down from the mountain She added: 'Two doctors joined the rescue teams to hike up to a woman with severe hypothermia, who suffered a cardiac arrest during her prolonged extrication over very difficult terrain in incredibly challenging blizzard conditions. 'These volunteer rescuers did an amazing job, while themselves already tired and cold, and largely not trained in this. Our team of eight doctors and a nurse practitioner continued the resuscitation when they arrived back to Los Peros, but sadly we could not revive her'. She also accused managers at the camp she had set the treatment space up at of asking her and the other volunteers to purchase sleeping bags and gas, as well as food, though she added that they later changed their minds about this. But Lydia said they did 'not being provided with medical kits in a timely fashion despite requests for this'. She added: 'They were eventually provided... but it was very difficult to work out what supplies they had, and we mostly relied on people's personal kits, leaving them without first aid items for their subsequent journeys'. Tom said he witnessed multiple survivors bodging rescue equipment together, including a stretcher that was made from hiking poles and gaffer tape. Chris Aldridge, a TV and film director who was travelling with Tom and Victoria, said: 'We built stretchers out of walking poles, tarpaulins and sleeping matts.' Tom added: 'We later found out there was a stretcher in a f***ing cupboard, but no one had the key.' Lydia also claimed: '[The] manager tried to suggest people we were actively treating, with conditions including frostbite, hypothermia, monitoring post hypoglycaemic episode, and acute stress reactions, should leave the treatment area. '[They] reluctantly agreed they could stay when I argued that my medical opinion was that they needed treatment. The manager was well aware of my credentials prior to this.' Maeve said: 'They were so unwilling to help, it was really confusing and genuinely really aggravating. As a human being, you expect that when you're in a visibly vulnerable state that someone would have the heart to help you. That just wasn't happening.' Multiple survivors told the Daily Mail that CONAF rangers were nowhere to be found when they initially came down from the mountain. As a result, they said, formal rescue operations did not begin until Tuesday morning, as the conditions were too perilous and it was too dark for the rangers and army to go up. But they said that no one with the qualifications to mount a rescue mission actually arrived before late on Monday, which is why survivors were forced to launch their own operation. Maeve told the Mail: 'There were no CONAF staff in the personnel station that is at the Los Peros campsite. There's a ranger station, and it was not manned so no one was there to help us with our rescue efforts.' Chris told the Daily Mail: 'CONAF arrived after dark on Monday, and then couldn't go up because it was dark. Then they didn't even go up the next morning because the conditions were too bad. Chris, Tom and Victoria had all travelled together to Chile Chris said: 'Some people slid down the mountain. It was icy, really treacherous conditions' 'It was OK for them not to go up but it was okay for us to go up, which is weird.' Those who made it out have told the Mail that they are now suffering from immense exhaustion and survivor guilt. Tom said: 'All of us are having survivor guilt. We have this idea that everyone is going to be angry with us for not managing to help our friend, find her, come back with her safe. But we're completely discounting how horrendous it was. 'The guilt is really hard to deal with, honestly. If there's anything that's changed my perspective on it, it's the fact that it could have been so much worse.' This has all been made worse by the fact that survivors feel that the tragedy could have been avoided with proper procedures in place. They have called for an increased CONAF presence in the park, as well as a clear emergency plan and proper lines of communication to be implemented along with rigorous training procedures for all staff who work in Torres Del Paine. Lydia solemnly told the Mail: 'What happened on that pass was a completely avoidable tragedy.' A conservative pro-life activist struck in the face during a New York City street interview has now sued her attacker, months after Manhattan's woke district attorney dismissed a criminal cae. Savannah Craven Antao, 23, influencer and host of YouTube channel Her Patriot Voice, was interviewing a pro-abortion advocate about Planned Parenthood in Harlem on April 3 when the conversation abruptly escalated into violence. In a split second, Bronx resident Brianna J. Rivers, 30, swung at Antao, striking her twice in the face and leaving her bloodied before walking away. Criminal charges against Rivers were dropped despite crystal clear video evidence of the violent attack. On Tuesday, Antao filed her civil case at the Bronx Supreme Court, where her attorneys said shes exhibiting symptoms of PTSD and has endured hundreds of death threats in the wake of the viral attack, according to Fox News. The lawsuit comes just four months after Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg dropped the second-degree assault case against Rivers, citing his offices failure to turn over evidence to the defense on time. Antao said she took the legal route for two reasons: to ensure Rivers is held accountable and to make clear that violence isnt the answer to differences. 'First, I'd really appreciate my over $3,000 in medical bills to be paid off because I should not be responsible for those,' the influencer told Fox. In the filing, she said she racked up thousands in medical bills after going to the emergency room for treatment and stitches following the attack. Savannah Craven Antao (pictured after attack), a 23-year-old conservative activist struck in the face during a New York City street interview has now filed against her alleged attacker Antao (pictured right) was interviewing a pro-abortion advocate (left) about Planned Parenthood in Harlem on April 3 when the conversation abruptly escalated into violence Bronx resident Brianna J. Rivers (pictured), 30, swung at Antao, striking her twice in the face and leaving her bloodied before walking away 'Second, it's to send a message - hopefully to show her that she can't do this again,' she added. Talking with Daily Mail, Antao said: 'I pray my assailant will find God and get the therapy she needs to heal her deep rooted trauma instead of taking out her anger on those who have opposing viewpoints.' Her attorneys at the Thomas More Society also alleged that Rivers 'knowingly, willfully and maliciously continued to mock (Savannah) and her views online in order to further inflict emotional distress,' according to the outlet. According to the lawsuit, Rivers not only mocked Antaos religious beliefs but also attempted to profit from the incident by creating custom merchandise. One post allegedly featured a T-shirt printed with the word 'BAM!' and an image of a fist striking a face, according to Fox. The suit further alleges that Rivers and her cousin concocted the merch as a way to bankroll her legal defense. Antao's legal team is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A damages amount has not been shared. Just days after the attack, Rivers took to Facebook to apologize to Antao - but also declared she 'cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one-sided narrative.' 'I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse,' Rivers wrote on April 5. Antao's attorneys said shes exhibiting symptoms of PTSD and has endured hundreds of death threats in the wake of the viral attack (pictured moments before) The lawsuit came four months after DA Alvin Bragg (pictured) dropped the second-degree assault case, citing his offices failure to turn over evidence to the defense on time Antao's (pictured center) legal team is now seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress 'She knows the truth and she needs to release the footage in its entirety,' she added. 'Savannah is a professional antagonist, not a "reporter," and the truth will be told.' In her Fox interview, Antao shifted focus to the Manhattan District Attorneys office, claiming Braggs team reduced the charge to a misdemeanor and ultimately allowed it to expire. 'I have to look over my shoulder and worry about if somebody who supports her actions - there are a lot of people out there that do - that theyre going to try to do something else,' Antao told the outlet. 'Because what the DA Alvin Bragg himself has shown to people, with letting this case be dropped, is that they can go assault somebody and hurt them if they disagree with them and nothing is going to happen,' she added. In September, Bragg's office issued a statement to 'apologize for the unacceptable error of missing the discovery deadline.' 'Every victim deserves their day in court, and our office has reached out to apologize to Ms. Craven Antao for the unacceptable error of missing the discovery deadline,' a spokesperson said. 'We are taking immediate internal steps in light of this case.' However, Bragg has been criticized for reducing over 900 felonies to misdemeanors or lesser charges and had previously promised to pursue jail time for only the most severe offenses. 'The District Attorney's office of Alvin Bragg decided it wasn't their duty to bring justice criminally,' Antao told Daily Mail. In the filing, Antao (pictured) said she racked up thousands in medical bills after going to the emergency room for treatment and stitches following the attack Days after the attack, Rivers shared an apology to Antao while also declaring that she 'cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one-sided narrative' (pictured: Rivers Facebook post) Christopher Ferrara, attorney with the Thomas More Society, said the way Bragg handled the case left them no choice but to take civil action against Rivers 'They not only failed me, but every individual who goes out on the streets and peacefully use their first amendment right,' she added. Christopher Ferrara, attorney with the Thomas More Society, told Fox that the way Bragg handled the case left them no choice but to take civil action against Rivers. 'Savannah was violently assaulted for peacefully expressing her pro-life beliefs and then humiliated all over again when the attacker went online to glorify it,' Ferrara said in a statement. 'The DA's office had every opportunity to pursue justice and due to their incompetency or lack of will, failed to prosecute this vicious assault,' he added. Antao linked her fears and the April attack to wider safety threats facing conservative figures this past year, pointing in particular to the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in September. 'If they could do it to somebody like him, who has the resources to have the security and the checks and all the people surrounding him, what does this say for just average journalists, who dont have the means to hire a whole security team and be armed?' she questioned. 'With all the threats online and the comments she "likes" encouraging her behavior, it makes me wonder if the wrong person is going to find me next time and something worse will happen.' Bragg and Rivers did not immediately respond to Daily Mail's requests for comment. He was voted in on a promise to do good things for the people of Wales. But it seems the person reaping the most benefit of Nathan Gills rise was Vladimir Putin. Now after the 52-year-old was jailed for over 10 years yesterday for accepting tens of thousands of pounds in bribes from Russia, the extraordinary story can be told of how the former leader of the Reform UK party in Wales betrayed his country. In an unprecedented case, Gill was paid 5,000 a time by Russia to read out parliamentary speeches urging Ukraine to negotiate with Moscow and seek peace after Russia invaded Crimea and sent paramilitary units into the Donbas region. He delivered scripted media statements criticising Ukraine leader President Zelensky and supporting Ukrainian politician, Viktor Medvedchuk, a personal friend of President Putin. Gill received over 30,000 to give TV interviews in favour of the key Putin ally and to make speeches in the European Parliament, where he was an Member of European Parliament for what was then the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 2014 to 2020. At first glance, the 52-year-old former Mormon bishop known for his imposing 6ft 4in height and love of cowboy boots appeared an unlikely Russian stooge. The father-of-five used to preach every Sunday morning, he conducted weddings in his local community in Anglesey and was so devoted to his faith that he wouldnt even drink coffee. Former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill arrives at the Old Bailey for sentence When he was elected as Wales UKIP leader in 2016, Gill boasted he had the respect of party leader Nigel Farage whom he considered a personal friend: Nigel is quite a famous drinker and does like his pint, but it doesn't exclude me from anything. Perhaps their closeness is what drew the little-known MEP to the attention of Russian spies, who asked Gill to bring a leading figure in the party to meet Putins ally Victor Medvedchuk. Among the longest-serving and most loyal of Mr Farages lieutenants, the friends shared similar views and sometimes company it now appears. Last year, Nadia Sass, the wife of Gills paymaster Oleg Voloshyn posted a photo of herself with Farage outside the European parliament around 2018, saying she would miss Nigel Farage and his team. Another tweet showed Mr Farage holding a T-shirt branded Leave and Let Die #brexit, which Ms Sass allegedly gave him. At the time, Mr Farage and Gill were both making paid appearances on RT, the Russian state broadcaster. Police have confirmed that Mr Farage is not under investigation and there is no evidence of any wrongdoing. But that did not stop Ukrainian and British protestors shouting outside the Old Bailey yesterday: What about Farage? Viktor Medvedchuk with Putin Nathan Gill with Nigel Farage Following his conviction, Mr Farage was keen to play down their association, describing his former colleague as a bad apple, adding: You can never, ever guarantee 100 per cent that everyone you meet in your life, you shake hands with in the pub, is a good person. There will be questions for others in the Reform party after Counter Terrorism Commander Dominic Murphy revealed funds were made available for Gill to recruit others, with his efforts praised by Voloshyn as awesome. Gill is known to have approached five other MEPs representing UKIP or the Brexit Party, which subsequently became Reform UK, who were named in the case. In 2018 Gill went on fact-finding mission to Kyiv with two other UKIP MEPs, Jonathan Arnott and David Coburn who subsequently made statements in the European Parliament criticising the Ukrainian government. The trip, which included business-class flights and accommodation at the boutique Opera Hotel in Kyiv, was paid for by Janusz Niedzwiecki, who is awaiting trial in Poland on charges of spying for Russia. Police believe that while Gill may have had Russian sympathies, he was hooked by the financial bungs referred to in coded messages about Xmas gifts. Oleg Voloshyn's wife, Nadia Sass Struggling with over 100,000 debts after the collapse of a care home services business he set up with his mother, Gill was both financially vulnerable and too weak to resist the money proffered by those with very clear connections to Putin, police say. Yesterday his own lawyer Peter Wright, KC, said Gill offers no excuse for his venal compromise which was evidenced by rolls of $5,000 and 5,000 euros found at his home. Police swooped following a tip-off from the FBI after they stopped Voloshyn at Washingtons Dulles Airport in July 2021 due to his links to Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian oligarch known as the Dark Prince and a long-term ally and friend of Vladimir Putin. The FBI extracted WhatsApp messages from Voloshyns phone revealing payments to Gill. The US has since named Voloshyn and Medvedchuk as agents of a Kremlin plot to install a puppet government in Ukraine. Medvedchuk, who has been accused of treason in Ukraine and attempting to loot national resources, is considered so close to Putin that the Russian leader is the godfather of Medvedchuks daughter. Yesterday police said the extraordinary case raised questions about how Russia is attempting to bribe, befriend and influence British MPs to subvert democracy. Commander Murphy warned: Nothing is off the table for Russia. An investigation into the unexplained object which shattered the window of a United Airlines has confirmed that the culprit was a weather balloon. The collision on October 18 forced the Boeing 737 MAX plane to make an emergency landing during near Moab, Utah. WindBorne Systems previously said it believed one of its weather balloons struck and cracked the windshield of United Flight 1093 as it was cruising at around 36,000 feet. Now the National Transportation Safety Board has confirmed the company's suspicions and said the track for the WindBorne long-duration, high-altitude weather balloon was consistent with the path of the United jet. The balloon had departed Spokane, Washington, the previous day, passing over Oregon and Nevada, before eventually flying into airspace above Utah. The impact resulted in both pilots being showered with pieces of glass. The captain sustained multiple superficial lacerations to his right arm, the NTSB said. The first officer was not injured. The captain said he noticed a distant object on the horizon but did not have time to mention it to his colleague before there was a significant impact to the windshield and a loud bang. The pilots of a United Airlines jet cruising at 36,000 ft were struck by a weather balloon during their flight near Moab, Utah. Photos showed cuts on the pilot's arm WindBorne, a California-based start-up dedicated to advanced weather forecasting and atmospheric data collection, believes it was one of its own balloons that collided with the jet The NTSB said the radar track for the WindBorne long-duration, high-altitude weather balloon was consistent with the path of the United jet NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said last month the incident 'could have been really devastating for the aircraft and those on board'. There were initial concerns the damage could have been caused by space debris. Prior government studies have suggested a very small risk of debris striking jets in flight. Airplane windshields are multi-layered to prevent a loss of cabin pressure if damaged in flight. The NTSB said the flight departed Denver with 112 passengers and crew. The captain declared an emergency and diverted safely to Salt Lake City. Passengers were transported on another aircraft to Los Angeles later that day. The collision left a significant amount of damage on the the windshield The captain of the jet posted photo showing his arm covered in cuts following the shattered windshield Glass from the windshield could be seen scattered all across the plane's center console The balloon had departed Spokane, Washington, the previous day, passing over Oregon and Nevada , before eventually flying into airspace above Utah The United Airlines flight made an emergency landing after being struck by a mystery object over Utah WindBorne previously said it has conducted more than 4,000 launches and files a notice with the Federal Aviation Administration for every launch. Speaking to Ars Technica, Kai Marshland, co-founder of WindBorne, said: 'I think this was a WindBorne balloon. We learned about UA1093 and the potential that it was related to one of our balloons at 11 pm PT on Sunday and immediately looked into it. 'At 6am PT, we sent our preliminary investigation to both NTSB and FAA, and are working with both of them to investigate further.' The company said they have rolled out 'immediate' changes to 'minimise' the amount of the time their balloons spend between 30,000 and 40,000 feet in the air. WindBorne has 'implemented four additional safety measures to further reduce the possibility of any future aircraft-balloon interactions as well as mitigate harm should an impact occur again,' it said. The company also said it has cut the time spent in primary commercial altitude bands by approximately 50 percent across its fleet and is providing automated email reports every two hours for all balloons in certain areas. A senior advisor to the Scottish Government has said he was astonished at Ministers failure to act swiftly on clear warnings that the Covid virus was vastly more dangerous to the elderly and the vulnerable. Professor Mark Woolhouse, who was a member of the Scottish Covid-19 Advisory Group (C19AG) from March 2020, gave evidence to Baroness Halletts inquiry that the single most important intervention was always to protect those most vulnerable to severe disease. Despite this, he said, he and his C19AG colleagues struggled to get Ministers to listen and act on this crucial point despite delivering at least half a dozen direct briefings to the First Minister on aspects of the pandemic. The professor, a leading expert on tracking infectious diseases, said: I was astonished throughout those early stages, March through April 2020, how difficult it was to get people to accept that this virus was vastly more dangerous to the elderly, the infirm and the frail than it was to young, healthy members of the population. It was a significant risk to a largeish but defined subset of the population and policy simply didnt reflect that simple fact, which we had known since February. Lady Justice Heather Hallett, chair of the UK Covid Inquiry Nicola Sturgeon came in for criticism from Lady Hallett for her government's handling of the pandemic Mark Woolhouse. Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh And I still dont know, and the inquiry report doesnt shed any light on this for me, why that crucial aspect of the biology of this virus didnt get traction among policymakers for so, so long. In fact, Im not sure it really did. We may all have been at risk in a technical sense, but theres no way we were all at equal risk. Far from it, and yet that simple fact just did not get traction among policymakers. Prof Woolhouse, who is professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, also said he had been very concerned that little or no work appeared to have been done on setting up appropriate surveillance systems to cope with the threat of a major viral threat, even though that had been a central recommendation of the official report into the H1/N1 swine flu pandemic of 2009. The professor said: After swine flu, the Royal Society of Edinburgh wrote a report saying what needed to be done and it wasnt done. And then Covid came along roughly ten years later and, obviously the people [in charge] have changed and the lessons havent been learned. Im not so concerned about right now when all this is quite fresh in our minds but in ten years time, and the personnel in Public Health Scotland and in government are different, do we have the systems in place to allow these sort of early warnings to be taken seriously? I dont think we do. Prof Woolhouse said he wished he had said more and louder about the risks to care home residents and the vulnerable, but added: I think Im probably overoptimistic about the effect that would have had. It was often difficult to get messages across, theres no question about that. Scots were subject to strict Covid measures during the pandemic Former health secretary Jeane Freeman speaking at a press conference during the pandemic The professor pointed out that the Scottish Government did act when the advisory group briefed them in summer 2020 about whether it was safe to reopen schools at the beginning of the academic year that after they explained to Cabinet that the chances of a child dying from Covid acquired at school was roughly equivalent to that child being struck by lightning. Prof Woolhouse said: So it wasnt that we were always ignored. On that occasion, our advice had a real impact and Im very pleased that it did. But they didnt always listen to us. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: Covid was a unique virus which presented us, and governments across the world, with unprecedented challenges. Our focus throughout was on protecting the people of Scotland and all decisions were taken in good faith. We are working actively with the UK and Scottish Covid-19 inquiries to learn lessons and strengthen our response to any future emergencies. This open and transparent process will be informed by a Covid Inquiries Response Engagement Group, chaired by the Deputy First Minister and including representatives of bereaved families. La TVA, un impot en panne Premier signal d'alarme : les recettes de la Taxe sur la Valeur Ajoutee (TVA), pilier du budget de l'Etat, sont en berne. Selon les revelations du journal Les Echos, basees sur les previsions gouvernementales, ces recettes ne depasseront pas les niveaux de 2024 et devraient meme baisser en 2025, a 210 milliards d'euros. Une tendance a la baisse qui dure depuis trois ans, comme le souligne l'ancien rapporteur du Budget, le depute Charles de Courson. Face a ce trou noir fiscal, la ministre des Comptes publics, Amelie de Montchalin, a reconnu avoir "un sujet TVA". Elle a lance une mission d'enquete pour comprendre pourquoi une assiette taxable en hausse ne genere pas plus de recettes. La ministre pointe deux coupables principaux : la fraude massive liee aux "petits colis" en provenance de l'etranger et les "activites non declarees" ou les "erreurs et fraudes" des entreprises. La Secu, un deficit qui explose Dans le meme temps, le ministre du Travail, Jean-Pierre Farandou, a tire la sonnette d'alarme dans les colonnes du Parisien. Le deficit de la Securite sociale pour 2026 s'annonce catastrophique. Alors que le gouvernement visait une reduction a 17 milliards d'euros, l'Assemblee nationale, lors des debats, a approuve des mesures conduisant a un deficit potentiel de 24 milliards. "Je suis inquiet", a lache le ministre. Cet emballement des depenses est une gifle pour les plans de reduction du deficit public. M. Farandou a regrette le refus des deputes de soutenir le gel des retraites et evoque meme le spectre d'une censure du gouvernement, un scenario qui, selon lui, couterait "0,5 point de croissance, soit 15 a 20 milliards d'euros". Il a appele les deputes a la "responsabilite" pour la suite de l'examen du texte au Senat. Un bras de fer parlementaire Les debats budgetaires a l'Assemblee nationale ont ete houleux. Les deputes ont non seulement rejete le gel des retraites, mais ont aussi vote contre l'augmentation de l'age de la retraite, mettant pratiquement a l'arret la reforme lancee en 2023. Le president du Senat, Gerard Larcher, a deja promis de revenir sur ces amendements, annoncant un nouveau round parlementaire tendu. Fontainebleau : une tentative de vol dejouee Dans un tout autre registre, mais qui ajoute a un climat d'insecurite, la police a dejoue une tentative d'intrusion au Musee Chinois du palais de Fontainebleau. Deux individus ont ete arretes et un troisieme est recherche. Cet incident rappelle le spectaculaire braquage au Louvre en octobre dernier, ou des joyaux d'une valeur de 88 millions d'euros avaient ete derobes. Dans ce contexte de tensions budgetaires, sociales et securitaires, le gouvernement cherche desesperement des marges de manuvre pour respecter ses engagements de reduction du deficit, fixes a moins de 5% du PIB en 2026. France: Budget Storm, VAT Shortfall, and Social Security in Crisis, Government Under Pressure The French government is navigating stormy waters. As the 2026 budget bill is being examined in Parliament, a series of bad economic and political news is hitting the executive head-on, revealing the difficulty of repairing public finances. VAT, a Failing Tax First alarm bell: revenues from the Value Added Tax (VAT), a cornerstone of the state budget, are faltering. According to revelations by the newspaper Les Echos, based on government forecasts, these revenues will not exceed 2024 levels and are even expected to fall in 2025, to 210 billion euros. A downward trend that has lasted for three years, as highlighted by the former Budget Rapporteur, MP Charles de Courson. Faced with this fiscal black hole, the Minister of Public Accounts, Amelie de Montchalin, acknowledged having "a VAT issue." She has launched an investigation to understand why a growing tax base does not generate more revenue. The minister points to two main culprits: massive fraud linked to "small packages" from abroad and "undeclared activities" or "errors and fraud" by businesses. Social Security, an Exploding Deficit Simultaneously, the Minister of Labour, Jean-Pierre Farandou, sounded the alarm in an interview with Le Parisien. The Social Security deficit for 2026 looks catastrophic. While the government aimed to reduce it to 17 billion euros, the National Assembly, during debates, approved measures leading to a potential deficit of 24 billion. "I am worried," the minister admitted. This spending spree is a blow to plans for reducing the public deficit. Mr. Farandou lamented the MPs' refusal to support the freeze on pensions and even mentioned the specter of a government censure motion, a scenario he claims would cost "0.5 points of growth, or 15 to 20 billion euros." He called on MPs to act "responsibly" during the bill's upcoming review in the Senate. A Parliamentary Standoff Budget debates in the National Assembly have been stormy. MPs not only rejected the pension freeze but also voted against raising the retirement age, effectively halting the reform launched in 2023. The President of the Senate, Gerard Larcher, has already promised to overturn these amendments, announcing another tense parliamentary round. Fontainebleau: An Attempted Theft Thwarted In a completely different register, but adding to a climate of insecurity, police foiled an attempted break-in at the Chinese Museum of the Fontainebleau Palace. Two individuals were arrested and a third is being sought. This incident recalls the spectacular heist at the Louvre last October, where jewels worth 88 million euros were stolen. In this context of budgetary, social, and security tensions, the government is desperately seeking room for maneuver to meet its deficit reduction commitments, set at less than 5% of GDP in 2026. France, budget, deficit, TVA, recettes fiscales, fraude, Securite sociale, deficit Secu, retraites, reforme des retraites, Amelie de Montchalin, Jean-Pierre Farandou, Assemblee nationale, Senat, Parlement, projet de loi finances, economie francaise, finances publiques, Fontainebleau, vol musee, actualite France, politique francaise Ekanga Ekanga Fernand A California grandmother and cancer survivor was decapitated by a garbage truck while crossing the street near an elementary school. Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga, 69, was struck as the truck turned right at a roundabout in Santa Ana. Parents were dropping their children off at Pio Pico Elementary school steps away. Many of them helplessly watched as Rubalcava was 'crushed under the tires,' at around 8am on November 19, according to police. The collision left her head 'completely destroyed' and she was pronounced dead at the scene. Rubalcava lived just a block away and was on her way to the grocery store when she was gruesomely killed. One witness told Fox11 that the Rubalcava's body was splayed out in the street. 'It was bad. Her body was horrible. Her brains were all over the place,' he said. Maria Rubalcava de Ruesga was on her way to the store when she was struck and killed by a garbage truck The truck was turning right near a Santa Ana elementary school when it struck the woman The outlet reported that neighbors said the intersection was 'dangerous'. They claimed accidents have been consistent since the city put in the roundabout last year. Daily Mail contacted the city for comment. According to a statement released by the Santa Ana Police Department, the driver of the garbage truck remained at the scene and 'cooperated with the investigation'. The truck was towed following the collision. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. ABC7 reported that Pico Pio elementary school immediately offered support for anyone that witnessed the horrific scene. Some families even kept their children indoors long after the crash to shield them from the harrowing aftermath. Families and students of Pio Pico elementary school were nearby when Rubalcava was gruesomely killed Rubalcava had just won an difficult battle with pancreatic cancer when she died. Family said that the she had been in remission for a year and was 'just beginning to feel like herself again.' Rubalcava's loved ones started a GoFundMe to help raise money to cover her funeral expenses. In a tribute to Rubalcava, the family wrote that she was 'loving, caring, and strong.' 'Losing her so suddenly has left us in complete shock,' they wrote. 'She leaves behind a heavy void in our hearts that can never be filled.' Rubalcava left behind eight grandchildren, who loved ones said already missed her 'more than words can express'. The Daily Mail contacted Rubalcava's family, the Santa Ana Police Department, and the city of Santa Ana for comment. An Oklahoma couple is facing murder charges after their family dog mauled and killed their toddler. Jordan McGuire, 34, and Darci Lambert, 24, were arrested over the tragic death of their two-year-old Locklynn McGuire. Police were called to their Oklahoma City home over concerns that that the girl had been 'eaten by something' just after 11.30pm on November 18 according to KOCO. Officers arrived to find Locklynn dead at the residence in the jaws of one of the family's four dogs, identified as a pit bull named Ella. Oklahoma City Police Staff Sergeant Dillon Quirk told People that the little girl had been shut in a room with the canine. It was allegedly the second time she had been attacked by the same animal. 'The child was left in that room with the animal for a substantial period of time before she was discovered deceased,' he said. 'And ultimately a murder arrest came from that investigation.' The couple were arrested on complaints of second-degree murder on Friday. Jordan McGuire (left) and Darci Lambert (right) were arrested on complaints of second degree murder following the death of their daughter Locklynn Their 2-year-old daughter Locklynn McGuire was mauled to death by one of four family dogs The dog was described as a black pit bull by the name of Ella. Lambert shared many photos of their dogs on social media Oklahoma City Animal Welfare took custody of all four dogs as well as one pet rat and two lizards. Court documents obtained by KOCO reported that Locklynn had been attacked only two weeks prior by 'the same black pit bull' who was referred to as Ella. She was taken to OU Children's Hospital with a 'partially severed left ear.' The affidavit for arrest claimed that the parents would often shut the dog in the same room with their daughter because it attacked their other animals. Oklahoma Department of Human Services was called to investigate the first attack but they did not remove Locklynn from the residence. Police investigations suggested that the parents continued to leave her in rooms with the aggressive animal even after the first attack. Family members started a GoFundMe to raise money for Locklynn's memorial service. Locklynn had been attacked by Ella previously. The Oklahoma City family had taken her to the hospital for evaluation Lambert and McGuire were arrested on complaints of second-degree murder Locklynn had reportedly been shut in a room with the aggressive animal multiple times In a tribute to the girl loved ones called the incident a 'devastating dog attack'. They said that Locklynn was 'curious, gentle, and full of joy.' The little girl was just weeks away from her third birthday. According to the ASPCA, guttural barks, growling, and snarling are telltale signs that a dog might become aggressive. Dogs may also become still and rigid or begin nipping and biting. This could be because they are feeling territorial, protective, or frustrated. Experts recommend speaking to a vet or considering rehoming aggressive animals. The Daily Mail reached out to Locklynn's family and Oklahoma City Police for comment. Keir Starmer tonight slapped down Sadiq Khan as he vowed the national grooming gangs inquiry will investigate rape-gang cases in London - despite the Mayor repeatedly playing down the scandal. In a thinly-veiled swipe at the London Mayor, the Prime Minister said, 'the national inquiry will leave no stone unturned wherever it is in the country. 'Whether it's in London or elsewhere I've always said where there's evidence that could be investigated by the police, whether that's looking at old cases or new cases, that should be the first priority. 'My strong view is in these cases that if there's evidence to put people before criminal courts that is the first step that should be taken', he added. Mr Khan has only very recently acknowledged the presence of grooming gangs in London. He has even consistently refused to use the term 'grooming gang' which some say has hindered efforts to support victims. Detective turned police whistleblower, Maggie Oliver, went as far as to accuse Sir Sadiq of a 'cover up' over being in 'denial' about the existence and the scale of the problem in his city. Just last month, he said cases in London are 'far more complex' than elsewhere in the country. Sir Keir Starmer (pictured on November 21) tonight slapped down Sadiq Khan In a thinly-veiled swipe at the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan Sadiq Khan (pictured on October 17) has only very recently acknowledged the presence of grooming gangs in London Denying the comparisons to grooming gangs, he said: 'Those horrific cases [elsewhere] are not the sort of cases we've seen in London'. This came two days after the Metropolitan Police said it would be reviewing 9,000 cases of organised child sexual exploitation in the capital. This followed the national Casey review into the grooming gangs, which found it was far more widespread, organised and underreported than the Mayor previously admitted. Scotland Yard said group-based offending in London was 'particularly insidious and devastating in its profound impact on the children affected. It is not just the Mayor of London who has struggled to come to terms with the industrial scale sexual exploitation of thousands of young women and girls across the country. It has been a thorny issue for Labour nationally. Earlier this year, Sir Keir said he would not tolerate politicians jumping on the 'bandwagon of the far right' and those seeking a national inquiry were 'desperate for attention.' He ordered his MPs to vote against a national inquiry before then performing a humiliating u-turn and commissioning one. Lucy Powell, who is now the Deputy Leader, also said demanding for an inquiry was 'dog whistle politics' - comments she later apologised for. The PM's comments tonight signalled a shift that he may be more willing to confront the 'toxic' issue. However, the national inquiry is still without a candidate to lead the panel attached to it, after a senior social worker spectacularly stepped down as a potential chair, saying in her resignation letter it was a 'fearful environment' amid accusations the Home Office had watered down the crucial panel. Four other victims also dramatically quit the panel, engulfing the inquiry into chaos. 'What's the point in speaking up if we're just going to be called liars?' said victim Fiona Goddard who resigned in disgust. How London goes will show whether the Prime Minister can overcome his critics who say he is failing to deliver the justice he promised. Ukraine has been told it has until Thursday to accept a humiliating peace deal or lose US military support. Under terms thrashed out in secret between the White House and the Kremlin, Kyiv is expected to cede territory its troops have defended since February 2022, slash the size of its military and sacrifice its sovereignty. Donald Trump has told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that he has until Thursday to make up his mind. The 28-point peace plan paves the way for the United States to pocket a multi-billion-dollar payout, including compensation for supporting Ukraine militarily and deals with Russia for rare earth minerals. In a dramatic video address, Mr Zelensky said: 'Today is one of the most difficult moments in our history. 'The pressure on Ukraine is now at its most intense. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice: either the loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a major security partner 28 points or an extremely harsh winter. 'Ukraine's national interest must be taken into account. We're not making loud statements; we'll be calmly working with America and all the partners. We'll have a constructive search for solutions with our main partner [the US].' President Donald Trump (pictured on November 18, 2025) has told his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, that he has until Thursday to make up his mind Zelensky (pictured on February 28) is expected to hold a crisis phone call with Trump early next week Mr Zelensky said he would work around the clock to find a path, but insisted he would not betray his country. Last night, former defence secretary Ben Wallace launched a stinging attack on the US President. He said: 'When will European leaders wake up and recognise that Donald Trump is only interested in dollars and running a protection racket? He has never had any intention of supporting Ukraine. Time for all of us to invest in our defence and to stand together for Ukraine.' Predictably, Russian president Vladimir Putin welcomed the plan, saying it could 'form the basis of a final peace settlement'. Putin also accused Ukraine and its allies of 'dreaming' that Russia can be defeated militarily. Last night a government source described the situation as 'on a knife-edge'. Sir Keir Starmer pledged his support to Ukraine, but there was no criticism of President Trump. Speaking at the G20 summit in South Africa, the Prime Minister said: 'Ukraine has been ready to negotiate for months while Russia has stalled and continued its murderous rampage. That is why we must all work together with both the US and Ukraine to secure a just and lasting peace once and for all.' Former head of the military think-tank RUSI, Professor Michael Clarke, described the situation as 'the most critical moment of the collapse of the transatlantic relationship'. Mr Zelensky addressed the Ukrainian people standing in the rain outside a government building Predictably, Russian president Vladimir Putin (pictured with Trump on August 12, 2025) welcomed the plan, saying it could 'form the basis of a final peace settlement' Behind the scenes, the UK has launched a diplomatic offence, alongside allies such as France and Germany, to suggest counter-proposals and convince the US to soften its stance. But the reluctance of the White House to listen to alternative arguments was signalled by Sir Keir's failure to speak to Mr Trump. The radio silence came despite the UK playing its strongest diplomatic cards, including King Charles's personal request for the US President to receive a second state visit. Despite repeatedly extending deadlines set for Russia to agree a ceasefire or enter negotiations, President Trump confirmed last night: 'Thursday is it.' Ukraine faces being cut off militarily by the US unless it agrees terms, with weapon supplies drying up and an intelligence-sharing agreement coming to an end. With European support, Ukraine could continue to withstand Russia's aerial bombardment indefinitely, but at an increasing cost in terms of lives lost and territory conceded. Standing in the rain outside a government building, Mr Zelensky said: 'I will present arguments, I will persuade, I will offer alternatives, but we will definitely not give the enemy any reason to say that Ukraine does not want peace, that it is disrupting the process and that Ukraine is not ready for diplomacy.' He also recalled how Ukraine responded in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion in February 2022: 'We did not betray Ukraine then, we will not do so now.' Mr Zelensky is expected to hold a crisis phone call with Mr Trump early next week. He has already spoken to Sir Keir and French president Emmanual Macron. Downing Street officials considered whether Sir Keir should return to Britain, but instead, European leaders are expected to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the summit in Johannesburg today to discuss the crisis. A teenage girl who was fatally struck by a ute one month before she turned 18 was comforted by a pastor who held her hands during her final moments. Olivia Chivers, 17, is being remembered as a 'beautiful and gentle' young woman following her tragic death in southeast Queensland about 11.25pm on Monday. She was allegedly struck by a white Nissan Navara ute on Margate Parade at Margate, north of Brisbane, and suffered critical injuries. Frank Moneger, 58, was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death and leaving the scene of an incident without obtaining help. Among the witnesses who rushed to Olivia's side following the collision was Pastor John Lean, who prayed for her and held her hands. 'There didn't appear to be any fear in her eyes, there didn't appear to be any pain she was going through,' Pastor Lean told the Courier Mail. Olivia's mother, Tracey Chivers, said she felt peace knowing her Christian daughter had been supported by a pastor, describing the moment as 'divine timing'. 'She was never afraid of dying, because she knew she would go to heaven, so it didn't scare her, not that she wanted to go,' Ms Chivers said. Olivia Chivers (pictured) was killed in an alleged hit-and-run about 11.25pm on Monday Frank Moneger (pictured) has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and leaving the scene of the incident without obtaining help. Olivia was allegedly struck by a white Nissan Navara ute (pictured) north of Brisbane. The vehicle was seized by police following the alleged hit-and-run Pastor Lean is now in charge of organising Olivia's funeral. Ms Chivers revealed the last words her daughter said to her were 'I love you' only a few hours before the tragic incident. 'She gave me a kiss through the fence and said 'I love you, mum', that was the last time I spoke to her,' she said. Olivia's family said she had dreams of being a songwriter with her older sister Brooke, who she had asked to film her music videos. Bodycam footage showed detectives entering Moneger's Scarborough home and bundling him into the back of a car in handcuffs on Tuesday. Moneger - who was born in the French city of Marseille - has not entered a plea. He allegedly told his son he'd 'hit someone last night' and saw something at the 'last second'. Police said the 58-year-old had allegedly told officers he had consumed alcohol the afternoon before the crash. Olivia's family said she loved song writing, the colour pink and her Chihuahua called Diva Olivia's family said she was comforted by a group of strangers, including Pastor John Lean Prosecutor Sheree Wilde said police were still investigating whether he was intoxicated that night. Just minutes before the crash, Olivia had approached a resident and asked to use their phone as she had been separated from her friends. The matter is next due to be heard on February 12. A GoFundMe page was set up on Friday to support Olivia's family, raising almost $4,000 in the first 24 hours. 'Olivia loved to write song lyrics, Lana Del Rey, and the colour pink,' a statement from the organiser read. 'She also adored her dog, a Chihuahua named Diva, who is actually a boy with a girl's name - buying toys for him even before she knew she was getting one. Her tragic loss is incomprehensible. 'Losing a loved one, and especially a child, is something nobody should have to endure, let alone the financial challenges associated with it.' The funds will help the family organise a funeral for Olivia, and grant them 'some breathing space financially' as they heal from the tragedy. Former Coronation Street star Qasim Akhtar has posed with a controversial Islamic hate preacher who was banned from entering the UK. The actor, 34, who played Zeedan Nazir in the ITV soap, is seen smiling as he is embraced by American cleric Uthman ibn Farooq in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Farooq, who previously said Europe, the US and Russia will become fully Muslim countries, was banned from the UK after it was revealed he said it was 'halal' to have sex with female slaves. He sparked outrage after he said that slaves were people 'whom you can have those relationships with'. He added: 'If Allah made it halal, then it's not sinning, that is not adultery because Allah made it.' He was set to complete a speaking tour of London, Manchester and Birmingham in May before he was barred from entering. Manchester-born Akhtar, who also played Chesney Khan in Channel 4 drama Shameless, first joined Coronation Street in 2014. He left in 2018 before returning from 2021 to 2023. He later moved to Pakistan where he condemned his 'degenerate' past. Former Coronation Street star Qasim Akhtar has posed with controversial Islamic hate preacher Uthman ibn Farooq - who was banned from entering the UK The actor, 34, played Zeedan Nazir in the ITV soap Coronation Street between 2014 and 2023 The actor praised the cleric's 'beautiful reminders', according to the Sun, in an apparent reference to his preaching. Farooq was roundly criticised once his extremist views emerged. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick previously said: 'This man should never set foot on UK soil. His visa must be revoked immediately. Islamists spreading hate and sowing division are not welcome here.' Fiyaz Mughal, of charity Tell Mama which campaigns against anti-Muslim hate, said Farooq's remarks sent a 'barbaric message to people'. 'Any sheikh or imam who attempts to publicly justify having sex with people who have no choice should not be allowed in the UK,' he said. 'We have enough problems with backwards views in the UK and we don't need others coming here and legitimising such poison.' Farooq works with One True Message Foundation, based in west London, and is featured prominently in their videos. The organisation previously sparked fury when they released a video where a member compared women who don't wear hijabs to 'unwrapped sweets'. 'I have two sweets, yeah, one I open the wrapper and I throw it on the floor, yeah, and I tread on it a little bit. The other one I leave in the wrapper, and I throw it on the floor and I tread on it,' it said. Farooq previously said Europe, the US and Russia will become fully Muslim countries and was banned from the UK after it was revealed he said it was 'halal' to have sex with female slaves 'One's in the wrapper, one's not. I pick both of them up and I say take one. Which one are you going to choose? Case closed.' Farooq has also claimed 'Every ideal nightmare of a Muslim Europe will come true'. 'The future is ours,' he told a mosque audience in Birmingham. Muslims must 'never apologise', 'never compromise' and 'never water down their religion,' he added. Qasim Akhtar, ITV and the Home Office have been contacted for comment. Millions of families are to be hit with another rise in energy bills this winter because of Ed Miliband's dash for Net Zero. Energy regulator Ofgem said government 'policy costs' were a key driver in the latest rise, which takes the price cap to 1,758 a year. Bills will rise even though wholesale energy prices have fallen by four per cent. The cap is 190 higher than when Labour came to power last year, despite Mr Miliband's pre-election pledge to cut bills by 300. The situation is so embarrassing for the Government that Rachel Reeves is now considering action in next week's Budget to remove the cost of things like connecting wind farms to the grid from energy bills and pay for them through general taxation. But critics tonight called on Keir Starmer to 'rein in' Mr Miliband and bring a halt to the remorseless rise in UK energy costs, among the highest in the developed world. Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho said Mr Miliband's flagship pledge to decarbonise the entire electricity system by 2030 was 'making people poorer'. Writing in the Mail, she added: 'We already have some of the cleanest electricity in the world, but it is also the most expensive. The priority for any government must be cutting people's bills.' Martin Lewis, of MoneySavingExpert.com, said the latest price cap announcement 'just shows the ludicrousness of the situation'. The energy price cap is 190 higher than when Labour came to power last year, despite Ed Miliband's (pictured) pre-election pledge to cut bills by 300 Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho (pictured) said Mr Miliband's flagship pledge to decarbonise the entire electricity system by 2030 was 'making people poorer' He told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: 'The reason we are seeing these costs going up on electricity is not the normal reason of the wholesale rates the costs that energy firms to buy in electricity and gas. That is going down. 'These are policy costs. These are the costs of paying the Warm Homes Discount, these are the costs of connecting renewables to the grid, the costs of new nuclear. These are all policy costs.' In the run-up to the election, Mr Miliband claimed his plans would deliver a 'mind-blowing' reduction in bills. Downing Street today insisted the Prime Minister remains committed to reducing bills by 300 by the next election. But experts have warned the speed of the dash to Net Zero is likely to push bills up even further. A report this week found green levies are set to add a further 264 to bills by the end of the decade. Ofgem today said that wholesale energy costs have fallen by four per cent since the last price cap review three months ago. But the regulator said the cost of other factors, meant the price cap would have to rise again. These include upgrading the grid to take power from wind and solar farms, the cost of building the new Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk and the extension of Mr Miliband's Warm Home Discount Scheme, which will cut 150 from the bills of low income households but add about 7 to average bills. And experts are already predicting a further rise in the spring. Higher electricity rates have driven the latest change, while gas rates will fall slightly meaning that households who use electric heating could see the biggest impact. The latest increase in the cap will add a relatively modest 3 a year to bills. But analysts had predicted a cut. And the overall figure masks big differences, with electricity costs rising five per cent while the unit price of gas drops six per cent. Mr Lewis said it was 'perverse' that electricity costs were rising compared to gas at a time when ministers are telling people to switch to electric heat pumps. Mr Miliband today acknowledged that bills remain 'too high' but said he was taking 'urgent action' to help those in most need. The Energy Secretary insisted that bills 'remain high due to Britain's dependence on fossil fuel markets'. Tragic cruise teen Anna Kepners 16-year-old stepbrother is facing a suspected 'murder investigation according to a new bombshell court filing. It is the first time the word has been used in the case of the school cheerleader who was found under a bed, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests in her cabin. Anna, 18, had been on a six-day Caribbean getaway with her blended family when she was discovered dead while mega-liner Carnival Horizon was in international waters between Mexico and Florida on November 7. The Daily Mail was the first to report her 16-year-old stepbrother was under investigation and a suspect over the death of the teen from Titusville, Florida. It was revealed earlier Friday that asphyxiation via a bar hold - an arm across the neck - was her official cause of death, ABC News reported. Now a new filing exclusively obtained by The Daily Mail reveals the increased gravity of the FBI investigation. It is disclosed in latest court paperwork from Annas stepmom Shauntel Hudson, 36, in her custody battle with ex Thomas which is now enmeshed in the tragedy. In a motion to Brevard County Court in Florida, her attorney writes: 'An extremely sensitive and severe circumstance has arisen wherein there is an investigation being conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigations, (FBI) arising out of the suspected murder of the Respondent/Mothers stepdaughter. Tragic cruise teen Anna Kepners (pictured left) 16-year-old stepbrother (pictured right) is facing a suspected 'murder investigation according to a new bombshell court filing Anna Kepner had been on a six-day Caribbean getaway with her dad , stepmom, siblings and step-siblings when she was declared dead in the international waters between Mexico and Florida 'The minor child, TH, is currently the subject of the active FBI criminal investigation. There is good cause for the need to protect the privacy, sensitivity, and well-being of not only the minor child, TH, but the other individual family members as well. Shauntels new plea is part of her motion just filed to seal the divorce case and stop any further information about her family and many circumstances surrounding Annas death becoming publicly available. She also wants all proceedings be closed to the press in the event criminal charges are filed against the minor child, his right to a fair trial may be tarnished. The stepmoms motion adds she is requesting that the court close the proceedings in order to protect the interests of the minor child and the family. Shauntel also criticizes her ex Thomas in the motion, saying he may have impeded the active criminal investigation with confidential comments she understands he has made. The motion calls for a Non-Dissemination Order, preventing both parties from discussing or giving out information and to seal the case where the court documents are not available to the public. Specifically, she demands the shutdown of information about the FBI probe, her custody battle, any law enforcement activity and the passing on of documents, photographs or texts relating to her suspect son. She also wants sensitive information redacted from public court records. A family photo of Anna (pictured lower right), with her stepmother, father, stepbrother (pictured left), stepsister and half-sister Kepner posted a TikTok video from on board the ship six months ago saying how much she wanted to return The explosive new development comes less than 24 hours after an emotional celebration of life for Anna at a packed church her home home city and attended by her ex boyfriend Josh Tew, who made startling allegations against the stepbrother. Anna was sharing the cabin with her 14-year-old brother as well as the 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The two boys had bunk beds and Anna was in her own, according to a well-placed source. Josh, who broke up with Anna six months ago, claimed the 16-year-old tried to climb on top of her against her will months before she died. He also gave chilling details about the last moments of Annas life before she was discovered and the vessel returned to Miami a day later, where it was swarmed by FBI agents. Heartbroken father Christopher insisted in a previous interview with the Daily Mail that investigators had shared barely any details with him. 'We were there as a family. Everybody was questioned. Everybody came off that ship. I don't know who they are looking at or what their investigation is,' he said. 'The FBI hasn't shared anything with me yet. I would imagine they're going to be in contact with me about it but I know as little as everybody else. 'I have no idea what is going on right now. We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers.' Anna's stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, has been locked in a custody battle with her ex, Thomas Hudson, over their children. On Tuesday, she filed a response acknowledging that 'it is true that there is an open investigation' into her stepdaughter's death Friends and relatives are seen piling into Grove Church in Titusville, Florida for the memorial service on Thursday Known by her nickname Anna Banana, the 18-year-old was set to graduate in May and had plans to join the military. A gymnast and varsity cheerleader, she attended Temple Christian School in Titusville, where her Kia Forte remained parked up this week, covered in flowers and tributes from heartbroken pals. She was a 'bright, kind-hearted young woman whose presence brought warmth and energy into the classroom,' the school said in a touching Facebook post. Christopher said his daughter's ultimate career goal was to join the local police department so she could protect her friends and family. 'The whole family is lost for words. We miss her and love her more than anything,' he added. Anna had been on previous cruises and had raved about her love of travel on TikTok. One post showed her enjoying a holiday on the very same boat six months earlier. She danced about in a white dress and captioned the haunting clip: 'I wanna go back.' Mother Heather described her daughter in an interview with Fox 13 as being 'always happy' as she recalled her daughter's love of horseback racing and cheerleading. Friends and family remembered Kepner for her bubbly personality Photos of the slain teenager adorned the walls of the Titusville, Florida church 'She was a really good child,' the heartbroken mother said. 'She never really complained about much. She never really cried that much as a baby, and as a teenager, she was the same. Just always happy.' She added that Anna cherished becoming a big sister and had a gift for lifting other's spirits. That was on full display as swaths of folk in Titusville packed The Grove church to pay tribute to the 'bubbly' teenager. The hour-long service included photos of Anna throughout her life flashed up on a screen while the pastor described them. None of her parents read a eulogy. Former classmate Daisy Fletcher spoke poignantly to the Daily Mail before the celebration, emphasizing her friend's empathy for others. Fighting back tears, she said: 'Whenever someone was upset Anna put a lot of effort into making sure they felt really cared about, that she was really there for them.' The student, also 18 and who now lives in Orlando, Florida, hinted though that Anna did have 'issues', but would not go into detail. 'Seeing her go through her own bouts, her own issues, it was heartbreaking,' Daisy said. 'She was a very kind person and actually very sturdy. 'Anna was so bright. Both smarts wise and also the way she interacted with people. She made them laugh a lot. She laughed a lot herself, very bubbly and such a good friend. 'Anna felt pretty confident and she deserved the good that she had in life.' Relatives, friends and strangers who just wanted to give support thronged the church in the community where the school cheerleader had brought such joy to countless other lives. Carnival said in a statement: 'Our focus is on supporting the family of our guest and cooperating with the FBI.' A spokesman for the bureau added: 'No further information is being released at this time.' Destructive wind gusts are hammering remote communities in the Top End as tropical cyclone Fina strengthens while sweeping back over water and threatening Darwin. Fina passed over the Cobourg Peninsula overnight and into the Van Diemen Gulf on Saturday, moving slowly towards the Northern Territory capital. In an update on Saturday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology said the system had been upgraded to category three. It said very destructive wind gusts to 185 km/h were likely along the southeastern coast of the Tiwi Islands on Saturday morning. Destructive wind gusts to 140km/h may extend to Darwin later in the day. Early on Saturday, a cyclone warning zone was in place for Darwin, the Cobourg Peninsula, the Tiwis, the Daly River Mouth to Warruwi and inland to Batchelor. At around 7.30am Darwin time the system had sustained winds near the centre of 120km/h with wind gusts to 165km/h. It was tracking 120km northeast of the city. Destructive wind gusts are hammering remote communities in the Top End as Tropical Cyclone Fina sweeps back over water and threatens Darwin (pictured) The category-two system passed over the Cobourg Peninsula overnight and into the Van Diemen Gulf on Saturday, moving slowly towards the Northern Territory capital At the third tier of severity, cyclones can bring wind gusts of up to 224km/h and cause structural damage to properties. Speaking in South Africa, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged people in the cyclone's path to look after themselves and others. 'My thoughts are with people at this time and also with the emergency service workers and others who will be working hard,' he said. Heavy rainfall might lead to flash flooding in coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Warruwi, extending across the western Top End including Darwin during Saturday and Sunday, the bureau said in an update. Croker Island Airport, in remote west Arnhem Land, had recorded nearly 200mm of rainfall in the 24 hours to Saturday morning. The NT Emergency Service is advising people in the path of Fina to remain in a secure shelter while the destructive winds pass. 'Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone - destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time,' it said. Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist with the bureau, said the worst of the conditions for Darwin were likely to be from Saturday evening into the overnight hours, but it was hoped Fina's destructive winds would stay over water. Top End residents have been stocking up on basics with bottled water, bread, canned goods and other household supplies flying off supermarket shelves 'What I would say to Northern Territory communities right now is your fellow Australians are with you,' Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain told reporters in Canberra An approaching cyclone has sparked a rush on bottled water at supermarkets in Darwin Authorities expect to advise Darwin residents to find their place of shelter and stay there until given the all-clear, with emergency services confident homes will withstand the storm. NT Emergency Services chief officer Wayne Snell on Friday said residents should be prepared to look after themselves for the coming three days. Many businesses had closed, including large supermarkets. Federal help has been offered to the NT government as it prepares for Fina. 'What I would say to Northern Territory communities right now is your fellow Australians are with you,' Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain told reporters in Canberra. Top End residents have been stocking up on basics with bottled water, bread, canned goods and other household supplies flying off supermarket shelves. Conditions are set to ease in the Top End by late Sunday as the system moves to Western Australia. Cyclone Tracy was the most devastating system to hit Darwin, killing 66 people on Christmas Day, 1974. Embattled Rachel Reeves has been the subject of a series of damning scoops from this newspaper since moving into Downing Street. It was the Daily Mail that exclusively revealed last month that the Chancellor broke the law by renting out her family home without a licence while living at No11. Our reporters have also covered claims she plagiarised parts of her book from Wikipedia, lied on her LinkedIn CV and highlighted every shambolic U-turn in her Budget. But despite the likelihood she will come across another embarrassing story about her daughter, Ms Reeves' mother Sally remains an avid Daily Mail reader and subscriber. Ms Reeves told The Times her mum enjoys the Mail's puzzles and quizzes, but was 'very angry' with the paper given recent coverage about her but not angry enough to stop buying a daily copy. Rachel Reeves (pictured with her sister Ellie) said her mother enjoys the Mail's puzzles and quizzes When asked if Sally would cancel her subscription, Ms Reeves said: 'That's what we're hoping, but at the moment she just hides copies of it when we go round.' The Chancellor's sister Ellie Reeves is also a leading Labour light serving as an MP and the current Solicitor General. A YouGov poll indicates Rachel Reeves is trusted on the economy by just 14 per cent of voters. Despite this, she insists she has had enough advice on how to do her job, saying: 'I'm sick of people mansplaining how to be chancellor.' La tension politique en Tanzanie connait un rebondissement de taille. La Presidente Samia Suluhu Hassan a cree la surprise en affirmant que les violentes manifestations ayant secoue le pays apres les elections generales du 29 octobre dernier n'etaient pas spontanees, mais payees . Une declaration-choc lancee lors de l'installation officielle d'une commission independante chargee d'enqueter sur ces evenements. Des manifestants payes pour defiler ? Nous avons recu des informations selon lesquelles les jeunes descendus dans la rue pour exiger le respect de leurs droits avaient d'abord ete payes , a declare la cheffe de l'Etat, citee par le journal Daily News. Et d'ajouter, percutante : Beaucoup ont rejoint les manifestations precisement a cause de l'argent recu. Cela souleve la question de savoir d'ou vient cet argent. Cette accusation, sans preuve immediatement apportee, vise a discrediter le mouvement de protestation qui a enflamme plusieurs villes du pays pendant plusieurs jours. Les images de heurts avec la police, de voitures et de stations-service incendiees, avaient fait le tour des medias. Une commission pour apaiser les esprits Face a cette crise, la Presidente Hassan a choisi la mise en place d'une enquete officielle. La commission independante se voit confier un triple mandat : etudier l'essence du probleme, analyser les revendications exactes des manifestants et evaluer les mesures prises par les forces de l'ordre pour contenir le chaos. Elle dispose d'un delai de trois mois pour rendre ses conclusions, qui determineront les suites a donner et les eventuelles solutions a apporter. Un contexte electoral controverse Ces troubles s'inscrivent dans un contexte electoral hautement controverse. L'election presidentielle du 29 octobre a ete marquee par la victoire ecrasante de la presidente sortante, Samia Suluhu Hassan, avec 97,66% des voix. Un score record annonce apres que les deux principaux adversaires de la presidente aient ete exclus de la course, alimentant un vif mecontentement populaire et des accusations de pression sur l'opposition. Alors que la nouvelle commission se met au travail, la question plane : sa mission parviendra-t-elle a apaiser une nation clivee et a etablir la verite sur le financement des manifestations, ou ne sera-t-elle qu'un outil pour delegitimer toute contestation ? La reponse, dans trois mois. Tanzania: President Samia Suluhu Hassan Claims Post-Election Protests Were "Paid For" An independent commission tasked with a three-month investigation to shed light on accusations that cast a shadow over popular dissent. The political tension in Tanzania has taken a dramatic turn. President Samia Suluhu Hassan made a surprising claim, stating that the violent protests that rocked the country after the general elections on October 29 were not spontaneous, but "paid for." This shocking declaration was made during the official inauguration of an independent commission tasked with investigating these events. Protesters "Paid" to Demonstrate? "We have received information that the youth who took to the streets to demand their rights were first paid," the head of state stated, as quoted by the Daily News newspaper. She added pointedly, "Many joined the protests precisely because of the money received. This raises the question of where this money came from." This accusation, made without immediately provided evidence, aims to discredit the protest movement that engulfed several cities for days. Images of clashes with police, burnt cars, and petrol stations had circulated widely in the media. A Commission to Calm Tensions In response to this crisis, President Hassan has opted for an official inquiry. The independent commission has a triple mandate: to study the root of the problem, analyze the exact demands of the protesters, and assess the measures taken by security forces to contain the chaos. It has three months to deliver its findings, which will determine the next steps and any potential solutions. A Controversial Electoral Context These disturbances occur against a backdrop of a highly controversial election. The October 29 presidential vote was marked by the overwhelming victory of incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan with 97.66% of the vote. This record-breaking score was announced after the president's two main rivals were disqualified from the race, fueling widespread public discontent and accusations of pressure on the opposition. As the new commission begins its work, the question looms: will its mission succeed in calming a divided nation and establishing the truth about the protest funding, or will it be merely a tool to delegitimize all dissent? The answer, in three months. Tanzanie, Samia Suluhu Hassan, manifestations Tanzanie, elections Tanzanie 2023, commission d'enquete, politique Tanzanie, Afrique de l'Est, actualites africaines, opposition politique, manifestations payees, crise politique, Daily News Tanzanie, John Magufuli Mouahna Divine Britain has agreed to build vessels for Indonesia as part of a 4billion maritime deal that will create 1,000 new jobs in the UK. Prime Minister Kier Starmer is understood to be announcing the lucrative deal in a call with Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto on Saturday. Led by British defence firm Babcock, the programme will see the two countries jointly develop capability for Indonesia's navy, creating jobs in Rosyth, Bristol and Plymouth. 'The boats will be built in Indonesia using British shipbuilding expertise, which will support 1,000 jobs at home in the UK,' the government said. For Indonesia, the scheme will unlock major investment in local shipbuilding, revitalise fishing communities, enhance Indonesia's defence and maritime security, and boost food security - one of President Prabowo's top priorities. In a statement, Sir Keir said: 'This deal with Indonesia is the latest example of how our strong international partnerships are delivering real benefit for people at home in jobs, opportunity and growth. 'And as one of our closest G20 partners, it reinforces our joint commitment to global stability and bolsters our shared national security.' Babcock chief executive David Lockwood said the deal was 'a major investment and commitment, building on the strong foundations between nations while driving economic growth for both countries.' Britain has agreed to build vessels for Indonesia as part of a 4billion maritime deal that will create 1,000 new jobs in the UK. Pictured: Prime Minister Kier Starmer with Indonesian president Prabowo Subianto last year Rachel Reeves pledged to turn Britain into a 'defence industrial superpower' earlier this year. Pictured: The Chancellor on a visit to Babcock in Rosyth The deal follows the UK winning a 10bn contract with Norway to build the nation's next generation anti-submarine warfare destroyers, which will support 4,000 UK jobs. Britain has also secured an 8bn deal with NATO-ally Turkey for the export of 20 Typhoon fighter jets, providing a further 20,000 jobs. The boost to the UK's economy comes just months after Rachel Reeves pledged to turn Britain into a 'defence industrial superpower' after allocating an extra 2.2bn for high-tech equipment. She promised to spend 'a minimum of 10 per cent' of the Ministry of Defence's equipment budget on 'novel technologies' such as artificial intelligence and drones, and a protected budget of 400million will be allocated to new technology. The Chancellor told the Commons in March that the figure will 'rise over time, with a clear mandate to bring innovative technology to the front line at speed'. Of that money, 200m will support military shipyards at Barrow, 'supporting the creation of thousands of jobs', said the Chancellor, who also said the Portsmouth naval base will be regenerated. Cities and towns such as Glasgow, Derby and Newport, already with significant manufacturing facilities, are expected to see more demand for skilled engineers and scientists as opportunities for UK tech firms and start-ups increase. Defence Secretary John Healey, pictured with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said the increased budget represented 'the biggest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War' Defence Secretary John Healey said at the time: 'This is money for UK defence to invest. That's an extra 5billion for the next financial year. 'That's a bold step towards the 2.5 per cent announcement the Prime Minister made for 2027, the biggest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. 'That is to strengthen our defence, our deterrents, our armed forces. To the extent it allows us to be a better and closer defence ally to the United States.' Defence manufacturer Babcock said the extra 2.2billion would allow investment in UK firms and drive domestic economic growth. Keir Starmer was accused of 'kowtowing' to China as he is poised to approve its 'mega' embassy. It is understood the Prime Minister will announce a decision next month despite warnings over national security. It comes in the same week as MI5 warned MPs about a security threat from Chinese spies seeking to infiltrate Parliament. Reports that Sir Keir will approve the plan come ahead of his expected visit to China in January next year. It also comes in the wake of the collapse of a spy trial in which two men were accused of passing information to Beijing. They deny wrongdoing. A Whitehall source said the embassy's approval was likely to be a 'formality'. But a No 10 source said a decision has not been made. MPs erupted in fury at the news, with former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith warning. 'The Government is in a hopeless state of kowtow to China. We will take it to the courts because they have broken all the rules. 'Everything China wants China gets. They spy on us, bully us, cajole us and yet Labour is there on deep bended knee asking for more. It's a shameful moment for a British government. 'China represents a threat that is real, constant and growing and this is a strategic disaster.' Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel warned that rubber-stamping the embassy would put the UK at risk, adding: 'Keir Starmer really hates Britain. He's off to Beijing... after our intelligence services issued alerts about Chinese espionage following the massive spy case.' An illustration of the proposed frontage of the Chinese Embassy in east London. It is understood the Prime Minister will announce a decision next month on regarding the embassy Reports that Sir Keir will approve the plan of the new development pictured above come ahead of his expected visit to China in January next year China warned of 'consequences' if the embassy near the Tower of London is not given planning permission. The site at Royal Mint Court sits above a web of fibre- optic cables used to carry information into the City of London. A decision on the embassy, which critics say will be used as a base for espionage, has been delayed repeatedly. But it is now set to be approved after MI5 and MI6 reportedly gave the plan the go-ahead, The Times reported. Both the Home Office and Foreign Office are said to be not planning to raise objections provided appropriate 'mitigations' are in place to protect national security'. It comes ahead of the PM's expected visit to China next year to boost economic relations with one of Britain's largest trading partners. Asked about the visit and the embassy decision, Sir Keir, who is at the G20 summit in South Africa, said he would 'robustly' protect national interests. He said no visit had been confirmed while officials refused to comment on the embassy plans. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall declined to comment directly on reports the embassy will be approved, saying the decision will go 'through the proper process'. It comes after the security services warned Beijing is carrying out mass espionage on UK targets. Chinese intelligence officers have attempted to recruit people linked to Westminster in an operation targeting the 'weak underbelly of Parliament', sources have said. A decision on the embassy will be made by Steve Reed's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government after a quasi-judicial process set to end on December 10. Ex-MI6 boss Richard Dearlove said the plans should be rejected, telling GB News the symbolism of a Chinese embassy in a building 'so prominent, the largest they'll have in Europe', would not send the 'right' message. He said the Government will be in 'an awfully difficult position' if it is approved. A couple whose three-year-old son tragically died after he went into cardiac arrest have pleaded for help finding their 'deeply sentimental' caravan after it was allegedly stolen less than 24 hours after the toddler's death. Three-year-old Merson Melville's heart suddenly stopped at his Frankston home in Victoria on the morning of October 24. He was rushed to hospital and placed in a coma but, tragically, he took his final breath while surrounded by his family at 11.43am on November 1. Merson's parents, Penny and Mo Melville, were then dealt a further blow when their vintage caravan was allegedly stolen from Karingal Drive about 11.30pm the next day. CCTV footage shared by the couple's business, Momentum Cafe in Karingal, on social media showed the moment the caravan was taken. A dark car is seen slowly reversing in front of the caravan before a person got out and attached the caravan to their vehicle before driving away. The video was posted to a community Facebook page with a lengthy statement, which alleged that a second vehicle had acted as a lookout. 'The family want one thing above all else, they just want the caravan back. If you are the person who has it, you can remain completely anonymous,' the post said. The family have desperately pleaded for the caravan to be returned as it held valuable memories of superhero-loving Merson (pictured) for them The day after Merson's death, the Melville family's vintage caravan was allegedly stolen 'You can return it to where it was taken from, leave it somewhere safe and contact police anonymously, or you can even message this page. 'No questions will be asked and no charges will be pursued as long as the caravan is returned. 'This caravan is deeply sentimental, holding precious memories from their recent holiday together with their precious little boy. 'It cannot be replaced, but together we can try to bring it home.' The caravan is a 1976 York with a custom drawbar, a bike rack on the back and a bright blue stripe across the middle on both sides. The registration is: 441 35B. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help ease some of the family's financial strain and to cover funeral costs, and has raised $24,633 since November. Merson was described by the organiser as a 'bright, happy, superhero-loving boy who adored his big sister Sassika and filled every room with joy'. 'His absence has left an unimaginable ache in the hearts of all who knew him,' they said. Three-year-old Merson Melville's heart suddenly stopped at his Frankston home on October 24. He was rushed to hospital and placed in a coma but, died at 11:43am on November 1 The caravan (pictured) is a 1976 York with a custom drawbar, a bike rack on the back and a bright blue stripe across the middle on both sides Penny and Mo's cafe continues to operate under their team, while the couple take some space to grieve. The fundraiser said the couple have the 'love and support of their big Greek family, who have filled their home with an abundance of care, meals, and practical help'. Merson's funeral will be held on November 26 at 11.30am at Saint Lazarus Chapel in Bunurong Memorial Park. Frankston Police are continuing to investigate the theft of the caravan. Anyone with information or with dashcam and CCTV footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A mother has accused the High Court of state-sanctioned abuse after her six-year-old daughter was ordered to keep the surname of her rapist father. The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, said she had a 'complete meltdown' when a judge upheld the ruling despite a history of serious assault. Referred to in court as D, the family court had found in March that changing the girl's surname would 'constitute a rupture in the link she has to her father in a way that is not justified or proportionate'. Judge Laura Moys said D's name 'is a part of her identity and provides an important connection to her father and paternal heritage'. And this week High Court Judge Mr Justice Peel upheld the decision following an appeal as it found 'no real prospect of success'. This was despite the child having not seen her father - who was found to have committed four 'very serious' incidents of sexual abuse against the mother between 2015 and 2017, including rape - face-to-face since December 2021. Speaking after Mr Justice Peel's verdict, D's mother told the Times: 'That was the one thing I thought was so obvious for these courts - that it cannot be acceptable for a rapist to be attached to my daughter's name - and that's the one thing they refused. It was like the floor's being removed from your feet and you're drowning into a black hole.' She said she planned on following through with an application to the European Court of Human Rights, supported by the Good Law Project, with the intention of crowdfunding the case. This week High Court Judge Mr Justice Peel (pictured) upheld the decision following an appeal as it found 'no real prospect of success' At a hearing in March, Judge Laura Moys wrote in her judgment that removing the name would 'constitute a further rupture in the link she has to her father in a way that is not justified or proportionate' 'A surname is integral to someone's identity. I do not want my daughter to be identified with a rapist,' she concluded. D's mother was born in abroad before moving to the UK. She said she had grown up in a loving home and never expected the English courts would insist she keep the name of an abuser, saying 'we're not in a third-world country'. The court was told the mother, known as M, and father F were both educated professionals whose marriage was arranged. Their first ceremony took place in India in January 2016, with a later civil ceremony in the UK. The couple initially lived with Ms parents in Britain and soon purchased a home of their own. Their daughter was born in September 2019, and in early 2021, the couple temporarily moved back into Ms parents home while renovations were underway. Relations rapidly soured during that period, and in December 2021, F initiated divorce proceedings. What followed was a spiralling series of allegations, court hearings and protective orders. By January 2022, M sought and was granted a non-molestation order - preventing her estranged husband from contacting or approaching her. A further order was granted in June 2023, which persists to this day. The court heard that despite her saying she wanted to 'wait' until marriage, the father had refused to stop intercourse when D's mother cried in pain and said 'no'. He was also threatening and verbally abusive during the breakdown of the relationship. Charlotte Proudman (pictured), the barrister representing the mother, said the ruling showed 'a rapist's rights are more important than [the] victim's' During one argument in September 2021, the father had told D's mother: 'There is no guarantee that if I come back here that I will not get so stressed out that I decide to pick up the knife, kill your parents first in their sleep and then kill you and [D].' He was said to have left her and D living 'in fear', swearing at the mother weeks later. D's mother described the courts process as 'hugely traumatic', in particular because her former husband had represented himself, saying she was 'so petrified to be in the same room'. She described the horror of watching him drum his fingers on the table behind a screen. D's mother questioned why the judge would 'put a little girl through that trauma', suggesting the decision was 'biased' towards her ex-husband. She said she had 'no doubt' the father was pleased their daughter still bore his name and described it as 'his way to have some sort of crazy control over her and my life'. D's mother said she was yet to discuss the surname in detail with her daughter but that the little girl could already sense there is 'something different' about her name. She claimed the family courts are dominated by a 'pro-contact culture' that insists having two parents present provides a better outcome for the child - but argued the evidence is 'old' and 'the world has moved on'. 'It's like state-sanctioned abuse,' she said. Charlotte Proudman, the barrister representing the mother, had said the ruling showed 'a rapist's rights are more important than [the] victim's'. Both Judge Moys and Mr Justice Peel criticised the father's lack of understanding around the allegations as he had continually referred to them as being of 'sexual harassment' and repeatedly used the phrase 'marital rape' in court, despite being asked to stop. On appeal, the mother argued Judge Moys had failed to sufficiently consider the impact of continued use of the father's surname. But Mr Justice Peel said the judge had 'clearly' recorded the seriousness of abuse before reaching a conclusion. One part of the appeal was allowed, however, relating to a protective order. Mr Justice Peel overturned Judge Moy's refusal to extend a non-molestation order. He cited the father's alleged breach, currently awaiting a criminal trial, and a police investigation into historical rapes. The injunction is set to continue until 2027. The father was ordered to pay 5,000 of the mother's 13,000 costs. Ms Proudman said: 'This is abusive, state-sanctioned harm. You are forcing a child to bear or to continue to retain the fathers surname, the man who raped her mother. That is abuse facilitated by the court.' She later said the courts' approach had been rooted in 'the dark ages', adding it was worrying a judge had corrected her when she referred the the man as a 'sexual predator' given his history of raping the mother. Ms Proudman said the decision was 'stigmatising, damaging' and 'shows just how far the family courts still have to go'. A married CEO who welcomed the King on a royal visit has quit alongside a female executive after they were caught on camera in a compromising position in front of staff. CEO Rupert Pleasant and his colleague were unaware they were being recorded on a computer screen as they got 'frisky'. The pair, who worked for Guernsey Finance, were also caught criticising other employees in footage which was shared around the company. Mr Pleasant was among a group of finance chiefs to meet with King Charles on a royal visit to the island last year. The CEO's profile has been removed from the company's website and his Linkedin page is no longer public. The husband of the woman involved said it was a 'very difficult time' but that he was 'standing by her'. Acting CEO Barnaby Molloy said the incident fell 'significantly short of the standards we expect', and the individuals were 'no longer employed by Guernsey Finance'. 'Any conversations and actions were clearly intended to be private; the behaviour and opinions expressed do not reflect those of our organisation.' Guernsey Finance CEO, who last year met King Charles, has quit after he was caught on camera in a compromising position with a female colleague The CEO's profile has been removed from the company's website and his Linkedin page is no longer public In a statement, Guernsey Finance said: 'The Board is taking recent events extremely seriously. 'The matter was being investigated last week, and we can now confirm the resignation of Chief Executive, Rupert Pleasant. 'The Board can also confirm that it is working closely with relevant stakeholders whilst ensuring the well-being of its staff and operational continuity under Acting CEO Barnaby Molloy. 'As an independent investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further details.' Guernsey Finance describes itself as 'a joint government and industry initiative tasked with promoting and connecting Guernsey as a leading international finance centre'. The incident is reminiscent of the viral Coldplay kisscam saga which saw astronomer CEO Andy Byron, 51, caught in a cozy embrace with Kristin Cabot, 53, his married HR boss, back in July. He was forced to leave his position at the company in the wake of the saga. A Washington state resident has become the first person in the world to die from a strain of a virus that has never been seen before in humans. The patient, an older adult with underlying conditions, was hospitalized with bird flu earlier this month after suffering from a high fever, confusion and severe breathing difficulties, officials said. Lab tests confirmed the patient was infected with H5N5, a strain of bird flu previously detected in animals but never before recorded in people. The person who died from the virus had a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. They were first treated by doctors in Grays Harbor County, about 100 miles west of Seattle, before being transferred to an unnamed hospital in King County in the Seattle area, for specialist care. Before dying they were described as being 'severely ill'. 'The risk to the public remains low. No other people involved have tested positive for avian influenza,' the Washington State Department of Health said in a statement. 'Public health officials will continue to monitor anyone who was in close contact with the patient for symptoms to ensure that human-to-human spread has not occurred. There is no evidence of transmission of this virus between people.' A Washington state resident has died from a strain of virus that has never been seen in humans before Avian influenza was detected within the flock making it likely the patient exposure to domestic poultry or wild birds the most likely source of the virus for the patient Further details about the patient, including their name, gender, age, and treatment, were not revealed. It was not clear how the individual was infected, but officials said it was likely linked to exposure to wild or domestic birds. Avian influenza was detected in the patient's backyard poultry flock, making it the likely cause of the infection. Two of the birds in their flock died from an unidentified illness a few weeks ago, although the rest of the birds currently remain healthy. Officials have followed up with individuals who had contact with the patient and tested those who had symptoms. There were no further cases of bird flu detected as of Friday, officials said. It is possible to become infected with the virus after being exposed to saliva or droppings from infected birds or handling the body of a bird that died from the virus. Where the strain could be determined, all previous human cases have been infected with the H5N1 strain. Experts said the appearance of this strain in humans showed the virus's 'unpredictable' evolution. There is currently no evidence, however, that this strain is more infectious or severe in humans than other strains of the virus. Officials at the Washington State Department of Health revealed the infection with a new strain of the virus last week The case marks the first bird flu infection detected anywhere in the US in at least eight months, and the first recorded in Washington state this year The above map shows states with confirmed human infections with bird flu. All previous infections were due to the H5N1 strain The case marks the first bird flu infection detected anywhere in the US in at least eight months and the first recorded in Washington state this year. Since the bird flu outbreak began in January 2022, a total of 71 people have been infected, and one individual, a person in Louisiana, has died. Only four cases have been detected so far this year. Officials have stressed, however, that the risk to the public remains low. Dr Beth Lipton, the state's public health veterinarian, said in a press conference: '[H5N5] is not a new strain or completely new virus. It is just the first time we know of that it has infected a person.' Officials at the Washington State Department of Health revealed the infection with a new strain of the virus at a press conference on Friday. Dr Angela Rasmussen, a virologist in Canada, warned on X: 'It's not H5N1, it's H5N5, but that isn't a relief to me. It's a reassortment that put someone in the hospital. This is unpredictable. 'I hope epidemiologists are investigating to assess who else might have been exposed, so appropriate outbreak investigation and control can be applied.' Dr William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert in Tennessee, told Newsweek: 'Infection with H5N5 bird flu virus likely is a rare one-off event that does not have widespread implications for the general public.' Since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022, most patients have been in either California, which recorded 39 confirmed or probable bird flu cases, or Washington, where there were 15 confirmed or probable bird flu cases. Officials have followed up with individuals who had contact with the patient and tested those who had symptoms. There were no further cases of bird flu detected as of Friday, officials said There is no current evidence that H5N5 is more likely to cause infections or severe disease in humans than other strains of bird flu In most cases, infections have been linked either to exposure to infected domestic poultry or dairy cows, which have also been infected by the virus. In wild and domestic birds, bird flu has now been detected in every state in the US since January 2022. An estimated 174million wild and domestic birds are estimated to have been affected, while more than 1,000 dairy herds have also been infected. Since September this year, it has struck 7million farmed birds nationwide including 1.3million turkeys, leading to concerns that there may be a shortage for thanksgiving. Experts warn that infections with bird flu are more common at this time of year because wild birds, which may be carrying the virus, migrate, potentially spreading the virus to new areas. There remain concerns that the virus could spread to and learn how to spread between humans, which could spark a new outbreak similar to the Covid pandemic. The CDC says online that the risk to the public from bird flu remains low. It says online: 'H5 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and US dairy cows with several recent human cases in US dairy and poultry workers. 'While the current public health risk is low, CDC is watching the situation carefully and working with states to monitor people with animal exposures. 'CDC is using its flu surveillance systems to monitor H5 bird flu actively in people.' Marjorie Taylor Greene's daughter and journalist boyfriend both praised her following her shock resignation from Congress. The Georgia Republican announced Friday that she will step down in January in a lengthy statement delivered a week after her relationship with longtime ally Donald Trump publicly imploded. Greene's boyfriend Brian Glenn, a fellow pro-MAGA conservative and a journalist for the right-leaning Real America's Voice, immediately threw his support behind her. 'You never allowed the political industrial complex to break you. No one fought for America harder than you,' wrote Glenn. Meanwhile, Greene's 27-year-old lookalike daughter Lauren Greene Sanders was similarly in her mother's corner. 'One of a kind Congresswoman. Forever will be so proud of my mom. 110% on America First, American Only.' The pair made no reference to President Trump, who lauded Greene's resignation as 'great for the country' after the news broke. In her statement, Greene cited disillusionment with the political establishment and her battle to secure the release of the so-called Epstein files, which has recently formed the basis of much of her feud with the president. Marjorie Taylor Greene 's daughter and journalist boyfriend (pictured left) both praised her following her shock resignation from Congress Greene's 27-year-old lookalike daughter Lauren Greene Sanders was similarly right in her mother's corner Both Glenn and Greene Sanders previously stuck their necks out for the Congresswoman as she weathered brutal barbs from the president. Glenn, the chief White House correspondent for the pro-Trump outlet, was dragged into the MAGA meltdown for declaring his love for his girlfriend online amid their feud. 'I love this woman. I love this country. God bless America,' he wrote on Saturday night with four loved-up photos of the couple together. He even returned fire on criticism from MAGA personality Laura Loomer by replying 'Shut up b***h' with a laughing emoji. Glenn left his then-wife Kerry just three days after Greene's then-husband Perry filed for divorce in September 2022. He insisted at the time they were not an item and the two divorce filings were not connected, but by early 2023 they were openly dating. Glenn has been a huge Trump fan since the beginning and was one of numerous far-right niche outlets, bloggers, and social media provocateurs added to the White House press pool after Trump was sworn in. 'Were witnessing the greatest political movement in US history. All in,' he wrote last year next to a photo of himself with Greene, Trump, and JD Vance. Other than being Greene's boyfriend, Glenn is best known for asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky why he wasn't wearing a suit during the notorious Oval Office meeting in February. Marjorie Taylor Greene 's lookalike daughter has come to her defense amid her viral rift with President Donald Trump Both Glenn and Greene Sanders stuck their necks out for the Congresswoman as she took brutal attacks from the president Trump once poked fun at Glenn at a press event in July over how outspoken his girlfriend is. Walking with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the president introduced the pair to Glenn. 'Hi Brian,' Trump greets the reporter. 'This is the boyfriend, very lucky, of Marjorie Taylor Greene,' the president told Noem and DeSantis. 'Do you think its easy being with Marjorie?' Trump asked DeSantis with a smile. Noem responded by noting a video of MTG doing a CrossFit workout with her daughter. 'She was working out pretty hard this weekend,' she told Glenn before following the president into another room. 'Im not going to answer that kidding!!' Glenn later wrote in response to Trump's question. Greene Sanders, an aspiring social media star with a combined 48,000 followers on Instagram and X, also had her mother's back. When one user on Elon Musk's platform referred to her mother as 'Marjorie Traitor Greene,' Sanders immediately fired back. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will resign from Congress at the beginning of 2026, a shock move following a tumultuous year that saw her split from longtime ally Donald Trump 'Funny how you have MAGA in your bio and MAGA means "Make America Great Again," yet here you are calling her a traitor, even though she [is] one of the real one[s] who are actually trying to make America great again by unapologetically fighting for us, the American citizens, by being America First,' Sanders wrote. 'Put your ego in your closet, we need to stop fighting with each other,' she urged. 'Unless you're a fake MAGA.' Sanders also denied Trump's assertion that her mother is becoming more liberal, following an appearance on The View. She has also used her platform to ask the public for prayers for her mother's safety, after Greene claimed she is receiving death threats. The 27-year-old announced her public online presence in a Facebook post in March, along with a photo of her, her mother, Trump and Vice President JD Vance. 'Hi friends and patriots!' she wrote at the time. 'I recently decided to take a leap and go public on social media! I'll be sharing my life, thoughts and experiences - everything from faith and patriotism to creativity and everyday moments. 'Excited to connect with like-minded people,' Sanders wrote. Greene will likely need her family in her corner following her resignation. The Georgia Republican also said that she was leaving to spend more time with her family and due to disgust with the process of working in Washington, as well as facing constant death threats In a lengthy statement and 10-minute video, she branded the president 'hateful' over his decision to retract his endorsement of her, a move which saw him dismiss Greene as a 'ranting lunatic'. The Georgia lawmaker cited a growing disgust with the political establishment in Washington raging against the 'political industrial complex', which she claimed uses Americans as 'pawns in an endless game of division'. Greene said that it would be unfair for her 'sweet little district' to 'endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for' and even added that 'Republicans will likely lose the midterms'. Greene went on to claim she has 'always been despised in Washington, DC, and just never fit in'. The Republican also said that she was leaving to spend more time with her family amid the constant death threats. She said her last day would be January 5, 2026. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment. Greene Sanders, 27, announced her public social media presence in March, along with this photo of her, her mother, Trump and Vice President JD Vance Glenn, chief WH correspondent for pro-Trump outfit Real America's Voice, was dragged into the MAGA meltdown for declaring his love for his girlfriend online Greene expressed profound frustration with her own party's inability to get anything done despite controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress in 2025. 'Almost one year into our majority, the legislature has been mostly sidelined, we endured an eight week shutdown wrongly resulting in the House not working for the entire time, and we are entering campaign season which means all courage leaves and only safe campaign re-election mode is turned on,' she said. It comes just one week after a back and forth with Trump over social media caused a schism in the MAGA base. Greene and Trump traded social media barbs on Friday, with Greene sharing screenshots of texts she sent to Trump about the Epstein files. In her resignation statement, Greene expressed disgust after, 'standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for'. The heart of her feud with the president was his failure over his major campaign promise to release the Epstein files. The pledge became rallying cry for Greene and other Republican rebels on Capitol Hill, a fallout that came to a head on Friday as the pair traded vicious jabs on social media. The president - who has long said he cut Epstein off decades ago and did nothing wrong - explosively announced he was 'unendorsing' the Georgia Republican, accusing her of becoming 'left wing'. A prestigious private girls school has been accused of failing students and parents after a private spreadsheet describing pupils as 'odd' and 'rude' was leaked. Somerville House is a boarding and day school in South Brisbane where fees range from $23,000 up to $30,000. It was revealed on Saturday that a spreadsheet written by staff members - included disparaging comments about the Year 7 students in 2021. Some children were labelled as 'quirky', 'odd', 'disorganised', with one given the description 'peers think they have head lice', according to the Courier Mail. There were comments about students' appearance, behaviour, learning disability considerations and academic ability. Medical diagnoses and treatments included whether a child was on medication or if she was seeing a psychologist. The spreadsheet also listed parents' personalities and marital statuses. Somerville House leadership is understood to have apologised to the now-Year 11 girls during a meeting on Thursday. But parents have since claimed their girls were told to 'think of the teachers' and that school leaders expressed 'disappointment' the document had been shared. Parents and education minister Jason Clare (pictured) have criticised the private school for its handling of the incident and for the nature of the comments in the spreadsheet Teachers at Somerville House in South Brisbane described students as 'odd' in a spreadsheet, which also listed their behaviour, health and if they were seeking a psychologist (stock image) Exams scheduled for Thursday were 'pushed back one day' due to the 'temporary shutdown of school laptops'. The school emailed parents on Friday explaining that 'cyber experts' had been engaged to investigate how students accessed the spreadsheet. But parents have criticised Somerville House for its handling of the situation, with an anonymous parent telling The Courier Mail the school was trying to save its image. 'There really hasn't been any concern towards the students either,' they said. 'It is all very uncool and (the children) can really see it for what it is, that the school is scrambling to save their own reputation.' A second demanded disciplinary action, asking: 'Has anyone truly turned their mind to the fact that these young girls are so impressionable where is the care and well being right now for these young ladies?' 'Yes, teachers have to deal with all sorts of aspects of children's social wellbeing and academics, we understand it is the manner in which these teachers wrote these comments. They weren't professional, they were malicious, catty comments.' Federal Education Minister Jason Clare accused the school of failing both its students and their parents during a fiery spray on Nine's Weekend Today on Saturday. The private school has said it is investigating how the document was leaked to students 'They've failed the students, and they've failed the parents of the kids who go to that school,' he said. 'Schools have got to collect information, but they've got to do it in a secure way, and they've also got to do it in a professional way... And I don't think those things has happened here.' Principal Dr Sandra Hastie confirmed that an investigation into the incident is underway in a statement. 'We sincerely apologise for the distress and hurt many within the School community are experiencing,' she said. 'We are very disappointed by what has happened, as the nature of some of these comments falls short of our standards and values. As soon as we were made aware of this incident, we worked with external experts to help us investigate what had happened. 'We are taking this situation very seriously, and student wellbeing is our priority. We have communicated with our school community and made counselling and pastoral care services available to them. 'We have also opened our Employee Assistance Program to students and families to ensure they have access to support.' Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed she once left her cancer-stricken father's bedside to vote against Donald Trump's impeachment as she savaged her former ally in her blistering resignation statement. The Georgia lawmaker announced that she will step down from Congress next year in a lengthy post on social media in which she branded the president 'hateful'. It marked a stark departure for the MAGA loyalist who used the anecdote to underscore her previously unswerving fealty to Trump and how much this has now changed. 'I had to leave my mother's side as my father had brain surgery to remove cancerous tumors in order to fly to Washington DC to defend President Trump and vote NO against the Democrat's second impeachment in 2021,' Greene said in her Friday statement. 'My poor father and poor mother, it was all way too much.' Since then a schism has erupted between Greene and the president, largely fueled by their clash over her calls to release the so-called Epstein files among other issues. Greene was elected as Trump loyalist in 2020 and has been an outspoken supporter ever since. She lost her father Robert Greene in 2021, the same year that Greene cast her vote against the Democrats' move to impeach Trump on January 13, 2021. Marjorie Taylor Greene revealed that she skipped her father's surgery to vote against Trump's second impeachment Greene was one of 197 republicans that voted 'no' on Trump's impeachment Greene was an outspoken supporter of Trump and his policies for the majority of her time in the House of Representatives The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for the second time almost five years ago for 'high crimes and misdemeanors' related to the January 6 insurrection. Greene was one of 197 republicans that voted 'no' on Congress's motion to impeach Trump. Despite her efforts the motion passed in the House of Representatives with 222 Democrats and ten republicans voting in favor. But just one month later, the impeachment was shot down by senators who voted to acquit Trump for incitement of insurrection with votes 57 to 43. Trump was the first US president to be impeached twice. Greene's father passed away months later in April 2021 after a three month battle with melanoma. 'While I have endured the flaming arrows fired daily at me while I have been fighting against the left's war on our freedom in Congress, my soul was torn apart watching my Daddy suffer and slowly die with cancer,' Greene wrote on social media at the time. She called her father 'the forgotten American man that President Trump worked so hard for.' Greene's father Robert Green died in April 2021 after a short battle with melanoma Greene admitted that she had missed 'precious time' with her family amidst her unwavering loyalty to the president. Pictured: Greene holding her father's hand However since then there has been a lot of love lost between the two. After months of disagreement with her once beloved administration, Greene announced on Friday that she would no longer be a 'battered wife' and is stepping down from Congress. She cited constant death threats and personal attacks as part of the reason for her departure. Greene said these escalated after she publicly fell out with the president over the Epstein files. The two traded jabs over social media last week which saw Trump brand Greene a 'ranting lunatic' who he dismissed as 'wacky'. On Friday the president quipped that Greene's resignation is 'great news for our country'. Some republicans expressed their support for Greene, while others echoed Trump's ridicule. Fellow representative Thomas Massie wrote on X, 'Im very sad for our country but so happy for my friend Marjorie. Ill miss her tremendously. 'She embodies what a true Representative should be. Everyone should read her statement; theres more honesty expressed in these four pages than most politicians will speak in a lifetime.' Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spatz added: 'Unfortunately, theres a lot of truth to what Marjorie had to say. I cant blame her for leaving this institution that has betrayed the American people.' In response to Greene's resignation, Trump said it was 'great news for our country' Far right activist Laura Loomer unleashed a series of responses to Greene's announcement on social media calling the congresswoman 'a national disgrace.' 'MTG decided to resign on January 5th, 2026. Her federal pension kicks in on January 3, 2026,' Loomer posted. 'Its all about the money for her. Always has been. Shes doing this for the money. Expect to see her portfolio explode between now and January 2026. Marjorie TRADER Greene.' In her seething final message, Greene called the current administration 'hateful' and even went as far as to say her own party was going to lose during the primaries next year. 'I have fought harder than almost any other elected Republican to elect Donald Trump and Republicans to power, traveling the country for years, spending millions of my own money,' she said. 'Missing precious time with my family that I can never get back.' After her last day in office on January 5, Greene said she planned to make up for that lost time and be with family. Donald Trump's surprisingly cozy meeting with New York City's mayor-elect is all part of a wider ploy to encourage civil war within the Democrats, an insider has claimed. Zohran Mamdani's reception in the Oval Office was dramatically warmer than many had expected given the months of hostilities between the two leaders in the run up to Mamdani's election. But a veteran GOP operative who witnessed the spectacle unfold on Friday framed the meeting as nothing short of a political grenade lobbed directly into Democratic ranks. 'To be honest, I think this pours gasoline on the internal war within the Dems,' the source told The Hill's Julia Manchester. '[Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries won't talk or work with him [Mamdani], but Trump is open to working with him. Further forces Dems to fully embrace Mamdani and his agenda.' The president's supportive tone stood in sharp contrast to the attacks he and his allies leveled at democratic socialist Mamdani for months. During Mamdani's campaign Trump branded him a '100% Communist Lunatic', threatened him with deportation and flirted openly with cutting federal funds to New York City. Friday's meeting made for surreal viewing as the president lavished praise and offered political protection for Mamdani. President Donald Trump offered unusually warm praise to New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during a surprise Oval Office meeting on Friday, in a striking shift of tone One unnamed GOP political insider has their own theory on why Trump was so gracious towards Mamdani Trump beamed as he introduced the 34-year-old mayor-elect, lauding him in front of a stunned White House press corps. 'I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually,' Trump said. 'We're going to be helping him, to make everybody's dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York.' He helped Mamdani navigate tough questions from the conservative press, even quipping that it was okay for the mayor-elect to call him a 'fascist' when pressed by a reporter about his previous characterizations of Trump. The president also defended Mamdani while dismissing GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik's characterization of the mayor-elect as a 'jihadist'. When a reporter pressed him directly on her remarks, Trump waved the accusation off as nothing more than campaign fighting talk. 'She's out there campaigning,' she said. 'You say things sometimes in a campaign. You'd have to ask her about that. I met with a man who is a rational person.' Stefanik doubled down on her remarks with a post on Twitter afterwards repeatedly branding him a 'jihadist'. Still Trump signaled he was prepared to work with Mamdani on affordability, public safety, and housing. Trump congratulated Mamdani on his election win as the two opponents met to discuss policies for New York City, including affordability, public safety, and immigration enforcement One GOP operative believes Trump's cordial exchange serves to accelerate tensions among Democrats Trump publicly defended Mamdani while dismissing GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik's characterization of the mayor-elect as a 'jihadist' Mamdani tactfully returned the compliment. 'What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers,' he said. Trump appeared giddy from the encounter several hours after it took place, barely reacting to new of former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation from Congress before steering the conversation back to the Mamdani meeting. The president said Greene's departure is 'great news for the country' before gushing about Mamdani. 'It was good chemistry, it's always nice to have good chemistry with people,' he told ABC's Rachel Scott. The U.S. Department of Transportation has officially decided that Americas skies need an attitude adjustment. In an announcement posted on the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) website, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy launched a national civility initiative called The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You. The campaign is built around a simple idea: flying shouldnt feel like a group project where half the class refuses to participate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt based on feelings. Its based on data. DOT reports that the Federal Aviation Administration has seen a 400% spike in in-flight outbursts since 2019, tallying 13,800 unruly passenger incidents since 2021. The agency also notes that one in five flight attendants experienced a physical incident in 2021, and that disruptions in 2024 were double the rate recorded in 2019. In short, the vibes are off, and DOT would like those vibes corrected before another holiday season melts down at Gate C27. Five Questions DOT Wants in Your Brain at the Airport Instead of issuing new regulations or turning TSA into behavior referees, DOT took a different approach. It created a checklist. A self-reflection moment. A mental post-it note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign asks travelers to consider five things before takeoff: Are you helping someone who needs assistance with their bags? Are you dressed in a way that says Im in public? Are you staying in control of your children instead of pretending theyre independent contractors? Are you saying please and thank you? Are you treating flight attendants like humans with safety responsibilities rather than vending machines with wings? These arent laws. Theyre reminders that shared spaces work better when people act like they're shared. Reactions Range From Finally to Good Luck With That Conflict, travel and interracial family with a problem at airport, flight delay and trouble. Fight, conversation and black woman and man speaking about missing document or late check in with a child (Jacob Wackerhausen via Getty Images) The campaign has triggered a wide range of responses, and most of them are precisely what youd expect from a country that turns boarding-zone behavior into a spectator sport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington Post reported that unruly passenger incidents remain far higher than before the pandemic, prompting some readers to support a campaign focused on courtesy. Others see the effort as well-intentioned but unlikely to tame the gate-area tension people now consider routine. A Boston-area traveler interviewed by WBZ NewsRadio said, You just dont want to dress so formal and then be so uncomfortable for like a five, six-hour flight. As long as its like, not exposing you, comfort is the most important thing during travel. Another added, I think its ridiculous and that we have far more to focus on than what were wearing to the airport. Flight attendants have responded with relief and realism. According to The Washington Post, many in the industry appreciate any effort that could reduce the verbal confrontations and physical incidents that have become more common over the years. In short, the reaction is a combination of finally, good luck, and please show this campaign to the guy who watched videos on speakerphone at full volume. Travelers Arent the Only Ones Getting Homework air traffic control room (gorodenkoff/depositphotos) The campaign isnt just about behavior. DOT emphasized that this effort pairs with a much larger modernization push. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the DOT, the plan includes building a new air traffic control system, hiring more air traffic controllers, and improving travel for families. The message is: the government is upgrading the system, but passengers can upgrade themselves too. The Holiday Rush Is the Stress Test High angle view of many passeners sitting on seats and walking waiting in departure area (baona via Getty Images) Launching the campaign right before the holiday travel surge is no coincidence. Terminals get crowded, flights fill up, and the national patience level drops to a five-minute battery life. DOTs strategy is simple. If people fly with a little more self-awareness, airports might survive December without becoming trending videos for all the wrong reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One unruly traveler can delay an entire flight, throw off crew schedules, and force diversions that cost airlines tens of thousands of dollars. Multiply that by a busy holiday season, and small acts of courtesy suddenly become aviation infrastructure. How Courtesy Fits Into DOTs Goals Happy businesswoman relaxing on sofa with coffee and phone before business travel (Goads Agency via Getty Images) DOT isnt trying to recreate the past. Its trying to prevent a future where flight attendants need linebacker pads and everyone boards in a defensive stance. The Golden Age of Travel Starts With You suggests that a better travel experience doesnt rely solely on upgrades to runways and radar. It depends on the people standing in line at security, waiting at the gate, and stretching for the same overhead bin. The campaigns premise is straightforward. You cant control turbulence, weather, or a tight connection, but you can control how much chaos you contribute. Hunter Valley residents have lashed out at council plans to hike rates by a staggering 40 per cent a move that could cost households over $1,000 each year. Cessnock City Council in New South Wales is hoping to apply to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for a permanent Special Variation (SV). The council wants to see a cumulative increase to rates to 39.9 per cent which, if approved, would be introduced in the financial year 2026 to 2027. It said the hefty rise is to support its 'financial sustainability journey' after 'very significant cost pressures which have outstripped revenue for many years'. But the decision has been met with fury from residents, who launched a Change.org petition with at least 1,700 signatures calling for the rate hike to be stopped. 'Living in Cessnock, NSW, I've felt the burden of continuously increasing council rates... We all strive tirelessly each month just to make ends meet,' organiser Mike Seale wrote in the description. '(The rate hike) is not just unimaginable but genuinely alarming to many of us. On average an extra $1,040 annually. 'Such a significant hike can have devastating effects. For residents like myself, this proposed increase represents a substantial financial burden, especially when coupled with the already high cost of living and stagnant wage growth.' Cessnock City Council (pictured) wants to see a cumulative increase to rates to 39.9 per cent which, if approved, would be introduced in the financial year 2026 to 2027 He said local businesses could also 'crumble' under the additional financial weight. Mr Seale's petition saw supporters express how they are already struggling to make ends meet while paying the current council rates. 'I'm a disabled pensioner, my husband is my full-time carer (also a pensioner) and we have two young kids. How are we going to be able to afford this increase when we can barely afford to live day to day?' one person said. Another added: 'I'm a working widow trying to keep my house and my head above water. This 39 per cent hike in the rates will see me go under.' Daily Mail has contacted Cessnock City Council for comment about the petition. In a fact sheet, the council said the rate rise will address its $8.1million deficit. A table suggested that the average residential household in Cessnock would pay a further $596 in rates if the hike is granted. Those living on farmland would pay an average of $1,360, and businesses $2,070. Cessnock City Council is hoping to hike rates by 39 per cent (stock image) 'Quite simply, Council's required expenditure for staff, materials, and contracts exceeds its revenue,' the document read. 'If we don't get the SV approved then to even attempt sustainability we would have to significantly reduce all maintenance expenditure and pause all new infrastructure work even then, independent advice by several parties suggests that liquidity would not be assured.' The council said the community 'would not find the resulting significant decline in infrastructure and services, which would occur under these scenarios, acceptable'. The authority also said it is 'very conscious of the hardship' the prospective rate increase might cause, adding that it would work to improve current policy. Six public meetings are scheduled to be held by council over the weekend, from Friday to Monday. The community survey was closed on November 17. The new NSW Opposition Leader has been bombarded by hecklers during her first day on the job. Protesters laid in wait at Parramatta Square in western Sydney as newly-installed Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, 52, attended a photo opportunity on Saturday. The Opposition Leader was 'delighted' to be in the district as she warmed to the job. Despite the niceties, however, hecklers made their presence known by shouting at and accosting the new leader during her street walk. She was accused of being a leader for 'developers and billionaires' by her opponents on the street who pointed and shouted at her. The Vaucluse MP said she was happy to sit down and talk through their 'tough' concerns. 'Liberals only care about buying investment properties in the west, that's all they care about,' one protester said, according to the Daily Telegraph. 'I like to sit down with someone face-to-face and have those conversations,' Ms Sloane replied. Newly installed Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane was heckled on her first day in the job Protestors laid in wait in Parramatta on Saturday Ms Sloane said the majority of her encounters had been between 'fair, decent-minded people' who were willing to have 'constructive conversations'. 'They're the conversations I want to have, because politics doesn't have to be precious,' she said. The reason she went to Parramatta was due to its position as the 'geographic heart of our city' and its status as the 'engine room of our state', she said. There she made her pitch for people to 'come together and problem solve without division of leadership'. Former NSW premiers Gladys Berejiklian and Mike Baird, as well as federal Liberal Leader Sussan Ley, have all wished Ms Sloane well as she steps into the job. Ms Sloane is a first-term MP and has become the Liberals' newest leader as the ailing NSW party tries to shore up its footing 18 months out from a crucial election. The former Nine TV presenter completed her meteoric ascent to the top of the NSW Liberals after the chaotic aftermath of the federal Liberals' election wipe-out tarnished its state brands and fuelled calls for fresh faces. Her predecessor, Mark Speakman, gave way to pressure on Thursday, announcing his resignation and throwing his weight behind fellow moderate Ms Sloane who was elected unopposed at a party room meeting on Friday morning. Ms Sloane said she was willing to have constructive talks with anyone The one-term MP was appointed to her new position on Friday Ms Sloane, a mother of three, enjoyed a decades-long career as a journalist and news presenter before teaming up with Healthy Harold to lead not-for-profit Life Education NSW. Defeated in pre-selection for former premier Gladys Berejiklian's Willoughby seat in 2022, Ms Sloane was comfortably elected as MP for the eastern Sydney electorate of Vaucluse at the 2023 state election and rapidly appointed to the opposition frontbench under Mr Speakman. Ms Sloane is the second woman this week to have deposed a male state Liberal leader after Victoria's coalition opposition dumped Brad Battin in favour of first-term MP Jess Wilson. While both women will be hoping to turn things around before their next state elections, Ms Sloane faces an uphill battle. No first-term opposition has won an election in NSW or federally since the 1930s while recent polls suggest the coalition would lose more seats to Labor if an election was held today. The next NSW election is March 2027. Hundreds of firefighters were scrambled to a massive blaze aboard a cargo ship docked in the Port of Los Angeles. Almost 200 first responders descended on the vessel on Friday night after a major emergency was declared. All of the 23 crew members were evacuated and there were no injuries. The ship was carrying hazardous cargo when an electrical fire broke out below deck. The fire was first reported at around 6.38pm local time, per the Daily Breeze. But by about 7 pm the fire had spread to several levels of the 1,102-foot-long ship ship, according to the fire department. The blaze spread rapidly before the vessel was rocked by an explosion in the mid-deck, officials said. Mayor of LA Karen Bass said: 'A shelter in place order is in effect for communities surrounding the Port of Los Angeles, including San Pedro and Wilmington.' 'Remain at home, keep windows closed and turn off HVAC systems. Emergency responders continue attacking the container ship fire.' Firefighters were called to tackle a massive blaze aboard a cargo ship carrying hazardous materials on Friday The vessel was docked at the Port of Los Angeles, North America's busiest port Almost 200 firefighters were scrambled to the scene which was declared a major emergency The Port of Los Angeles is known as the busiest in North America. The vessel, known as the One Henry Hudson, is operated by One Ocean Express, a shipping company headquartered in Singapore. Before Los Angeles, the ship had most recently been in Japan, stopping in Kobe, Nagoya and Tokyo. 'Ocean Network Express (ONE) has been alerted to a fire onboard the 2008-built Panama-flagged container vessel, M/V ONE HENRY HUDSON,' a spokeswoman told Daily Mail. 'ONE can confirm that the vessel is time-chartered and all crew have been safely accounted for. 'ONE is deeply concerned by this incident and is closely monitoring the situation. 'We thank first responders onsite and remain fully committed to supporting incident management and subsequent investigations.' Daily Mail has contacted the LAFD for comment. Sir Keir Starmer narrowly avoided another disaster after almost falling over as he arrived at the G20 summit in South Africa. The Prime Minister arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday where he will meet Ukraine's allies to discuss ways to 'strengthen' Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan to end the war with Russia. Washington has pressed Ukraine to accept the agreement by Thursday as President Volodymyr Zelensky warned he faces a choice between losing a key partner and its national dignity at one of the most perilous moments in its history. The plans, reportedly negotiated by the US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, would see Ukraine make major concessions to Moscow including giving up territory and cutting the size of its army. Ahead of Saturday's talks, Sir Keir said Ukraine's friends and partners will meet 'in the margins' of the summit to discuss the 'current proposal on the table'. But, the Prime Minister got off to a humiliating start before crunch talks had even begun in the South African city. He appeared to take quite a stumble as he approached a group of business leaders at the summit, before quickly regaining his composure and shaking their hands. It is the second time this month that Starmer has lost his footing after a similar mishap saw him narrowly escape falling down the walkway of his plane while arriving at the COP30 conference in Brazil. Keir Starmer appeared to take quite a stumble as he approached a group of business leaders at the G20 summit in South Africa While approaching the group, he seemed to trip and fall before quickly regaining his composure The PM's attendance at the summit almost ended in immediate disaster when he stumbled on the top step of the stairs leading off his plane. But Sir Keir averted the major mishap and managed to regain his balance as he and the Prince of Wales disembarked the aircraft together. Such slip ups often inspire ridicule from political leaders, with former President Lyndon B. Johnson reportedly remarking that his election rival Gerald Ford 'is so dumb that he can't walk and chew gum at the same time'. Labour MPs have questioned the number of air miles that Sir Keir is racking up, with his South Africa visit coming just days before a critical Budget. One backbencher wondered if Sir Keir would rather be foreign secretary than PM. But he insisted it was 'really important' for him to make the trip to Johannesburg - despite Donald Trump and other leaders snubbing the global gathering. Mr Trump is shunning this weekend's G20 summit - and is not be sending any US officials - after hitting out at the South Africa's treatment of white farmers. The US President has claimed Afrikaners are being 'killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated'. But South Africa's government has rejected claims of a 'white genocide' as 'widely discredited and unsupported by reliable evidence'. Starmer is greeted by Deputy President of South Africa Paul Mashatile as he arrives at the G20 summit in Johannesburg Delegates meet in the plenary hall on the opening day of the G20 Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg Japanese Buddhist Monk and Anti-nuclear campaigner Toyoshige Sekiguchi who is protesting outside the venue of the G20 summit Ahead of Saturday's talks, Sir Keir said: 'Ukraine's friends and partners will meet in the margins of the G20 summit to discuss how we can secure a full ceasefire and create the space for meaningful peace negotiations. 'We will discuss the current proposal on the table, and in support of President Trump's push for peace, look at how we can strengthen this plan for the next phase of negotiations.' He continued there 'is only one country around the G20 table that is not calling for a ceasefire' as he condemned Moscow for sending nearly 1,000 drones and 54 precision guided missiles in the past week alone. The Prime Minister said: 'Ukraine has been ready to negotiate for months, while Russia has stalled and continued its murderous rampage. 'That is why we must all work together, with both the US and Ukraine, to secure a just and lasting peace once and for all. 'We will continue to co-ordinate closely with Washington and Kyiv to achieve that.' Russian President Vladimir Putin, who like Mr Trump is not attending the gathering of the world's leading economies, on Friday cautiously welcomed the US proposal, saying it 'could form the basis of a final peace settlement'. But he said the plan had not been discussed with the Russian side 'in any substantive way' and that he assumed this was because the US had not been able to get Ukraine's consent. At least 15,000 Aussie school leavers have hit the Gold Coast for Schoolies and some may be greeted by an OnlyFans model who made shock claims about the event last year. Controversial OnlyFans model star Kay Manuel has been seen on the Gold Coast along with thousands of eager school leavers who are preparing for a week of partying. She was pictured walking the streets in a PornHub singlet with a short skirt. Last year, she made headlines when she boasted about sleeping with 75 high school leavers within the first two days at Schoolies. Last November, the model also confirmed she was not a biological woman and admitted that she lied to Daily Mail when she denied speculation she was transgender. Ms Manuel told Daily Mail at the time that she was born a woman, adding that if she was transgender she would not conceal it. However, just days later, Ms Manuel confirmed she was not a biological woman and that her plans for a Gold Coast sex blitz were just a publicity stunt. Police have increased their presence, with officers out in force on the Gold Coast, keeping the peace as thousands of youths let their hair down. More than 15,000 school leavers have hit the Gold Coast for Schoolies A group of friends dress up for their first night on the town Young school leavers party on the Gold Coast Friends are out and about on night one Concert goers were enjoying the music on opening night Teens arrived on the glitter strip in theri droves on Saturday morning for the first official day Many parents saw their kids off as they started a party of a lifetime after leaving school OnlyFans porn star Kay Manuel (left) was seen on the Gold Coast on Saturdy morning Friends arrive in good spirits ahead of a week of partying School leavers were in good spirits as they headed out for the first night of Schoolies A group of friends let their hair down on opening night of Schoolies 'We'll be patrolling not only in high visibility uniform, but also in plain clothes and conducting activities which include random breath testing on the entries into schoolies as the schoolies arrive,' police said. Queensland Police Service acting chief superintendent Brett Jackson urged parents to remain in contact with their kids as they partied on the glitter strip. 'Keep an eye on what your kids are doing and let them celebrate the school that they're leaving behind and the next chapter of their life,' he said. Andy Gourley, from Red Frogs, said 550 volunteers would be out and about to support school leavers. 'We've brought in 10,000 pancake shakers and seven tonnes of red frogs, so we're getting ready to make those pancakes and put out a lot of food this Schoolies,' he said. Last year Red Frogs got 8,420 call-outs via its 24/7 hotline (1300 557 123), with 3,000 of them to help partygoers getting home. Teens were enjoying themselves as they settled in to their rooms Partygoers started getting ready early on Saturday morning A group of girls hit the Gold Coast streets soon after arriving Teens got their supplies as soon as they arrived on the Gold Coast ahead of a big week More than 15,000 teens are expected to fill the Gold Coast this week A group of friends soak up the atmosphere on day one A group of friends get their gear and head to their accomodation School leavers party on Cavill Avenue at Surfers Paradise An elderly woman who broke her neck and three other bones had to permanently move 100km from her family and friends to receive the care she desperately needed. Draginia Johnstone's 88-year-old mother spent 35 days in a Gladstone hospital, north of Brisbane, after she fell earlier this year. Ms Johnstone's mother had broken her neck, hip, pelvis and back and upon her discharge from hospital was told she would need to move into an aged-care centre. In Gladstone, however, there were no beds available in any of the town's four centres and the closest one she could get into was 121km away in Biloela. Even then, the only way Ms Johnstone could secure her mother a bed was to sell the 88-year-old's home to afford the $400,000 down payment for it. Gladstone is a town of around 45,000 people and Ms Johnstone said its availability issues regarding aged care centres have been terrible for years. Not only did her mother have to spend years on a waiting list before they eventually locked in the Biloela centre, but Ms Johnstone's father suffered the same fate 20 years earlier. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has joined forces with other state and territory leaders in an attempt to force the federal government to increase public hospital funding. Draginia Johnstone's 88-year-old mother had to move 121km from Gladstone to Biloela, in Queensland, because her town did not have any spaces in its aged care facilities Ms Johnstone said Gladstone is currently building a new aged care centre but that the construction process had been dragging on. 'We've got an ageing population, weve been aware of this for quite some time,' she told the Courier Mail. '(The government has been) drumming it into us we've got to work towards 67 yet now you guys are saying, "oh, hang on a minute, we forgot to put some extra nursing homes in for this generation". 'This is how our government is making our elderly finish their life off and it is sickening to me.' Ms Johnstone's father also had to make the move from Gladstone to Biloela after falling ill himself in 2005. The grieving daughter said she has given up all hope that the situation will get better and is now convinced that 'nothing has changed'. She even admitted to fearing for her own future as she and her siblings are all in their 60s and might end up in a similar situation one day. Their only solution is to potentially buy land, build a home and hire a live-in nurse, Ms Johnstone said. Premier David Crisafulli is urging the federal government to increase state and territory budgets for these facilities Despite a meeting between the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders in Canberra this week, a deal for increased funding is yet to be made Mr Crisafulli joined other premiers in Canberra to discuss increasing funding so states and territories can resolve the issue of limited aged care centres. The Queensland premier argued it was the responsibility of the Commonwealth to provide it and that there was enough money to do so. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has proven an obstacle in these discussions however as he has urged leaders to curb unsustainable growth regarding increased funding. Previously, a funding share agreement of 42.5 per cent by 2030 and 45 per cent by 2035 had been agreed to in 2023. If no commitment is finalised, the deal will revert to another one-year rollover, leaving the issue of bed availabilities unresolved. In Queensland, there are currently more than 1,100 medically fit people stuck in hospital as 'long-stay patients', unable to be discharged because there is no room for them in aged care centres or NDIS accommodation. Angry neighbours next to a new camp which will house 600 male asylum seekers are hitting out at a school after they told children to be 'kind and caring' to new arrivals. Crowborough's Army Training Camp in East Sussex is set to move in hundreds of lone male migrants by January - news locals only found out after it was leaked to a newspaper. Parents of pupils at a local school raised concerns to Home Office official Andrew Larter at the meeting last week, saying that their children had been told to 'welcome' the migrants, adding: 'Weren't we raised to be careful of strangers?' In footage shared online of the packed public meeting held at the Crowborough community centre, concerns escalated when one resident said there had been an assembly held at a nearby secondary school and sixth form. During the assembly, pupils were allegedly encouraged to be friendly towards the migrants. Resident William Penfold said: Last week, [they] held an assembly and told the children to be kind and caring to the immigrants coming, illegal immigrants. 'Weren't we raised to be careful of strangers? Are they expecting us, our children, to talk to them? This is completely wrong. A parent, who gave his name as Ben, said: How can our children enjoy their freedom when there are 600 unvetted young men wandering around the town. 'How schools now going to cope with the fact that the majority of these children are going to be driven to school.' Residents next to a new migrant camp which will house 600 lone male asylum seekers raised concerns to Home Office director of asylum accommodation, Andrew Larter A dog handler walking within the security fence yesterday morning Fury followed after Mr Larter (pictured right) told residents if he was in their position he would be 'sitting alongside' them 'How are parents going to be confident to allow their children to go to local parks into the town and enjoy their childhood and their freedom?,' he added. Parents said the wellbeing of school pupils had been affected since the plans to house migrants at the army camp were announced at the end of last month. Residents also challenged the Home Offices director of asylum accommodation Andrew Larter on how the government intended to manage the 600 men, which would increase the towns 20,000 population by 3 per cent. One asked: How do you plan to meet the sexual needs of 600 men? Mr Larter replied: I dont. Other residents brought up recent cases reported in the press, such as asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu. Kebatu had been staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, used by the government to house migrants, when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping, Essex. He was jailed for 12 months but was accidentally released from prison by mistake, sparking a two-day manhunt. He was given 500 before being deported. The packed public meeting was held at Crowborough's Community Centre last week Residents raised concerns over the safety of children in the area and brought up recent cases reported in the press, including asylum seeker and convicted sex offender Hadush Kebatu Locals are also worried about the increased pressure on already inadequate public services and the impact the Home Office plan will have on house prices The camp and barracks were previously used to accommodate Afghan families evacuated during the withdrawal from Kabul in 2021 before they were resettled elsewhere Wealden District Councillor Andrew Wilson told the official he was appalled at the plans to use the army camp, adding that the Home Office has failed the community. He said: You have put us at risk and I am appalled. I want your assurance that youll take personal responsibility for anything that happens in this town as a result of what youre doing. One resident asked the Home Office official what he would do in their circumstances. Mr Larter said: I would be holding someone in my seat to account to make sure that what they were doing was lawful, appropriate and I would be sitting alongside you, I'm sure. On Sunday the town held a protest against the plans, ahead of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmoods announcement to shake-up rules for legal migration. Campaigners still believe they can stop the plan and are raising money for a legal challenge. Yesterday, guards with dogs were seen patrolling the site, where a secondary security fence has been erected alongside a series of residential huts. Protesters in Crowborough, East Sussex, hold placards and march through the town centre on Sunday Plastic sheeting erected on a fence around the camp - which is near the quiet village of Crowborough The full security team at the camp is expected to be in place with the next week in preparation for the arrival of the first group of asylum seekers. Locals are concerned about increased pressure on already inadequate public services and the impact the Home Office plan will have on house prices. The Home Office said most primary healthcare will be delivered in the camp although the asylum seekers will be registered with local GPs. Responding to health and safety concerns, the Home Office said they are obliged to ensure all systems at the site were safe, legal and compliant. An otter and a fox were spotted strolling through a city centre together in an adorable video that viewers compared to one of John Lewis' famous Christmas adverts. CCTV cameras in Lincoln captured the unlikely pair wandering around Brayford Pool and the High Street areas in the early hours of Friday morning. City of Lincoln Council said the footage resembled a Christmas advert and showed 'an unlikely friendship blossoming'. It remains unclear where the animals came from or what prompted their midnight wander. Steve Nichol, chief executive of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in Boston described the scenes as 'strange' and said they had to be seen to be believed. 'It's so odd and those animals would never been seen hunting in the same areas. If anything they'd be fighting each other rather than walking around the shops. 'You might see the odd fox around a city centre but to find an otter in a populated area is highly unusual,' he said. Lincoln Council shared the footage on Facebook, writing: 'Our CCTV staff work 24/7, 365 days a year to keep Lincoln and all its inhabitants safe. An otter and a fox were spotted strolling through a city centre together in an adorable video that viewers compared to one of John Lewis ' famous Christmas adverts CCTV cameras in Lincoln captured the unlikely pair wandering around Brayford Pool and the High Street areas in the early hours of Friday morning City of Lincoln Council said the footage resembled a Christmas advert and showed 'an unlikely friendship blossoming' 'They see families enjoying the city, friends making memories, and every now and then, an unlikely friendship blossoming. 'This week, they caught one worth sharing. 'Its not quite the new John Lewis Christmas ad, but here, filmed in the wee small hours, is a short film of a fox and an otter and their little tour of Lincoln together.' The clip quickly went viral, with viewers flooding the comments section. One person wrote: 'Better than a Christmas John Lewis TV advert.' Another said: 'How delightful to see that! We often see a pair of ducks waddling about but this is amazing. 'Don't think we've had an otter daring to enter the shopping area with a fox...thankyou so much for sharing! Yes, proud to be LINCOLN.' A third added: 'That is amazing footage - two mates having a stroll!!' One viewer even questioned whether the video was real, asking if it had been generated by AI. The owner of the Daily Mail has struck a 500 million deal to buy the Daily Telegraph, with the aim of securing the future of one of the world's most prestigious media brands. DMGT has signed an exclusivity agreement with RedBird IMI, which had stepped in to buy The Telegraph Media Group, to finalise the terms of the transaction and prepare the necessary regulatory submissions: if approved, the Daily Telegraph would join DMGT's diverse stable which also includes the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, Metro, The i Paper and New Scientist. DMGT says that the proposed acquisition would give 'much-needed confidence' to Telegraph employees after years of uncertainty about the title's future and enable the group to 'benefit from DMGT's significant resources and experience in transforming media brands in a digital world and growing British brands into global news operations'. If the deal is approved, the Telegraph would maintain its editorial independence. The announcement comes a week after RedBird Capital, the US private equity group led by former Goldman Sachs banker Gerry Cardinale, halted its own attempt to buy the 170-year-old newspaper. The new merger will have to be approved by the UK's regulatory bodies. It would not involve foreign state investment or capital. The owner of the Daily Mail has struck a 500 million deal to buy The Daily Telegraph, with the aim of securing the future of one of the world's most prestigious media brands In a statement, DMGT said: 'For more than 100 years, DMGT has prided itself on being a responsible custodian of media assets, which it holds for the long term. The company plans to invest substantially in TMG with the aim of accelerating its international expansion. It will focus particularly on the USA, where the Daily Mail is already successful, with established editorial and commercial operations.' It added: 'DMGT places great emphasis on the editorial independence of its titles, and The Daily Telegraph would remain editorially independent from other titles in the group. The transaction would comply with the UK's Foreign State Influence regime as there will be no foreign state investment or capital in the funding structure. 'DMGT is confident any regulatory processes can be concluded swiftly and positively, as the case for approving the acquisition is compelling. 'Today's media landscape is unrecognisable from a decade ago. News publishers have to compete against both vast global online platforms and myriad digital and social media news sources, some of them highly unreliable. 'The role of trusted news media has never been more important, and requires news publishers with scale and experience to compete.' DMGT Chairman Lord Rothermere said: 'I have long admired the Daily Telegraph. My family and I have an enduring love of newspapers and for the journalists who make them. 'The Daily Telegraph is Britain's largest and best quality broadsheet newspaper, and I have grown up respecting it. It has a remarkable history and has played a vital role in shaping Britain's national debate over many decades. 'Chris Evans is an excellent editor, and we intend to give him the resources to invest in the newsroom. Under our ownership, the Daily Telegraph will become a global brand, just as the Daily Mail has.' A spokesman for RedBird IMI said: 'DMGT and RedBird IMI have worked swiftly to reach the agreement announced today, which will shortly be submitted to the Secretary of State.' A blushing Meghan threw a coy look as she was congratulated for being a '10 our of 10' in behind the scenes footage from her Harper's Bazaar photo shoot which came out this week. In intimate scenes filmed and posted on the Duchess of Sussex's Instagram account, Meghan is seen appearing overwhelmed by praise while sitting barefoot on the ground mid-shoot. Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, Meghan, 44, blushes and covers her face with her hand before a male staff member tells her she was '10 out of 10'. The Duchess then glances coyly in his direction before laughing and looking away. In other unseen footage, she is seen joyfully hugging Harper's Bazaar's editor-in-chief Samira Nasr. The Canadian is the first black woman to hold the position at Harper's Bazaar and was previously the executive fashion director at Vanity Fair. Ms Nasr reposted the behind the scenes footage on her own Instagram account, captioning it 'This lady!!' with a heart emoji. She added: 'My endless gratitude to everyone who was on set'. It comes after the Duchess was unveiled as the cover star of the magazine's December 2025/January 2026 edition on Thursday, wearing Dior and seemingly no make up. In the behind the scenes footage Meghan, 44, blushes and covers her face with her hand before a male staff member tells her she was '10 out of 10' The Duchess of Sussex is also seen posing with a smile as directors off camera tell her to be 'romantic' Meghan was this week revealed as the cover star of Harper's Bazaar magazine's December 2025/January 2026 edition, which was labeled as the art issue To coincide with the release Meghan previously shared a black-and-white video showing her posing for the cameras and looking thoughtfully into the distance, and thanked the 'extraordinary' team behind the shoot for the 'unforgettable experience'. On Friday she also shared clips of her posing while someone off camera suggested she should be 'romantic'. In response, she placed one hand on the side of her face and gave a slight smile to the camera. And last night the Duchess teased fans that the photoshoot was not the only project they could expect to see in the coming days and weeks. A post by her lifestyle firm As Ever in the early hours of Saturday on Instagram said: 'It's been a week of many surprises, reveals and mic drops for our brand and for our founder, Meghan. 'So we thought: why stop now? We have something else up our sleeve - and it might just be the best one yet.' The post was accompanied by a picture of Christmas stockings hanging from a mantelpiece. The As Ever founder spoke in her Harper's Bazaar interview about how she was first drawn to her husband, Prince Harry, 41, for his 'childlike wonder and playfulness' after they met in 2016. In other unseen footage, Meghan is seen joyfully hugging Harper's Bazaar's editor-in-chief Samira Nasr Last night the Duchess teased fans that the photoshoot was not the only project they could expect to see in the coming days and weeks on her As Ever brand's Instagram page The Harper's Bazaar interview saw Meghan gush over her 'playful' husband Prince Harry (The couple are pictured leaving Kris Jenner's 70th birthday party on November 8) The interview took place at the famed Beverly Hills Hotel in LA, and saw the Duchess be given an unsolicited cappuccino with a portrait of herself from a trip to South Africa. 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 couple share two children together - son Archie Harrison, six, and daughter Lilibet Diana, four. She also addressed her recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week where she attended the Balenciaga show. She is understood to have gone to support her friend Pierpaolo Piccioli, who was leading his first at the helm as creative director - although it was later reported she essentially invited herself. Addressing the situation, Meghan said: 'I was excited for him. 'I reached out and I said, "Happy to come and support you." We kept it a secret, and it was really fun.' If a zombie outbreak ever stopped being a Netflix storyline and became an actual problem, some parts of the country would be a whole lot better off than others. A new analysis from CanadaCasino looked at factors like population density, airports, hospitals, military bases, and access to hunting and fishing stores to figure out where Americans would realistically have the best shot at staying alive. Crowded states with limited resources fall to the bottom of the list, but the flip side is way more interesting. Wide-open land, plentiful supplies, and strong infrastructure give certain states a massive survival advantage. Heres how the top contenders stack up. 10. Oklahoma Oklahoma makes the top 10 thanks to a healthy mix of hospitals, airports, and military presence. With just 60 people per square mile, its sparse enough that an outbreak would spread more slowly than in more congested areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state also has a solid number of hunting and outdoor stores, which become pretty important when your new hobbies involve not becoming lunch. Its not the ultimate safe haven but its a strong option compared to more crowded states. 9. Mississippi Mississippis combination of low population density and easy access to hunting supplies gives residents a real edge. The state has more than 21 hunting stores per 100,000 people and a decent number of hospitals, which matters when medical care becomes chaotic fast. With only 63 people per square mile, theres room to spread out, regroup, and avoid the worst of any initial outbreak. Survival odds here are way better than most of the Southeast. 8. Michigan Michigan might not be the first place you picture for riding out an apocalypse, but its surprisingly well set up. Nearly 42% of the state is water, giving you natural barriers and an instant escape route if things go sideways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its population density is higher than the states above it, Michigans mix of airports and access to outdoor-supply stores helps tip it into the top tier. 7. Hawaii Yes, Hawaii is isolated and thats exactly the point. Distance alone gives it a massive advantage, creating a buffer from an outbreak spreading inland. With a strong military presence and the highest water percentage of any top-10 state, you get natural protection on all sides. The challenge? Supplies. But if you can get past that hurdle, Hawaii is one of the hardest places for zombies to reach in the first place. 6. Wyoming Wyomings extremely low population density just six people per square mile is practically a survival superpower. Outbreaks move slowly when you dont have many people to infect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state also has a solid spread of hospitals, airports, and hunting stores. Its quiet, remote, and resource-friendly basically the opposite of New Jersey. 5. North Dakota North Dakota strikes a great balance with plenty of hospitals, strong airport access, and a low population density. You also get a decent number of hunting and outdoor shops, which gives residents a leg up in the whole staying alive department. Its mix of medical support and breathing room pushes it comfortably into the top five. 4. Montana Montanas wide-open spaces make it one of the safest bets in the Lower 48. With only eight people per square mile and plenty of airports and outdoor-supply stores, its built for an apocalypse-friendly lifestyle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states military presence is small on paper, but the sheer amount of land and access to natural resources help counterbalance that. If you want space, youll find it here. 3. South Dakota South Dakota lands in the top three thanks to its standout hospital availability seven per 100,000 people, the highest in the country. Medical care becomes scarce fast in any disaster, so this is a huge advantage. Combine that with relatively low population density, good airport access, and strong outdoor-store availability, and the state becomes a surprisingly sturdy safe zone. 2. Maine Maine is basically a dream scenario for anyone trying to outlast the undead. Nearly 70 hunting and fishing stores per 100,000 people mean residents have easier access to supplies than anywhere else in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between its expansive natural resources, coastal advantage, and moderate density, Maine has the perfect mix of isolation and capability. It takes silver but only because one state is unbeatable. 1. Alaska No surprise here: Alaska is the strongest place in America to ride out a zombie apocalypse. With just one person per square mile and 78 airports per 100,000 people, the state offers unmatched space, mobility, and escape potential. Add in a high number of hunting stores, a decent military presence, and ample freshwater, and Alaska takes the top spot with a readiness score of 7.89 out of 10 far ahead of the rest of the pack. If youre curious about the other end of the spectrum, data also shows which states are least prepared to survive a zombie outbreak and that list is a whole different story. A Sri Lankan man who allegedly raped a child in France has been arrested in Liverpool city centre. Sujanth Ketheeswararasa, 30, was detained by officers from the National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit on Wednesday. He had been accused of raping a young girl in France and is wanted by the French authorities, the NCA said. Ketheeswararasa appeared at court in London on Thursday and was remanded in custody while extradition proceedings begin. The 30-year-old is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court by video link on Thursday November 27. A full extradition hearing is listed for March 26, 2026. A Sri Lankan man who allegedly raped a child in France has been arrested in Liverpool city centre (pictured) Clare Meehan from the NCA's Joint International Crime Centre said: 'There is no greater priority for the NCA than protecting children from sexual abuse. 'Working with partners at home and abroad we traced and located the suspect and executed his arrest.' A Louisiana cheer mom will spend more than 25 years in prison after she had sex with her daughter's 14-year-old classmate and sexted other teenage boys. Leeann Yammarino, 45, of Prairieville, near Baton Rouge, was sentenced to 26 years of prison on Tuesday after pleading no contest to two felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and two felony counts of carnal knowledge, or sexual intercourse. Yammarino's 17-year-old daughter, Kaylee, asked the judge for her mother to face the maximum sentence. Yammarino had sex with a then-14-year-old male student more than once, and at least once in her car, between January and July 2024. The mother-of-one also sent explicit photos to the boy and to three other male students, who were aged between 14 and 16. 'This photo depicted a white female lying in a bathtub from her belly button up to her facial area, depicting Leeanns face with both her breasts exposed, along with Leeanns face,' the affidavit said. She had been sending the photos for a 'few months' before the boys told their parents, who contacted police in July 2024. In August, two more boys spoke with police. Yammarino, who sobbed in court on Tuesday, pleaded no contest in September, following her arrest in August. Leeann Yammarino, 45, (pictured with husband and daughter) will spend 26 years in prison for sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy and sexting with at least three other teenagers Yammarino's 17-year-old daughter, Kaylee asked the judge for her mother to face the maximum sentence. She will also have to register as a sex offender after being released from prison The mother-of-one also sent explicit photos to the teens, including a photo of her in a bathtub with exposed breasts She will not be released from prison until she is 70 and will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years after. Yammarino was actively involved in her daughter's life and helped on the cheer team at Dutchtown High School. Her daughter is now a senior in high school and still on the cheer team, as shown in her senior pictures shared on her father's Facebook page. 'My [heart]!!! Isn't she just beautiful, inside and out!!' Chad Yammarino wrote. Although Chad has not publicly commented on his wife's sentencing, he has previously written gushing birthday posts for her, calling her a 'rockstar' and a 'blessing.' 'Leeann has been a true blessing for us since day one,' he wrote in November 2020. 'Its a true blessing to be married to such an amazing woman. She is the most hard-working, most caring person that I know. She will do whatever it takes to make others happy. Dont get me wrong, she still boujee as they come. But I would want it any other way,' he wrote in November 2022. The Daily Mail has contacted Mr. Yammarino for comment. Police arrested a couple who they say broke into an Arizona restaurant but got distracted and decided to have sex in full view of the establishment's security cameras. The brazen burglary took place on October 25 at Mon Cheri Restaurant, a Mediterranean eatery in Scottsdale. For a little over a week, police did not identify the suspects who were seen without their masks and having sex inside the restaurant's famous display of roses. The restaurant posted the surveillance footage to social media hoping they would be caught. 'We pulled up the surveillance, and we were disturbed,' lead server Caitlyn Sorensen told AZFamily. 'Who would do that? That's just gross. We don't want that here.' On November 3, Corrisa Sucanick, 30, was arrested in Scottsdale. The next day, her apparent partner, 39-year-old Brian Morrow, was taken into custody at a Phoenix motel. Scottsdale Police told FOX 10 that the couple won't face charges for their 'amorous activities' - though they will each face one count of third-degree burglary. Morrow has also been charged with possessing burglary tools. Staff at the restaurant said that on the day of the burglary, they said the cash register had been forced open, flowers were all over the floor and the bar was ransacked. The burglar couple is about to get intimate during their October 25 ransacking of Mon Cheri Restaurant, a Mediterranean eatery in Scottsdale, Arizona Police say this woman is 30-year-old Corrisa Sucanick. She was arrested in Scottsdale on November 3 Police say this is 39-year-old Brian Morrow, who was arrested on November 4 at a Phoenix hotel The couple allegedly stole $450 in cash and liquor from the Mon Cheri Restaurant (pictured) They told police that the thieves stole $450 in cash, the restaurant's iPhone and a bottle of Bacardi. 'They damaged my two doors. So two doors need to be repaired or replaced. the actual registers are like just torn apart,' restaurant owner Lexi Caliskan said. Caliskan was most unnerved by them defiling the rose display, which is typically used for Instagram photoshoots. 'I think it's maybe all the roses,' Caliskan told FOX 10. 'They definitely have some romantic time up front on the property and our roses. And Mon Cheri is my dear in French, which is a really endearing term, so you never know.' Sorensen added that the rose display was 'such a happy place' that was effectively ruined by the burglars. 'Stay out. We dont want you. Leave. Never come back,' she said. 'Just having somebody come inside of your personal space, even if they've not stolen anything like it's not okay. And so I think we all just felt really violated, to be honest.' Sucanick and Morrow, the suspects charged with the burglary, were booked into the Maricopa County jail. A married Army gynecologist who worked at military hospitals across the US is under criminal investigation for allegedly secretly filming patients during their most intimate examinations. Blaine McGraw, a doctor at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, was suspended and is the subject of a probe conducted by the US Army's criminal investigation division after a patient accused him of taping her body without her consent. A civil lawsuit filed November 10 in Texas alleged that McGraw used his medical position to 'sexually exploit, manipulate, and secretly record women under his care.' A military spouse, named in the suit as Jane Doe, claimed McGraw groped and touched her with 'invasive breast and vaginal examinations' that were described as 'unnecessary, humiliating, and profoundly violating.' She alleged that she went to the army hospital seeking treatment for pelvic pain, hormone irregularities and uterine health but her exam room 'became a stage for exploitation' instead. The gynecologist's behavior over seven or eight appointments, the lawsuit added, 'had nothing to do' with Jane Doe's medical issues. The filing said: 'Jane Doe sought legitimate medical treatment but instead was subjected to invasive, unnecessary, and degrading touching, voyeurism, and covert filming.' The woman claimed army leadership had 'dismissed the warnings' about McGraw and 'laughed off credible allegations' before allowing McGraw to 'continue practicing.' Blaine McGraw, a doctor at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, is being investigated by the Army's criminal investigation division after a patient accused him of filming her inappropriately 'The Army gave cover to a predator in uniform,' the lawsuit alleged. Andrew Cobos, Jane Doe's lawyer, told the Daily Mail he was representing more than 65 of McGraw's alleged victims. 'Ultimately my clients believe in transparency and hope that the Army is forthright in investigating claims and sharing information about past inquiries or investigations into complaints about McGraw,' Cobos told the Daily Mail. He noted that the Army needed to address the 'epidemic of sexual abuse and tolerance.' 'We hope that Congress will provide the appropriate oversight and scrutiny that will allow the Army to emerge from this scandal with a greater emphasis [on] sexual misconduct within its ranks,' he added. Other women have also accused McGraw of sexual misconduct. He has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing. A woman who said she had been McGraw's patient in Hawaii told NBC News that McGraw's camera had been pointed towards her during all of their appointments. Andrew Cobos, an attorney for Jane Doe, told the Daily Mail he was representing more than 65 alleged victims She claimed to NBC News that the doctor had told her that 'if things were different,' he would 'leave his wife' for her. The lawsuit filed by Jane Doe said that 'justice does not end with McGraw.' It added: 'The United States Army itself must answer to these military familieswives and daughtersfor the culture of silence and indifference that allowed McGraw's sexual misconduct to thrive behind the shield of its uniform.' Jane Doe is described as a military spouse living in Texas. The lawsuit said her identity was being concealed for her safety. According to the lawsuit, Doe sought treatment for pelvic pain, hormone irregularities and uterine health. She believed the Army hospital 'would honor her dignity,' per the complaint. McGraw is accused of regularly conducting 'intimate examinations' without nurses present to supervise. The gynecologist allegedly made inappropriate comments to Jane Doe about being able to see 'all of her tattoos' or how her breasts 'look great' since her 'surgeon did a great job.' Jane Doe was undergoing a 'routine pelvic examination' at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood when she alleged McGraw began recording her On October 14, Jane Doe was set to undergo a 'routine pelvic examination.' However, McGraw allegedly 'pretended to receive a call from a nurse' on his phone and then placed it in his breast pocket with the camera facing out, according to the complaint. McGraw allegedly asked Jane Doe to 'remove her pants', with his phone capturing 'every private, intimate moment and organ' without her knowing. The lawsuit said: 'That day, inside a federal military hospital, Jane Doe's most private boundaries were breached, her dignity stripped away, and her sense of safety shattered.' The Army's criminal investigation division called Jane Doe on October 17 and told her McGraw had been 'secretly filming multiple female patients during their medical appointments,' per the lawsuit. She was also shown photos found on McGraw's phone that 'unmistakably depicted' her body during the October 14 examination. Investigators also allegedly told Jane Doe that McGraw had recorded 'nearly the entirety of her final appointment, including both the breast and pelvic examinations.' McGraw was also accused of sexual misconduct while he worked at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, according to the lawsuit According to the lawsuit, investigators also 'confirmed that McGraw had multiple devices that contained images and videos of his female patients.' It was unknown whether McGraw had shared or published the photos and videos. The lawsuit further accused McGraw of a pattern of 'predatory behavior' extending as far back as 2019, when he worked at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Per the legal filing, 'at least one female patient' had filed a complaint against McGraw for recording her pelvic examination on his phone. However, the gynecologist's higherups allegedly 'dismissed the complaint' and 'laughed it off.' The lawsuit also alleged that McGraw had 'induced the labor of a pregnant patient against her explicit wishes', which 'stripped her of the fundamental right to make decisions about her own body.' It was claimed that the Army doctor had made other suggestive comments in the past. Daniel Conway, McGraw's lawyer, told the Daily Mail that he had 'seen no evidence that he's ever touched a patient in a way that was not medically indicated' The lawsuit alleged McGraw told a patient that her 'vagina looks pretty' and then touched her 'most intimate sexual organs' while 'making sexually suggestive comments.' Meanwhile, the filing said, the Army's 'posture was one of indifference and avoidance, not urgency or accountability.' Daniel Conway, McGraw's lawyer, told the Daily Mail that he was frustrated with how the Army's criminal investigations division was handling the doctor's case. 'I do not think that the evidence is going to support 65 allegations,' Conway said. He added: 'They've sent out thousands of letters soliciting his former patients, and sometimes in instances when there was no reason to believe that they may have been victims. 'I can tell you that I've seen no evidence that he's ever touched a patient in a way that was not medically indicated.' Conway said McGraw would remain cooperative and claimed the Army's process sending out 'thousands of letters' was 'leading to a lot of misinformation out there.' A statement from Fort Hood said a doctor at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center had been suspended and was being investigated He told the Daily Mail: 'I think that's leading to a perception that this case is much larger than it probably really is going to be and I think it's leading to, really, an unfair process for Dr. McGraw.' Conway added that McGraw had not been charged with any crimes. A statement from Fort Hood on October 28 said a doctor without naming him at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center had been 'suspended from his position and is no longer providing services to patients.' Fort Hood's investigation into the doctor began 'within hours of a patient's allegations,' the statement added. Army officials said they would be contacting 'all patients seen' by the doctor during his stay at CRDAMC 'even if there is currently no indication to believe they have been affected by the alleged misconduct currently under investigation.' Tripler Army Medical Center told told the Daily Mail it was 'committed to the wellbeing of our patients.' Tripler confirmed McGraw had been a resident trainee in the gynecologic surgery and obstetric residency program from June 2019 to June 2023. The center added that it was 'in the process of notifying patients who were seen by a former resident' in that program between those dates and that the 'provider is the subject of a criminal investigation by the Army Criminal Investigations Division.' Tripler director Col. William Bimson said: 'I know this information is incredibly upsetting to them, and we are here to provide support. We have many resources to offer, and we want to hear their concerns and help them get the medical care and other support they need.' Col. Kamil Sztalkoper, a spokesperson for III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, told the Daily Mail that the Armys criminal investigation division had responded to the incident in less than one hour and that the doctors access to the hospital and patient records had been revoked that same day. Fort Hood told the Daily Mail it had sent more than 1400 letters out to possible victims starting October 27 after a hospital review of the doctors patient records. The letters included a QR code that victims could use to reach out to Army criminal investigation agents or sexual assault response professionals. Donald Trump says he is ending deportation protections for Somali immigrants in Minnesota. The president claimed in a blistering Truth Social post that the Blue state is being overrun by 'Somali gangs terrorizing people'. Trump also called out Governor Mike Waltz, the running mate of his 2024 opponent Kamala Harris, for allowing his state to become 'a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity.' 'BILLIONS of Dollars are missing,' Trump wrote in his tirade. 'Send them back to where they came from. Its OVER! President DJT.' He announced he will be ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota, a federal initiative introduced in the 1990s that allows migrants from war-torn or unsafe countries to live and work legally in the US. Somalia has been locked in a devastating civil war since 1991, and the turmoil has triggered several bouts of intense fighting among Somali militias and famine. According to Congress.gov data, there are 705 Somali immigrants in the entire nation approved for TPS, and Somali's TPS designation does not expire until March 17, 2026. Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States at an estimated 86,000 people, and the influx of migrants from the African nation has dramatically influenced the state's politics - including re-elected Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey speaking in Somali during his victory speech this month. Donald Trump says he is ending deportation protections for Somali immigrants in Minnesota The president wrote on his Truth Social platform that the Blue state was overran by 'Somali gangs terrorizing people', and he would be ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota Trump did not offer details of the alleged fraud in Minnesota, but it comes after the City Journal reported that millions of dollars may have been stolen from Minnesota welfare schemes and funneled to Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab. Trump has also moved to remove TPS protections for a number of other nations since he retook the White House this year, including Venezuela, Afghanistan, Syria, and South Sudan. Trump's post announcing that he would end TPS for Somali migrants in Minnesota divided opinions, as Democrats raged against the president's move. Waltz took to X to condemn the action, writing: 'Its not surprising that the President has chosen to broadly target an entire community. 'This is what he does to change the subject.' Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has frequently clashed with Trump and was told by the president to 'go back' to Somalia just weeks ago, also slammed the removal of TPS protections. In response to a post citing Trump's announcement that told her to 'go back where you came from', Omar wrote: 'I am a citizen and so are majority of Somalis in America. 'Good luck celebrating a policy change that really doesnt have much impact on the Somalis you love to hate. We are here to stay.' Somalia has been locked in a devastating civil war since 1991, and the turmoil has triggered several bouts of intense fighting among Somali militias (fighting pictured in 2013) and famine Trump called out Minnesota Governor Mike Waltz, the running mate of his 2024 opponent Kamala Harris , for allowing his state to become 'a hub of fraudulent money laundering activity' Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, a frequent Trump critic, slated the move and declared: 'We are here to stay' But while Democrats fumed over Trump's announcement, Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth said she was 'glad' to see the White House look into Minnesota's 'fraud problem.' 'The unfortunate reality is that far too many individuals who were welcomed into this country have abused the trust and support that was extended to them, and Minnesota taxpayers have suffered billions of dollars in consequences as a result,' she told CBS News. Jaylani Hussein, president of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, added to CBS that Trump's announcement was 'misguided.' 'This is not just a bureaucratic change; it is a political attack on the Somali and Muslim community driven by Islamophobic and hateful rhetoric,' he said. '(We are) deeply disappointed that the administration has chosen to end the Somali TPS program in Minnesota, a legal lifeline for families who have built their lives here for decades. 'We strongly urge President Trump to reverse this misguided decision.' In one of Britain's worst miscarriages of justice, Peter Sullivan spent 38 years behind bars for the murder of 21-year-old florist Diane Sindall. Dubbed the 'Beast of Birkenhead' after the brutal killing, Mr Sullivan had long protested his innocence after his conviction in 1987. Earlier this year, three senior judges quashed his conviction after the Court of Appeal heard DNA evidence showed the killer was someone else. After spending a lifetime in some of Britain's toughest category A prisons, Mr Sullivan was released back into the world, which has drastically changed from the one he left behind. Following his release in May, Mr Sullivan has revealed that even a trip to the shops shows how 'everything's changed', as he comes face to face with self-checkouts for the first time. He also now owns a smartphone, which he needed to buy so he could book a doctor's appointment on what he now knows is an 'app'. His first interaction with smartphones came as he sat on the bus and saw people glued to their screens before realising they were phones when he saw them pressing them to their ears. The 68-year-old, who to date has spent more of his life in prison than free, has also opened up on the strain of being inevitably institutionalised. After nearly 40 years behind bars and repeated attempts to clear his name, Peter Sullivan had his conviction for murder quashed earlier this year The 68-year-old, who to date has spent more of his life in prison than free, has also opened up on the strain of being inevitably institutionalised Diane Sindall, 21, was brutally killed after she left work at a pub in Bebington, Birkenhead, just before midnight on Friday, August 1, 1986 He recalled that he sometimes walks back to his bedroom and sits on his bed, subconsciously waiting for a prison officer to lock him back into his cell. 'You've got to be at your door at a certain time, otherwise the officers will go off at you', he told the BBC. 'I was just sitting there thinking, "What am I doing?"' His parents died while he was in prison, and Mr Sullivan said 'it hurts because I wasn't there for them', adding that he has not yet been able to 'set' himself to visit his mother's grave. Mr Sullivan is also now entitled to 1.3million in compensation after ministers increased the cap for people wrongly jailed for 10 years or more. But it is not an automatic process and is a lengthy process. In another high-profile case, Andrew Malkinson was wrongly jailed for rape for 17 years and finally freed two years ago. Months after his release, he had received no payout and described himself as broke and living in a tent. In February, it emerged Mr Malkinson had received a significant six-figure interim payout but his final application is yet to be resolved. Mr Sullivan, as an innocent man, is not entitled to the help that guilty prisoners who admit their crimes would get. If released on parole, you are given accommodation and help with living expenses. As he is not eligible for this, Mr Sullivan is understood to be living a modest life, but many believe he is a millionaire in waiting. 'There's not a figure that you could say that would be enough for losing 38 years of your life,' his lawyer, Sarah Myatt said. In response to the huge miscarriage of justice, Merseyside Police expressed its 'regret', but maintained its officers had acted within the law at the time. Chief Constable Rob Carden - who took on the job earlier this year - said: 'It was a grave miscarriage of justice and obviously as chief constable of Merseyside it doesn't matter how long I've been there, I deeply regret the detrimental impact on Mr Sullivan's life.' Mr Sullivan also said he is willing to support Ms Sindall's family in court if her killer is found. In an undisclosed location, with his face hidden to protect his privacy, he told the BBC: 'I feel sorry for (Ms Sindall's family), I really do feel sorry for them and what they're going through at the moment, where they're back at square one and not knowing who the person is that killed their daughter. 'I don't know what to say to them, I am really sorry for what's happened to their daughter, and if they need - if they want - my support when they go to court with the guy, when they find him, I will go to court with them, I will be there by their side 100%, because I will be there for them.' Mr Sullivan was aged 30 when he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 16 years in 1987, but he remained in prison for almost four decades. Mr Sullivan told the BBC: 'I can't forgive them for what they've done to me because it's going to be there with me for the rest of my life - I've got to carry that burden until I can get an apology on what happened from everyone else who's been involved with the case. 'That's all I want is an apology with the reason why they done this to me ... from Merseyside police and everyone else - I lost all my freedom, I lost my mother, since I was put in prison, I've lost my father, and it hurts because I wasn't there for them. 'I have never been able to set myself to go and see my mum's grave, and I can't ... carry on with my life if I can't get an answer out of them, that is what I need the most, is an answer from them, and that's all I care about, that answer - why they done it to me.' A memorial tablet on a grass verge near the scene of Ms Sindall's murder The investigation into her murder continues, supported by the National Crime Agency, with hundreds of men screened and eliminated in the past two years. Miss Sindall was brutally killed after she left work at a pub in Bebington, Birkenhead, just before midnight on Friday, August 1, 1986. The bride-to-be, who was picking up barmaid shifts to earn extra money for her wedding, was walking to a garage to buy some fuel after her van broke down. Her lifeless and brutally abused body was discovered 12 hours later in an alley. At his trial, prosecutors said Mr Sullivan had spent the day drinking and went out armed with a crowbar. Evidence at the time suggested the petty thief had recently borrowed a crowbar from a neighbour. He was placed near the scene by witnesses following a BBC Crimewatch appeal. But he denied going anywhere near where the crime took place or having the crowbar in his possession, and said he had given different accounts to the police because he could not remember his movements. Mr Sullivan was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years in 1987, but denied parole multiple times, largely due to his refusal to admit responsibility for the killing. He applied to the High Court for permission to appeal against his conviction in 2019, but this was rejected by the Court of Appeal in 2021. Then, in November last year, the Criminal Cases Review Commission said his case had been referred to the Court of Appeal on the basis of the DNA evidence. Samples taken at the time of the murder were re-examined and a DNA profile that did not match Mr Sullivan was found. This crucial evidence was revealed by a method that only came into use in 2015, and he was finally freed after the Court of Appeal in London quashed his conviction in May. Police are now reinvestigating Miss Sindall's murder in the hope of bringing her killer to justice Speaking from a secret location, and with his face obscured and voice changed to hide his current appearance, Mr Sullivan said he wanted an apology from Merseyside Police. Mr Sullivan said being denied legal representation at his initial police interviews had been 'very daunting'. He told the broadcaster he was beaten in his cell on two occasions. 'They threw a blanket over the top of me and they were hitting me on top of the blanket with the truncheons to try and get me to co-operate with them,' he said. 'It really hurt, they were leathering me.' Asked why he would confess to a murder he did not commit, Mr Sullivan told the BBC: 'All I can say, it was the bullying that forced me to throw my hands in, because I couldn't take it anymore.' He said he felt 'sorry' for Miss Sindall's family, who are 'back at square one and not knowing who the person is that killed their daughter'. Quashing his murder conviction in May, Lord Justice Holroyde said: 'Strong though the circumstantial evidence undoubtedly seemed at the trial, it is now necessary to take into account the new scientific evidence pointing to someone else - the unknown man.' The new suspect identified by new DNA techniques does not appear on the national database, nor is he linked to any other unsolved offences. Police have confirmed the DNA does not belong to any of Miss Sindall's family or her then fiance, David Beattie, who has since moved to Australia. Sir Keir Starmer and other European leaders have expressed 'concern' over Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Ukraine. With the situation on a knife-edge, the Prime Minister and other European leaders who had appeared blindsided by the proposals - began discussing alternatives on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday. They said the proposal would 'require additional work' and expressed concerns about the proposal to limit Kyiv's armed forces. In a joint statement issued following their meeting this afternoon, the leaders also stressed that 'borders must not be changed by force'. Under the humiliating 28-point White House-Kremlin plan, Ukraine would cede territory its troops have defended since February 2022, slash the size of its military and sacrifice its sovereignty. In return, sanctions against Russia would be lifted and, crucially for Vladimir Putin, the country would be 'reintegrated into the global economy'. The Russian leader appears to have embraced the deal after saying he believes 'it can be used as the basis for a final peaceful settlement', while President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to propose alternatives. Ukrainian envoys will meet a US delegation in Switzerland to discuss the proposal, Zelensky announced Saturday, after Trump set a deadline of less than a week to approve the deal. National security advisors from the UK, France and Germany will also meet US and Ukrainian officials taking part in the talks in Geneva on Sunday. Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska (centre left) visit the Holodomor Genocide complex of the National Museum in Kyiv to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor on Saturday 'In the coming days, consultations with our partners will take place on the steps needed to end the war,' the Ukrainian leader wrote on X. 'Our representatives know how to defend Ukraines national interests and exactly what must be done to prevent Russia from launching a third invasion, another strike against Ukraine just as it has repeatedly committed crimes against our people and against other nations in the past.' Zelensky has appointed his top aide, Andriy Yermak, to lead the talks, according to a presidential decree. The decree said the talks will also include 'representatives of the Russian Federation.' There was no immediate confirmation from Russia whether it would join the talks. US officials have told Nato allies they expect to push president Zelensky into agreeing the deal under the threat that if Kyiv does not sign, it will face a much worse deal in future. Briefing ambassadors from Nato nations, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said: 'No deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later.' Donald Trump has told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky that he has until Thursday to make up his mind, although there are signs there may be room for manoeuvre. Vice President JD Vance has insisted the US administration's approach is rooted in pragmatic diplomacy rather than unrealistic expectations. He said: 'Every criticism of the peace framework the administration is working on either misunderstands the framework or misstates some critical reality on the ground. 'There is a fantasy that if we just give more money, more weapons, or more sanctions, victory is at hand.' Trump met with Zelensky in the White House Oval office in February, which turned into a tense dust-up between the two JD Vance (pictured) hit back at criticism of the latest Ukraine peace plan by arguing that it is a 'fantasy' to believe more weapons and sanctions would defeat Russia Mr Zelensky said he would work around the clock to find a path but insisted he would not betray his country. If he accepts the deal, Ukraine would have to cede to Russia all the lands that Moscow has declared for itself in Donetsk and Luhansk. These would then be recognised by the US as Russian territory. No Nato forces could be based inside Ukraine. And the Ukrainian military would be cut by a quarter to 600,000 troops and barred from possessing long-range weapons that could reach Russia. Starmer held 25-minute talks with France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Friedrich Merz, before the meeting was expanded to include a dozen G7 and G20 leaders including from Japan, Canada, Italy, Norway and the European Union. A joint statement issued following their meeting at the Johannesburg G20 summit said: 'We welcome the continued US efforts to bring peace to Ukraine. 'The initial draft of the 28-point plan includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace. 'We believe therefore that the draft is a basis which will require additional work. 'We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. 'We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force. 'We are also concerned by the proposed limitations on Ukraine's armed forces, which would leave Ukraine vulnerable to future attack. 'We reiterate that the implementation of elements relating to the European Union and relating to Nato would need the consent of EU and Nato members respectively. 'We take this opportunity to underline the strength of our continued support to Ukraine. We will continue to coordinate closely with Ukraine and the US over the coming days.' Ahead of the talks, Sir Keir said: 'Ukraine's friends and partners will meet in the margins of the G20 summit to discuss how we can secure a full ceasefire and create the space for meaningful peace negotiations. 'We will discuss the current proposal on the table, and in support of President Trump's push for peace, look at how we can strengthen this plan for the next phase of negotiations.' (L-R) European Council President Antonio Costa, Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Finland's President Alexander Stubb at the G20 summit in Johannesburg today He added that there 'is only one country around the G20 table that is not calling for a ceasefire' as he condemned Moscow for sending nearly 1,000 drones and 54 precision guided missiles in the past week alone. 'Ukraine has been ready to negotiate for months, while Russia has stalled and continued its murderous rampage. 'That is why we must all work together, with both the US and Ukraine, to secure a just and lasting peace once and for all. 'We will continue to co-ordinate closely with Washington and Kyiv to achieve that.' Sir Keir is understood to have ruled out flying to Washington next week though European leaders including France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz and Italy's Giorgia Meloni are considering visiting Mr Trump. Mr Putin, who like Mr Trump is not attending the gathering of the world's leading economies, has cautiously welcomed the US proposal, saying it 'could form the basis of a final peace settlement'. With Ukraine facing one of the most 'difficult moments' in its history, Mr Zelensky said it faced a choice between 'losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner'. It followed his 40-minute call with Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Merz, in which the European leaders emphasised that Ukraine 'must determine its future under its sovereignty'. The Prime Minister said they had emphasised to Mr Zelensky their support for Ukraine and the 'fundamental principle' that Kyiv should be in charge of its own destiny. Asked what it meant to 'strengthen' Washington's plans, Downing Street declined to 'get ahead of those discussions' but denied they were viewed as weak by friends of Kyiv. Pressed on whether Britain had been cut out of Mr Trump's peace negotiations, Sir Keir's spokesman said he did not 'accept that at all' as he stressed the 'excellent relationship' between the US and UK leaders. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels: 'Russia's war against Ukraine is an existential threat to Europe. We all want this war to end. But how it ends matters. Russia has no legal right whatsoever to any concessions from the country it invaded. Ultimately, the terms of any agreement are for Ukraine to decide.' Meanwhile the Polish prime minister has insisted that a peace settlement cannot be imposed on Ukraine. Karol Nawrocki said: 'It was Ukraine that fell victim to Putin's criminal aggression, and it is Ukrainians, with the support of the United States and EU countries, who must have the decisive voice in peace talks. 'The price of peace cannot in any way be the achievement of strategic goals by the aggressor, and the aggressor was and remains the Russian Federation.' Significantly, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was among those publicly criticising the deal. He warned Trump, a friend and ally, that asking Ukraine to slash its military was 'not acceptable'. Candace Owens has wildly claimed that the French government is plotting to kill her after she was sued by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron. The provocateur, who has become increasingly conspiratorial, took to X early Saturday to push an unfounded claim that the French president and first lady have orchestrated and funded an assassination plot against her while also supposedly threatening French journalist Xavier Poussard. Owens, 36, and Poussard have been loudly promoting the baseless conspiracy theory that Brigitte, 72, was born male a rumor that triggered a defamation lawsuit against Owens, filed by the Macrons in Delaware. Brigitte has vehemently denied the claims against her. Now, Owens claimed to have been told of the couple's sick plans by a 'high-ranking employee of the French Government.' She declined to name who this person was or how they would have access to such information. 'After determining this persons position and proximity to the French couple, I have deemed the information they gave me to be credible enough to share publicly in the event that something happens,' the paranoid mother-of-four said. She claimed the French official had 'concrete proof' of the assassination plans, though refused to let her followers in on the evidence. Owens has been accused of sinking to new depths after the death of Charlie Kirk, which she suggested, without evidence, was the result of Israeli involvement. Owens, 36, took to X early Saturday morning to peddle a conspiracy theory that Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have hatched and paid for an assassination plan against her Macron and his wife filed a defamation case against Owens in July over claims his wife is a man Owens also wildly claimed that the US government is aware of Macron's plans and are not doing anything to protect her. 'I do not know who in the American government can be trusted, since this source claims our leaders are aware. But I have more specific information which is definitely verifiable, should they care to reach out to me,' she wrote. The Daily Mail has contacted the White House, the French Government, and Owens for comment. In a further twist to the drama, Owens claimed Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating Owens's close friend Charlie Kirk, 'trained with the French legion 13th brigade with multi-state involvement.' American authorities have not made this connection. In charging documents, officials said Robinson allegedly killed Kirk because he 'had enough of his hatred.' Robinson, who is allegedly dating a transgender woman, disagreed with Kirk's politics, which the right-wing commentator loudly displayed through his organization Turning Point USA. It is unclear if Robinson has ever been to France or has any connection to the European country. 'To the brave official in France who did this because they were so moved by the evil of Charlies public execution to risk their own life - May God bless you. Truly,' Owens concluded. Brigitte (pictured with her husband) has denied the claims against her Without evidence, Owens made wild claims that her life was in danger and the US government knows about it on X on Saturday 'Let all be revealed.' In a follow-up comment to a fan, she claimed 'we have lost this country' as 'Americans are being assassinated on American soil and agencies within our government are aware.' 'Exactly one year before they murdered Charlie, they tried to murder me,' she wrote. The Macrons filed a US defamation lawsuit in July against the conservative podcaster, who produced a series titled 'Becoming Brigitte,' claiming she was born a man. Poussard also published a book in collaboration with Owens under the same title. It was released in February. The journalist also appeared on her podcast to discuss their findings the same month. The French couple are planning to offer 'scientific' and 'photographic' evidence proving that the first lady is not transgender, according to their US lawyer. Owens also claimed Poussard's life has also been threatened Owens has demanded Brigitte undergo a 'third-party examination' to prove she is a woman, she told the Daily Mail in September. 'We're going to demand Brigitte sit down for an exam with an independent doctor. We're coming for her medical records,' Owens said. 'This isn't France, where Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron get to do whatever they want. This is America. 'You don't get to skip discovery just because you're a foreign world leader angry about a podcaster's First Amendment rights. 'The court-mandated discovery process does not allow Brigitte to just "submit" evidence. 'The American court system isn't some kangaroo court where leaders can just say whatever they want. 'Evidence must be independently verified. During the discovery process, Brigitte will need to submit herself to a third-party medical examination.' Tom Clare, who is representing the Macrons in the case, said Owens's claims have been a 'distraction' for the French president and 'very upsetting' to the First Lady. Aussies lapped up Sydney's popular waterside music festival Harbourlife Festival on Saturday night. Thousands of electronic and house music fans flocked to Mrs Macquaries Point, just around the corner from the Sydney Opera House, to kick off the summer season. A lineup of international and local electronic and house music artists, set against the backdrop of the Sydney Harbour, entertained fans at the sold-out event. It started at 2pm and went through to 10pm as Aussies danced at what's described as the 'quintessential Sydney party to kick off the summer season'. Harbourlife festival features electronic artists including headliner Cloonee, Claptone, Deep Dish, D.O.D and Rossi. Aussis flocked to the Harbourlife Festival on Saturday night They were in a festive mood to start the summer season This man was kitted out in a watermelon outift The festival marks the start of the Aussie summer season Friends head to Mrs Macquaries Point for the festival Thousands turned out for the annual event It is always a sell-out event and crowds gathered with some expecting rain in their colourful dance party outfits Three mates head out for a day of dancing The BBC was in renewed crisis today with rumours it could be set to lose its board chair in the ongoing row about systemic bias at the corporation. A former senior BBC news editor warned that 'weak' Samir Shah could be the third senior member of the BBC to be toppled as the unprecedented public debate over impartiality and bias allegations showed no sign of abating. The allegations of institutional bias led to the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness two weeks ago. Shah and other BBC board members are due to appear before a critical Select Committee of MPs on Monday to discuss growing concerns over editorial standards at the supposedly impartial publicly funded corporation. But his appearance was overshadowed by the resignation last night of fellow BBC board member Shumeet Banerji, laying bare clear schisms on the 12-strong board, which is responsible for oversight and strategy of the BBC. Banerji's resignation over 'governance issues' appeared timed to ramp up the pressure on Samir Shah ahead of Monday. He was also said to have cited frustrations at not being consulted about the resignations of Davie and Turness in his own resignation letter. But former Editor of BBC One's Ten 'O' Clock and Six 'O' Clock News Sir Craig Oliver told the BBC today that what Banerji was saying was 'really code for saying he thinks there has been weakness and a lack of grip' and he warned: 'The stakes were already high for Samir Shah and they just got even higher as the BBC risks the prospect not only of losing the director general and the head of news but also losing the chairman of the board of governors.' A former senior BBC news editor has warned that 'weak' chair of the BBC board Samir Shah (pictured) could be the third senior member of the BBC to be toppled Sir Craig Oliver (pictured) said today that 'stakes are high' for the chairman of the board and said recent scandals about objectivity make the BBC an easy target for its enemies Oliver said Banerji's resignation was a direct consequence of the BBC's failure to 'get a grip on the situation' which he also said had made it easier for 'enemies of the BBC and those who didn't like it' to criticise it. 'The BBC needs the person in charge of governance to grip it hard and say "right, this is what is going to happen" and very, very early in the process knock heads together and say "let's draw a line. There's clarity on this and let's move on", but that didn't happen and we have seen what happens when you fail to take a grip. 'You end up in situations where a board member is resigning on the eve of a Select Committee appearance in order to cause problems for you.' And, firmly laying the blame at the door of Samir Shah, he said the timing was 'terrible' because 'the BBC Charter renewal was coming down the tracks'. 'The problem is we have this period which is rolling and we are speculating about what is going to happen and this issue does not feel like it is finished yet by a long way. 'And meanwhile people who are enemies of the BBC, people who don't like it, are able to say "look there is chaos and there are problems" and the story of whether there is institutional bias rumbles on,' he told Radio 4's Today programme. 'The issue of that lies at the door of the chair of the board of the governors and so far it looks like he's been very weak and he has failed to actually get up and control the board. 'He should say "this is what we are doing and if you have to resign over it so be it but my job is to protect the BBC and take tough and clear action" and that didn't happen.' The uncertainty comes at a particularly difficult time for the BBC due to the upcoming renewal of its Charter BBC board member Shumeet Banerji sensationally resigned last night over 'governance' issues The crisis began when a leaked memo from former BBC editorial standards adviser Michael Prescott raised serious concerns about the BBC's reporting including its apparent doctoring of a Donald Trump speech in a Panorama episode, its coverage of the Gaza war and reporting on trans issues. Trump has threatened to sue the corporation for $5 billion for the way it edited two separate sections of his speech made on January 6, 2021, together. In the BBC edit, Trump appeared to be calling on his supporters to march on the Capitol. The BBC has since acknowledged the edit gave 'the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action'. Oliver, who went on to become communications chief for David Cameron, said that 'all eyes are going to be on Samir Shah on Monday' and added: 'The questions I think he's going to really have to answer are is it true that months ago you chaired a BBC meeting where the Panorama issue was on the table and you decided to take no action? And if so why - particularly after what you've now said - did you not take action then? 'And I think that the next question that he's really going to have face is, when Michael Prescott's report was leaked to the Telegraph, why did you preside over such a long period of time of the BBC not coming out, particularly when the executive wanted to get out and cauterize the issue as cleanly as possible?' Robert F Kennedy Jr wrote a cringe-inducing raunchy poem to journalist Olivia Nuzzi during their scandalous 'digital affair' last year, her scorner ex-partner revealed. Ryan Lizza says Kennedy Jr, 71, sent Nuzzi, 32, poetic texts filled with explicit sexual demands - even though the pair's affair was only carried out online. One message reportedly read: 'Yr open mouth awaiting my harvest.' Another text allegedly said: 'I am a river. You are my canyon, I mean to flow through you. I mean to subdue and tame you. My Love.' Lizza added that other messages graphically detailed sexual acts, but were 'too explicit to print.' The messages were revealed by Lizza in an explosive piece shared to his Substack on Saturday. He says he uncovered a slew of racy messages after learning about Nuzzi's 'digital affair' with Kennedy. It follows a prior Substack post last week in which Lizza alleged that Nuzzi had cheated on him years earlier with former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, 65. Donald Trump's HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr wrote a cringe-inducing raunchy poem to journalist Olivia Nuzzi during their scandalous 'digital affair' last year, her scorner ex-partner revealed Olivia Nuzzi's ex-fiance Ryan Lizza (seen together in 2023) shared a second bombshell Substack post on their doomed relationship on Saturday, including excerpts of explicit poems Kennedy allegedly sent her Vanity Fair said it was reviewing her status as the outlet's West Coast Editor after news of the Sanford rumor broke. 'We were taken by surprise, and we are looking at all the facts,' a spokesperson said in response to the piece. The Daily Mail has contacted Kennedy's Health and Human Services agency, Nuzzi and and Vanity Fair publisher Conde Nast for comment. Lizza writes that Nuzzi insisted that she 'never touched' Kennedy, and insisted their affair was carried out entirely over the phone and through messages. The posts from Lizza came as Nuzzi was attempting to ease back into public life to promote her upcoming tell-all book, American Canto, a year after her emotional dalliance with Trump's health secretary. Lizza claimed that he discovered Nuzzi's alleged affair with Sanford when a love note she wrote him fell out of her bag. 'If I swallowed every drop of water from the tower above your house, I would still thirst for you,' she allegedly wrote for Sanford. Lizza, a former Washington correspondent for Politico, described feeling devastated over 'Olivia's betrayal' in their relationship Lizza claims he discovered a love note Nuzzi had written for former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford in March 2020, after he launched a longshot bid for the presidency Sanford captured national headlines in 2009 after admitting to an extramarital affair, and finished his term in 2011 despite the scandal before he later returned to Congress until 2019. He then launched a longshot bid for the presidency in 2020, and although he never gained traction and dropped out of the race within two months, Nuzzi profiled him for a New York Magazine feature story. On her way back from a trip to interview Sanford, Lizza recalled discovering the note she had written to Sanford after it had scattered from her backpack. After looking through further pages, Lizza said: 'My heart stopped when I realized who he was.' Lizza, a former Washington correspondent for Politico, describes feeling devastated over 'Olivia's betrayal' and worried that it would ruin a book the pair were writing together about the 2020 presidential campaign. He wrote that Nuzzi told him she became 'infatuated' with Sanford after covering him for New York Magazine, eventually sending him 'increasingly risque pictures and texts' and even 'secretly followed him on the campaign trail.' He then alleges that Nuzzi and Sanford 'consummated' their relationship at the ex-governor's home 'one night after she went dark on me and made up a story about how she was dealing with a crisis concerning her sick mother.' Lizza said he was heartbroken when he discovered Nuzzi wrote a love letter to the former South Carolina governor, which he feared would upend both of their careers as political journalists Lizza concluded his bombshell post by revealing he called his agent: 'We have a big problem. Olivia is sleeping with Mark Sanford.' The longtime Washington journalist said he had wanted to keep the allegations private, but decided to reveal the alleged affair in response to Nuzzi's own memoir, which he had no advance knowledge of and assumed would never happen. 'Last year, she asked to negotiate a non-disclosure agreement,' Lizza writes. He said that Nuzzi had messaged her through a mutual friend last year to say that she 'will never talk about any of this again, and I hope you will do the same.' Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of an ailing Spanish bishop who is under church investigation for allegedly sexually abusing a teenage boy in the 1990s. The Vatican confirmed in a statement on Saturday that Leo had accepted the resignation of Cadiz Bishop Rafael Zornoza, 76, but did not mention the allegation. It comes after Spanish newspaper El Pais reported earlier this month that Zornoza had been recently placed under investigation by a church tribunal. The national paper, which has exposed decades of abuse and cover-up in the Spanish Catholic Church, said Zornoza was accused of abusing a young former seminarian while he was a young priest and directed the diocesan seminary in Getafe. The report, quoting a letter the former seminarian wrote the Vatican over the summer, said Zornoza fondled him and regularly slept with him from when he was 14 to 21 years old. The former seminarian's letter also said Zornoza heard his confession and persuaded him to see a psychiatrist to 'cure' his homosexuality. Zornoza, who had led the Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta on Spain's southern coast since 2011, is the first Spanish Catholic bishop publicly known to have been investigated by the Vatican for an allegation of abuse. The diocese of Cadiz denied the accusations against Zornoza but confirmed the investigation was being carried out by the church court in Madrid known as the Rota. Pope Leo has accepted the resignation of a bishop in Spain who is being investigated over an alleged abuse case, the Vatican said on Saturday Bishop Rafael Zornoza is under investigation over an allegation of sexual abuse of a teenage boy in the 1990s, which he denies Zornoza, who had led the Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta on Spain's southern coast since 2011, is the first Spanish Catholic bishop publicly known to have been investigated by the Vatican for an allegation of abuse In a statement earlier this month, the diocese said Zornoza was cooperating with the investigation and had suspended his agenda temporarily 'to clarify the facts and to undergo treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.' 'The accusations made, referring to events that took place almost 30 years ago, are very serious and also false,' the statement said. It would be the first time the new pontiff removed a bishop accused of abuse. Pope Leo, who was elected in May, has held two meetings with groups of survivors of abuse in the past month. Leo did not immediately name a temporary leader of the diocese. In 2023, Spain's first official probe of abuse indicated that the number of victims could run into hundreds of thousands, based on a survey that was part of an office of Spain's ombudsman. The ombudsman conducted an 18-month independent investigation of 487 cases involving alleged victims who spoke with the ombudsman's team. Spain's Catholic bishops apologized but dismissed the interpretations of the ombudsman report as a 'lie,' arguing that many more people had been abused outside of the church. Pope Leo XIV meets, online from the Apostolic Palace, with over 15,000 teenagers gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 21, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican The Spanish Catholic hierarchy then did its own report, saying in 2024 that it had found evidence of 728 sexual abusers within the church since 1945. It then launched a plan to compensate victims, after Spains government approved a plan to force the church to pay economic reparations. Vapes will have to be digitally stamped in a bid to deter a booming black market in the devices, the Chancellor will announce in next week's Budget. And Rachel Reeves will warn that rogue traders caught dealing in illegal vapes could face 10,000 on the spot fines and a potential prison sentence. She will also launch a crackdown on vape shops and checks on those who work in them in an attempt to bring the industry under control. New compulsory rules designed to tackle the vast underground market in unlicensed vapes will be introduced next October. Traders will require a licence to sell vapes and right to work checks will be introduced to verify workers in the thousands of vape shops that have popped up in UK High Streets in a bid to stamp out tax evasion and exploitation, according to the BBC. All vapes sold in the UK will be required to carry a cutting edge digital stamp including a QR code to show that they comply with safety and sales regulations. The system should ensure that consumers should be able to spot the difference between a fake and a genuine device. A staggering one in ten adults in the UK is now believed to vape with a significant industry growing up around the habit. Vapes will have to be digitally stamped in a bid to deter a booming black market in the devices, the Chancellor will announce in next week's Budget. Pictured: A stock image of a girl vaping Rachel Reeves will warn that rogue traders caught dealing in illegal vapes could face 10,000 on the spot fines and a potential prison sentence. Pictured: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves leaves 11 Downing Street on November 19 Reeves will announce in Thursday's Budget that legitimate businesses can register from next April for the scheme with a six month window to sell old stock. New enforcement measures will also include greater powers for Border Force and HMRC officials. They will be permitted to seize illegal vapes, including at the border. The new rules follow the government's ban on the sale of single use e cigarettes in the summer. Critics of the ban say it has simply driven the industry underground with 80% of retailers polled by one industry group saying it would drive consumers towards the black market Two thirds of retailers polled also said they did not stock refillable capsules for vapes since most consumers simply bought another reusable vape each time. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently going through parliament will ban the advertising and sponsorship of vaping and provide powers for regulating flavours, packaging and how and where vapes are displayed in shops. The government said the new measures would 'disrupt criminal networks behind black market vapes, protecting the public from dangerous, unregulated products'. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health welcomed the government's plans to clamp down on the industry. She told the BBC: 'Alongside the measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to limit the promotion of vapes, the excise tax will further help to address youth vaping while keeping products available and affordable for adult smokers who want to use them to quit smoking.' And John Herriman, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said the move would 'make a real difference to something that has been a real scourge of the high street for too long now'. Earlier this month, police arrested hundreds of suspects as they raided nearly 3,000 barbers, nail bars and vape stores nationwide in a clamp down on High Street crime. Over 111,000 harmful vapes and four and a half million illegal cigarettes along with 70kg of cannabis and 10m were seized. More than 300 businesses were reported on suspicion of employing illegal migrant workers and 924 people were detained. Would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks appeared to have an obsession with 'animated female muscle-building erotica,' according to the FBI. It emerged last week that Crooks, who opened fire on Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally in July 2024, frequented the website DeviantArt - a site often linked to pornographic animated content often associated with the furry community. That led to speculation he was interested in furry content but the FBI claims that based on Crooks' internet activity, he was more interested in muscle-bound women. 'Crooks was on that website and looked at images related to women who work out ... a lot,' FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. Animated female muscle-building erotica is a niche online subculture tied to themes of domination and emasculation, often overlapping with submissive and cuckold fantasies. The revelation adds a disturbing layer to what's known about Crooks's, who left no manifesto and gave no clear motive for his attempt to assassinate Trump. FBI officials said a broader investigation of his digital footprint revealed searches for rally logistics and historical assassination details in the days leading up to the attack. The bureau has now released an extensive account of its investigation, claiming Crooks acted alone debunking a key theory. Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be assassin who targeted Donald Trump, was found to have a disturbing online fetish, according to FBI investigators President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania after surviving the assassination attempt The FBI was forced into revealing the information after a bombshell Tucker Carlson investigation last week. Patel, along with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and a senior official, has now told the Fox News Digital as one of the largest mobilizations of resources in FBI history. Nearly 500 employees were involved, conducting more than 1,000 interviews worldwide and reviewing 2,000 tips. Investigators executed search warrants, issued subpoenas, and analyzed Crooks's digital footprint in painstaking detail, including 13 electronic devices and 35 online accounts. Patel said the investigation was a 'Day One priority,' emphasizing that Trump was treated as a victim under federal victims' rights laws and was fully briefed on the findings. 'Dan and I have been on this since we got here eight months ago,' Patel told Fox News. 'We not only had to maintain the chain of command to President Trump, but we had to remind the world that President Trump was the victim - one of the four victims - on that day.' Officials stressed there is no evidence Crooks was directed, inspired, or assisted by any foreign government or organization. His foreign-based email accounts in Germany and Belgium were accessed within days of the attack, and all content was reviewed with help from international partners. The FBI also dismissed theories of a second shooter, confirming that every round was accounted for and that the person seen near the water tower was a Pennsylvania State Police officer. Crooks used a .223 rifle to fire eight rounds, injuring Trump and killing Corey Comperatore, a firefighter and father. FBI Director Kash Patel (right) revealed Crooks's interest in 'animated female muscle-building erotica' during an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital (Pictured: Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino) Investigators found 22 unfired rounds and extra magazines in his vehicle, along with a ballistic vest. An undetonated explosive device was also discovered in the car. The device had a receiver for remote detonation but was in the off position, preventing activation. 'It seems so unlikely you would build a device and forget to turn it on - but he did,' Bongino said. Patel defended the FBI against criticism for failing to prevent the attack, noting that the bureau can only investigate based on a lawful predicate and does not monitor every American's social media activity. 'No one in law enforcement knew who he was. No one referred him to law enforcement,' Patel said. The FBI controlled the crime scene from July 14 to July 18, cleaned the roof after collecting all evidence, and oversaw Crooks's autopsy. DNA, fingernails, hair, and blood samples remain in FBI evidence. Officials clarified that the family chose cremation, not the FBI. Patel rejected claims that the bureau withheld documents from Congress, stating that the FBI has provided more than 40,000 documents in eight months, including 2,750 pages related to this case. Lawmakers were invited to Quantico for a full walkthrough of investigative steps, video evidence, and explosive simulations. 'There isn't some trove of documents we haven't sent over,' Patel said. Bongino added, 'No one is interested in guilt or innocence, they're interested in someone to blame.' Trump told Fox News he has confidence in Patel and contrasted the current leadership with former FBI Director Christopher Wray. 'I wasn't confident with Wray, but this group is different,' Trump said. The case remains in a 'pending, inactive' status, but officials said they will reopen the investigation if a credible lead surfaces. Bongino summed up the bureau's position bluntly: 'The public is pissed off. We get it. We sympathize with you. It couldn't have just been this guy - it couldn't have just been this guy - it is. There is no reason I would tell you otherwise.' John F Kennedy's granddaughter has revealed her secret battle with terminal cancer. Writing on the 62nd anniversary of JFK's assassination, Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, said she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in May 2024. The daughter of Caroline Kennedy and Edwin Schlossberg revealed she had no symptoms and felt she was 'one of the healthiest people I knew.' Doctors only found the disease through routine blood tests after she gave birth to her second child. Writing a candid essay in The New Yorker titled 'A Battle With My Blood', Schlossberg said the diagnosis came when a doctor noticed an imbalance in her white blood cell count. 'A normal white-blood-cell count is around four to eleven thousand cells per microliter. Mine was a hundred and thirty-one thousand cells per microliter,' she wrote. 'It could just be something related to pregnancy and delivery, the doctor said, or it could be leukemia,' she recalled. Schlossberg was eventually diagnosed with a 'rare mutation called Inversion 3' which 'could not be cured by a standard course.' Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy, revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer The 35-year-old, the sister of Kennedy political scion Jack Schlossberg (seen together), said she received the diagnosis after giving birth last year when a doctor noticed an imbalance in her white blood cell count Schlossberg said she was bewildered by the news, and said despite being nine-months pregnant she was routinely exercising and 'didn't feel sick.' 'I did not could not believe that they were talking about me. I had swum a mile in the pool the day before, nine months pregnant. I wasnt sick. I didnt feel sick. I was actually one of the healthiest people I knew,' she wrote. Schlossberg said she spent five weeks at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital after giving birth, before she was transferred to Memorial Sloan Kettering for a bone-marrow transplant. She then underwent grueling chemotherapy at home, and in January she joined a clinical trial of CAR-T-cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy against certain blood cancers. In a devastating blow following the news, Schlossberg said she was eventually told by doctors that she had just a year left to live. Schlossberg lamented the impact that her diagnosis had on her storied family, which has famously suffered a series of tragedies and scandals over the years. The family's tragedies include the assassination of her grandfather JFK in 1963, and then his younger brother RFK in 1968. The next year, JFK's younger brother Ted infamously drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts, which killed passenger Mary Jo Kopechne - leading Kennedy to question at the time if 'some awful curse did actually hang over all the Kennedys.' Schlossberg wrote in her essay shared Saturday: 'For my whole life, I have tried to be good, to be a good student and a good sister and a good daughter, and to protect my mother and never make her upset or angry. 'Now I have added a new tragedy to her life, to our familys life, and theres nothing I can do to stop it.' Schlossberg's mother Caroline Kennedy served as the US Ambassador to Australia under President Joe Biden from 2022 to 2024, and previously served as Ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama. Tatiana seen with her mother Caroline Kennedy, who served as the US Ambassador to Australia under President Joe Biden from 2022 to 2024, and previously served as Ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama Schlossberg also praised her husband George Moran, a physician, for supporting her through her treatment Schlossberg also praised her husband George Moran, a physician, for supporting her through her treatment. 'George did everything for me that he possibly could. He talked to all the doctors and insurance people that I didnt want to talk to; he slept on the floor of the hospital,' she wrote. She continued: 'My parents and my brother and sister, too, have been raising my children and sitting in my various hospital rooms almost every day for the last year and a half. 'They have held my hand unflinchingly while I have suffered, trying not to show their pain and sadness in order to protect me from it. 'This has been a great gift, even though I feel their pain every day.' The acute myeloid leukemia with Inversion 3 that Schlossberg was diagnosed with is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is typically difficult to uncover The acute myeloid leukemia with Inversion 3 that Schlossberg was diagnosed with is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is typically difficult to uncover. It is considered a very high-risk form of cancer with poor prognosis, and has a five-year survival rate of just 15-20 percent. Because of its genetic makeup, the diagnosis is often resistant to standard chemotherapy. Marks & Spencer is looking at 500 potential sites for new stores as it recovers from a devastating cyberattack that cost the company 324million. New plans reveal that the British retailer is aiming to double the size of its food business as it searches for new locations. There are currently 330 stores across the UK, but M&S is hoping to have 180 mixed stores and 420 dedicated food shops within the coming years. Sites being eyed up for food stores include 200 locations in London. M&S is focusing much of its search in zones two and three of the capital, looking for sites around 10,000 to 18,000 sq ft and in prominent locations with large car parks. Earlier this week, hundreds of people lined the streets for the launch of their new Clapham High Street store. A new store also opened at Fulham Broadway this week, with M&S Retail Director Thinus Keeve saying it is 'brilliant to have such a strong property pipeline across London in the months ahead'. New plans reveal that M&S is looking at 500 potential sites as it aims to double to size of its food business Earlier this week, hundreds of people lined the streets for the launch of their new Clapham High Street store Outside of London, sites being looked at include Falmouth in Cornwall, Scarborough, St Andrews and Lancaster. M&S aim to refurbish more than half of all its existing stores by April 2028 as part of its plans. Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, told The Times: 'The strong performance of our new M&S Food stores gives us the confidence to explore even more locations across the UK, from Elgin [in Scotland] to Exmouth [in Devon]. 'With more than 20 stores opening or modernised before the end of the financial year, we are moving faster.' Chief executive Stuart Machin added: 'We are regaining momentum. In food we continue to outperform the market, with three years of consecutive monthly volume growth.' It comes after the retailer was hit by a cyber-attack earlier this year, which left shoppers unable to buy online from the company for months. M&S halted orders on its website in late April, and customers had to wait until June to use the store's website again. But it took longer to reinstate M&S' click-and-collect service, which allows users to order items on the website and pick them up in-store the following day, as it was restored in August. The ransomware attack is thought to have ended with the theft of many customers' details, which could have included names, email addresses, postal addresses and dates of birth. It also resulted in empty shelves after the firm dismantled its inventory management systems to mitigate against further damage by hackers. M&S revealed in May that the hack was caused by 'human error', with it ultimately costing the retailer 324million. President George HW Bush allegedly knew about an event where aliens and military personas met at a New Mexico Air Force base, according to a new documentary. The late Bush, who died in 2018 at the age of 94, was reportedly informed after he left office that members of the military had made contact with aliens at Holloman Air Force Base in Southern New Mexico in the 1960s. The Republican served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993. He had previous served as the director of the CIA in 1976 and was also a decorated Naval aviator. When the former president asked for more details, 'he was told that he did not have a need-to-know,' Eric Davis, an astrophysicist, said in Amazon Prime's documentary The Age of Disclosure. Bush told Davis about the encounter, which he did not witness, during a 2003 conversation, he told documentarians. It is unclear when Bush learned of the 1964 incident. 'One of them landed on the tarmac and a non-human entity de-boarded the craft that landed and interacted with uniformed Air Force and civilian CIA personnel,' Davis recalled. The documentary focuses on the Legacy Program, a top-secret government UFO-retrieval operation. It features prominent politicians, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and New York Senator Kristen Gillibrand. UFO whistleblowers have testified that aliens are not only real but are already among us here on Earth. President George HW Bush learned about a 1964 alien incident after he left office When the former president asked for more details, 'he was told that he did not have a need-to-know,' Eric Davis, an astrophysicist who Bush indulged the information to, said In a new documentary titled 'The Age of Disclosure', 34 American military and intelligence veterans claim to have direct knowledge or experience of extraterrestrials. These experts allege that the United States has orchestrated an elaborate coverup campaign to hide the worldwide race to capture and reverse-engineer alien technology. Former senior intelligence official Luis Elizondo, the film's lead subject, claims this has been 'the most successful disinformation campaign in the history of the US government, representing 80 years of lies and deception.' As the title suggests, these figures argue that it is time for 'disclosure' from the US government, revealing the alien secrets that have supposedly been hidden. Directed by filmmaker Dan Farah, the film has caused a stir after its premiere at the SXSW film festival in Austin, Texas in March. While many have welcomed the new evidence, others remain unconvinced that Farah has succeeded in proving anything new about aliens. 'One of them landed on the tarmac and a non-human entity de-boarded the craft that landed and interacted with uniformed Air Force and civilian CIA personnel,' Davis (pictured) recalled Bush saying Those in the documentary argue that secretive figures within the government believe that the first country to unlock the secrets of this mysterious technology will become the leading global power for years to come (pictured: the documentary) Those in the documentary argue that secretive figures within the government believe that the first country to unlock the secrets of this mysterious technology will become the leading global power for years to come. 'But the public has no idea. The average person on the street is just completely in the dark,' Farah said. In 2017, a New York Times investigation found the existence of the Pentagon's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP), which Luis Elizondo, who appears in the documentary, claimed to have been a member of. Increasing public pressure then led to the disclosure of several Pentagon reports confirming hundreds of UAP sightings by military personnel. Venice's Grand Canal was dyed green by climate activists in a move to highlight the impacts of climate change, following countries' failure to agree on phasing out fossil fuels, at COP30. Extinction Rebellion activists said an environmentally harmless dye was released into 10 Italian cities' waterways, lakes and fountains to emphasise 'the massive effects of climate collapse'. Greta Thunberg was among protesters at 'Stop Ecocide' in Venice where demonstrators wore full red with veils covering their faces while slowly walking through crowds of tourists. Turin's Po River, Reno River in Bologna, Taranto's Tara River and fountains in Padova and Genoa were also dyed green. Talks at UN COP30 in Brazil had gone into overtime on Saturday while delegates fought over whether to mention fossil fuels in the final text. One issue at the Belem talks was securing a deal that helps cut emissions faster to prevent them from driving more extreme weather. Extinction Rebellion activist Paola said:' The most important global summit to define international political agreements aimed at countering climate and social collapse is drawing to a close, and once again this year, has been among the countries blocking the most ambitious proposals.' The EU had pushed for a deal that would call for a 'roadmap' to phase out fossil fuels, but the words do not appear in the text after opposition from oil-producing countries, including top exporter Saudi Arabia. Venice's Grand Canal after being dyed green by Extinction Rebellion. It was one of 10 Italian cities targeted An Extinction Rebellion activist pouring an environmentally harmless dye into Venice's Grand Canal, turning it green Demonstrators wore full red with veils while slowly walking through crowds of tourists Dozens of Extinction Rebellion protestors take to Rialto Bridge while overlooking a dyed Grand Canal Now the deal calls on countries to 'voluntarily' accelerate their climate action and recalls the consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai. More than 30 countries including European nations, emerging economies and small island states, had signed a letter warning Brazil they would reject any deal without a plan to move away from oil, gas and coal. But the EU, which had warned that the summit could end without a deal if fossil fuels were not addressed, accepted the watered-down language. Today's stunt by Extinction Rebellion follows one of their climate activists bringing a decades-long tradition to a standstill in Norway yesterday. During a tree-chopping ceremony where officials in Oslo send a tree to Trafalgar Square, London, every year since 1947 to thank Britain for its support during the Second World War, when Norway fell under occupation by Nazi Germany. The protestor sat 65ft high in the branches of a Spruce Tree, and the stunt was to demonstrate against the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea. The activist was returned to the ground by 9.30am UK time after police arrived at the scene. GRETA'S BACKGROUND Greta Thunberg taking part in the "Stop Ecocide" demonstration organized by Extinction Rebellion in Venice Greta Thunberg in September 2025 on the Global Sumud Flotilla that was on its way to Gaza Greta Thunberg became a familiar face in 2018 when she started the first School Strike for Climate outside Sweden's parliament at 15 years old. The protest sparked hundreds of thousands of youth across the world to join her in Friday for Future strikes. She left school for a year between 2019 and 2020 to focus on activism, which had led to many impassioned speeches to world leaders. In 2019, she was the youngest ever person to receive Time Person of the Year, the Right Livelihood Award (known as the Alternative Nobel Prize) and Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award, and included in Forbes list of world's 100 most powerful women. Ms Thunberg recently joined 436 other activists, parliamentarians and lawyers from around the world who attempted to travel to Gaza by flotilla to deliver aid. She was detained for five days at Ketziot prison in the Negev desert, usually used to hold Palestinian security prisoners accused of involvement in terrorist activities, before being deported to Greece on October 6. Ms Thunberg, who originally said she did not want to draw attention away from the suffering of Palestinians by complaining about her prison conditions, claimed she was beaten and abused by Israeli guards. Nations at the COP30 climate summit have agreed a deal - but there is no mention of a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels as demanded by the European Union. Nearly 200 countries approved the deal by consensus on Saturday after two weeks of fraught negotiations in the Brazilian city of Belem in the Amazon. But a member of an EU delegation said that the 27-nation bloc was 'isolated' and cast as the 'villains' at the talks. The EU had pushed for a deal that would call for a 'roadmap' to phase out fossil fuels, but the words do not appear in the text after opposition from oil-producing countries including top exporter Saudi Arabia. Now the deal calls on countries to 'voluntarily' accelerate their climate action and recalls the consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai. More than 30 countries including European nations, emerging economies and small island states had signed a letter warning Brazil they would reject any deal without a plan to move away from oil, gas and coal. But the EU, which had warned that the summit could end without a deal if fossil fuels were not addressed, accepted the watered-down language. Applause rang out in the plenary session after COP30 president and Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago slammed a gavel signalling its approval. 'We know some of you had greater ambitions for some of the issues at hand,' he said. Ana Toni (left), CEO of COP30, and Andre Correa do Lago (centre), COP30 President, speak at a plenary session during the COP30 Climate Summit EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said: 'We're not going to hide the fact that we would have preferred to have more, to have more ambition on everything. 'We should support it because it is at least going in the right direction,' he said. But some countries had a stronger opinion. 'A climate decision that cannot even say fossil fuels is not neutrality, it is complicity. And what is happening here transcends incompetence,' said Panama's climate negotiator Juan Carlos Monterrey. And Colombia's representative said: 'You are leaving us with no other choice but to object. 'This is the COP of truth and trust. You are leaving us with no other option after the procedural issues seen in this plenary.' Colombia is one of nations leading the way in reducing the use of fossil fuels and claims a point of order they raised earlier in the summit was ignored. The UK is also among the group of countries that rejected the proposal, citing their 'deep concern' for the 'take it or leave it' approach. COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago presides over the plenary session at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) The United States was also notably absent from discussions as President Donald Trump shunned the event. The push to phase out oil, coal and gas - the main drivers of global warming - grew out of frustration over a lack of follow-through on the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels. French ecological transition minister Monique Barbut had accused oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Russia, along with coal producer India and 'many' other emerging countries, of refusing language on a fossil-fuel phaseout. She said the text was bland but that there was 'nothing extraordinarily bad in it'. The deal caps a chaotic two weeks in Belem, with Indigenous protesters breaching the venue and blocking its entrance last week and a fire erupting inside the compound on Thursday, forcing a mass evacuation. Finishing without a deal would have been a black eye for Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who had staked political capital in the success of what he called the 'COP of truth'. It was also a major test for international cooperation when Trump decided to skip COP30. 'We also have to weigh the backdrop of geopolitics, and in the end there is no other process we have,' German environment state secretary Jochen Flasbarth said. An empty seat at the United States delegation during the UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil on November 22, 2025 Developing nations, for their part, had pushed the EU and other developed economies to pledge more money to help them adapt to the impact of climate change, such as floods and droughts, and move toward a low-carbon future. The EU had resisted such appeals but the deal calls for efforts to 'at least triple' adaptation finance by 2035. 'Intergovernmental negotiations work on a minimum common denominator, but our fight will continue,' a negotiator from Bangladesh said in a muted reception of the terms. The EU had also rejected language on trade in the text, as demanded by China and other emerging countries. The final deal calls for 'dialogue' on trade issues. The head of China's delegation at COP30, Li Gao, said that the summit will go down as a success. 'I'm happy with the outcome,' Li said. 'We achieved this success in a very difficult situation, so it shows that the international community would like to show solidarity and make joint efforts to address climate change.' A teacher who was struck off after duping her pupils into believing she had terminal cancer before faking her own death is still tutoring children, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The 26-year-old was dubbed Britains cruellest teacher after investigators ruled she had carried out a chronic and elaborate deception on staff and pupils at a primary school in Dundee. However, the professions regulators the General Teaching Council Scotland (GTCS) allowed her identity to remain a secret despite her astonishing web of lies and deception which traumatised pupils. Now The Mail on Sunday can today name her as Lara Simpson and reveal she is running a lucrative dance school which offers numerous classes for children as young as three. Some of the classes take place in a primary school. We can also reveal that despite faking her own death she managed to continue teaching in mainstream schools for nearly two years. Ms Simpsons extraordinary deception began as she was about to graduate from Dundee University with a first-class degree in Primary Education in May 2021. She started concocting the elaborate ruse, pretending she had leukaemia to staff and pupils at a local primary school where she had been on student placement during her degree. Over a two year period she backed up her lie by meeting staff and pupils using a variety of guises including wearing a wig, being supported by crutches and with a breathing tube inserted up her nose none of which she actually needed. Investigators ruled Lara Simpson had carried out a chronic and elaborate deception on staff and pupils at a primary school in Dundee Despite the GTCS ruling, the former teacher continues to run a dance school which offers numerous classes for children as young as three When The Mail on Sunday confronted Ms Simpson about her actions, she said 'no comment' She even turned up on one occasion with a prosthetic leg while sitting in a wheelchair. She created a fake Stand Up 2 Cancer video and sent it to several former workmates, and emailed pupils giving updates about her fictional cancer treatment. Throughout her deception staff and pupils were forced to hear distressing updates about bogus operations, a leg amputation, medical trials, fictional spells in intensive care and non-existent doctors revealing she had only six months to live. Less than a year into her scam in 2022, Ms Simpson told ex-colleagues her cancer was incurable and that she was going to use her last months to get married. Weeks later she invited colleagues to the fictional wedding, asked a pupil to be her bridesmaid and even sent the girl a dress for the occasion. Later that year she claimed she was being flown by air ambulance to a hospital which prompted teachers and pupils to turn up and wait for her at the facilitys helipad. Ms Simpsons deception reached its peak in March 2023 when she pretended to be her own aunt and emailed colleagues with the ultimate lie that cancer had claimed her life. Then, pretending to be her relatives, she gave a forwarding address to the same grieving colleagues so they could send on any gifts they had wanted to give her, gave them details about her death and asked them for tributes for her funeral. Despite having claimed to have had a leg amputated and then to have died, Ms Simpson was later pictured taking part in running events Her con was foiled after she moved back to her home town and joined a local Parkrun group Ms Simpson graduated with a teaching degree from the University of Dundee, above One of her former colleagues at the Dundee school told The Mail on Sunday: We just cant imagine why she did this. Why go to such extreme lengths of faking and fabricating? Everyone who knows her has been left gobsmacked and angry over her complete disregard for the truth. And now to find out she is still working with children is shocking. This woman should never be allowed to be in charge of children. The Mail on Sunday can also reveal; Her elaborate ploy began to unravel after she was spotted at a community running event in the Highlands just months after her death She claims she is in training to become a child protection officer Highland councils leisure quango Highlife Highland and a council primary school even promoted her new business on social media to encourage parents to send kids there Last night Highland Council refused to explain why the fantasist continued to work for the local authority while being investigated for the cruel hoax and why a school in the area was promoting her business to parents after she had been struck off for her warped behaviour. The astonishing details of her intricate plot emerged in a ruling by the GCTS last month, which confirmed she had been removed from the teaching register after she confessed to making up the whole charade. Regulators said their decision to strike her off, for at least two years, had been taken in order to protect members of the public (in particular, children and young people) and her chronic and elaborate deception represents a serious violation of professionalism, honesty and integrity. But the GTCS decided to keep Ms Simpsons identity a secret, agreeing to an anonymity application by her solicitor earlier this year paving the way for her to continue working with children through dance classes. Until now parents and children have had no idea that the Thurso-based dance teacher constructed a fantasy cancer diagnosis, pretended her leg was amputated, faked getting married and claimed she had died to former colleagues 250 miles away in Dundee. The teachers con was foiled after she moved back to her hometown of Thurso and joined a local Parkrun group in summer 2023. She featured on the clubs social media pages in June 2023, just three months after she masqueraded as her own aunt and announced that she had died to her distraught colleagues in Dundee. An eagle-eyed former colleague recognised her and reported the sham to the GCTS, which then carried out a two-year long probe into the affair. A source with knowledge of the probe said: Someone recognised her at the park run, but thought surely not as she was meant to have one leg, not twoand she was meant to be dead. Ms Simpson only left a teaching job earlier this year after watchdogs ruled she should be struck off the register Five months before her death Ms Simpson had claimed she was in hospice receiving end of life care. Staff and pupils from Dundee had even tried to visit and sent presents to the ailing teacher. The source said: Staff in Dundee already had their suspicions [before the Park run incident]. Their hospice presents had been returned as nobody of that name was there and there were a few other red flags. She had been emailing colleagues pretending to be the dead teachers relative and asked them for messages that could be played at her funeral then told everyone it was a private service for close family. Teaching officials launched an investigation in late 2023 and took statements from staff and parents at the Dundee school before issuing a temporary restriction order against her in March 2024. The order doesnt prevent a teacher from continuing to teach, it only prevents them from moving to a new school while an investigation into their conduct is carried out. By the time the probe started Ms Simpson had already completed her probation year and was working as a primary teacher for Highland Council. She continued to work for the local authority while the investigation was ongoing and only left the job earlier this year after the teaching watchdogs ruled she should be struck off the register. Ms Simpson has been running classes for adults and children In the months since, Ms Simpson started a dance school LAS Dance Collective and has been running classes for adults and children around the Thurso area since August. According to her website, she has attended Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport course and subsequently about to undertake Child Welfare and Protection Officer Training. It also states she is fully insured and PVG checked. Despite her removal as a teacher, her local dance business has been promoted online by the councils own leisure quango Highlife Highland as part of their Active Schools programme. A Thurso primary school has also promoted the new business on its social media and Ms Simpson has even been allowed to use the venue to hold Zumba classes for adults on Wednesday evenings. When The Mail on Sunday confronted Ms Simpson about her actions, she denied any knowledge of them, claiming Thats not me and then said: No comment when asked why she pretended to have cancer to school children and their teachers. The GTCS said it would not comment on individual cases but said revealing the identity of a teacher with an anonymity order could undermine the fairness and integrity of the regulatory process and cause real harm to both children and adults. A Highland Council spokesman refused to explain why Ms Simpson was being allowed the use of a school for dance classes, or why her dance business is being promoted by a primary school given her previous conduct. But just hours after we contacted the authority, the primary school had deleted all mention of Ms Simpsons business from its social media pages. The spokesman said: It would not be appropriate for the Council to comment on individual staffing matters due to confidentiality and data protection. A woman has told how she was raped and abused by an Asian grooming gang in Scotlands capital city and has demanded urgency to protect younger generations. Speaking for the first time about her ordeal, the 35-year-old said she was abused while in various childrens homes in Edinburgh from the age of 13 and only escaped her tormentors after moving away at 18. She is the third woman to speak out in the last month about abuse suffered at the hands of Scottish grooming gangs but First Minister John Swinney has so far rejected all calls for a national probe. The woman, who we are naming Sarah to protect her identity, told the Mail on Sunday: I was blamed, I was called a prostitute, and I was made to feel that what was happening to me was my fault. This was 20 years ago and I am sure that young women in the care system are still experiencing it today. The government must open its eyes and accept that this happens in Scotland, even if they wish it didnt. Why is there no sense of urgency? Last week Fiona Goddard, from Bradford, told how she was trafficked to Scotland by Asian men, travelling by taxi from the North of England carrying class A drugs. She was plied with alcohol and drugs and taken to houses in Glasgow and Edinburgh where she was raped by men before returning to Bradford. And another young woman, using the pseudonym Taylor, has written to the First Minister detailing how she was abused by grooming gangs in Glasgow while she lived in care. The woman has asked why there is not more 'urgency' in tackling the abuse in Scotland The latest survivor has spoken out after Fiona Goddard, above, from Bradford, told how she was trafficked to Scotland by Asian men, plied with alcohol and drugs and raped Now Sarah has detailed her horrific ordeal in Edinburgh in the hope it will encourage the government to do more to protect young women in care today. Sarah said the abuse started in 2004 when she moved to Drylaw childrens home at the age of 13 and started frequenting a local takeaway, which was run by an older Asian man, with some older girls from the home. She said: Wed sit in the back of the shop, which looked like it was about to cave in, and he would give us free food, free cigarettes, and just let us hang about there. That was my introduction, then I moved to another home Northfield where the sexual exploitation started. Again, some older girls used to come for respite at the home and had obviously been involved in this stuff for a while. Id go out with them and we literally ran out of the home into waiting cars, and were driven to houses. Sometimes they were nice houses, big houses, other times it was horrible flats. Sometimes there were one or two guys in there, others eight or nine. The pattern was always the same get picked up, go and get vodka or theyd have a bag of vodka and cigarettes for us. Wed then be taken all over the place, sometimes outside Edinburgh, and ended up in these houses. I remember one near Asda at Fort Kinnaird, and another one, a flat in The Calders. Other times we would go to the takeaways and get free food, and the delivery drivers would say to come with them to a party after theyd finished their shift. Wed meet them, theyd get the vodka and the cigarettes and stuff like that from their mates who owned the shop next door. And then in another car, off you go to this party. Nine times out of 10 when you went to these parties it was Lets play strip poker or Lets go upstairs or it was implied that because they had given us all of this free food and drink and everything we had to compensate them for it. Ms Goddard, who bravely shared her story, pictured as a teenager There were other girls in these houses too from other childrens homes. Very occasionally youd see someone who wasnt in a home, one of the girls friends, but mostly it was girls like me from the care homes. When she was 16, Sarah said she was locked in a flat with an older man who became aggressive when she didnt want to have sex with him. She said: The flat was in the Calders, right at the top so around 20-25 stories up. I was terrified and locked in there, I thought I was going to have to jump out of the window to get out. Sarahs case notes, seen by this newspaper, confirm her accounts and show that social workers were aware of her association with adult Asian men and the fact she was being given alcohol, drugs and cigarettes in exchange for sex. On one occasion when Sarah was 14, social workers noted: Left with peers in red Nissan Sunny.2x Males. Info passed to police. Another incident when she was 15 states: She returned to the unit under the influence of alcohol. Staff noticed a large bruise on her right upper arm. [Sarah] refused to discuss how she came by this or where she had got the alcohol. The notes also appear to blame Sarah for her abuse, stating she was reminded about practicing safe sex and provided with info and guidance about the morning after pill after disclosing that she had unprotected sex with an Asian boy, while on another occasion social workers said interviewing her would give her heightened awareness of the potential risks she has been putting herself at. Another note from 2005 states that staff believed that [Sarah] is getting paid for sex with possibly older males and she is using this money to buy alcohol and on another occasion social workers were concerned around [Sarahs] association with inappropriate males, allegations of being paid for sexual favours, an alleged sexual assault from a taxi driver, two pregnancy scares and tests for an STD had to be undertaken. In 2007 her files state: [Sarah] stated she went to a flatshe drank vodka with two of her male friends who were both AsianThe second male forced her to have sex with him. Sarah said: This is happening in Scotland, it happened to me and it will be happening still. Do I think there should be an inquiry? Yes. I dont think it will magically make everything okay, but I can see it maybe changing how professionals can spot the signs of this kind of stuff and deal with it. Everyone is so scared to approach the subject because they could be deemed racist or prejudice. I am not I have male friends now who are Asian, I do not think all Asian men are to blame at all. But this is happening. Youve got young girls who arent promiscuous, that arent prostitutes - children cannot be prostitutes, no matter how much you spin it. Youve got vulnerable young girls who need help to get down to the root of why theyre vulnerable, and get them support then maybe this wont happen. But in the meantime, why are people who are in charge okay with young girls being in the company of older Asian men, and nothing is done. There needs to be a sense of urgency. Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro has been hauled into custody amid explosive claims he tried to sabotage his ankle monitor in a bid to flee before starting his 27-year prison term. Federal police swooped on the 70-year-old at his Brasilia home at dawn today after a Supreme Court Justice ordered his arrest, warning the former leader was preparing an escape plan. Officers later transported him to the federal police headquarters in the capital, confirming a dramatic twist in Brazil's most divisive criminal case in decades. Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest after being deemed a flight risk, was accused of breaking his electronic tag at 12:08am, though his legal team insists 'that did not take place'. His aide, Andriely Cirino, said the arrest happened shortly after 6am. Justice Alexandre de Moraes said he acted pre-emptively amid fears Bolsonaro would disappear during a rally being organised by his son later that evening. However, Bolsonaro's lawyers claimed the arrest was 'based in a vigil for prayer,' insisting there was no plot to flee. Flavio Bolsonaro had urged supporters to gather outside the family home, asking: 'Are you going to fight for your country or are you going to watch it all from your cellphone in your home's sofa?' Federal police swooped on the 70-year-old former president at his Brasilia home at dawn today after a Supreme Court Justice ordered his arrest Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attend a rally in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 25, 2024, to reject claims he plotted a coup He went on to say in a video inviting people to go outside his father's house at 7pm, saying: 'I invite you to fight with us.' The judge said the attempted breach of the ankle monitor proved Bolsonaro intended to escape amid the 'confusion' of the rally - even suggesting he could bolt to the nearby U.S. Embassy, around a 15-minute drive. He also cited messages uncovered in August linking Bolsonaro to a political asylum request in Argentina. De Moraes, who has been sanctioned by the Trump administration, accused Bolsonaro's camp of trying to incite unrest. 'The video shot by Flavio Bolsonaro stimulates the disrespect to the constitutional text, to the judicial decision and to (democratic) institutions, showing there's no limits for the criminal organisation in its attempt to create chaos and conflict in this country, in a total disrespect to democracy,' he wrote, calling it further proof the group was bent on sowing chaos. Bolsonaro was convicted in September of attempting to overthrow Brazil's democracy following his 2022 defeat to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Prosecutors said the coup plan included assassinating Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and de Moraes himself. He was also found guilty of leading an armed criminal organisation and attempting the 'violent abolition of the democratic rule of law'. Bolsonaro denies the allegations. Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest in early August, weeks before he was convicted Supporters of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro hold a flag during a demonstration in front of the Federal Police headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, 22 November 2025 His allies swiftly rallied to his defence with his former press adviser and lawyer, saying the arrest of the former president was 'a terrible stain on the institutions.' In an Instagram post, Michelle Bolsonaro, the former first lady, vowed Bolsonaro's supporters 'will not give up on our nation'. Bolsonaro was placed under house arrest in early August, weeks before he was convicted. His lawyers were pleading with Brazil's Supreme Court to keep him at home to serve his sentence, citing his poor health, but Brazilian law requires that all convicts start their sentences in prison. Following the detention, Bolsonaro is staying in a 12-square-meter room with a single bed, television, air conditioning and a private bathroom, according to a description and a video released by the police. 'Don't feel discouraged. Our opponent wants us to be desperate. He intends to wait for us to react with discouragement. It's not over yet,' Eduardo Bolsonaro said in a video posted on social media. If Bolsonaro's appeals are unsuccessful, his defence would seek permission for him to serve his nearly three-decade sentence under house arrest, citing several health issues. Just a few hours after the detention, Moraes issued a separate decision dismissing the defence's request that Bolsonaro serve his sentence under 'humanitarian house arrest.' The former president, who was stabbed in the abdomen during a 2018 campaign event, has a history of hospitalisations and surgeries related to the attack. Underwater speakers could be sunk into Scottish rivers to scare seals away from fragile populations of wild salmon amid fears over their future. Scientists have been developing equipment that emits a noise seals find unpleasant. Previous technology has relied on the devices being operated manually. However, in a revolutionary step forward, a research team are now looking to use artificial intelligence to monitor sonar readings and set the speakers off every time the salmon-munching predators are detected. The aim is to drive the seals away from sections of rivers where they can feed on Atlantic salmon amid a worrying decline in numbers of the fish. The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) based at the University of St Andrews has just secured 160,000 of funding to test out a prototype device on an 80-mile section of the Dee flowing through Aberdeenshire. If successful, the devices could be dropped into rivers that are home to critically endangered wild salmon. The move comes after an initial trial of similar, albeit manually operated, equipment on the smaller River Esk showed promising results. Anglers, fishery managers and conservationists have all raised concerns over falling numbers of Atlantic salmon in Scotland's once plentiful rivers The new technology will be used to deter hungry seals away from areas with wild salmon Underwater speakers mounted within a protective tube and attached to a sled constructed from steel tubing This prototype of an acoustic deterrent device has already proved successful Lawrence Ross, chair of the Dee District Salmon Fishery Board (DDSFB), said: We are in a race against time to save our Atlantic salmon as both grey and harbour seals are now coming into the river on a regular basis and eating these fish in significant numbers. Salmon stocks have fallen in many Scottish rivers with the blame attributed to factors including rising temperatures, water quality, physical barriers such as dams and weirs as well as sea lice and predation by seals. Fishery protection officers have previously used jet skis to drag an acoustic device through the river, but the DDSFB said this had proved ineffective. One problem is that the seals are thought to return after the officers had left. Its hoped an automated system, using machine learning algorithms, operated 24 hours a day by AI would get around these issues. Other fisheries managers are watching the project with great interest. Dr Alan Wells, chief executive of Fisheries Management Scotland, said: Seal predation is an important pressure in several Scottish rivers and we look forward to hearing the results of this partnership project. US President Donald Trump has said his humiliating Ukraine peace plan is not a 'final offer' but has maintained the war must end now. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, the US leader said he would like to see peace between Ukraine and Russia, while asserting his controversial 28-point plan was 'not at all' the final offer. 'I would like to get to peace. It should have happened a long time ago. The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened,' he added. 'If I were President, it never would have happened. One way or the other, we have to get it ended.' Sir Keir Starmer agreed his and Trump's teams will work together on the Ukraine peace proposal during talks in Geneva tomorrow, Downing Street said The PM relayed to Trump what he had discussed with members of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine at the G20 summit, a Downing Street spokesperson said. He also agreed to speak with the US leader again on Sunday, with today's phone call understood to be a 'good and constructive' discussion. It comes as the British Prime Minister and other European leaders raised 'concerns' over the Ukraine peace plan, brokered between Russia and the US, as the eastern European country faced growing pressure to accept its terms by Thursday. The 28-point plan would force Kyiv to limit its armed forces, give up territory as well as its path to Nato membership. It would also mean the country would have to hold elections within 100 days. US President Donald Trump has said his humiliating Ukraine peace plan is not a 'final offer' but has maintained the war must end now Pictured left to right: European Council President Antonio Costa, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Finland's President Alexander Stubb Sir Keir Starmer has backed both Ukraine and Donald Trump after a call with Volodymyr Zelensky about a US-backed peace plan In return, sanctions against Russia would be lifted and, crucially for Vladimir Putin, the country would be 'reintegrated into the global economy'. The deal is said to have been negotiated by the US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies left out of the process. It comes after Sir Keir and other European leaders had been blindsided by the peace proposals and had begun discussing alternatives on the sidelines at the G20 summit in Johannesburg. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, following their meeting at the Johannesburg G20 summit, the international leaders said Washington's plan was 'a basis which will require additional work'. Sir Keir told reporters in South Africa: 'We are concerned about (caps on military) because it's fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there's a ceasefire.' He said the allies of Ukraine agreed that 'there are elements in the 28-point plan which are essential to lasting peace, but it requires additional work, and that we are going to engage on that'. Meanwhile, Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin, appeared to have embraced the deal after saying he believes 'it can be used as the basis for a final peaceful settlement'. Meanwhile President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to propose alternatives. The US President, who shunned the South Africa G20 summit, initially suggested he wanted a Ukrainian response by Thursday. But, he has since said there is some room for negotiations in Geneva. Tomorrow, US, Ukrainian and European national security advisers are expected to gather in Switzerland to 'go through quite a bit of detail' of the framework, according to Sir Keir Starmer. Donald Trump, who 'supports' the plan, is expected to meet with the Ukrainian President in the coming days Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a joint press conference with Turkey's President following their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on November 19, 2025 UK NSA Jonathan Powell is understood to have left the G20 summit in South Africa early to head to Switzerland, while Mr Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll are also expected to attend the talks. Sir Keir said the inclusion of an 'article five' security guarantee 'fortifies' his belief that the US leader wants a 'just and lasting peace', adding that Trump's actions and their 'one-on-one' discussions on Ukraine had also made this 'clear'. The inclusion of an article five security guarantee - Nato's mutual defence provision under which an attack on one member is an attack on the entire bloc - is seen as 'integral and significant' to Washington's plan, it is understood. Sir Keir said: 'That's about the strongest guarantee that can be put forward. And so that fortifies in me the belief that what we're all trying to achieve here is a just and lasting peace.' National security advisors from the UK, France and Germany will also meet US and Ukrainian officials taking part in the talks in Geneva on Sunday. It comes after Zelensky said he and Sir Keir had 'covered many nuances of diplomatic work' in a bid to end the war with Russia. Of their phone call, he said: 'Coordination will continue, and I am grateful to the British society for their support. 'Tomorrow, our advisers will work in Switzerland - representatives from Ukraine, the United States, and the E3 format, namely the UK, France, and Germany. Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the G20 summit in Johannesburg on Saturday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska (centre left) visit the Holodomor Genocide complex of the National Museum in Kyiv to commemorate the victims of the Holodomor on Saturday 'The vast majority of European leaders are ready to assist and get involved. 'Consultations are ongoing at various levels, and the efforts of everyone who seeks a genuine and lasting peace matter. Thank you!' In a previous video address to his nation, Zelensky said Ukrainian representatives at talks in Geneva 'know how to protect Ukrainian national interests and exactly what is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out' another invasion. 'Real peace is always based on security and justice,' the Ukrainian leader added. Zelensky has appointed his top aide, Andriy Yermak, to lead the talks, according to a presidential decree. The decree said the talks will also include 'representatives of the Russian Federation.' There was no immediate confirmation from Russia whether it would join the talks. US officials have told Nato allies they expect to push President Zelensky into agreeing to the deal under the threat that if Kyiv does not sign, it will face a much worse deal in future. Briefing ambassadors from Nato nations, US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said: 'No deal is perfect, but it must be done sooner rather than later.' Vice President JD Vance has insisted the US administration's approach is rooted in pragmatic diplomacy rather than unrealistic expectations. He said: 'Every criticism of the peace framework the administration is working on either misunderstands the framework or misstates some critical reality on the ground. Trump met with Zelensky in the White House Oval office in February, which turned into a tense dust-up between the two Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin (not pictured) at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, November 20, 2025 'There is a fantasy that if we just give more money, more weapons, or more sanctions, victory is at hand.' Mr Zelensky said he would work around the clock to find a path but insisted he would not betray his country. If he accepts the deal, Ukraine would have to cede to Russia all the lands that Moscow has declared for itself in Donetsk and Luhansk. These would then be recognised by the US as Russian territory. No Nato forces could be based inside Ukraine. And the Ukrainian military would be cut by a quarter to 600,000 troops and barred from possessing long-range weapons that could reach Russia. Sir Keir is understood to have ruled out flying to Washington next week, though European leaders, including France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz and Italy's Giorgia Meloni, are considering visiting Mr Trump. Mr Putin, who like Trump is not attending the gathering of the world's leading economies, has cautiously welcomed the US proposal, saying it 'could form the basis of a final peace settlement'. With Ukraine facing one of the most 'difficult moments' in its history, Mr Zelensky said it faced a choice between 'losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner'. It came after, a 40-minute call with Sir Keir, Mr Macron and German leader Friedrich Merz, where they stressed Ukraine 'must determine its future under its sovereignty'. The Prime Minister said he and the fellow leaders had emphasised to Mr Zelensky the 'fundamental principle' that Kyiv should be in charge of its own destiny. Asked what it meant to 'strengthen' Washington's plans, Downing Street declined to 'get ahead of those discussions' but denied they were viewed as weak by friends of Kyiv. JD Vance (pictured) hit back at criticism of the latest Ukraine peace plan by arguing that it is a 'fantasy' to believe more weapons and sanctions would defeat Russia Pressed on whether Britain had been cut out of Mr Trump's peace negotiations, Sir Keir's spokesman said he did not 'accept that at all' as he stressed the 'excellent relationship' between the US and UK leaders. Russia's war against Ukraine is an existential threat to Europe. We all want this war to end. But how it ends matters,' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels. 'Russia has no legal right whatsoever to any concessions from the country it invaded. Ultimately, the terms of any agreement are for Ukraine to decide.' Meanwhile, Poland's President, Karol Nawrocki, insisted that a peace settlement cannot be imposed on Ukraine. 'It was Ukraine that fell victim to Putin's criminal aggression, and it is Ukrainians, with the support of the United States and EU countries, who must have the decisive voice in peace talks,' he said. 'The price of peace cannot in any way be the achievement of strategic goals by the aggressor, and the aggressor was and remains the Russian Federation.' Significantly, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was among those publicly criticising the deal. He warned Trump, a friend and ally, that asking Ukraine to slash its military was 'not acceptable'. It emerged this week that the White House had been secretly forging a plan to end the conflict, with the issue dominating the G20 meeting designed to bring together the world's leading economies. The UK will host the global gathering in 2027, Sir Keir confirmed, saying it would allow Britain 'to shape the global agenda once again' and drive economic growth. President Donald Trump revealed he would 'love' to see Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene make a political comeback just hours after labeling her a 'traitor.' During a brief NBC News interview on Saturday, the president was asked about the Republican lawmaker's future after she abruptly announced she would resign from Congress in early 2026 following their public split. Trump admitted that 'it's not going to be easy for her' to claw her way back into politics, but said, 'I'd love to see it,' noting that for now, 'she's got to take some rest.' When pressed on whether the relationship between the once-inseparable pair could ever be mended, the commander in chief said: 'I can patch up differences with anyone.' Just yesterday, Greene released a 10-minute video in which she announced her impending departure from Congress - a decision that neither Trump nor House Speaker Mike Johnson knew about beforehand, according to NBC. 'Everyone in the world found out at the same time,' a source close to Greene told the outlet. Greene used Friday's lengthy video to brand the president 'hateful' for revoking his endorsement, a move that quickly saw him fire back and label her a 'raging lunatic.' She admitted that her mounting frustration with Washington's political establishment, along with her fight to release the so-called Epstein files, became central to the feud with her once-close ally. President Donald Trump revealed he would 'love' to see Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene make a political comeback on Saturday Trump admitted that 'it's not going to be easy for her' to claw her way back into politics, but said, 'I'd love to see it,' noting that for now, 'she's got to take some rest' On Friday, Greene released a 10-minute video in which she abruptly announced she'll be leaving Congress in early 2026 following their public split The Georgia Representative raged against the 'political industrial complex' which she claimed uses Americans as 'pawns in an endless game of division.' She said that it would be unfair for her 'sweet little district' to 'endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for' and even added that 'Republicans will likely lose the midterms.' She went on to say that she has 'always been despised in Washington, DC, and just never fit in.' A source close to the lawmaker told NBC that Greene was confident she could win re-election if she chose to run. The individual familiar with the matter said that it wasn't the possibility of a public battle that pushed Greene out of politics, but rather the string of death threats she and her children have endured in recent weeks. In a post on X last week, Greene said that private security firms were reaching out to her with warnings for her own safety. She wrote: 'A hot bed of threats against me are being fueled and egged on by the most powerful man in the world. The man I supported and helped get elected.' 'Aggressive rhetoric attacking me has historically led to death threats and multiple convictions of men who were radicalized by the same type rhetoric being directed at me right now,' she added. During her video, Greene branded the president 'hateful' for revoking his endorsement, a move that quickly saw him fire back and label her a 'raging lunatic' Greene said her mounting frustration with Washington's political establishment along with her fight to release the so-called Epstein files has become central to the feud A source familiar with the matter said it wasn't competition that drove Greene out of politics, but rather the string of death threats she and her children have endured in recent weeks in regards to the Epstein files 'This time by the President of the United States. As a woman I take threats from men seriously. I now have a small understanding of the fear and pressure the women, who are victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his cabal, must feel.' Greene added that Trump's 'aggression' against her was fueling 'the venomous nature of his radical internet trolls,' claiming that many of them are actually paid. She continued: 'The Political Industrial Complex and the toxic violent nature of American politics must end. Our country is worth saving and it can only be done if we pull together and save ourselves.' At the end of Friday's bombshell video, Greene ultimately reiterated that her last day would be January 5, 2026 - two days after congressional pension becomes fully vested. 'She very much looks forward to one day go out in public and not be harassed in restaurants and airports and be on the face of every TV channel,' the anonymous source told NBC. 'It's safe to say she'll probably take a step back and be a private, normal person again,' the insider added. Trump's Saturday comment about 'loving' to see his exbest friend return to politics marked a dramatic shift from hours earlier, when he had attacked the renegade Republican in a scathing Truth Social post after her resignation news. He branded Greene a 'traitor' who only turned on him because he 'refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls.' After Greene's resignation video went live, Trump claimed she only turned on him because he 'refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls' Greene publicly broke with Trump earlier this year over the White House's bungled release of the 'Epstein files,' joining other rebel Republicans including Rep. Thomas Massie For months, Greene maintained that she was still a devoted Trump supporter, even after their dramatic falling out over the Epstein files Floating a new nickname of 'Marjorie "Traitor" Brown', Trump said Greene's decision to leave Congress was because she faced 'PLUMMETING Poll Numbers.' The president added that he believed Greene didn't want to compete for re-election against a 'Primary Challenger with a strong Trump Endorsement', claiming that 'she would have no chance of winning!' 'For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD,' he wrote. 'Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country! President DJT.' Greene also publicly broke with Trump earlier this year over the White House's bungled release of the 'Epstein files,' joining other rebel Republicans including Rep. Thomas Massie in crossing party lines. Trump cited Greene's partnership with Massie in his Truth Social post, branding him 'the WORST Republican Congressman in decades' and saying their relationship 'did not help her.' Shortly after Greene's resignation video went live, the president called into ABC News to celebrate her decision to leave office. Greene expressed profound frustration with her own party's inability to get anything done despite controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress in 2025 Trump was pressed on whether the relationship between the once-inseparable pair could ever be mended. His answer: 'I can patch up differences with anyone' 'I think its great news for the country,' Trump said in his brief phone call. 'It's great.' In response to Trump's fiery comments, the private source told NBC: 'She was one of his biggest allies in Congress and she never really turned her back on him.' 'She stood up for him when no one else in the House would,' they added. 'It was disappointing to her to see that, but she's not someone who, when she sees things she disagrees with, would turn a blind eye to that.' Even amid the icy feud, Greenes supporters dont appear to be swayed by the president. Many have applauded her for standing firm in defense of her beliefs. 'She has a lot of courage and tells it like it is,' Debbie Dyer, 60, who works at a carpet company, told NBC News. For months, Greene maintained that she was still a devoted Trump supporter, even after their dramatic falling out over the Epstein files. She also expressed profound frustration with her own party's inability to get anything done despite controlling the presidency and both houses of Congress in 2025. 'Almost one year into our majority, the legislature has been mostly sidelined, we endured an eight week shutdown wrongly resulting in the House not working for the entire time, and we are entering campaign season which means all courage leaves and only safe campaign re-election mode is turned on,' she said. President Donald Trump appears to be backing off his peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine after pressure from European leaders, most notably from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Starmer called Trump on Saturday about the plan, which would force Ukraine to give up a large portion of its land, heavily reduce the number of men in its army and hold elections within 100 days. The exact details of today's phone call between Trump and Starmer have not been revealed, but it was understood to be a 'good and constructive' discussion. This comes after Trump gave Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a strict deadline of next Thursday to agree to the deal. After the call with Starmer, who also called Zelensky on Saturday to express his support for Ukraine, Trump appeared to soften on what was previously a red line. He told reporters this afternoon that his peace deal is 'not my final offer', opening the door to a softening of the demands on Ukraine. 'The Ukraine war with Russia should have never happened. If I were president, it never would have happened. We're trying to get it ended. One way or the other we have to get it ended,' Trump added. However, when asked what would happen in Zelensky didn't agree to the deal, Trump snarked: 'Then he can continue to fight his little heart out.' Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be upset with this shift from Trump. On Friday, Putin welcomed the peace plan as 'the basis for a final peace settlement.' President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Saturday and appeared to walk back his earlier, harsh deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept his proposed peace plan This came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Trump on Saturday about the plan, which would force Ukraine to give up a large portion of its land, cut its army in half and hold elections within 100 days Putin did stress that the text of the deal 'has not been discussed with us in any substantive way'. 'The US administration has so far been unable to secure the consent of the Ukrainian side. Ukraine is against it. Apparently, Ukraine and its European allies are still under illusions and the dream of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield,' he added. European nations have pushed back against Trump's proposed peace plan, which was brokered with the help of the Kremlin without Ukraine's input. In a joint statement released after the Group of 20 Meeting on Saturday, European leaders said they believed the plan would bring the conflict closer to an end. The statement signed by Britain, Japan, Canada and the European Union argued that Trump's plan 'includes important elements that will be essential for a just and lasting peace'. However, they added that it 'will require additional work.' French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters at the G20 that his problem wasn't with the US or Trump, but with Putin, whom he accused of refusing to agree to ceasefires. The peace plan put forward by Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has been controversial with EU states because it would allow Russia to keep occupied territory in Ukraine - Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk. Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to be upset with this shift from Trump. On Friday, he welcomed the peace plan as 'the basis for a final peace settlement' Zelensky (pictured with Trump in the Oval Office in August) has signaled to his citizens that he almost certainly won't be able to get everything he wants in a negotiated settlement It would also force Ukraine to hand over other territory in the east that isn't currently occupied by Russia, mostly areas in Donetsk. The agreement freezes the front lines of the conflict at the Ukrainian oblasts of Kherson and Zaporizhia, which would allow Russia to effectively hold onto nearby Mariupol and have a direct line into the Crimean Peninsula. Another key point is that Ukraine will forever be barred from NATO, the military alliance that Russia has long wanted to keep a buffer between. Sanctions on Russia would also be lifted and the country would be ''reintegrated into the global economy'. In exchange, Ukraine would receive looser security guarantees from the US and NATO. Another draft agreement says NATO would treat any attack on Ukraine as an attack on the entire 'transatlantic community', according to Axios. Trump's peace deal includes many Russian demands and now that he appears open to more negotiation with NATO partners and Ukraine, the opportunity for an end to the war by next week is unlikely. Ukraine has repeatedly ruled out handing over land to Russia, but Zelensky has signaled to his citizens that he likely won't be able to get everything he wants. 'Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest,' he said in a recorded speech. 'Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.' He said he would 'work calmly' with the US and all other partners in the peace process. Russia has continued to attack Ukraine despite threats from Trump (Pictured: Large residential building in Ternopil that was hit with an airstrike on November 21) Trump and JD Vance invited Zelensky to the White House this February hoping to make progress on a deal. They took an aggressive stance against Zelensky, with both men raising their voices numerous times The war in Ukraine has become a multi-year conflict, beginning when Russia invaded in February 2022. Many experts say the war actually began in 2014, when Russia formally annexed Crimea, which had been part of an independent Ukraine since 1991. As Trump campaigned for president last year, he repeatedly claimed he would end the war that had been raging for much of President Joe Biden's term on 'day one'. It has proved more complicated than that, with both sides being fairly dug in and maintaining their diametrically opposed demands. Trump and Vice President JD Vance invited Zelensky to the White House this February and took an aggressive stance against him, with both men raising their voices at the European leader numerous times. Zelensky was set off when Vance claimed Trump was attempting to engage in diplomacy, whereas President Joe Biden wasn't able to stop the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and spent four years 'talking tough about Vladimir Putin.' 'He occupied big parts of Ukraine. Parts of the east and parts of Crimea. He occupied it in 2014,' Zelensky responded, referring to Putin. 'During 2014, nobody stopped him. He just occupied and took. He killed people.' 'What kind of diplomacy, JD, are you speaking about?' Zelensky asked the vice president. Later, Trump told Zelensky he was 'gambling with World War III.' Trump has also had a fair number of frustrations with Putin as the war has dragged on months into his second term. Back in August, Trump threatened Russia with 'severe consequences' if Putin did not end the war. And in September, Trump conceded in private that he may have misjudged Putin's desire for peace as Russia continued bombing civilians in cities across Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer has heaped pressure on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to give evidence to the US Congress about what he knows about Jeffrey Epstein. The disgraced royal has so far ignored a request by American politicians to come forward with information about the paedophile financier and his network of contacts. But on Saturday night breaking the long-standing convention that Prime Ministers do not comment on royal matters Sir Keir told reporters at the G20 summit in South Africa: Anybody who has got relevant information in relation to these kinds of cases should give evidence. When pressed directly about whether that principle applied to Andrew, the Prime Minister said: In the end, that will be a decision for him. But my general position is if you have relevant information you should be prepared to share it. Democratic members of the House oversight committee issued a summons to the former Duke of York to come forward about his ties to the convicted paedophile, but he did not respond within a two-week deadline. Congress cannot compel foreigners to testify but Sir Keirs intervention will add to the pressure on 65-year-old Andrew, who was friends with Epstein for years, even after he was convicted for procuring children for prostitution. The ongoing scandal has cost him his royal titles and his Windsor mansion, Royal Lodge. However, the comments will also leave the Prime Minister open to accusations that he is trying to bury reporting about his mounting political troubles including plots to topple him as leader and pervasive economic gloom ahead of Wednesdays tax-raising Budget under news about the former Duke of York. On Saturday night, a poll of Labour members found that Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting would all win a head-to-head leadership contest against Sir Keir. The polling conducted by Survation for LabourList found that more than half of members (54 per cent) wanted a new leader before the next general election. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has ignored a request by American politicians to come forward with information about Jeffrey Epstein. Pictured: The pair at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in 2000 alongside Melania Trump (left) and Gwendolyn Beck (centre right) Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) has urged Andrew to give evidence to the US Congress about what he knows about Jeffrey Epstein Meanwhile, The Mail on Sunday has been told that Labour MPs increasingly expect Sir Keir to quit next year before he is challenged. Until now, the Government has stayed out of the Andrew saga. When Buckingham Palace took the decision to strip him of his prince title last month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: Our thoughts have to be with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, those who suffered and continue to suffer because of the abuse that they experienced at his hands, but these are matters for the Royal Family. Sir Keirs comments were on Saturday night welcomed by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the oversight committee. He told the MoS: Prime Minister Starmer is right - Andrew should provide us with any information he has that would help our investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. 'There is clear evidence they were friendly. This is an opportunity for Andrew to clear his name if he hasnt done anything wrong, and deliver long-awaited justice to the victims. And US lawyer Gloria Allred, who has represented 27 of Epsteins victims, said: Why does Andrew resist helping in an investigation which is so important to victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein? This is his opportunity to help the survivors by volunteering to speak before Congress under oath. Will he do it or not? King Charles should encourage him to do it, because it is the right thing to do. Andrews silence is deafening. David Boies, another lawyer who represented Epstein victims, including Virginia Giuffre, said: Prince Andrew certainly has relevant information and he should be prepared to share it. It is also an opportunity for him to take some responsibility, express some remorse, and perhaps begin the process of moving on from his involvement with Epstein. Lisa Bloom, another victims' lawyer, said: On behalf of the eleven Epstein victims I represent: THANK YOU Prime Minister Starmer for stating the obvious: anyone with information about one of the worlds most prolific predators should help law enforcement bring all those complicit to justice. That includes the man formerly known as Prince Andrew. In other developments: Andrews former wife, Sarah Ferguson, is reportedly considering offers from US broadcasters for a tell-all TV interview in a move that could heap further embarrassment on the Royal Family; It has been made clear that the couple are no longer welcome at their favoured private nightclub Annabels, with staff at the swanky venue told they should not be allowed to enter; Metropolitan Police detectives are poring over the posthumous memoirs of Ms Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual abuse - claims he always vehemently died. Andrew failed to respond within a two-week deadline after Democratic members of the House oversight committee issued a summons to come forward about his ties to the convicted paedophile Andrews former wife, Sarah Ferguson, is reportedly considering offers from US broadcasters for a tell-all TV interview Andrew was last month stripped of his royal titles amid the Virginia Giuffre scandal. Pictured: The pair pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 In its letter to Andrew, the House oversight committee said it would investigate allegations of abuse by Mountbatten-Windsor, and will seek information on Epsteins operations, network, and associates based on the mens long-standing and well-documented friendship. Robert Garcia, the most senior Democratic figure on the committee, added: Rich and powerful men have evaded justice for far too long. Andrews failure to respond to their request led the law-makers to issue a new statement last week, saying: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsors silence in the face of the oversight Democrats demand for testimony speaks volumes. The statement added that there were serious questions he must answer, yet he continues to hide, but added the committees work will move forward with or without him... We will get justice for the survivors. This newspaper was the first to publish the infamous picture of then-Prince Andrew with his arm around Ms Giuffre, who claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and had sex with the royal. Donald Trump last week signed into law an order to release all information from federal investigators into Epsteins crimes. In a major reversal, the US President who has been named in some emails already released dropped his staunch opposition to the measures after fury from Epsteins victims and his own Republican backers. The documents must be released within 30 days. This came as several tranches of fresh emails showed Mountbatten-Windsor spent hours in a room with one of Epsteins victims. Palace aides are also said to be worried about what Ms Ferguson, 66, might share if she takes up an offer to tell her story in a US interview. A source told The Sun: Theres a danger of her going rogue and saying things that could cause embarrassment to King Charles. A gold pocket watch once owned by an elderly couple who drowned in the Titanic disaster has sold for an astonishing 1.78million smashing auction estimates and setting a new world record for Titanic memorabilia. Auctioneers confirmed it eclipsed the previous 1.56million record set last year for a gold watch presented to the captain of the ship that rescued more than 700 survivors. The 18-carat Jules Jurgensen engraved watch was owned by first-class passenger Isidor Straus, whose tragic story with his wife, Ida, became one of the defining legends of the 1912 catastrophe, which killed 1,500 people. The couple were portrayed in James Cameron's 1997 blockbuster film Titanic as the couple cradling each other as the Titanic goes down. The watch was recovered from the body of Mr Straus along with other personal effects and returned to his family. Mrs Srauss body was never found after the tragedy. He had originally received it in 1888 for his 43rd birthday the same year he became a partner in New York's famed department store, Macy's. During the night of the sinking, the wealthy couple made their way to the Titanic's boat deck but Mr Straus refused a seat on a lifeboat, insisting he would not leave while younger men remained onboard. During the night of the sinking, the wealthy couple made their way to the Titanic's boat deck but Mr Straus refused a seat on a lifeboat, insisting he would not leave while younger men remained onboard The watch was sold for 1.78million. In total, the auction of Titanic-related memorabilia reached 3million Mrs Straus famously declined to leave her husband, and the pair were last seen sitting together on deckchairs as the ship went down. They were among very few first-class passengers to perish in the disaster. The watch, which stayed in the family for generations before Kenneth Hollister Straus, Mr Strauss great-grandson, had the movement repaired and restored. The watchwas sold by Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers in Devizes, Wiltshire. A letter written by Mrs Straus on Titanic stationery fetched 100,000, while a passenger list sold for 104,000 and a gold medal awarded to RMS Carpathia crew members reached 86,000. In total, the auction of Titanic-related memorabilia reached 3million. In the letter, written on Titanic-headed notepaper to a family friend, she described the magnificence and luxury of the then biggest liner in the world. She wrote: What a ship! So huge and so magnificently appointed. Our rooms are furnished in the best of taste and most luxurious. She then referenced the New York incident where Titanic almost collided with the moored liner the SS New York as it left Southampton. Mrs Straus said: Size seems to bring its troubles. Mr Straus, who was on deck when the start was made, said at one time it looked painfully near to the repetitions of the Olympics experience on her first trip out of harbour, but the danger was soon averted, and we are now well on our course across the channel to Cherbourg. The couple were portrayed in James Cameron 's 1997 blockbuster film Titanic as the couple cradling each other as the Titanic goes down The Titanic is pictured leaving Belfast with two guiding tugs visible - there were five tugs in total The letter is postmarked TransAtlantic 7 meaning it was franked on board in the Titanics post office before being taken off with other mail at Queenstown, Ireland. Born into a Jewish family in Otterberg, Bavaria, in 1845, Mr Straus emigrated to the US with his family in 1854. In January 1912, he and his wife travelled on RMS Caronia to Jerusalem before returning to the US via Southampton on the Titanic. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: 'The world record price illustrates the enduring interest in the Titanic story. 'Every man, woman and child passenger or crew had a story to tell and they are told 113 years later through the memorabilia. 'The Strauses were the ultimate love story, Ida refusing to leave her husband of 41 years as the Titanic sank, and this world record price is testament to the respect that they are held in.' Air traffic at Eindhoven airport in the Netherlands was suspended on Saturday nightb due to multiple drone sightings, a senior minister announced. In a post on X this evening, Ruben Brekelmans, the defence minister, said the sightings in the southern Dutch city had prompted civilian and military air traffic to be suspended. Mr Brekelmans said counter-drone teams were put on standby, with police investigating at the scene - with flights later resumed around 10pm. 'Further investigation is ongoing and we will take action where necessary,' he added. The suspension comes amid a surge in mysterious drone incursions sweeping across northern Europe, raising fresh fears of targeted disruption around key military and civilian sites and suspected Russian involvement. Only on Friday, unidentified drones were seen loitering above Volkel Air Base a highly sensitive NATO facility just 24 miles north of the airport. According to the defence ministry, personnel even deployed weapons in an effort to bring the aircraft down, after they were spotted between 7pm and 9pm local time. The drones 'departed and were never recovered', officials said. Volkel Air Base houses both Royal Netherlands Air Force units and a US Air Force squadron, and is considered one of the Netherlands' most sensitive military locations. In a post on X this evening, Ruben Brekelmans, the defence minister, said the sightings had prompted civilian and military air traffic to be suspended Planes were grounded at Eindhoven airport (pictured) and flights diverted after drone sightings Mr Brekelmans said counter-drone teams were put on standby, with police investigating at the scene - with flights later resumed around 10pm. Pictured: Eindhoven airport Your browser does not support iframes. The unexplained activity sparked immediate alarm, with officials refusing to disclose further details about the drones. In a follow-up post on X shortly after 10pm on Saturday, Mr Brekelmans added: 'Flight operations at Eindhoven Airport have just resumed. 'The Ministry of Defence has taken measures, but due to security reasons, it cannot yet share more information about the manner in which this was done. 'Disruption of air traffic with drones is unacceptable. So we are taking action against it.' The activity follows several similar high-profile shutdowns across the region in recent months. In September, Europe was rocked by a string of alarming airspace breaches, with more than 20 Russian drones storming into Polish skies and three Russian military jets brazenly violating Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. Poland was forced into unprecedented action, shooting down drones inside its own territory with support from NATO aircraft - the first time a member of the alliance has fired in defence during Russias war in Ukraine. Several drones smashed into civilian homes and even a Territorial Defence Forces base as the chaos unfolded. According to German newspaper Die Welt, five of the drones were flying directly towards a NATO hub used to ferry weapons and supplies into Ukraine, triggering deep concern inside the alliance. Hours later, two more drones crossed into Lithuania, leaving NATO capitals on edge. Dutch F-35s downed the drones heading for the NATO base, but the incident rattled Warsaw so severely that Poland invoked Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, forcing emergency talks among allied nations. Pictured is a quiet terminal at Eindhoven airport following the drone sightings which caused flight disruptions Since then, unexplained drone incursions, many with no confirmed origin, have repeatedly disrupted European airspace. In the same month, Copenhagen Airport was plunged into chaos for more than four hours when two or three 'large' drones were sighted nearby, forcing 35 flights to divert and stranding thousands of passengers. Oslo Airport in Norway was also temporarily shut the same night, with two arrests made after drones were seen over a military installation. Similar incidents have since crippled Brussels Airport in November and an airport in Liege, where Belgium's defence minister Theo Francken warned the incursions were the work of 'professionals' intent on destabilisation. The wave of sightings prompted a sharp political response. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused Russia of engaging in hybrid warfare designed to 'sow division' within Europe though she stopped short of attributing every incident to Moscow. After the shooting down of Russian drones, NATO launched a new mission to bolster the defence of Europe's eastern flank, its Secretary-General, Mark Rutte said. Up to four Russian drones were shot down by Polish and NATO aircraft - the first time Kremlin drones have been downed while flying above a NATO territory Firefighters work on the destroyed roof of a house, after Russian drones violated Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine, with some being shot down by Poland with the backing from its NATO allies, in Wyryki, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland, September 10, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. 'It's reckless and unacceptable. We can't have Russian drones entering allied airspace,' Rutte added, announcing operation 'Eastern Sentry'. The mission involved a range of assets integrating air and ground bases. The announcement came as Russia and Belarus launched a major joint military. The Zapad ('West') 2025 drills were held in Russia and Belarus, on the border with NATO's eastern flank. Moscow's Defence Ministry said the exercise were to be held on the Russian territory, as well as the Baltic and the Barents Seas. President John F. Kennedy's granddaughter publicly torched her cousin Robert F. Kennedy in an essay revealing her secret terminal cancer fight. Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, said she watched in horror from her hospital bed as RFK Jr was confirmed for the top health post in February. She said the health-care system she relied on suddenly felt 'strained, shaky' after RFK Jr's confirmation and that she worried about losing access to leukemia and bone-marrow trials at Memorial Sloan Kettering, her best chance at remission. Writing on the 62nd anniversary of JFK's assassination, Schlossberg revealed she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in May 2024. She explained in the piece in the New Yorker that she didn't have any symptoms and doctors only spotted it with routine blood tests after giving birth to her second child. In the same piece, she launched a scathing attack on her second cousin, RFK Jr, over his appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Schlossberg wrote that RFK Jr was 'mostly an embarrassment to me and the rest of my immediate family' as she underwent CAR-T therapy, a treatment developed through decades of government-funded research. She said she watched from her hospital bed as he was confirmed for the top health post 'in the face of logic and common sense,' despite never having worked in medicine, public health, or government. Tatiana Schlossberg, 35, the granddaughter of John F. Kennedy, revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal cancer (Pictured: Tatiana seen with her mother Caroline Kennedy, who served as the US Ambassador to Australia under President Joe Biden from 2022 to 2024, and previously served as Ambassador to Japan under Barack Obama) In the same piece, Schlossberg launched a scathing attack on her second cousin, RFK Jr, over his appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services Pictured: President John Kennedy and his wife Jackie and their children John Jr and Caroline at Palm Beach, Florida in April 14, 1963 Her criticism came after RFK Jr. suspended his presidential campaign in August 2024 and endorsed Donald Trump, who vowed to 'let Bobby go wild' on health. Schlossberg said her mother wrote to the Senate to block his confirmation and her brother had spoken out against his 'lies for months.' Schlossberg said the health-care system she relied on suddenly felt 'strained, shaky' after RFK Jr.'s confirmation. She accused him of slashing billions from the National Institutes of Health, canceling hundreds of grants and clinical trials, and cutting nearly half a billion dollars for mRNA vaccine research - technology she noted could be used against certain cancers. She worried about losing access to leukemia and bone-marrow trials as a result. She also condemned RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine stance, quoting his claim that 'There's no vaccine that is safe and effective.' Schlossberg contrasted that with her father's memory of the polio vaccine, which he said 'felt like freedom.' As an immunocompromised patient, she feared she would never be able to get vaccines again, leaving her vulnerable 'along with millions of cancer survivors, small children, and the elderly.' The 35-year-old, the sister of Kennedy political scion Jack Schlossberg (seen together), said she received the diagnosis after giving birth last year when a doctor noticed an imbalance in her white blood cell count The acute myeloid leukemia with Inversion 3 that Schlossberg was diagnosed with is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that is typically difficult to uncover Schlossberg said she froze when she learned that misoprostol - a drug that saved her life during a postpartum hemorrhage - was 'under review' by the FDA at RFK Jr.'s urging because it is used in medication abortion. 'I think about what would have happened if it had not been immediately available to me and to millions of other women who need it to save their lives,' she wrote. She also condemned RFK Jr.'s anti-vaccine stance, quoting his claim that 'There's no vaccine that is safe and effective.' Schlossberg contrasted that with her father's memory of the polio vaccine, which he said 'felt like freedom.' As an immunocompromised patient, she feared she would never be able to get vaccines again, leaving her vulnerable 'along with millions of cancer survivors, small children, and the elderly.' Schlossberg said she froze when she learned that misoprostol - a drug that saved her life during a postpartum hemorrhage - was 'under review' by the FDA at RFK Jr's urging because it is used in medication abortion. 'I think about what would have happened if it had not been immediately available to me and to millions of other women who need it to save their lives,' she wrote. The essay closed on a personal note. Schlossberg said her illness derailed plans to write a book about the oceans and reflected on the irony that one of her chemotherapy drugs, cytarabine, was derived from a Caribbean sponge and discovered through government-funded research - the very funding RFK Jr. had cut. 'I remind my son that I am a writer,' she wrote, 'so that he will know that I was not just a sick person.' Daily Mail has reached out to RFK Jr's team for comment. Rachel Reeves launched a last-ditch bid tonight to put her beleaguered Budget back on track by unveiling a 'historic' freeze on rail fares. The Chancellor sought to woo commuters by declaring she had chosen to hold train ticket prices 'for the first time in 30 years'. Labour boasted that the move, which will apply to season tickets and other 'regulated' fares across England, will save rail passengers 600million in 2026/27. But the announcement, coming just days before Ms Reeves' Commons Budget speech, re-ignited claims she was flouting parliamentary convention by pre-briefing key parts of her fiscal statement. And tonight, the Tories even suggested the Chancellor might have broken the hallowed ministerial code if she was aware of Treasury leaks of later abandoned plans to hike income tax rates. The code states that 'when Parliament is in session, the most important announcements of government policy should be made in the first instance in Parliament'. Last week, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle vented his anger over the scale of pre-Budget briefing, saying 'at one time, a minister would be resigning'. Ms Reeves will make her fiscal statement on Wednesday against a backdrop of reports the economy had flatlined, borrowing was worse than feared and shoppers were staying away from the high street. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' (pictured) rail announcement comes days before her Budget speech The Chancellor's move will apply to season tickets and other 'regulated' fares across England, and is expected to save rail passengers 600million in 2026/27 (file picture) Adding to her woes, there were claims tonight that 5million people were on benefits with no requirement to work a million more than previously thought. Analysis by the Centre for Social Justice said as well as the 4million on Universal Credit, there were another million claiming 'employment and support allowance'. After the shambolic U-turn on her plans to raise income tax, Ms Reeves is expected to announce a 'smorgasbord' of levy increases to fill a multi-billion-pound hole in the public finances. Speaking at the G20 summit in South Africa, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he wants the Budget to focus on 'growth' and 'stability', adding that the Government wanted to bear down 'on the cost of living'. Ms Reeves said that was 'why we're choosing to freeze rail fares for the first time in 30 years', claiming it would 'ease the pressure on household finances'. Treasury sources said a typical commuter using the train three days a week with a flexi-season ticket would save 315 a year travelling from Milton Keynes to London, and 173 a year from Woking. But tonight Tory transport spokesman Richard Holden said: 'It is welcome that Labour have finally, under sustained Conservative pressure, frozen rail fares. However, the Government, once again, is late to the platform.' Last week, Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride wrote to Treasury permanent secretary James Bowler to ask if investigations were being carried out into pre-Budget 'leaks'. And today, he told The Mail on Sunday: 'If the Chancellor knew these leaks were happening or worse, authorised them it could represent a serious breach of the ministerial code.' Ms Reeves came out fighting, telling The Times that she was 'sick of people mansplaining how to be Chancellor to me'. Darwin has been battered by destructive winds reaching 205km/h, the most powerful to hit the Top End since deadly Cyclone Tracy half a century ago, ripping off roofs and tearing a section of the city's major hospital roof apart. Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina passed the coast as a category three overnight, with the weather system's gale-force winds leaving a path of destruction as it continues west into the ocean. There are no reports of injuries, however the power remains out across the city. Part of the roof at the Royal Darwin Hospital has collapsed amid reports of water inside the building. 'My first priority is to ensure all staff and patients are safe and I have been reassured that this is the case,' NT Police incident controller Emma Carter told ABC Radio Darwin. 'The reports are a small section of ceiling approximately four square metres has collapsed on the first floor.' Engineers remain on-site assessing the structural integrity of the damaged area in the hospital. Residents in Darwin and surrounding regions have been ordered by emergency authorities to stay in their homes or emergency shelters until the all-clear is given. Engineers will spend Sunday examining damage to Royal Darwin Hospital after part of the roof collapsed during Cyclone Fina Cyclone Fina has wreaked havoc across the Top End, downing trees and powerlines Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina crossed the coast near Darwin as a category three overnight Category three Fina brought destructive winds and heavy downpours to remote Tiwi Islands communities, then Darwin and surrounds on Saturday and into Sunday. Forecasters currently have Fina tracking just north of Darwin. NT Police incident controller Kirsten Engels urged residents to stay at home, but the sweeping sheets of rain on the streets and high wind gusts kept pretty much everyone indoors anyway. Emergency shelters are open in Darwin, nearby Palmerston and adjacent rural areas, with evacuees urged to bring their own bedding and food. Extraordinary videos posted online showed the cyclone's destructive power, ripping a powerline apart and causing a small explosion of sparks. Powerful winds also brought trees down across the city. Australian Defence Force personnel are on stand-by to assist with the clean-up efforts, and financial assistance will be available to support local governments and communities as they recover. Fina is the Northern Territory's strongest cyclone to pass Darwin since Cyclone Tracy on Christmas Day 1974, which claimed 66 lives and decimated the city, forcing thousands to relocate. Residents have taken to social media to document the damage Fina could intensify to a category earlier than expected and into the early hours of Monday, according to the latest cyclone track map The system was more powerful than Cyclone Marcus, which passed Darwin as a category two in 2018. Now tracking west-south-west, Fina is picking up strength over the Timor Sea and could hit the top of Western Australia in coming days. A cyclone warning remains in place from Wadeye to Cape Hotham including Tiwi Islands, Dundee Beach, Darwin, Milikapiti, Pirlangimpi and Wurrumiyanga and a watch zone is active from Wadeye in the NT to Troughton Island and Kalumburu in WA. According to the Bureau of Meteorology's latest update, the system is expected to reach category four strength sooner than expected. The advice forecasts the cyclone to become a category four system as soon as noon today, and while still in NT waters. BOM senior meteorologist Angus Hines warned that more heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for Darwin on Sunday. 'There are still bands of rain and strong winds on the outer edges of this tropical cyclone, which are very likely to impact the Darwin area and other parts of the northern and western Top End of the Northern Territory throughout the day,' he said. 'This will be a little bit different to Saturday, where the rainfall was persistent and ongoing. The wild weather caused by Cyclone Fina is not over yet 'On Sunday it will come through in waves, as a band crosses overhead, and then there'll be some gaps of drier weather in between. 'It will still be very windy today and we could see damaging wind gusts once again across Darwin.' Conditions are forecast to ease later on Sunday. Cyclone Fina is expected to weaken near the Kimberley coast on Tuesday or Wednesday. British hero Shaun Pinner who fought Russia at Mariupol has slammed Donald Trump's peace plan as 'surrender dressed up as diplomacy'. The former Royal Anglian soldier who was captured by Moscow told the Mail on Sunday: 'It's repugnant. I'm sick with anger. 'This so-called 28-point 'peace plan' reads less like a strategy for a just, durable settlement and more like an attempt to appease Putin, a blueprint to tie Ukraine's hands, strip away its right to defend itself, and reward an aggressor with no intention of stopping. 'A peace plan that protects the perpetrator and punishes the victim isn't peace. It's surrender dressed up as diplomacy.' Pinner, 51, served in the British military from 17 and moved to Ukraine in 2018 to help rebuild its military after Russia annexed Crimea and invaded the Donbas in 2014. He defended Mariupol following Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion in February 2022 and was finally captured two months later after a heroic defence. Pinner was starved, tortured and sentenced to death before Roman Abramovich helped secure his freedom that September. He has stayed in Ukraine with wife Laryssa, whom he met out there, and says Kyiv can still defeat Putin if the West stands firm. 'We're not just giving them a bloody nose, we've got them on the ropes,' he said. 'We're giving them a few right uppercuts.' Shaun Pinner (pictured) was captured by Russian forces during the siege of Mariupol in April 2022 He has since branded Donald Trump's 28-point peace plan for Ukraine as 'surrender dressed up as diplomacy' Referring to the daring operation to send lorries laden with drones deep into Russian territory that took out some of Putin's most valuable bombers, Pinner said: 'They've had a standing count with things like Operation Spiderweb. 'They aren't dominant at the Black Sea anymore. And now we're looking at Russia being bombed pretty much daily now.' On Ukrainian morale, he said: 'There is a fight. There is a will to fight. Ukrainians have not given up. People are tired. Things like the corruption scandal are not helping. 'But again, I tell people that's a working democracy. However, I do have reservations about the number of troops we have.' While Russia has claimed to take Pokrovsk in recent weeks, a key city in the Donbas, Pinner doubts the claim but said even if they have it is not the major victory Moscow claims. He said Putin's forces outnumbered Ukraine 'eight to one' on the city and defending it is part of the 'strategic plan' to 'exhaust the enemy's ability to push on'. 'You've got to keep the motivation to keep going with the goal, which is to drain the enemy of its resources so that Kyiv might live,' he said. 'I was there a year ago in November, one year ago, and the Russians were eight kilometres out. And if you just take the bare facts of the last year, they have just got eight kilometres into the city, at an incredibly detrimental cost. Shaun Pinner stayed in Ukraine with his wife Laryssa (pictured) who he met in the eastern European country 'There is a fight. There is a will to fight. Ukrainians have not given up,' Pinner (pictured behind bars on June 8, 2022) said of the Ukrainian will 'And if they do take Pokrovsk, it's going to be extremely hard for them to move on. They're going to be completely exhausted, completely depleted. And you've got winter coming.' While much of the media has focused on Ukraine's morale being low with winter coming amid the corruption scandal that has rocked Volodymyr Zelensky's government, Pinner is insistent Moscow is suffering more. 'Putin wants that trophy,' he said. 'He needs that trophy to show it to the Russians. I think it's totally under-reported, the pressure Putin is under. 'You look at the pressure his economy is under. He needs Pokrovsk, he needs a victory, because otherwise he's going to go into the winter where it all slows down. 'You're going to have the bitter winter, and all he's going to go away with this year is body bags, coffins, not really any gains.' It has been eight years since Prince Harry - once hailed Britain's most eligible bachelor - first announced to the world his plans to wed Suits star Meghan Markle. The couple, who were set up on a blind date in London in July 2016, shared their happy news in an exclusive interview at Kensington Palace on November 20, with the BBC's Mishal Husain revealing intimate details about their romance and proposal. Yet while their engagement interview was initially considered an adorable show of affection between the loved-up pair, it could now showcase early signs of Meghan's tendency to 'take over the narrative', according to a body language expert. It is also often remembered for being the scene of an almighty row - with the Duchess later dismissively suggesting that the interview with Husain had been an 'orchestrated reality show' during the couple's 2022 Netflix 'docuseries'. But Husain, a calm and usually drama-free Radio 4 Today presenter, refuted such claims. 'Recollections may vary,' she said wryly on the Today programme. For body language expert Judi James, the interview is littered with instances of Meghan enacting the more dominant role of 'subtle movie director' through the strategic use of 'non-verbal ties'. Such leading behaviour is, she argues, illustrated by Meghan 'cueing Harry in for his lines with pats, nudges and stares' while also 'sending him prompts to the narrative via her facial expression before he opens his mouth to speak'. Meghan's perceived desire to manage the direction and pace of the interview should come as little surprise. She was, after all, an experienced actress. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement interview could showcase early signs of Meghan's tendency to 'take over the narrative', according to a body language expert Certainly, Ms James takes note of the positioning of the pair throughout the interview - adding that while Harry is sat with a 'slightly slumped' posture and 'his head tilted in a passive gesture', his fiancee is sat 'upright and employing a strong and confident facial engagement'. Explaining how Meghan tries to 'issue soft power steering signals', Ms James adds that the future Duchess often 'appears to create small hints of caution' or attempts to indirectly instruct Harry to 'stop and let me take over'. 'She has Harry on a firm non-verbal tie here. His left hand is pulled over onto her lap and her right elbow is pushed out on top of his arm so she contains not just his hand but his entire lower arm from the elbow downward. 'Their fingers are meshed, meaning there is little chance he can remove his hand if he wants to.' Describing such move as an 'encasing technique', Ms James adds that while this hand placement could serve as a 'signal of love and connection', in this case the future Princess is 'using it for a more practical purpose'. Indeed Meghan's tendency to act both 'in charge of the choreography and the script' is, Ms James asserts, made rather clear from the very first question posed. While Harry is the leading responder to Husain, who begins by asking for details of their intimate proposal, Meghan is said to place a 'small firm pat on Harry's hand to cue him to speak'. 'It happened a few weeks ago, earlier this month, here at our cottage; just a standard typical night for us,' Harry said. For body language expert Judi James , the interview is littered with instances of Meghan enacting the more dominant role of 'subtle movie director' through the strategic use of 'non-verbal ties'. She notes that Harry is sat with a 'slightly slumped' posture The notorious interview also often remembered for being the scene of an almighty row - with the Duchess later dismissively suggesting that the interview with Mishal Husain had been an 'orchestrated reality show' during the couple's 2022 Netflix 'docuseries' The pair then went on to describe how it was while 'roasting a chicken' that the prince got down on one knee - with Meghan describing the moment as 'sweet and natural and very romantic'. Ms James adds: 'She turns her head quickly to communicate via her eye contact. 'Her wide social smile is still in place as she exchanges eye contact with him to offer Harry a direction of expectation that this is going to be a very happy story. 'Meghan also pumps her arms in a micro-gesture of enthusiasm but then adds a small but telling elbow nudge to Harry in case he missed his other cues. 'There is a meeting of eyes between the pair with what looks like a director's stare from Meghan before Harry delivers his "lines".' When Husain proceeds to ask the happy couple whether the proposal was met with an 'instant yes', Meghan is quick to respond without even looking at Harry beforehand. She gushes: 'Yes! As a matter of fact I could barely let you finish proposing!' 'It was just so sweet and natural and very romantic,' Meghan recalled. 'He got on one knee. I could barely let [him] finish proposing. I was like, 'Can I say yes now?'' At a later stage, when Harry is queried about how the pair managed their conflicting schedules, with Meghan committed to the filming of Suits and Harry to that of his royal duties, Meghan once again 'takes over to suggest control' Then, in a further sign of her need to 'control' the narrative of the conversation, when Husain queries how the pair first met, Meghan quickly interjects during Harry's brief explanation and is quick to remind the prince that they 'should protect' their 'privacy'. Explaining how Meghan handles this briefly tense moment, Ms James explains: 'Meghan's loving smile drops and she interjects while he is speaking, taking over quickly to warn him.' The future Princess is also said to have 'added a leg waggle and a small drumming ritual with her fingertips on his hand to seem to slightly advise caution.' 'Harry rubs her thumb with his but she re-caps his hands with hers and looks down here so her face is hidden from him as she speaks, meaning he has lost access to her approval signals', she adds. At a later stage, when Harry is queried about how the pair managed their conflicting schedules, with Meghan committed to the filming of Suits and Harry to that of his royal duties, Meghan once again 'takes over to suggest control'. As Harry takes a breath before responding 'It was-', Meghan quickly adds: 'It was just a choice. Right? I think that very early on, when we realised we were going to commit to each other, that we knew we had to invest the time and the energy and whatever it took to make that happen.' But it is not just Meghan's more overt forms of 'control' that Ms James notes throughout - but also her deliberate use of covert forms of body language to make it clear to her husband that she has a desire to command the conversation. She explains that at a later stage in the interview, Meghan 'uses her knee as a nudge signal to take over the narrative'. In a further sign of her need to 'control' the narrative of the conversation, when Husain queries how the pair first met, Meghan quickly interjects during Harry's brief explanation and is quick to remind the prince that they 'should protect' their 'privacy' When Husain asks if the loved-up pair have met each other's family yet, Meghan 'scratches and rubs' her knee to signify, Ms James believes, 'a sudden change of gestural response'. She then proceeds to answer: 'Yes. His family's been so welcoming and...' But with Harry being given the go-ahead from Meghan, the prince is quick to chime into the conversation and turns to his future wife to say: 'You've met quite a few of them actually.' When the pair begin to speak about the all-important engagement ring, Ms James suggests that Meghan 'pets' Harry's hand in a bid to 'cue him' to respond. Harry revealed that he proposed to Meghan with a ring with a centre diamond ethically sourced from Botswana, where they had fallen in love, with two outer diamonds from his late mother Princess Diana's collection. The exquisite 120,000 royal jewel would go on to be voted the most popular engagement ring in the world for several consecutive years, despite the band going through several transformations. While the engagement interview was initially perceived as a clear indication of a couple very much in love, it later became regarded by some as an early indication that there were warning signs of trouble in paradise. The Daily Mail's Richard Eden, who spoke to sources who worked for the royal household at the time of the interview, declaring that the Duchess's so-called 'performance' should have raised more concerns. Harry revealed that he proposed to Meghan with a ring with a centre diamond ethically sourced from Botswana, where they had fallen in love, with two outer diamonds from his late mother Princess Diana's collection Since Meghan and Harry's notorious exit from the Royal Family, later dubbed 'Megxit', the Duchess has publicly spoken negatively about the interview - complaining that Husain 'wasn't empathetic enough, wasn't warm enough', according to a royal source 'At the time, there was so much excitement about the engagement that no one really questioned some of Meghan's comments,' one source said. 'But, if you watch it again now, some of her responses seem insincere and her body language is telling.' And with the benefit of hindsight, it is hard not to hear some of her answers differently now. For example, Meghan told Husain that she had met Harry on a 'blind date', with the Prince adding: 'It was a blind date, for sure.' However, in the Netflix series, the Duke says he got to know his future wife via a photo-sharing app. 'Meghan and I met over Instagram,' he explained. 'Because I'm from the States, you don't grow up with the same understanding of the Royal Family,' she mused. 'I didn't know much about him and so the only thing that I had asked her when she said she wanted to set us up was "Well, is he nice?".' However, it subsequently emerged that Meghan had taken a close interest in the Royal Family since childhood. Indeed, she had been pictured posing outside Buckingham Palace as a 15-year-old tourist with her then friend Ninaki Priddy, who remarked of her marriage to Harry: 'I'm not shocked at all. It's like she has been planning this all her life.' Meanwhile, as an adult, Meghan was so fascinated by royal news that she would comment on it through her now-defunct blog, The Tig. Since Meghan and Harry's notorious exit from the Royal Family, later dubbed 'Megxit', the Duchess has publicly spoken negatively about the interview - complaining that Husain 'wasn't empathetic enough, wasn't warm enough', according to a royal source. The BBC's director-general at the time of the interview, Lord Hall, firmly rejected such criticism, declaring that it was 'simply untrue' to suggest that the chat was staged. Writing in the August issue of Saga magazine, Husain elaborated further on Meghan's views: 'When the Duchess of Sussex said that my engagement interview with her and Harry was an 'orchestrated reality show' I didn't know what to make of it. 'They seemed to have thought through what their new lives would be like and what marriage would mean for her life in particular.' Evidently, while the public may have initially been captivated by their impeccable love story, that shine has since worn off. Their once-joyous engagement interview is now sadly often seen as the beginning of the bitter end for the former royal couple. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has a long-held reputation for being crass, bad-tempered and rude to those around him, and now his lewd party antics, dating back to when he was just a teen, have come to light. Earlier this month, the 65-year-old was stripped of all his royal titles and ordered to vacate Royal Lodge, where he has been residing rent-free for over two decades, by King Charles over his ties to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Now, various sources have claimed they saw Andrew attempt to annoy, provoke, and humiliate women and girls at parties and stately events. Andrews behaviour more often than not appeared to be aimed towards female guests, according to some, with reports of him unzipping dresses, bursting into rooms where girls were sleeping, and shoving a womans face into a plate of food. In his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the Yorks, royal biographer Andrew Lownie revealed several anecdotes from people who claim to have witnessed some of the former princes exploits over the years. Writer Craig Brown alleged in the book that a 17-year-old Andrew became the laughing stock of a house party for his strange behaviour towards a group of girls. The morning after the party, the three pretty young girls complained over breakfast that the teenage prince had barged into their room in the wee hours of the morning. He allegedly asked to bunk next to them as there was a ghost in the room where he was sleeping, before they swiftly kicked him out. Prince Andrew at financier Andy Wong and his wife Pattie New Year party where the dress code was Mystery Vamp and Seduction In 1992, Andrew was said to have unzipped British broadcaster Tania Bryer OBEs dress at a society event Another journalist reported that Andrew had walked through the bedroom and into the en-suite of a girl where she was brushing her teeth to lecture her on the proper technique. One woman said she woke up one morning after a party to a foolishly laughing Andrew pointing a fire extinguisher at her face. She later found out he had played the same prank in all the girls rooms. Mr Lownie said the Kings brother has a strong and juvenile characteristic and would use his position to 'humiliate' people around him who feel unable to respond. In 1992, Andrew was said to have unzipped British broadcaster Tania Bryer OBEs dress at a society event. A titled lady referred to Andrew as the most boorish man I have ever met and cited one incident where she was at a dinner at Windsor Castle. The woman claimed the then-prince asked an 18-year-old woman what she did for a job. When she replied that she was a secretary, the former prince apparently exclaimed to everyone at the table: How terribly uninteresting. Is that the best you can find to do? A friend of Andrews claimed he was a nightmare to sit next to at dinners due to his ghastly and lavatorially disgusting jokes, often about whether the females at the table were wearing underwear. Prince Andrew with the British Ambassador at a public concert by the band of the Coldstream Guards at Washington Square Park in New York in 2001 Prince Andrew attended 'Yammer' an enterprise social network based in Great Eastern Street At another affair, he was said to have urged a female guest to sniff the first-course pate, claiming it smelled bad. However, when she leaned down to take a whiff, he pushed her face into the dish. Mr Lownie claimed his pranks are due to boredom or mischievousness but mainly to provoke a reaction, citing a time during his childhood dance lessons where he walked into a room where people were watching TV, changed the channel, hit pause, then walked out. Andrew apparently had a string of odd party game favourites, including choo choo trains where he encouraged people to form a conga line shouting choo choo, as well as an activity that involved guests lining up to pass fruit to each other using only their neck and chin. Over the years, Andrews repertoire of party tricks only grew more outlandish. Guests were reportedly told by the royal to close their eyes, hold out their hands and make a wish before clapping. What they didnt know was that hed slipped an open tube of mustard between their palms, leaving them with a face full of condiment the moment they brought their hands together. The spectacle was said to have given the disgraced royal great joy. In 1981, the Queen gifted Andrew an Egyptian holiday as a reward for getting his helicopter wings. Prince Andrew returning from Egypt in 1981 where he attended a party thrown by Sir Michael Weir Andrew pictured during a visit to the Staffordshire Regiment at Fallingbostel Station barracks in Bad Fallingbostel, Lower Saxony, Germany, 10th July 1989 Anwar El-Sadat, who was the president of Egypt at the time, loaned Andrew his presidential jet to fly to various locations including a short cruise along the Nile where the former Duke of York spent most of his time with his attentions towards another guests wife. During the trip, British Ambassador to Egypt at the time, Sir Michael Weir, threw Andrew a party, inviting a list of local high society members. The accounts of what happened at this party are varied and unsubstantiated, but one rumour is that the ex-prince jumped into the pool fully clothed, dragging a hostess in the water with him. She apparently emerged in her soaked party dress looking bedraggled and despondent. It wasnt always women and girls who were on the receiving end of Andrews antics. Journalist Peter Chapman recalled Andrew displaying some very odd behaviour at a stately event for the opening of the new Lincolnshire Regiments museum, which he described as a grand occasion, full dress medals and so on. While addressing the audience, Major-General Dick Gerrard-Wright had trouble with his speech papers thanks to his white gloves so took them off finger by finger laboriously. King Charles announced Andrew would be no longer hold his royal titles and have his HRH removed shortly after the Duchess of Kent's funeral According to the journalist, Andrew leapt from his seat with a smile across his face, walked across the stage and took the gloves yelling, You wont want these now, Dick before tossing them into the crowd. The bizarre stunt garnered some uncomfortable laughter from the attendees. On November 6, King Charles announced Andrew would no longer hold his royal titles and have his HRH removed. It follows years of controversy over Andrews friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including allegations from Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, aged 44. Ms Giuffre claimed Andrew sexually assaulted her when she was 17 - claims that he denies, though he settled a civil case in 2022. His credibility was further damaged by a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview widely seen as disastrous, and the palaces decision to demote the ex-Duke came days after the release of Giuffres tell-all autobiography. Holy jar of sainted jam, I think, driving along Route 101 from Montecito to Summerland in the rosy sunshine of a Californian winter. What a week from hell it has been for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, even by their own calamitous standards. Im en route to visit Meghans As Ever pop-up shop in a posh bookstore by the beach, where she is selling her festive gift boxes of jam spreads, scented candles, herb teas and honey duos directly to the real housewives of the American Riviera, should they be interested in her mulling spice kits (a racket in a packet) for 12.50 or a tin of her damnable flower sprinkles (twigs in a tin) for 11. You have to admire the boldness of the pricing, if nothing else. And the gold velvet ribbons are lovely, too. But before we get there, let us consider where Harry and Meghan are in their own little shop of horrors right now and the sad truth is that to some, they are increasingly much more bargain bin than top shelf. The recent Kardashian party at the Jeff Bezos mansion in Beverly Hills was a case in point. What the hell? The couple made complete fools of themselves by apparently demanding their hosts remove photographs of them at the 007-themed celebration from their social media accounts. Were more special than you, was the tacit Sussexian message. Were different, a cut above. That must have gone down like a cup of cold carbs with Kimmy & co; that must have made their Skims steam with pure irritation, despite their polite noises to the contrary. Then in a trailer to launch her forthcoming Netflix seasonal show, Meghan is seen single-handedly inventing Christmas before invading her own privacy by kissing Harry, boiling up some of her twig tea in a saucepan, tablescaping like a lunatic and making a wreath out of broccoli florets before gurgling: I love the holiday season. Its about finding time to connect with the people we love. This from a daughter who has not had time to connect with her own father for seven years, nor with her husbands father and brother in any meaningful way, not to mention all those sundry friends and half-sisters who have been iced and diced along the way. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks onstage during the 2025 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 23, 2025 The Duchess of Sussex's collection of sparkling wine, jams, flower sprinkles and mulled wine kits on sale Meghan portraying herself as the hostess with the mostest is a little like Cruella de Vil being in charge of a puppy farm sooner or later the fur is going to fly. Then on Wednesday came Meghans interview with the American edition of Harpers Bazaar magazine. Clearly any difficult or searching questions were forbidden and instead readers were treated to comic levels of self-importance billowing forth as our favourite jampreneur explained why she is so fabulous. Do you know what? She makes mistakes, just like ordinary people do. Harry loves her boldly, fully and lets hope she meant that in an emotional way and not an intimate way. She likes to be announced as booming voice, sound the trumpets Meghan, Duchess of Sussex before she enters a room. Yes, even when there is only one other person in that room and even if that person Im theorising now is Harry. And she lavishly praises herself for inspiring her children through the medium of raspberries and sugar. I hope they see the value of being brave, she said. They saw it when the jam was just a pot on the stove, bubbling. Damn that jam. I feel like bubbling myself. Youd think it was the elixir of life, the way she goes on about it but perhaps for Meghan, it really is that important. The jam is the lodestar of her As Ever brand and it is why I am here at Godmothers, situated in a white 1920s barn in the seaside town of Summerland. Handily it is close to Harry and Meghans home on the Riven Rock estate in Montecito, part of this wealthy enclave. The glamorous bookstore is the dream of literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and cosmetics mogul Victoria Jackson, who are both friends with local queen of the scene Oprah Winfrey and therefore now firmly a part of the Sussexes Montecito set. Walsh was instrumental in the publication of Prince Harrys Spare autobiography in 2023 he calls her his fairy godmother, hence the name of the store while Jackson is now part of Meghans mahjong gang. A gift set of Meghan's As Ever signature fruit spread, which retails for $42 (31) With its log fire, shearling armchairs and wide plank oak floors, this is no ordinary bookshop and the people who come here are far from ordinary, too. Women in Jenni Kayne chocolate cashmere and carrying 3,000 Dior tote bags peruse the shelves, while men in James Perse suede jackets park their gleaming Benzos outside in this world where everything is tasteful, beautiful, covetous, lush. To get to Meghans spacious pop-up you have to pass a stairwell photo shrine to inspirational godmothers who lit the way including Frida Kahlo, Michelle Obama, Gloria Steinem, Joan Didion and Oprah herself. It has kind of a holy feeling, Rudolph Walsh says of her bookstore. People walk in and theyre called to their sacred self, and it permeates the whole experience. Up on the first floor, nestling next to cookbook corner and with ocean views to the front, Meghan has laid out her wares on oak tables; piles of her gift-boxed jams, her honeys, her teas and her two varieties of scented candles, displayed under glass cloches like precious museum artefacts. Meghan likes the one with mint best because it reminds her of her wedding day, says one of the glamorous shop assistants. I dont have the heart to tell her that anything minty on the day was probably creepy Uncle Andrews mouthwash. For Meghan was so appalled by the musty smell of St Georges Chapel in Windsor she wanted to pump in air freshener, a request denied by Buckingham Palace. Speaking of which, I cant help but note that Megan has been royally straining with her shop tablescapes, trying to make everything as regal as possible, going for that Downton Abbey vibe Americans love so much. Jars of her precious jams are displayed on silver salvers could everyone please curtsey there are lush bundles of eucalyptus and foliage in silver vases and even a dummy bottle of As Ever sparkling wine actually filled with water displayed in a silver ice bucket. The real thing isnt allowed, as Godmothers dont have an alcohol licence. Share the Love, says a little sign, next to a giant wine box which is the centrepiece of the display. The following words are etched on to the front in bold letters; Thoughtfully Curated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The nerve! I mean, really. Five years after they fled Europe to escape the tyranny of inherited privilege, Prince Harry and his ambitious wife continue to skate on the thin ice of pure audacity; maximising all the benefits and lustre of the old life they publicly disparaged and claimed to hate, while using their royal titles as commercial tools to boost sales. The Duchess of Sussex in her Netflix series With Love, Meghan which came out in March Its so hypocritical, but it works. There is a frisson of excitement about being close to royalty one can recognise in the customers who crowd around sniffing the candles and wondering if 48 for two jars of honey is a good deal, even if it is made by wow, Duchess Megan. Yet my sacred self noted that people were browsing but not buying, while the shop girl wasnt even sure which product was the best seller. Jam? she wondered. Will this ragbag range of fruit spreads, wines, candles and teas be a royal success? Or will the Duchess of Sussex go down in history as the woman who turned wine into water? Back home, King Charles and Prince William are considering plans to pare down the monarchy to make it more relatable in 21st-century society. I think we all know where the silver axe should fall first. If you think you know your favourite films like the back of your hand, the Mandela Effect may prove you wrong. The strange phenomenon, only identified in the late 2000s, is when many people remember something in a particular way, but are wrong. If you've been dead certain something happened but then found out it didn't, you've been victim to the effect, which was explored in a recent episode of Black Mirror. Reddit users speculate it occurs as a result of the 'entire universe glitching', accidentally changing little details from history. In truth, there's no single reason why the Mandela Effect occurs, but some think it's getting more frequent thanks to the internet spreading misinformation. And it seems to have a potent influence on our brains when we're recalling moments from the movies. So have you fallen victim to it? Here are 10 on-screen examples of the Mandela Effect, from Star Wars to James Bond and Reservoir Dogs. In Star Wars, C-3PO's silver leg often reflects the surroundings to make it look more golden (such as the desert scenes on Tatooine) 1. Star Wars In the original Star Wars films, loveable droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, voiced by Anthony Daniels, are responsible for injecting a bit of comic relief. Fans of the multi-billion-dollar franchise will likely tell you that C-3PO is gold all over but in fact he is multi-coloured. Believe it or not, the droid's right leg is completely silver below the knee. It's thought people largely make this mistake because most scenes in the original Star Wars trilogy show C-3PO from the waist-up. In other scenes such as the desert scenes on Tatooine showing his whole body, the silver leg often reflects the surroundings to make it look more golden. 2. The Empire Strikes Back In the second Star Wars film 'The Empire Strikes Back', Darth Vader reveals to Luke Skywalker that he is his father. But what is the exact line in the movie? In the Star Wars film 'The Empire Strikes Back', Darth Vader reveals to Luke Skywalker that he is his father. But what is the exact line in the movie? According to research from YouGov, most people think the line uttered by the masked villain is 'Luke, I am your father', but this is a misquote. The actual line from Darth Vader is: 'No, I am your father.' Subsequent parodies from the likes of Austin Powers and The Simpsons may be to blame for us misremembering the true quote. Another reason is that the misquote makes more sense outside the context of the classic scene. 3. Risky Business Surely one of the most parodied scenes of Tom Cruise's entire career is from the 1983 teen comedy Risky Business. It features Cruise as high school student Joel Goodson dancing around in his underwear to the song 'Old Time Rock and Roll' by Bob Seger. But what is the character wearing in the scene? Coming-of-age comedy Risky Business stars Tom Cruise in one of his earlier film roles - but the classic dance scene is often misremembered In Risky Business, Tom Cruise (pictured) plays Joel Goodsen, a teen who is left to his own devices while his parents are away. Enjoying his freedom, he dances around the house to Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger What is the Mandela Effect? The Mandela Effect is the strange phenomenon in which many people remember something in a particular way, but are wrong. The name was coined by paranormal enthusiast Fiona Broome, who was convinced she remembered Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980s. In fact, Mandela's death was not until 2013, despite Ms Broome and many others recalling seeing his funeral on TV in the 1980s. Advertisement You may remember Cruise wearing sunglasses as he dances but this is evidence of the Mandela Effect in effect once again. Cruise is not wearing glasses during the whole scene and has his face pretty much unobscured throughout. The confusion may come from Cruise wearing sunglasses throughout much of the film and in the official poster as well. 4. The Shawshank Redemption In a pivotal scene in this film, commonly described as one of the greatest of all time, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) escapes from his prison cell in the dead of night. The next morning, the prison warden searches the cell and notices the giant poster of Andy's favourite pin-up, which he calls 'that cupcake on the wall'. But which famous Hollywood actress is he referring to? Many people are sure the poster is of Marilyn Monroe, known for her roles in Some Like it Hot and The Seven Year Itch. In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) sticks posters of Hollywood actresses to his prison cell wall Bond fans may recall 007 drinking a vodka martini in Casino Royale, the film starring Daniel Craig based on the very first James Bond novel But in actual fact it's fellow sex symbol Raquel Welch, as she appeared in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C. The confusion may be due to the fact that Monroe appears on a poster earlier in the film, as does Rita Hayworth. 5. Casino Royale Bond fans may recall 007 drinking a vodka martini in Casino Royale, the film starring Daniel Craig based on the very first James Bond novel. But it's a different concoction entirely that he's made up on the spot something he calls a 'Vesper' named after his love interest in the film. Unlike the legendary vodka martini, the Vesper lacks vermouth and contains Kina Lillet, a liqueur made with white wine. 6. Moonraker In one of the silliest moments in the 007 films, metal-toothed baddie Jaws (Richard Kiel) meets the woman of his dreams, Dolly (Blanche Ravalec), in 1970s caper Moonraker. The gag that many people remember is that Jaws falls in love at first sight because she has enormous goofy braces to go with her girly pigtails and glasses. In Moonraker (1979), baddie Jaws is recused from the wreckage of a cable car crash by the woman of his dreams. The gag that many people remember is that Jaws falls in love at first sight because she has enormous goofy braces to go with her girly pigtails and glasses. But Dolly is actually braceless, featuring a beaming set of pearly whites But Dolly is actually braceless, featuring a beaming set of pearly whites. On Reddit, people registered their disbelief that Dolly never had braces, with one saying: 'I swore she did and that was the joke. I've rewatched these movies in adulthood and still saw it.' Another said: 'No, this is wrong. She had braces. What are you doing, trying to unmake the fabric of the universe or something?' 7. Pride and Prejudice Admittedly, this 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel is a BBC TV series, but it contains one of the most famous on-screen examples of the Mandela Effect. Colin Firth as Mr Darcy sent hearts racing during a scene where he climbed out of a lake wet-shirted instantly turning him into a British sex symbol. The thing is, this was never actually part of the episode. In fact, he strips off, enters the lake, and in his next scene is shown walking back towards Lyme Park house before encountering Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle). Colin Firth's Mr Darcy emerging from a lake wet-shirted is arguably one of the most famous scenes in TV history. But if you remember this classic moment in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, it turns out you've been a victim of the Mandela Effect According to recent research from YouGov, 49 per cent of Brits said Firth is seen emerging from the lake, while just four per cent correctly said he is not. 8. The Silence of the Lambs In psychological horror The Silence of the Lambs, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is sent to interview cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in prison. But what are the first words he uses to address the young FBI trainee from his prison cell? 'Hello Clarice' is the quote that people remember from this classic moment but it's nowhere near his actual opening line. Lecter simply says 'Good morning' and incredibly he actually never says 'Hello, Clarice' in the whole film. Jim Carey utters the misquote five years later in the film The Cable Guy, which may be playing with people's minds. But curiously some movie fans distinctly remember it being said by Lecter. Hannibal, played by Anthony Hopkins, and FBI agent Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, in the 1991 film (pictured) 9. Casablanca 'Play it again, Sam' is one of those beloved lines from the golden age of Hollywood one that spawned its own film, songs and even a record label. It stems from the 1942 film Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, but again it's solidified its place in popular culture due to the Mandela Effect. The actual dialogue, said by Bergman's character to Sam the piano player, is 'Play it once, Sam, for old times' sake.' Bergman continues in her sultry Swedish voice: 'Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By".' 10. Reservoir Dogs Quentin Tarantino made cinema-goers walk out of theatres in disgust with his first film Reservoir Dogs back in 1992. In the offending scene, Mr Blonde (Michael Madsen) slices off a policeman's ear with a straight razor while the radio plays 'Stuck in the Middle with You' yet another scene parodied by The Simpsons. Some recall clearly seeing the camera focused on the pair as Mr Blonde drags the razor through the cartilage and skin from top to bottom. But in fact, the camera pulls away at the start and all we can hear is the policeman's cries of agony (and Scottish rockers Stealers Wheel of course). However, we do see Mr Blonde reasonably described by a fellow member of his criminal gang as a 'f****** psycho' waggling and speaking into the mutilated ear. Another confused viewer said they remembered seeing the heist around which the entire plot of the film is based, but the heist is never seen, only spoken about. 'You are KIDDING me?!' an acquaintance frothed. Their instant reaction, simply on hearing that I was heading to Lanzarote for a break, was verging on aggressive. Youd think Id just announced I was planning to camp on the Moon rather than seeking some autumn sun. That I was following the Canarian trip with a conference in Magaluf elicited a hearty guffaw (the event organisers, in a stroke of marketing excellence, sidestepped the reputation of the infamous Majorcan town and listed the location as Calvia, the region where you will find Magaluf). The mere mention can conjure a caricature of endless fry-ups and mid-morning beers glugged down by those whose skin the sun has baked to a lobster red. But having recently returned from these two much-maligned destinations, Ive developed a disdain for those who turn up their noses at the all-too-often punchline holiday hotspots. Dismissing a whole island based on Lanzarote's tourist resorts means you miss out on quiet villages, volcanic landscapes and crowd-free coastal spots Puerto del Carmen has its fair share of bars offering a fry-up and a pint... but venture just a few miles out and Lanzarote's unspoiled side awaits, says Ben Those who do are, in fact, losing out on a kaleidoscope of experiences. All because they are too proud to look twice. Starting with Lanzarote, the Atlantic island that welcomes 1.7 million British visitors a year. Yes, weve all heard the nickname Lanza-grotty. There are stretches that are unpalatable (Puerto del Carmen has rather a lot of Irish pubs). But you neednt drive far to find vast volcanic plains, sleepy whitewashed villages and a fraction of the crowds. It feels coherent, not chaotic artist and architect Cesar Manrique, born and raised on the island, can be thanked for that: no coastal sprawl, no towering high-rises, and his own astonishing works that fuse buildings with the landscape; a lesson in restraint that many might not pair with Lanzarote. And then theres Majorca or, more specifically, Magaluf. For years, its reputation has been one of unadulterated revelry to excess. I wont lie, you would think kebabs were the cornerstone of Spanish cuisine considering how many there are in the centre of town. But away from the strip, and I mean minutes, its another world. The air is perfumed by pine trees and there are restaurants with multiple Michelin stars where you can linger over meals. Italy's Amalfi Coast is heavenly - but also hugely crowded in the summer months Cities as romanticised as London, Paris and Venice have their own share of rough corners but escape wholesale dismissal. The shabby clubs in Camden or tourist tat on Oxford Street would not see Highgate and Holland Park designated no-go zones. Ironically, these unfashionable destinations are ahead of the curve when it comes to the fast-evolving wants of tourists. Clean beaches? Accessibility? A boom in modern hotels? Its what the masses want, and so they have responded. Contrast that with somewhere like the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. Undeniably resplendent but with infrastructure that groans under the weight of travellers. Places such as Cannes and St Tropez the ones you want to brag about are showing wear around the seams. Weve started confusing exclusivity with experience when we should be looking beyond what is performatively the place to be seen. It wasnt that long ago that Bodrum in Turkey was dismissed as brash and unfashionable. Now, its the belle of the Aegean for those in the know. People miss out when they allow preconceptions to write off a destination. Snobbery, Im afraid to say, is the great thief of wonder the best holidays can happen in unexpected places. Eerie images reveal the remains of Nicosia International Airport, where planes have been left to rot since the site was abandoned in 1974. The once-bustling transport hub, located in the Lakatamia suburb west of Nicosia, Cyprus, now stands as a haunting relic frozen in time. Images show the derelict terminal, decaying runways, and aircraft that have been left untouched for decades, creating an eerie time capsule of the island's turbulent past. With a few letters missing here and there, its large airport sign is still legible, but the only sign of life these days are the coos of pigeons roosting in its rotting ceiling or the howling wind blowing through its shattered windows. A reception hall is a time capsule of trends of the era; peeling ad boards advertise shoes and holidays promising to take travellers to 'the ends of the earth'. Upstairs, a departure lounge lies empty, with rows of seats that look like they were taken out of an early sci-fi movie set coated in dust, and pigeon droppings. Out on the runway, the shell of a solitary passenger jet sits on the tarmac, riddled with bullet holes. Originally built in the 1920s as an RAF base, Nicosia International Airport played a crucial role in World War II, serving as a key stopover for military and civilian flights. Eerie images reveal the remains of Nicosia International Airport, which has been frozen in time after it was abandoned in 1974 Out on the runway, the shell of a solitary passenger jet sits on the tarmac, riddled with bullet holes Nicosia International Airport remains a powerful symbol of the past By the 1950s and 1960s, it had become a major gateway for tourists, even attracting Hollywood celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor. However, in 1974, conflict between Greek and Turkish forces led to its destruction and subsequent abandonment. The airport was officially closed to commercial flights following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving it to deteriorate ever since. In 1977 the last commercial airline flights left Nicosia Airport under UN Special Authorisation, when British Airways engineers retrieved three stranded Cyprus Airways aircraft and flew them to London. Last July, it marked 50 years since Turkey invaded Cyprus in response to a brief coup orchestrated by the military then ruling Greece. Greek Cypriots live in Cyprus' south, and Turkish Cypriots in its north, separated by a UN controlled ceasefire line cleaving the island east to west. Reunification talks have failed to yield any result. Today, the airport lies within a United Nations Protected Area and remains largely off-limits to the public, but it has become a coveted location for urban explorers fascinated by its decayed grandeur and historical significance. Image shows the exterior of the abandoned Nicosia International Airport Bird droppings cover seats in the departure lounge inside the old Nicosia airport terminal building The former baggage claim hall at Nicosia International Airport stands decaying The airport was officially closed to commercial flights following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leaving it to deteriorate ever since Today, the airport lies within a United Nations Protected Area and remains largely off-limits to the public The former control tower at Nicosia International Airport Image shows the skeleton of a luggage belt that has been left untouched for decades Barbed wire prevents entry into the main hall inside the abandoned travel hub The former main terminal at Nicosia International Airport Arrival terminal at the abandoned Nicosia International Airport A sign reading 'Tipping porters not allowed' at the abandoned Nicosia International Airport A spokesperson for the United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus said last year: 'It is actually frozen in time 'Although there were several attempts over the years by the sides to reach an agreement, to see the airport being re-opened, restored, rehabilitated, the sides were unable to reach an agreement so gradually the condition of the airport had deteriorated.' Despite its eerie silence, Nicosia International Airport remains a powerful symbol of the past, its derelict runways whispering stories of the thousands of travellers who once passed through its gates. An acclaimed police thriller branded 'the best show on television bar none' is finally free to stream on ITV. US drama The Red Road aired for just two seasons on SundanceTV between 2014 and 2015. Martin Henderson portrays Harold Jensen, a police officer who comes into contact with a Lenape Native American settlement while investigating a disappearance. Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa - aka Khal Drogo - plays ex con and dangerous tribe member Philip Korpus. Jason, 46, has since played Aquaman in DC Comics-based films as well as lead TV roles in See and Frontier respectively. Fans have been since been raving about The Red Road after discovering the show via streaming. US drama The Red Road is finally free to stream on ITVX Game Of Thrones star Jason Momoa plays a leading role in the series Taking to review site Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer remarked: 'Best show on television, bar none! Intense!" Another added: 'This show is beyond excellent, the writing, the acting. Simply amazing. I can't get enough.' 'You cant top this. This is the most well-written, well thought-out, well produced, the best of everything is right here in this show. 'Entertaining every minute keeping you on the edge of your seat. It is so down to earth and so many well-thought-out rolls, even hilarious at times. 'The creators of this show should take over Hollywood, and teach them how its done.' Across its two seasons, The Red Road aired a total of just 12 episodes altogether. The Red Road aired for just 12 episodes from 2014 to 2015 The story took place in a fictitious New Jersey town, although filming for The Red Road was actually in Atlanta, Georgia. Further cast members include Julianne Nicholson, Tamara Tunie, Annalise Basso and Allie Gonino. Since starring in Game Of Thrones, Jason Momoa's career has gone from strength to strength, with him fronting Hollywood blockbusters including A Minecraft Movie, Aquaman and Fast X. The Red Road isn't the only US series making waves on ITVX - earlier this year, all eight episodes of American thriller The Consultant landed there too. Starring Oscar-winning actor Christoph Waltz, the premise follows a shady figure taking over a mobile gaming company after its CEO is murdered. The cast also includes Nat Wolff and The White Lotus star Brittany O'Grady. The series was first released on subscription-based Amazon Prime Video - but later arrived on ITV's on-demand platform. Indonesia to impose gold export tax of up to 15% from 2026 Indonesia will charge taxes of 7.5-15% on gold exports in a plan that will be implemented next year. The tax policy, currently being finalized, is being designed so that lower rates are applied to processed goods to help encourage domestic processing, according to Febrio Kacaribu, a senior official from the countrys Ministry of Finance. Global gold prices will also be a factor in determining the taxes, he said, noting that higher rates are likely to be applied when prices are at or above US$3,200 per troy ounce to capture miners windfall profits. Indonesia has the worlds fourth-largest unmined gold reserves, including in the Grasberg mine in the countrys east, operated by a local unit of Freeport-McMoRan. The mechanism is designed to help Indonesia capitalize on the ongoing "global gold boom" while encouraging domestic production of higher value-added gold products. However, many domestic investors have found it difficult to find gold bars to buy amid the boom in gold investment, Febrio said. Hailed as the original reality star who made it possible to be famous for doing nothing, Paris Hilton looked like she had the life that many of us could only dream. She rose to fame as one of the most notorious party girls of the 2000s, decked out in designer fashion and towering heels. But behind the mini dresses, side-swept bangs, frosty pink lip gloss and ditzy blonde persona, Paris was holding onto traumatic memories that she would end up keeping hidden for two decades. 'I just kind of created this character of this Barbie doll [with a] perfect life,' she told Grazia magazine in 2019. 'But I think it all really stems back to just everything that I went through as a teen.' From being groomed by her teacher to having her sex tape leaked by an ex, the Daily Mail takes a look inside Paris' traumatic childhood. Inside Paris Hilton's traumatic childhood: From being groomed by a teacher at 14, drugged at boarding school, thrust into a leaked sex tape scandal, to 'recruited' by Ghislaine Maxwell She rose to fame as one of the most notorious party girls of the 2000s, decked out in designer fashion and towering heels (pictured 2001) Groomed by her teacher Paris was groomed by an eighth-grade teacher who 'kissed her and told her she was sensual' when she was just 14. In Paris, The Memoir, the socialite detailed how she and her friends grew attracted to a 'handsome young teacher with an 'Abercrombie look' in middle school. She claimed the teacher told her as a young teenager: 'I've got a crush on you' before asking for her phone number and warning her not to tell anyone. She wrote: 'Mr. Abercrombie called me almost every night, and we talked for hours about how amazingly mature, beautiful and intelligent I was, how sensual, misunderstood and special. 'He reminded me that Princess Diana was thirteen years younger than Prince Charles. 'And Priscilla Presley was my age when Elvis fell in love with her.' Paris was groomed by an eighth-grade teacher who 'kissed her and told her she was sensual' when she was just 14 (pictured 1996 aged 15) The teacher then secretly lured her into his car outside her home, with Paris writing: 'Teacher pulled me into his arms and kissed me.' However, her parents, Kathy and Rick Hilton, discovered them kissing, and she was sent to Palm Springs that summer to live with her grandmother. She added that 'Mr Abercrombie' blamed her, asking: 'Why did you make me do this?' Paris said it took 'decades' for her to realise she was a victim of child abuse. She wrote: 'It took decades for me to actually speak the word pedophile. 'Casting him in the role of child molester meant casting myself in the role of victim, and I just couldn't go there.' Raped by an older man at 15 While Paris was living with her grandmother in Palm Springs, she was raped at 15 (pictured 1996) Paris was living with her grandmother in Palm Springs and would often visit the Westfield Century City shopping centre in Los Angeles with her friends. She said older men would often hang around the stores and speak to them and one day they invited Paris and her friends back 'to their house'. Paris said she was offered 'berry wine coolers' to drink and one of the men was particularly forceful about getting her to drink it. She told Glamour Magazine in 2023: 'When I had maybe one or two sips, I just immediately started feeling dizzy and woozy. I don't know what he put in there; I'm assuming it was a roofie [Rohypnol].' Paris said she woke up several hours later knowing something bad had happened. She said: 'I remembered it. I have visions of him on top of me, covering my mouth, being like, 'You're dreaming, you're dreaming,' and whispering that in my ear.' Paris added that the experience made her feel ashamed. The reality star claimed she was sexually abused after being forced to undergo cervical exams performed by staff members in the early hours of the morning while attending the school. Abuse at tough love camps When Paris turned 16, her parents turned to CEDU, a company that operated what it euphemistically described as therapeutic, emotional-growth boarding schools for misbehaving teenagers. She first shared her harrowing experiences in the youth congregate care industry in an interview with People magazine in August 2020. In the interview, which focused primarily on her time spent at Provo Canyon School in Springville, Utah, she revealed that she faced psychological abuse daily for 11 months, and was subjected to continuous bullying, solitary confinement and was prevented from communicating the abuse to her family by staff. 'I knew it was going to be worse than anywhere else,' said Paris, who had already spent time in several other facilities prior to being moved to Provo Canyon. 'From the moment I woke up until I went to bed, it was all day screaming in my face, yelling at me, continuous torture. They wanted to instil fear in the kids so we'd be too scared to disobey them. The reality star said her childhood was 'stolen' by the alleged abuse at Provo Canyon School where she spent 11 months aged 17 (pictured aged 18l) 'They would use [solitary confinement] as punishment, sometimes 20 hours a day. I was having panic attacks and crying every single day.' Paris made three escape attempts, but each time, she was caught and sent to an even stricter institution. 'Having everything taken away, like, not being able to look out of a window, not being able to speak, just feeling like a prisoner when you are just a child,' she told The Times. 'And your family thinks that you're in an emotional-growth boarding school and you're riding horses and it's so happy, and they have all these fake brochures and the marketing is so deceptive.' Paris testified on Capitol Hill last year about the devastating experience she suffered at Provo Canyon School as she advocated for sweeping reforms to the foster and youth rehab system. 'When I was 16 years old, I was ripped from my bed in the middle of night and transported across state lines to the first of four residential facilities,' Paris told the House Ways and Means Committee in June. 'For two years I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff. I was violently restrained ... stripped naked, thrown in solitary confinement,' she continued. Leaked sex tape She had filmed the video with her now-ex Rick Salomon when she was only 19 years old and it was shared online two years later, in 2003. The former couple is seen in 2001 When Paris was 19, her sex tape was leaked in the early 2000s, made with her ex, Rick Salomon. She admitted that she drank alcohol and took Quaaludes prior to the making of the tape. But she was horror-struck when a 37-second clip of the video began circulating online years later. Paris had begged Rick not to release the full version of the tape but he said he had every right to sell something that belonged to him. In June, the star got emotional as she opened up about the 'painful' aftermath of her infamous leaked sex tape, admitting that her then-boyfriend's brutal betrayal will affect her the 'rest of her life.' During a sit-down with Louis Theroux, the former reality star laid bare the 'heartbreak and devastation' that she endured. 'It was the most painful experience I've ever been through in my life,' Paris reflected during the event. During a recent sit-down with Louis Theroux at Spotify Beach in Cannes, France, for Cannes Lions 2025, Paris laid bare the 'heartbreak and devastation' that she endured after the leak 'To trust somebody and have them put something out in the world that no one was supposed to see... and then to have people judge me based on one night with someone I trusted... that's something that will affect me for the rest of my life.' The blonde beauty said the public scrutiny over the tape was 'heartbreaking and devastating,' especially because it came right before the release of her reality show The Simple Life. 'Back then, the media, the public, everyone was just so cruel to me. It was so heartbreaking and devastating,' she continued. Paris previously explained in her 2023 book Paris: The Memoir that she felt 'weird and uncomfortable' about filming herself and Rick 'making love,' but claimed that he ultimately pressured her into doing it. 'He had often said it was something he did with other women, but I felt weird and uncomfortable about it. I always told him, "I can't. It's too embarrassing,"' she wrote. 'He told me if I wouldn't do it, he could easily find someone who would, and that was the worst thing I could think of to be dumped by this grown man because I was a stupid kid who didn't know how to play grown-up games. 'The truth is, I wanted to be alive in a sensual way. I wanted to feel like a woman who's comfortable in her own skin.' She said he vowed that 'no one else would ever see it,' and insisted that she would never 'under any circumstances be involved in the production of an amateur teen porn video.' 'If this was something I had chosen to do, I would have owned it,' she stated. 'I would have stood tall in my Louboutins and said, "Yup, that was my choice." 'I would have stood by it, capitalised on it, licensed the f**k out of every frame, and then boogied on over to the bank without apologising to anyone.' 'Recruited' by Ghislaine Maxwell Paris was apparently just 19 when she was spotted by Maxwell at a party, who reportedly told friends she had set her sights on the teen for Epstein (pictured 2001) Maxwell, who was in a relationship with the notorious sex offender Epstein for several years in the nineties, was said to be scouring parties looking for girls who would date him (pictured Ghislaine and Jeffrey) Paris was apparently just 19 when she was spotted by Maxwell at a party, who reportedly told friends she had set her sights on the teen for Epstein. Maxwell, who was in a relationship with the notorious sex offender Epstein for several years in the nineties, was said to be scouring parties looking for girls who would date him. Maxwell was later convicted and sentenced for her role as Epstein's 'chief recruiter' and a partner in his sex trafficking operation. However, despite Maxwell's alleged intentions for Paris, the mother of two has insisted that she 'doesn't remember ever meeting her'. During a new interview in the Sunday Times magazine, Paris reflected that she may have been dragged into the media storm at the time because of the weight her name carries, adding: 'I'm such a good clickbait name.' The revelation emerged as President Trump called on Republicans in the House to vote for the release of the so-called Epstein Files, marking a reversal from his previous position. The vast trove of documents is made up of material the Justice Department gathered in its investigations into the convicted late sex offender, including transcripts of interviews with victims and items confiscated from raids of his properties. More than 20,000 pages of documents have been released from the estate of the disgraced financier, revealing how he repeatedly discussed Trump in private correspondence dating from 2011 to 2019. The claims about Maxwell's plans for Hilton were made by a former friend of the British socialite in 2020. Christopher Mason said Maxwell stopped in her tracks and said 'oh my god' when she saw a young Hilton at a party. Maxwell said she would be 'perfect for Jeffrey' and told a friend: 'Can you introduce us?' Mason, a British journalist based in New York who has known Maxwell since the 1980s, did not give a date for the encounter. But it appears to have been around the year 2000 when Hilton signed up to Donald Trump's modeling agency, T management, and began her ascent to celebrity. At that point, she would have been 19 years old and on the cusp of becoming a star. If you have been affected by this story, in the US contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673 or visit www.rainn.org In the UK contact, Rape Crisis on 0808 802 9999 on contact the service using their online chat function The Golden Bachelor's Barry 'Bear' Myrden finally found love on the grand finale, choosing to pursue a relationship with Sunny Long. Now, the winner of Bear's heart has revealed how a heartbreaking family tragedy left her searching for love. When the 58-year-old's mother was diagnosed with dementia, she dropped everything including her job to travel to South Korea and look after her, which signalled the end of her 15-year relationship. 'I don't blame him because I can understand that you want your partner next to you, but I was away and looking after my mum because she's not going to be with me for a long time,' she told Mamamia. Despite their relationship coming to a sad close, Sunny said that she was happy for her former partner, who has moved on with someone else. The Golden Bachelor's Barry 'Bear' Myrden finally found love on the grand finale, choosing to pursue a relationship with Sunny Long (pictured) Now, the winner of Bear's heart has revealed how a heartbreaking family tragedy left her searching for love. (Pictured with Barry 'Bear' Myrden) After eight nerve-wracking episodes, Barry 'Bear' Myrden eventually found his match on The Golden Bachelor with Sunny in Sunday's finale. But in what could be bad news for his winner, the 61-year-old engineer almost didn't meet her at all. Bear quit the Channel Nine show shortly after being cast as the new Golden Bachelor because he had found love. And in a surprising twist, it was the Canadian-born Sydneysider who auditioned for the role in the first place. 'He applied, they liked him instantly, then he pulled out because he'd met someone,' an insider told Confidential. The source added that after Bear made his exit before the cameras had a chance to roll, the show's creators were stuck for a star. 'But once they saw the rest of the candidates let's just say Bear suddenly looked like a rock star, and they lured him back,' the production insider explained. According to the source, the other possible bachelors were 'spectacularly underwhelming'. Sunny's mum was diagnosed with dementia and she dropped everything including her job to travel to South Korea and look after her Bear is said to be 'loving all the attention' the show has brought him. Woman's Day revealed Bear was engaged to a millionaire heiress named Jo Kinghorn after his wife Audrey died in 2014, despite claiming on the show he had remained single since becoming a widower. An insider who attended the couple's engagement party in 2016 revealed leaked information about their ill-fated romance and said Bear was commonly described as a 'tosser' by Kinghorn's friends. 'Bear spent most of the engagement party showing off in the ski boat Jo bought him,' the source told Daily Mail. What's more, according to the insider, Bear didn't cough up for Kinghorn's engagement ring. 'It should be known that the engagement ring was purchased by the bride-to-be,' the source claimed. Freakier Friday was released earlier this year to much fanfare, a whopping 22-years after the original smash hit comedy hit cinemas. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis were back as mother and daughter Anna and Tess Coleman,who are once again caught in mayhem after swapping bodies. However this time the pair changed places with Anna's teen daughter Harper and her soon-to-be stepdaughter Lily. But what some fans may not have noticed is that the comedy is full of easter eggs with many paying homage to the original. While others are blink and you miss it nods to Lindsay's other famous films, including Mean Girls and The Parent Trap. Here are all the easter eggs in Freakier Friday you may have missed... Freakier Friday was released earlier this year to much fanfare, a whopping 22-years after the original smash hit comedy hit cinemas (Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan pictured) Here are all the easter eggs in Freakier Friday...... Actress Elaine Hendrix from Parent Trap At age 12, Lindsay became a star in The Parent Trap playing long-separated twins who hatch a plan to reignite the romance between their divorced mother (Natasha Richardson) and father (Dennis Quaid). Elaine Hendrix featured as the father's gold-digging girlfriend, Meredith Blake, and she has now reunited with Lindsay in Freakier Friday for a surprise cameo. The actress appears in a photoshoot scene for a pop star Lindsay's character manages, and joined the actress as well as their fellow Parent Trap co-star Lisa Ann Walter at the film's premiere earlier this year. Director Nisha Ganatra told ELLE: 'The fun call I got to make was, we were filming a scene, and I really wanted Elaine Hendrix to make an appearance. I called Elaine, and I was like, "Would you please do a cameo?"' 'And she just came out and did that. I was doing my fantasy version of this movie, hoping anybody else would catch on to all the little Easter eggs of Parent Trap and Mean Girls'. Elaine Hendrix featured as the gold-digging girlfriend Parent Trap and she has now reunited with Lindsay in Freakier Friday for a surprise cameo (pictured) At age 12, Lindsay became a star in The Parent Trap playing long-separated twins who hatch a plan to reignite the romance between their divorced mother and father Director Nisha Ganatra said: ' The fun call I got to make was, we were filming a scene, and I really wanted Elaine Hendrix to make an appearance' (Pictured in The Parent trap) Elaine (L) joined Lindsay as well as their fellow Parent Trap co-star Lisa Ann Walter at the film's premier earlier this year Mean Girls throwback Lindsay's character's wedding in the movie is happening on October 3rd, which is also an important day in her movie Mean Girls. In an iconic quote from the 2004 cult film, Linsday's Kady Heron has a crush on Aaron Samuels and makes a note of any interaction they have. To her pals recalls: 'On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was' before it cuts to her telling him: 'Its October 3rd'. However the actress admitted to Collider that it was just an accident and nobody realised until the dates were already printed on the invitations ahead of filming. 'Because it was one of the first days shooting and I was like, Does anyone realise this is October 3rd? Thats Mean Girls Day. I was like: "Lets leave it, its an Easter egg"'. Lindsay's character's wedding in the movie is happening on October 3rd, which is also an important day in her movie Mean Girls To her pals recalls: 'On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was' before it cuts to her telling him: "Its October 3rd"' (Pictured in Mean Girls) However the actress admitted to Collider that it was just an accident and nobody realised until the dates were printed on the invitations for filming Anna's original guitar In the original Lindsay's character was a budding musician who performed with her rock band and in the sequel she is a successful music manager. What many fans may not have noticed is that filmmakers managed to track down the original red guitar she played to once again rock out with all these years later. As well as playing it at the beginning of the movie, Lindsay also uses it for her performance in the closing scenes. In the original Lindsay's character was a budding musician who performed with her rock band and in the sequel she is a successful music manager What many fans may not have noticed is that filmmakers managed to track down the original red guitar she played to once again rock out with all these years later (pictured in original) Jake's date Chad Michael Murray played love interest Jake in the original, who falls for Anna but only after she has swapped bodies with her mum Tess. In Freaky Friday she gives her parent a full makeover, much to the hunk's delight and together they ride off on his motorbike. Now in a sequel Jake is a guest at Anna's wedding and his girlfriend is the spitting image of Tess post make-over with tie dye dress and pixie cut. The director revealed she came up with the idea at the last minute and the crew quickly worked to get their hands on exactly the same dress Jamie Lee wore in the original. Chad Michael Murray played love interest Jake in the original, who falls for Anna but only after she has swapped bodies with her mum Tess Now in a sequel Jake is a guest at Anna's wedding and his girlfriend is the spitting image of Tess post make-over with tie dye dress and pixie cut Jamie pictured in original Like Mother Like Daughter The movie opens just like the original, but now Anna is the mum and instead of being dragged out of bed like she needed to be, she a much gentler parent and softly wakes daughter Harper (Julia Butters) Later and again in similar scenes, while dropping the teen off at school, Anna calls out: 'Make good choices'. With Tess giving her a knowing look, clearly impressed that her daughter has followed in her footsteps. The movie opens just like the original, but now Anna is the mum and instead of being dragged out of bed like she needed to be, she a much gentler parent and softly wakes daughter Harper Later and again in similar scenes, while dropping the teen off at school, Anna calls to her daughter: 'Make good choices' Jamie Lee revealed why there was such a long gap between the two releases as she admitted she has long had her eye on a follow-up movie. 'The truth is that Lindsay had to be old enough to have a 15-year-old daughter, people would ask me about the movie over and over again,' she shared on The One Show. 'And finally someone in Australia said, ''well she is'' and I was like ''what do you mean?'' because I know her as this young girl so I don't know how old she is. 'So someone told me and I was, like ''Oh! well maybe we can make the movie. Let's go!''' Jamie Lee revealed why there was such a long gap between the two releases as she admitted she has long had her eye on a follow-up movie 'The truth is that Lindsay had to be old enough to have a 15-year-old daughter, people would ask me about the movie over and over again,' she shared on The One Show The film follows the bickering mother and daughter after a Chinese restaurant fortune cookie mishap causes them to switch bodies, forcing them to live the other's life. Despite barely having been able to see eye-to-eye, the magical switch eventually allows them to see things from the other's point of view. The sequel sees the iconic pairing switch places once again, though this time there is quadruple chaos in store. Anna (Lindsay) is preparing to tie the knot with to Eric Davies (Manny Jacinto), but things are proving difficult as her teenage daughter Harper (Julia Butters) despises Eric's teenager Lily (Sophia Hammons). Harper highlights her disgust as she's heard reciting mock wedding vows, in which she brands her soon-to-be step-sister 'a little demon thing with an obnoxious accent.' A flash forward to Anna's bachelorette party sees her and mother Tess Coleman sit down with a fortune teller (Vanessa Bayer), who warns them they may learn another lesson by 'walking in each others paths'. Anna and Tess then find themselves caught up in yet another 'freaky' body swap incident - only this time, it's not just between the two of them. The next morning, Anna discovers she's swapped bodies with daughter Harper, while Tess, aka 'Grandma', is now in the body of Anna's step-daughter Lily. Quadruple chaos then ensues as the foursome try to navigate their new roles with just days to go until the wedding. Corey Feldman has hit out at the toxic culture on Dancing with the Stars, taking aim at former professional dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiys public criticism of him just days before his return. Feldman, 54, was the first celebrity to be eliminated after struggling to win over public favor amid a maelstrom of talk about his work ethic on the hit ABC series. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year, Chmerkovskiy, 45, had laid bare the difficulty his sister-in-law Jenna Johnson, 31, faced when partnered with Feldman, demanding she be shown the 'respect' she deserved. Feldman has now broken his silence, revealing he was shocked at the toxicity of the mudslinging behind the scenes, and said Johnson simply rolled her eyes at Chmerkovskiys comments. There was a lot of stupidity in the mudslinging that went on behind the scenes, Feldman said. Actually there, everything was great. But the behind-the-scenes drama and BS that people throw around that show, I've never seen anything like it. It's the worst, like, most toxic. The Goonies actor delivered his damning verdict on the show ahead of his planned return for Tuesday nights finale in which Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix and Robert Irwin will compete for the coveted Mirrorball trophy. Corey Feldman has revealed he was shocked at the toxicity of the mudslinging behind the scenes on Dancing with the stars, days before his return for the final Feldman, 54, took aim at former DWTS pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 45, (pictured) who raised questions about the actor's work ethic in an interview with the Daily Mail Feldman said he is not excited to dance again or appear alongside his cast mates as he recalled how he was branded an egomaniac who was so difficult to work with. Feldman opened up about his time on set in a pre-recorded appearance on the Gurvey's Law Radio Show for AM 790 KABC Talk Radio, which will air in Los Angeles at 7pm on Sunday. On the set everybody gets along, he said. Everybody's great. Everybody's happy. You're working hard. You don't even have time to look up. You're just working. But then it's like you start reading these things in the paper, like, this person's mad at this person. These people aren't talking to each other. Or are people working hard enough?, Corey Feldman destroyed the show. He destroyed the whole show because he was such an egomaniac it's so difficult to work with. And then you're like, where is this coming from? And I asked Jen, I'm like, where is this coming from? She's like, oh, it's just Max. She rolls her eyes. She's like, oh it's just Max. Don't pay attention to him. He just wants attention. I was, like, oh my God. Feldmans dedication to the show was pulled into question days before the premiere in September. The actor missed rehearsals for five days and his apparent lack of practice showed, as he received the joint lowest score - a nine out of 20 - for his Tango to Billy Joel's It's Still Rock and Roll to Me. Insiders previously told the Daily Mail that this season was 'a s**t show' with multiple stars failing to commit to the demands of the competition. Feldman and Johnson became the first to be eliminated days after she claimed the actor had gone missing 'They chose a few stars - and I use that term loosely - who just don't want to put in the work,' the source said at the time. 'Some just don't seem as committed as others have in the past. 'Yes, Corey is one of them. It takes work to win Dancing with the Stars. Rehearsals, practice, really immersing yourself, and a few people don't seem to want to do that.' Speaking to the Daily Mail around the same time, Chmerkovskiy said: 'Obviously, Jenna has a bit of an uphill climb with Corey, which is easy for everybody to say from [outside], but I know that she's having a much more difficult time with this entire thing and to the point that it is really difficult for her. 'And so, I wish her all the best. We're here. Obviously, we're all together if you need to be, but you're talking about a reigning champ, so put some respect on the name, everybody.' Feldman and Johnson were voted off in a double week one elimination. Speaking about his return, he said: 'I will be on again this coming week. You know, they bring everybody back for the finale. We get to dance one more time.' Asked if he was 'excited', Feldman responded: 'No. No.' If his feelings for the beloved ballroom show weren't evident enough, when Gurvey's co-host Kerri Kasem claimed she was 'jealous' of him being on the show, he snapped: 'Dont be.' Staying Alive icon Finola Hughes bundled up for a laid-back outing in Los Angeles this past week. The soap icon, 66, cloaked herself in an olive green pea coat, grey sweater, white ankle boots and a tan suede hat. Textured black messenger bag looped across her chest, Hughes was a vision of fall fashion as she ran errands solo on Wednesday. The British actress famously starred opposite John Travolta in the 1983 film Staying Alive, the sequel to the legendary Saturday Night Fever. She was the beautiful dancer who captured Travolta's heart, a role she nabbed early in her impressive acting career. Not only did she sizzle on the big screen but she became a force to be reckoned with in the world of soap operas with long-time roles in All My Children and General Hospital. Staying Alive icon Finola Hughes bundled up for a laid-back outing in Los Angeles this past week She was the beautiful dancer who captured his heart, a role she nabbed early in her impressive acting career Hughes' small screen success also consisted of leading roles in the hit series Charmed and Blossom. The fashionista also demonstrated her style prowess as the host of the reality makeover show, How Do I Look? This past year saw Hughes mark a major milestone - 40 years since she first appeared on General Hospital. 'Its literally crazy,' she told Soap Opera Digest. 'Forty years since you saw the whites of my eyes the very first time?! Wow.' The anniversary also marked four decades living in the United States for Hughes. 'Its 40 years in America, so thats part of the celebration. Ive been back and forth [from the show], but the character has always been a mainstay of mine, and somewhere Ive always found parts of myself,' she said. 'I love playing Anna, I really do.' While the world may be more familiar with her acting skills, Hughes initially gravitated towards dance as a kid. Her acting credentials include a long-time role in the beloved 90s series Blossom Finola pictured hitting the dance floor with Travolta in Staying Alive Their 1983 film was directed by Sylvester Stallone; Finola and Travolta pictured in the film The former How Do I Look? host was a vision of fall fashion in an olive green pea coat and white ankle boots Hughes faced the autumn chill with a grey sweater featuring fingerless gloves 'I went to a school and then a college of performing arts, so from the age of 10, I was acting I would get different jobs and I would go off and do a little TV series or whatever but I never took it seriously,' she told Soap Opera Digest. 'Dance was what I really had an affinity for. When it came time for me to transfer up to the college, they asked me if I would go into the acting side. And in my mind, I was like, "No! I have to do dance now, while Im 16 or 17," whatever age that I was. So I went and did that. But Id be lying if I said that I hadnt always loved acting. I just didnt concentrate on it. My mind was just on dance.' Hughes' dancing skills came in handy when she tried out for the role of Laura in the Sylvester Stallone directed film Staying Alive. Auditions consisted of her learning the routine before dancing with Travolta himself. She got the part the same day she tried out for the role. The star browsed through her phone 'Sly [Stallone] was there, and then they sort of said, "Yeah, youve got the role,"' she told Remind. 'They told me right there.' Hughes had high words for both her co-star and director. 'He was the sweetest,' Hughes, who was in Los Angeles for the first time at the time of filming Staying Alive, said of Travolta. 'Hes just lovely. He was so supportive and so kind and kind of took me under his wing a little bit because Id never been to Hollywood and he really looked after me. He made sure that I was taken care of, and he just is great.' Of Stallone, she gushed: 'He was fantastic, very spontaneous.' 'He likes things to be spontaneous, and I think that was good for me because I didnt know how to do that,' she continued. 'I didnt really know how to do anything. Im being completely honest I had no idea what I was doing, and John would sort of give me little clues. I think they were always trying to loosen me up, so they would surprise me sometimes. They understood that they were working with a complete newbie.' But Hughes didn't have the same praise when it came to her own acting ability. 'I think my acting sucked,' she said. 'I was up for a Razzie Award [for Worst Supporting Actress and Worst New Star], which I now know is kind of in good standing.' The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss revealed she has split from husband Todd Tucker after 11 years together. The reality TV personality, 49, shared that she has made the decision to file for divorce from Tucker, 52, on Friday, as she detailed the 'difficult and emotional time' they're going through. 'After deep thought and a lot of prayer, Ive made the decision to move forward with a divorce,' she said in a statement to People. 'This is a difficult and emotional time, but my focus remains on protecting my peace, being the best mother I can be, and co-parenting with love and respect.' The star who recently underwent a weight loss transformation added that she is 'stepping into a new chapter pouring into my work, my family, and my own growth.' Burruss, who shares two kids with Tucker, added that she is grateful to those who supported them over the years and asked for 'privacy, grace, and understanding as we navigate this transition with our family.' The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss, 49, revealed she has split from husband Todd Tucker, 52, after 11 years together; Seen in 2022 The pair share two children together: son Ace, nine, and daughter Blaze, five, whom they welcomed via surrogate. Burruss also has daughter Riley, 23, from a previous relationship with ex Russell Spencer, and Tucker has daughter Kaela, 29. Burruss and Tucker met in 2011 while filming season four of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. They got engaged in January 2013 and married the following April. The split announcement comes just days after Burruss thanked Tucker in her acceptance speech, after receiving the Wifetime Achievement Award at The Bravos during BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas on November 14. 'To Todd, thank you for surviving the blogs the shade, the rumors, the lies, the truth, the almost fights, the actual fights, the reunions... You earned this award too,' she said. The couple have joined forces professionally on numerous ventures, including a soul food restaurant chain in Georgia, a trucking company, and a Bravo series centered on their family and the restaurant business. The couple last posted each other to their Instagram accounts on October 8, when they both shared photos from a family day of apple picking with their kids. The reality TV star shared that she has made the decision to file for divorce from Tucker on Friday, as she detailed the 'difficult and emotional time' they're going through; Seen in 2022 'After deep thought and a lot of prayer, Ive made the decision to move forward with a divorce,' she said in a statement to People; The two seen in 2024 It comes just days after Burruss thanked Tucker in her acceptance speech, after receiving the Wifetime Achievement Award at The Bravos during BravoCon 2025 on November 14 'To Todd, thank you for surviving the blogs the shade, the rumors, the lies, the truth, the almost fights, the actual fights, the reunions... You earned this award too,' she said The pair last posted each other to their Instagram accounts on October 8, when they shared photos from a day of apple picking with their kids: son Ace, nine, and daughter Blaze, five They were seen smiling together as they posed with their two kids. 'Field tripping with @acetucker & @blazetucker!' Burruss wrote in the caption. Meanwhile Tucker shared similar snaps to his page, writing, 'I hope these little apples dont fall far the tree! Had so much fun with @acetucker and @blazetucker at the Apple Patch!' Burruss joined RHOA in 2009 during season two. At the time, she was a single mother to her daughter Riley. Tucker, meanwhile, worked behind the scenes as a production manager before their relationship turned romantic. In March 2022, Burruss marked their eight wedding anniversary with a photo video montage, writing, 'We've got that forever kind of love!' She added, 'You were the perfect man for me. I'm a better me with you! 8 years down & a lifetime to go!' Tucker shared similar sentiments on his page, writing, 'We have a forever kinda of love! I look forward to our future and a life time [sic] of love. Happy anniversary to my amazing wife @kandi I Love you!' Tucker frequently clashed with his mother-in-law, Mama Joyce Jones, on the reality series. Jones claimed he was only after her daughter's money. The tension dates back to the early days of their relationship, when Jones labeled him a 'gold-digging opportunist' on the Bravo series. Jones reignited drama at BravoCon 2022 when she was unable to name three nice things about Tucker. Burruss and Tucker met in 2011 while filming season four of The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Seen in a still). They got engaged in January 2013 and married the following April Aside from their two kids, Burruss also has daughter Riley, 23, from a previous relationship and Tucker has daughter Kaela, 29; The pair seen in 2022 Tucker frequently clashed with his mother-in-law, Mama Joyce Jones, on the reality series. Jones once labeled him a 'gold-digging opportunist'; Burruss seen with her mom in 2022 Burruss said the pair ultimately reconciled the following year. 'That BravoCon last year set it off in my household. They werent talking. If she came around, Todd would leave,' she recalled at BravoCon 2023. 'It was a whole mess. I guess over the summer, he decided to let it go. They started communicating. She comes over and hangs out with the kids,' she added. After 14 seasons, Burruss announced in February 2024 that she was departing from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. 'I decided Im not coming back this year,' she told Variety on the red carpet at the 2024 Grammy Awards. 'It's been 14 seasons, and they allowed us to sit around for a little too long, but during that time I had started working on a lot of other things, and I got some nice big projects coming soon, so Im super excited about those things.' Barbra Streisand has shared her 'regret' at selling off a painting by the legendary Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, after buying it in 1969 for just $17,000. A different piece by Klimt - the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer - was sold by Sotheby's this Tuesday for $236 million, becoming the second most expensive painting ever bought at auction behind Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci. In the wake of the feverishly publicized purchase, Streisand wistfully shared the story of the Klimt she once let slip through her fingers. Streisand, 83, once owned his 1912 opus Ria Munk on her Deathbed, a rendering of a woman who killed herself after being jilted by her playboy fiance. She acquired the artwork the year she won her first Oscar for her 1968 movie debut Funny Girl, based on the Broadway musical that first propelled her to stardom. However she offloaded the piece in 1998 - 27 years before the $236 million sale of Klimt's painting of Elisabeth Lederer, who incidentally was Ria Munk's cousin. Barbra Streisand has shared her 'regret' at selling off a painting by the legendary Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, one she bought in 1969 for just $17,000; pictured 2019 Streisand told her story on Instagram, alongside a throwback black-and-white photo of herself surrounded by some paintings she owned including her Klimt. 'My longtime assistant made me a book of art that Ive loved and sold. One of them was this painting of Miss Ria Munk on her Deathbed by Gustav Klimt that I bought in 1969 for $17,000, which seemed like a lot of money at the time,' she said. 'I sold it in 1998 because I became interested in Frank Lloyd Wright and the Arts & Crafts movement. Oh how I regret selling her. As the title of the book says, You should never sell art you love,"' added the People hitmaker. Klimt was one of the reigning art world figures during the decline of the Habsburg Empire and remains celebrated to this day for his role in spearheading the Vienna Secession, a local offshoot of the groundbreaking Art Nouveau movement. Maria 'Ria' Munk was a Viennese girl from a prominent Jewish family - her great-granduncle was Joseph Pulitzer, for whom the prize is named. In her 20s, she fell for the much older German horror novelist Hanns Heinz Ewers, and in spite of his widespread reputation as a womanizer she got engaged to him. Streisand acquired the artwork the year she won her first Oscar for her 1968 movie debut Funny Girl; she is pictured with her trophy at the 1969 Academy Awards The 83-year-old once owned Klimt's 1912 painting Ria Munk on her Deathbed, a rendering of a woman who killed herself after being jilted by her playboy fiance Ewers broke the engagement - calling Munk 'a hopeless romantic and out of touch with reality,' according to Klimt's biographers Jane Rogoyska and Patrick Bade - and left her so crushed that she shot herself. Her heartbroken mother Aranka commissioned three paintings of her late daughter from Klimt, the one of her in death that Streisand owned plus two of her in life. Meanwhile the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer was commissioned at the dawn of World War I by the subject's parents, the Viennese Jewish industrialist August Lederer and his wife Serena - Aranka Munk's sister - who were Klimt's leading patrons. When the Third Reich swallowed up Austria in the Anschluss, the Lederer collection was plundered by the Gestapo and stored at Immendorf Castle in Lower Austria. On the last day of the European Theater of World War II, the retreating Germans burned the castle with the art inside to prevent their seizure by the Red Army. However the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer survived the war, having been sloughed off into a Viennese auction house rather than kept at Immendorf Castle because the Nazis had regarded portraits of Jews as unworthy of preservation for themselves. A different painting by Klimt - Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, which - was sold by Sotheby's this Tuesday for $236 million; pictured at a press preview at Sotheby's on November 7 The real Elisabeth was stuck in Vienna during the war, but managed to avoid being murdered in the Holocaust because she had an ex-brother-in-law high up in Nazi officialdom who helped her pretend to be the daughter of the late Klimt, a Gentile. However she succumbed to an illness at the age of 50 in October 1944, six months before Vienna was liberated by the advancing Soviets. In the postwar period, Klimt's Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer was restored to her brother and later wound up in the hands of one of Estee Lauder's sons for 40 years until he died this June, prompting the painting to be sold by Sotheby's at auction this week. Ethan Slater has restarted the rumor mill with regards to the state of his relationship with his girlfriend and Wicked co-star Ariana Grande. The romance began as an on-set affair during the shoot of their two-part film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, the second half of which bows this Friday. They were plunged into scandal on account of the fact Slater was married to his now ex-wife Lilly Jay, who shares a three-year-old son with him. In recent months, Slater, 33, and Grande, 32, were trailed by breakup speculation, inasmuch as they were not been seen together from April until this month. This Monday they appeared to quash the conjecture by posing side by side in cast group shots at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good. However Slater kicked up another dust-cloud of rumors by uncomfortably dodging a question about his relationship with Grande on the Today show. Ethan Slater has restarted the rumor mill with regards to the state of his relationship with his girlfriend and Wicked co-star Ariana Grande When he was asked about the experience of 'working with your girlfriend everyday,' Slater sidestepped the subject and instead spoke in vague terms about how 'incredible' the 'entire cast' of his movie is. Slater did call Grande 'brilliant' but also hailed her co-star Cynthia Erivo as 'remarkable,' rhapsodizing that seeing them both act 'from such a high level up close' was a 'pretty special' experience for him. A source recently insisted that Slater and Grande are 'still together' despite the couple keeping their distance at last week's Wicked: For Good premiere in London. They were said to have met up following the red carpet and screening. An insider said: 'Ariana and Ethan are still a couple but they've seen the chatter online and it's not been easy. 'They were both at the Leicester Square premiere and the after-party at Brasserie Zedel but made sure they weren't seen together.' The source continued to tell The Sun how they are both reluctant for their relationship to play out in public. This Monday they appeared to quash the conjecture by posing side by side in cast group shots at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good They added: 'When Ariana left the after-party, she went back to her hotel suite. 'Not long after, Ethan was taken there and went up to see Ariana to spend time with her.' The Daily Mail contacted representatives for Ariana and Ethan at that time. Then this Monday, Grande and Slater were seen posing side by side in group shots at the New York City premiere of their new film. Last month the Daily Mail told how Grande and Slater's plans for a wedding were put on hold, and while they haven't been pictured together since April, sources claimed they've been 'on and off' for several months. When news of their romance broke in July 2023, Grande had just split from her husband Dalton Gomez, while Slater was still married to Lilly Jay with whom he shared a then one-year-old son. That November, claims surfaced that the duo had taken their relationship to the next level, with Grande said to be living with the Spongebob Squarepants actor in New York City, during his turn in Broadway musical Spamalot. When their relationship first went public, Grande and Slater were plunged into scandal on account of the fact Slater was married to his now ex-wife Lilly Jay (left) Months later a furor broke out over the release of her singles Yes, and? and The Boy Is Mine. Yes, and? appears to take aim at the hate she received over their romance and in The Boy Is Mine she also sings about a man she shouldn't date because she 'don't wanna cause no scene' as she is 'usually so unproblematic'. Critics have been feeding on signs their romance is not built to last and have long speculated that they have in fact silently split. Many have suggested they will not make it known until after Wicked: For Good premieres and the hype dies down so as not to overshadow the release and the run up to the 2026 awards season. Sources previously told the Daily Mail that Grande's career and level of fame has been another obstacle Slater himself described her fans as 'ferocious' and 'intense' in a recent interview. Billie Piper enjoyed a joint birthday party with her long-time friend Jeremy Langmead in London on Friday night. The pals teamed up together to celebrate their big days as close pals and celebrity friends attended. Billie, who turned 43 in September, dazzled for the bash in the capital, which was held Upstairs at Langan's. The actress served a bold, sultry look in a sheer black minidress for the evening. Her long-sleeved dress boasted black lace and beaded embroidery. Billie was celebrating with friend Jeremy, who is the brand director of luxury men's fashion retailer MR PORTER. Billie, who turned 43 in September, dazzled for the bash in the capital, showing off her incredible figure as she smiled for pictures The actress served a bold, sultry look in a sheer black minidress for the evening with her long-sleeved dress boasting black lace and beaded embroidery She and her long-time friend Jeremy Langmead celebrated their birthdays together with celebrity friends Guests in attendance included fashion designer Harris Reed, Woody Cook who was the DJ for the evening, actress Bel Powley and Dominic Cooper. Other actors present included Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Jenna Coleman and David Tennant and his wife Georgia Tennant. Irish chat show host Graham Norton was also snapped enjoying the night, as was Fearne Cotton and her new boyfriend Elliot Hegarty. Billie's sisters Harley and Elle Piper were also spotted at the party as they watched their sister blow out her candles. It's been a big year for Billie, who sent fans into meltdown in June when she replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the Doctor Who season finale. She first starred as the companion to the ninth Doctor in 2005, playing Rose Tyler alongside Christopher Eccleston's Time Lord. Billie will now be the second woman to take on the role as the Time Lord after Jodie Whittaker portrayed the 13th Doctor. At the time, the actress said in a statement: 'It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse.' (L to R) Billie Piper, Jeremy Langmead, Douglas Booth, Bel Powley, Richard Madden, Jenna Coleman and Gemma Chan attend a joint birthday party for Billie Piper and Jeremy Langmead Billie's sisters Harley and Elle Piper were also spotted at the party as they watched their sister blow out her candles It's been a big year for Billie, who sent fans into meltdown in June when she replaced Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, with the character regenerating during the Doctor Who season finale Actor Richard Madden attended the bash and posed with Billie for a snap whilst they enjoyed a drink and catch up together Bel Powley served up a chic look for the party Richard Madden and Gemma Chan pictured getting on like a house on fire Fearne Cotton and her new boyfriend Elliot Hegarty enjoyed the party Jenna Coleman was also snapped enjoying the night Richard Madden and Dominic Cooper couldn't contain their laughter at one point during the night Left to right: Douglas Booth, Bel Powley, Gemma Chan and Dominic Cooper It was also reported earlier this year the star has rekindled her relationship with ex boyfriend Johnny Lloyd. She confirmed she had split from musician Johnny, who is frontman of the band Tribes, in March 2024 after eight years together. Fans have spotted the exes kissing during an outing in the summer with their daughter Tallulah, seven, at a London pub. The family were enjoying a country music gig at a Notting Hill bar, with Billie, 43, spotted beaming as she and Johnny, 39, chatted to friends outside. An onlooker told The Sun: 'Billie and Johnny were all over each other. They looked really cute together. Billie beamed as their daughter Tallulah sat on her lap. 'Billie rested her elbow on Johnny's shoulder as the band belted out country music covers - they all looked blissfully happy. 'The family trio left around 8pm, thanking the band with handshakes and kisses as they left the venue.' Celebs Go Dating is reportedly hoping to sign Married At First Sight star, Lucinda Light, as its first star for their 2026 series. The Australian personality, 44, is believed to be keen on joining the E4 reality show after her last jump at finding love on TV didn't go to plan. And Channel 4 bosses are reportedly equally keen to sign her, according to The Sun. A source told the publication: 'She's in talks with E4 bosses and everyone really wants her on board.' The Daily Mail contacted Channel 4 for a comment. Lucinda starred on MAFS Australia last year, marrying business owner Timothy Smith, 52. Celebs Go Dating is reportedly hoping to sign Married At First Sight star, Lucinda Light, 44, as its first star for their 2026 series The Australian personality is believed to be keen on joining the E4 reality show after her last jump at finding love on TV didn't go to plan (pictured Timothy Smith on MAFS) The pair failed to make their marriage work and decided to leave the process after failing to strike up a romantic connection. They initially remained friends, but Tim went on to unfollow Lucinda on Instagram, claimed she had let the fame get to her head, and was now 'a little different to who he had been married to during filming.' Lucinda responded by saying that she's sorry if she hurt him, adding: 'I only wish Tim all the love and success'. The talks for show comes after she embarked on an Australian tour in January 2025, following a successful stint across the UK. But ahead of the first show, she took to Instagram to beg followers to buy her tickets; some were shocked to see she was charging almost $200 for a meet-and-greet. Her five-day speaking tour general admission tickets were priced at $49 to $59, but for fans who wanted to meet the marriage celebrant face-to-face had to fork out $189. Followers who splashed cash on the pricey ticket were also allowed front row seats to the 90-minute show, which will take place in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Just weeks before the first show, tickets appeared to be under-performing due to the exorbitant price, with only 24.1 per cent of Sydney tickets sold, reported Yahoo Lifestyle. And Channel 4 bosses are reportedly equally keen to sign her, according to The Sun. A source told the publication: 'She's in talks with E4 bosses and everyone really wants her on board' Meanwhile, 17 per cent of the Perth tickets were bought, and the front stalls section of Lucinda's Melbourne show was 56 per cent sold. Lucinda kicked off her Australian speaking tour in Perth at the Regal Hall on January 23 before jetting to Sydney for a January 25 show at City Recital Hall. January 30 saw Lucinda perform at the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne before she finishes her tour in Brisbane at the Powerhouse on February 1. The drugs hidden in tea packages that were seized by police. Photo by police Vietnamese police have dismantled a major transnational drug trafficking network, arresting 13 suspects and seizing 777 kg of synthetic narcotics, the Ministry of Public Security's Drug Crime Investigation Police Department announced Thursday. The months-long operation began in July after investigators detected suspicious activity involving two Hanoi residents. Around the same time, border guards identified a separate Laos-to-Vietnam smuggling ring run by two organizers from Nghe An and Phu Tho provinces. Subsequent probes found out that the networks were connected. Police described the ring as "highly sophisticated and tightly organized." The alleged mastermind, identified only as "Long", is a fugitive hiding overseas. Operatives worked in isolated cells, communicating solely via encrypted apps like Telegram and Signal under pseudonyms and never meeting in person. Drugs were cached in remote drop points, with couriers receiving only GPS coordinates and photos. One key suspect, 43-year-old Chu Anh Tuan from Phu Tho, was recruited by Long during a trip abroad and paid VND3 million (US$115) per kg to receive and distribute shipments inside Vietnam. In May, Tuan allegedly took delivery of 300 kg at a local stadium, temporarily stashed the drugs at a relatives house, repackaged them, and relocated the cache near a cemetery. Couriers then collected batches of 2-24 kg each, and the entire 300 kg were moved undetected within two months. In August, another operative, Tran Duc Thanh, agreed to smuggle 930 kg from Laos to Hanoi for $250,000. He hired a container truck that crossed the border carrying 49 sacks of narcotics. The load was delivered to Tuan on Aug. 17 and again hidden at his relatives residence. Over the following month, more than 200 kg were distributed nationwide, including to southern Vietnam. At 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, police simultaneously raided sites in Phu Tho, arresting Tuan and several accomplices and seizing 706 kg of synthetic drugs, a vacuum-sealing equipment and documents. Coordinated raids in other provinces netted 11 more suspects and an additional 70 kg. Police later identified Long as Tran Van Quyet, a 40-year-old Ho Chi Minh City resident already wanted on two prior drug-trafficking warrants. Quyet is believed to be hiding near the Golden Triangle and continues to orchestrate large shipments with foreign partners. They described the bust as a major victory and a demonstration of close coordination between police and border defense forces. On Oct. 6, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a commendation letter praising the units involved. George Clooney looked classically handsome in a grey suit as he joined Adam Sandler out in London on Friday ahead of the release of their film Jay Kelly. The actor, 64, who plays movie star Jay Kelly in the upcoming Netflix film opposite Adam, 59. For their outing, George paired his two-piece with a black shirt, a black scarf and a pair of orange-tinted sunglasses. Meanwhile, Adam opted for a more casual ensemble as he stepped out in a large green padded coat, layered over a blue shirt. He completed his look with a pair of loose-fitting brown trousers and some black leather shoes. Jay Kelly sees George taking on the role of a movie star who 'always plays himself'. George Clooney looked classically handsome in a grey suit as he joined Adam Sandler out in London on Friday ahead of the Jay Kelly release The actor, 64, who plays movie star Jay Kelly in the upcoming Netflix film opposite Adam, 59 (pictured) In the first trailer for the film, the actor is seen questioning his life choices, despite being fawned over by fans and staff. On a trip to an Italian film festival in his honour, joined by his manager, played by Adam, he's hailed as the 'hero of cinema' before being brutally asked about always playing himself. To which he snaps back: 'You know how difficult it is to be yourself? You try it.' George's character is seen continually reminding himself that he is 'Jay Kelly' as he and his pal embark on a whirlwind trip through Europe, as it appears the glamour of showbiz has lost its appeal. The movie is directed by Greta's husband and fellow Barbie scribe Noah Baumbach, who wrote the script alongside British actress Emily Mortimer. The official synopsis reads: 'Two middle-aged friends rediscover their youthful spirit during a chaotic weekend reunion, facing hilarious mishaps and heartfelt moments that force them to finally grow up.' George has had an illustrious career spanning 40 years, in which he's bagged an Academy Award for his role in Syriana in addition to a wealth of other accolades. But during a recent interview with Variety, the Ocean's 11 star was asked about the doubts about his range as an actor, with George furiously snapping back: 'Do people say that I only play myself? I don't give a sh*t.' For their outing, George paired his two piece with a black shirt, a black scarf and a pair of orange-tined sunglasses Meanwhile, Adam opted for a more casual ensemble as he stepped out in a large green padded coat, layered over a blue shirt Jay Kelly sees George taking on the role of a movie star who 'always plays himself' In the first trailer for the film, the actor is seen questioning his life choices, despite being fawned over by fans and staff Echoing a quote from his character in the upcoming project, Jay Kelly, he added: Have you ever tried playing yourself? It's hard to do.' The Hollywood hunk continued: 'I've been the beneficiary of having my career not be massively successful in lots of different directions. 'I didn't really get successful, in the kind of success that can be blinding, until I was 33 years old [when ER began]. I'd been working for 12 years at that point. 'I had a real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly.' Jay Kelly will be released in select theatres on November 14 before being available for streaming on Netflix on December 5. Gemma Collins has revealed she is now microdosing on Mounjaro after fearing the weight loss jab had left her with 'agonising' health woes. The TOWIE star revealed to the Daily Mail last month that she had a 'gallbladder attack' in August after dropping to the floor in pain. The star has gone from a size 26 to a size 20 and lost 3.5st since taking the jab, and now Gemma has revealed she is back on the jab after taking a break. 'I had to stop the jabs for a bit because I had a gallbladder attack in August, but they've assured me that it's not actually linked to Mounjaro,' Gemma told The Mirror. 'I've given it a rest and I've really been managing what I've been eating. But I think I'm going to start microdosing because I feel with the microdosing, you don't get all the [side] effects.' Gemma followed the guidance to increase her dosage incrementally, from the starting dose of 2.5mg, to the maximum dose of 15mg a week. Gemma Collins has revealed she stopped Mounjaro amid fears the weight loss jab left her with agonising gall bladder attack - but she will now start 'microdosing' (pictured in August) The star has gone from a size 26 to a size 20 and lost 3.5st since taking the jab, and now Gemma has revealed she is back on the jab after taking a break (pictured last year) But she now confirmed she will be sticking to the 2.5mg dosage as that was her favourite amount. Hailing the drug as 'life changing' she continued: 'I've lost about 3st and kept it off. I just feel good. I'm never going to look stick thin. I don't want to look stick thin. It's not who I am. But it's about being healthier. So it's all going in the right direction.' Her end is goal is to lose 6st in total from her original weight but she isn't in any rush to drop the weight dramatically. One of the reported common side effects to taking Mounjaro is gallstones, according to Superdrug doctor Dr Babak Ashrafi. He wrote on the company website: 'Gallbladder problems such as gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) are rare but serious side effects of Mounjaro. 'GLP-1 inhibitors like Mounjaro can cause gallbladder problems because they can reduce the amount of a hormone called cholecystokinin, which is important for healthy gallbladder function.' The Mounjaro patient leaflet also warns gallstones is a common side effect. She shared: 'I've given it a rest and I've really been managing what I've been eating. But I think I'm going to start microdosing because I feel with the microdosing, you don't get all the [side] effects' (pictured in August) Her end is goal is to lose 6st in total from her original weight but she isn't in any rush to drop the weight dramatically (pictured last week) A spokeswoman for Eli Lilly, which makes Mounjaro, told the publication that patient safety is their top priority and they actively monitor, evaluate and report safety information for all their medicines to [regulatory agency] MHRA. While Gemma has proudly displayed the results of her weight loss, she also suffered from a more immediate side effect from the jabs. Gemma was left concerned that her weight loss made her 'look older' as she shared a candid Instagram post, pointing out her 'next level' crow's feet. She previously said: 'I really don't know what's happened to me, I really don't, it's just come on me overnight. But it has been a year since I've had any little tweakments. 'I don't know if it's since I've been losing weight. I sure haven't got "Ozempic face" yet, but it would be the dream right now. 'I've always had a fuller face, as you know. I do like the expression around my eyes. I want to look natural still. But this just isn't right. 'What has happened? I am 44, but this is taking it to levels that I never, ever imagined it'd get to.' Strictly Come Dancing's George Clarke and Alexis Warr enjoyed a day at the arcades as they stepped out for rehearsals ahead of the Blackpool ballroom special. The podcast star, 25, and the professional dancer looked in high spirits as they wore matching I Love Blackpool T-shirts. Meanwhile, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin explored the city's sights on an open-top bus tour. Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke also explored the city as they enjoyed a virtual game at the pier. Lewis Cope and Katya Jones had a craving for the local cuisine and enjoyed a tray of fish and chips. George's outing comes after he went official with his lingerie model girlfriend as the pair walked the red carpet together at the TikTok awards earlier this month. Strictly Come Dancing's George Clarke and Alexis Warr enjoyed a day at the arcades as they stepped out for rehearsals ahead of the Blackpool ballroom special Meanwhile, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin explored the city's sights on an open-top bus tour Making their debut at the awards held at Magazine London in North Greenwich, the influencer looked smitten as he kissed girlfriend Yasmin Amelia. Nominated for Creator of the Year, for which he was highly commended, George didnt hold back introducing Yasmin to his friends. Amelia too boasts almost 40,000 followers on Instagram and is signed to Jadore Models agency. The pair kissed on the lips as they posed for photos with other creator Max Balegde, 26, and his boyfriend and fellow influencer, Andrew Spanndy. When asked about how he was planning on celebrating, George said: Ive got to get up at 7am tomorrow, Ive got to get home to bed. Its getting a lot tougher but I feel like I know what I am doing a lot more now. Speaking about the event meanwhile, Amelia told the Daily Mail: This is a whole new world to me. Wearing a pinstripe navy suit and white shirt, Yasmin opted for a white lace off the shoulder gown. Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke also explored the city as they enjoyed a virtual game at the pier Lewis Cope and Katya Jones had a craving for the local cuisine and enjoyed a tray of fish and chips George was announced as the sixth celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025. But his showbiz roots go deeper than his online personality, because his dad is the studio boss at an iconic British production company. George's dad is Sean Clarke, the managing director of Aardman Animations - the studio behind British institution Wallace And Gromit. Starting out at the company in 1998, George's dad Sean worked his way up, co-producing Early Man and the two Shaun The Sheep movies - and in 2019 was announced as the new boss of the whole operation. Usually kids look to their parents for inspiration, but Sean has previously admitted his son's YouTube success inspired him to make changes at Aardman. Born and raised in the UK, George began experimenting with video content as a teenager, quickly discovering the power of humour and honesty to connect with people around the world. George's outing comes after he went official with his lingerie model girlfriend as the pair walked the red carpet together at the TikTok awards earlier this month Since then he has built a thriving digital career with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, drawn to his authenticity and sharp comedic voice. He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has proven so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK. Before going onto the dancing show, fans claimed he was dating model Yasmin during a livestream on social media. However, last night, the pair went red carpet official. Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has shared rare snaps with her boyfriend Simon Davidson as she celebrated their anniversary. The professional dancer, 43, has found love again after her 'toxic' marriage to Jordan Wyn-Jones, who she wed in 2022 after they met online, but divorced just 16 months later. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Karen celebrated her second anniversary with her ex-rugby player boyfriend Simon, 35. Sharing an array of loved-up snaps with Simon, Karen wrote: '2 years..You've got all my love Happy anniversary.' Within the snaps were pictures of Karen and Simon cosying up together as they attended a concert. Meanwhile in another sweet display Simon was seen picking up Karen as the pair went to share a kiss. Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer, 43, has shared rare snaps with her boyfriend Simon Davidson, 35, as she celebrated their anniversary Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Karen celebrated her second anniversary with her ex-rugby player boyfriend Simon Elsewhere the couple shared some pictures from lavish holidays together and an array of funny selfies. It comes after Karen broke down in tears as she spoke about the breakdown of her toxic third marriage to Jordan for the first time. Speaking in a moving interview on Paul C. Brunson's We Need To Talk podcast, Karen accused her ex of leaving her 'emotionally battered', and admitted she was lying to loved ones about her struggles. She said: 'I was just in panic mode, panic mode, love should not be panic. It's almost like he made up things to scare me so that I wouldn't go anywhere. 'But it's OK and I get on with it, I get on with it and smile because I don't want to cause trouble, I don't want to shake things up because that puts you in a bad mood which then makes my day really awful, and that's the state I lived in... 'I was not only lying to my family and friends and they were seeing it, but I was lying to him as well, because that was the only way I could get through the day, that would keep the peace.' Breaking down in tears, Karen added that she begun to suffer hair loss caused by autoimmune disease alopecia, which she believes was her nervous system responding to the stress she was under. She went onto reveal that on the day she was due to marry Jordan, her brother confronted her and said she needed to leave the relationship. Within the snaps were pictures of Karen and Simon cosying up together as they attended a concert Elsewhere the couple shared some pictures from lavish holidays together and an array of funny selfies Sharing an array of loved-up snaps with Simon, Karen wrote: '2 years..You've got all my love Happy anniversary; The pair were also seen by a lake as they enjoyed a day out with their two dogs When Karen and Jordan tied the knot in Hampshire, they sold their wedding snaps to magazine Hello!, and at the time she described her big day as a 'fairytale.' But in her hard-hitting interview with Paul, Karen painted a very different story, revealing: 'Everyone was trying to stop this from happening and I wish they would have just taken me, grabbed me and put me in a car, and I would have kicked and screamed, but I wouldn't have gone through more hell.' Speaking of Jordan, she said: 'He didn't hurt me physcally so you couldn't see it. It was there, digging, digging, digging ... Every dig every text, every call, why did I let someone do that to me?' Karen added that her friends eventually tried to stage an intervention to try and convince her to end the relationship. Sharing her most challenging moment in the ordealKaren said: 'There was a weekend I had to work but Pink was in concert and my two best friends, we got tickets and I was able to get away as an excuse as well that I was working down in London so I came down. 'I cried for the first 35 minutes of the show. The freedom of being out there with my friends and them holding me up. And going, "You have to do this". 'And then obviously the phone call from him (Jordan), "Why did you take your luggage?" It's almost that he knew what was coming. 'I remember that moment, "I have to, I have to do it because if not something is going to happen to me".' The dancer married Jordan in 2022 after they met online, but they divorced just 16 months later Karen said things turned nasty between herself and Jordan following their split, adding: 'He started losing control of me and it was game-on from him. 'He pulled every shot, every string, did everything he needed to do to try and get my attention and try to get me away from what I was doing to go and see him.' The star admitted that Jordan begged her to take him back insisting he 'would change,' but he still made their divorce 'difficult.' Originally from Brighton, Jordan was living in Sydney when he began following Karen on Instagram. She followed him back and they began to exchange messages before regularly speaking on FaceTime. The businessman eventually relocated to the UK, with the couple marrying in 2022, but the marriage soon crumbled and the couple announced their separation just 16-months later. Kristen Stewart joined Imogen Poots for a special screening of their movie The Chronology Of Water at White City House in London on Saturday. The pair beamed for photos and could be seen laughing on stage during an interview with Briony Hanson, the British Council's Director of Film. Imogen, 36, looked incredibly chic in a brown lace top and suede midi skirt, while Kristen, 35, cut a casual display in a burnt orange jacket. A few friends joined the pair for their event including Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein, 45. The movie has received lots of praise by critics as it focuses on difficult topics, such as childhood trauma and addiction. Earlier this month, Kristen accepted the Rising Star Director Award at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival for her directorial debut. Imogen Poots (L), 36, joined Kristen Stewart (R), 35, for a special screening of their movie The Chronology Of Water at White City House in London on Saturday The pair beamed for photos and could be seen on stage during an interview with Briony Hanson, the British Council's Director of Film The Chronology of Water, which she also co-produced and adapted for the screen from the visceral 2011 memoir by American swimmer Lidia Yuknavitch. Imogen stars as Lidia in the heartfelt drama, which tells her story about becoming a competitive swimmer after surviving an abusive childhood. Rounding out the talented cast for the drama are Jim Belushi, Tom Sturridge, Thora Birch and Sonic Youth rock band's Kim Gordon. Kirsten first presented the film at Cannes Film Festival earlier in May, where the film was met with critical acclaim and a standing ovation. Variety called it 'a stirring drama of abuse and salvation, told with poetic passion', while Indiewire critic David Ehrlich said 'there isn't a single millisecond of this movie that doesn't bristle with the raw energy of an artist'. Following the Cannes premiere, Kristen opened up about her passion to tell Lidia's story, telling AFP: 'I had just never read a book like that that is screaming out to be a movie, that needs to be moving, that needs to be a living thing. She gushed how it was awe-inspiring how Lidia was 'able to take really ugly things, process them, and put out something that you can live with, something that actually has joy. 'The reason I really wanted to make the movie is because I thought it was hilarious in such a giddy and excited way, like we were telling secrets. I think the book is a total lifeboat. Imogen looked incredibly chic in a brown lace top and suede midi skirt, while Kristen cut a casual display in a burnt orange jacket A few friends joined the pair for their event including Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein, 45 The pair beamed for photos and could be seen laughing on stage during a panel style interview ahead of the movie screening with Briony Hanson, the British Council's Director of Film The Twilight actress, 35, wore a perfectly balanced outfit with sharp lines, made from a pair of grey trousers and a white shirt beneath a red bomber jacket with rolled up sleeves It certainly saved Lidia and made her a cult writer, with her viral TED Talk The Beauty of Being a Misfit, inspiring a spin-off book, The Misfit's Manifesto. Kristen told AFP: 'Being a woman is a really violent experience. Even if you don't have the sort of extreme experience that we depict in the film or that Lidia endured and came out of beautifully'. The Twilight star insisted there were no autobiographical parallels per se that drew her to the original book. She explained: 'I didn't have to do a bunch of research. I'm a female body that's been walking around for 35 years. Look at the world that we live in. 'I don't have to have been abused by my dad to understand what it is like to be taken from, to have my voice stifled, and to not trust myself. It takes a lot of years (for that) to go. I think that this movie resonates with anyone who is open and bleeding, which is 50 percent of the population.' Kristen told reporters she was never really tempted to play Lidia herself before deciding to cast Imogen, who she called 'the best actress of our generation'. She's a fashion icon and ambassador for Chanel, oozing classic French glamour as she poses in the upmarket brand's elegant designs. But few fashionistas would recognise Lily-Rose Depp on set today. These exclusive pictures reveal that the star the daughter of Johnny Depp and French actress Vanessa Paradis was looking altogether more drab in costume for her role in new medieval horror Werwulf. Wearing a shapeless brown smock and burgundy headscarf, the actress who also appeared to have a slight facial defect for the role is pictured for the first time on the specially-built set in a Surrey beauty spot. The film is set in a remote village in 13th-century England which is stalked by a mysterious creature. Producers had the village built from scratch in Bourne Wood, near Farnham, and photographs from the set show a series of thatched properties huddled by a forest, compete with a church and graveyard. Depp, 26, filmed scenes in the mud-filled cemetery, dotted with simple wooden crosses, and others which involved holding a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth. Werwulf is being made by Robert Eggers, who also directed Lily-Rose in her last film, Nosferatu, which was nominated for four Oscars. Eggers has also brought back her Nosferatu co-star Willem Dafoe for his latest project, with the actor seen in medieval costume riding a horse. Werwulf also stars 28 Years Later's Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Further scenes for the film are being shot on Dartmoor, where medieval-style buildings and farmsteads have been erected. Lily-Rose Depp pictured on the set of the new medieval horror Werwulf in Surrey Lily-Rose, who is the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, is a Chanel ambassador Lily-Rose swapped designer clothes for a medieval sackcloth to film her her latest project The star was brought up in the South of France with her brother Jack during a period which her troubled father Johnny has since described as 'the happiest time' of his life Lily-Rose trudges through the mud of the Surrey set of Werwulf, directed by Robert Eggers The fashionista could be seen walking through a makeshift graveyard as cast members stood around her The 26-year-old pulls a face as crew members are pictured wrapped up warm on set Lily-Rose holds a baby on set. She has been in a relationship with rapper 070 Shake, real name Danielle Balbuena, since early 2023 Lily-Rose was advised by her father not to take up acting but has starred in an array of films including Nosferatu British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson will star in Werwulf alongside Lily-Rose The 35-year-old has worked with Lily-Rose before in the 2024 horror film Nosferatu Ralph Ineson (left) and Willem Dafoe (right) are also part of the Werwulf cast Willem has led a prolific Hollywood career in films such as Spider-Man, Poor Things and Nosferatu The set of Werwulf in Surrey has a full-scale church complete with an eerie graveyard A long-time model for Chanel, Lily-Rose was brought up in the South of France with her brother Jack during a period which her troubled father Johnny has since described as 'the happiest time' of his life. He and Paradis were together for 14 years and split in June 2012. The Pirates of the Caribbean star warned Lily-Rose against becoming an actress because of the downside of fame, and said: 'Sometimes kids say to me: "I want to be an actor, what's your advice?" And I say: "Don't be!" I know what's coming for them.' Lily-Rose was in a two-year relationship with actor Timothee Chalamet, and has been dating rapper 070 Shake, real name Danielle Balbuena, since early 2023. Timothee Chalamet stepped out alone in New York City on Friday, days after news broke that he and Kylie Jenner had gone their separate ways. Chalamet, 29, who's been in surprisingly chipper spirits lately, and Jenner, 28, first grabbed headlines in April 2023 after a chance meeting at Paris Fashion Week sparked their whirlwind romance. From the very start, their relationship has been under the microscope, with months of on-and-off rumors keeping fans guessing. Just last week, the Daily Mail revealed that it was officially 'trouble in paradise' for the Dune actor and the Kylie Cosmetics founder. Chalamet 'broke up with Kylie,' a source said, adding, 'this has happened before but she talked him into getting back together. She is crazy about him so that could well happen again.' If a reunion is in the works, he kept it perfectly under wraps, flashing a sly grin while making his way around Manhattan for promotional duties on his upcoming film Marty Supreme. Timothee Chalamet stepped out alone in New York City on Friday, days after news broke that he and Kylie Jenner had gone their separate ways Chalamet flashed a sly grin while making his way around Manhattan for promotional duties on his upcoming film Marty Supreme Chalamet stayed under the radar in a sleek all-black leather jacket and pants with a gray hoodie underneath. The release comes alongside Chalamets new Vogue cover story, which fans quickly read as a subtle dig at Jenner. The magazine noted that the actor 'will not talk about his relationship,' and quoted him saying, 'I dont say that with any fear, I just dont have anything to say.' Despite not wanting to talk about his romance, the Vogue interviewer added that Chalamet 'didn't mind at all acknowledging the new stage of his life that he is entering into.' He also mentioned that his sister recently welcomed a baby and his Dune co-star Zendaya is newly engaged to Tom Holland, hinting that fatherhood is something hes now thinking about: 'That could be on the radar.' Jenner, meanwhile, kept things equally tight-lipped in her own 2024 British Vogue profile, telling the outlet, 'Privacy is so important to me in life.' But according to Radar, the makeup mogul isnt thrilled about Chalamets reluctance to publicly acknowledge their romance. Chalamet, 29, and Jenner, 28, first made headlines in April 2023 after a chance encounter at Paris Fashion Week sparked a whirlwind romance; (pictured May) Jenner, meanwhile, kept things equally tight-lipped in her own 2024 British Vogue profile, telling the outlet, 'Privacy is so important to me in life' While newly-single Timothee was out and about, Kylie was cooking up a storm in the kitchen using her Large Always Pan and Mini Always Pan by go-to cookware brand Our Place Insiders told the outlet that the Vogue interview opened up an already sore spot Jenner reportedly feels shes doing more emotional lifting than he is. A friend told Radar that Jenner believed they were ready to go more public and was blindsided when he brushed off the subject so lightly. 'Kylie was really upset by how casually Timothee dismissed the question. She honestly believed they were past the point of hiding things and that he'd want to celebrate their relationship, not act like it doesn't exist,' the friend said. Though shes been 'shocked and heartbroken,' sources say shes trying to keep things upbeat for fans: 'She's raging, shocked and heartbroken at the same time, but, as usual, is trying to put a brave face on things by keeping posting "happy" social media snaps.' Their packed calendars havent helped either. One insider familiar with the situation said, 'It's really strained things,' adding that Jenner has been the one 'reaching out, calling, visiting but she's beginning to feel like she's putting in all the effort'. That imbalance is starting to take its toll. 'She's traveled everywhere to support Timothee, but he rarely returns the favor. It's starting to really bother her,' the source said. The timing coincides with Chalamets new Vogue cover interview, which many fans interpreted as him taking a subtle swipe at Jenner (pictured March) Industry insiders, however, say Chalamet simply isnt the type to put his relationships front and center. 'He's never been the kind of person to make his relationships part of the spotlight,' one told Radar. In more than two and a half years together, hes never popped up on The Kardashians, attended the Met Gala on her arm, or posted anything public about her not even a birthday shoutout. The dynamic has fans buzzing and even relationship experts are weighing in. Trauma counselor Audrey Hope cautioned, 'Relationships get ugly when one party loves you more, wants more than the other.' She added, 'The fact that Kylie Jenner is at all Timothee's events and he does not reciprocate in the same way is a big deal. It shows that something is afoot in paradise.' Costco is quietly expanding self-checkout systems at its food courts to fend off non-members, enraging visitors hungry for a hot dog or pizza. The membership-only warehouse chain is known for offering bargain meal deals at its food courts, including its ultra-cheap $1.50 hot dog and soda combo that has stayed the same price since 1984. But Costco now appears to be taking a hardline approach to who can dine there, according to eagle-eyed shoppers. Self-checkouts at its food courts now include a membership card scanner, meaning that only paying members can make purchases. One user in a Reddit forum spotted the scanners at a store, noting that a Costco food court employee said 'they were recently hooked up but not operational at this time.' 'Mine has had these more than a year,' another user noted. 'No more lunch hot dogs for non members.' A third chimed in: 'No more free loaders at the food courts.' A user claiming to be a Costco worker spoke up to confirm the change: 'I'm a food court employee, and I've heard that they've been wanting to implement these for all Costcos for a while now. Seems like they might be finally doing it.' Costco is quietly expanding self-checkout systems at its food courts to fend off non-members If the new measures are put into place at all stores, food court fans will have to fork over $65 for a standard membership or $130 for premium to get their fill Previously, some Costco food courts were open to the public, partly as a way to encourage non-members to become paying members. Outdoor food courts were always more vulnerable to non-members because shoppers aren't required to scan their cards until they enter the store. Last year, the company began requiring visitors to its outdoor food courts to show membership cards. Many members cheered the decision, saying it cut down on lines. 'We've been scanning Costco memberships in local (SoCal) warehouses for a few years now, probably since most of our food courts are outdoors,' another Reddit user stated recently. 'Looks like it may finally be rolling out nationwide?' The company did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on the scanners. If the new measures are put into place everywhere, it appears food court fans will have to fork over $65 for a standard membership or $130 for premium to get their fill. In an interview with Axios, Richard Galanti, Costco's former chief financial officer, confirmed the change was initially rolled out at outside food courts. One eagle-eyed Reddit user snapped a photo of the food court card scanner, noting that an employee confirmed that 'they were recently hooked up but not operational at this time' (pictured) Last year, the company began requiring visitors to its outdoor food courts to show membership cards The membership scanner implementation is partly to prevent food courts from being too busy 'One of the challenges is that some of the food courts have gotten so busy, particularly if it's near some office buildings or construction sites,' he said. 'We were getting member complaints.' Costco's food court is notoriously popular, with other fan-favorite menu items such as $1.99 pizza slices (or $9.95 for the whole 18-inch pie), a chicken bake for $3.99, and an ice cream cup for $1.99, consistently drawing customers in. The store controversially removed a previous menu staple in early 2024. The famous Costco churro, which sold for just $1, was scrapped from the food court menu and replaced with the giant cookie. On November 17, Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity related to last years student-led July Uprising, which resulted in the deaths of as many as 1,400 civilians and injuries to over 20,000. The much-awaited judgment is historic for many reasons. For the first time in Bangladeshs history, a court has handed down such a severe punishment to a political figure of her stature. This verdict also arrives at a critical moment in the nations politics - barely two months before the 13th JatiyaSangsad elections. Sheikh Hasina, who has been residing in New Delhi since fleeing Dhaka on 5 August 2024, rejected the verdict, calling it biased and politically motivated. Nevertheless, this judgment places New Delhi in a difficult position, as Dhaka has, quite predictably, requested India to extradite her. The interim government, following its establishment in August 2024, introduced amendments to the ICT Act (1973) in late 2024 to address crimes related to the July Uprising and the ensuing political violence. The ordinance underwent three rounds of amendments this year-in February, May, and September-expanding the ICTs authority and designating Sheikh Hasina and other accused individuals as fugitives. Trials against Hasina and others officially began in June this year, a month after the interim government banned her party, the Awami League, under the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance. This move followed protests in April and May by Islamic parties and the National Citizen Party (NCP), demanding that national elections be held only after the completion of the July trials and the announcement of the July Charter. Clearly, such pressure appeared to work, and the interim government complied with both demands. Chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, the three-member ICT bench read portions of the 453-page judgment in a verdict live-streamed on Bangladesh Television. In videos presented by the investigating officers, subtitles claimed, among other things, that "Sheikh Hasina asked Delhi to attack Dhaka" and presented several pieces of evidence purportedly demonstrating that Hasina ordered forceful action against the students during the uprising. While BDMilitary.com, an independent defence and strategic affairs digital platform run by Bangladeshs former defence veterans (founded in 2005), published an article titled "Sheikh Hasina begged India to attack Dhaka," no credible Bangladeshi media outlets reported this, clearly indicating that the documentary evidence claimed by the ICT was not accepted by the media in Bangladesh. The ICT hearing also criticised the now-banned Awami League party, prohibited from contesting the upcoming national election. The chief prosecutor, Mohammad Tajul Islam, summarising witness testimonies, labelled the Awami League fascist from the very inception of independent Bangladesh, accusing the partys government of concentrating on perpetuating its power through exploitation, torture, curtailing fundamental rights, denying social justice and democracy, and eventually establishing a dictatorship by forming BAKSAL. He further claimed that, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League government formed the infamous RakkhiBahini (a paramilitary force created in 1972) "in connivance with a neighbouring country to weaken and abolish our glorious Army," and that Sheikh Hasina did similar things after returning to power in 2008. The reading also indirectly blamed New Delhi for Bangladeshs alleged democracy deficit since its liberation. Anti-India sentiments in Bangladesh, long nurtured by anti-League factions, have escalated since the fall of the Hasina regime. Many have concluded that New Delhi was responsible for Sheikh Hasinas autocracy and the last three rigged elections. After the July Uprising, these sentiments have been echoed within the interim government, often blaming New Delhi for domestic law and order issues-from the demolition of 32 Dhanmondi to unrest in Khagrachhari and making unsubstantiated accusations that New Delhi "disapproved of" and "disliked" the student-led July protest. Critics have indirectly held India responsible for rendering SAARC nearly defunct. Major political parties like BNP, Jamaat, and NCP have pushed the narrative that "countering Indian hegemony" is central to Bangladeshs foreign policy, following its reset under the Yunus government. Lastly, Sheikh Hasinas exile in India has been cited as the principal cause of strained bilateral relations. The ICT verdict on Hasina received praise across political parties, who claimed that justice had been served. The interim government called it "historic," while Chief Advisor Yunus asserted that the conviction affirmed that "no one is above the law." The NCP called for the swift execution of the sentence and Hasinas immediate repatriation from New Delhi, urging India not to shelter "killer Sheikh Hasina." Jamaat-e-Islami welcomed the verdict, stating that this trial met ICT standards, unlike previous trials against Jamaat members. Jamaat also demanded India extradite the ousted prime minister, arguing that "if one claims to behave as a good neighbour, if one aspires to maintain friendly relations, this is their foremost responsibility." Earlier, BNP accused India of "creating opportunities for sabotage in Bangladesh by giving shelter to fugitive Sheikh Hasina." In stark contrast, international human rights organisations-including Human Rights Watch, the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, and Amnesty International expressed serious concerns over the fairness of the ICT trial. They noted that the verdict against Hasina, delivered in absentia, violated international law standards despite claims by the ICT that it followed the Rome Statute. Concerns about the trial process were also raised by 120 journalists from various media outlets in a joint statement, observing that the ICT proceedings presented one-sided information and were visibly politically influenced. The governments appointment of a state lawyer known for bias against the opposition as Hasinas defence counsel was also deemed absurd. Bangladeshs interim government has renewed its request to India to extradite Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both currently exiled in New Delhi. It asserts that India is under a legal obligation as per the India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty of 2013 to comply. The government stresses that granting asylum to those convicted of crimes against humanity would be "extremely unfriendly and demeaning to justice". Indias Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement affirming that "as a close neighbour, India is committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country," and that New Delhi will "always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end." As the ICT prepares to seek Interpols assistance for the repatriation of both Hasina and Kamal through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the extradition treaty provides New Delhi with ample grounds to decline Hasinas extradition-an increasingly likely scenario. With anti-India sentiment at its peak and Bangladeshs political parties evidently making relations with New Delhi conditional on Hasinas extradition, it appears that New Delhis relations with Dhaka are poised for a protracted winter. The writer is a Research Fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi NANJING, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- From Wednesday to Friday, mayors and representatives from 10 countries gathered in Nanjing, a city along the Yangtze River, to share urban governance experiences and discuss sustainable development trends for waterfront cities worldwide. Themed "Flowing Rivers, Converging Future," the Global Mayors Dialogue brought together participants from Brunei, Egypt, Germany, Italy, China and other countries. Through visits to schools, cultural sites and riverside areas, the attendees gained a multidimensional understanding of the city, known for its economic vitality and rich cultural heritage in eastern China. During a tour of Nanjing's 600-year-old city wall, international guests marveled at its impressive engineering and meticulous preservation. "This is my first time visiting Nanjing's city wall. The wisdom of our ancestors inspires me with deep respect and pride as an overseas Chinese," said Gan Tian Loo, chairman of the working committee for the historic urban area of Malaysia's Malacca. He expressed his anticipation for collaboration between Malacca and Nanjing on city wall preservation. In Nanjing's Xiaoxihu neighborhood, cafes and bookstores stand alongside traditional courtyard houses, creating a harmonious blend where the daily lives of local residents intertwine effortlessly with new commercial spaces. Alessandro Rapinese, mayor of Como, Italy, emphasized that Nanjing's dedication to cultural preservation aligns with Como's approach. "We face similar challenges and are solving them in similar ways -- protecting heritage while allowing people to live within it." Balancing urbanization and ecological protection poses a common challenge for cities worldwide. Nanjing, where endangered finless porpoises can be observed near its urban core along the Yangtze River, offers an inspiring model showcasing how economic development and biodiversity can thrive in harmony. "The beautiful Yangtze River reminds me of the Danube River," said arko Mi in, mayor of Novi Sad, Serbia. He described Nanjing as a unique example where skyscrapers and nature reserves coexist harmoniously. As a city in the Danube region, Novi Sad also boasts natural reserves near its urban area and aims to learn from Nanjing's experience in conserving urban endangered species. Mohamed Higazy, a board member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, noted that Nanjing "respects its past while looking to the future." He added that many Chinese cities serve as models for embracing modernity while honoring tradition -- a theme central to the dialogue. Li Zhongjun, acting mayor of Nanjing, expressed hope that the event would strengthen intercity cooperation and help address practical challenges faced by urban areas worldwide. Editor: Xiong Jian In a significant shift, Pakistan appears to have finally recalibrated its Afghan policy, moving away from any notion of appeasing the Afghan Taliban and, instead, follow a waiting game to unravel things there. The Express Tribune said, quoting senior officials familiar with the development, that Islamabad is now comfortable waiting for political and security conditions in Afghanistan to evolve on their own, a marked departure from the past when Pakistan often felt compelled to intervene or mediate. The shift is rooted not just in changing regional dynamics but also in Pakistans mounting frustration over the Afghan Talibans lack of action against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Despite repeated engagements and high-level delegations, officials say Kabul has shown little inclination to rein in the TTP responsible for some of Pakistans deadliest recent attacks. That lack of progress hardened attitudes in Islamabad, the newspaper said. We realised we were investing energy without any meaningful outcome, a senior official said. If the Afghan authorities are unwilling or unable to address our core concern, then there is no reason for us to carry the burden of expectations on their behalf. For years, Pakistan was viewed as the country with unique leverage over the Afghan Taliban. Western Governments routinely pressed Islamabad to deliver Kabul on issues ranging from counterterrorism to womens rights to inclusive governance. Officials say that expectations placed Pakistan at the centre of global frustration in Afghanistan, despite Islamabads own security concerns and limited influence. Earlier, the world kept asking us to persuade the Taliban on different issues, said one official, explaining the exhaustion in Islamabad over repeated international pressure. Now they finally understand where we stand and what our limitations are. According to insiders, Pakistans comfort with stepping back is partly due to a subtle but meaningful evolution in international thinking, the report said. We are pleased that we no longer need to be bogged down in Afghanistan, a senior policymaker remarked. For two decades, everything that happened there eventually landed on our plate. Now, the world sees Afghanistan for what it is and sees our role for what it truly is. For years, global narratives casually paired Pakistan and the Taliban, reinforcing the assumption that Islamabad enjoyed decisive control over the group, an assumption that cost Pakistan diplomatically. It is good that the world no longer associates the Taliban with Pakistan, said another official. The recalibration also comes against the backdrop of emerging geopolitical shifts, including the much-discussed India-Afghanistan reset. New Delhi has revived channels with Kabul, exploring limited engagement, humanitarian assistance, and economic ventures, particularly through Chabahar, the report pointed out. When asked whether Pakistan views Indias Afghan outreach as a strategic concern, officials downplayed the development. Let them do whatever they wish to do, the official said. We wish them good luck. If they can find ways to trade through Chabahar, okay... Go ahead. We have no objections. The emerging doctrine envisages Pakistan will not babysit Afghanistan, nor will it shoulder the burden of global expectations. The onus is on the Taliban to stabilise their own country and on the world to engage with Kabul based on realities, not assumptions, it reported. Pakistan and Afghanistan were unable to agree to a deal over cross-border terrorism after multiple rounds of talks last month. Dozens of soldiers, civilians and terrorists were killed in clashes earlier in October, creating a war like situation but peace was restored temporarily on October 19 after the two sides held talks -- facilitated by Qatar and Turkey -- in Doha. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T Get Free Report)s stock price was down 1.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $25.09 and last traded at $25.2650. Approximately 33,405,761 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 16% from the average daily volume of 39,951,652 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.60. Analysts Set New Price Targets T has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. TD Cowen upped their target price on AT&T from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of AT&T from $31.00 to $29.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of AT&T in a research note on Tuesday, August 26th. Williams Trading set a $33.00 target price on shares of AT&T in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on shares of AT&T from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AT&T presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $30.64. Get AT&T alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on T AT&T Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.01. The firms 50 day moving average is $26.37 and its 200-day moving average is $27.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $183.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.42, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.40. AT&T (NYSE:T Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The technology company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.54. AT&T had a net margin of 17.87% and a return on equity of 12.72%. The company had revenue of $30.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $30.85 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.60 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 1.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that AT&T Inc. will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. AT&T Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 10th were given a dividend of $0.2775 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 10th. This represents a $1.11 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.3%. AT&Ts dividend payout ratio is currently 36.04%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in T. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc. raised its position in AT&T by 1.7% during the second quarter. J. L. Bainbridge & Co. Inc. now owns 21,253 shares of the technology companys stock worth $615,000 after acquiring an additional 355 shares during the period. Financial & Tax Architects LLC increased its stake in shares of AT&T by 4.9% during the second quarter. Financial & Tax Architects LLC now owns 7,588 shares of the technology companys stock worth $220,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Roberts Glore & Co. Inc. IL raised its position in shares of AT&T by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. Roberts Glore & Co. Inc. IL now owns 18,386 shares of the technology companys stock worth $532,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares during the last quarter. Investment Partners LTD. raised its position in shares of AT&T by 3.5% during the 2nd quarter. Investment Partners LTD. now owns 10,464 shares of the technology companys stock worth $303,000 after purchasing an additional 357 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parcion Private Wealth LLC lifted its stake in AT&T by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Parcion Private Wealth LLC now owns 14,910 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $431,000 after buying an additional 364 shares in the last quarter. 57.10% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. AT&T Company Profile (Get Free Report) AT&T, Inc is a holding company, which engages in the provision of telecommunications and technology services. It operates through the Communications and Latin America segments. The Communications segment offers wireless, wireline telecom, and broadband services to businesses and consumers located in the US and businesses globally. See Also Receive News & Ratings for AT&T Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AT&T and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aviva plc (LON:AV Get Free Report) insider Pippa Lambert acquired 229 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 642 per share, for a total transaction of 1,470.18. Aviva Stock Up 0.9% Aviva stock opened at GBX 637.40 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 68.87, a quick ratio of 1.57 and a current ratio of 2.93. Aviva plc has a twelve month low of GBX 390.70 and a twelve month high of GBX 510.20. The firms 50 day moving average price is GBX 669.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 642.32. The firm has a market cap of 17.13 billion, a PE ratio of 13.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.89. Get Aviva alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AV has been the topic of several research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed an underperform rating and issued a GBX 650 target price on shares of Aviva in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Aviva from GBX 623 to GBX 687 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 750 target price on shares of Aviva in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating and set a GBX 735 price target on shares of Aviva in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating, one has issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Aviva presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 705.50. About Aviva (Get Free Report) Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, investment, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Aviva Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aviva and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Montreal (TSE:BMO Free Report) (NYSE:BMO) had its target price lifted by CIBC from C$180.00 to C$192.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on BMO. Desjardins increased their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$156.00 to C$165.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on Bank of Montreal from C$180.00 to C$185.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Bank of Montreal from C$164.00 to C$173.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded Bank of Montreal from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their price target for the company from C$168.00 to C$163.00 in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Bank of Montreal from C$150.00 to C$157.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Montreal currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$170.50. Get Bank of Montreal alerts: Read Our Latest Report on BMO Bank of Montreal Trading Up 0.9% Bank of Montreal Dividend Announcement Shares of TSE BMO opened at C$170.64 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of C$122.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.96, a PEG ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.38. Bank of Montreal has a 12 month low of C$121.31 and a 12 month high of C$182.90. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$176.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$161.36. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 30th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. Bank of Montreals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.74%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Alan Tannenbaum sold 9,824 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$175.12, for a total value of C$1,720,408.35. Also, insider Steven Lloyd Tennyson sold 9,072 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$163.89, for a total transaction of C$1,486,782.86. Following the transaction, the insider owned 21,866 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$3,583,553.14. This represents a 29.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Insiders sold a total of 35,883 shares of company stock worth $5,989,740 in the last three months. 0.03% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. About Bank of Montreal (Get Free Report) Bank of Montreal is a diversified financial-services provider based in North America, operating four business segments: Canadian personal and commercial banking, U.S. P&C banking, wealth management, and capital markets. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Montreal Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Montreal and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ Get Free Report) (TSE:CCO) were up 3.5% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $88.06 and last traded at $86.2290. Approximately 6,160,883 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 26% from the average daily volume of 4,889,144 shares. The stock had previously closed at $83.30. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In CCJ has been the topic of several research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Cameco in a research note on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Cameco in a research note on Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Cameco from $95.00 to $109.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. CLSA assumed coverage on shares of Cameco in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. They issued an outperform rating and a $102.00 price target for the company. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Cameco from $160.00 to $150.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $113.75. Get Cameco alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on CCJ Cameco Trading Down 3.1% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.96 and a quick ratio of 2.00. The stock has a market cap of $34.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 91.30 and a beta of 0.98. The companys fifty day moving average price is $88.52 and its 200-day moving average price is $76.09. Cameco (NYSE:CCJ Get Free Report) (TSE:CCO) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.17). Cameco had a return on equity of 8.21% and a net margin of 14.97%.The company had revenue of $313.74 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $531.72 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.01) earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Cameco has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Cameco Corporation will post 1.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. Cameco Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.24 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 25.0%. This is a boost from Camecos previous annual dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. Camecos dividend payout ratio is presently 19.77%. Institutional Trading of Cameco Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cameco by 100.0% during the first quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 600 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Cameco during the third quarter worth $25,000. Dagco Inc. acquired a new position in Cameco during the first quarter valued at $28,000. SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Cameco in the first quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont grew its position in Cameco by 1,029.4% during the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 384 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.21% of the companys stock. Cameco Company Profile (Get Free Report) Cameco Corporation provides uranium for the generation of electricity. It operates through Uranium, Fuel Services, Westinghouse segments. The Uranium segment is involved in the exploration for, mining, and milling, purchase, and sale of uranium concentrate. The Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, conversion, and fabrication of uranium concentrate, as well as the purchase and sale of conversion services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cameco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cameco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Emerson Electric Co. (NYSE:EMR Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the eighteen analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $148.1250. EMR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays raised their price target on Emerson Electric from $127.00 to $135.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price target on Emerson Electric from $157.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Daiwa Capital Markets increased their price objective on Emerson Electric from $150.00 to $153.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Emerson Electric from $155.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Emerson Electric from $151.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 10th. Get Emerson Electric alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on EMR Institutional Trading of Emerson Electric Emerson Electric Stock Performance Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Emerson Electric by 0.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 54,330,938 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $7,127,132,000 after purchasing an additional 201,040 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,053,019 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,606,979,000 after acquiring an additional 784,987 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Emerson Electric by 6.9% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,280,950 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,675,403,000 after acquiring an additional 980,652 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of Emerson Electric by 75.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,538,402 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,671,762,000 after acquiring an additional 5,371,585 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Emerson Electric by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 12,143,357 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,610,958,000 after purchasing an additional 89,192 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.30% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE EMR opened at $128.19 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $131.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $131.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a current ratio of 0.85. Emerson Electric has a 52 week low of $90.06 and a 52 week high of $150.27. The firm has a market cap of $72.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.30. Emerson Electric (NYSE:EMR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 6th. The industrial products company reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $3.16 billion during the quarter. Emerson Electric had a net margin of 14.92% and a return on equity of 14.34%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Emerson Electric will post 5.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Emerson Electric declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 5th that permits the company to buyback $0.00 in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the industrial products company to repurchase shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys leadership believes its stock is undervalued. Emerson Electric Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.555 per share. This represents a $2.22 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from Emerson Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Emerson Electrics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 54.95%. Emerson Electric Company Profile (Get Free Report) Emerson Electric Co, a technology and software company, provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It operates in six segments: Final Control, Control Systems & Software, Measurement & Analytical, AspenTech, Discrete Automation, and Safety & Productivity. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Emerson Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emerson Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fresnillo PLC (OTCMKTS:FNLPF Get Free Report) shares traded up 6.3% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $32.41 and last traded at $32.11. 4,493 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 63% from the average session volume of 12,296 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.1952. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a sector perform rating on shares of Fresnillo in a research note on Monday, August 11th. Peel Hunt downgraded shares of Fresnillo from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 19th. HSBC upgraded shares of Fresnillo to a hold rating in a report on Monday, October 13th. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Fresnillo from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an underweight rating on shares of Fresnillo in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Fresnillo currently has an average rating of Hold. Get Fresnillo alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Fresnillo Fresnillo Stock Down 3.2% About Fresnillo The firms 50 day simple moving average is $30.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 4.34 and a current ratio of 5.09. (Get Free Report) Fresnillo plc mines, develops, and produces non-ferrous minerals in Mexico. It operates through seven segments: Fresnillo, Saucito, Cienega, Herradura, Noche Buena, San Julian, and Juanicipio. The company primarily explores for silver, gold, lead, and zinc concentrates. Its projects include the Fresnillo silver mine located in the state of Zacatecas; Saucito silver mine situated in the state of Zacatecas; Cienega gold mine located in the state of Durango; Herradura gold mine situated in the state of Sonora; Noche Buena gold mine located in the state of Sonora; San Julian silver-gold mine situated on the border of Chihuahua/Durango states; and Juanicipio mine located in the state of Zacatecas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fresnillo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fresnillo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) in the last few weeks: 11/17/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/10/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its price target lowered by analysts at Piper Sandler from $3.00 to $2.50. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 11/6/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its price target lowered by analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald from $3.50 to $3.00. They now have an overweight rating on the stock. 11/5/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its sell (e+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 10/14/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its sell (d-) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 10/13/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties was given a new $2.40 price target on by analysts at New Street Research. 10/13/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its price target lowered by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from $2.50 to $2.40. They now have a hold rating on the stock. 10/1/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties is now covered by analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald. They set an overweight rating and a $3.50 price target on the stock. 10/1/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties is now covered by analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald. They set an overweight rating and a $3.50 price target on the stock. 9/27/2025 Hudson Pacific Properties had its sell (e+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a real estate investment trust serving dynamic tech and media tenants in global epicenters for these synergistic, converging and secular growth industries. Hudson Pacific's unique and high-barrier tech and media focus leverages a full-service, end-to-end value creation platform forged through deep strategic relationships and niche expertise across identifying, acquiring, transforming and developing properties into world-class amenitized, collaborative and sustainable office and studio space. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Inc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Inc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Insperity, Inc. (NYSE:NSP Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 9th will be given a dividend of 0.60 per share by the business services provider on Tuesday, December 23rd. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 9th. Insperity has increased its dividend by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 14 years. Insperity has a payout ratio of 65.0% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Insperity to earn $3.05 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.40 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 78.7%. Get Insperity alerts: Insperity Trading Up 5.8% Shares of NSP stock traded up $1.89 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $34.34. 1,629,159 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 573,123. The firm has a market cap of $1.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.40 and a beta of 0.52. Insperity has a fifty-two week low of $31.00 and a fifty-two week high of $95.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.29, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a current ratio of 1.12. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $44.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $54.20. Insider Activity at Insperity Insperity ( NYSE:NSP Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported ($0.20) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by ($0.42). The company had revenue of $1.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.63 billion. Insperity had a net margin of 0.60% and a return on equity of 35.32%. The firms revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.39 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Insperity will post 2.33 EPS for the current year. In related news, Director Randall Mehl bought 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 7th. The shares were bought at an average price of $33.88 per share, for a total transaction of $33,880.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 25,707 shares of the companys stock, valued at $870,953.16. This trade represents a 4.05% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Paul J. Sarvadi sold 10,850 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.98, for a total value of $563,983.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 428,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,247,491.98. This trade represents a 2.47% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 5.29% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Insperity Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its holdings in Insperity by 75.9% during the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 964 shares of the business services providers stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 416 shares during the last quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Insperity by 39.7% during the 3rd quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 860,020 shares of the business services providers stock worth $42,313,000 after buying an additional 244,350 shares in the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP boosted its stake in shares of Insperity by 118.0% in the 3rd quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP now owns 71,561 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,521,000 after buying an additional 38,730 shares during the last quarter. Voleon Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Insperity by 180.0% in the third quarter. Voleon Capital Management LP now owns 48,835 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,403,000 after acquiring an additional 31,393 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Voloridge Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Insperity by 11.6% in the third quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 362,404 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $17,830,000 after acquiring an additional 37,700 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.44% of the companys stock. About Insperity (Get Free Report) Insperity, Inc engages in the provision of human resources (HR) and business solutions to improve business performance for small and medium-sized businesses primarily in the United States. It offers its HR services through its workforce optimization and workforce synchronization solutions that include a range of human resources functions, such as payroll and employment administration, employee benefits, workers' compensation, government compliance, performance management, and training and development services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Insperity Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Insperity and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bankshares upgraded shares of TELUS (TSE:T Free Report) (NYSE:TU) from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. National Bankshares currently has C$21.00 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of C$23.00. T has been the subject of a number of other research reports. CIBC increased their price objective on shares of TELUS from C$24.00 to C$25.00 in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of TELUS from C$25.00 to C$26.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 8th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on shares of TELUS from C$24.00 to C$23.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Desjardins lowered their price objective on TELUS from C$25.00 to C$24.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded TELUS from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their target price for the stock from C$22.00 to C$19.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$22.77. Get TELUS alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on T TELUS Stock Performance Shares of T opened at C$18.71 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of C$28.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.99, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.93. The companys fifty day moving average is C$21.06 and its 200-day moving average is C$21.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 183.41. TELUS has a 12 month low of C$18.68 and a 12 month high of C$23.29. TELUS (TSE:T Get Free Report) (NYSE:TU) last released its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported C$0.32 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$5.07 billion during the quarter. TELUS had a net margin of 4.62% and a return on equity of 5.80%. Equities analysts expect that TELUS will post 1.2267985 EPS for the current fiscal year. About TELUS (Get Free Report) Telus is one of the Big Three wireless service providers in Canada, with its 9 million mobile phone subscribers nationwide constituting about 30% of the total market. It is the incumbent local exchange carrier in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, where it provides internet, television, and landline phone services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Photo: https://www.facebook.com The number of people killed in the Ukrainian city of Ternopil had risen to 32 as of Saturday morning, including six children, the State Emergency Service (SES) reported. "Rescuers with the State Emergency Service discovered the body of another woman under the rubble of the destroyed building. As of this morning, the number of those killed in Ternopil has increased to 32 people, including six children," the agency said on Telegram. Another 94 people were injured, including 18 children. Seven people are considered missing. Emergency and rescue operations continue following the missile strike. As reported earlier, a residential high-rise in Ternopil was destroyed as a result of a Russian missile attack. Twenty-seven people were killed, including three children. Ninety-four people were injured, among them 18 children. The fate of 13 people remains unknown. Tableaux LLC bought a new position in shares of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 60,000 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $9,202,000. Raymond James Financial comprises approximately 0.7% of Tableaux LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in RJF. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Raymond James Financial by 69.0% during the second quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 245 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 72.9% in the first quarter. TCTC Holdings LLC now owns 287 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the last quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its position in Raymond James Financial by 47.2% during the 2nd quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 337 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $52,000 after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in Raymond James Financial during the 1st quarter worth approximately $60,000. Finally, South Dakota Investment Council raised its holdings in Raymond James Financial by 300.0% during the 2nd quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 400 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.83% of the companys stock. Get Raymond James Financial alerts: Raymond James Financial Stock Performance Raymond James Financial stock opened at $152.96 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.50 billion, a PE ratio of 14.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.05. Raymond James Financial, Inc. has a 1-year low of $117.57 and a 1-year high of $177.66. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $164.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $159.77. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Raymond James Financial ( NYSE:RJF Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $3.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.64 billion. Raymond James Financial had a return on equity of 18.33% and a net margin of 13.42%.The firms revenue was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.95 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Raymond James Financial, Inc. will post 11.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of research firms have recently commented on RJF. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Raymond James Financial from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Raymond James Financial from $178.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Raymond James Financial from $180.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Raymond James Financial from $176.00 to $184.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Raymond James Financial currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $177.20. Read Our Latest Research Report on Raymond James Financial Raymond James Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RJF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE:RJF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Raymond James Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Raymond James Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Babcock International Group (LON:BAB Get Free Report) issued its earnings results on Friday. The company reported GBX 28.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Digital Look Earnings reports. Babcock International Group had a return on equity of 44.68% and a net margin of 3.77%. Babcock International Group Trading Up 1.7% Shares of LON:BAB opened at GBX 1,149 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 256.62, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Babcock International Group has a 1 year low of GBX 478.70 and a 1 year high of GBX 1,332. The company has a market cap of 5.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.94, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.28. The stocks fifty day moving average price is GBX 1,208.59 and its 200-day moving average price is GBX 1,081.74. Get Babcock International Group alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on BAB. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a GBX 1,200 price objective on shares of Babcock International Group in a report on Monday, September 8th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Babcock International Group from GBX 1,330 to GBX 1,400 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Berenberg Bank upped their price target on shares of Babcock International Group from GBX 1,360 to GBX 1,440 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 26th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Babcock International Group presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 1,235. About Babcock International Group (Get Free Report) Babcock International Group PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides value-add services for aerospace, defense, and security in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Africa, North America, Australasia, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Marine, Nuclear, Land, and Aviation. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Babcock International Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Babcock International Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco del Bajio, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple (OTCMKTS:BBAJF Get Free Report) dropped 6% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $2.4250 and last traded at $2.4250. Approximately 387 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 92% from the average daily volume of 5,035 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.58. Banco del Bajio, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple Price Performance The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $2.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $2.43. Banco del Bajio, S.A., Institucion de Banca Multiple Company Profile (Get Free Report) Banco del Bajio, SA, Institucion de Banca Multiple provides banking products and services in Mexico. The company offers electronic banking, insurance products; credit and credit cards, trust contract; online banking; foreign exchange, and derivative finance services. It also offers working capital and fixed asset, and other loans; investment products; payroll advance services; financial factoring and leasing services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Banco del Bajio S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco del Bajio S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 97.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,469 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after acquiring an additional 3,192 shares during the period. Journey Strategic Wealth LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $695,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Riverwater Partners LLC grew its stake in Boston Scientific by 3.3% in the second quarter. Riverwater Partners LLC now owns 3,104 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares in the last quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Boston Scientific by 4.9% during the second quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,199 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $236,000 after buying an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 13.2% during the 1st quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 881 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $89,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Rise Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Boston Scientific by 13.9% during the 1st quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 844 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC grew its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 2,738 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $294,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $124.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $124.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $132.00 price target on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Friday. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $133.00 to $136.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a $125.00 price objective on shares of Boston Scientific in a research note on Monday, September 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Boston Scientific currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $123.77. Insider Activity at Boston Scientific In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.47, for a total transaction of $4,923,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 178,342 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,561,336.74. The trade was a 21.90% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ellen M. Zane sold 12,891 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.28, for a total value of $1,266,927.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 24,134 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,371,889.52. The trade was a 34.82% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 175,782 shares of company stock valued at $17,742,314. Insiders own 0.50% of the companys stock. Boston Scientific Stock Up 0.2% Boston Scientific stock opened at $96.77 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 1.37. Boston Scientific Corporation has a one year low of $85.98 and a one year high of $109.50. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $98.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $102.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $143.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.58. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 14.43% and a return on equity of 19.74%. The firm had revenue of $5.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.97 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.63 EPS. Boston Scientifics revenue was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS. Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. Boston Scientific Company Profile (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Newsmax (NYSE:NMAX Get Free Report) is one of 32 publicly-traded companies in the BRDCST RADIO/TV industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Newsmax to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, valuation and dividends. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Newsmax and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Newsmax alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Newsmax $171.02 million -$72.17 million -6.37 Newsmax Competitors $5.48 billion $31.13 million 2.32 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. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Newsmax -55.99% -255.61% -46.20% Newsmax Competitors -7.07% -10.40% -0.99% Institutional and Insider Ownership This table compares Newsmax and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. 47.7% of shares of all BRDCST RADIO/TV companies are owned by institutional investors. 17.3% of shares of all BRDCST RADIO/TV companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Newsmax and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Newsmax 1 1 2 0 2.25 Newsmax Competitors 602 2202 3451 78 2.47 Newsmax presently has a consensus target price of $21.50, indicating a potential upside of 190.82%. As a group, BRDCST RADIO/TV companies have a potential upside of 23.10%. Given Newsmaxs higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Newsmax is more favorable than its rivals. Summary Newsmax rivals beat Newsmax on 11 of the 12 factors compared. About Newsmax (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. Receive News & Ratings for Newsmax Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Newsmax and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP lessened its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) by 19.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 29,559 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 7,334 shares during the period. The Goldman Sachs Group accounts for approximately 0.9% of Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLPs portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLPs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $20,920,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sfmg LLC purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the second quarter worth about $227,000. Evelyn Partners Asset Management Ltd grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 682.0% in the 2nd quarter. Evelyn Partners Asset Management Ltd now owns 1,517 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,074,000 after buying an additional 1,323 shares during the period. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 53.3% during the 2nd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 2,866 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,029,000 after buying an additional 997 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,815,660 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,285,032,000 after buying an additional 48,835 shares during the period. Finally, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd lifted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 134.1% in the second quarter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd now owns 25,341 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $17,506,000 after acquiring an additional 14,514 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.21% of the companys stock. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, COO John E. Waldron sold 9,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $750.51, for a total value of $6,754,590.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 106,268 shares of the companys stock, valued at $79,755,196.68. This trade represents a 7.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance Shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $774.74 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $786.01 and a 200 day moving average of $717.17. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $439.38 and a 12 month high of $841.28. The stock has a market capitalization of $232.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.74, a price-to-earnings-growth 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 Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The investment management company reported $12.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.27 by $1.98. The company had revenue of $15.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.68 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.18% and a return on equity of 14.79%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 19.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $8.40 earnings per share. As a group, 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 Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 2nd will be paid a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 32.50%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Dbs Bank increased their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $800.00 to $890.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $850.00 to $870.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research downgraded The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. HSBC boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $652.00 to $677.00 in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, sixteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $786.00. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on The Goldman Sachs Group The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Mexican Gold Corp (CVE:FMG Get Free Report)s share price traded down 2.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$0.39 and last traded at C$0.40. 58,211 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 55% from the average session volume of 37,447 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41. First Mexican Gold Stock Down 2.5% The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$0.39 and a 200 day moving average of C$0.40. The firm has a market cap of C$17.52 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -131.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 0.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.62. About First Mexican Gold (Get Free Report) First Mexican Gold Corp. through its subsidiary, Cornelius exploration S. de R.L. de C.V., engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Mexico. It explores for gold and silver deposits. The company holds interests in the Hilda Properties comprising the Hilda 30 property; the Hilda 37/38 property with two mining exploration concessions; and the Hilda 31/32 property with three mining exploration concessions comprising a total area of 1,350 hectares in the Yecora District, State of Sonora, Mexico. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for First Mexican Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Mexican Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (NYSE:HLX Get Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the five ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $10.50. A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, October 25th. TD Cowen increased their target price on Helix Energy Solutions Group from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Zacks Research raised Helix Energy Solutions Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $9.00 price objective (down previously from $10.00) on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a report on Friday, July 25th. Get Helix Energy Solutions Group alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Helix Energy Solutions Group Helix Energy Solutions Group Stock Performance Shares of HLX stock traded up $0.16 on Friday, hitting $6.42. 1,417,041 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,688,437. The firms 50 day moving average is $6.57 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.46. Helix Energy Solutions Group has a one year low of $5.52 and a one year high of $11.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $944.26 million, a PE ratio of 22.93 and a beta of 1.55. The company has a current ratio of 2.54, a quick ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE:HLX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.15. The business had revenue of $376.96 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $361.93 million. Helix Energy Solutions Group had a return on equity of 2.75% and a net margin of 3.25%.Helix Energy Solutions Groups quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Helix Energy Solutions Group will post 0.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In other news, COO Scott Andrew Sparks sold 40,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $6.88, for a total value of $275,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 301,042 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,071,168.96. This trade represents a 11.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Helix Energy Solutions Group Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in Helix Energy Solutions Group in the 3rd quarter valued at $97,000. Acuitas Investments LLC raised its position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 63.8% in the third quarter. Acuitas Investments LLC now owns 681,610 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,471,000 after buying an additional 265,604 shares in the last quarter. Dark Forest Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in the third quarter worth $903,000. XTX Topco Ltd boosted its stake in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 499.3% during the third quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 77,030 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $505,000 after buying an additional 64,176 shares during the period. Finally, Verition Fund Management LLC grew its position in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 26.9% during the third quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 117,595 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $771,000 after buying an additional 24,962 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.33% of the companys stock. About Helix Energy Solutions Group (Get Free Report) Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast of the United States, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through four segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, Production Facilities, and Shallow Water Abandonment segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Helix Energy Solutions Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Helix Energy Solutions Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE:HLX Free Report) from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report published on Thursday,Zacks.com reports. HLX has been the topic of several other research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 25th. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a research note on Friday, October 24th. TD Cowen lifted their price objective on Helix Energy Solutions Group from $11.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $9.00 price objective (down from $10.00) on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in a research note on Wednesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.50. Get Helix Energy Solutions Group alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on HLX Helix Energy Solutions Group Price Performance Shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group stock traded up $0.16 on Thursday, reaching $6.42. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,417,041 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,688,437. The company has a quick ratio of 2.54, a current ratio of 2.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a market capitalization of $944.26 million, a P/E ratio of 22.93 and a beta of 1.55. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $6.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.46. Helix Energy Solutions Group has a 52-week low of $5.52 and a 52-week high of $11.48. Helix Energy Solutions Group (NYSE:HLX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.15. The firm had revenue of $376.96 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $361.93 million. Helix Energy Solutions Group had a net margin of 3.25% and a return on equity of 2.75%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Helix Energy Solutions Group will post 0.26 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Helix Energy Solutions Group news, COO Scott Andrew Sparks sold 40,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.88, for a total transaction of $275,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 301,042 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,071,168.96. The trade was a 11.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Helix Energy Solutions Group Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group by 243.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 5,045 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 3,576 shares during the last quarter. AlphaQuest LLC raised its stake in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 594,600.0% during the first quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 5,947 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 5,946 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Helix Energy Solutions Group by 43.1% in the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 7,053 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 2,123 shares during the last quarter. Drucker Wealth 3.0 LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $66,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Helix Energy Solutions Group during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $70,000. 91.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Helix Energy Solutions Group (Get Free Report) Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, the East Coast of the United States, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through four segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, Production Facilities, and Shallow Water Abandonment segments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Helix Energy Solutions Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Helix Energy Solutions Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Heron Bay Capital Management reduced its position in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 43.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 21,107 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 16,393 shares during the period. Heron Bay Capital Managements holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $977,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BMY. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 33.4% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,728 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,116,000 after purchasing an additional 4,935 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 10.0% in the first quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,628 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $404,000 after buying an additional 603 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 11.0% during the 1st quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 68,260 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,163,000 after buying an additional 6,754 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. grew its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 124,286 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $7,580,000 after buying an additional 4,203 shares during the period. Finally, Kovack Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 20,063 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,224,000 after acquiring an additional 515 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently issued reports on BMY shares. Morgan Stanley reissued a hold rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Citigroup dropped 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 report on Monday, November 17th. Daiwa America downgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 5th. 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. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.42. Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.6% BMY opened at $46.22 on Friday. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a fifty-two week low of $42.52 and a fifty-two week high of $63.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $94.09 billion, a PE ratio of 18.64, 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 companys 50-day moving average is $45.28 and its 200 day moving average is $46.57. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.52 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.75 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 80.04% and a net margin of 10.58%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.80 EPS. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bristol Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, October 3rd were given a $0.62 dividend. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a 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%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Bristol Myers Squibb news, EVP David V. Elkins sold 56,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.33, for a total transaction of $2,650,480.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 167,379 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,922,048.07. This trade represents a 25.07% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock. About Bristol Myers Squibb (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must either accept the American peace plan or continue fighting, U.S. President Donald Trump said. When a journalist noted that Zelenskyy suggested the United States would stop supporting Ukraine if he does not accept the 28-point agreement, Trump responded that at some point Zelenskyy would have to accept something. He has to like it but if he doesn't like it, then they just have to keep fighting, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. During his remarks, Trump recalled meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office in February and added that such an agreement could have been reached a year ago, two years ago. Trump noted that the coming winter could be cold and that Ukraine's energy infrastructure has already been subjected to numerous heavy attacks. He again emphasized that if he had been president, this war would not have happened, adding that he has very good relations with Putin, but it takes two to tango. As reported earlier, according to media, the so-called U.S.Russian plan of 28 points was drafted along the lines of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. In addition to forcing Ukraine to surrender the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the proposal would cut the Ukrainian Armed Forces' troop levels in half and ban Ukraine from possessing long-range missiles. It would also block the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine, end U.S. military aid, and prohibit foreign diplomatic aircraft from landing in the country. In exchange, Ukraine would be allowed to negotiate security guarantees from the United States and European governments to help sustain any ceasefire. In the occupied territories, the agreement stipulates that Russian would become an official state language, and the Russian Orthodox Church would receive official status. In his Friday address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is now under one of the most severe pressures yet and could face an extremely difficult choice: a loss of dignity, the risk of losing a key partner, the complicated 28 points, or an extremely difficult winter. He said he would propose alternatives to the 28-point plan, but stressed that Ukraine would not give the enemy grounds to accuse it of unwillingness to pursue peace. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of DXC Technology Company. (NYSE:DXC Free Report) by 893.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 379,400 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 341,200 shares during the quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc.s holdings in DXC Technology were worth $5,801,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in shares of DXC Technology by 187.3% in the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 3,054 shares of the companys stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 1,991 shares during the last quarter. Wealthquest Corp purchased a new stake in shares of DXC Technology in the first quarter valued at about $49,000. Allworth Financial LP increased its position in DXC Technology by 68.9% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,330 shares of the companys stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 1,359 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its stake in DXC Technology by 273.9% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,218 shares of the companys stock worth $95,000 after purchasing an additional 4,555 shares during the period. Finally, Hennessy Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of DXC Technology during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $97,000. 96.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get DXC Technology alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at DXC Technology In other news, SVP Christopher Anthony Voci sold 2,500 shares of DXC Technology stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.52, for a total value of $36,300.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 91,105 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,322,844.60. The trade was a 2.67% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.61% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes DXC has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of DXC Technology from $18.00 to $14.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 20th. Wall Street Zen upgraded DXC Technology from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on DXC Technology from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on DXC Technology from $16.00 to $15.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on DXC Technology from $15.00 to $14.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, DXC Technology has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $15.00. Check Out Our Latest Report on DXC Technology DXC Technology Stock Performance Shares of DXC opened at $12.60 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. DXC Technology Company. has a 52-week low of $11.82 and a 52-week high of $23.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $13.39 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.30. The company has a market capitalization of $2.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.12 and a beta of 1.15. DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.13. DXC Technology had a net margin of 2.96% and a return on equity of 18.59%. The business had revenue of $3.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.17 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.93 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that DXC Technology Company. will post 3.35 EPS for the current fiscal year. About DXC Technology (Free Report) DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DXC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for DXC Technology Company. (NYSE:DXC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for DXC Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DXC Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Perimeter Solutions, SA (NYSE:PRM Free Report) by 7.7% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 338,470 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 24,300 shares during the quarter. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Perimeter Solutions were worth $4,712,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PRM. TenCore Partners LP purchased a new position in Perimeter Solutions during the 1st quarter valued at about $3,174,000. Equitable Trust Co. grew its position in shares of Perimeter Solutions by 5.4% in the second quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 2,253,341 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,367,000 after purchasing an additional 116,220 shares during the last quarter. Avidian Wealth Enterprises LLC purchased a new position in shares of Perimeter Solutions during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $204,000. Repertoire Partners LP purchased a new position in shares of Perimeter Solutions during the 1st quarter worth approximately $519,000. Finally, Bleakley Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Perimeter Solutions by 23.0% during the 2nd quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 29,940 shares of the companys stock worth $417,000 after purchasing an additional 5,595 shares during the last quarter. 89.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Perimeter Solutions alerts: Insider Activity In related news, Director Vivek Raj sold 25,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.45, for a total value of $561,250.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 121,701 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,732,187.45. The trade was a 17.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Jeffrey Emery sold 300,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.28, for a total transaction of $6,684,000.00. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 365,000 shares of company stock valued at $8,127,250 in the last 90 days. 10.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $27.00 target price on shares of Perimeter Solutions in a report on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research upgraded Perimeter Solutions from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Perimeter Solutions from $21.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Perimeter Solutions in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Perimeter Solutions currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $26.00. Get Our Latest Analysis on PRM Perimeter Solutions Trading Up 3.8% Shares of Perimeter Solutions stock opened at $26.34 on Friday. Perimeter Solutions, SA has a fifty-two week low of $8.76 and a fifty-two week high of $27.74. The businesss fifty day moving average is $23.04 and its two-hundred day moving average is $18.34. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 2.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The firm has a market cap of $3.90 billion, a PE ratio of 62.72 and a beta of 1.98. Perimeter Solutions (NYSE:PRM Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $0.82 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.14. Perimeter Solutions had a return on equity of 17.33% and a net margin of 12.26%.The firm had revenue of $315.44 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $238.27 million. Analysts anticipate that Perimeter Solutions, SA will post 0.71 earnings per share for the current year. Perimeter Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Perimeter Solutions, SA manufactures and supplies firefighting products and lubricant additives in the United States, Germany, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Fire Safety and Specialty Products. The Fire Safety segment provides fire retardants and firefighting foams, as well as specialized equipment and services for federal, state, provincial, local/municipal, and commercial customers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Perimeter Solutions, SA (NYSE:PRM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Perimeter Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perimeter Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLC cut its position in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 17.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 79,737 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 16,987 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab makes up approximately 0.8% of Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Kohmann Bosshard Financial Services LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $7,275,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 148,395,252 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,616,380,000 after acquiring an additional 19,817,022 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its stake in Charles Schwab by 595.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,488,777 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,212,461,000 after acquiring an additional 13,262,309 shares in the last quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 229.3% in the first quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 14,002,078 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,096,083,000 after purchasing an additional 9,749,728 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 12.3% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 82,048,984 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,422,795,000 after purchasing an additional 8,954,248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Charles Schwab during the first quarter worth $440,699,000. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 6,144 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.81, for a total transaction of $594,800.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,154,265.63. The trade was a 34.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total value of $299,122.65. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 68,938 shares of company stock valued at $6,671,953 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets SCHW has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Cowen increased their price target on Charles Schwab from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Charles Schwab from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $106.45. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SCHW Charles Schwab Stock Down 0.1% Shares of SCHW stock opened at $90.44 on Friday. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $65.88 and a fifty-two week high of $99.59. The firm has a market capitalization of $160.71 billion, a PE ratio of 21.18, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.55. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $93.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $92.68. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.26% and a net margin of 35.93%.The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.93 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year. Charles Schwab declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Friday, July 25th that authorizes the company to buyback $20.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 11.4% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be paid a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is presently 25.29%. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mediolanum International Funds Ltd raised its stake in Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR Free Report) by 15.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 33,158 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,451 shares during the period. Mediolanum International Funds Ltds holdings in Quanta Services were worth $12,642,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. SCP Investment LP purchased a new position in Quanta Services during the first quarter valued at approximately $966,000. Brighton Jones LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Quanta Services during the 4th quarter worth approximately $298,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Quanta Services by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 606,414 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $229,273,000 after purchasing an additional 5,670 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Quanta Services in the 2nd quarter valued at $271,000. Finally, Swedbank AB boosted its holdings in Quanta Services by 50.5% during the first quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 1,197,062 shares of the construction companys stock worth $304,269,000 after buying an additional 401,418 shares in the last quarter. 90.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Quanta Services alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Worthing Jackman sold 6,349 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $450.45, for a total value of $2,859,907.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 2,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,229,728.50. This represents a 69.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Donald Wayne sold 14,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $443.81, for a total value of $6,213,340.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 34,575 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,344,730.75. The trade was a 28.82% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 32,002 shares of company stock valued at $14,295,857 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Quanta Services Stock Up 0.1% Shares of NYSE PWR opened at $430.17 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $64.15 billion, a PE ratio of 66.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.59. Quanta Services, Inc. has a 12-month low of $227.08 and a 12-month high of $469.43. The company has a 50-day moving average of $426.33 and a 200 day moving average of $390.48. Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The construction company reported $3.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.24 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $7.63 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.41 billion. Quanta Services had a return on equity of 18.41% and a net margin of 3.73%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 17.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.72 EPS. Quanta Services has set its FY 2025 guidance at 10.330-10.830 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Quanta Services, Inc. will post 9.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. Quanta Services Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 1st were issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 1st. Quanta Servicess dividend payout ratio is presently 6.52%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Roth Capital set a $500.00 price objective on shares of Quanta Services and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Quanta Services from $410.00 to $480.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Quanta Services in a research report on Wednesday. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Quanta Services from $472.00 to $521.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Mizuho set a $415.00 target price on Quanta Services in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and thirteen have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $438.64. Read Our Latest Analysis on Quanta Services Quanta Services Company Profile (Free Report) Quanta Services, Inc provides infrastructure solutions for the electric and gas utility, renewable energy, communications, and pipeline and energy industries in the United States, Canada, Australia, and internationally. The companys Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment engages in the design, procurement, construction, upgrade, repair, and maintenance of electric power transmission and distribution infrastructure and substation facilities; installation, maintenance, and upgrade of electric power infrastructure projects; installation of smart grid technologies on electric power networks; and design, installation, maintenance, and repair of commercial and industrial wirings. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PWR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE:PWR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Quanta Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Quanta Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLC trimmed its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 61,468 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 6,528 shares during the quarter. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill were worth $3,451,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CMG. Saudi Central Bank purchased a new position in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 1248 Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at $28,000. Oliver Lagore Vanvalin Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management increased its position in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 109.3% in the second quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 517 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. 91.30% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Performance Chipotle Mexican Grill stock opened at $31.60 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $37.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $44.75. Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $29.75 and a fifty-two week high of $66.74. The company has a market capitalization of $41.78 billion, a PE ratio of 27.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.98. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Chipotle Mexican Grill ( NYSE:CMG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.29. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a net margin of 13.04% and a return on equity of 44.32%. The company had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.27 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 earnings per share for the current year. CMG has been the subject of several research reports. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Guggenheim decreased their target price on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $47.00 to $46.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 25th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from $53.00 to $45.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. UBS Group set a $45.00 price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $49.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $49.81. Read Our Latest Report on CMG Chipotle Mexican Grill Company Profile (Free Report) Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants. It sells food and beverages through offering burritos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, tacos, and salads. The company also provides delivery and related services its app and website. It has operations in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chipotle Mexican Grill and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 12.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,531 shares of the companys stock after selling 617 shares during the quarter. Meridian Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $722,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. MOKAN Wealth Management Inc. grew its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 13.7% in the 2nd quarter. MOKAN Wealth Management Inc. now owns 15,319 shares of the companys stock worth $2,442,000 after buying an additional 1,846 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. boosted its position in Procter & Gamble by 120.7% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 364,378 shares of the companys stock worth $62,098,000 after acquiring an additional 199,258 shares during the period. Caliber Wealth Management LLC KS grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 36.2% in the second quarter. Caliber Wealth Management LLC KS now owns 17,798 shares of the companys stock worth $2,836,000 after purchasing an additional 4,730 shares in the last quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the second quarter valued at $34,684,000. Finally, First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 12.8% during the second quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 156,874 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,993,000 after purchasing an additional 17,836 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets PG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane decreased their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $177.00 to $172.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Wednesday. BNP Paribas reiterated an outperform rating and set a $177.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Bank of America cut their target price on Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Procter & Gamble from $163.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Twelve research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $171.53. Procter & Gamble Trading Up 1.8% Procter & Gamble stock opened at $150.84 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $352.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.36. Procter & Gamble Company has a 1 year low of $144.09 and a 1 year high of $180.43. The firms 50 day moving average price is $150.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $156.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.71. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.23 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.63% and a net margin of 19.74%.The companys revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.93 EPS. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a dividend of $1.0568 per share. This represents a $4.23 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, October 24th. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 61.61%. Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In other Procter & Gamble news, insider Susan Street Whaley sold 2,408 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.23, for a total value of $366,569.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 31,770 shares in the company, valued at $4,836,347.10. This trade represents a 7.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total transaction of $108,438.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $146,429.03. This trade represents a 42.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 31,308 shares of company stock valued at $4,768,692. Corporate insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Procter & Gamble 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) had its target price upped by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $136.00 to $138.00 in a report issued on Thursday, MarketBeat reports. The firm presently has an equal weight rating on the energy exploration companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective would indicate a potential upside of 29.00% from the companys previous close. Several other analysts also recently commented on the stock. Melius Research assumed coverage on shares of EOG Resources in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a buy rating and a $173.00 target price on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $127.00 to $126.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $145.00 target price on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Sunday, October 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI lifted their price target on EOG Resources from $141.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $140.33. Get EOG Resources alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on EOG EOG Resources Stock Performance Shares of EOG Resources stock opened at $106.98 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $109.93 and its 200 day simple moving average is $115.33. The company has a current ratio of 1.79, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market capitalization of $58.05 billion, a PE ratio of 10.40, a PEG ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.72. EOG Resources has a 12 month low of $102.52 and a 12 month high of $138.18. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.42 by $0.29. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 20.51% and a net margin of 25.25%.The company had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.48 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.89 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that EOG Resources will post 11.47 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in EOG. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise bought a new position in EOG Resources during the first quarter worth $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its position in shares of EOG Resources by 10,950.0% during the 2nd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 221 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in EOG Resources during the first quarter worth approximately $28,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of EOG Resources during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, JCIC Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in EOG Resources in the 3rd quarter valued at about $32,000. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About EOG Resources (Get Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas primarily in producing basins in the United States, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. See Also Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of New Found Gold Corp. (NYSE:NFGC Get Free Report) were down 8.7% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $2.09 and last traded at $2.0630. Approximately 928,797 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 16% from the average daily volume of 1,108,721 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.26. New Found Gold Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $513.00 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -9.59 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $2.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.77. Get New Found Gold alerts: Institutional Trading of New Found Gold Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. R Squared Ltd increased its stake in shares of New Found Gold by 66.6% during the 3rd quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 18,072 shares of the companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 7,222 shares during the last quarter. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. increased its position in New Found Gold by 7.0% during the second quarter. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. now owns 134,200 shares of the companys stock worth $191,000 after buying an additional 8,800 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in New Found Gold by 18.9% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 91,791 shares of the companys stock valued at $218,000 after buying an additional 14,566 shares during the period. Midwest Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of New Found Gold in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Waterloo Capital L.P. bought a new position in shares of New Found Gold during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.43% of the companys stock. About New Found Gold New Found Gold Corp., a mineral exploration company, engages in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral properties in the Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ontario. It primarily explores for gold deposit. The company holds 100% interests in the Queensway project that includes 96 mineral licenses and 6,659 claims covering an area of 166,475 hectares of land located near Gander, Newfoundland; and the Kingsway project located in Gander, Newfoundland. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for New Found Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Found Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nomura Holdings Inc ADR (NYSE:NMR Get Free Report) shares saw an uptick in trading volume on Thursday . 1,387,193 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 120% from the previous sessions volume of 630,548 shares.The stock last traded at $7.2050 and had previously closed at $6.99. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently commented on NMR shares. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Nomura from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Nomura in a research report on Friday, October 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Nomura has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Nomura alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Nomura Nomura Price Performance The company has a 50 day moving average of $7.18 and a 200 day moving average of $6.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.73. Nomura (NYSE:NMR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.05. Nomura had a net margin of 8.07% and a return on equity of 10.23%. The business had revenue of $3.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.02 billion. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Nomura Holdings Inc ADR will post 0.76 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Nomura Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC boosted its holdings in Nomura by 4,944.8% in the second quarter. Orion Porfolio Solutions LLC now owns 2,472,892 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,272,000 after acquiring an additional 2,423,873 shares during the last quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Nomura by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 10,412,601 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $64,037,000 after purchasing an additional 1,094,218 shares during the period. Carrera Capital Advisors lifted its stake in shares of Nomura by 109.1% in the 2nd quarter. Carrera Capital Advisors now owns 730,716 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,808,000 after purchasing an additional 381,235 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Nomura by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,617,888 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $28,400,000 after purchasing an additional 289,984 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP grew its holdings in shares of Nomura by 49.8% during the 2nd quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 779,036 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,126,000 after purchasing an additional 259,158 shares during the period. 15.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Nomura Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nomura Holdings, Inc provides various financial services to individuals, corporations, financial institutions, governments, and governmental agencies worldwide. It operates through three segments: Retail, Investment Management, and Wholesale. The Retail segment offers various financial products and investment consultation services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nomura Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nomura and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey increased its stake in Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC Free Report) by 8.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 16,724 shares of the asset managers stock after buying an additional 1,293 shares during the period. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jerseys holdings in Moelis & Company were worth $1,042,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Canton Hathaway LLC bought a new position in shares of Moelis & Company in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $51,000. eCIO Inc. purchased a new stake in Moelis & Company in the first quarter worth $50,000. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new position in Moelis & Company in the first quarter worth $107,000. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S bought a new position in Moelis & Company in the first quarter worth $124,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its position in Moelis & Company by 5,355.6% during the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 2,946 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $184,000 after buying an additional 2,892 shares during the period. 91.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Moelis & Company alerts: Moelis & Company Price Performance MC stock opened at $62.75 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $4.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.98 and a beta of 1.80. Moelis & Company has a 1 year low of $47.00 and a 1 year high of $82.89. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $67.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $66.20. Moelis & Company Announces Dividend Moelis & Company ( NYSE:MC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The asset manager reported $0.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.57 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $356.89 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $336.14 million. Moelis & Company had a return on equity of 47.11% and a net margin of 15.98%.Moelis & Companys revenue was up 30.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.22 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Moelis & Company will post 2.97 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Monday, November 10th will be given a dividend of $0.65 per share. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 10th. Moelis & Companys payout ratio is 86.96%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MC. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Moelis & Company in a research report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on shares of Moelis & Company in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They set a market perform rating and a $74.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Moelis & Company from $74.00 to $90.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. Zacks Research downgraded Moelis & Company from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on Moelis & Company in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. They set a buy rating and a $80.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and seven 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 price target of $71.57. Check Out Our Latest Report on MC Moelis & Company Company Profile (Free Report) Moelis & Co operates as a holding company. It engages in the provision of financial advisory, capital raising and asset management services to a client base including corporations, governments, sovereign wealth funds and financial sponsors. The firm focuses on clients including large public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs and governments. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Moelis & Company (NYSE:MC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Moelis & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Moelis & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. One person was killed in Holubivka of the Oleksandrivka community in Donetsk region over the past day due to enemy shelling, and one person was injured in Kostiantynivka, the head of the regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin, reported. "The operational situation in the region as of the morning of November 22. Kramatorsk district: an administrative building and a car were damaged in Sloviansk. In Holubivka of the Oleksandrivka community, one person was killed and a car was damaged. In Druzhkivka, an administrative building and three cars were damaged. In Kostiantynivka, one person was injured," Filashkin said in a Telegram post. Six houses were damaged in Siversk. In total, Russian forces shelled populated areas of Donetsk region 10 times over the past day. A total of 341 people were evacuated from the frontline, including 124 children. Private Management Group Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ARCO Free Report) by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 3,182,998 shares of the restaurant operators stock after selling 22,915 shares during the period. Private Management Group Inc.s holdings in Arcos Dorados were worth $25,114,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of ARCO. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Arcos Dorados by 13.1% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 241,677 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $1,948,000 after purchasing an additional 27,979 shares in the last quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in Arcos Dorados by 27.5% in the first quarter. Diamond Hill Capital Management Inc. now owns 234,596 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $1,891,000 after purchasing an additional 50,557 shares in the last quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. lifted its position in Arcos Dorados by 23.6% during the first quarter. Navellier & Associates Inc. now owns 27,500 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $214,000 after purchasing an additional 5,242 shares during the last quarter. Inlet Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in Arcos Dorados by 13.8% in the 1st quarter. Inlet Private Wealth LLC now owns 49,388 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $398,000 after buying an additional 6,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ramirez Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Arcos Dorados by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. now owns 114,281 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $921,000 after buying an additional 12,025 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.91% of the companys stock. Get Arcos Dorados alerts: Arcos Dorados Price Performance Shares of Arcos Dorados stock opened at $7.22 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 0.80. Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. has a 52-week low of $6.51 and a 52-week high of $8.58. The company has a fifty day moving average of $7.04 and a 200-day moving average of $7.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.46 and a beta of 0.60. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Arcos Dorados ( NYSE:ARCO Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The restaurant operator reported $0.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.02. Arcos Dorados had a net margin of 2.89% and a return on equity of 24.54%. The company had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.28 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.17 EPS. The firms revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. will post 0.63 EPS for the current year. Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Arcos Dorados from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 15th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Arcos Dorados from a hold (c-) rating to a sell (d+) rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Arcos Dorados from $8.80 to $8.70 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Arcos Dorados from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Sell and a consensus target price of $8.70. View Our Latest Stock Report on ARCO Arcos Dorados Profile (Free Report) Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc operates as a franchisee of McDonalds restaurants. It has the exclusive right to own, operate, and grant franchises of McDonalds restaurants in 20 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Curacao, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, the U.S. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ARCO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. (NYSE:ARCO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arcos Dorados Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arcos Dorados and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources, Celsius, and Canadian Solar are the three Canadian stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Canadian stocks are shares of ownership in companies incorporated in Canada or primarily listed on Canadian exchanges (for example, the Toronto Stock Exchange or TSX Venture Exchange), representing a claim on those firms assets and earnings. For investors they provide exposure to the Canadian economy and sector mix (notably energy, materials and financials) and entail considerations such as Canadian-dollar currency risk, domestic regulatory and tax rules, and typical dividend policies of Canadian firms. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Canadian stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) Canadian Natural Resources Limited acquires, explores for, develops, produces, markets, and sells crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). The company offers light and medium crude oil, primary heavy crude oil, Pelican Lake heavy crude oil, bitumen (thermal oil), and synthetic crude oil (SCO). Celsius (CELH) Celsius Holdings, Inc. develops, processes, markets, distributes, and sells functional energy drinks and liquid supplements in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canadian, European, Middle Eastern, Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company offers CELSIUS, a fitness drink or supplement designed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat; various flavors and carbonated and non-carbonated functional energy drinks under the CELSIUS Originals and Vibe name, as well as functional energy drink under the CELSIUS Essentials and CELSIUS On-the-Go Powder names; and CELSIUS ready-to drink products. Read Our Latest Research Report on CELH Canadian Solar (CSIQ) Canadian Solar Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides solar energy and battery energy storage products and solutions in in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, CSI Solar and Recurrent Energy. The CSI Solar segment designs, develops, and manufactures solar ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and other solar power and battery storage products. Read Our Latest Research Report on CSIQ Read More ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS Free Report) by 16.3% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 6,511 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 914 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLCs holdings in Flowserve were worth $341,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in Flowserve in the first quarter valued at $111,598,000. Erste Asset Management GmbH grew its position in shares of Flowserve by 978.8% in the 1st quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH now owns 1,003,800 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $49,025,000 after buying an additional 910,750 shares during the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Flowserve by 4,997.4% in the second quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 429,256 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $22,472,000 after buying an additional 420,835 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Flowserve by 32.6% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,630,226 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $79,620,000 after buying an additional 400,925 shares during the period. Finally, HITE Hedge Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Flowserve during the first quarter worth about $15,004,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.93% of the companys stock. Get Flowserve alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets FLS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Stifel Nicolaus set a $84.00 target price on Flowserve in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Flowserve from $66.00 to $76.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Flowserve from $65.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Bank of America reissued a neutral rating and set a $73.00 target price (up previously from $60.00) on shares of Flowserve in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded Flowserve from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $75.33. Insider Activity In related news, CFO Amy B. Schwetz sold 47,000 shares of Flowserve stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.02, for a total value of $3,337,940.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 52,628 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,737,640.56. This trade represents a 47.18% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Lamar L. Duhon sold 1,609 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.51, for a total transaction of $111,841.59. Following the sale, the insider owned 15,116 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,050,713.16. This trade represents a 9.62% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 59,276 shares of company stock worth $4,196,578 over the last quarter. 0.76% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Flowserve Trading Up 2.5% FLS opened at $67.73 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $58.67 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.26. Flowserve Corporation has a 1-year low of $37.34 and a 1-year high of $72.08. The company has a market cap of $8.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a current ratio of 2.10, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. Flowserve (NYSE:FLS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The industrial products company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.10. Flowserve had a return on equity of 19.41% and a net margin of 9.66%.The company had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.21 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.62 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Flowserve has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.400-3.500 EPS. Analysts predict that Flowserve Corporation will post 3.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. Flowserve Company Profile (Free Report) Flowserve Corporation designs, manufactures, distributes, and services industrial flow management equipment in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) and Flow Control Division (FCD) segments. The FPD segment offers custom and pre-configured pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts, upgrades, and related aftermarket services; and equipment services, including installation and commissioning services, seal systems spare parts, repairs, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and upgrade solutions, retrofit programs, and machining and asset management solutions, as well as manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal for use in high-speed compressors for gas pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FLS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Flowserve Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Flowserve and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rhumbline Advisers decreased its stake in Eaton Corporation, PLC (NYSE:ETN Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 689,912 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 10,226 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Eaton were worth $246,292,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ETN. IMA Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in Eaton in the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. raised its stake in shares of Eaton by 36.0% during the 2nd quarter. SOA Wealth Advisors LLC. now owns 136 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Eaton in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in shares of Eaton by 142.3% in the second quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 172 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $62,000 after buying an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Eaton by 125.0% during the first quarter. Flagship Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 180 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.97% of the companys stock. Get Eaton alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Eaton In other Eaton news, Director Gerald Johnson bought 200 shares of Eaton stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was bought at an average price of $339.89 per share, with a total value of $67,978.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 400 shares in the company, valued at $135,956. The trade was a 100.00% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders acquired a total of 500 shares of company stock worth $174,389 over the last three months. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Eaton Trading Up 1.0% Shares of ETN stock opened at $331.56 on Friday. Eaton Corporation, PLC has a 12-month low of $231.85 and a 12-month high of $399.56. The company has a market capitalization of $128.78 billion, a PE ratio of 33.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.19. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $370.21 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $355.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Eaton (NYSE:ETN Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The industrial products company reported $3.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.06 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $6.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.09 billion. Eaton had a return on equity of 23.91% and a net margin of 15.11%. Eaton has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.230-3.430 EPS. FY 2025 guidance at 11.970-12.170 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Eaton Corporation, PLC will post 12.02 earnings per share for the current year. Eaton Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 21st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were given a dividend of $1.04 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 6th. This represents a $4.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. Eatons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.60%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Eaton in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Daiwa America raised shares of Eaton to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 11th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Eaton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, September 13th. Mizuho boosted their price target on Eaton from $385.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Eaton from $375.00 to $395.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have issued 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 an average target price of $401.50. Get Our Latest Analysis on Eaton Eaton Company Profile (Free Report) Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The companys Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ETN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eaton Corporation, PLC (NYSE:ETN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Savant Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Iamgold Corporation (NYSE:IAG Free Report) (TSE:IMG) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 13,669 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $100,000. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Iamgold in the first quarter valued at approximately $45,911,000. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Iamgold in the 1st quarter valued at $20,620,000. Anson Funds Management LP grew its stake in shares of Iamgold by 2,100.0% during the 1st quarter. Anson Funds Management LP now owns 3,300,000 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $20,598,000 after buying an additional 3,150,000 shares during the period. Ninety One UK Ltd increased its holdings in shares of Iamgold by 127.7% during the 2nd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 5,347,405 shares of the mining companys stock worth $39,303,000 after buying an additional 2,998,882 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in shares of Iamgold by 19.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 12,092,101 shares of the mining companys stock worth $75,489,000 after buying an additional 1,929,787 shares during the period. 47.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Iamgold alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Iamgold from $8.50 to $15.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Iamgold from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the stock from $9.00 to $14.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 10th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Iamgold from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Raymond James Financial lifted their price target on shares of Iamgold from $9.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Iamgold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, August 15th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $15.25. Iamgold Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:IAG opened at $12.86 on Friday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $12.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.36. The company has a market cap of $7.40 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.25, a PEG ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 1.47. Iamgold Corporation has a one year low of $4.98 and a one year high of $14.68. Iamgold (NYSE:IAG Get Free Report) (TSE:IMG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The mining company reported $0.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $714.61 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $759.45 million. Iamgold had a return on equity of 8.54% and a net margin of 40.61%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Iamgold Corporation will post 0.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Iamgold (Free Report) IAMGOLD Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an intermediate gold producer and developer in Canada and Burkina Faso. It owns 100% interest in the Westwood project that covers an area of 1,925 hectare and located in Quebec; a 60% interest in the Cote gold project, which covers an area of 596 square kilometer located in Ontario, Canada; and a 90% interests in the Essakane project that covers an area of 274,000 square kilometer situated in Burkina Faso. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IAG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Iamgold Corporation (NYSE:IAG Free Report) (TSE:IMG). Receive News & Ratings for Iamgold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Iamgold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seeds Investor LLC purchased a new position in shares of Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 15,469 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $142,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its stake in shares of Amcor by 51.6% during the second quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 464,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,266,000 after purchasing an additional 158,082 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Amcor by 71.4% during the 2nd quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 2,446,429 shares of the companys stock valued at $22,483,000 after buying an additional 1,019,306 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC increased its stake in Amcor by 54,855.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 605,062 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,561,000 after buying an additional 603,961 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Amcor by 63.5% during the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 5,012,038 shares of the companys stock worth $46,061,000 after buying an additional 1,946,147 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Amcor in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $463,000. Institutional investors own 45.14% of the companys stock. Get Amcor alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades AMCR has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Amcor in a report on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a sector perform rating for the company. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Amcor in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Amcor in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. They set a buy rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on Amcor in a research note on Friday, September 19th. They issued an overweight rating and a $10.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $11.50 price objective on shares of Amcor in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Eleven 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, Amcor presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $10.91. Amcor Trading Up 1.4% Shares of NYSE:AMCR opened at $8.48 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.56, a PEG ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.72. Amcor PLC has a 1-year low of $7.66 and a 1-year high of $10.70. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $8.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.81. Amcor (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.19. The company had revenue of $5.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.77 billion. Amcor had a return on equity of 19.43% and a net margin of 3.40%.The firms revenue was up 71.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.16 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Amcor PLC will post 0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Amcor Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.13 per share. This is a positive change from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Amcors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 152.94%. Amcor Company Profile (Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMCR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Amcor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amcor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Hold from the ten analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and four have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $80.75. A number of brokerages have weighed in on SAH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Sonic Automotive from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 18th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their target price on Sonic Automotive from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Sonic Automotive from $60.00 to $72.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 14th. Get Sonic Automotive alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Sonic Automotive Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sonic Automotive Sonic Automotive Price Performance A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in Sonic Automotive by 992.5% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 437 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 397 shares in the last quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive during the 3rd quarter valued at $63,000. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new position in shares of Sonic Automotive in the third quarter worth $78,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive in the first quarter worth $84,000. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Sonic Automotive during the third quarter valued at $109,000. 46.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Sonic Automotive stock opened at $62.00 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $70.08 and its 200 day simple moving average is $74.55. Sonic Automotive has a 12 month low of $52.00 and a 12 month high of $89.62. The company has a market cap of $2.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.76 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68. Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.82 by ($0.41). The firm had revenue of $3.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.59 billion. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 0.86% and a return on equity of 21.65%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.26 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Sonic Automotive will post 6.14 EPS for the current year. Sonic Automotive Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.38 per share. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Sonic Automotives payout ratio is presently 41.08%. Sonic Automotive Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sonic Automotive, Inc operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It operates in three segments, Franchised Dealerships, EchoPark, and Powersports. The Franchised Dealerships segment is involved in the sale of new and used cars and light trucks, and replacement parts; provision of vehicle maintenance, manufacturer warranty repair, and paint and collision repair services; and arrangement of extended warranties, service contracts, financing, insurance, and other aftermarket products for its guests. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Sonic Automotive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sonic Automotive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stevens Capital Management LP reduced its position in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report) by 52.0% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 11,009 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 11,938 shares during the period. Stevens Capital Management LPs holdings in MetLife were worth $885,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in MET. Delta Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of MetLife by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Delta Investment Management LLC now owns 14,265 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,145,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC lifted its position in shares of MetLife by 2.2% during the 2nd quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 6,366 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $491,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Glenview Trust co grew its position in MetLife by 0.4% in the first quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 38,333 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,078,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. raised its stake in MetLife by 1.0% during the second quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 14,902 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,198,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Forum Financial Management LP lifted its holdings in shares of MetLife by 1.1% in the second quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 13,607 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,094,000 after acquiring an additional 151 shares during the last quarter. 94.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get MetLife alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Cowen reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of MetLife in a report on Friday, August 22nd. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of MetLife from $94.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on shares of MetLife from $92.00 to $90.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. UBS Group dropped their price target on MetLife from $96.00 to $95.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b-) rating on shares of MetLife in a research report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, MetLife currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $95.00. MetLife Stock Performance Shares of MetLife stock opened at $75.00 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $79.33 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.87. MetLife, Inc. has a 1-year low of $65.21 and a 1-year high of $89.05. The company has a current ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The company has a market cap of $49.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.71, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.87. MetLife (NYSE:MET Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.07. MetLife had a return on equity of 19.88% and a net margin of 5.83%.The company had revenue of $17.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $18.64 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.95 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that MetLife, Inc. will post 9.65 EPS for the current year. MetLife Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 4th will be given a dividend of $0.5675 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 4th. This represents a $2.27 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. MetLifes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 42.75%. MetLife Company Profile (Free Report) MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through six segments: Retirement and Income Solutions; Group Benefits; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MET? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MetLife Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MetLife and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swiss National Bank raised its stake in Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG Free Report) by 6.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 674,500 shares of the energy companys stock after buying an additional 41,700 shares during the period. Swiss National Banks holdings in Cheniere Energy were worth $164,254,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Cheniere Energy by 27.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,304,253 shares of the energy companys stock worth $301,804,000 after purchasing an additional 282,050 shares during the period. Thompson Davis & CO. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Cheniere Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $529,000. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 718.1% during the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,669 shares of the energy companys stock worth $406,000 after acquiring an additional 1,465 shares during the period. Trivium Point Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 38.6% during the 1st quarter. Trivium Point Advisory LLC now owns 28,029 shares of the energy companys stock worth $6,486,000 after acquiring an additional 7,808 shares during the period. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 3.3% during the 2nd quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 39,440 shares of the energy companys stock worth $9,604,000 after acquiring an additional 1,273 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.26% of the companys stock. Get Cheniere Energy alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director W Benjamin Moreland purchased 5,000 shares of Cheniere Energy stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $208.22 per share, for a total transaction of $1,041,100.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 9,856 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,052,216.32. This represents a 102.97% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. Cheniere Energy Trading Down 1.3% LNG opened at $205.40 on Friday. Cheniere Energy, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $188.70 and a fifty-two week high of $257.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.96, a current ratio of 0.98 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.99, a PEG ratio of 6.08 and a beta of 0.36. The companys 50 day moving average price is $222.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $230.94. Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The energy company reported $4.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.75 by $2.00. The firm had revenue of $4.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.87 billion. Cheniere Energy had a net margin of 21.05% and a return on equity of 37.83%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 18.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.93 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Cheniere Energy, Inc. will post 11.69 earnings per share for the current year. Cheniere Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a dividend of $0.555 per share. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This is a boost from Cheniere Energys previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Cheniere Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.37%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have commented on LNG shares. TD Cowen boosted their price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. Raymond James Financial reiterated a strong-buy rating and issued a $278.00 price target (up previously from $275.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $290.00 price objective on Cheniere Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $275.00 price objective on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Erste Group Bank downgraded Cheniere Energy from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $268.47. View Our Latest Stock Report on Cheniere Energy About Cheniere Energy (Free Report) Cheniere Energy, Inc, an energy infrastructure company, primarily engages in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) related businesses in the United States. It owns and operates the Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and the Corpus Christi LNG terminal near Corpus Christi, Texas. The company also owns Creole Trail pipeline, a 94-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal with several interstate and intrastate pipelines; and operates Corpus Christi pipeline, a 21.5-mile natural gas supply pipeline that interconnects the Corpus Christi LNG terminal with various interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LNG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cheniere Energy, Inc. (NYSE:LNG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cheniere Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cheniere Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tableaux LLC purchased a new position in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund purchased 20,000 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $5,351,000. Travelers Companies comprises about 0.4% of Tableaux LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest position. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of TRV. Bearing Point Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Bearing Point Capital LLC now owns 1,973 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $522,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Y.D. More Investments Ltd raised its holdings in Travelers Companies by 13.9% in the first quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 319 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $84,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the period. Park National Corp OH lifted its position in Travelers Companies by 1.6% during the second quarter. Park National Corp OH now owns 2,580 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $690,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in Travelers Companies by 5.6% during the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 776 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $207,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. Finally, Park Place Capital Corp increased its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 33.1% in the second quarter. Park Place Capital Corp now owns 165 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $44,000 after acquiring an additional 41 shares in the last quarter. 82.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Vice Chairman William H. Heyman sold 2,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.50, for a total transaction of $575,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 255,086 shares in the company, valued at approximately $73,337,225. This trade represents a 0.78% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 8,572 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $270.73, for a total value of $2,320,697.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 33,638 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,106,815.74. The trade was a 20.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 37,375 shares of company stock worth $10,374,006 in the last three months. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Travelers Companies Stock Up 0.8% NYSE:TRV opened at $290.21 on Friday. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 52 week low of $230.23 and a 52 week high of $292.50. The company has a current ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $276.41 and a 200-day moving average of $270.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.74 billion, a PE ratio of 11.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.55. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.01 by $2.13. Travelers Companies had a net margin of 12.14% and a return on equity of 20.28%. The firm had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.15 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.24 EPS. Travelers Companiess quarterly revenue was up 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 EPS for the current year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 10th will be paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.5%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 17.30%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on TRV shares. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $284.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised Travelers Companies to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their target price on Travelers Companies from $304.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Travelers Companies in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. They issued a neutral rating and a $291.00 target price for the company. Finally, Barclays set a $313.00 price target on Travelers Companies in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, ten have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Travelers Companies currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $292.73. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TRV About Travelers Companies (Free Report) The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed a plan to end the war in Ukraine with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on Friday. "I just discussed the plan for peace for Ukraine with [U.S. President Donald Trump] in a good and confidential phone call. We have agreed on the next steps at the advisors' level. I will now brief the European partners," he wrote on the social network X. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 22.0% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,181 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 936 shares during the period. Journey Strategic Wealth LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,174,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TSM. 1248 Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Vision Financial Markets LLC purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. First Command Advisory Services Inc. lifted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 174.1% in the second quarter. First Command Advisory Services Inc. now owns 159 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Keener Financial Planning LLC purchased a new position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter worth about $39,000. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock opened at $275.01 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.15, a current ratio of 2.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 52-week low of $134.25 and a 52-week high of $311.37. The firm has a market cap of $1.43 trillion, a PE ratio of 28.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 1.31. The companys 50 day moving average is $287.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $245.25. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The semiconductor company reported $2.92 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.59 by $0.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.72% and a return on equity of 36.06%. The business had revenue of $32.36 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $951.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.94 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 40.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has set its Q4 2025 guidance at EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared 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. This is a positive change from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 17th. This represents a $3.87 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.97%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on TSM shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $330.00 to $355.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Susquehanna lifted their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $300.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $371.67. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TSM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Private Management Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report) by 0.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 372,529 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 846 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy accounts for about 1.7% of Private Management Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position. Private Management Group Inc.s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $50,075,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter worth $27,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 1,277.8% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 248 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the period. Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at $43,000. Finally, Hemington Wealth Management raised its position in Valero Energy by 39.9% during the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the companys stock. Get Valero Energy alerts: Valero Energy Trading Up 1.5% Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $173.46 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $168.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of $149.49. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $99.00 and a 52 week high of $185.62. The stock has a market cap of $52.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.21, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.60. Valero Energy Dividend Announcement Valero Energy ( NYSE:VLO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.51. The firm had revenue of $32.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.80 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.21% and a return on equity of 8.69%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.14 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 20th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 20th. Valero Energys payout ratio is presently 94.36%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Valero Energy from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. Erste Group Bank began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Monday, November 10th. They set a buy rating for the company. Mizuho boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $166.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Bank of America upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $152.00 to $179.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $182.00. View Our Latest Analysis on VLO About Valero Energy (Free Report) Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VLO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Valero Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Valero Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in BXP, Inc. (NYSE:BXP Free Report) by 4.3% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,470,390 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 1,016,579 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 15.45% of BXP worth $1,651,017,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Boston Partners grew its position in BXP by 15.5% during the second quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,009,193 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $203,020,000 after buying an additional 403,090 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC acquired a new stake in shares of BXP during the 1st quarter worth approximately $14,737,000. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. increased its position in shares of BXP by 49.7% during the second quarter. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. now owns 339,596 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $22,913,000 after purchasing an additional 112,760 shares during the period. Tredje AP fonden increased its position in shares of BXP by 801.4% during the first quarter. Tredje AP fonden now owns 107,921 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $7,251,000 after purchasing an additional 95,948 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of BXP by 1.7% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,153,844 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $279,186,000 after purchasing an additional 68,481 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 98.72% of the companys stock. Get BXP alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have issued reports on BXP. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of BXP from $86.00 to $84.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. New Street Research set a $85.00 price objective on BXP in a report on Monday, October 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d+) rating on shares of BXP in a report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on BXP from $78.00 to $77.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group set a $77.00 price objective on BXP and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $79.42. Insider Buying and Selling at BXP In other BXP news, EVP John J. Stroman sold 16,838 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.17, for a total value of $1,215,198.46. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Michael E. Labelle sold 13,422 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.34, for a total value of $970,947.48. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 9,223 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $667,191.82. The trade was a 59.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.49% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. BXP Price Performance Shares of BXP stock opened at $70.02 on Friday. BXP, Inc. has a 52 week low of $54.22 and a 52 week high of $84.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.10 billion, a PE ratio of -55.13, a PEG ratio of 7.35 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 3.76 and a current ratio of 4.50. The stocks fifty day moving average is $72.76 and its 200-day moving average is $70.34. BXP (NYSE:BXP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates 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 firm had revenue of $871.51 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $860.88 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.81 EPS. The companys revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. BXP has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.890-6.920 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that BXP, Inc. will post 6.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. BXP Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 30th were given a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.0%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 30th. BXPs payout ratio is -220.47%. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BXP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BXP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP bought a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 5,995 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $414,000. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in NVO. Stone House Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S in the 1st quarter valued at about $30,000. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 174.1% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 444 shares of the companys stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 162.3% during the first quarter. Disciplina Capital Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 297 shares during the last quarter. Dagco Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in Novo Nordisk A/S during the second quarter worth $37,000. 11.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Novo Nordisk A/S alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In NVO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. HSBC set a $70.00 target price on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. BMO Capital Markets restated a market perform rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Monday. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $54.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 13th. Rothschild Redb raised shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Berenberg Bank upgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. 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 assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $59.20. Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance NYSE NVO opened at $47.65 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $212.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52. The companys 50 day moving average is $53.92 and its 200-day moving average is $60.38. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 12-month low of $45.05 and a 12-month high of $112.52. Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $11.74 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.98 billion. Novo Nordisk A/S has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. Sell-side 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novo Nordisk A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Zijin Mining Group Company Limited (OTCMKTS:ZIJMY Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 2.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $78.57 and last traded at $78.78. Approximately 12,168 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 53% from the average daily volume of 26,043 shares. The stock had previously closed at $80.9150. Zijin Mining Group Stock Up 0.1% The businesss 50 day moving average is $82.25 and its 200-day moving average is $64.08. Get Zijin Mining Group alerts: Zijin Mining Group Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 12th were given a $0.5034 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 161.0%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 11th. Zijin Mining Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.33%. Zijin Mining Group Company Profile Zijin Mining Group Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining, processing, refining, and sale of gold, non-ferrous metals, and other mineral resources in Mainland China and internationally. It primarily produces gold bullion; gold, copper, zinc, lead, tungsten, and iron ore concentrates; and copper cathodes, zinc bullion, sulphuric acid, copperplate, silver, iron, etc., as well as molybdenum, cobalt, tin, coal, lithium, platinum, and palladium. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Zijin Mining Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Zijin Mining Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Polish PM: Polish citizen and her 7-year-old daughter killed in Russian attack on Ukrainian city of Ternopil A seven-year-old Polish girl and her mother were among the victims of the massive Russian missile-and-drone strike on Ternopil in the early hours of November 19, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. "Amelka was seven years old. Seven. A Polish child. She died in Ternopil during a brutal Russian missile attack. She will never fulfill any of her dreams. This cruel war must end, and Russia cannot win it. Because this is also a war for the future of our children," he wrote on X. A spokesperson for Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maciej Wawrzyn, reported that the girl's mother was also killed. "A Polish woman was killed in Ukraine. Amelia. On the night of November 1819, Russia attacked civilians in Ternopil. Among the victims of this brutality was a seven-year-old Polish citizen, Amelka. She was killed that night together with her mother. Our office remains in constant contact with the authorities of Ternopil region," he wrote on X. As reported earlier, a residential high-rise in Ternopil was destroyed as a result of a Russian missile attack. Twenty-seven people were killed, including three children. Ninety-four people were injured, among them 18 children. The fate of 13 people remains unknown. Russia carried out a massive missile-and-drone attack early Wednesday, November 19. Gaia-X has wrapped up its 2025 Summit with a significant step forward for Europes digital landscape: the official launch of the Gaia-X Trust Framework 3.0 Danube. This new release introduces both domain-specific and geographic extensions, allowing trust to be federated across a wide range of ecosystems and regulatory environments. With Danube, Gaia-X delivers the technical underpinnings needed to scale trustworthy data spaces and to strengthen Europes pursuit of sovereign, interoperable, and AI-ready digital infrastructure. After attending the Helsinki Summit in 2024, the Gaia-X framework and vision has indeed matured at great speed, and efficacy. Data is still the king in Europe, and the harnessing of this empirical power is key to European sovereignty and power. The Summit gathered senior figures from European institutions, industry, and the technology sector to assess the tangible progress made since Gaia-X was founded. Speaking on behalf of the European Commission, Thibault Kleiner, Director for Future Networks at DG CONNECT, highlighted the broader ambitions of Europes digital agenda: We have achieved a lot in the past years in terms of data spaces, standards, data brokerage and legislative support. The time has come to scale up and federate our data spaces and build a European data ecosystem that will power AI and boost EU competitiveness. Reflecting on the Summits achievements, Ulrich Ahle, CEO of Gaia-X, remarked: This Summit marks a decisive step forward for Gaia-X and for Europes digital future. We are moving from first pilot implementations to true operational deployment, where data spaces, trust frameworks, and interoperability tools are now ready to scale. With the Danube Release and the progress shown across all sectors, Gaia-X is proving that Europe can build a trusted, sovereign digital ecosystem that enables innovation while keeping control of data and AI firmly in European hands. At the heart of the Summit was the introduction of the Danube Release. Alongside the updated specifications, Gaia-X unveiled new versions of the Architecture Document (AD) and the Compliance Document (CD), each substantially enhanced to automate trust and simplify interoperability. Christoph Strnadl, CTO of Gaia-X, underlined the architectural relevance of the new extensibility approach: The updated Architecture Document and the new Danube software components define and implement a unified extensibility mechanism that allows arbitrary ecosystem rulebooks to be automated in a technically compatible way. It also enables extended identification schemes, which together provide the technical basis for true cross-ecosystem trust. With this, we are no longer talking about isolated compliance regimes. We are enabling for the first time ever a federation of interoperable digital ecosystems. Bring Your Own Rules: With Danube, the Gaia-X framework is compatible with rules and criteria that almost no one knows and no one has heard of. From an operational perspective, the updated Compliance Document introduces functions that simplify complexity and support scalable service descriptions. Roland Fadrany, COO of Gaia-X, emphasised the practical impact: The Gaia-X Trust Framework underpins this vision by providing verifiable identities, compliance mechanisms, and digital clearing houses that ensure sovereignty, transparency, and cross-border recognition. Data Space Governance Authorities (DSGAs) can define their own rules (Bring Your Own Rules), enabling automated compliance with sector-specific or regional regulations. This framework supports cross-sector ecosystemsfrom mobility and energy to smart cities and manufacturingenabling automated compliance, secure identity management, and seamless service orchestration, ultimately making data sovereignty practical and accessible on users own terms. The Summit also reaffirmed Gaia-Xs alignment with Europes industrial goals. Catherine Jestin, Chairwoman of the Gaia-X Board and Executive Vice President Digital at Airbus, stressed the strategic value of data spaces and the Trust Framework: Digital sovereignty is the capacity to control ones digital destiny. For aerospace and defence, this relies on protecting intellectual property, ensuring business continuity, mastering our technology stack, and limiting vendor lock-in. Data spaces such as DECADE-X are critical instruments to achieve this. Gaia-X plays a central role because its Trust Framework enables participants to collaborate and exchange data securely, automatically, and across borders. This is why Gaia-X has never been so important. It is a key component of Europes digital sovereignty and of the operational success of emerging data spaces. A high-level roundtable on Season Two of Data Spaces, moderated by Catherine Jestin and featuring Thibaut Kleiner (DG CONNECT), Ernst Stockl-Pukall (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), and Amandine Reix (French Direction Generale des Entreprises), marked a turning point in Europes data economy. Building on achievements including more than 15 European data spaces, emerging standards, supporting legislation, and federated tools, the speakers called for greater consolidation, economic sustainability, and stronger cross-sector interoperability. The shared conclusion was clear: Season Two must deliver truly operational, scalable, and federated data spaces that can underpin Europes industrial competitiveness and future AI leadership, rooted in trust and digital sovereignty. During the event, Data4NuclearX and Decade-X demonstrated how European strategic industries are already implementing the Gaia-X Trust Framework to secure digital capabilities in the nuclear and aerospace sectors. One of the most anticipated segments of the Summit was the unveiling of the Catalogue of Gaia-X Compliant Services, showcasing the growing number of services aligned with Gaia-X principles of transparency, interoperability, and trust. From cloud platforms to specialised data services, the catalogue shows how organisations can increasingly select solutions that reflect European values such as sovereignty and verifiable trust. Cloud Temple, Thesee DataCenter, OPIQUAD, OVHcloud, and Seeweb were announced as the first five companies to achieve Gaia-X Label level 3. Gaia-X also announced the establishment of a new hub: Gaia-X Hub Digital Trust Canada (DTC), marking an important expansion of international cooperation around data sovereignty, interoperability, and trusted ecosystems. After two days of presentations, technical discussions, and demonstrations, the Porto Summit concluded with a clear message: Gaia-X has entered a new stage of maturity. The Danube Release, combined with the enhanced Architecture and Compliance Documents, provides Europe with a robust, extensible, and scalable basis for trusted collaboration across industries and national borders. As data spaces continue to evolve across manufacturing, aerospace, nuclear energy, health, and other critical sectors, Gaia-X now offers the mechanism for these ecosystems to interoperate securely and transparently, ensuring that trust can be automated, sovereignty made operational, and Europes digital future constructed on firm, shared foundations. Sebastien Lescop, CEO of Cloud Temple, commented: This week marks an important step for Europe. The Summit on European Digital Sovereignty and the Gaia-X Summit have demonstrated a shared commitment to building a trusted, interoperable digital ecosystem for our continent. With Gaia-X, we now have a concrete, collaboratively developed framework that brings together institutions, providers, and, above all, users. By becoming the first company to achieve the highest level of certification, Gaia-X Label level 3, Cloud Temple is proud to contribute to the foundations of a trusted digital infrastructure that will support Europes ambitions for the years ahead. Gaia-X expressed its sincere thanks to the partners who supported the Summit, including Cloud Temple, deltaDAO, neusta aerospace, and IRT SystemX, whose expertise and continued commitment have strengthened the Gaia-X ecosystem and accelerated the roll-out of trusted, interoperable data spaces across the digital ecosystems of Europe and beyond. About Gaia-X: Founded in 2021 as a privately funded, not-for-profit association, Gaia-X brings together an international community of industry, academia, and public actors to establish shared standards for transparent, controllable, and interoperable technologies. Its goal is to unlock unprecedented opportunities for innovative, data-driven business models while reducing reliance on non-controllable technologies. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha briefed his Norwegian counterpart, Espen Barth Eide, on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's conversation with American and European partners on a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. "During our call, I thanked @EspenBarthEide for Norway's remarkable leadership in supporting Ukraine. I updated him on President Zelenskyy's latest contacts with the American side and our partners in Europe," he wrote on social media X. Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine appreciates the United States' efforts to end the bloodshed and stand prepared to work as fast and committed as possible to achieve a just peace. He also said that he strongly believes that Europe should play an important role in peace efforts. "I value Espen's confirmation that Ukraine can count on continued, reliable, and strong support from our Norwegian friends and other European allies. We appreciate it," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said. Archer Investment Corp acquired a new stake in Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF (NYSEARCA:PRF Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 2,369 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $100,000. Get Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF alerts: Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its position in Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF by 34.5% in the second quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,002 shares of the companys stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF by 33.5% in the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,465 shares of the companys stock valued at $62,000 after acquiring an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at $76,000. Finally, GHP Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF by 28.3% in the second quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,438 shares of the companys stock worth $103,000 after acquiring an additional 538 shares during the period. Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA PRF opened at $45.23 on Friday. Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF has a 1 year low of $34.98 and a 1 year high of $46.48. The company has a market capitalization of $8.20 billion, a PE ratio of 17.96 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a fifty day moving average of $45.35 and a 200 day moving average of $43.39. Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF Profile The Invesco FTSE RAFI US 1000 ETF (PRF) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE RAFI US 1000 index. The fund tracks an index of 1,000 of the largest US companies that are selected and weighted using fundamental metrics. PRF was launched on Dec 19, 2005 and is managed by Invesco. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF (NYSEARCA:PRF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco RAFI US 1000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership cut its holdings in Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO Free Report) by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 118,198 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 1,670 shares during the period. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership owned 0.44% of Bio-Rad Laboratories worth $28,524,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Bio-Rad Laboratories alerts: A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Bio-Rad Laboratories by 33.9% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 29,742 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $7,244,000 after purchasing an additional 7,525 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $3,981,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth approximately $206,000. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH increased its holdings in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories by 1.0% during the first quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 10,745 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $2,617,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Oak Thistle LLC bought a new position in shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories in the first quarter worth approximately $259,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.24% of the companys stock. Insider Transactions at Bio-Rad Laboratories In other Bio-Rad Laboratories news, EVP James Barry sold 700 shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.18, for a total value of $214,326.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 510 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $156,151.80. The trade was a 57.85% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 17.06% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BIO has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Bio-Rad Laboratories from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research raised Bio-Rad Laboratories from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, August 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price objective on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $387.00 to $409.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Bio-Rad Laboratories from $265.00 to $340.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Bio-Rad Laboratories from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Bio-Rad Laboratories has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $358.50. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Bio-Rad Laboratories Bio-Rad Laboratories Price Performance BIO opened at $316.92 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $8.55 billion, a P/E ratio of -13.04 and a beta of 1.04. The business has a fifty day moving average of $304.72 and a 200 day moving average of $272.22. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. has a 52-week low of $211.43 and a 52-week high of $373.69. The company has a quick ratio of 3.67, a current ratio of 5.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. Bio-Rad Laboratories (NYSE:BIO Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The medical research company reported $2.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.30 by ($0.04). Bio-Rad Laboratories had a negative net margin of 26.43% and a positive return on equity of 4.18%. The business had revenue of $653.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $651.30 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.01 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .5% compared to the same quarter last year. Bio-Rad Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. will post 10.81 EPS for the current year. Bio-Rad Laboratories Profile (Free Report) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc manufactures and distributes life science research and clinical diagnostic products in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through two segments, Life Science and Clinical Diagnostics. The company develops, manufactures, and markets instruments, systems, reagents, and consumables to separate, purify, characterize, and quantitate biological materials such as cells, proteins, and nucleic acids for proteomics, genomics, biopharmaceutical production, cellular biology, and food safety markets. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BIO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bio-Rad Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bio-Rad Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. trimmed its stake in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 831,489 shares of the companys stock after selling 12,911 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company accounts for 3.3% of Bahl & Gaynor Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 5th largest position. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. owned 0.09% of Eli Lilly and Company worth $648,171,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in LLY. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 114.3% during the second quarter. Lazard Freres Gestion S.A.S. now owns 77,295 shares of the companys stock worth $60,253,000 after buying an additional 41,222 shares in the last quarter. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 15.3% in the 2nd quarter. Precedent Wealth Partners LLC now owns 294 shares of the companys stock worth $229,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 6.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 6,747 shares of the companys stock worth $5,260,000 after acquiring an additional 429 shares during the last quarter. Family CFO Inc purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $54,000. Finally, Duquesne Family Office LLC boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 52.5% during the 1st quarter. Duquesne Family Office LLC now owns 94,830 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,321,000 after acquiring an additional 32,640 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. CICC Research raised their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $930.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Scotiabank started coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $1,165.00 price objective for the company. Leerink Partnrs raised Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Guggenheim restated a buy rating and issued a $948.00 target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $1,027.95. Eli Lilly and Company Stock Up 1.4% Eli Lilly and Company stock opened at $1,058.05 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.00 trillion, a PE ratio of 69.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.21 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.28. Eli Lilly and Company has a fifty-two week low of $623.78 and a fifty-two week high of $1,066.65. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $855.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $787.66. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 92.72% and a net margin of 25.91%.The business had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $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. Research analysts expect that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys 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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich cut its holdings in shares of AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV Free Report) by 3.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 46,690 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,538 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurichs holdings in AbbVie were worth $8,667,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get AbbVie alerts: Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Marshall & Sullivan Inc. WA acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie in the second quarter worth $25,000. TD Capital Management LLC raised its position in AbbVie by 82.9% in the 1st quarter. TD Capital Management LLC now owns 128 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Spurstone Advisory Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of AbbVie in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Financial Gravity Companies Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AbbVie during the second quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Bear Mountain Capital Inc. increased its stake in shares of AbbVie by 480.6% during the second quarter. Bear Mountain Capital Inc. now owns 209 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 173 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.23% of the companys stock. AbbVie Stock Up 2.9% ABBV opened at $236.12 on Friday. AbbVie Inc. has a one year low of $164.39 and a one year high of $244.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 44.14, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 0.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $417.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 112.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.50. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $226.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $205.22. AbbVie Increases Dividend AbbVie ( NYSE:ABBV Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $15.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.58 billion. AbbVie had a return on equity of 699.66% and a net margin of 6.45%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.00 EPS. AbbVie has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.320-3.360 EPS. Analysts anticipate that AbbVie Inc. will post 12.31 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 17th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.9%. This is an increase from AbbVies previous quarterly dividend of $1.64. AbbVies dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 524.24%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have commented on ABBV shares. Scotiabank started coverage on shares of AbbVie in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $280.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of AbbVie from $250.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Daiwa America upgraded AbbVie from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. DZ Bank cut AbbVie from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $237.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $289.00 price objective (up previously from $284.00) on shares of AbbVie in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $241.85. Read Our Latest Research Report on ABBV AbbVie Company Profile (Free Report) AbbVie Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Humira, an injection for autoimmune and intestinal Behcet's diseases, and pyoderma gangrenosum; Skyrizi to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic disease, and Crohn's disease; Rinvoq to treat rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, atopic dermatitis, axial spondyloarthropathy, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Epkinly to treat lymphoma; Elahere to treat cancer; and Venclexta/Venclyxto to treat blood cancers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for AbbVie Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AbbVie and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. reduced its position in shares of Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Free Report) by 41.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 854,543 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 613,810 shares during the period. Bahl & Gaynor Inc. owned 0.21% of Phillips 66 worth $101,947,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Get Phillips 66 alerts: Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Rhumbline Advisers increased its holdings in shares of Phillips 66 by 0.8% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 796,026 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $94,966,000 after buying an additional 6,586 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC grew its position in Phillips 66 by 149.6% in the second quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC now owns 4,782 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $570,000 after acquiring an additional 2,866 shares during the period. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. increased its stake in Phillips 66 by 23.5% during the second quarter. Mufg Securities Americas Inc. now owns 9,029 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,077,000 after acquiring an additional 1,719 shares during the last quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP raised its position in Phillips 66 by 51,950.0% in the second quarter. Evelyn Partners Investment Management LLP now owns 1,041 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $124,000 after purchasing an additional 1,039 shares during the period. Finally, Journey Strategic Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Phillips 66 by 27.1% in the 2nd quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 2,083 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $249,000 after purchasing an additional 444 shares during the last quarter. 76.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of brokerages recently issued reports on PSX. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Phillips 66 from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Phillips 66 from $159.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, November 14th. Argus raised shares of Phillips 66 to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Phillips 66 from $152.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Phillips 66 from $132.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, November 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $145.71. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CFO Kevin J. Mitchell sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.00, for a total transaction of $4,140,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 89,771 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,388,398. The trade was a 25.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Brian Mandell sold 26,200 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.68, for a total value of $3,607,216.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 56,838 shares in the company, valued at $7,825,455.84. This trade represents a 31.55% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 64,986 shares of company stock worth $8,955,291 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. Phillips 66 Stock Performance NYSE:PSX opened at $133.78 on Friday. Phillips 66 has a 52 week low of $91.01 and a 52 week high of $143.25. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $134.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $126.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60. The company has a market cap of $53.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.08. Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The oil and gas company reported $2.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.14 by $0.38. Phillips 66 had a return on equity of 5.51% and a net margin of 1.12%.The firm had revenue of $33.69 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $32.29 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.04 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Phillips 66 will post 6.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Phillips 66 Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be given a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.6%. Phillips 66s payout ratio is currently 131.15%. Phillips 66 Profile (Free Report) Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Phillips 66 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phillips 66 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Photo: MFA of Ukraine Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha held telephone conversations with his European counterparts from France, the United Kingdom, Poland, Finland, the European Union, Italy, and Germany. "Timely and meaningful collective call with my colleagues from France, Jean-Noel Barrot; the United Kingdom, Yvette Cooper; Poland, Radosaw Sikorski; Finland, Elina Valtonen; the EU, Kaja Kallas; as well as representatives of Italy and Germany," Sybiha wrote on social media X. He said that he shared the results of President Zelenskyy's recent contacts and outlined the logic of his further steps. "We discussed in detail the elements of peace proposals presented by the United States and our joint work to pave a doable path to a just peace," the Foreign Minister said. Sybiha also emphasized the importance of continuing transatlantic pressure to force Russia to end the war and thanked Ukraine's partners for their willingness to increase support for Ukraine during this decisive time. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. A statement made by a grandmother who lost her eye in a punishment beating after being struck with a claw hammer should not have gone before a jury, as the victim was in hospital and was in and out of consciousness when speaking with gardai, the Court of Appeal has heard. The complainant was virtually asleep during the reading back of her statement, said Roderick OHanlon SC, barrister for Gerard Stokes (44), who along with co-accused Samantha Cambell (36) was convicted of carrying out the attack on the woman over an alleged missing drugs package. Following a three-week trial in February last year, Stokes and Campbell, both with an address at Muirhevnamor, Dundalk, were convicted by a jury of seriously assaulting the woman at Stokes home, falsely imprisoning her, assaulting her friend causing harm, and aggravated burglary at that victims home in Waterville Crescent on December 5, 2018. Stokes received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence, with two years suspended, for seriously assaulting the victim, who lost an eye in the attack and now uses a prosthesis. READ NEXT: Dundalk Court: Suspended sentence for man (21) who attacked his mother Campbell got a 12-year term on a similar charge, with two years suspended. Passing sentence at Dundalk Circuit Court, Judge Dara Hayes said that what occurred was effectively a punishment beating over alleged missing drugs. The court heard how Gerard Stokes had demanded that the woman, who was in her 50s and used to babysit for the defendants, go to his house for questioning about a missing package. There, he threatened her with "severe consequences". Campbell punched her in the face and pulled her hair. Stokes told the victim to turn off her phone, before he took it from her and ordered her to stand on bin liners on the kitchen floor and started punching her in the face. He then picked up a claw hammer and said it was time to finish her off. He told her to stand into a black bin bag and gave her five whacks with the hammer. Stokes said he was going to kill her. He told the woman to turn around. He hit her twice in the right eye with the hammer and she fell to the ground. He pulled the draw-cord of the bin bag, and she blacked out. Then, to save herself, she said that the package was at a friends house. Stokes and Campbell put her in a car and drove to this persons house, having told another individual to burn a bag containing the hammer, the victims phone, and other evidence. Both defendants assaulted the second woman but fled the scene after gardai arrived. In launching a conviction appeal yesterday, Thursday November 21st, Mr OHanlon said that the complainant was admitted to hospital, before gardai arrived and sought permission to take her statement. A doctor refused as she was not fit to make a statement, so the gardai returned the next day and spoke to a nurse, with the gardai saying they were entitled to take the statement at 9pm. Mr OHanlon said that this statement was taken over four hours and, while there was video equipment available, gardai did not use it to record the encounter. The complainant was virtually asleep during the reading back of her statement, said Mr OHanlon, adding that no evidence from the nurse was given during the trial, nor was there any evidence given that the witness was in a position to give a statement. He said that it seemed that morphine was still being administered to her at the time. He said that after permission was previously refused for the gardai to interview the victim, no evidence was presented at the trial to address the opinion of the medical expert treating her. He said that the night nurse who told the gardai that they could take the statement was not named. Mr OHanlon went on to say that a solicitor later wrote a letter to the gardai on the womans behalf, saying that she wished to withdraw her statement due to memory loss and psychiatric problems. The statement was subsequently admitted into evidence following a voir dire. Mr OHanlon said that during this voir dire, the woman was asked about falling asleep when her interview was being read back to her in hospital, and she acknowledged that this had happened. Counsel said that there was a danger in allowing the matter to go to the jury, as the womans statement appeared coherent and reliable, but it could not be tested by the defence. He said that appropriate evidence should have been given during the trial by the doctor who treated her, as to when she was fit to make the statement. She was in and out of consciousness at the time, so the signing of the statement is of a very dubious quality, said Mr OHanlon. He said that the taking of a four-hour statement may be permitted for a fully fit witness, but if the prosecution wanted to rely on that type of statement, the medical evidence in support of that should be present. Defence for Campbell was Kevin McCrave BL, who said that the submissions made by Mr OHanlon were also relevant to his client. Counsel for the State, Timothy OLeary SC said that a substantial voir dire took place concerning the admissibility of the statement, during which the trial judge had the benefit of looking at a video recording. He said that the circumstances of the incident were so serious, with the woman having lost an eye in the attack, that gardai were trying to progress the case. In response, Mr OHanlon said that the best evidence before the trial was video evidence of a garda reading the victims statement back to her, which was evidence that the garda can read, not evidence of what she said. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the court would reserve judgement in the matter. Click the 'Next >' arrow above or 'Next Story' below to go through the gallery All photos: Arthur Kinahan Last week at the Redeemer Family Resource Centre in Dundalk, 30 years of the Community Employment (CE) Scheme in the town was celebrated at an event organised by the Department of Social Protection. The event saw the schemes in the Dundalk and surrounding areas presented with plaques to mark the occasion. John Maloney, Chairperson of the Redeemer Development Management Group, which focuses on Cox's Demesne in Dundalk, spoke to the Dundalk Democrat about the impact the CE scheme has had on local community, including both those employed by the scheme, and the community groups they work with. 30 years ago, Ireland was a different place, John explained. We had come from full employment, even in the Cox's Demesne area where people were working in local factories, they were very high paid jobs and people were proud of it. We had young families, women were working in the evening time in Ecco, and they were also doing piecework to do with the shoe factories. And then in a very short space of time all of that went away and you ended up with very high unemployment because you had the recession of the 80s. It was very hard to find somebody with a job. The unemployment figures in the 80s at that stage in Dundalk were very high as our traditional industries were shutting. But they were higher even in some communities than they were in others. Also, we were a border town, that also had an impact on it as well. The employment schemes then were providing people with jobs. You had whole families where nobody was working, so all of a sudden people would be getting out of the house, they were getting training. They were getting a small litte bit of money extra, nothing major, it wouldn't change your life or anything. But the fact that they were getting out of the house and it gave them a sort of a good feeling about themselves, and also a benefit to the community. It was a great benefit too to the families, because the children, obviously the parents were happier, but also as well as that, the children saw their parents going out to work. They saw their parents learning, doing courses and stuff like that, so that had a knock on effect as well to individual families. The impact the CE Scheme has had on local communities has been huge, John added. They're embedded in a lot of organisations that are there in the community that are providing community services, and people don't realise that they're actually there. If you look at say sporting clubs, you look at community groups, you look at all of these, there's usually somebody from Community Employment working there. None of these organisations would be able to afford to employ people themselves. It's playing a vital part, I think, in any of these organisations. They're the hearbeat of a lot of these groups really. Below: Cooley group of Bridie Magee, Margaret Harold, Ambrose Kane and Breda Fernon receiving a plaque from Noeleen Mallon of the DSP Scheme. Cllrs at the Dundalk Municipal District November meeting last week, raised the issue of broken traffic lights at the Xerox junction on the old Dublin Road, as well as at the junction of the Gateway Hotel/DkIT and the Inner Relief Road. Cllr Yore raised the issue of broken traffic lights at the November meeting, saying that she was at the Crowne Plaza (now known as the Gateway Hotel) a few days prior when the traffic lights were out of order, and there was absolute chaos and that it was a road traffic accident waiting to happen. Cllr Yore asked, can we expediate the traffic light upgrade, I know we got funding, and there's funding allocated in the budget, at the major junctions. Cllr Shane McGuinness also spoke on the matter and asked if it was an ESB outage that caused the lights to go out, or was it a fault. Cllr McGuinness asked that if there is a planned ESB outage, does the ESB send us a letter letting us know there's going to be an outage within six or seven days? Read also: Louth County Council opens Books of Condolence for victims of road crash Replying to the councillors, Senior Executive Engineer with Louth County Council, Patrick Callan, said that there were proposals for traffic light upgrades along the Inner Relief Road as part of the Active Travel programme, and that there was money available for additional upgrades for traffic lights at four junctions. Mr Callan said that the broken traffic lights was called by an ESB outage, that was a planned ESB outage, but Louth County Council had not been aware of it. He said from his understanding, ESB send through in writing, a notification of areas without power for specific dates but nothing specific for traffic lights. Mr Callan added that he would chase the ESB up on it. Mr Callan went on to say that there was also issues at the Crowne Plaza junction, where the lights were installed by the same contractor in relation to timing sequences, but believed they should be all ironed out by now. Cllr Emma Coffey pointed out that she was at the Crowne Plaza junction that morning and the timing issues were not sorted. She said she was concerned as the road was not open at the moment but when it is, and traffic flowing through, it is causing serious backlog Cllr Kevin Meenan commented that the Xerox junction was very dangerous and put forward that An Garda Siochana should have been carrying out point duty, having said they would be open to such a move at a previous JPC meeting. Replying to Cllr Coffey, Mr Callan said that the timings at the junction are under review, adding he also spoke to the contractor that looks after the Gateway junction, and that it was going to continuously be reviewed to ensure it in right order particularly at peak times. Replying to Cllr Meenan's comments, Mr Callan added that they spoke to An Garda Siochana the previous Friday in relation to point duty, but said gardai had asked Louth County Council to do it. He said however, that Louth County Council does not have the facilities to carry it out at a junction of that size, but added that if an outage continued into darkness, then gardai would have manned the junction, but the lights had been repaired in advance of that. 45,000 has been allocated to support Boyne Valley Walking Festival in County Louth, through the Strategic Festival Tourism Portfolio, it was announced this morning by Minister Peter Burke. The portfolio provides funding for 38 festivals across the country over the coming three years. The news was welcomed by Louth Fine Gael TD, Paula Butterly, who said: I was delighted to learn from my colleague, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke that Boyne Valley Walking Festival in County Louth will benefit from Failte Ireland funding, totalling 45,000. "Even better is that this funding will be an annual grant this year and for the next two years, allowing the profile of the festival to be built and grown over the coming period, providing key support to the local economy and cementing the festival into the calendar of key annual events. Deputy Butterly continued: This government investment in authentic, local tourism will attract both local and international visitors to Louth to stay overnight and enjoy what we have to offer, with a focus on festivals held outside the summer season when the sector is usually quieter. Read also: Louth farmer wins Farming for Nature Ambassador Award for 2025 Making the announcement, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said: "The 38 funded festivals, a total investment of 3.9 million, will not only showcase Irelands rich culture and creativity but will also deliver real economic benefits for communities and our SMEs across the country. "By attracting visitors from home and abroad, these events will help to strengthen local businesses, support the 210,000 tourism jobs in our economy and enhance the competitiveness of our destinations. I will shortly be launching our new Tourism Strategy, which will lay out the strategic direction of tourism and investment over the coming five years. There will be a focus on balanced investment, ensuring that all areas of the country, in particular those that traditionally experience lower tourist numbers, are supported with government intervention and investment. "This will bolster our local economies and our many tourism SMEs, showcasing Irelands unique and authentic tourism offering to the world and providing economic benefit to local businesses. Parents of pupils at Darver National School in Louth have been left stunned after the small rural school asked children to bring in their own toilet paper and hand towels. The issue was raised in the Dail this week by Louth TD Ruairi O Murchu, who read out the email sent to parents by the school principal. The message explained that rising costs and stagnant government grants had left the school unable to cover certain basic consumable items, despite efforts to protect classrooms and teaching from the impact of financial pressures. Speaking in the Dail, Deputy O Murchu described the situation as very worrying and stressed that it was not normal for parents to be asked to provide essential hygiene products. He outlined the challenges faced by the school, which has 71 pupils and six teachers, occupies a building dating back to around 1940, and struggles with outdated heating and rising energy costs. Other costs, including printing, photocopying, and maintenance of outdoor areas, are largely funded by the parents association. The Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher OSullivan, responded by saying the situation was highly unusual and not representative of schools nationally. He confirmed that officials from the Department had contacted the school and referred it to the Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), which provides advice and assistance to schools in financial difficulty. Deputy OSullivan also noted that the 2026 budget includes 39 million in additional capitation funding, which will see primary school rates increase by 50 per pupil, alongside additional support for special schools and DEIS schools. He said these measures aim to ease financial pressure and ensure schools can meet day-to-day costs. Read Next: Calls for clarity on funding for crucial Louth road project Deputy O Murchu welcomed the response but said there was a need for sustainable support, noting that energy costs and legacy infrastructure issues at Darver National School exacerbate the situation. He said ongoing engagement with the FSSU and the Department of Education is essential to prevent similar situations in the future. Representatives from Dundalk Sub Aqua Search & Recovery Unit attended the National Search & Recovery Conference, which took place on 15th/16th November at the Athlone Springs Hotel, Westmeath. The event was attended by approx 100 delegates representing search and rescue units from across the island. Guest speakers from the emergency agencies, pathology & psychology delivered speeches on their field of expertise. Discussions took place around the subject of search and rescue divers never stop searching. A spokesperson for the club said: Search and rescue divers are a family, & whilst occasionally we fail to bring loved ones home, we never forget or stop searching. One case study, of a man missing 19yrs who was returned to his family. Nineteen years after this man went missing, divers on a training exercise came across a steering wheel. Read Next: Candlelight vigil to be held following tragic Dundalk crash After investigating further it was discovered it was the same make & model of the missing man's car. Divers involved in the original search 19yrs previously were also involved in the training programme. A full scale recovery operation was put in place, & the man was returned home to his family.